Seerreseeeet 33

psrbssessetet tests

1")

~~

0, CRRA ‘

¢ are

hia hs Vv ce
*

Miter

Publichad by J Anderson July 10% orga

O

:
a
:
<8

HERR

GAV IN

eee maenea ete ed eae eafecemtpsere sconce manera aigtee oeisenaetmemerte et

— via
| THE BEE,

* Ai

“OR |
LITERARY WEEKLY INTELLIGENCER,

CONSISTING OF

ORIGINAL PIECES AND SELECTIONS FROM PERFORMANCES |
OF MERIT, FOREIGN AND DOMESTIC, —

@ WORK CALCULATED TO DISSEMINATE USEFUL KNOWLEDGE
AMONG ALL RANKS OF PEOPLE AT A SMALL EXPENCE,

BY

JAMES ANDERSON, LLD.

FRS. FAS. S$. °
Ponorary Member of the Society of Arts, Agriculture, &c. at BATH »
of the Philosophical, and of the Agricultural Societies in Man~
CHESTER ; Ofthe Society for promoting Natural History, Lonpon;
of the academy of arts, sciences, and belles letres, Dijon ; of the
royal Society ofagriculture and Rural Economy, St PETERSBURGH ;
correspondent member of the Royal Society of Agriculture,

Paris 3; and author of several performances.

VOLUME SIXTEENTH.

APIS MATIN #® MORE MODOQUE.

Horace}

EDINBURGH :
PRINTED FOR THE EDITOR.
M,DCC,XCIII.—VOL« iV.

COMMON PAPER,
Oo
hai)

/SMNSEVM
" BRITAN
NNICV ALY

‘ WEDNESDAY, JULY 10. 1793.

BioGRAPHICAL SKETCHES OF
EMINENT SCOTTISH ARTISTS:
Gavin Hamilton, painter.

With a Portrait.

A\w author who is now so little known as almost
to be namelefs, takes notice of ‘* one John Milton” a
blind man, who was translator of foreign letters to
Oliver Cromwell. This ‘* John Milton” is now
_ known by means of his works throughout all Eu-
rope, when the ‘other is forgot. In like manner
Gavin Hamilton whose name, on account of the
great value of his paintings, and the high price e-

ven of the excellent engravings from them by Cune-
VOL. XVI, A t

,

2 Scotti/b artists, ——-G. Hamilton. Fuly 10+
go, is scarcely known to his countrymen, unlefs a-
mong dilettanti and conoifseurs, will be universally
known in time«throughout all Europe, long after
the memory of the person who now.introduces him |
to their notice in these slight fetches fhall be lost
in that dark oblivion, which sooner or later awaits
all ublunary things.

Mr Hamilton, who is descended of a respectable
family *, originally of Fife now in Lanarkthire,
discovered from his infancy a great predilection for
historic painting, and at a very early period of
life went to Rome, there to perfect himself in that
branch et the fine arts. On his return to Britain
after several years absence, his friends wifhed him to
apply himself to portrait painting, and he was over-
persuaded to do a little in that walk ; but feeling his
mind imprefsed with higher ideas of his art than
could be thus attained, he abandoned thar line,
and attached himself entirely to fketches in histo-
ric composition, which gave full scope to the de-
velopement of those great ideas he had conceived.

Of his portraits few are to be found in Britain.
The best of these that have come to my knowledge
are two full lengths of the late duke and duchefs of
Hamilton, The portrait of the duke with a gun in
his hand, is easy, natural, and pofsefses a degree of
excellence not usually attained in things of that
nature. The figure of the duchefs with a grey-_
hound leaping up on her, is well known by the mez-:
zetinto prints done from it that are to be seen eve-
ry where. To this, as to most of his female fi-

** Hamilton of Murdieston,

¥793- Scottifo artists,—G> Hamilton. 3
gures, Mr Hamilton has given more of dignity than
ease ; and the observer in vain looks for that win-
ning softnefs, that attractive milidnefs, which is the
efsence of the irresistible power of female charms *.

