\ \ \ THE LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA PRESENTED BY PROF. CHARLES A. KOFOID AND MRS. PRUDENCE W. KOFOID '7 PHILOSOPHY IN SPORT MADE SCIENCE IN EARNEST; AN ATTEMPT TO ILLUSTRATE THE FIRST PRINCIPLES OF NATURAL PHILOSOPHY BY THE AID OF POPULAR TOYS AND SPORTS. FOURTH EDITION, WITH CONSIDERABLE ADDITIONS. LONDON: HARVEY AND DARTON, GRACECHURCH-STREET; AND HIGHLEY, FLEET-STREET. . .1839. TO MISS MARIA EDGEWORTH. MADAM, To whom can a work which professes to blend amusement with instruction, be dedicated with so much propriety, as to one, whose numerous writings have satisfactorily demonstrated the practicability and value of such a union; - to one, who has stripped Romance of her meretricious trappings, and converted her theatre into a temple worthy of Minerva ? Justly has it been observed, that to the magic pens of Ma- dame D'Arblay and yourself we are indebted for having the Novel restored to its consequence, and, therefore, to its usefulness ; and I may be allowed to add, that your Harry and Lucy has shown how pro- fitably, and agreeably, the machinery of fiction may be worked for the dissemination of truth. That a life which has been so honourable to your- self, and so serviceable to the commonwealth, may be long extended, and deservedly enjoyed, is the fervent wish of THE AUTHOR. London, February 1839. TO THE READER. TELL me, gentle Reader, whether thou hast not heard of the box of Pandora, which was no sooner opened by the unhappy Epimetheus, than it gave flight to a troop of malevolent spirits, which have ever since tormented the human race. BEHOLD ! I here present you with a magic casket, containing a GENIUS alone capable of counteracting their direful spells. Thou mayest, perhaps, say that its aspect but ill accords with the richness of its promised trea- sure ; so appeared the copper vessel found by the fish- erman, as related in the Arabian tale ; but, remember, that no sooner had he broken its mystic seal, than the imprisoned genius spread itself over the ocean and raised its giant limbs above the clouds. But this was an evil and treacherous spirit ; mine is as benevolent as he is mighty, and seeks communion with our race for no other object than to render mortals virtuous and happy. To be plain, for you must already, my young friends, have unriddled my allegory, his name is PHILOSOPHY. In your progress through life, be not so vain as to believe that you will escape the evils with which its path is beset. Arm yourselves, therefore, with the talisman that can, at once, deprive adversity of its sting, and prosperity of its dangers ; for such, believe me, is the rare privilege of philosophy. Vlll I must now take leave of you, for a short time, in order that I may address a few words to your parents and preceptors ; but, as I have no plot to abridge your liberties, or lengthen your hours of study, you may listen to my address without alarm, and to my plan without suspicion. Imagine not, however, that I shall recommend the dismissal of the cane, or the whip ; on the contrary, I shall insist upon them as necessary and indispensable instruments for the ac- complishment of my design. But the method of ap- plying them will be changed ; with the one I shall construct the bow of the kite, with the other I shall spin the top. The object of the present work is to inculcate that early love of science which can never be derived from the sterner productions. Youth is naturally addicted to amusement, and in this item his expenditure too often exceeds his allotted income. I have, therefore, taken the liberty to draw a draft upon Philosophy, with the full assurance that it will be gratefully re- paid, with compound interest, ten years after date. But to be serious ; those who superintend the educa- tion of youth should be apprised of the great import- ance of the first impressions. Rousseau has said, that the seeds of future vices or virtues are more frequently sown by the mother than the tutor ; thereby intimat- ing, that the characters of men are often determined by the earliest impressions ; and, of so much moment did Quintillian regard this truth, that he recommends to us the example of Philip, who did not suffer any other than Aristotle to teach Alexander to read. In IX like manner those who do not commence their study of nature at an early season, will afterwards have many unnecessary obstacles to encounter. The diffi- culty of comprehending the. principles of Natural Phi- losophy frequently arises from their being at vari- ance with those false ideas which early associations have impressed upon the mind; the first years of study are, therefore, expended in ^learning,' and in clearing away the weeds, which would never have taken root in a properly cultivated soil. Writers on practical education have repeatedly advocated the advantages of the plan I am so anxious to enforce; but, strange to say, it is only within a few years that any works have appeared at all calculated to afford the necessary assistance. In short, previous to the la- bours of Mrs. Marcet and Miss Edgeworth, the produc- tions published for the purpose of juvenile instruction may be justly charged with the grossest errors ; and must have proved as destructive to the mind of the young reader, as the book presented by the physician Douban is said to have been to the Grecian king, who, as the Arabian tale relates, imbibed fresh poison as he turned over each leaf, until he fell lifeless in the presence of his courtiers ; or, to give another illustra- tion, as mischievous as the magic volume of Michael Scott, which, as Dempster informs us, could not be opened without the danger of invoking some malig- nant fiend by the operation. How infinitely supe- rior in execution and purpose are the juvenile works of the present century ! to borrow a metaphor from Coleridge, they may be truly said to resemble a col- lection of mirrors set in the same frame, each having its own focus of knowledge, yet all capable of con- verging to one point. Allow me, friendly Reader, before I conclude my address, to say a few words upon the plan and exe- cution of the work before you. It is not intended to supersede or clash with any of the elementary trea- tises to which I have alluded ; indeed its plan is so peculiar, that I apprehend such a charge cannot be brought against it. The author originally composed it for the exclusive use of his children, and would certainly never have consigned it to the press, but at the earnest solicitations of those friends upon whose judgment he places the utmost reliance. Let this be received as an answer to those, who, believing that they can recognise the writer, may be induced to exclaim with Menedemus in Terence, " Tantumne est ab re tud otii tibi aliena ut cures, eaque nihil qua? ad te attinent ?"