282 Round Sterns. 



plomatist, and from a Privy Councillor of his Danish Majesty ; 

 for the other, Dr Muncke is sufficient authority. They may 

 not, they cannot, be given as they occurred ; but the spirit I 

 think is preserved, and that alone is important. 



The Doctor waxes witty in page 276 at the expence of my 

 discretion in telling these on dits. This is all fair and allow- 

 able in men so much older and more experienced than our- 

 selves. But I would humbly suggest to him as a metaphysi- 

 cian, if it is not the knowledge of evil consequences to follow 

 which constitutes the indiscretion in such cases, — and that, as 

 we fear none in this free country, there can be no indiscretion 

 even in publishing what men dare hardly whisper in Germany. 



In conclusion, Sir, I have to regret that Professor Muncke, 

 who, I am willing to believe, writes more conclusively on Natu- 

 ral Philosophy, should have said so much and so sweepingly of 

 mv incorrectness, and yet should have adduced so few, and these 

 so trifling, proofs of his assertion. Had he made any grave 

 charge, I should have met it in a corresponding style. Such 

 as he has made, he will excuse me for treating lightly. I hope 

 his next communication will be such as to do honour to your 

 Journal, to himself, and to the university he adorns. — I am, 

 Dear Sir, your's very sincerely. 



James F. W. Johnston. 



Portobello, 23d Angtist 1831 



Art. XVI. — Round Sterns. By a Coit respondent. 



In some former numbers of this Journal, in the Edinburgh 

 Philosophical Journal, and also in the Edinburgh Encyclopedia, 

 the important question of round sterns has with much generality 

 been discussed ; and it is therefore with no ordinary pleasure 

 that we find a splendid prize has been offered by the French 

 Minister of Marine, for determining among all the forms that can 

 be presented that particular one, which shall unite in the highest 

 degree all the requisite conditions that the seaman, the naval 

 architect, and the geometrician may require. 



Our readers are aware that a vigorous contest was for a long 

 time kept up respecting the principle of the round sterns ; but 



