Winchester Republican

FOR THE REPUBLICAN:

Mr. Editor,— A writer, who has thought proper to affix to his communication the name of the venerable "Newton," having unblushingly foisted upon the public an extract from Rees' Cyclopaedia, as a production of his own, (witness the verbal alterations which he has made, and his introduction of the pronoun I, to give it an air of originality,) I think it a duty I owe to the talents of an able anonymous writer, to expose the plagiarism; and I request that you, Mr. Editor, will permit me to do so in the columns of the Republican, which I am certain you will be sorry to find employed in this unhandsome business.

Let the reader turn to the communication of "Newton," and compare the entire paper, commencing with "Now, sir, I believe that these phenomena depend upon electricity," &c.; then let him refer to the article, under the head Spout in Rees' Cyclopaedia, and he will perceive the imposition complained of.

"That these phenomena depend upon electricity, cannot but appear very probable, from the nature of several of them; but the conjecture is made more probable from the following additional circumstances. They generally appear in months peculiarly subject to thunder storms, and are commonly preceded, accompanied, or followed by lightning, rain or hail; the previous state of the air being similar. Whitish or yellowish flashes of light have sometimes been seen moving with prodigious swiftness about them; and lastly, the manner in which they terminate exactly resembles what might be expected from the prolongation of one of the uniform protuberances of electrified clouds, mentioned before towards the sea—the water and the cloud mutually attracting one another—for they suddenly contract themselves and disperse almost at once; the cloud rising, and the water of the sea under it falling to its level.—

But the most remarkable circumstance, and the most favorable to the supposition of their depending upon electricity, is, that they have been dispersed by presenting to them sharp-pointed knives or swords; this, at least, is the common practice of mariners in many parts of the world where these water spouts abound; and I was assured by several of them, that the method has often been undoubtedly effectual.

"The analogy between the phenomena of water spouts and electricity (he says) may be made visible by hanging a drop of water to a wire, communicating with the prime conductor, and placing a vessel of water under it. In these circumstances the drop assumes all the various appearances of a water spout, both in its rise, form and manner of disappearing. Nothing is wanting but the smoke, which may require a great force of electricity to become visible."

Now, Mr. Editor, that 'Newton' has acted in a most reprehensible manner, in thus attempting to impose upon your readers as well as yourself, is quite evident. Charity cannot suggest for him a plausible excuse. He appears willing indeed to allow, at the close of his borrowed (stolen) article, that "R. N. may be influenced by good motives." Would that I could return the compliment for R. N. I cannot, however, bring myself to allow any goodness in the motives of a writer, who, it appears, will descend to literary fraud and low chicanery.

I am, Mr. Editor, yours sincerely,
ANTI-PLAGIARIST.