* It is scarcely necessary to offer any apology for the conversational plan of instruction ; the success of Mrs. Marcet's dialogues has placed its value beyond dis- pute. It may, however, be observed, that this species of composition may be executed in two different ways, either as direct conversation, where none but the speakers appear, which is the method used by Plato ; or as the recital of a conversation, where the author himself appears, and gives an account of what passed in discourse, which is the plan generally adopted by * " Have you such leisure from your own affairs To think of those that don't concern you ?" XI Cicero. The reader is aware, that Mrs. Marcet, in her " Conversations on Philosophy/' has adopted the former, while Miss Edgeworth, in her " Harry and Lucy," has preferred the latter method. In com- posing the present work I have followed the plan of the last-mentioned authoress. Its advantages over the more direct conversational style appear to consist in allowing occasional remarks, which come more aptly from the author than from any of the charac- ters engaged in the dialogue. If scientific dialogues are less popular in our times than they were in ancient days, it must be attributed to the frigid and insipid manner in which they have too frequently been executed j if we except the mere external forms of conversation, and that one character is made to speak, and the other to answer, they are altogether the same as if the author himself spoke throughout the whole, instead of amusing with a varied style of conversation, and with a display of consistent and well- supported characters. The intro- duction of a person of humour, to enliven the dis- course, is sanctioned by the highest authority. Caesar is thus introduced by Cicero, and Cynthio by Addison. In the introduction of Mr. Twaddleton and Major Snapwell, I am well aware of the criticisms to which I am exposed; I have exercised my fancy with a freedom and latitude, for which, probably, there is not any precedent in a scientific work. I have even ventured so far to deviate from the beaten track as to skirmish upon the frontiers of the Novelist, and to bring off captive some of the artillery of Romance ; Xll but if, by so doing, I have enhanced the interest of my work,, and furthered the accomplishment of its object, let me intreat that mere novelty may not be urged to its disparagement. The antiquarian Vicar, however, will, I trust, meet with cordial reception from the classical student. As to Ned Hopkins, although he may not bear a comparison with William Summers, the fool of Henry VIII. or with Richard Tarlton, who " undumpished Queen Elizabeth at his pleasure ;" or with Archibald Armstrong (vulgo Ar- chee) Jester to Charles, yet I will maintain, in spite of the Vicar's censure, that he is a right merry fellow, and to the Major, and consequently to our history, a most important accessary. If it be argued that several of my comic represen- tations are calculated, like seasoning, to stimulate the palate of the novel-reader, rather than to nourish the minds of the younger class, for whom the work was written, I might, were I so disposed, plead common usage; for does not the director of a juvenile fete courteously introduce a few piquant dishes, for the entertainment of those elder personages who may at- tend in the character of a chaperone? You surely could not deny me the full benefit of such a prece- dent ; and so, Gentle Reader, I bid thee Farewell ! CONTENTS. CHAPTER I. Tom Seymour's arrival from school Description of Overtoil Lodge The Horologe of Flora A geological temple A sketch of the person and character of the Reverend Peter Twaddleton Mr. Seymour engages to furnish his son with any toy, the philosophy of which he is able to explain Mr. Twad- dleton's arrival, and reception His remonstrances against the diffusion of science amongst the village mechanics A dialogue between Mr. Seymour and the Vicar, which some will dislike, many approve of, and all laugh at The plan of teaching philo- sophy by the aid of toys developed and discussed Mr. Twad- dleton's objections answered He relents, and engages to fur- nish an antiquarian history of the various toys and sports Pagel CHAPTER II. On gravitation Weight The velocity of falling bodies At. what altitude a body would lose its gravity The Tower of Babel The known velocity of sound affords the means of cal- culating distances An excursion to Overton well An experi- ment to ascertain its depth A visit to the vicarage The magic gallery Return to the lodge - - - 25 CHAPTER III. Motion absolute and relative Uniform, accelerated, and retarded velocity The times of ascent and descent are equal Vis inertiae Friction -Action and reaction are equal and in op- posite directions Momentum defined and explained The three great laws of motion - - - - - 48 CHAPTER IV. A sad accident turned to a good account One example worth a hundred precepts The centres of magnitude and gravity XIV CONTENTS. The point of suspension The line of direction The stability of bodies, and upon what it depends Method of finding the centre of gravity of a body The art of the balancer explained and illustrated Various balancing toys - - 65 CHAPTER V. The Chinese tumblers, illustrating the joint effects of change in the centre of gravity of a body, and of momentum Mr. Twaddleton's arrival after a series of adventures The dancing balls The pea-shooter A figure that dances on a fountain The flying witch Elasticity Springs The game of "Rico- chet," or duck and drake The rebounding ball Animals that leap by means