In his historical compositions, some of which
have come to Britain, but which to those who have
not made the tour of Europe, must be known
chiefly by the prints done from them, Mr Hamilton
plainly discovers that he has studied the chaste mo-
dels of antiquity that are to be found so easily in
Italy, with more attention than the living figures
around him, This has given to his paintings of an-
cient histories, a propriety with regard to costume
which distinguifhes them from most modern compo-
sitions, and a dignity of manner that is seldom at-
tained by those who make living characters the
principal object of their studies: he has at the
same time avoided that marble like stiffnefs which
so powerfully characterises the otherwise fine paint-
ings of Nicholas Ponfsin.

One of his greatest works is his Homer, consis-
ting of a series of pictures representing scenes taken
from the Illiad. These have been dispersed into
various parts of Europe, and can now only be seen
in one continued series in the excellent engravings
of them by Cunego, made under the eye of Mr
Hamilton himself. Several of these paintings came

* There is another wzfini/bed portrait of the same duchefs by him,
in which the duke thought the likenefs so striking that he took it
from the painter and never would allow it to be finifhed, lest the re-
semblance fhould have beenlost. Ido not suppose any$print has ever
been made from it ; nor did I ever see this painting.

r

4 Scotti/b artists,—G. Hamilton. Fuly tes
to Britain; but I know of only three of them which
have reached Scotland: One of these, the parting
of Hector and Andromache, is in the pofsefsion
of the duke of Hamilton; another represents the
death of Lucretia, in the collection of the éarl of
Hopeton, and is deemed by all judges a most
capital performance; and the third is in the
house of Mrs Scot in the neighbourhood of this
city. Ie represents Achilles dragging the bo-
dy of Hector round the walls of Troy. This
sublime picture, which if not the chef d’euvre of
Mr Hamilton, would alone have beén sufficient to
have transmitted his name to posterity as one of
the greatest artists, was painted for the dtike of
Bedford, and had been in his pofsefsion some timé
before the unfortunate accident which deprived him
of his beloved son the marquis of Tavistock, whose
disastrous fate haying had so near a resemblance to
the story of this picture *, none of the family could
bear to behold the picture ever after, and it was or
dered to be put away. On that occasion Mr Scot
purchased it at a very moderate price ; and it now
forms the most elegant ornament of the elegant
villa of Bellevue. The figure of Achilles in this
picture is painted with surprising characteristic
justnefs, spirit, and fire ; and will perhaps stand the
test of the severest criticism as well as any other
that was ever painted. It is indeed in the grand

and terrible of masculine exprefsion that Mr Hamil.

‘ ‘ ‘
* The marquis was thrown from his horse, and dragged—his
feet having stuck in the stirrup.

1993. Scottifh artists,—G. Hamilton. 5
ton chiefly excels. In his female characters we
discever more of the dignity of Juno, or the cold
fiefs of Diana, than the melting softnefs, or the in-
witing playfalnefs of the Cyprian goddefs.

The most capital collection of Mr Hamilton’s
paintings that can be seen in any one place, is ina
saloon in the Villa Borghese which is wholly paint-
ed by him, and represents in different compart-
mertits the history of Paris. These are painted on
the ceiling, and the alcove of the roof. The death
of Paris forins the most capital painting in the mid-
dle of the ceiling ; and the other scenes form a se-
ries of pictures round the alcove on a smaller scale.
This work, though its position be not what an
artist would choose as the most advantageous for
exhibiting his finest pictures, is accounted a per=_
formance of very superior excellence. The prince
Borghese, as if with a view to do honour to Scot-
tifh artists, has had the adjoining apartment painted
by Jacob More, who excels as much in landscape
‘as Hamilton in historical painting. He had another
saloon in the same palace, painted by Mengs, the
most celebrated German painter of modern times,
who has been dead some years. These three a-
paftments are conceived to exhibit the finest speci
mens of modern art now in Italy.

