entertains all people fubject to vapours, vain imaginations, wandering thoughts, hypochondriac melancholy, all lunatics, and perfons difturbed in mind; her manfion is juftly ftiled the celeftial bedlam; and in the hall of Proteus, which is affigned for incurables, are to be found dreamers, bad œconomists, fpendthrifts, mifers, and whimsical people of all ranks, profeffions, fciences, and bufineffes. yet it does not appear, that, in this tudy, he had any precepter but his genius, or any affiftant but his labour. It may be eafily imagined that the example and converfation of Mr Pound, did not render Bradley more fond of his profeffion than he was beA fore; he continued however as yet to fullfill the duties of it, though, at this time, he had made fuch obfervations as laid the foundation of thofe difcoveries, which afterwards diftinguished him as one of the greatest aftronomers of his age. The above directory was carefully collected from the most eminent aftrologers, antient and modern, from Hermes Trifmegiftus to Placidus de Titis, B and even Partridge (now in the moon) and will fand the teft of future ages. Some Account of the late Dr James Bradley, D D. Royal Profeffor of Aftronomy at Greenwich. DR. James Bradley was the third fon of William and Jane Bradley, and was born at Sherborne in Dorfetfbire in the year 1692. He was fitted for the university at North Leach by Mr Egles, and Mr Brice, who kept a boarding fchool there, and from North Leach he was fent to Oxford. C D E His friends intended him for the church, and his ftudies were regulated with that view; and as foon as he was of fufficient age to receive holy orders, the Bishop of Hereford, who had conceived a great efteem for him, gave him the living of Bridflow, and foon after he was inducted to that of Welfrie in Pembrokeshire. But, notwithstanding thefe advantages, from which he might promife himself ftill farther advancement in the church, he at length refigned his livings that he might be wholly at liberty to purfue his favourite ftudy, the mathematics, and F particularly aftronomy. He was nephew to Mr Pound, a gentleman who is well known in the learned world by many excellent obfervations, and who would have enriched it with more, if the journals of his voyages had not been burnt at Pulo Condor, when the place was set on fire, and the English who were fettled there, cruelly maffacred, Mr Pound himself very narrowly escaping with his life. G With this gentlemen, Mr Bradley paffed all the time that he could fpare H from the duties of his function; and perhaps he fometimes trefpaffed upon them; he was then fufficiently acquainted with the mathematics to im. prove by Mr Pound's converfation, Though thefe obfervations were made as it were by ftealth, they gained him first the notice, and then the friendship of Lord Chancellor Macclesfield, Mr Newton, afterwards Sir Ifaac, and Mr Halley, and many other members of the Royal Society, into which he was foon elected member. About the fame time, the chair of Savilian profeffor of Aftronomy at Oxford became vacant, by the death of the celebrated Dr Keil; and Mr Bradley was elected to fucceed him on the 31st of October 1721, being then jutt nine and twenty years old; and his collegue was Mr Halley, who was profeffor of Geometry o fame foundation. Bradley, u elected into this profeffo ings, and w tuation in wh oppofite to his From this tim It had been long obferved that the pofition of the fixed ftars were fubject to fome variations, which in no fort correfponded with the apparent motion of a degree in feventy two years, which gives the preceffion of the equinoxes. The late Abbe Picard had remarked thefe variations in the pole ftar in 1671, but he did not attempt either to reduce them to any fettled rule, or to account for them. Dr Bradley not only verified Picard's obfervations, but difcovered many other variations which had never before been thought of; he found that fome ftars appeared to have, in the fpace of about a year variation of longitude backward See an Account of Dr Halley V astronomical inftruments at the ob fervatory at Greenwich, it was impoffible that fuch an observer as Dr Bradley should not defire to encrease them as well to answer his own particular views, as in general to make obfervations with greater exactness. In the year 1748, therefore, he took the opportunity of the annual visit made by the Royal Society to the Obfervatory, in order to examine the inftruments, and receive the Profeffor's obfervations for the year, to reprefent fo strongly the neceffity of repairing the old inftruments, and purchafing new, that the fociety thought proper to reprefent it to his majefty, and his majesty gave them a thousand pounds for that purpose. This fum was laid out under the direction of Dr Bradley, who, with the affittance of the late celebrated Mr Graham, and Mr Bird, furnished the Cobfervatory with as compleat a col which acts with greater force, in proportion as it is more diftant from the equator: