The Role of the Societas Meteorologica Palatina (1781–1792) in the History of Auroral Research

Abstract

The Societas Meteorologica Palatina, or Meteorological Society of Mannheim, was set up in 1781 to coordinate observations of the weather on an international scale. In addition to temperature, pressure and humidity, observers connected to the network were instructed to record various atmospheric phenomena, among these the aurora borealis. The 39 stations of the network reported about 1400 individual sightings of auroras during the Society's dozen years of existence. The reported sightings are subjected to a statistical analysis that brings out striking discrepancies between the number of auroras that one would expect and the number that was reported. The statistical analysis is supplemented by an analysis of the theoretical and phenomenological comments in the Society's annual reports. The study suggests that observers on the Continent considered themselves just as advantageously situated as observers further north when trying to solve the riddle of the northern lights. It also illustrates the variety of conflicting ideas about the aurora borealis that existed during the late Enlightenment, and how these might have influenced the number of reported auroras. This lack of consensus contributed to many anomalies in the data presented in the Society's reports. By combining linguistic and scientific competence it is possible to shed light on these anomalies and on the historical context that shaped them.     

The geography and natural resources of Bolivia

This paper tries to show the main thread of Scottish national identity in the nineteenth century and how Scotland's close connection with the empire did not asuage Scottish desires to retain a national identity. The paper tries to illustrate that the interpretation of the union connection by the Scottish political classes was central to the understanding of Scotland as a nation during the period. Examples are also provided of the way in which the union could be questioned in this century, but this was with the caveat that this would necessarily be limited; for such was the extent to which national identity was played out on an imperial stage. Although Scots never lost sight of their distinctiveness, any extension of the critique of union would have ultimately worked against their ability to confidently display their identity as they did quite successfully in the nineteenth century.     

20世纪中国历史地理研究若干进展

以探讨未来中国历史地理学在国际全球变化与可持续发展研究中的作用为目的, 根据近半个多世纪中国历史地理学的相关研究成果, 对20世纪中国历史地理学研究的若干进展进行了简要回顾。内容涉及: ①历代疆域政区研究与历史地图的编制; ②历史气候与自然灾害研究; ③历史时期地表过程研究; ④中华文明起源与发展研究;⑤区域综合与重大历史事件研究; ⑥历史时期人地关系与适应模式研究; ⑦基础资料的积累与新技术应用等 7 个方面。除上述进展外, 中国历史地理学还建立了一套独具特色的研究方法, 构筑了较为完善的学科体系, 并培养了一代又一代的学术继承人和学科带头人。     

二十世纪甲骨文语法研究的回顾暨展望

本把一百多年来的甲骨语法研究史分为四个阶段,从研究成果、学术背景、研究领域、研究热点、研究人员、研究材料、研究方法等方面对二十世纪的甲骨语法学研究做了回顾,并对新世纪的甲骨语法研究进行了展望。     

Pb and Sr Isotopes and the Provenance of the Painting Materials of Cornelius Krieghoff in 19th‐Century Canada

Radiogenic lead and strontium isotope data are presented for lead‐ and calcium carbonate/barium sulphate‐containing paint and ground samples from 15 paintings, executed between 1844 and 1871, by 19th‐century Canadian artist Cornelius Krieghoff. Like many artists of this era, Krieghoff used lead‐based pigments such as lead white, chrome yellow and Naples yellow, and extenders such as calcium carbonate and barium sulphate. The lead isotope analyses of the majority of these pigments are consistent with the isotopic compositions of lead mined from European lead deposits in England and/or Germany. However, three samples from Krieghoff's early career yield lead isotope compositions that are much more radiogenic than European sources. The lead isotope compositions of these three samples are consistent with the addition of a more radiogenic lead component that is similar to the lead derived from North American lead deposits in Missouri and Illinois (Mississippi Valley Pb–Zn type deposits). The strontium isotope compositions of the extenders suggest that the raw materials for calcium carbonate or barium sulphate extenders were largely derived from Palaeozoic to modern‐day marine environments. This study shows that pigments manufactured from North American lead were being incorporated into Canadian paintings as early as 1844.     

Auroral Research and the Character of Astronomy in Enlightenment Sweden

Abstract

The observation of the magnetic effects of the aurora borealis by Olof Hiorter in the 1740s was hailed by Swedish scientists as one of the major discoveries in contemporary research. This article investigates the political and academic context of the discovery, focusing on the astronomical ideals promoted by Hiorter. He used the discovery in order to buttress the importance of his own scientific character – technically competent, hard-working and research-oriented. He contrasted this ideal with the character of an ordinary university professor who was described as more of a bureaucrat, interested in science only as long as it could boost his reputation, and not averse from stealing results of technically more competent underlings. Hiorter's opponents at the university decried his lack of theory and devalued the importance of technical skill. This conflict is discussed in the context of ideals concerning cultural, political and economic values of science and scientists.     

‘The most wonderful piece of machinery the world can boast of:’ The water‐works at Marly, 1680–1830

This article presents the changes in the perception of the famous pumping apparatus at Marly. Constructed in 1680–88 to deliver water to the fountains of the royal palaces, its complicated mechanism and the extraordinary costs involved were at first hailed as symbols for the absolutist splendour of Louis XIV. In the early 18th century, the machine entered the technical compendia of Bélidor, Leupold and Desaguliers, and subsequently became a preferred object for projectors and inventors of all kinds, among them James Watt and Matthew Boulton. During the French Revolution, a new ‘pastoral’ discourse on machines emerged, leading the inventor Trouville to propose his ‘natural hydraulics’ to replace the Marly machine. As an answer, engineers like Carnot and Prony developed a new general theory of machines, which led to an industrial conception of machines. The evaluation of technical devices in terms of efficiency meant that the apparatus at Marly was now perceived as a supreme waste of power.     

霍去病墓及其石雕研究的回顾及思考

This article conducts a review of research on theHuo Qubing tomb and sculptures affiliated to this burial during last century. To be more specific, this review covers studies from the initial archaeological investigations and naming of sculptures to later researches and concepts like designs, themes, factors in fashion, characteristics of styles and cultural backgrounds.     

Internet freedom,human rights and power

Internet freedom is rapidly becoming understood as a normative framework for how the Internet should function and be used globally. Recently declared a human right by the United Nations, it also forms a central pillar of the USA's 21st Century Statecraft foreign policy doctrine. This article argues that although there is a clear human rights agenda present in this policy, there is also a power element which is much less discussed or acknowledged in the vast literature on Internet freedom. Through an exploration of both a short history and some important lessons learned about Internet freedom, this article demonstrates how the US Department of State has adapted to the information age in such a way as to harness individual agency (reconceptualised in policy terms as ‘civilian power’) for the promotion of state power. Although this is by no means as stable or reliable as some more conventional mechanisms, it is an expression of power that meets with few challenges to its legitimacy.     

二十世纪三四十年代云南史地研究的首次学术总结——《云南史地辑要》概说

1949年底,云南省立昆华民众教育馆出版《云南史地辑要》一书。由方国瑜、凌纯声、陈一得、张凤岐、罗常培、张席、张印堂、何塘、杨、于乃义等著名学者撰写,包括云南沿革、部族、气象、边务、语言、地质史、地形、矿产、农村、文献共十篇,基本上涵盖了云南史地研究的主要内容,时人评论其"学近专门,事不蹈虚"。由于种种原因,该书从出版之日起即陷入"湮没"无闻的境地。本文初步探讨了该书的出版及"湮没"、内容与作者,认为它是对二十世纪三四十年代云南史地研究的首次学术总结,在云南学术史上具有重要的地位。