take, it produces very painful and distressing effects-violent inflammation of the mouth and gullet, sometimes attended with inability to swallow food for days: such accidents often terminate fatally. In the dilute state, the acid has an intensely sour taste; a single drop of strong oil of vitriol will impart perceptible sourness to a very large quantity of water. It likewise reddens litmus and other vegetable blue colours very powerfully, but does not bleach. of water, mixed together, make up con- turn absorbed by the acid; and thus the pro- in the case of sulphuric acid, The same tendency of sulphuric acid to combine with water, causes it to decompose many organic substances which contain the elements of water. Thus wood, which is a compound of carbon with hydrogen and oxygen in the exact proportion required to form water, is instantly charred by oil of vitriol, the oxygen and hydrogen being taken up by the acid, and the carbon set .free. A similar effect is produced with -sugar. Place about an ounce of very strong syrup in a large tumbler, and pour upon it an equal bulk of strong sulphuric acid; leave them in contact for a few seconds, and then stir with a glass rod: the mixture will immediately blacken, froth up violently, and fill the whole of the vessel; and the sugar will be converted into a solid, bulky mass of charcoal, firm enough for the rod to stand upright in the action is attended with great development of heat. The strong acid likewise corrodes the skin very quickly, inflicting painful wounds; you must, therefore, be very careful with it. If swallowed, as occasionally happens by mis H SO+ZnZn SO4 + H. Many other metals, as iron, manganese, potassium, sodium, &c., act upon sulphuric acid in the same manner, expelling the hydrogen and forming sulphates, the composition of which may be denoted by the general formula, M SO4, the symbol M standing for a metal. The group of elements SO, plays the same part in the sulphates that chlorine performs in the chlorides, iodine in the iodides, &c. That which the chlorides possess in common, is chlorine; that which the sulphates possess in common, is SO4; and the individual members of each class, sulphates and chlorides, differ from each other only in the metal which they contain. The salts of all other acids are constituted in a similar manner: thus, sulphurous acid gas is SO2; with the addition of the elements of water, it forms the hydrated acid, H SO,; and corresponding to this we have the class of salts called sulphites, KSO3, Zn SO3, &c. Again, the composition of hydrated nitric acid is HNO, and from it may be formed a class of salts called nitrates, having the composition MNO. The element, or group of elements common to a class of salts, and to the corresponding hydrated acid, is often called the Radical, or Saltradical of the series: thus, chlorine is the radical of the chlorides, SO of the sulphates, NO of the nitrates, &c.; and accordingly, acids and salts may be divided into two classes, viz., those which contain simple, and those which contain compound radicals. In the latter, the elements constituting the radical, form, to a certain extent, an inseparable group, which passes from one state of combination to another, just like an elementary substance. Thus, in the action of oil of vitriol upon common salts, (p. 193:) Na CI+HSO, Na SO4 + HCl, 4 4 the group SO, leaves the hydrogen, and takes the place of the chlorine in combination with the sodium, just as the chlorine itself, under other circumstances, displaces bromine, iodine, or fluorine. only one arrangement; whereas those which compose sulphuric acid, HSO4, may be arranged in at least two ways, as we have seen; and it is very possible that, under different circumstances, these different arrangements may actually be produced. EASTERN RAMBLES AND RAMBLE THE SIXTH. BAALBEC-ITS RUINS BY MOONLIGHT AND -DEPARTURE FOR BEYROUT-RUINS OF THE "Here, when the moonlight, quiv'ring beams, MRS. HEMANS. WEARIED with my long walk over the plain of Baalbec, the conference with the Emir Hangiar, and my rambles through the ruins of the "City of the Sun," I retraced my steps to the convent where we lodged, and after taking some refreshment, courted sleep upon the floor of my room. Whether my slumbers were sweet, or troubled, they were soon aroused by a violent barking of dogs, which, causing my companions to start to their feet simultaneously, and to rush violently against each I must not, however, omit to notice, that the composition of salts and hydrated acids with compound radicals, is generally represented in a different manner. We have seen that hydrated sulphuric acid (oil of vitriol) may be represented either by HSO4, or by HO. SO,; and in a similar manner sulphate of zinc, which we have hitherto represented by ZnSO,, may also be regarded as ZnO. SO,; that is to say, as a compound of anhydrous sulphuric acid with oxide of zinc; sulphate of potassium, KSO4, as composed of KO with SO3, &c.; hence the terms, sulphate of potash, sulphate of oxide of zinc, &c., by which these salts are usually designated. I do not propose to enter at present into a full dis-other in the dark, had the effect of bringing cussion of the comparative advantages of these two modes of viewing the composition of acids and salts; suffice it to say, that the former of the two-the salt-radical theory, as it is called-has greatly the advantage in point of simplicity, and the still greater advantage of representing the composition of the sulphates, nitrates, &c., as precisely similar to that of the chlorides, iodides, bromides, &c.; whereas the other theory draws a marked distinction between the two classes of salts, a distinction not warranted by any observed difference of chemical properties. We must not forget, however, that a salt with a compound