Now, at the time when its nodes concur with the equinoxial points, its greatest latitude is added to the greatest obliquity of the ecliptic. At this time, therefore, the power A which caufes the irregularity in the pofition of the terreftrial axis, acts with the greateft force; and the revolution of the nodes of the Moon, being performed in eighteen years, it is clear, that in eighteen years the nodes will twice concur with the equinoxial points; and, confequently, that twice in that period, or once every nine years, the Earth's axis will be more influenced than at any other time; fo that it will have a kind of ballancing backward and forward, the period of which will be nine years, as Mr Bradley had obferved; and this bal-. lancing he called the Nutation of the Terrefirial Axis. B He published this difcovery in 1737, fo that in the space of about ten years he communicated to the world two of the finest discoveries in modern aftronomy, which will for ever make a memorable epocha in the history of that D fience. Mr Bradley always preferved the efleem and friendship of Mr Halley, who being worn out by age and infirmities, thought he could do nothing farther for the fervice of aftronomy, than procure for Mr Bradley the place of Regius Profeffor of Aitronomy at Green wich, which he had poffeffed himself many years with the greatest reputa tion. With this view, he wrote many letters, which have been fnce found among Mr Bradley's papers, defiring his permiffion to apply for a grant of the reverfion of it to him, and even offering to refign in his favour, if it fhould he thought neceffary: But before Mr Halley could bring this kind project to bear, he died. Mr Bradley, however, obtained the place afterwards, by the favour and intereft of my Lord Macclesfield, who was afterwards Prefident of the Royal Society. As foon as the appointment of Mr Bradley to this place was known, the University of Oxford fent him a Diploma, creating him Doctor of Divinity. The appointment of aftronomer at Greenwich, placed Mr Bradley in his proper element, and he pursued his oblervations with unwearied diligence. However numerous the collection of E G lection of aftronomical instruments, as the most skillfull and diligent ob ferver would defire. Dr Bradley furnished with fuch affiftance, perfued his obfervations with new afliduity, an incredible number of which were found after his death, which are now in the hands of the Royal Society, who will certainly make fuch a ufe of fo valuable a depofit, as will do equal honour to them, and Dr Bradley. It has been already obferved, that when Dr Bradley was elected to the profeffor's chair at Oxford, he gave up his two livings, which were at fuch a distance, that he could not poflibly fullfill the duties of them himself; but it happened, that after he was fettled at Greenwich, the living of that parifa became vacant, which is very confiderable, and which was offered to him, as he was upon the spot to perform the duty, and had the claim of uncommon merit to the reward. This living, however, Dr Bradley, very greatly to his honour, refufed, fearing the duties of the aftronomer would too much interfere with thofe of the divine. His Majelty, however, hearing of the refufal, was fo pleafed with it, that he granted him a pention of 250l. a year, in confideration of his great abilities and knowledge in aftronomy, and other branches of the mathematics, which had procured fo much advan tage to the commerce and navigation of Great Britain, as is particularly mentioned in the grant, which is dated the 15th of Febuary 1752. Dr Dr Bradley, about the fame time, was admitted into the Council of the Royal Society. In the year 1748, he was admitted a member of the Royal Academy of Sciences, (and the Belles Lettres of Berlin, upon the death of M. Crevier, firft phyfician to his Catholic Majefty; in the year 1752, a member of the Imperial Academy at Petersbourg; and, in 1757, of that inftituted at Bologne. Dr Bradley was ftill indefatigable in his obfervations, and, whatever ho. B nour he received became an incitement to obtain new diftinétion; his corporeal abilities, however, at length declined, though his intellectual fuffered no abatement. In the year 1760, he became extreamly weak and infirm, and towards the end of June 1762, he was attacked with a total fuppreffion of urine*, caufed by an inflammation of the reins, which, on the twelfth of July following, put an end to his life, in the feventieth year of his age. his works fhould injure his character, therefore fuppreffed many, which pro■ bably, were well worthy of the public attention. He was even known as it were, in fpight of himself; and, in Aspight of himself, he was known much, and confequently much efteemed. He was acquainted with many of the first perfons in this kingdom, perfons eminent, as well for their rank, as their abilities: He was honoured by all men of learning in general, and there was not an aftronomer of any eminence in the world, with whom he had not