of an elastic apparatus A new species of puffing, by which the Vicar is made to change countenance - - 85 CHAPTER VI. The arrival of Major Snapwell, and the bustle it occasioned The Vicar's interview with the stranger A curious discus- sion A word or two addressed to fox-hunters Verbal corrup- tions Some geometrical definitions An enigma - - 102 CHAPTER VII. Compound forces The composition and resolution of motion Rotatory motion The revolving watch-glass The sling The centrifugal and centripetal forces Theory of projectiles A geological conversation between Mr. Seymour and the Vicar 117 CHAPTER VIII. The subject of rotatory motion continued A ball, by having a peculiar spinning motion imparted to it, may be made to stop short, or to retrograde, though it meets not with any apparent obstacle The rectilinear path of a spherical body influenced by its rotatory motion Bilboquet, or cup and ball The joint forces which enable the balancer to throw up and catch his balls on the full gallop The hoop The centre of percussion The whip and peg-top Historical notices The power by which the top is enabled to sustain its vertical position during the act of spin- ning The sleeping of the top explained The force which en- ables it to rise from an oblique into a vertical position Its gyration - - - - - -136 CONTENTS. XV CHAPTER IX. Trap and ball Gifts from the Vicar An antiquarian history of the ball The see-saw The mechanical powers The swing The doctrine of oscillation Galileo's discovery The pendu- lum An interesting letter Mr. Seymour and the Vicar visit Major Snap well - - - 151 CHAPTER X. Marbles Antiquity of the game Method of manufacturing them Ring-taw Mr. Seymour, the Vicar, and Tom, enter the lists The defeat of the two former combatants ; the triumph of the latter A philosophical explanation of the several movements The subject of reflected motion illustrated The Vicar's apo- logy, of which many grave personages will approve - 167 CHAPTER XI. Mr. Seymour and his family visit the Major at Osterley Park A controversy between the Vicar and the Major The Sucker Cohesive attraction Pressure of the atmosphere Meaning of the term suction Certain animals attach themselves to rocks by a contrivance analogous to the sucker The Limpet The Walrus Locomotive organs of the house-fly A terrible accident A scene in the village, in which Dr. Doseall figures as a principal performer The Vicar's sensible remonstrance ' The density of the atmosphere at different altitudes Inelas- ticity of water Bottle-imps The Barometer The pop-gun The air-gun An antiquarian discussion, in which the Vicar and Major Snapwell greatly distinguish themselves - 180 CHAPTER XII. The soap-bubble The squirt The bellows ; an explanation of their several parts By whom the instrument was invented The sucking and lifting, or common pump - - 202 CHAPTER XIII. The kite Its construction The tail An author's medita- tions among the catacombs of Paternoster-row Works in their winding sheets How Mr. Seymour strung puns as he strung the kite's tail The Vicar's dismay The weather, with the hopes and fears which it alternately inspired Kites constructed XVI CONTENTS. in various shapes The figure usually adopted to be preferred The flight of the kite A philosophical disquisition upon the forces by which its ascent is accomplished The tail A dis- course on the theory of flying The structure and action of the wings of birds A series of kites on one string A kite carriage The messenger The causes and velocity of wind explained 215 CHAPTER XIV. A short discourse The shuttlecock The solution of two problems connected with its flight The windmill The smoke- jack A toy constructed on the same principle The bow and arrow Archery The arrival of Isabella Villers - - 247 CHAPTER XV. A curious dialogue between the Vicar and Miss Villers An enigma The riddles of Samson and Cleobulus Sound How propagated by aerial vibration Music A learned discussion touching the superior powers of ancient music The magic of music, a game which the author believes is here described for the first time Adventures by moonlight Spirits of the valley 262 CHAPTER XVI. Origin of the crescent as the Turkish ensign Apparitions dispelled by philosophy Fairy rings Musical instruments classed under three divisions Mixed instruments Theory of wind instruments The' J ew's harp The statue of Memnon An interesting experiment The flute The whiz-gig, &c. Echoes The whispering gallery in the dome of St. Paul's The speaking trumpet The invisible girl Other acoustic amusements Creaking shoes Haunted rooms - - 291 CHAPTER XVII. An interesting communication, from which the reader may learn that the most important events are not those which absorb the greatest portion of time in their recital Major Snapwell communicates to Mr. Seymour and the Vicar, his determination to celebrate the marriage of his nephew by a fete at Osterley Park An antiquarian discussion of grave importance An in- terview with Ned Hopkins, during which the wit displayed both cunning and humour The Thaumatrope Its improved con- CONTENTS. XV11 struction Philosophy of its action Another optical toy The nature of optical spectra illustrated and explained The spectral cross of Constantine - ... 319 CHAPTER XVIII. The Thaumatrope A great improvement effected in its con- struction Another toy upon the same optical principle - 337 CHAPTER XIX. Preparations for the approaching fete The procession of the bridal party to Osterley Park The Major and his visitors super- intend the arrangements in the meadow The curious discussion which took place on that occasion The origin of the swing Merry-andrews Trajetours, &c. The dinner at the hall The learned controversy which was maintained with respect to the game of Chess ..... 