The Book Of Curiosities Part 85

The circ.u.mstances most remarkable in this experiment, are, first, not only to see an object where it is not, but also where its image is not; and, secondly, that of two objects, which are really in the same place, as the surface of the bottle and the water it contains, the one should be seen at one place, and the other at another; and also that the bottle should be seen in the place of its image, and the water where neither it nor its images are.

It is, however, to be noted, that if any coloured liquor be put into the bottle instead of water, no such illusion will take place.

There is one phenomenon more of this kind, which ought not to be omitted; for though it be common enough, it is also extremely pleasing, and easy to be performed.

If you place yourself before a concave mirror, at a proper distance, your figure will appear inverted; and if you stretch out your hand towards the mirror, you will perceive another hand, which seems to meet and join it, though imperceptible to the touch.

And if, instead of your hand, you make use of a drawn sword, and present it in such a manner that its point may be directed towards the focus of the rays reflected by the mirror, another sword will appear, and seem to encounter that in your hand. But it is to be observed, that to make this experiment succeed well, you must have a mirror of at least a foot in diameter, that you may see yourself in part; and if you have a mirror large enough to see your whole person, the illusion will be still more striking.

_How to make a violent Tempest, by means of artificial Rain and Hail._

Make a hollow cylinder of wood, very thin at the sides, about eight or ten inches long, and two or three feet in diameter. Divide its inside into five equal part.i.tions, by means of boards of about six inches wide; and let there be a s.p.a.ce between them and the wooden circle, of about one-sixth of an inch; observing, that the boards are to be placed obliquely to each other.

This being done, put into the cylinder four or five pounds of leaden shot, of a size that will easily pa.s.s through the opening left for this purpose; then turn the cylinder on its axis, and the sound of the machine, when in motion, will represent that of rain, which will increase with the velocity of the motion; and if a larger sort of shot be used, it will produce the sound of hail.

_Magic Square._

This, in arithmetic, is a square figure made up of numbers in arithmetical proportion, so disposed in parallel and equal ranks, that the sums of each row, taken either perpendicularly, horizontally, or diagonally, are equal: thus--

Natural Square.

+-----------+ 1 2 3 --- --- --- 4 5 6 --- --- --- 7 8 9 +-----------+

Magic Square.

+-----------+ 2 7 6 --- --- --- 9 5 1 --- --- --- 4 3 8 +-----------+

Magic squares seem to have been so called, from their being used in the construction of talismans.

Take another instance:--

Natural Square.

+-------------------+ 1 2 3 4 5 --- --- --- --- --- 6 7 8 9 10 --- --- --- --- --- 11 12 13 14 15 --- --- --- --- --- 16 17 18 19 20 --- --- --- --- --- 21 22 23 24 25 +-------------------+

Magic Square.

+-------------------+ 16 14 8 2 25 --- --- --- --- --- 3 22 20 11 9 --- --- --- --- --- 15 6 4 23 17 --- --- --- --- --- 24 18 12 10 1 --- --- --- --- --- 7 5 21 19 13 +-------------------+

where every row and diagonal in the magic square, makes just the sum 65, being the same as the two diagonals of the natural square.

It is probable that these magic squares were so called, both because of this property in them, viz. that the ranks in every direction make the same sum, which appeared extremely surprising, especially in the more ignorant ages, when mathematics pa.s.sed for magic; and because also of the superst.i.tious operations they were employed in, as, the construction of talismans, &c.; for, according to the childish philosophy of those days, which ascribed virtues to numbers, what might not be expected from numbers so seemingly wonderful? The magic square was held in great veneration among the Egyptians, and the Pythagoreans their disciples, who, to add more efficacy and virtue to this square, dedicated it to the then known seven planets, divers ways, and engraved it upon a plate of the metal that was esteemed in sympathy with the planet. The square, thus dedicated, was enclosed by a regular polygon, inscribed into a circle, which was divided into as many equal parts as there were units in the side of the square; with the names of the angels of the planet, and the signs of the zodiac written upon the void s.p.a.ces between the polygon and the circ.u.mference of the circ.u.mscribed circle. Such a talisman, or metal, they vainly imagined would, upon occasion, befriend the person who carried it about him. To Saturn, they attributed the square of 9 places, or cells, the side being 3, and the sum of the number in every row 15: to Jupiter, the square of 16 places, the side being 4, and the amount of each row 34: to Mars, the square of 25 places, the side being 5, and the amount of each row 65: to the Sun, the square with 36 places, the side being 6, and the sum of each row 111: to Venus, the square of 49 places, the side being 7, and the amount of each row 175: to Mercury, the square with 64 places, the side being 8, and the sum of each row 260: and to the Moon, the square of 81 places, the side being 9, and the amount of each row 369. Finally, they attributed to imperfect matter, the square with 4 divisions, having 2 for its side: and to G.o.d, the square of only one cell, the side of which is also an unit, which, multiplied by itself, undergoes no change.

