Εικόνες σελίδας
PDF
Ηλεκτρ. έκδοση

poet; but the unsuitableness was compensated for by an income of £300 a-year. He might now have lived at his ease, but a cold which he took soon ended his days (Aug. 27th, 1748). A tragedy, named "Coriolanus," was published after his decease.

Among Thomson's works, "The Seasons" may be pronounced the best. Thomson drew his pictures immediately from nature. Hence their truth, their lively colouring and their varied beauty. He says of himself in his "Autumn,"

"I solitary court

Th' inspiring breeze, and meditate the book
Of Nature, ever open; aiming thence

Warm from the heart to pour the moral song."

suits. However, in compliance with the wishes of his friends, he applied to theological studies. When under examination for the pulpit he was required to expound one of the Pealms. The stiff and rigid Scotch theologian pronounced the version too poetical. The condemnation engendered in Thomson so great an aversion to theology, that from that moment he resolved to devote himself to the art for which he felt nature had created him. At the time there existed in the University a Belles Lettres Club, which called itself "The Athenian Society." This society published a collection of poetry under the title of "The Edinburgh Miscellany." To this work Thomson appears to have contributed, though his pieces have not been identified. Convinced that his talents could find due recognition only in London, and in the hope of obtaining some assistance from a family known to him that lived there, he betook himself to the metropolis in the autumn of 1725. In London, among other of his college mates, he found David Mallet, who filled the post of tutor to a son of the Duke of Montrose. To him he showed his "Winter," which then consisted simply of fragments. At Mallet's suggestion he finished and published the poem. It appeared in 1726, and "The Seasons" have been often printed apart from the had a favourable reception. It is still accounted Thomson's rest. master-piece. The dedication of the poem to Sir Spencer Thomson's collected works appeared first in 1730. See also Compton procured the author only twenty guineas. A larger "Essays on the Life and Writings of Saltoun and the poet reward, however, he found in the reputation it brought him. Thomson, by the Earl of Buchan," London 1792; Aikin's Among other advantages it gained him an acquaintance"Essay on the Plan and Character of Thomson's Seasons;" with Pope. In 1727 he published his "Summer," dedicated Lives of the poet by Johnson, Anderson, Nicola, etc. We to Lord Melcombe. In the same year he put forth a "Poem present as specimens of this poet passages from Sacred to the Memory of Sir Isaac Newton," and another under the title of " Britannia," being an invective against the government. Next appeared (1728) "Spring," with a dedication to the Countess of Hertford, afterwards Duchess of Somerset. This compliment brought him an invitation to Lord Hertford's mansion, where he remained some months.

The "Autumn" did not appear until our poet published an edition of his works in 1730. The same year Thomson placed on the stage his tragedy of "Sophonisba." Having been read in private circles, the play had excited great expectations. Disappointment ensued. The line

"Oh, Sophonisba! Sophonisba, oh!"

was parodied thus,]

"Oh, Jemmy Thomson! Jemmy Thomson, oh!" Not long after, the poet accompanied Charles Talbot, eldest son of the Lord Chancellor, in a tour on the continent, whence he returned home enriched with varied knowledge. He was rewarded for his care of the young man with an office, which secured him an income without requiring much of his time. While on his travels he formed the first idea of his poem on "Liberty," to the composition of which he devoted two years. During the time his pupil died. The loss occasioned the dedication to the young man's memory of a few lines at the commencement. Thomson set a great value on this production, and expected it would secure unusual acceptance. The hope was but partially fulfilled. It consists of five books or cantos, having these titles: 1, Ancient and Modern Italy compared, 2. Greece, 3. Rome, 4. Britain, 5. The Prospect. A short time after its publication his patron died, and Thomson lost his place. In consequence he was thrown on literature as a source of support. In 1738 his tragedy of " Agamemnon" was submitted to the public in Drury-lane Theatre. It obtained no very marked success. About this time Thomson became acquainted with the Prince of Wales, who, affecting popularity, had become a patron of poets and scholars. He gave our poet a pension of £100. In 1731 the prince desired that Thomson's tragedy, "Edward and Elenora," should be played, but the Lord Chamberlain forbad the representation, because the author was of the party in opposition to the Court. In 1740 Thomson, in union with Mallet, produced "The Masque of Alfred," a piece which was represented in honour of the Princess Augusta on her birthday. In 1745 his tragedy of "Tancred and Sigismunda" was exhibited, and won greater popularity than any other of his plays. The last of his publications, and perhaps the loveliest, his "Castle of Indolence," appeared in 1746. About this time Thomson, through the influence of his friend Mr. Lyttleton, obtained the post of "Surveyor of the Leeward Islands," a strange office for a

