O EARLY LITERATURE OF THE GERMANS. 



This vapor would be at its maximum density, having the specific 

 gravity 14.108, pointed out in the table above. Hence 1695.4 cubic in- 

 ches would weigh 5.73 grains. Thus : 



Measures. Grains, Weasures. Grains. 



100 ; 0.338 :: 1695.4 ; 5.73 



The weight of the aqeou-s vapor contained in a cubic foot of air at 

 any temperature will thus be ascertained. 



By such caflculation it is found that if the temperature of the dew- 

 point be 32°, the quantity of vapor will be ^{i^th of the whole weight 

 of the air. If 52°, it will be just double, or -Yl^th. ; if 73°, it will be 

 double again, or c'„th; and at the dew-point above assumed, or 60", it 

 will be j'jst of the weight of the air. These tables not only furnish 

 us with the means of ascertaining the quantity of vapor, but also its 

 tension or elasticity, or, in more common phrase, its steam power. All 

 vapor, existing in the air in a gaseous state, is steam, and the phenom- 

 ena of a storm are intimately connected with this steam power, which, 

 varying from day ^ day, continue.^ to rise until it is discharged in the 

 form of rain. Thus a dew-point of 32" indicates an elastic force of 

 0.200 ; one of 52", a force of 0.401 ; of 73", 0.796; and our dew-point 

 60", a force of 0.524. So that we are enabled to calculate the force of a 

 storm in the same way that we estimate the power of a locomotive en- 

 gine. These results, so easily obtained through that admirable little in- 

 strument, the thermometer, are considered by Professor Espy as the cor- 

 ner-stone of his theory. 



EARLY LITERATURE OF THE GERMANS. 



THE UNLIKE CHILDREN OF EVE. 



BY rnnr. h. i. smith, a. m. of hap.twick seminary, n. y. 



Among the co»itemporaries of Luther, and holding high raiTk among 

 the Master-singers, was Hans 3achs, the shoemaker of Nuremberg, who 

 was born A. D. 1494, and died 1576. I have, on one of my shelves, a 

 volume of his minor productions, and I esteeem him one of my pleas- 

 antest acquaintances among the earlier poets and writers of Germany.^ 

 Goethe, who thoroughly appreciated his poetical merits, most earnestly 

 called the reverent attention of his countrymen, to their ail-but forgot- 

 ten, burgher-poet and moralist. His character is one that wins the re- 

 spect and admiration of all : his life was one of unwearied and most hon- 

 orable activity, devoted to the beautiful, as well as the useful — employ- 

 ed in promoting the important interests, and the lighter, but innocent 

 enjoyments of his fellow-men. Ho was a mv>:i devoted friend of Luther 