ADDENDA TO THE _CURIOSITIES RESPECTING MAN_.

It never was the intention of the compiler of this work to give an account of _all_ the curious and remarkable persons that have figured on this mortal stage, but only such as have not been usually incorporated in works of this kind; it has been thought advisable, however, to make the following additions to this department, with which, it is hoped, the reader will be amused and instructed.

An account of THAT CELEBRATED EXTRAORDINARY GENIUS, JOHN HENDERSON, B.

A.--Of this much celebrated young man, whose extraordinary acquirements attracted the notice, and even commanded the respect, of Dr. Johnson, several accounts have been published, and much eulogium has been p.r.o.nounced. By many he has been supposed to emulate the variety and extent of knowledge possessed by the admirable Crichton; and, like that eccentric character, he has left little for posterity to form a judgment of the truth of those praises which have been bestowed upon him.

He was born at Bellegarance, near Limerick, in the kingdom of Ireland, on the 27th of March, 1757, of very pious and respectable parents. He received his education among the Methodists; and at eight years of age he understood Latin so well, as to be able to teach it at Kingswood school.

At twelve, he taught the Greek language, in the school of Trevecka, in Wales, to men, several of whom were double his age. The governor of the college, at that time, was the Rev. Mr. Fletcher, late Vicar of Madeley, a clergyman highly distinguished for the fervour of his piety and the liveliness of his imagination. Some disagreement taking place with this gentleman and those who had the superintendence of the college, he was dismissed, together with young Henderson, who soon after, at the age of twenty-four years, went to Oxford, was entered of Pembroke college, and, in due time, took the degree of Bachelor of Arts. From the time of his entrance into the college, his life pa.s.sed with little variety, and no adventure. His thirst after knowledge appears to have been unabated and un.o.btruded; he was admired, and generally respected; and he acquired habits, some of which brought him into the notice of the world, almost as much as his talents. Some of these traits of character having been depicted by one who appears to have known him well, we shall give nearly in the words of their author, who was also of Pembroke college, and thus describes Mr. Henderson's appearance when he was first introduced to him.

His clothes were made in a fashion peculiar to himself; he wore no stock nor neckcloth; his buckles were so small as not to exceed the dimensions of an ordinary knee-buckle, at a time when very large buckles were in vogue. Though he was then twenty-four years of age, he wore his hair like a schoolboy of six.

Mr. H.'s temper was mild, placable, and humane. He professed that he was ready to serve any individual as far as lay in his power. His benevolence knew no bounds; and his liberality was so diffusive, that it submitted with difficulty to the circ.u.mscription of a narrow income. He was fond of society, and well qualified to shine in it. He was frank, open, and communicative, averse to suspicion, and untinctured with pride and moroseness. His mode of life was singular. He generally retired to rest about daybreak, and rose in the afternoon; a practice, however, that was frequently interrupted by the occasional attendance he was obliged to give to the morning service of the college chapel. He spent a great part of the day in smoking; and, except when in company, he usually read while he smoked.

With regard to his moral and religious character, he was a pattern highly worthy of imitation. He shewed a constant regard to the obligations of honour and justice; and commended, both by precept and example, an attention to moral rect.i.tude in all its ramifications. He had the courage to reprove vice and immorality wherever they appeared; and though he was sometimes treated on these occasions with contumely and insult, he bore with a moderation truly christian, so ill a return for his well-meant endeavours. He was perfectly acquainted with the religious dogmas of every different sect, and could readily detect the respective fallacies of each.

His abilities and understanding were eminently conspicuous. His penetration was so great, as to have the appearance of intuition. So retentive was his memory, that he remembered whatever he heard; and this faculty of recollection, combined with a pregnancy of imagination and solidity of judgment, enabled him to acquire an amazing fund of erudition and argument, a fund ready at every call, and adequate to every emergency.

