54° higher on the scale than the point | deed profoundly, although inexplicably, at which this refractory gas might be different. forced by pressure to assume the liquid The intensity of chemical action can form; and the bridging of the gap is be measured by the enormous liberanot now feasible, nor visibly likely to tion of energy attending it. Expressed become so. Before this one closed door in mechanical terms, the combination science pauses baffled. What secrets of one pound of hydrogen with eight of lurk behind it can only be divined. oxygen is equivalent to the lifting of a Were it thrown open, it would become mass of forty-seven million pounds one possible to trace with confidence the foot from the ground; and a precisely symptoms of the imminent "death of equal outlay of energy would be needed matter." As it is, we can only assume for the decomposition of the nine that they are simply an accentuation of pounds of water resulting from the forthose observed at the temperature of mer process. In the first case, that is liquid air. But assumptions seemingly to say, work is done by the force which well warranted are not always borne we call affinity; in the second, work is out by facts. The relations of matter done against it. The late Professor and force are of extreme intricacy. It Tyndall might well say that he did not is impossible to make sure beforehand "overrate matters" in asserting "that that they vary by prescribed grada- the force of gravity, as exerted near tions. The so-called "law of conti- the earth, was almost a vanishing quannuity" is no law at all, but an observed tity in comparison with these molecular sequence over a limited range. The forces." 1 flow of change may proceed smoothly In the same nine pounds of water for a time, then suddenly, like that of the work of overcoming cohesion by a river at a cataract, become precip-converting it from ice (at 32° F.) into itate. Such a cataract may conceivably steam, would be about one-sixth that be interposed between the present of resolving it into its primary elehalting place in descent and the ulti-ments. But the strength of affinity mate low level of no temperature.

and cohesion varies to a very wide exHydrogen occupies a unique posi- tent, both relatively and absolutely, in tion among terrestrial substances. Al- different bodies. The circumstances, though the lightest of gases, it possesses too, under which each comes most fully unmistakable metallic properties. Like into play are strongly contrasted. With metals, it is strongly electro-positive; decrease of heat chemical transformalike metals, it is a conductor of heat tions come to a standstill, while coheand electricity, improving in this re- sion grows to be overmastering; and spect with increased density, while temperatures high enough to nullify other gases conduct worse the more cohesive often favor chemical action, closely their particles are concentrated. although both are equally in abeyance It forms, moreover, true alloys with when heat becomes excessive. In the palladium, sodium, and potassium. sun, accordingly, the various species of Upon these facts Faraday based the matter remain apart, their combinations prediction that solid hydrogen would being apparently rendered impossible show the texture and lustre of a gen- by heat; in the moon, on the contrary, uine metal. In that case water should their affinities are most likely paralyzed be regarded as a metallic oxide -as a by cold. The middle stage, where askind of rust of hydrogen. In its for-sociation and dissociation alternate with mation, one recalls with ever renewed every undulation of change, is occupied surprise, oxygen and hydrogen together by our own planet, as well as liquefy spontaneously, and at a high not but infer- by every other home of temperature; yet they can scarcely be organic life. induced to do so separately by the sternest coercion of cold. Chemical and cohesive changes of state are in

we can

By Professor Dewar's researches

1 Heat as a Mode of Motion, p. 149.

some approach has for the first time | letter, to which next morning Madebeen made to realizing, in the labora- moiselle de L- added one from hertory, interstellar conditions. His ac- self to Rose. count of what they involve sounds to unaccustomed ears like the story of a voyager's experiences in another world. And these conditions are in a sense permanent. They can henceforth be reproduced at will. The power thus obtained of carrying out extensive investigations at a temperature not far removed from absolute zero constitutes an inestimable addition to the resources of physicists. A method pregnant with discovery is placed at their disposal. The field before them has unexpectedly widened. Suggestive intimations spring up on all sides as they enter it. Many significant results have already accrued. A clearer notion as to the nature of matter has unquestionably been gained; some beginning of an insight into the mutual relations of the forces affecting it seems at any rate close at hand; unlooked-for phenomena have been disclosed; vague speculations have been replaced by legitimate inferences. And this through a bare survey of the rich territory just annexed by science. That its cultivation will bring in a plentiful harvest cannot be doubted. The seed is, indeed, springing under our eyes; it remains for the future to watch its growth and garner its sheaves.

