the whining beggar, defended by his matches from the interference of the policeman; the fish woman at Billingsgate; the merchant on 'Change; and the Lord Mayor in his state carriage-all call forth the speculations of Old Humphrey.

I like to look in the shop windows; for many of them supply food for profitable speculation. I like to pause as the plumed hearse and mourning coaches, drawn by black horses arching their proud necks and lifting their feet high, slowly move among the crowded and busy streets, emphatically proclaiming to the passersby, "Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble. He cometh forth like a flower, and is cut down: he fleeth also as a shadow, and continueth not," Job xiv. 1, 2.

I like to look on etchings, drawings, engravings, and pictures, and am oftentimes spell-bound by their influence, feeling regret that I cannot thank those who have so much contributed to my gratification. I like to glance, if it be only at the title page, on the works of authors that are in heaven, claiming kindred with them even there, knowing them, loving them, and longing to be like them. How many a kindred spirit has by its works made my heart beat and my pulse play, and called forth my admiration, joy, and thankfulness, hundreds years after its translation to glory!

of

I like to linger at the well-supplied book stalls of those who sell second-hand books, and to turn over the leaves of the volumes exposed for sale, from the twopenny box of all sorts, at the door, to the shelf of folios inside the shop. I like to glide slowly with the living stream along Cheapside, noting the passers-by, and reading their history in their eyes, faces, and appearance. Twenty men did I meet there last week, every one bearing a broad, heavy board on his shoulder, placarded with the name of a London journal. Oh what a tale did their haggard cheeks, their sickly frames, and their ragged raiment make known! Thoughtlessness, indiscretion, crime, and poverty had doubtless a hand in making most of them what they were.

I like to stand opposite Christ's Hospital, and look through the double row of iron palisades at the boys when they are at play in the court-yard. If it were possible to make a good-looking boy appear ugly, by dressing him up in uncouth clothing, the blue gown, yellow petticoat and stockings, and buckle-garter-like

girdle of the Christ's Hospital costume would undoubtedly do it; but, in spite of their dress, the light-hearted, merrymaking young rogues find their way into my heart. I remember that I once was a boy, and when they knuckle down at ring-taw, leap the skipping-rope, trundle the hoop, and race after one another, I feel that I could join them at their sport. It was but yesterday that I stood looking at them for ten minutes, afterwards giving them in silence my parting blessing.

I like, when I feel strong enough, but it is an arduous undertaking for an old man, to ascend to the golden gallery of St. Paul's Cathedral, and to look upon London below. The incessant rumble of busy life reaches me as an echo of things remote, and my brother emmets beneath me, by their diminished stature, make me feel little in my own eyes. London, the treasure-house of the earth for wealth and power, as the queen of nations, stretches the sceptre of her influence over the east and the west, the north and the south. She is, as it were, the big heart of the breathing world, animating through the peopled avenues of society the industry, the knowledge, and the piety of the uttermost parts of the earth.

I like, now and then, to visit a Christian friend, walking abroad betimes, and breakfasting with him in his quiet and retired habitation in the suburbs of the city. The early hour, and the walk, and the fresh air, give me an appetite, and the frizzled ham or bacon that forms a part of the hospitable meal relishes all the better for the free and cheerful converse that prevails. I like to hear him, with a soft musical voice, read the Holy Scriptures, expound with faithfulness, knowledge, and simplicity, the word of the Most High, and engage in supplication and thanksgivings to the Giver of all our mercies. I like to walk abroad with him in the fields or retired lanes, discoursing freely, as the case may be, of the heavens, the earth, and the varied objects of creation, indulging in literary projects, and fixing, perhaps, the subject for the next paper of Old Humphrey.

I like to pass along the street when a throng of poor women, girls, and boys, stand with their jugs and cups, their basins and platters, opposite to an eating-house, waiting with their twopences to receive the broken victuals of the establishment. It would do you good, if you have never seen this daily

exhibition, to gaze upon it; and if you have a kind heart, and twopence in your pocket, I feel quite sure, that some poor widow, or pale-faced girl with her crockery in her hand will soon have your money. What a comfortable thing it is that one can buy such a substantial gratification, as that of lighting up the eye and gladdening the heart of the poor, at the low price of two pence!

I like to stand among the gathered group of merchants and foreigners on Change, just long enough for the rolling din of mingled voices and varied languages to make one estimate more highly quietude and peace. I like, now and then, to peep at the parks, commenting, not ill-naturedly, on the gay equipages and well-dressed people assembled. I like to lean over London-bridge, gazing on the steam boats as they come and go, and on the forest of masts that rises from the bed of the river. And I like to pause in Smithfield, ere I go by the spot where the martyr has "played the man in the fire." May I never pass the place without more than common thankfulness to the Father of mercies in sparing me the torment that better men have endured!

I like to visit the cemeteries around the city, and bend over the resting places of the dead. There may the living learn lessons of humility. I like to wander through the Zoological Gardens, and to fancy the different birds, beasts, and reptiles, at liberty in the places they frequented before they were caught and caged: the white bear on his icebergs; the wolf amid the northern snow; the lion in the desert sand; the tiger in the jungle; the orang-outang in the woods; the pelican in the wilderness; the rattlesnake in the thick tangled brushwood; and the crocodile basking on the sedgy banks of the Nile. How infinitely varied are the works of God! How wonderful are the creatures formed by the hand of the Almighty!