In his dramatic works you recognise the author of "The Seasons," but his works of that class lack the concentrated thought and rapid action essential to perfection. His poem on "Liberty" has some fine passages, yet, as a whole, must be pronounced heavy. More attractive is "The Castle of Indolence."

A PANEGYRIC ON GREAT BRITAIN.

Heavens! what a goodly prospect spreads around,
Of hills, and dales, and woods, and lawns, and spires,
And glittering towns, and gliding streams, till all
The stretching landscape into smoke decays!
Happy Britannia! Where, the queen of arts,
Inspiring vigour. Liberty abroad
Walks unconfined, even to thy farthest cots,
And scatters plenty with unsparing hand.

Rich is thy soil, and merciful thy clime;
Thy streams unfailing in the summer's drought:
Unmatch'd thy guardian-oaks; thy valleys float
With golden waves; and on thy mountains flocks
Bleat numberless; while, roving round their sides,
Bellow the blackening herds in lusty droves.
Beneath thy meadows glow, and rise unquell'd
Against the mower's scythe. On every hand
Thy villas shine. Thy country teems with wealth;
And property assures it to the swain,
Pleased, and unwearied, in his guarded toil.

Full are thy cities with the sons of art;
And trade with joy, in every busy street,
Mingling are heard; even Drudgery himself,
As at the car he sweats, or dusty hews
The palace-stone, looks gay. Thy crowded ports,
Where rising masts an endless prospect yield,
With labour burn and echo to the shouts
Of hurried sailor, as he hearty waves
His last adieu, and, loosening every sheet,
Resigns the spreading vessel to the wind.

Bold, firm, and graceful, are thy generous youth;
By hardship sinew'd and by danger fired,
Scattering the nations where they go; and first
Or on the listed plain, or stormy seas.
Mild are thy glories too, as o'er the plans
Of thriving peace thy thoughtful sires preside;
In genius, and substantial learning high;
For every virtue, every worth renown'd,
Sincere, plain-hearted, hospitable, kind;
Yet like the muttering thunder, when provoked;
The dread of tyrants, and the sole resource
Of those that under grim oppression groan.
Thy sons of glory many! Alfred thine,
In whom the splendour of heroic war,
And more heroic peace, when govern'd well,
Combine; whose hallow'd name the virtues saint,
And his own muses love; the best of kings!
With him thy Edwards and thy Henrys shine,
Names dear to fame; the first who deep impress'd
On haughty Gaul the terror of thy arms,
That awes her genius still. In statesmen thou,
And patriots, fertile. Thine a steady More,
Who, with a generous, though mistaken zeal.

Withstood a brutal tyrant's lustful rage,
Like Cato firm, like Aristides just,
Like rigid Cincinnatus nobly poor,

A dauntless soul erect, who smiled on death.
Frugal and wise, a Walsingham is thine;

A Drake who made thee mistress of the deep,
And bore thy name in thunder round the world.
Then flamed thy spirit high; but who can speak
The numerous worthies of the maiden reign?
In Raleigh mark their every glory mix'd,
Raleigh, the scourge of Spain; whose breast with all
The sage, the patriot, and the hero burn'd.

