The Early Ages Of Science.

account of the action of the loadstone 01 magnet : — But , first beloved illustrious Memnon know Ceaseless effluvia from the magnet flow -. Effluvia Avhose superior powers expel The air that lies between tho stone and steel ; A vacuum formed , the steely atoms fly In a linked train and all the void supply ,

An idea which Avas doubtless convenient , though the simple fact that a loadstone Avill attract steel in a vacuum shows that the atmospheric pressure is not requisite to magnetic attraction , and that Lucretius Avas nofc afc fche pains of studying himself what he undertook to explain to others .

We cannot conclude our brief notice of early science Avithout some reference to alchemy , AA'hich , although modern in comparison with astrology , is almost ancient in regard to chemistry as ifc is now practised . Lovers of antiquity are almost unwilling to regard all the fantastic manipulations and apparatus of the magicians as a mere cloak for a nefarious commerce ; but yet there is much reason , to believe that such was but too often the

case , and that the "learned Thebans , who flourished in some parts of the Western Empire , were not always occupied in preparing harmless " love philtres " to amuse the leisure or attract the wealth of the Boman . ladies ; nor the northern philosophers always seeking after the

"Philosopher ' s Stone" or "Elixir Vita ? , " although , doubtless , there Avere in the latter class many Avho blindly lost their time and fortunes in fche infatuating research , Avhich , like the " Perpefcuum Mobile , " has always been upon the point of bein g "brought to a definite conclusion—but has not yet

arrived at it . The consideration of the errors and absurdities into which the ancients fell , and of all of which it is not probable that Ave have even now divested human knowledge , must lead the student of life to see the necessity of ever stedfastly observing the

book of nature in whatever course he may pursue , as on all sides its leaves are open , rich Avith the rewards of knoAvledge for those AA'ho shall scan them diligently , Avhether in the confined regions of fche habitations of man or in the open country , where , looking * upon the glorious Avorks of the

Grand Architect of the Universe , Ave are insensibly led " Prom Nature up to Nature's God . "

Bohemianism.

BOHEMIANISM .

_ Few things tend more to the comfort of mankind than a regular and systematic occupation furnishing a sound object to pursue , with the knowledge that diligence Avill culminate in prosperity ; and , on the other hand , nothing is more deletei'ious to both mental and physical powers than the want of such regular occupation ; and the evils arising therefrom are not merely due to the disquietude

of the mind afc intervals , bufc to the overstraining of it alternated by these intervals . Such a course of life but too often leads to a species of dissipation peculiar to Bohemians , as they are termed , and of these we propose to give some account . The genus exists under various phases , but as a

-rule they are associated together in small cliques , being to a certain degree gregarious , and such cliques usually are accumulated at certainhostelries , in the intervals of labour , each association being sonie \ A-hat exclusive as regards strangers , except indeed they be introduced by some ofthe members .

A characteristic quality of the real Bohemian is thafc he by no chance is ever about the happy medium , a quiet orderly life is what he does not attempt to compass . With him it is always very high water or very IOAV , he has plenty of cash or none ; to-day he will have a champagne luncheon , to-morrow he Avill dine off bread and cheese .

Some of the most talented men of this and pre-A * ious ages have lived and died in this manner ; as , for instance , MarloAve and Richard Green . The Bohemians doubtless think themselves safe , knowing that they have the ability to earn money when they need it , so they make no

provision for the future , and accordingly ifc sometimes happens that illness overtakes them , and unless they have some real friend ( which very few have ) they pass aAvay almost unnoticed . Of course , in such a circle of society , vei * y varied characters are to be found ; some educated highly ,

others knoAving nothing but what they have picked up themselves , some honourable , and many dishonourable . There is a species of individual amongst them known as a " large-hearted" man , AA'ho is in great request in Bohemian parties , he is much given to displaying liberal feelings , butwefear he at times forgets to be "just before he is generous . " This is the man from Avhose relations a

tenpound note is regarded as very acceptable by him , but in the outer Avorld he is a " gentleman of property , " and acts accordingly , and Avhen the funds fail , as they occasionally will do , he disappears for a while from his accustomed haunts , and on his return he informs his " friends" that he has just taken

a Continental trip . He is sure to be found out before long by the fraternity , but they do not consider ifc gentlemanly to take any notice of such things , and , in consequence , he is treated with the greatest regard so long as he continues to be the moneyed man ofthe party .

The influence exerted over society generally by the class of whom we are writing * extends far beyond whafc might be imagined by those " who have bufc lifcfcle experience of the matter , and thafc influence is moreover pernicious , especially to young men'unused to the ways of the worldfor

, they are led to believe in the power of these Bohemians fco put them " upon a good thing , " of course for a consideration , and we might mention more than one who , from heing * really an useful member of society , has , from his unfortunate asso-