by the power of friction; that is to say, the two wheels, or paddles turning diametrically, or at the same moment, on their axioms, and repressing by the rotundity of their motion the action of the menstruum in which the machine floats,—­water being, in a philosophical sense, a powerful non-conductor,—­it is clear, that in proportion as is the revulsion so is the progression; and as is the centrifugal force, so is the—.”

“Pooh!” cried Uncle John, “let us have some music.”

New Monthly Magazine.

* * * * *

LAWS FOR THE POOR.

Every civilized state in the world, except Ireland, has prevented the extortion of the landlords, by institutions, either springing from the nature of society, or established by positive legal enactments.

In Austria, great exertions are made for the poor.—­Vide “Reisbeck’s Travels through Germany,” p. 79; and “Este’s Journey,” p. 337.

In Bavaria, there are laws obliging each community to maintain its own poor.—­Vide “Count Rumford’s Establishment of Poor in Bavaria,” chap. 1.

In Protestant Germany they are even better provided for.—­Vide “Henderson’s Tour in Germany,” p. 74.

In Russia, the aged and infirm are provided with food and raiment by law, at the expense of the owner of the estate.—­“Clarke’s Travels in Russia.”  For others who may want, there is a college of provision in each government.—­“Took’s Russian Empire,” vol. ii. p. 181.

In Livonia and Poland, the lord is bound by law to provide for the serf.—­Vide “Bavarian Transactions,” vol. iii.

In Northern Italy and Sicily, the crop is equally divided between landlord and tenant.—­Vide “Sismondi’s Italy.”  And the revenues of the church support the poor.

In imperial France, though the land had been divided by an Agrarian law, and cultivated, yet the Octroi, with other revenues, were devoted to the poor.

In Hungary, though feudal slavery gives an interest to the lord of the soil in the life of his serf, yet the law insists upon the provision of food, raiment and shelter.  In Switzerland, though the Agrarian law is in force, and the governments purchase corn to keep down the retail prices, yet there is a provision for the poor.—­Vide “Sismondi’s Switzerland,” vol. 1. p. 452.  In Norway there is a provision for the poor.—­Clarke’s “Scandinavia,” p. 637.

In Sweden, the most moral country in the world, the poor are maintained in the same manner as in England; a portion of the parochial assessment is devoted by law to education.—­James’s “Tour through Sweden,” p. 105.

In Flanders there are permanent funds, &c. for the sustentation of the poor.  Vide Radcliff’s “Report on the Agriculture of Flanders.”  And there are in the Netherlands seven great workhouses.

The Dutch poor laws do not differ much from our own.—–­Vide Macfarlan’s “Inquiries concerning the Poor,” p. 218.