Mr Hamilton has been at great pains to have al-
most all his best pictures engraved under his own
eye, by artists of the first abilities, so that Europe
at large is enabled to judge of the stile of these ex~
cellent pictures with some degree of accuracy,

6 Scotti/b artisis,—G. Hamilton. Fuly to.
He has even obliged the world by publifhing a vo-
lume of select engravings by Cunego, from the best
pictures extant of the Italian school. All the draw-
ings of these were made by Mr Hamilton himself.
This work is entitled the Italian School, and forms
one of the principal treasures of the cabinets of the
curious all over Europe.
Europe has not only been indebted to Mr Hamil-
ton for his excellent paintings and prints ; but also
for many beautiful remains of the fine arts, which
his exact knowledge of the ancient state of Italy
enabled him to bring to light. Many years ago,
he purchased permifsion to dig in the neighbourhood
of Tivoli, among the ruins there, in quest of sta-
tues and other remains of the fine arts ; and he has
been so fortunate as to discover a greater number of
fine statues, than any other person at the same expence
has ever done. Thus has he added to the wealth of
Europe, and augmented the treasures of the Vatican,
Of the fruits of these his labours, the most com-
plete collection is to be seen in the pofsefsion of
the pope, from the villa of Adrian, ia the vestibule
of the great saloon in the Clementine museum at the
Vatican ; among which is to be peculiarly distin-
guifhed, an Apollo with his lyre in a walking atti-
tude, and in the highest elegance of stile, accom-
panied with six of the nine muses, ‘all of which are
distinguifhed by the masterly spirit of the whole,
rather than by the extraordinary neatnefs or labour-
ed finifhing of particular parts. The Apollo here
differs from all the others yet known by being clothed.
in a robe of flowing drapery of singular elegance,

1793- Scotti/b artists. —G. Hamilton. q

Since that time, Mr Hamilton has engaged with
equally happy succefs in deterrments at antient Ga~
bii, celebrated by virgil, Enied 6. 773. and Horace
epist. 11. b. 1.

Seis, Lebedus quid sit? Gabiis desertior atque
Fidenis vicus: tamen illic vivere vellem,
Oblitusque meorum, obliviscendus et illis
Neptunum procul é terra Spectare furentem.

Several of these statues are said to be in a fine
stile of workmanfhip, particularly a Diana, and a
Germanicus, unlike the figures that have hitherto
pafsed for his; but how the identity of this statue
has been ascertained, I have not yet heard.—A sta-~
tue of the God Pan, two fine verde antique co-
lumns, and two of marmo fiorito have been also
brought to light, where much more is expected.

Some paintings in fresco have been also discove-
red, of which the subjects have not yet been ascer-
tained, but which in beauty and correctnefs, are said
to surpafs any yet discovered in Italy. But of these
such imperfect notices have as yet reached Britain,
that we must content ourselves with barely announ-
cing them as the probable forerunners of other va-
luable discoveries in the fine arts. .

Thus it appears that tew men have ever existed
to whom the lovers of the fine arts were so much
indebted as to Mr Hamilton. He is still busy in
his career; may he long live to pursue it with
succefs !

. Mr Hamilton has frequently visited Britain du-
ring his long residence in Italy, if the phrase will
be admitted ; for his visits hither have been only as
starts from his permanent abode. At one time he

Bee Scotti/p artists,—G- Hamilton. Fuly 10+
seemed to have intended to remain in this country,
and gave orders for a painting room for himself to
be built in Lanarkfhire; and lam not certain but
it was actually erected. But he has not found the
climate and situation of the country to suit his
constitution ; and there is reason NOW to suspect he
will finith his life in that coun try in which the best
part of it has been spent.

The reader must not confound the object of our
present memoir, with another young man of great
hopes inethe same line in Britain, of the same name ;
which he will frequently meet with accompanying
fketches for modern publications in England.

The engraving that accompanies this is done
from a very highly finifhed painting by Mr Skir-
ving, a native of East Lothian in Scotland, now at
Rome, for Lord Gardenstone ; and now in his lord-
fhip’s collection. It has been fhown to many judges,
who are well acquainted with Mr Hamilton, who
all admit that it is a most striking likenefs. Our
young artist has, with his usual accuracy, hit the
likenefs very exactly. This, it is believed, is the
only print of that celebrated artist that has ever
been given to the public.

1793. of captain Billings. 9

NEWS FROM CAPTAIN BILLINGS,
CommunicaTED By ARCTICUS.

