replies to such questions that I may offer, or to favour me with a reference to such works as will afford the information desired.

To commence, therefore, I feel desirous to know, by what law of nature, caloric, or heat, descends from the sun to the earth, when caloric is passing from earth, or from bodies on its surface, to the atmosphere which surrounds it? ---and, as an impartation of caloric by sun to earth is continual, what finally becomes of that caloric which is thus continually evolved from the sun.

Requesting that you will favour me with an insertion of the above, I am, Sir,

Your obedient servant,
Z.

SINGULAR EXPERIMENT.

Mr. Editor, The following curious and mysterious experiment, which I have several times performed, you may perhaps consider of sufficient interest to occupy a place in your GLEANER :--

Let a sixpence be fastened by means of a loop to a piece of thread, and the other end held between the fore finger and thumb. Place the elbow upon a table within a few inches of a clean glass tumbler, in such a manner that the piece of metal may be suspended rather higher than the centre of the glass. If it be held quiet, it will soon begin to vibrate, which will increase to that degree as to cause it to strike the sides of the glass. So far it is singular. But the mystery consists in the number of times it strikes the glass, always corresponding with the hour last

struck by the clock. If the experiment should be tried a little before one o'clock, it will strike twelve times, and then stop; if a few minutes after, it will strike only once, and almost instantly cease to vibrate. This appears to me extremely curious, as the cause (which I should presume is electrical) one would think would possess the same power ten minutes before as ten minutes after one o'clock; and what is still more curious, that having produced the effect related, it will almost instantly cease to act, as the piece of metal soon becomes stationary, and must be removed from the glass before it will again vibrate. Very little attention appears necessary to perform this experiment; although it will not always succeed.

WHIMSICAL STORY.

G.

The following whimsical story is taken from the popular work called " Life in London :"

King James VI. on his arrival in London, was waited on by a Spanish Ambassador, a man of some erudition, but who had strangely incorporated with his learning, a whimsical notion, that every country ought to have a school, in which a certain order of men should be taught to interpret signs; and that the most expert in this department should be dignified with the title of Professor of Signs. If this plan were adopted, he contended, that most of the difficulties arising from the ambiguity of language, and the imperfect acquaintance which the people of one nation had with the tongue of another, would be done away.

Signs, he argued, arose from the dictates of nature; and, as they were the same in every country, there could be no danger of their being misunderstood. Full of this project, the Ambassador was lamenting one day before the King, that the nations of Europe were wholly destitute of this great desideratum ; and he strongly recommended the establishment of a college founded upon the simple principles he had suggested. The king, either to humour this Quixotte foible, or to gratify his own ambition at the expense of truth, observed in reply, "Why, Sir, I have a Professor of Signs in one of the northernmost colleges in my dominions; but the distance is, perhaps, six hundred miles, so that it will be impracticable for you to have an interview with him." Pleased with this unexpected information, the Ambassador exclaimed---" If it were six hundred leagues I would go to see him; and I am determined to set out in the course of three or four days."

The King, who now perceived that he had committed himself, endeavoured to divert him from his purpose; but, finding this impossible, he immediately ordered letters to be written to the college, stating the case as it really stood, and desiring the Professors to get rid of the Ambassador in the best way they were able, without exposing their Sovereign. Disconcerted at this strange and unexpected message, the Professors scarcely knew how to proceed. They, however, at length, thought to put off their august visitant by saying, that the Professor of Signs was not at home, and that his return

C

would be very uncertain. Having thus fabricated the story, they made preparations to receive the illustrious stranger, who, keeping his word, in due time, reached their abode.

On his arrival, being introduced with becoming solemnity, he began to enquire, who among them had the honour of being Professor of Signs? He was told in reply, that neither of them had that exalted honour; but that the learned gentleman, after whom he enquired, was gone into the Highlands---that they conceived his stay would be considerable; but that no one among them could even conjecture the period of his return. "I will wait his coming," replied the Ambassador, "if it be twelve months."

Finding him thus determined, and fearing, from the journey he had already undertaken, that he might be as good as his word, the learned Professors had recourse to another stratagem. To this they found themselves driven, by the apprehension that they must entertain him as long as he chose to tarry; and in case he should unfortunately weary out their patience, the whole affair must terminate in the discovery of the fraud. They knew a butcher, who had been in the habit of serving the colleges occasionally with meat: this man, they thought, with a little instruction, might serve their purpose; he was, however, blind of one eye, but he had much drollery and impudence about him, and very well knew how to conduct any farce to which his abilities were competent.

On sending for Geordy (for that was the butcher's name)

they communicated to him the tale, and instructing him in the part he was to act, he readily undertook to become Professor of Signs, especially as he was not to speak one word in the Ambas sador's presence, on any pretence whatever. Having made these arrangements, it was formally announced to the Ambassador, that the Professor would be in town in the course of a few days, when he might expect a silent interview. Pleased with this information, the learned foreign er thought that he would put his abilities at once to the test, by introducing into his dumb language some subject that would be at once difficult, interesting, and important. When the day of interview arrived, Geordy was cleaned up, decorated with a large bushy wig, and covered over with a singular gown, in every respect becoming his station. He was then seated in a chair of state, in one of their large rooms, while the Ambassador and the trembling Professors waited in an adjoining apart

ment.

It was at length announced that the learned Professor of Signs was ready to receive his Excellency, who, on entering the room, was struck with astonishment at his venerable and dignified appearance. As none of the Professors would presume to enter, to witness the interview, under a pretence of delicacy (but, in reality, for fear that their presence might have some effect upon the risible muscles of Geordy's countenance), they waited with inconceivable anxiety, the result of this strange adventure, upon which depended their own credit, that of the

King, and, in some degree, the honour of the nation.