364 CHAPTER XX. The arrival of the populace at Osterley Park The commence- ment of the festivities Dancing on the tight and slack rope Balancing Conjuring Optical illusions Various games Penthalum The banquet Grand display of fireworks Con- clusion - - - - - 383 APPENDIX Additional Notes - - - 407 PHILOSOPHY IN SPORT. CHAPTER I. Tom Seymour's arrival from school. Description of Overton Lodge. The Horologe of Flora. A geological temple. A sketch of the person and character of the Reverend Peter Twaddleton. Mr. Seymour engages to furnish his son with any toy, the philosophy of which he is able to explain. Mr. Twaddleton 1 s arrival and reception. His remonstrances against the diffusion of science amongst the village mechanics. A dia- logue between Mr. Seymour and the vicar, which some will dis- like, many approve of, and all laugh at. The plan of teaching philosophy by the aid of toys developed and discussed. Mr. Twaddleton 's objections answered. He relents, and engages to furnish an antiquarian history of the various toys and sports. THE summer recess of Mr. Pearson's school was not more anxiously anticipated by the scholars than it was by the numerous family of Seymour, who, at the commencement of the year,, had parted from a be- loved son and brother for the first time. As the sea- son of relaxation approached, so did the inmates of Overton Lodge (for such was the name of Mr. Sey- mour's seat) betray increasing impatience for its ar- rival. The three elder sisters, Louisa, Fanny, and Rosa, had been engaged for several days in arranging the little study which their brother Tom had usually occupied. His books were carefully replaced on their shelves, and bunches of roses and jasmines, which the affectionate girls had culled from the finest trees in the 2 PHILOSOPHY IN SPORT garden, were tastefully dispersed through the apart- ment ; the festoons of blue ribbons, with which they were entwined, at once announced themselves as the work of graceful hands, impelled by light hearts ; and every flower might be said to reflect from its glowing petals the smiles with which it had been collected and arranged. At length the happy day arrived ; a post- chaise drew up to the front gate, and Tom was once again folded in the arms of his affectionate and delighted parents. The little group surrounded their beloved brother, and welcomed his return with all the warmth and artlessness of juvenile sincerity. " Well," said Mr. Seymour, "if the improvement of your mind corre- sponds with that of your looks, I shall indeed have reason to congratulate myself upon the choice of your school. But have you brought me any letter from Mr. Pearson ?" "I have," replied Tom, who presented his father with a note from his master, in which he had commented, in high terms of commendation, not only upon Tom's general conduct, but upon the rapid progress which he had made in his classical studies. " My dearest boy," exclaimed the delighted father, " I am more than repaid for the many anxious mo- ments which I have passed on your account. I find that your conduct has given the highest satisfaction to your master ; and that your good-nature, generosity, and, above all, your strict adherence to truth, have ensured the love and esteem of your school-fellows." This gratifying report brought tears of joy into the eyes of Mrs. Seymour ; Tom's cheek glowed with the feeling of conscious merit ; and the sisters interchanged looks of mutual satisfaction. Can there be an incen- tive to industry and virtuous conduct so powerful as the exhilarating smiles of approbation which the school- boy receives from an affectionate parent ? Tom would not have exchanged his feelings for all the world, and he internally vowed that he would never deviate from a course that had been productive of so much happiness. MADE SCIENCE IN EARNEST. 3 " But come/' exclaimed Mr. Seymour, " let us all retire into the library. I am sure that our dear fellow will be glad of some refreshment after his journey." We shall here leave the family circle to the undis- turbed enjoyment of their domestic banquet, and in- vite the reader to accompany us in a stroll about the grounds of this beautiful and secluded retreat. We are amongst those who believe that the habits and character of a family may be as easily discovered from the rural taste displayed in the grounds which surround their habitation, as by any examination of the prominences on their heads, or of the lineaments in their faces. How vividly is the decline of an an- cient race depicted by the chilling desolation which reigns around the mansion, and by the rank weed which insolently triumphs over its fading splendour ; and how equally expressive of the peaceful and con- tented industry of the thriving cottager, is the well cultivated patch which adjoins the humble dwelling, around whose rustic porch the luxuriant lilac clusters, or the aspiring woodbine twines its green tendrils and sweetly-scented blossoms ! In like manner did the elegantly disposed grounds of Overton Lodge at once announce the classic taste and fostering presence of a refined and highly cultivated family. The house, which was in the Ionic style of architec- ture, was situated on the declivity of a hill, so that the verdant lawn which was spread before its southern front, after retaining its level for a short distance, gently sloped to the vale beneath, and was terminated by a luxuriant shrubbery, over which the eye com- manded a range of fair enclosruse, beautified by an ir- regularly undulating surface, and interspersed with rich masses of wood. The uniformity of the lawn was broken by occasional clumps of flowering shrubs, so artfully selected and arranged, as to afford all the va- ried charms of contrast ; while, here and there, a lofty elm flung its gigantic arms over the sward beneath, 4 PHILOSOPHY IN SPORT and cast a deep shade, which enabled the inhabitants of the Lodge to enjoy the air, even during the heat of a meridian sun. The shrubbery, which occupied a con- siderable portion of the valley, stretched for some dis- tance up the western part of the hill ; and, could Shenstone have wandered through its winding paths and deep recesses, his favourite Leasowes might have suffered from a comparison. Here were mingled shrubs of every varied dye ; the elegant foliage of white and scarlet acacias was blended with the dark-green-leaved chesnut ; and the stately branches of the oak were relieved by the gracefully pendulous boughs of the beech. At irregular intervals, the paths expanded into verdant glades, in each of which the bust of some departed poet or philosopher announced