190 Miscellanies. 
called, but of all substances, natural or artificial, which it has pleased the 
* 
fancy of mankind to esteem as-objects of personal ornament, and which 
are usually known by the name of precious stones. He gives a minute 
account of the preparation of pastes, or imitations of real gems, of the 
method of cutting and polishing all gems, and of the forms most suitable 
to enhance their natural beauty. The history of the diamond, the prince 
of gems, and by many esteemed a better standard of value than silver or 
gold, is drawn with much care, and is particularly wae viewed 
either as a scientific or practical account. 
. This book, taken in connection with that of Prof, N..F. Moore, of Co-— 
fein College, viz. “ Ancient Mineralogy, or an Inquiry concerning the 
Mineral substances mentioned by the Ancients, &c.” and noticed in this 
Journal, (Vol. 28, p. 188,) affords a very complete view of the history 
and antiquity i those gems and minerals er were known in the early 
periods of societ 
~ Dr. F. has sidesivoved to TAduedideniner his. “$b, by giving an ac- 
count of all the principal American localities of precious stones, and 
ornamental: and architectural materials; with the hope of calling more 
attention to our internal resources of this nature. At the conclusion of 
the present treatise, it is announced that Dr. F. is to publish a “ Mrner- 
ALOGICAL Text Boos; for the use of schools, seminaries, and private stu- 
dai. This latter work is intended. not to be strictly philosophical, as it is 
the younger student, who wishes to be informed of 
dow t to collect, and to See 
~ 
"ROP. S eciavshe afternoon of shanti 
propre thermometer i in Faint’. toi, in Cum 
berland, Md.,* about two o’clock, was at 102° of Fahr: ; it gradually. rosé 
to 104°; from about 3 to 4 o’clock it fluctuated from 102° to 106° y—and : 
at about 4 o'clock it rose to 107°, and then to 108°, where it remained 
at 5 o'clock. One of the gentlemen then removed it from its 
against one of the pillars of the piazza in the shade, to one in the direct 
rays of the sun,—it almost immediately rose to 126°, the highest gradu- 
ation of the tube, filled it entirely, and the ball was soon after burst. At 
Hancock, about 30 miles below, on the Potomac, at the same hour, the 
thermometer varied from 107° to 109°. You are yourself familiar with 
the Sarees at Black’s 8; it looks, I think, nearly north. » 
With ee — your. friend and servant, 
B. B. sows” 
SRG SEL SO at, POPS. Long. 77° SW — 
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