AV courrer lately arrived from our countryman
Billings, commander of the naval expedition fitted out
at Kamtchatka, for the purpose of discovery, says,
that the Japanese merchant and seaman, Code, who
will make the subject of another article, is arrived
at Ochotfk, to embark for his native country, accor-
ding to the orders of her imperial majesty, with the
son of the inspector Laxman, who was to see him
safe home, and probably deliver some miefsage to the
emperor from the court of Rufsia. But by the ac-
count of the said mefsenger, both father and son
were at Ochotfk, so that if the able naturalist Mr
Laxman, (a portait of whom I send you,) formerly
_profefsor of chemistry and mineralogy in the im-
_perial academy, fhould take it in his head to accom.
pany his son in the voyage, we have great reason to
expect much more scientific information from that
island, that ever has reached Europe as yet.
Laxman is equally strong in bota-y, and in the
other branches of natural history, so that if his al-
most invincible aversion to publifhing can be got
over, we may see something interesting. ‘The in-
spector’s son is unknown to us, from the distance at
which he lives, although we make no doubt but he
is well qualified to make useful observations, from
the advantage of such an instructor as his father,
VOL, XVI, B 5

10 of captain Billings Fuly 19.
It was this young gentleman who discovered the
curious mount, (probably of volcanic origin,) on
the coast of the sea of Ochotfk, which I believe is
taken notice of in one of my former literary bud-
gets, consisting of a whitifh matter like volcanic
afhes, with one side stuck like a pudding stone with
roundifh red vitreous pebbles ; the other with white
of the same kind. The father gave us some of both
when last here.

From the information received by captain Billings’s
courier, we are now enabled to continue the general
notices on his expedition begun in last budget, but
which must be acknowledged to be very superfi-
cial and vague, as none of his dispatches have or
will be publifhed, till her imperial majesty fhall give

orders to communicate a narration of the whole to ©
Europe at large. The only circumstances then known, }

are from his mefsengers, the Kamtchatka hunters,
merchants, tc. who occasionally come down here,
and to which little credit can be given for accuracy.
-However was I to give a general opinion on the ex-
.pedition, J fhould suppose, that as the same icy bar-

rier which put limits to the great captain Cook’s .

northern course, still opposed itself to captain Bil-
‘lings, we have rather to expect local surveys, than
important discoveries in seas nayigated by able Bri-
tifh navigators, who examined them with attention,
‘before the present commander was ordered to ex-
plore them ; so that his not furnifhing much new mat-
ter, if so it fhould turn out, will rather reflect ho-
nour on his predecefsors than aifhonour on himself,

£4793. of captain Billings. iz

All we know of his expedition is, that he has sur-
veyed the islands of the Rufsian Archipelago, with the
coasts of America and Rufsia to a certain distance,
where his instructions directed him. He has sent a
number of drefses from the islands, with a variety
of birds and quadrupeds; but the cases contain on~
ly some new species and varieties, no new genera.
Indeed it is much to be doubted if any new genus
of animal exists in the habitable parts of the globe.

In this last voyage, after having looked for Sind’s
Islands, (I presume in the spot laid down by that
navigator,) which he found ao traces of, he stood
away for the continent of America; from whence we
hear of nothing remarkable, but his finding a race of
people opposite to the Tchutfki coast, very nearly
_ im the state of nature, who spoke the language of the
Tchutlki, and applied to him for protection against
that savage people, who make yearly descents in
America, plunder every thing they meet with, and
carry back with them a number of captives as
slaves. It appears that the Tchutiki set out in 2
number of boats, rest themselves, and collect their
force at two islands half way over, and from thence
stand over in the night, and fall unexpectedly on
these poor harmlefs people on the coast of America,
by the natural rights of man, as they told the in-
terpreter of Billings, his courier now here: at least
their answer was exactly to that purpose ; for they
insisted, that they had a right to any thing that
thew courage and force could procure ; claims which
will soon not be confined to the Rufsian Tchutfki, or
Iam much mistaken.

12 of captain Billings. Suly 10.

Captain Billings then stood acrofs to the Fchuttki
Nofs, where he landed, and found the complaints of
the Americans but too well founded, as that
people were in fact served by American slaves, one
of which, a woman, he bought of them, and will
bring down here. The captain had dispatched an
officer of Cofsaks, well versed in the Tchutfki lan-
guage and customs, to engage them to permit his
pafsage by land with a small suite through their
country, and that same interpreter he found waiting
his arrival at the Tchutfki Nofs, with some of the
chiefs of that bold and independent nation, who had
agreed to his request under a promise of tobbaco and
other trifles in high estimation with them. He
therefore set out under their conduct, and after
being carried’ by water, along the south coast of
the promontory, crofsed over by. land to ex-
amine the north; from which he set out in
sledges drawn by rein deer, for Yakuts ; where he
arrived almost dead with fatigue, after a journey of
pine months from his landing at the Nofs.