the genius to which they were severally consecrated. From a de- scription of one or two of these sequestered spots, the reader will readily conceive the taste displayed in those upon which our limits will not allow us to dwell. After winding, for some distance, through a path so closely interwoven with shrubs and trees, that scarcely a sunbeam could struggle through the foliage, a gleam of light burst through the gloom, and displayed a beautiful marble figure, which had been executed by a Roman artist, representing Flora in the act of being attired by Spring. It was placed in the centre of the expanse formed by the retiring trees, and at its base were flowering, at measured intervals, a variety of those plants to which Linneeus has given the name of Equinoctial flowers, since they open and close at cer- tain and exact hours of the day, and thus by proper arrangement constitute the HOROLOGE OF FLORA, (1)* or Nature's time-piece. It had been constructed, un- der the direction of her mother, by Louisa Seymour. The hour of the day at which each plant opened, was represented by an appropriate figure of nicely trimmed * These figures refer to the additional notes at the end of the work. MADE SCIENCE IN EARNEST. O box ; and these, being arranged in a circle, not only ful- filled the duty, but exhibited the appearance of a dial. From this retreat several winding paths threaded their mazy way through the deep recesses of the wood ; and the wanderer, quitting for a while the blaze of day, was refreshed by the subdued light which everywhere pervaded the avenue, except wher the hand of taste had, here and there, turned aside the boughs, and opened a vista to bring the village spire into view, or to gladden the sight by a rich prospect of the distant landscape. After having de- scended for some way, the path, losing its inclined direction, proceeded on a level, and thus announced to the stranger his arrival at the bottom of the valley. What a rich display of woodland scenery was sud- denly presented to his view ! A rocky glen, in which large masses of sandstone were grouped with pic- turesque boldness, terminated the path, and formed an area wherein he might gaze on the mighty sylvan amphitheatre, which gradually rose to a towering height above him, and seemed to interpose an insu- perable barrier between the solitude of this sequester- ed spot and the busy haunts of men ; not a sound assailed the ear, save the murmur of the summer breeze, as it swept the trembling foliage, or the brawl- ing of a small mountain stream, which gushed from the rock, and, like an angry chit, fretted and fumed as it encountered the obstacles that had been raised by its own impetuosity. This was the favourite re- treat of Mr. Seymour, and he had dedicated it to the genius of geology ; here had he erected a temple to the memory of Werner, and every pillar and orna- ment bore testimony to the refined taste of its archi- tect. It consisted of a dome, constructed of innume- rable shells and corallines, and surmounted by a marble figure of Atlas, bearing the globe on his shoulders, upon which the name of WERNER was inscribed. The dome was supported by twelve pil- 6 PHILOSOPHY IN SPORT lars of so singular and beautiful a construction as to merit a particular description : the Corinthian capital of each was of Pentelican marble ; the column con- sisted of a spiral of about six inches in breadth, which wound round a central shaft of not more than two inches in diameter ; upon this spiral were placed spe- cimens of various rocks, of such masses as to fill up the outline, and to present to the eye the appearance of a substantial and well-proportioned pillar. These specimens were arranged in an order corresponding with their acknowledged geological relations ; thus, the Diluvial productions occupied the higher compart- ments ; the Primitive strata, the lower ones ; and the Secondary and Transition series found an interme- diate place. The tessellated floor presented the dif- ferent varieties of marble, so artfully interspersed as to afford a most harmonious combination ; the Uni- coloured, variegated, Madreporic, the Lumachetta, Cipolino, and Breccia marbles, were each represented by a characteristic and well-defined specimen. The alcoved ceiling was studded with Rock Crystal, cal- careous Stalactites, and beautiful Calcedonies. A group of figures in basso relievo adorned the wall which enclosed about a third part of the interior of the temple, and its subject gave evidence of the Wer- nerian devotion of Mr. Seymour; for it represented a contest between Pluto and Neptune, in which the watery god was seen in the act of wresting the burn- ing torch from the hand of his adversary, in order to quench it in the ocean. Mr. Seymour had studied in the school of Freyburg, under the auspices of its celebrated professor ; and, like all the pupils of Werner, he pertinaciously maintained the aqueous origin of our strata. But let us return to the happy party at the Lodge, whom the reader will remember we left at their repast. This having been concluded, and all those various subjects discussed, and questions answered, which the school-boy, who has ever felt the MADE SCIENCE IN EARNEST. / satisfaction of returning home for the holidays, will more easily conceive than we can describe, Tom en- quired of his father, whether his old friend, Mr. Twaddleton, the Vicar of Overton, was well, and at the Parsonage. " He is quite well," replied Mr. Sey- mour, " and so anxious to see you, that he has paid several visits, during the morning, to enquire whether you had arrived. Depend upon it, that many hours will not elapse before you see him." In that wish did Tom and the whole juvenile party heartily concur ; for the vicar, notwithstanding his oddities, was the most affectionate creature in ex- istence, and never was he more truly happy than when contributing to the innocent amusement of his little "play-mates" as he used to call Tom and his sisters. It may be here necessary to present the reader with a short sketch of the character of a person, who will be hereafter found to perform a prominent part in the little drama of Overton Lodge. The Rev. Peter