May my song soften, as thy daughters I,
Britannia, hail! for beauty is their own,
The feeling heart, simplicity of life,

And elegance, and taste; the faultless form,
Shaped by the hand of harmony; the cheek,
Where the live crimson, through the native white
Soft-shooting, o'er the face diffuses bloom,
And every nameless grace; the parted lip,
Like the red rosebud moist with morning dew,
Breathing delight; and, under flowing jet,
Or sunny ringlets, or of circling brown,

The neck slight-shaded, and the swelling breast;
The look resistless, piercing to the soul,
And by the soul inform'd, when drest in love
She sits high-smiling in the conscious eye.
Island of bliss! amid the subject-seas,
That thunder round thy rocky coasts, set up,
At once the wonder, terror, and delight
Of distant nations; whose remotest shores
Can soon be shaken by thy naval arm;
Not to be shook thyself, but all assaults
Baffling, as thy hoar cliffs the loud sea-wave

O Thou! by whose almighty nod the scale
Of empire rises, or alternate falls,

Send forth the saving virtues round the land
In bright patrol: white Peace and social Love,
The tender-looking Charity intent

On gentle deeds, and shedding tears through smiles;
Undaunted Truth and Dignity of mind;

Courage composed and keen; sound Temperance
Healthful in heart and look; clear Chastity,
With blushes reddening as she moves along,
Disorder'd at the deep regard she draws;
Rough Industry; Activity untir'd,
With copious life inform'd, and all awake;
While in the radiant front superior shines
That first paternal virtue, public Zeal;
Who throws o'er all an equal wide survey,
And, ever musing on the common weal,
Still labours glorious with some great design.

[blocks in formation]

Here the compound ratio is obtained by multiplying together the two antecedents, and also the two consequents of the simple ratios. Hence it is equal to the product of the simple ratios.

Compound ratio is not different in its nature from any other ratio. The term is used to denote the origin of the ratio in particular cases.

If in a series of ratios the consequent of each preceding couplet is the antecedent of the following one, the ratio of the first antecedent to the last consequent is equal to that which is compounded of all the intervening ratios.

[blocks in formation]
[blocks in formation]

A particular class of compound ratios is produced by multiplying a simple ratio in itself, or into another equal ratio. These are termed duplicate, triplicate, quadruplicate, etc., according to the number of multiplications.

A ratio compounded of two equal ratios, that is, the square of the simple ratio, is called a duplicate ratio.

One compounded of three, that is, the cube of the simple ratio, is called triplicate, etc.

In a similar manner the ratio of the square roots of two quantities, is called a subduplicate ratio; that of the cube roots a subtriplicate ratio, etc.

Thus the simple ratio of a to b is a b

The duplicate ratio of a to b is a2: b2

The triplicate ratio of a to b is a3: b3

The subduplicate ratio of a to bisa: √b

3.

The subtriplicate ratio of a to b is a : 3√b, etc.

N.B. The terms duplicate, triplicate, etc., must not be confounded with double, triple, etc.

The ratio of 6 to 2 is

Double this ratio, that is, twice the ratio, is Triple the ratio, i. e. three times the ratio, is

6:2=3

12:26

18:29

The duplicate ratio, i.e. the square of the ratio, is 62: 22 = 9 The triplicate ratio, i.e. the cube of the ratio, is 63: 23 = 27 That quantities may have a ratio to each other, it is necessary that they should be so far of the same nature, that one can properly be said to be either equal to, or greater, or less than the other. Thus a foot has a ratio to an inch, for one is twelve times as great as the other.

From the mode of expressing geometrical ratios in the form of a fraction, it is obvious that the ratio of two quantities is the same as the value of a fraction whose numerator and denominator are equal to the antecedent and consequent of the given ratio. Hence,

To multiply or divide both the antecedent and consequent by the same quantity, does not alter the ratio. To multiply or divide the antecedent alone by any quantity, multiplies or divides the ratio; to multiply the consequent alone, divides the ratio; and to divide the consequent, multiplies the ratio. That is, multiplying and dividing the antecedent or consequent has the same effect on the ratio, as a similar operation, performed on the numerator or denominator, has upon the value of a traction.