During this long .and tiresome journey, where
little presented to amuse the travellers, he was se-
veral times in danger of being cut off, from the jea-
lousy his astronomical observations excited in the
natives, but above all his measuring the road with
a line, whilst driving slowly upon deep soft snow.
His interpreter now here, (the same sent as mefsen-
get,) thinks, that nothing but the awe the Tchuttki
stood in, of his armed fhip left at the Nofs, saved
the travellers; as he ower heard them occasionally
talking of the yengeance his crew would take of the

2993» on captain Billings. 13
towns and people near them, if their commander did
not return in a certain time ; for they fortunately
thought it was to wait there for him, and were ig-
norant of the orders given by captain Billings to his
liutenant, to winter at the island of Analafki, and re-
turn to Kamtchatka in the summer, as it was au«
tumn when he landed in their country.

Arrived at Yakuts, captain Billings dispatched his
mefsenger to the court, and was to set out soon for
Irkuts on the lake Baycal, a thousand versts nearer
Peterfburgh, for the recovery of his health, much
impaired by the scurvy, where he was to wait her
majesty’s orders of return ; his instructions being’ ex
ecuted in the space of six years absence, as far as
physical obstacles would permit.

His consort captain Hall, which 'sailed long after
him from Kamtchatka, he never saw during the
whole of last voyage, although he waited for her
at an appointed rendezvous ; but the courier says,
that the news of her arrival at St Peter and Se
Paul, was received before he set out. This was
either a new fhip, or the old one repaired, which
had drove on fhore on setting out from Kamtchatka,
mentioned in mf first hatelligenie of the expedition
vol. ix. p. 64.

The Sotrick or Centurion of Cofsacks he sent
down here, and who had been with him in his ex-
pedition as interpreter for the Tchutiki language, is
a most curious and entertaining subject, from his
violent attachment to his native climate, many hun-
dred versts to the north of Ochothk. Your corres«
pondent had much conversation with him at Dr Pal,

z4 of captain Billings. Fuly 16,
las’s, who is charged with the businefs of the expe-
dition, and was much pleased with his fhrewd sen-
sible remarks on every subject started to him. Even
his laughable attachment to such a climate is how-
ever a virtue strongly implanted in the nature of
man, for a wise purpose, and seems always strong-
er, in proportion to the physical imperfections of
the country. Nay none seem so subject to the ma/la-
die du pays (of which both Swifs, Scots, and Welch,
have been known to die,) as mountaineers aud o-
ther inhabitants of the lefs fertile districts.

His winter drefs is a long garment reaching down
half ‘his legs, of rein deer fkin, with the hair in-
wards; a cap of the same: and both breeches and
stockings when travelling or in his own country,
are likewise of that fur ; though here he wears com-
mon boots, and thinner breeches, in our compara~
tively warm climate.

The colour of the outside is a dark red, tanned *
in his own family, soft to the touch like cotton vel-

* The simple procefs of tanning the hides of the rein deer, as prac-
tised by each family is as follows :

They are first covered, and rolled up for twenty four hours, with a
coating of the fecal contents of the animal’s bowels: next morning
they scrape the hairy side, softened in some degree by the first fecal
soaking, witha fharp semicircular iron blade, fastened into a wood-
en handle. A second coating of rein deer dung is then laid over it,
which after another night’s application is again scraped: off, and the
fkin hung up in a stream of smoke till the hair becomes loose,
when it is taken down, and macerated a little in water, so as to get
the hair finally clean away.

It is then ready for the second preparation, which consists in a
thorough greasing with the dried row of fifh, previously masticated in
the mouths of the whole family, (to hasten the businefs,) an operation

®

1793- of captain Billings. tg
vet, and in my opinion superior in the preparation
to the theep fkin fhubes worn by the common people
here. ,

He acknowledges they heve little more than two
months with the ground clear of snow where he lives,
on the coast of the sea of Ochotik ; that nothing will

by no means rejected even by the ladies, as the roe of fifh is a choice
dainty amongst the Ichthiophagi.