Twaddleton, Master of Arts, and Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries, for we must introduce him in due form, was about fifty-two years of age, twenty of which he had spent at Cambridge, as a resident Fellow of Jesus College. He had not possessed the vicarage of Overton above eight or nine years ; and, although its value never exceeded a hun- dred and eighty pounds a year, so limited were his wants, and so frugal his habits, that he generally contrived to save a considerable sum out of his in- come, in order that he might devote it to purposes of charity and benevolence : his charity, however, was not merely of the hand, but of the heart ; dis- tress was unknown in his village ; he fed the hungry, nursed the sick, and cheered the unfortunate ; his long collegiate residence had imparted to his mind several peculiar traits, and a certain stiffness of address and quaintness of manner which at once distinguish the 8 PHILOSOPHY IN SPORT recluse from the man of the world; in short, as Shakspeare expresses it, " he was not hackneyed in the ways of men" His face was certainly the very re- verse to everything that could be considered " good- looking/' and yet, when he smiled, there was an ani- mation that redeemed the irregularity of his angular features; so benevolent was the expression of his countenance, that it was impossible not to feel that sentiment of respect and admiration which the pre- sence of a superior person is wont to inspire ; but his superiority was rather that of the heart than of the head ; not that we would insinuate any deficiency in intellect, but that his moral excellencies were so transcendent as to throw into the shade all those mental qualities which he possessed in common with the world. He entertained a singular aversion to the mathematics, a prejudice which we are inclined to refer to his disappointment in the senate-house ; for, although he was known at Cambridge as one of those " pale beings in spectacles and cotton stockings," com- monly called ' ' reading men," yet, after all his exer- tions, he only succeeded in obtaining the " wooden spoon/' an honour which devolves upon the last of the "junior optimes" Whether his failure arose from an exuberant or a deficient genius, or, to speak phrenolo- gically, from an excess in his number of bumps, or a defect in his bump of numbers, we are really unable to state, never having had an opportunity of verify- ing our suspicions by a manual examination of his cranium ; he was, however, well read in the classics, and so devoted to the works of Virgil that he never lost an opportunity of quoting his favourite poet ; and it must be admitted, that, although these quotations so generally pervaded his conversation as to become irksome, they were sometimes apposite, and now and then even witty. But notwithstanding the delight which he experienced in a lusus verborum in a learn- ed language, of such contradictory materials was he MADE SCIENCE IN EARNEST. composed, that his antipathy to an English pun was extravagant and ridiculous. This peculiarity has been attributed,, but we speak merely from common report., to a disgust which he contracted for that species of spurious wit, during his frequent intercourse with the Johnians. a race of students who have, from time im- memorial, been identified with the most profligate class of punsters ; be this, however, as it may, we are in- clined to believe that a person who resides much amongst those who are addicted to this vice, unless he quickly takes the infection, acquires a sort of con- stitutional insusceptibility, like nurses, who pass their lives in infected apartments with perfect safety and impunity. His favourite, and we might add his only pursuit, beyond the circle of his profession, was the study of antiquities ; he was, as we have already stated, a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries ; had collected a very tolerable series of ancient coins, and possessed sufficient critical acumen to distinguish be- tween Attic aerugo-, and the spurious verdure of the modern counterfeit. Often had he undertaken an ex- pedition of a hundred miles to inspect the interior of ' an ancient barrow, or to examine the mouldering frag- ments of some newly-discovered monument; indeed, like the connoisseur in cheese, blue-mould and decay were the favourite objects of his taste, and the sure passports to his favour ; for he despised all living tes- timony, but that of worms and maggots. A coin with the head of a living sovereign passed through his hands with as little resistance as water through a sieve, but he grasped the head of an Antonine or Otho with in- satiable and relentless avarice. Mr. Twaddleton's figure exceeded the middle stature, and was so ex- tremely slender as to give him the air and appearance of a tall man. He was usually dressed in an old- fashioned suit of black cloth, consisting of a single- breasted coat, with a standing collar, and deep comprehensive cuffs, and a flapped waistcoat; but 10 PHILOSOPHY IN SPORT so awkwardly did these vestments conform with the contour of his person, that we might have supposed them the production of those Laputan tailors who wrought by mathematical principles, and held in sove- reign contempt the illiterate fashioners who deemed it necessary to measure the forms of their customers ; although it was whispered by certain censorious spin- sters in the village that the aforesaid mathematical artists were better acquainted with the angles of the Seven Dials, than with the squares of the west end. They farther surmised that the vicar's annual journey to London, which in truth was undertaken with no other objects than those of attending the anniversary of the Society of Antiquaries, on Saint George's day, and of inspecting the cabinets of his old crony, the celebrated medallist of Tavistock-street, was for the laudable purpose of recruiting his wardrobe. If the aforesaid coat, with its straggling and disproportioned suburbs, possessed an amplitude of dimensions which ill accorded with the slender wants of his person, this misapplied liberality was more than compensated by the rigid economy exhibited in the nether part of his costume, which evidently had not been designed by a contemporary artisan ; not so his shoes, which, for the accommodation of those unwelcome parasites, vulgarly called corns, were constructed in the form of a battle- dore, and displayed such an unbecoming quantity of leather, that, as Ned Hopkins, a subaltern wit of the village alehouse, observed, "however economical their parson might appear, he was undoubtedly supported in extravagance." Nor did the natural association between tithes and "corn-bags" escape his observa- tion, but was repeated with various other allusions of equal piquancy, to the no small annoyance of the reverend gentleman, and, as he declared, to the dis- paragement of his cloth. After the social repast had been concluded, Tom proposed a ramble through the shrubbery. He was MADE SCIENCE IN EARNEST. 