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people. The dirteroiit forms, or varied persoiilficalions, were 

 described, under which the supernatural in this department 

 was represented. 



November 11. — Mr. Phillips delivered a Lecture in con- 

 tinuation of a series on Astronomy. He pointed out the 

 advantages of tiie Science, compared the different appear- 

 ances the Heavens would present if viewed from the Earth, 

 or the Sun ; gave a brief description of the constellations, 

 the galaxy or milky way ; explained the diff"erence between 

 real and apparent motion, and the causes of visual error ; the 

 three principal properties of the sun — light, heat, and at- 

 traction, their different operations on bodies more or less 

 remote ; the centre of gravity in the sun, the spherical form 

 of the earth, the elliptic form of her orbit, the difference 

 between solar and sideral time, and concluded with a brief 

 description of the solar system. 



November 18. — Mr. Martin delivered a Lecture on the 

 formation of Opinions, in which he endeavoured to shew 

 that the mind is greatly influenced by external circumstances, 

 and that the reception of every opinion depends solely on the 

 nature of the supposed evidence by which it is supported : 

 and the Lecturer thence inferred the involuntary nature of 

 all belief, and demonstrated the fact by many striking illus- 

 trations, 



November 25. — Mr. W. Brent delivered a Lecture on 

 Amphibia, the third class of the Linnocan arrangement, and 

 after noticing its two orders, Reptilia and Serpentes, and 

 their distinguishing characteristics, proceeded to the ex- 

 amination of the first three genera of the first order, Testudo, 

 Kana, and Draco, — and illustrated his subjects with speci- 

 mens from the glass cases of the Society's Museum. 



December 2. — Mr. Read commenced a course of Lectures 

 illustrative of the Turkish Empire, its history, manners, 

 laws, religion, and dependent states. The origin of the 

 nation, its early history, conversion to Mohamedism and 

 settlement in Europe were respectively treated of. He next 

 mentioned the discord amongst the Christian Princes and 

 their disastrous crusades ; the establishment of the Turkish 

 Empire; and foundation of the order of Janissaries. He 

 noticed the attempt made in the last Century to introduce 

 the Art of Printing. Tlus head of manners and customs was 

 arranged in the order of events in human life ; and Mr. R. 

 menti(jned many particulars relative to their domestic eco- 

 nomy, and commented on tlie evils resulting from Polygamy, 

 concluding with observations on thuir sepulchral rites and 

 cerenioiiies. 



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