a literary correfpondence. C He was buried at Mitchin Hampton in Gloucefterfire, in the fame grave D with his mother, and his wife. In the year 1744, he married Su. fannah Peach, the daughter of a gentleman of that name in Gloucefterbire, by whom he had only one daughter, now living. E As to his character, he was remarkable for a placid and gentle modefty, very uncommon in perfons of an active temper, and robuft conftitution. It was ftill more remarkable, that with this untroubled equanimity of temper, he was compaffionate and liberal in the highest degree. Although he was a good speaker, and poffefled the rare, but happy art of exprefling his ideas, F with the utmost precision and perfpicuity, yet no man was a greater lover of filence, for he never spoke, but when he thought it abfolutely neceffary. He did indeed, think it neceffary to speak when he had a fair opportunity to communicate any use. ful knowledge in his own way, and G he encouraged thofe that attended his lectures, to ask him questions, by the exactnefs with which he answered, and the care he took to adapt himself to every capacity. He was not more inclined to write, than to fpeak, for he has published very little; he had a natural diffidence, H which made him always afraid, that See an account of this cafe among the Phil. Trans. Vol xxxiii. p. 495. (Gent, Mag, August 1765.) Upon the whole, it may be faid of Dr Bradley, that no man cultivated great talents with more fuccefs, or had a better claim to be ranked among the greatest aftronomers of his age. The fatal Effects of Ground Ivy, when eaten by Horfes. A S it is the cafe frequently for many horfes to die without any apparent cause being affigned, I intend in this paper to give fome account of the herb gill go-by-the ground, allhoof, the fatal effects of horfes feeding on ground ivy, or hay maids, alias hedera terreftris. In the ftubble fields, in the latter part of fummer, this plant is most plentiful, and alfo molt pernicious; because at this feafon it is at its full growth, and in its greatest peefection; and at this time horfes are moft frequently put where it grows, (which is in the greatest plenty amongst peas, beans, and barley flubble) in order to eat off the grafs and weeds before fuch land be again ploughed for a crop of wheat. In my own family, and amongst my acquaintance, I can remember feven or eight that have died by eating this plant within about ten years; from which I was induced to apply myfelf to find fome remedy, but can hitherto discover none; though, the better to attain fuch knowledge, I have carefully examined the contents of the thorax and abdomen of this creature after dying, by eating of this herb, the appearance of fome parts of which I purpofe to defcribe, as it was preternatural, in hopes that fome perfon, more obfervant of the dileafes of this ufeful animal, may be induced to point out a probable or more certain remedy. I have carefully perufed many antient and modern authors, who have wrote wrote of the difeafes of horses and beafts; but can find nothing on this head. A trong cart-mare, rifing feven years old, in good plight, was put to feed in a peas-itubble field, foon after the peas were carried, and amongt which a great deal of this plant grew, where, after about a fortnight, the was obferved to be unwell, by her ftanding near the hedge in a fleepy posture, and fetching her breath with much difficulty, frequently heaving as though fhe wanted to dung. There was no fign of any cold taken, nor a cough to be perceived, from which it was concluded a toppage was the cafe. B A farrier was fent for, who gave her fomething to relieve the apprehended complaint; but, after the drink given, the fymptoms became more violent, C and the heaving, as though he wanted to dung, was almoft conftant: The mufcle which contracts the fundament loft its ufe, and that part became quite open, infomuch that one might fee diftin&ly a confiderable way into the gut. An acute pain did not feem to trouble the creature; but fhort breath, and conftant heaving, were the fymptoms which appeared; and in this condition, after about 12 hours from her being difcovered, the died. Since this time, I have been somewhat particular in enquiring into the ftate of other horfes apprehended to die from the like caufe, and have understood that their infides were fuch as above defcribed. If this plant, as has been for a long time, and is still fuppofed, be the caufe of the death of horfes which feed on it, (and, I am very apprehenfive, on good grounds too) and be unknown as to its effect on this animal; I think it may not be amifs to propofe the following queries for the confideration of the ingenious and observant in the nature and quality of our British fimples; as, 1. What should be the caufe of this herb being fatal to horfes only; fince it is fo frequently recommended, by the learned in the healing art, to people of confumptive habits, as well as drank in the fpring of the year, in many forms, as a purifier