with other fluids, as oil and pitch; but it is not required with ether, which usually inflames very readily.  But on the other hand, it is to be remarked that the temperature of the body which communicates the spark appears to have no sensible influence on the heat produced by it.  Thus the sparks taken from a piece of ice are as capable of inflaming bodies as those from a piece of red-hot iron.  Nor is the heating power of electricity in the smallest degree diminished by its being conducted through any number of freezing mixtures which are rapidly absorbing heat from surrounding bodies.

* * * * *

HEATING ROOMS.

A new invention for heating rooms has met with much encouragement in Paris.  A piece of quick-lime dipped into water, and shut hermetically into a box constructed for the purpose, is said to give almost a purgatory-heat, and prevent the necessity of fire during winter.—­Lit.  Gaz.

* * * * *

THE SELECTOR;

AND LITERARY NOTICES OF NEW WORKS

* * * * *

GOLDEN RULES.

TO RENDER MEN HONEST, RESPECTABLE, AND HAPPY.

By Sir Richard Phillips.

All members of the human family should remember, that the human race is, as to time and nature, but as one totality; for, since every man and woman had two parents, each parent two parents, and so on in geometrical progression, hence every individual, high or low, must necessarily be descended from every individual of the whole population as it existed but a few hundred years before, whether they were high or low, virtuous or abandoned; while every procreative individual of the existing race must be the actual progenitor of the entire race which may exist at the same distance of future time.  What motives for charity, for forbearing from injuries, for benevolence, for universal love.

* * * * *

The bed of sickness, with its increased sensibility of nerves, is a delicate test of man’s conscience, and of self-approbation or reprobation.  Requiring sympathy himself, he now sympathizes with others; and, unable to direct his thoughts to external things, they are forced upon himself.  Great is then his solace, and efficacious his medicines, if he has no other reflections than such as are supplied by his justice, liberality, and benevolence; but accumulated will be his sufferings, and dangerous the result, if crimes and misdeeds force themselves at such a time on his mind; while in any delirium of fever he will rave on those subjects, and, without vision, will often perceive, by the mere excitement of his brain, the spectres of the injured making grimaces before him.

* * * * *