His learning was deep and multifarious. He was admirably skilled in logic, ethics, metaphysics, and scholastical theology. He had studied the healing art with particular attention, and added to a sound theoretic knowledge of it, some degree of practice. His skill in this art he rendered subservient to his philanthropy; for he gratuitously attended the valetudinarian poor wherever he resided, and favoured them with medical advice, as well as pecuniary a.s.sistance. He had a competent knowledge of geometry, astronomy, and every branch of natural and experimental philosophy. He was well acquainted with the civil and canon laws, and the law of nature and nations. In cla.s.sical learning and the belles lettres, he was by no means deficient. He was master of the Greek and Latin, as well as of several modern languages.

He spoke of physiognomy as a science with all the confidence of a Lavater.

He pretended to a knowledge of the occult sciences of magic and astrology.

Whether this was or was not a mere pretence, we leave to the judgment of the enlightened reader. Suffice it to remark, that his library was well stored with the magical and astrological books of the last century.

His talents of conversation were so attractive, so various and multiform, that he was a companion equally acceptable to the philosopher and the man of the world, to the grave and the gay, the learned and the illiterate, the young and the old of both s.e.xes.

Henderson, like many other great characters, had his little peculiarities.

The following remarkable custom was frequently observed by him before he retired to repose:--He used to strip himself naked as low as the waist, and taking his station at a pump near his rooms, would completely sluice his head and the upper part of his body; after which he would pump over his shirt so as to make it perfectly wet, and putting it on in that condition, would immediately go to bed. This he jocularly termed "an excellent cold bath." The latter part of this ceremony, however, he did not practise with such frequency as the former.

There is great reason to think that he materially injured a good natural const.i.tution by the capriciousness of his conduct, and particularly by the bold and strange experiments which he was accustomed to be always making upon himself. He used to swallow large quant.i.ties of noxious drugs, and quicksilver; and what seemed very rash, such doses of opium, like the famous Psalmanazar, as were apparently sufficient to send a dozen men to the grave.

His external appearance was as singular as his habits of life. He would never suffer his hair to be strewed with white dust, (to use his own expression,) daubed with pomatum, or distorted by the curling-irons of the friseur. Though under two-and-thirty years of age at his death, he walked, when he appeared in public, with as much apparent caution and solemnity as if he had been enfeebled by the co-operation of age and disease.

His learning was truly astonishing: scarcely a book, however obscure, could be mentioned, but he could give some account of it; nor any subject started, but he could engage in the discussion of it. He had a very deep and extensive knowledge of the learned languages; the Arabic and Persian were familiar to him. He delighted much in parodoxes, and his intimate acquaintance with the schoolmen brought him much into the habit of disputation. At one time he was profoundly plunged in the study of the writings of the illumined Jacob Behmen; and he then, and afterwards, warmly vindicated the system, if system it may be called, of that wonderful man.

Many surprising cures, accomplished by means of his prescriptions, might be produced: one upon a very ingenious and valuable youth in the neighbourhood of Taunton, deserves notice, as the patient had been in an alarming decline for the long s.p.a.ce of four years, and seemed just verging to the _house appointed for all living_. Mr. Henderson attended him with the utmost a.s.siduity and tenderness, and saw, at last, his patient in a state of perfect health. The benevolent man had then a presentiment of his own approaching change, and addressed himself to his young friend to this effect: "My young and beloved friend, your cure, in all human probability, is now certain, and you will live, but I shall die. Remember, to be pious, is to be happy; to be sober, is to live long; and to practise the moral virtues, is to become great."--Mr. Henderson died a few months after, November 2, 1788. His connections with the Methodists continued till the last. The late venerable and truly great John Wesley had a very great regard for him. The father of Mr. Henderson was for some time one of Mr.