of the blood. II. What vegetable, or other medicine, may be its antidote, with respect to its ill effects on horfes? And, III. What should be the cause of the shortness of breath, and conftant Dmotion to dung, for fome hours before I had her opened, and on examining the (thorax) cheft, I found the g heart larger than is common for horfes of equal fize; the lights very full of blood, and greatly fwelled, fo much as to fill the cavity, and they were of a livid colour, as though near putrefaction, yet not rotten. In the (abdomen) or lower belly, the liver was nearly of the ufual fize, but of a livid colour, inclinable to green. The gall bladder was nearly empty: The tomach a little filled with wind; but in it was very little more than the drench which had been given, except fome fmall matter of food, part of which had fomewhat the appearance of the plant which is apprehended to have caufed her death; but the fmell of the drench had the afcendency. The fmall guts were empty in general, but in the folds of the colon fome vifible parts of the ground ivy were met with, and its Imell perceptible; from which a conclufion was made, that it was the cause of her death, fince no marks of violence any where could be discovered. G the horfe dies? If the foregoing be thought worthy a place in your publication, let it appear, and it will oblige R. G. To the author of the Remarks on the account of Oxford in the Gentleman's Magazine for February 1765. SIR, S the defcription of Oxford only A mentioned the univerfity where it could not poffibly be avoided, there was no mifnomer in the title. Hav. inng lived a long time in Oxford; I F knew, as well as you, that the main river at Oxford is called the Ifis; and, as it now appears, better than you, that the true name of the river is the Tems, or Thames. Your opinion that the name of the Thames is formed from Thame, and Ifs, has, indeed, been univerfally received; and yet it is abfolutely falfe. Scholars have called the river Ifs, but the country people, call it, the Thames, quite from its fource, and in an old charter, granted to Abbot Aldheim, particular mention is made of certain lands, upon the Eaft part of the river, cujus vocabulum Temis juxta vadum quod appellatur Summerford; and as this Summerford is in Wiltshire, it is manifeft that the river was then called Temis, or Tems, before its junction with the Thame. The fame now, when a third edition has ju brought it again to our notice. The battle of Culloden was fought on the 16th of April, 1746; and the Young Chevalier having his horfe hot thro the neck with a musket ball, and feeA ing the rout among his troops univerfal and irretrieveable, was perfuaded to provide for his own fafety as well as he could. He was foon mounted on a fresh horfe, and, accompanied by a few chofen friends, he retreated by Tordurrock, a village about nine miles from Inverness, to Aberardar, about three miles farther in Mackintosh's, country; thence to Faroline, five miles farther in Lovat's country; and thence to Gortulaig, one mile farther, a house of Mr Frafer, fteward to Lord Lovat. At this place he found Lord Lovat himfelf, who exhorted him most pathetically to keep up his courage, and remember his ancettor Robert de Bruce, who, after lofing eleven battles, by winning the twelfth, recovered the kingdom. On the other hand, O Sullivan, and O Neile, took him afide, and D begged him to liften to no fuch infi C fame thing appears in every charter, PUBLICUS. I am, Sir, &c. particular and authentic Account of the E G HIS narrative, though it is not TH recent, is fo remarkable, that H having, by an attention to other things, neglected to take it into our Mifcellany, we do not think any apology neceflary, for giving it to our readers uations. This was certainly the best advice, and he followed it; for, about 10 at night, he fet forward, and reached Invergary about five o'clock the next morning. Invergary was a cattle belonging to Macdonald of Glengary, which was not then burnt, nor was its owner, who afterwards fuffered long confinement in Edinburgh Cafile, yet taken prifoner; but, the family being abfent, it could afford no entertainment. Bourk, however, was fortunate enough to catch a brace of falmon early in the forenoon, which furnished the little company with a meal. After their repaft, a confultation was held, and it was thought proper that the Adventurer should proceed with only O Sullivan, Allan Macdonald, and Bourk, for a guide: It was farther thought neceffary that he fhould change cloaths with Bourk, which was accordingly done; and fetting out about 2 o'clock they reached Donald Cameron's at Glenpean, about nine at night: Being ex *Sir Thomas Sheridan; his two Aid-decamps, Sir David Murray, and Mr Alexander Macleod; Captain O Sullivan, and Captain O Neilie, two Irish gentlemen, who had the French King's commiffion; Mr John Hay, one of his fecretaries; with thefe were Edward Bourk, a fervant of Macleod; a fervant of Mr Hay, and one Allan Macdotal. hauled |