If to or from the terms of any couplet, two other quantities having the same ratio be added or subtracted, the sums or remainders will also have the same ratio. Thus the ratio of 12: 3 is the same as that of 20: 5. And the ratio of the sum of the antecedents 1220 to the sum of the consequents 3 +5, is the same as the ratio of either couplet. That is,

12+203+5 :: 12 : 3 = 20: 5, or

12+20 12 20 - = = 4. 3+5 3 5

So also the ratio of the difference of the antecedents, to the difference of the consequents, is the same. That is,

20-12:5

[merged small][ocr errors][merged small]
[blocks in formation]
[merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small]

When four quantities are related to one another in such a manner that the first divided by the second is equal to the third divided by the fourth-in other words, when the ratio of the first to the second is equal to the ratio of the third to the fourth, the four are said to be in direct proportion. From this definition it will be seen, that proportion is simply the equality of ratios. Though we have only spoken of two equal ratios, there may be any number, and in all cases the terms of these ratios are said to be in direct proportion.

It is therefore a

couplet, and the antecedent in the last.
mean proportional between 8 and 2.
The last term is called a third proportional to the two other
quantities. Thus 2 is a third proportional to 8 and 4.
Inverse or reciprocal proportion is an equality between a
direct ratio and a reciprocal ratio.

Thus 42:::; that is, 4 is to 2 reciprocally, as 3 to 6. Sometimes, also, the order of the terms in one of the couplets is inverted, without writing them in the form of a fraction.

Thus 4: 23: 6 inversely. In this case, the first term is to the second, as the fourth to the third; that is, the first divided by the second, is equal to the fourth divided by the

third.

When there is a series of quantities, such that the ratios of the first to the second, of the second to the third, of the third to the fourth, etc., are all equal; the quantities are said to be in continued proportion. The consequent of each preceding ratio is then the antecedent of the following one.

N.B. Continued proportion is also called progression. In the preceding articles of this section, the general properties of ratio and proportion have been defined and illustrated. It now remains to consider the principles which are peculiar to each kind of proportion, and attend to their practi cal application in the solution of problems.

[blocks in formation]

a+m=b+h.

a. b::h ...m, then
For by supposition,
And transposing - b and
So in the proportion, 12. 10:: 119, we have 12+9=10+11,

m,

Again, if three quantities are in arithmetical proportion, the
sum of the extremes is equal to double the mean.
If abbe, then,
And transposing b and c,

Care must be taken not to confound proportion with ratio. This caution is the more necessary, as in common discourse the two terms are used indiscriminately, or rather, proportion is used for both. The expenses of one man are said to bear a greater proportion to his income than those of another. But according to the definition which has just been given, one proportion is neither greater nor less than another. For equality does not admit of degrees. One ratio may be greater or less than another. The ratio of 12: 2 is greater than that of 6:2, and less than that of 20: 2. But these differences are not ap-6, plicable to proportion, when the term is used in its technical sense. The loose signification which is so frequently attached to this word, may be proper enough in familiar language; for it is sanctioned by general usage. But for scientific the distinction between proportion and ratio should be clearly drawn, and cautiously observed. Proportion may be expressed, either by the common sign of equality, or by four points between the two couplets.

Thus

8 a

[ocr errors]

And

[ocr errors]

6::4 b::c

[ocr errors]
[ocr errors]

purposes,

2) are arithmetical
d proportions.

6=4. 2, or 8
b = c.. d, or a ..
12:68:4, or 12:6:: 8:4) are geometrical
abd: h, or abdh proportions.

The latter is read, "the ratio of a to b equals the ratio of d to h;" or more concisely, "a is to b as d to h."

The first and last terms are called the extremes, and the other two the means. Homologous terms are either the two antecedents or the two consequents. Analogous terms are the antecedent and consequent of the same couplet.