11 anxious to revisit the scene of his former sports ; and Louisa readily met his wishes, for she was also de- sirous of showing him the botanical clock, which had been planned and completed since his absence. Mr. Seymour accompanied his children, and, as they walked across the lawn, Tom asked his father whether he remembered the promise he had made him on quit- ting home for school, that of furnishing him with some new amusements during the holidays. " I perfectly remember/' said his father, " the promise to which you allude, and I hope that you equally well recollect the conditions with which it was coupled. When your mamma gave you a copy of Mrs. Marcet's instructive Dialogues on Natural Philosophy, I told you that, after you had studied the principles which that work so admirably explains, you would have but little difficulty in understanding the philosophy of toys, or the manner in which each produced its amusing effects; and that, when the midsummer holidays commenced, I would succes- sively supply you with a new amusement, whenever you could satisfactorily explain the principles of those you already possessed. Was not that our contract ?" "It was," exclaimed Tom, with great eagerness, " and I am sure I shall win the prize, whenever you will try me, and I hope my mamma and sisters will be present." " Certainly," replied Mr. Seymour, " and I trust that Louisa and Fanny, who are of an age to under- stand the subject, will not prove uninterested spec- tators. John, too, will profit by our scheme; for, as I shall necessarily require, for illustration, certain toys which can scarcely afford any amusement to a boy of your age and acquirements, it is but fair that they should be transferred into his hands ; our little philosopher, Matthew, will also, I am sure, enter into the spirit of our pastimes with the greatest satisfac- tion." 12 PHILOSOPHY IN SPORT " Thank you ! thank you ! dear papa/' was simul- taneously shouted by several voices, and the happy children looked forward to the morrow with that mixed sensation of impatience and delight which al- ways attends juvenile anticipations. On the following morning, the vicar was seen ap- proaching, and Tom and his sisters immediately ran forward to greet him. " My dear boy," exclaimed the vicar, " I am truly rejoiced to see you ; when did you arrive from school? How goes on Virgil? Hey, my boy? You must be delighted with the great Mantuan bard; now confess, you little Trojan, can you eat a cheesecake without being reminded of the Harpy's prophecy, and its fulfilment, as discovered by young Ascanius: Ileus ! etiam mensas consumimus, inquit lulus. JEu.vii. 116. " But, bless me, how amazingly you have grown ! and how healthy you look !" Tom took advantage of this pause in the vicar's address, which had hither- to flowed in so uninterrupted and rapid a stream as to preclude the possibility of any reply to his questions, to inform him that his father was on the lawn, and desirous of seeing him. " Mr. Twaddleton," exclaimed Mr. Seymour, " you are just in time to witness the commencement of a se- ries of amusements, which I have proposed for Tom's instruction during the holidays." "Amusement and instruction," replied the vicar, " are not synonymous in my vocabulary ; unless, in- deed, they be applied to the glorious works of Virgil ; but let me hear your scheme." " I have long thought," said Mr. Seymour, YRO- PLASTICS* has fully instructed me in those parti- culars." " If that be the case," replied Mr. Seymour, " you will not have any difficulty in answering my ques- tions ; but we must, nevertheless, go regularly through the subject, for the sake of your sisters, who may not be equally proficient in this elementary part of geo- * " PAPYRO-PLASTICS," or the Art of Modelling in Paper ; from the German, by Hoileau London, 1825. The Author strongly recommends this interesting; little work, as opening a new source of instructive amusement. His own children have derived from it many hours of rational recreation. 112 PHILOSOPHY IN SPORT metry: tell me, therefore, in the first place, what is meant by a parallelogram!' " A four-sided figure/' answered Tom. " That is true ; but are there not some other con- ditions annexed to it ? " '" Yes ; its opposite sides are parallel." " And what do you understand by the term pa- rallel ? " " Lines are said to be parallel/' said Tom, " when they are always at the same distance from each other, and which, therefore, can never meet, though ever so far continued." " You are quite right. What is a square ?" " A four-sided figure, in which the sides are all equal, and its angles all right angles." (( Good again : but let me see whether you have a correct notion of the nature of an angle." " An angle is the opening formed by two lines meeting in a point." Mr. Seymour here acknowledged himself perfectly- satisfied with his son's answers, and said, that he should accordingly direct his attention more particu- larly to Louisa and Fanny ; and, taking his pencil, he sketched the annexed figure. " You perceive, Lou- Fig. 1. isa," said her father, 4 ' ' that the line A c makes two angles with the line B D, viz. the angle A c D B /_ and the angle A c B; and you perceive that these two angles are equal to each other." " How can they be equal ?" cried Fanny, a body may be made to traverse the same path A D, by any pair of forces