radical, consists of a greater number of elements than a salt with a simple radical, and may therefore admit of greater variety of arrangement. The elements composing hydrochloric acid, HCl, evidently admit of two of them upon my chest by the concussion they sustained, and raising a most disagreeable and confused noise of Greek oaths from the muleteers; Arabic blessings possibly-but more probably maledictions from the porter; sleepy incoherent queries from my reclining companions; a howl from our Newfoundland dog, who shared in the confusion, by having his foot or tail trodden upon; and a desire, on my part, to settle somebody with a bullet, for causing all this row. Indeed, I had grasped my pistols, and having looked to the rest of the defensive weapons, was all ready for a some thing or somebody, when my absent companion entered the court-yard, with our guide, both singing merrily, though tired and hungry. By dint of thumps, promises, and some little abuse, I managed to get the muleteers thoroughly awake, a good fire blazing, and an excellent "Irish stew" smoking in the centre of the room, for the wearied pair; but it must be chronicled, to the shame of the aroused sleepers, that they gradually joined the party, and partook of the supper so largely, that we were obliged to have another supply, and a bowl of punch, just to keep the stew in subjection. The merry songs and anecdotes finished, the ashes knocked from the oft-kindled pipes, and many sighing for the celestial dreaminess which characterizes Eastern slumbers, we once more courted Somnus; but it was fated that my portion should not be sleep; for the barking dogs, the noisy muezzeen chanting the call to prayer from a neighbouring minaret, and anxiety about my horse, prevented me; therefore I resolved to pay a visit to the ruins. "All round was still and calm; the noon of night Was fast approaching; up the unclouded sky The glorious Moon pursued her path of light, And shed her silvery splendour far and nigh; No sound save of the night-wind's gentlest sigh Could reach the ear; and that so softly blew, It scarcely stirred, in sweeping lightly by The acacia's airy foliage." The sober-tinted plain, the massive shadows thrown by huge blocks that lay beams of the moon, which, like bars of strewn about, contrasting forcibly with the molten silver, gleamed on the dewy slopes, and richly carved masses that Nature had thrown from their original position during deur of the remnant colonnade, with its six one of her convulsions; the imposing grancolumns and epistylia, elaborately ornamented with richly carved work; the circling birds, and the whole ruin softened by the moonlight's tender gloom, awakened efface, and whichthoughts and feelings that time can never "To me were dearer than the dazzling sheen, Of noon's effulgent hour, or morning's sparkling mien," Long, long did I sit and think o'er the departed fame of this neglected pile, which was slowly and silently mouldering; where Art is not appreciated, and Science unknown. Where is the architect who planned and superintended the erection of these beautiful structures, which remind us that even the greatest of man's conceptions is only transitory? Where are the warriors that once went forth to battle, so full of hope, and returned, crowned with fame? Where are the minstrels that sounded their praise and prowess in their own and distant lands? Where are the lines of captives, and spoils that graced their triumphal entry; the beauty that welcomed them; the priests that blessed them? Do they still live in the annals of fame and history, although dead to the world?— "No-sunk in cold oblivion's gloom They lie-their very names unknown. The mouldering marble tells their doom: They lived-Time fled-and they are gone." The fair smile of morning disturbed me in my reverie, and as the fast scattering mists revealed the snow-capped tops of Lebanon and the surrounding beauties, the glorious orb-the monarch of the pilecame forth in all his magnificence to greet his ruined city. The dark mantle of night gave place to the bright one of day. The effulgent splendours and reviving radiance of the sun spread everywhere. The purple clouds were fringed with fluid gold; and some, with ruby-coloured edges, were wafted gently away, or seemed to melt into limpid air. The rocks, the hills, the bubbling brook, the moss-clad banks, the ruined temple, and all Nature drank in his purest rays, and were tinged with roseate lustre by his returning beams. Long dark clouds of every form were impelled by the gentle breezes, disclosing golden vistas, and fleecy masses, that flit through the air, while Nature's gentle music is poured forth from every nook and secret corner of the surrounding scene, and The bee his concert keeps from flower to flower, As forth he sallies on his honied way." The sun's bright rays and genial warmth enliven Nature; innumerable lizards pour forth from the chinks of giant stones, and beneath prostrate columns, or broken architrave, covering the ground and the walls; swarms of restless insects stray from herb to herb, or flower to flower; the lazy Syrian dog betakes himself to sleep, having barked throughout the night, at the approach of every footstep; the Metaweli prepare for their day's labour, and harness the oxen to the plough, or prepare to spin the cotton for manufacturing the cloths they sell; herds of goats, with large horns, long ears, and long, but not silky hair, like the goats of Anatolia, are driven by peasants to their pasture-ground. Man lifts up his voice to pour forth his orisons to his Creator, and the morning awakens fresh feelings of wonder, delight, and purer thoughts; thankfulness for His protecting care, and silent adoration of His surrounding works; for each "Breathes of pervading love, and shows the power That spoke