The fith grease is then thoroughly rubbed in, not only on the surface ;
but between the hands, to render the fkin soft and pliant; and the
procefs ultimately finifhes (when the leather is to remain of its natu-
tal colour,) by sewing it up in form of a sack, and replacing it in the
stream of smoke, till it is so completely penetrated, as to become of
a yellow colour, the mark that it is ready for use. But for most pur-
poses, as wearing apparel for example, iteis dyed of a dark red colour,
by steeping in an acqueous decoction of alder tree bark. The a-
bove preparation is applicable not only to the leather which consti-
tutes their summer drefs, but likewise to their winter furs, from the
same animal; as in tanning of the last, they ouly apply their dung,
grease, and labour to oné side, omitting the steeping in water, which
was merely intended in the former procefs to loosen the hair, which
is here to be preserved. The fur upon the whole seems very com-
fortable, soft, and strong, whilst it is without any smell of the fith oil
used in its preparation; butindeed it has had time to lose it in run-
ning through ten thousand miles of air.

A very remarkable part of the above domestic mode of tanning, is
the application of the rezm deer’s dung, as a species of caustic to take
off the hair; and it attracts my attention the more from its resem-
blance to what is employed for the same purpose in preparing the
smaller hides for the Rufsian leather, wiz. dog’s dung diluted in

boiling water, which is certainly of a dry and probably caustic nature;
whilst for the larger, two parts of wood afhes to one of quick lime
difsolved likewise in boiling water. As to the rest of the procefs, the
Rufsians tan their leather with the bark of the salix arenaria, and
soften it afterwards with the oil of birch per campan, extracted from
the bark, which gives it that strong smell-so peculiar to the Rufsian
Jeather, and which renders it so useful in keeping off many genera of
insects. Here the empyreumatic oil drawn from the birch bark (by

16 of captain Billings, Suly 16.
grow but alarge species of horse radifh, turnips,
and winter cabbage leaves, for they never stock so
_as to take a round form ; that the nativesare strangers
to bread, (except those in government employ who
are served with flour, as no species of corn will grow ;
in fhort that they live intirely on fifh, which it is their
summer occupation to catch and dry ; but that those
who have money, or rather merchandize and brandy,
may occasionally regale themselves with a haunch
of rein deer, purchased from the Koriaks who visit
them in winter.

He likewise informed me that no man can go to
any distance from home in summer, as their only
conveyance is in sledges drawn by dogs, which can-
not of conrse travel then, and acknowledged that
few days are sufficiently hot during its fhort dura-
tion, to throw off their fur coat. But after giving
us this account of his country, climate, and the ma~

burning it ina hole in the earthon a grate, soas to receive the oil that
falls from it in the operation) is substituted ‘to that of the fifh roe in
the Kamtchatka procefs ; and I presume both new to your Britifh tan-
ners, who have got a century beyond these primitive family arts, al-
though we see for certain purposes they are not.to be despised, as
they prevent insects from executing the part afsigned to them in the
beautiful arrangement of the universe.

I thall probably in a future letter give you a more ample account
of the preparation of all the species of leather manufactured in Rufsia,
which may be called national, (this curious paper is received and will
appear in due time,) as I presume that all of them willbe more or lefs
interesting, as differing from the highly improved state of the art in
Great Britain. Such comparisons must be curious even if no utility
fhould result from them, which I by no means can take upon me to
say will be the case, assuch procefses must tend to throw light on
the philosophy of tanning, or in other words on the antisceptic powers
of vegetable substances, in preserving dead animal matter.

4

1793: extracts from Snorro’s history. t7
ny comforts of life which they are deprived of, he
still exprefsed the same partiality for it, over all
the others he had yet, seen, and only gave up this de-:
cided preference in favour of one spot, 800 versts
farther north, where he was born ; and where, if the
government would but permit him to live, he would
willingly give up his wages, (amounting to 160
rubles per annum,) as fifh and water fowl were so
plenty there, that a man had more food than he
would consume, with very little labour, in the sum-
mer, whilst they were to be had, and abundance to
lay up for winter provision.