As the ratios are equal, it is manifestly immaterial which of the two couplets is placed first.

[merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small]

The number of terms in a proportion must be at least four. For the equality is between the ratios of two couplets; and each couplet must have an antecedent and a consequent. There may be a proportion, however, between three quantities. For one of the quantities may be repeated, so as to form two terms. In this case the quantity repeated is called the middle term, or a mean proportional between the two other quantities, especially if the proportion is geometrical.

Thus the numbers 8, 4, 2, are proportional. 8:44: 2.

That is,

a-b-b-c
a+c=26.

Quantities, which increase by a common difference, as 2, 4, 8, 10, etc., or decrease by a common difference, as 15, 12, 9, 6, 3, etc., are in continued arithmetical proportion. Such a series is also called an arithmetical progression; and sometimes progression by difference, or equidifferent series. When the quantities increase, they form what is called an ascending series, as 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, etc.

When they decrease, they form a descending series, as 11, 9, 7, 5, 3, etc.

The natural numbers, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, etc., are in arithmetical progression ascending,

From the definition it is evident that in an ascending series, each succeeding term is found by adding the common difference to the preceding term.

If the first term is 3, and the common difference 2;
The series is 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, etc.

If the first term is a, and the common difference d;

Then ad is the second term, a+d+da+2d the third, a+2d+da+3d the 4th, a+3d+da+4d the 5th, etc.

[merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small]

In this manner we may obtain any term by continued Here is both the consequent in the first addi ion or subtraction. But in a long series, this process

[blocks in formation]

N.B. Any other term may be found in the same way. For the series may be made to stop at any term, and that may be considered, for the time, as the last.

Thus the mth terma + (m—1) × d.

Prob. 1. If the first term of an ascending series is 7, the common difference 3, and the number of terms 9, what is the last term? Ans. za+ (n-1) d = 7 + (9—1) × 3 = 31. Prob. 2. If the first term of a descending series is 60, the common difference 5, and the number of terms 12, what is the last term? Ans. za— (n-1) d 60 — (12 — 1) × 5 = 5.

Prob. 3. If the first term of an ascending series be 9, and the common difference 4, what will the 5th term be?

[blocks in formation]

1. The last term, z=a± (n − 1)d; in which a, n and d are given.

[blocks in formation]
[blocks in formation]

7. The common difference, d=

6. The number of terms n=

Ans. za+(m − 1) × d = 9 + (5 − 1) × 4 = 25.
There is one other inquiry to be made concerning a series in
arithmetical progression. It is often necessary to find the sum
of all the terms. This is called the summation of the series. The
most obvious mode of obtaining the amount of the terms is to
add them together.
But the nature of progression will furnish and s being given.
us with a more expeditious method.

Let us take, for instance, the series 3, 5, 7, 9, 11,
And also the same inverted,
11, 9, 7, 5, 3,
14, 14, 14, 14, 14.

The sums of the terms will be,

Take also the series a a+d, a +2d, a + 3d, a +4d,
And the same inverted, a+ 4d, a + 3d, a +2d, a+d, a

The sums will be 2a+4d, 2a+4d, 2a+4d, 2a+4d, 2a+4d Hence it will be perceived that the sum of all the terms in the double series, is equal to the sum of the extremes repeated as many times as there are terms. Thus,

The sum of 14, 14, 14, 14 and 14 14 X 5,

LESSONS IN ITALIAN GRAMMAR.-No. XLI.

Fifthly.-Verbs ending in ggere.

Léggere, to read.

INFINITIVE MOOD.

Simple Tenses.
Present: leggere, to read

And the sum of the terms in the other double series is Present Gerund: leggendo,

(2a + 4d) X 5.

But this is twice the sum of the terms in the single series.

reading
Past Participle: létto, read

[ocr errors][merged small][merged small]

If then we put

[merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small]
[merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small]
« ΠροηγούμενηΣυνέχεια »