him into life hath bless'd man's earthly dower." Turning from the contemplation of Nature's grandeur to the wreck of departed splendour and widowed greatness, I scrambled o'er masses of prostrate columns, cornices, capitals, and architraves, until the chief entrance to the grand temple was gained. This consisted originally of a grand colonnade (1*) of the Corinthian order, and a fine staircase, which is now walled across, and flanked at its extremities by two square battlemented towers, (2) which were no doubt erected to fortify the place, as they are built of fragments of columns, cornices, pillars, and other relics of the architecture of former ages, which are now thrown incongruously together. Passing through a breach in this screen of architectural remains, I entered into the hexagonal court, (3) which from its ruined condition almost defies the researches of the antiquary respecting its surrounding buildings. It is 145 feet each way, extreme width, and is strewn with broken cornices, columns, capitals, and entablatures. From hence the ascent was easy, and brought me into a second court of a quadrangular form and considerable size. (4) All around the court formerly ran arcades, so as to form chambers or recesses; five in each of the principal wings, in the form of an oblong quadrangle, and measuring * See Plan, p. 259, forty-three feet in diameter; and two of a semicircular form, thirty feet in diameter. These chambers were open in front, and the roofs, which were supported by columns, have fallen in, leaving only the exterior walls to astonish us with their beauty of conception and finish: for the decorations are most elaborate; the cornices bold in the extreme, forming alternately a pointed and semicircular pediment over each recess; the niches highly sculptured; the pediments and friezes most elaborate. Fragments of granite columns and mutilated capitals remind us of the transitory fame of man. The very statues that occupied the sculptured niches have not a vestige to enable us to trace their history, or award a laurel from the wreath of Fame to those that designed them. Our space will not permit us to further advance the multitudinous conjectures that have been put forth respecting the probable intent of these recesses. We know they are recesses, but care little whether priests, lecturers, philosophers, orators, merchants, magistrates, or democrats, occupied them as lodgings, rostra, or seats, for the dispensation of justice-they were occupied once. Time has changed the tide of affairs; the men are not, and we cannot recal them; but we can admire the decorations that surrounded each of them | while living. From the interstices of the stones that form the summit of these walls a profusion of wild herbs sprang, and mantled the mouldering pile; and the creeping plants, entwining the rich sculptures of the capitals, gave a peculiar and picturesque effect to the whole. The quadrangle itself is 350 feet wide, and 336 long. The ground in the centre is somewhat elevated, and a foundation wall, running parallel with the exterior walls of the court, marks the site of some ancient building (5) long since swept away. they were originally about fifty-four of these columns standing, each side having seventeen of them, and the east and west ends ten each. Most of them are built into the walls; and others are mingled with the friezes, cornices, and architraves, that were overthrown with them, and now assist to fill up the vast space below. The shafts of these columns are 21 feet 8 inches in circumference, and 58 feet high; and the total height above the epistylia on which they stand is 72 feet, including the entablature, and 120 feet from the ground to the top of the pediment. Those who have seen the remnant of this beautiful colonnade, can never forget its towering columns--the glory of Baalbec― especially when viewed from the small temple (9) to the south; or as the traveller advances towards Baalbec from Damascus. Whether we stand at their base and gaze upward, or view them from the quadrangular court, we are struck with the richness and chasteness of their details, alike in frieze, soffit, or cornice. A wall to the south, running parallel with the ruins of the colonnade, divides the upper from the lower court, in which the Temple of the Sun is situated, which is probably the most ancient, and certainly the most perfect of all the remains at Baalbec. It is of the Corinthian order, and when perfect, was approached through a portico, consisting of a double row of columns, now overthrown and strewn in wild confusion before the entrance, which is partially obscured by a modern wall, evidently built as a means of defence. One of my companions joined me near the portico, and we passed through the doorway leading into the body of the temple. It is 25 feet high, by 20 feet broad, surrounded with rich mouldings and ornaments, and is composed of nine great stones, three on each side, and three on the top; but the centre one, or keystone, has descended between three or four feet below the others. Every part of the doorway is covered with a profusion of ornaments which space will not allow me to describe; suffice it to mention, that every thing that taste and skill could devise, and art execute in Corinthian architecture, has been lavished upon this graceful entrance. A crested eagle with expanded Advancing to the westward, I came out upon a fine large terrace, 230 feet long by 118 feet wide, which formerly had arches along its western and northern sides, while its southern had a row of magnificent Corinthian columns, of which six now only remain standing; the others being overthrown during one of the earthquakes formerly so common in Syria, and are now prostrate around them. In all probability | wings, grasping a caduceus in his talons, |