440 On the late Solar Eclipse. 



dispensable, owing to faults and breaks in the strata. We have 

 only aimed at shovvinp; that his system is " consistent with the 

 principles of pliilosophy," and tliat it is " dimply an application 

 of the inverted siphon," discharging upward a fluid lighter 

 than the one employed to displace it. 



We are confident that the gentlemen who signed the above 

 document will do justice to the motives which have induced us 

 to add these remarks ; for, Iiaving the honour to know some of 

 them personally, we know that none can more earnestly desire 

 to see any practicable system introduced which can contribute 

 to the health or safety of the miners. Mr. Ryan, being almost 

 self-taught, is by no means perspicuous in conveying his ideas; 

 and without bestowing much personal trouble in attending his 

 examinations at the Society of Arts, besides several other meet- 

 ings with him, we should not, simple as his plan is, have easily 

 comprehended it. We are therefore not surprised that others, 

 without the same means, should find it difficult. — But this very 

 circumstance has made us the more anxious to render it intelli- 

 gible, in as few words as possible; for, to speak truth, Mr. R. 

 possesses in a wonderful degree the art of Tmjsterizinff what is in 

 itself very simple; but this should not be allowed to operate to 

 prevent the public from reaping the benefits which his system 

 may be calculated to confer. 



We have only to add, that the gentleman who sent us the 

 above document informed us, that it would also have received 

 the signature of Mr. Dixon Brown, had he not been from home 

 at the time ; his sentiments on the subject being known to ac- 

 cord with those who signed the paper. 



LXXXIX. On the late Solar Eclipse, 

 To Mr. Tillnch. 



Sir, — In the last number of your valuable Magazine, is a 

 communication from Mr. Groombridge, respecting the late 

 eclipse of the sun. In another .Journal (the Monthly Magazine) 

 is a communication from Mr.Evans, relative to the same subject. 

 On comparing the times, as oljserved by these two gentlemen, it 

 will be seen that there is a difference oi fourteen seconds in the 

 time of the commencement, and of twenty -eight seconds in the 

 tinie of the ending of this eclipse. As these two observers live 

 within a mile or two of each other, there cannot be any great 

 difference in the absolute time at the two places : and aslthey 

 have thought proper to publish the result of their observations, 



- I think 