I like to examine the new and useful inventions at the National Gallery of Practical Science, and the Polytechnic Institution; to hear the lectures; to gaze on the revealed wonders of the microscope; to look at the life-rafts and fireescapes among the models; to receive a shock from the electrical eel; and to go down in the diving-bell with a friend who is too fearful to go down alone. I like to roam amid the gathered stores of the British Museum, from the gilt idol

to the Elgin marbles, and from the mummies to the manuscripts; to sit in the reading-room with an interesting volume before me, now and then stealing a glance at the authors, artists, and reading world around. I like to visit the India House, and muse on its oriental stores, from the ivory carved hanging gardens, to the skull of the Batta chief; from the hieroglyphic brick of Babylon to the manuscript dreams of Tippoo Saib, though written in language that I cannot understand.

I like to visit the Abbey of Westminster, and to give way to the solemn thoughts the place inspires, without entering into the question of the lawfulness or unlawfulness of erecting in a temple of Christian worship such gorgeous commemorations of the departed dead; for I am no splitter of hairs, no decider of disputed points, no authority in doubtful doctrines of any kind, but a simple-minded old man, well content to keep to what is plain and practical, and to leave to those who are wiser than myself all things that are too hard for me. I like to muse over the dust of good men, and to ponder, though with diminished interest, over the ashes of the merely great; and if the shrill voices of the youthful choir, and the thrilling swell of the harmonious organ reverberate from the sculptured roof and monumental walls, I am carried in my spirit to a heavenly temple, where angels join in the hallelujahs of pardoned sinners, setting forth the praises of the Redeemer.

To hear

I like to steal into a public meeting called for a Christian or benevolent purpose, ensconcing myself in a back seat, where from my hiding-place I can see and hear all that passes. I like to look right and left on the beaming faces of the assembled multitude. the remarks, the wisdom and experience of age, and to drink in the impassioned appeals and stormy eloquence of more youthful hearts. I like, on such occasions, to feel my bosom beating, and my pulse playing, as though I alone were the spectator, and to indulge in an ejaculation to the Father of mercies that every foot present may be quickened, every hand strengthened, and every heart enlarged in promoting the glory of God, and the welfare of mankind.

I like to hear the sound of the "churchgoing bell" on the sabbath morn; to walk in peace to the sanctuary, noticing as I pass along my fellow-pilgrims bound

VOLTAIC ELECTRICITY ADAPTED TO ENGRAVING, ETC. No. II.

It is

IN a former paper, we attempted to trace the history of discovery in this new but important application of voltaic electricity, and in so doing we have confined ourselves as much as possible to the account which has been published by the inventor, in many parts of the description quoting his own words. We have at the same time introduced such explanations of facts or principles as were necessary to be understood, and were, probably, unknown to some of our readers. our intention now to describe the manner in which the working in metals by voltaic electricity may be performed, so as to produce any effect that may be required. But previous to doing this, it is necessary that the experimenter should know how to manage his battery. We have already explained the construction of a voltaic battery, and have described the method of using it in these experiments; but it will, perhaps, be more satisfactory if we give a sketch of those arrangements which we have found most convenient in practice.

In all cases it is important in performing experiments to keep in view the necessity of saving time and expense. Large and costly instruments are not necessary in scientific investigations, although useful in the lecture room, where the object is to instruct a number of persons, and to exhibit such experiments as are likely to impress facts upon the mind, and teach the observers to reason upon what they see. Many of the most important scientific discoveries have been made by the use of the most simple and homely apparatus. The late Dr. Wollaston, who did as much for science as any of his contemporaries, made all his valuable discoveries by instruments that were singularly minute and inexpensive: indeed, we might say, that in this particular he was even affected; for he seemed to pride himself more upon the means by which his discoveries were made, than upon the additions he made to the scientific knowledge of his day. The young need not, therefore, be discouraged in any attempt to investigate for themselves by the want of apparatus, as an ingenious person may always make such as he requires; for although rude in appearance, it may be effective in use. But while we

and is all that can be required when the operations are carried on upon a small scale. T may be supposed to represent a tumbler, or any other glass vessel of convenient form. G is a gas glass stopped at the lower end p by a piece of plaster of paris. z is a plate of zinc, and c a similar piece of copper, a coin, or any other metallic substance to be acted upon; and these two are connected by a copper wire w. The inner vessel may be kept in its place by a cork, or any other means that may happen to be found more convenient. To put this instrument in action, the inner vessel containing the zinc may be about half filled with the solution of common salt in water, and the outer, containing the plate of copper, with a solution of the sulphate of copper. There is no danger in using the green vitriol, by which name the latter substance is also known; but as it is a poisonous compound, the vessels in which the solution is made should be well washed after they have been used, and the liquor thrown away when done with.

Another form of apparatus is represented in the engraving on page 274. It is calculated for the performance of experiments on a larger scale, and is that form and arrangement recommended by Mr. Spencer, whose description we give. We introduce it, not because it will be found necessary to those readers who merely wish to take the cast of a coin or the outline of a small object, but because it

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