I had a hundred louis with me, and at once placed a sum at Mademoiselle de L's disposal sufficient to supply her present necessities. I also engaged a maid to wait on her and to accompany her to France, whither I intended to get back as soon as we could. This, however, was not easy, for war was on the point of breaking out between France and England, and Anglesey told me, laughing, that he would take no steps to facilitate our departure. One day, however, he rode over to the residence of Lord Lynch and returned, bringing a letter addressed to myself by that nobleman. Anglesey told me that Lord Lynch's servants were in the utmost perplexity and confusion. The manner of our escape was still a mystery. They had not dared to inform their master that anything had gone wrong, not wishing to add to his afflictions and anxieties, he being in Dublin Castle awaiting his examination, which might possibly result in an indictment for high treason. One of the men who had been with us during our journey had been sent to Dublin as soon as we lauded in Ireland, and had given him good news of our safe arrival. He had at once written me this letter, and prayed me to send him an immediate

answer.

The letter was a long one, and in some parts it moved me to compassion. It was an attempt to excuse himself for his conduct, to justify it by his ardent affection for Rose. It ended by assuring me that, in spite of the unjustifiable language he had used towards me, he had never ceased to feel for me respect and veneration; and he implored me to say to my sister that he flung himself at her feet, entreating her to forget his offences, and to point out to him any way in which he could atone for them, and make her happy.

To this he added a few words about himself and his present situation. His enemies had inspired the government with suspicions of his loyalty, and, as he was known to have had communica

tions with the court of King James Your people have not thought it best at Saint Germain, the consequences to himself might be very serious. He went on to ask my advice as to how he might appeal to the members of the Court of Justice that would interrogate him, and added that perhaps my experience in my own case and in Patrick's might make it possible for me to do something for his defence; and had it not been that my sister must need my protection and my presence, he would have asked me to come over to Dublin at once, and see what I could do for him.

His letter touched me. He had, I could not but confess, some wrongs to complain of at our hands. He had not carried off Rose when she was living unprotected in her lodgings. I might help him now that his life was possibly in danger. The viceroy knew me and had expressed esteem for me, I also knew the leading men in his Court of Justice, and I had had experience in matters of the kind. I determined to go to Dublin and see what I could do for Lord Lynch, remembering that we are, as Christians, bound to help our enemies.

I therefore told Mademoiselle de L that I thought I might safely leave her in the care of Mrs. Anglesey. To this she assented. I left her without anxiety, nor did she feel any.

How could I have foreseen what was to happen? How could I have divined that Anglesey, in his eagerness to give us pleasure, had written to Patrick informing him that Mademoiselle de L- and I were at his house, and urging him to come on and take us by surprise?

to undeceive you. They faithfully executed your orders, but they made a great mistake. The lady whom they brought away with me is one whom you have never known. Thank Heaven, she is now in safety! Some persons in my place might have reproached you, but I came hither for other reasons. I think, as you do, that I can be of use to you, and the zeal with which I hope to succor you will show you, I trust, how as a Christian I can forgive."

I spoke thus in all seriousness, but Lynch took what I told him as a joke. Nothing could persuade him that I was not playing him a trick. He refused to believe that Rose was safe in France, and that I was really actuated by motives of Christian kindness and generosity.

I gave the matter up at last, and occupied myself only with his deliverance from his dangerous situation. He had been, it was true, to Saint Germain, but he was so out of favor with the king of France that he dared not even remain in his dominions. He had given proofs of his fidelity to the existing government of Ireland by his wish to espouse an Irish lady and to settle down on his estates in Munster.

I drew up a memorial stating all this, and presented it to the viceroy. I had observed on former occasions that the viceroy was much disposed to favor the Irish nobility, and that though his fears of the displeasure of his government made him listen to accusations against gentlemen of noble birth, he did his best after their arrest to save them. However, it was not in his power to discharge a prisoner of State; he could only send him before the Court of Justice to which I had addressed so many supplications on Patrick's behalf. I was received by the gentlemen who composed this court with great respect. I know not whether I owed my success to their rememI found that nobleman overjoyed to brance of me on a former occasion, or see me. It was some time before he to the secret influence of the viceroy. would let me speak. "You think," I However it was, I obtained Lord said, "that my sister is in Ireland. Lynch's release. VOL. II. 98

This being unknown to me, I left Mademoiselle de L- with such confidence that on my way to Dublin I began to think how easily I might get to Antrim, and there see my dear flock and my beloved brother, after I had passed a few days in Dublin, and done all in my power for Lord Lynch.