As this was an interview of Signs, the Ambassador began with Geordy, by holding up one of his fingers---Geordy replied, by holding up two. The Ambassador then held up three--Geordy answered, by clenching his fist, and looking sternly. The Ambassador then took an orange from his pocket, and held it up---Geordy returned the compliment, by taking from his pocket a piece of a barley cake, which he exhibited in a similar manner. The Ambassador, satisfied with the vast attainments of the learned Professor, then bowed before him with profound reverence, and retired.

On rejoining the agitated Professors, they fearfully began to enquire what his Excellency thought of their learned brother?

"He is a perfect miracle," replied the Ambassador ; "his worth is not to be purchased by the wealth of half the Indies."

May we presume to descend to particulars?" returned the Professors, who now began to think themselves somewhat out of danger.

"Gentlemen," said the Ambassador, when I first entered into his presence, I held up one finger, to denote that there is one God: he then held up two, signifying that the Father should not be divided from the Son. I then held up three, intimating that I believed in Father, Son, and Holy Ghost: he then clenched his fist, and, looking sternly at me, signified that these three are one; and that he would defy me either to separate them or to make additions. I then took

out an orange from my pocket, and held it up, to show the goodness of God, and to signify that he gives to his creatures not only the necessaries, but even the luxuries of life: then, to my utter astonishment, this wonderful man took from his pocket a piece of bread, thus assuring me that this was the staff of life, and was to be preferred to all the luxuries in the world. Being thus satisfied with his proficiency and great attainments in this science, I silently withdrew to reflect upon what I had witnessed."

Diverted with the success of their stratagem, the Professors continued to entertain their visitor, until he thought prudent to withdraw. No sooner had he retired, than the opportunity was seized to learn from Geordy, in what manner he had proceeded to give the Ambassador such wonderful satisfaction; they being at a loss to conceive how he could have caught his ideas with so much promptitude, and have replied to them with proportionable readiness. But, that one story might not borrow any features from the other, they concealed from Geordy all they had learned from the Ambassador; and desiring him to begin with his relation, he proceeded in the following manner :--

"When the rascal came into the room, after gazing at me a little, what do you think, gentlemen, that he did?---he held up one finger, as much as to say you have only one eye. I then held up two, to let him know my one eye was as good as both his. He then held up three, as much as to say, we have only three eyes between us. This was so

provoking, that I bent my fist at the scoundrel, and had it not been for your sakes, I should certainly have risen from the chair, pulled off my wig and gown, and taught him how to insult a man because he had the misfortune to lose one eye. The impudence of the fellow, however, did not stop here; for he then pulled out an orange from his pocket, and held it up, as much as to say, your poor beggarly country cannot produce this. I then pulled out a piece of good cake, and held it up, giving him to understand, that I did not care a farthing for his trash. Neither do I; and I only regret that I did not thrash the scoundrel's hide, that he might remember how he insulted me, and abused my country." We may learn from hence, that if there are not two ways of tella story, there are at least two ways of understanding signs, and interpreting them.

Affecting and Impressive Conversion.

The attention of the Christian World being now much directed to the religious state of the Jews, especially on acconnt of the interest with which they receive the New Testament, which has only of late been provided for them, the following affecting narrative of the conversion of a Jew will be read with peculiar interest. It was related at a public meeting in America :--Travelling lately through the western part of Virginia, I was much interested in hearing an aged and highly respectable clergyman give the following short account of a Jew, with whom he had lately become ac

quainted. He was preaching to a large and attentive audience, when his attention was arrested by seeing a man enter, having, in every respect, the appearance of a Jew. He was well dressed, and his countenance was noble, and from its expression it seemed that his heart had lately been the habitation of deep sorrow. He took his seat, and was absorbed in attention, while tears often unconsciously stole down his cheeks. After the service, the clergyman was too much interested to refrain from speaking to him: Sir, am Inot correct in supposing that I am addressing one of the children of Abraham?' 'You are.' But how is it that I meet a Jew in a Christian assembly?'

"The substance of his narra tive was as follows:---He was a very respectable man, of a superior education, who had lately come from London; and with his books, his riches, and an only child, a daughter in her seventeenth year, had found a beautiful retreat on the banks of the Ohio; he had buried his wife before he left Europe, and he knew no pleasure except in the society of his beloved child. She was, indeed, worthy of a parent's love. She was extremely beau tiful in her person, but possess ed the superior charms of a cultivated mind and an amiable disposition. No pains had been spared on her education; she could read, and speak with fluency, several different languages, and her manners captivated all who beheld her. No wonder then that a father, far advanced in age, should place his whole affections on this only child of his love; especially as he knew

no source of happiness beyond this world. Being a strict Jew, he educated her in the strictest principles of his religion, and he thought that he had presented it with an ornament.

"It was not long ago that his daughter was taken ill. The rose faded from her cheek, her eye lost its fire, her strength decayed, and it soon became apparent that her disease was insurmountable and fatal. The father hung over the bed of his daughter with a heart ready to burst with anguish. He often attempted to converse with her, but seldom spoke except by the language of tears. He spared no trouble nor expense in procuring medical assistance, but no human skill could avert the arrow of death. The father was walking in a small grove near his house, wetting his steps with his tears, when he was sent for by his dying daughter. With a heavy heart he entered the door of her chamber, soon, he feared, to be the chamber of death. He was now to take a last farewel of his child, and his religious views gave him but a feeble hope of meeting her hereafter.

"The child grasped the hand of her parent, and addressed him with all the energy which her expiring strength permitted.--My father, do you love me ?'--

My child, you know I love you; that you are more dear to me than the whole world beside !'--'But, father, do you love me?'

Why, my child, will you give me pain so exquisite have I then never given you any proofs of my love?'---' But, my dearest father, do you love me?' The father could not answer: the child added, I know, my dear

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