The spot so much praised and desired by this pri-

mitive character, is the abandoned Rufsian settle-

‘

ment of Anadyrfk, which was found too expensive

from the distance to which all necefsaries, ammuni-

tion, t#c. were obliged to be transported from Ochotfk,
to make head against the continual attacks of the
Tchoutktchi, at that time very troublesome.

To be concluded in another number.

EXTRACTS FROM SNORRO’s HISTORY OF SCANDINAVIA.

For the Bee.

The following extracts from Snorro’s histoty were translated and
forwarded to the Editor, by a respectable correspondent, who has
favoured the public through the channel of this Mascellany from
its commencement with many interesting articles.

Touching the introduction of christianity into Norway ;
and also, a description of the ancient heathen festi-
val of Yole, translated from Snorro and Thurison’s
history of Norway, written in the Icelandic, or ana
Vor. xvr. ¢ t

t

‘18 extracts from Snorro’s history, aly 10%:
cient Gothic language, about 550 years ago. Of this
ancient and curious book a splendid edition has lately
been printed in Denmurk, at the expence of the
Prince Royal, in 3 vols. Folio. The following is a
translation of the 15th, 16th, and 17th chupters of
the history of Hako the Good, page 138 vol. 1.

pee cee!

Kune Hako was a good christian befere he came to
Norway ; (he had been baptized in England, during
his residence at the court of Athelstane), but as all
the inhabitants of Norway, particularly the nobility,
were heathens, and much_ addicted to the worfhip of
their false gods; and as Hako stood much in need of
the afsistance of the nobility, as well as of the favour
ofthe people, he thought it most advisable to exer-~
cise his own religion in private. He observed the
sundays, and fasted on fridays ; and was not unmind-
ful of the other holidays of the church. He made a
law, for fixing the heathen feaft of yol/e, on the
same day the christians kept christmafs. Hogg-
night preceded, and was usually held on the {fhort-
eft day in the year.* The feaft of yole continued for
three days thereafter. f He ordered the people to
provide ale made of barley, for the celebration of
this feaft, or else to pay its value in money It was
his intention to introduce the christian religion, as

* The reader will here observe the genuine derivation of the word
Yoile, and also of the name generally given to the night preceding
that festival Hogz-monay. The first appears to have been the ancient
leathen name of their greatest holiday, and the word hogy, to kill
or make slaughter.

t The feast of christmafs or yade, is held for three days together ik
Aberdeenshire at this day. Edit.

1793 extracts from Snorro’s history. TQ
soon as he was fixed on his throne, and had brought all
the kingdom under subjection. He admitted into his
confidence, those who embraced christianity, and be-
stowed his favours principally upon them: he per-
mitted many also to adhere to their ancient sacri-
fices. He resided chiefly in Thrandholm, where
most of his great adherents were. Supported by
their influence, and that of other powerful men, who
had become christians, he sent into England for
bifhops, and learned divines. On their arrival, Hako
declared his purpose of converting all the kingdom.
The inhabitants of the provinces of Morey, and
Raumsdale, left this matter to be decided by the peo-
ple of Throndham. Then king Hako built some
churches, and appointed priests for them. When he
came to Throndham, he held a convention, and de-~
sired the inhabitants to turn christians. ‘They an-
swered that they wifhed the matter to be transferred
to the convention of Frostan, where all the inhabi-
tants of Throndham would afsemble and decide on
this proposal,
CHAP. Xvi.
Of the Heathen Sacrifices.

Sigurd earl of Lada was the most addicted to the
heathen worfhip, as his father Hako had also been.
Sigurd presided in the room of the king, over all
the feasts and sacrifices in Throndham.. The an-
cient custom was, that every householder attended
the great sacrifices in the temple, and brought victus
als and ale to serve them during the festival. On this
occasion there were killed cattle of all kinds, and
likewise horses. The blood of these victims is called

