TO THE DEITY. 129 



and itjwill be found that the principle just stated, namely, that 

 the light is in proportion to the incombustible nature of the 

 ignited solid matter, will hold good to any extent: — for it will be 

 seen, on submitting different substances to the action of the 

 powerful flame of the oxy-hydrogen blowpipe, that the light 

 given out by^them will increase as their temperature increases, 

 until it arrives at that point when they either enter into combustion, 

 or melt, boil and evaporate — those bodies giving out the most 

 light which require the highest temperature for this. Lime and 

 magnesia are the most refractory substances with which we are 

 acquainted, being almost infusible by the most intense heat of the 

 oxy-hydrogen blowpipe; from these bodies, consequently, the 

 greatest degree of light is produced, and its gradual increase may 

 be observed to keep pace with its temperature, arriving at such a 

 degree of intensity as to cast a bold shadow of any object in the 

 strongest sunshine ; — therefore it may be deduced, that the light 

 of flame does not directly proceed from the combustion itself, but 

 merely from the ignition produced in solid matter by the heat 

 resulting from that combustion. 



But whence this^light originates ; whether it may be considered 

 as a component part of the solid matter in which it may exist in 

 a latent state, and be only rendered evident by the action of cal- 

 oric ; or whether caloric itself, by being absorbed by a combus- 

 tible body, becomes converted into light, it is neither within the 

 province of this paper nor the power of the writer to determine. 



J. N. H. 



To be continued. 



TO THE DEITY, 



I feel Thee, when the breeze is sweet, 

 And, in the fields, Thy presence meet. 

 I see Thy power in insect form, 

 And worship Thee amidst the storm, 

 I praise Thee when I rest at night : 

 I bless Thee for the morning's light. 

 I thank Thee for thy favors given ; 

 And hope to see thy face — in Heaven. 



M. A. P. 



VOL. v.— 1835. 