LIVING AGE.

His first thought was to return home, | his silence need not cause her any anxwhere he expected to find my sister. iety. Then I went on to tell her about

As the master was absent, I asked to see my sister. She had just heard that it was I who knocked so late. I found her in bed, where she told me she had been for the past week. She appeared at first very glad to see me, then interrupting herself in her expressions of delight, she asked me what news I had brought her from her husband. "I have only just come into Antrim," I answered. "I have not even stopped at my own door." This answer seemed to distress her greatly. She did not speak for some time, and I ters. could see her tears fall. I dared not post. ask her the cause of her affliction. I knew her too little to claim her confidence. She merely told me that my brother had been away a week, and had not written to her. I answered that a week was a short time, and that

letters. They brought tears into my | theless he showed some self-control, till the day came which brought about my ruin, and possibly his own.

eyes. I thought to myself that the sooner all intercourse between my master and his lost love was broken off the sooner he would be resigned, and begin to love my lady. I did not send the letters. I destroyed them. But I wrote to some of M. des Pesses' men, and asked news of their master.

6

"We were out hunting. The chase brought us near Londonderry, when, as we crossed the highroad, we saw coming towards us a gentleman on horseback followed by a servant. My master knew him at once, and so did I ; it was M. des Pesses. I had little time to say to myself, what will result from their meeting ?'-the friends were in each other's arms. My lady was forgotten, left alone with her servants on the highway. The two gentlemen dismounted, and, sitting on the grass, as I learned afterwards from M. des Pesses' servant, M. des Pesses informed my master of all that he had done in Germany; that M. de L— was dead; and his daughter on her way to Paris, anxious to bestow on him her fortune and her hand.

"His lordship sat and listened like a stone. He even read a letter from Mademoiselle de Lwithout a word. Then he seemed to lose consciousness. I approached to render him some services. He recognized me. He resented my presence, he ordered me fiercely never to appear before his eyes again.

"After these letters were written, and his lordship supposed them to have been sent, he became less unhappy. My lady never left him if possible, loading him with cares and kindness, which he found it hard to bear. He seemed to care for nothing but solitude, and at last she grew fearful of disturbing him. We left Dublin after a few weeks, but nothing changed when we arrived here. My lord has pleaded illness as an excuse for delaying the obligations of his marriage. The doctors ordered him to hunt, and though he never before had cared for field sports, from morning till night he was in the saddle. It was merely an excuse for finding his way to lonely places, while the men who were with him pursued the game. After a while my lady took a fancy to hunt too, and then he seemed to select the most inaccessible places to which to drive the game, places to which no woman could "M. des Pesses recognized me, and follow him. Yet he always treated my taking me aside asked me the meaning lady with consideration, and occasion- of what he saw. I told him that my ally I have witnessed little scenes master had been married more than which made me hope that he would not two months. M. des Pesses was greatly be always insensible to the fondness grieved, but my lady coming up, he that she showed for him. I said to addressed her with all politeness, makmyself, if he could hear that Made-ing some excuse for the condition in moiselle de L was dead, or was which she found my lord. married, he might forget her and be "M. des Pesses stayed with us only happy.' May Heaven forgive me! three days, endeavoring to reconcile his My master, who had been looking anx- | lordship to what had befallen him, but iously for answers to his letters, dis- in vain. My master remained silent, covered one day that I had received a letter from Paris. It was from a servant of M. des Pesses. I informed "Alarm and distress reigned in the him that it told me that M. des Pesses household, and ever since my lord has had got back to Paris, and that Made- been nearly in the same state. Her moiselle de L- had married a Ger- ladyship would come many times a day man nobleman. to the door of his apartment, but he "This news, alas! threw his lord- would seldom see her. When he did ship into a state of terrible agitation. he received her with forced politeness, He was almost beside himself. Never-which made her weep bitterly when

indeed he seemed to be hardly in possession of his right mind.