Wesley's itinerant preachers in Ireland, from whence he came over to Bristol, and soon after settled at Hanham, a village about four miles from that city, where he set up a very respectable boarding-school, for the instruction of youth in cla.s.sical learning. A few years previous to his death, he left off keeping school, and opened his house for the reception of insane persons. The death of his favourite and only child, made a deep and lasting impression on him; and so strongly was he affected by his loss, that he caused the corpse to be taken up again some days after the interment, to be satisfied whether he was really dead. The following is taken from the sermon that was preached by his friend, Mr. Agutter:--"When we consider the strength of his mind, the variety of his knowledge, and the excellencies of his soul, we may justly declare, that he was a truly great character, and an original genius. The partiality of friendship must give place to the sacredness of truth; and I do not mean to describe him as a perfect man: his friends lamented his failings, and he himself sincerely repented of them. The G.o.d of heaven does not require more of his fallen creatures; and let us remember _not to be extreme to mark all that is done amiss_, seeing we have much cause for shame and repentance. He was a meek sufferer through this world of misery; a sincere and contrite penitent for time mispent and talents misapplied; an humble believer in Christ his Saviour. I saw him in his last sufferings; I heard his last words; he languished under extreme weakness; he laboured under most grievous pains. He was wonderfully patient and resigned; for _he knew in whom he believed, and his hope was full of immortality_. He prayed with uncommon fervour to his good G.o.d, even to Jesus Christ, in whom all his hopes were placed; and "without whom," says he, "heaven would be no heaven to me." Death was the wished-for messenger, whom he earnestly expected.

Three days before that awful event, his pulse ceased to beat, and _the sight of his eyes went from him_--the last struggle is over; _the bitterness of death is past_. There was an humble dignity and composure in that _hour of trial_, worthy the man and Christian. _Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my last end_, or more properly, _my hereafter, be like his_."

The next character we shall introduce is a contrast to the former; he being famous for comprehension of mind, this for bulk of body.

DANIEL LAMBERT, the Fat Man.--This prodigy of corpulence, or obesity, was born at Leicester, March 13, 1770. He became keeper of the prison in his native town. He first went to London for exhibition, in 1806, and was visited by persons of all ranks, and was considered the then wonder of the world. After this he travelled over England, and astonished every beholder by his immense bulk. He was very polite, shrewd, and well informed. This extraordinary man died at Stamford, on the 21st of June, 1809. He had travelled from Huntingdon to that town; and on the Tuesday before his death, he sent a message to the office of the Stamford newspaper, requesting, that "as the mountain could not wait upon Mahomet, Mahomet would go to the mountain;" or, in other words, that the printer would call upon him, and receive an order for executing some handbills, announcing Mr. Lambert's arrival, and his desire to see company in that town. The orders he gave upon that occasion were delivered without any presentiment that they were to be his last, and with his usual cheerfulness; he was then in bed, only fatigued from his journey, and anxious to be able to see company early in the morning. However, before nine o'clock, the day following, he was a corpse. His corpulency had been gradually increasing, until nature could no longer support it. He was in his 40th year; and upon being weighed within a few days, by the famous Caledonian balance, in the possession of Mr. King, of Ipswich, was found to be 52 stone, 11 lbs. in weight, (14 lb. to the stone,) which is 10 stone 11 lb. more than the great Mr. Bright, of Ess.e.x, weighed,--or, 6 cwt. 2 qrs. 11 lb.

He had apartments at Mr. Berridge's, the Waggon-and-Horses, in St.

Martin's, on the ground floor, for he had long been incapable of walking up stairs. His coffin, in which there was great difficulty of placing him, was six feet four inches long, four feet four inches wide, and two feet four inches deep. The immense substance of his legs made it necessarily almost a square case. The celebrated Sarcophagus of Alexander, viewed with so much admiration at the British Museum, would not contain this immense sheer hulk. The coffin, which consisted of 112 superficial feet of elm, was built upon two axle-trees and four wheels, and upon them the remains of poor Lambert were rolled into his grave, which was in the new burial ground at the back of St. Martin's church. A regular descent was made by cutting away the earth slopingly, for some distance. The window and wall of the room in which he lay was taken down, to allow of his exit.

EDWARD NOKES.--This was an extraordinary character, at Hornchurch, in Ess.e.x. He was by trade a tinker, which he followed zealously till about six weeks before his death. His apartments pourtrayed symptoms of the most abject poverty, though at his death he was found to be possessed of between five and six thousand pounds. He had a wife and several children, which he brought up in the most parsimonious manner, often feeding them on grains and offals of meat, which he purchased at reduced prices. He was no less remarkable in his person and dress; for, in order to save the expense of shaving, he would encourage the dirt to gather on his face, to hide in some measure this defect. He never suffered his shirt to be washed in water, but after wearing it till it became intolerably black, he used to wash it in urine, to save the expense of soap. His coat, which time had transformed into a jacket, would have puzzled the wisest philosopher to make out its original colour, so covered was it with shreds and patches of different colours, and those so diversified, as to resemble the trophies of the different nations of Europe, and it seemed to vie with Joseph's coat of many colours.