represented by the adjacent sides of either of such parallelograms." " Undoubtedly." " I request you to keep that fact in your recollec- tion." " I have now to inform you," continued he, " that a single force may be resolved into any number of forces, and may, in fact, be regarded as compounded of innumerable oblique ones. In order, however, to ren- der this fact more intelligible, I must refer you to fy. 6, from which it will appear that the motion of a body, along the line A D, will be the same whether it arise from one single force acting in that direction, or from two forces impressed upon it in the directions A B, A c, or in those of A E, A F ; and, consequently, although the motion may, in reality, be the effect of a single force, yet it may be considered as compounded of two or more in other directions, since the very same motion would arise from such a composition." Tom acknowledged the truth of this statement ; and Mr. Seymour assured him, that, when they came to play at ball and marbles, he should be able to give him a practical demonstration of the fact ; for he would show him, that whenever a body strikes a surface ob- liquely, or in an inclined direction, such a resolution of force will actually take place : and now, Tom," said his father, " give me a marble ; for I wish to explain the reason why it turns round, or revolves on its axis, as it proceeds forward." 122 PHILOSOPHY IN SPORT " I suppose," said Tom, " it depends upon the action which I give to it by my thumb and finger when I shoot it out of my hand." " You are, undoubtedly, capable of thus giving to your marble a certain spinning motion, the effect of which we shall have to consider hereafter; but I fancy you would be greatly puzzled to make it proceed with- out revolving, give it what impulse you might by your hand." " I have sometimes tried," said Tom, " to make it do so by pushing it along with a flat ruler, but it always rolled in spite of me." " Then it is clear, from your own experiment, that its rotation cannot arise from the cause you would assign to it. If you will attend to this diagram," con- tinued his father, " I Fig. 7. will endeavour to ex- plain the operation. It is evident that, as the marble moves along the ground B D, the motion of the point B will be retarded by the resist- ance occasioned by its rubbing on the ground ; while the point c, which does not meet with any such resist- ance, is carried forward without opposition, and it consequently must move faster than the point B ; but since all the parts of the marble cohere or stick to- gether, the point c cannot move faster than B, unless the marble revolves from c to E ; and as the several points of the marble which are successively applied to the floor are retarded in their motion, while the oppo- site points move freely, the marble during its progres- sive motion must continue to revolve." " But you said, papa, that whenever a body moved in any direction, except that of a straight line, it must have been acted upon by more than one force ; and yet the marble not only runs along the ground, but MADE SCIENCE IN EARNEST. 123 turns round, at the same time, by the simple force of my hand." " The revolution of the marble, my dear boy, is brought about by no less than three forces : look atten- tively at the diagram, and you will easily comprehend my explanation. There is, in the first place, the rec- tilinear motion given to it by your hand ; then there is the friction of the ground : since, however, this lat- ter acts in a contrary direction, it merely tends to lessen or counteract the velocity with which the under- surface proceeds, and consequently to give a relatively- increased progressive motion to its upper part ; then comes that force by which its several parts cohere, and which may be represented by c H ; so that the two forces producing the revolution of the point c, are just- ly expressed by the lines c G, c H : but these are in the direction of the two sides of a parallelogram, the point will therefore move along the diagonal c E. I have here a toy for you, which will serve to explain still farther the causes of rotation to which I have alluded." Mr. Seymour produced a watch-glass, in the hollow of which stood a dancing-figure of thin card, as here represented. 124 PHILOSOPHY IN SPOBT He placed it upon a black japanned waiter,* which he held in an inclined position, when it immediately slided down the inclined plane, as might have been expected. He next let fall a drop of water upon the waiter, and placed the watch-glass in it. Under this new arrangement, instead of sliding, the watch-glass began to revolve as soon as an inclination was given to the surface ; and it continued to revolve with an accelerated velocity, obeying the inclination and posi- tion of the plane, as directed by the hand of the operator. ' f What a very pretty effect is produced by the rapid revolution of the figure ! " observed Louisa. " Its use in the arrangement," said her father, which, rushing into the barrel, gives motion to the ball." " But how is the condensed air introduced into the reservoir ?" asked Tom. " By means of a condensing syringe/' replied his father; "but I will take an opportunity of exhibiting the instrument in operation." The reader will be pleased to recollect that the major agreed to pay a passing visit to the vicarage ; it now becomes our duty to record what happened upon that memorable occasion ; and we, perhaps, cannot better represent the nature of the discussion that took place than by relating the account as it was given by the belligerent parties themselves in conversation with Mr. Seymour* " Well, gentlemen," said Mr. Seymour, " is it peace or war? I trust you have amicably adjusted all your differences." " Upon my word," answered the vicar, " I have just reason to complain of the major's unjustifiable scepticism upon points that are perfectly unques- tionable." " You continue then to smart under the major's stinging criticisms, ' majore sub hoste.' There is a Latin pun for your consolation," said Mr. Seymour. " The vicar alludes, I suppose," said the major, (f to the doubt I expressed respecting the authenticity of his leathern money ?"