20 extracts from Snorro’s history. Fuly 10.
hlaut, and the cups in which the blood is received and
Kept is hlaut bowl, or hlaut holder. An utensil is
preparedlike a watering pot, which is used i 1n sprink~
ling with this blood all the altars, the pedestals of
their Gods, the walls of their temples, both outside
and in, and also the men. But the more delicate
parts of the flefh, are drefsed for the use of the peo-
ple. In the middle of the pavement of the temple,
fires are kindled, ever which kettles are hung,
filled with libations, which are distributed among the
people in cups. The prince, at whose expence the
feast is provided, consecrates both the meat and
drink, and a bumper is then drank in honour of O-
din, that he may give victory and prosperity to the
kingdom ; ; another to Frey, for a plentiful season and
peace ; the third cup which is called bragaful, is
drank by many to the memory of such of their prin-
ces and heroes as have fallen in war: a fourth cup,
called minni is consecrated to their departed friends,
who had signalized themselves during their lives.
Earl Sigurd was very generous and renowned among
the people, for his liberality ; he made a great sacri-
fice also at Lodom, of which he defrayed the whole
expence.
CHAP. VXil.
The Convention at Frostan.

King Hako came to the convention at Froftan,
where a great number of the inhabitants of the king-
dom were afsembled. When the convention were mét,
King Hako told them that he had summoned the
freeholders and farmers, the rich and the poor; in
thort the whole of his subjects, young and old, pros«

1993 extracts from Snorro’s history, au
perous and unfortunate, women and men, that they
might all become christians, and believe in one God,
Christ the son of Mary, and lay aside their ancient
sacrifices and heathen gods : that they fhould keep ho-
ly every seventh day, abstaining from work ; and that
they fhould observe a fast day once in the week.
' When the people heard this proposal, there was
great murmuring among them. The country peo-
ple said, the king wanted to deprive them at once of
theirindustry and the religion of their forefathers ; and
that they could not inhabit the land. The bond-menr
and servants said, they could not work if their food.
was taken from them ; ; adding, that it was just such
a proposal as they fhould have expetted from king
Hako, his father, or any of the Hako family ; 5 as
they were all very sparing of their entertainments,
though liberal enough in distributing their money.
Afbiorn of Middlehouse in Gaulardale, stood up, and
addrefsed himself thus to the king: ‘ King Hako,
when you held your first convention, and when we
chose you king, and when we were restored by ycu
to our ancient inheritances, we all thought ourselves
supremely happy; but now, things weat a more
doubtful appearance: we are uncertain if we be free,
or if you are preparing a new sort of slavery for us,
since we must lay aside the religion profefsed by our
forefathers, who are now in their graves, and who
_ were far better men than us,’ and from whose religi-
on we derived much benefit. From our great love to
you, we admitted you to a fhare in the framing our
laws, and deciding our-law suits. It is our inten-
gion, to observe inviolably the laws which you have

22 "queries on ideal beings. Fuly 10.
proposed to us in the convention of Frostan. We
will follow you as our general; we will respect you
as our king, as long as any of us who were present
at those conventions fhall breathe ; provided you act
with moderation, and grant a requeft which we think
not improper. But, if you are violent, and deter-
mined rather to try your strength with us ; then, we
land owners have resolved to abandon you, and to
choose another prince, under whose government we
may enjoy the religion which we like, and which
we do not with to change. And now king, it is your
‘businefs to determine before the afsembly breaks up,
which of these two propositions you will accept of.”

The people who heard this discourse, declared their
approbation of it with great noise and applaufe. The
tumult being a little allayed, and silence again restor-
ed, earl Sigurd addrefsed the people, and told them,
that Hako consented to what they wifhed ; and, -that
the friendfhip that subsisted between them fhould
not be difsolved. The people replied, that they
wiihed the king to sacrifice according to the custom
of their fathers, and to supplicate the gods to send.
them peace and plenty.*

QUERIES RESPECTING BEINGS
OF IDEAL EXISTENCE.
SIR, To the Editor of the Bee.
Tw a communication from Rufsia, formerly inserted
in the Bee, (vol. xiv. p. 122.) there were some allu-

* The Editor will be much obliged to his corrospondent for farther
extracts from this very serviceable and interesting performance.

1993. queries on ideal beings. 23
sions to imaginary beings, once no lefs firmly believed
‘the inhabitants of these northern regions, than mag-
pies, crows, and black cattle. You will readily
perceive that Brownies, Fairies, and such like gob-
lins, are the subject of my present inquiry: not that
I with to know whether those beings were the off-
spring of a gloomy superstition, combined with igno-
rance and credulity, or what could have given rise
to the fabulous legends concerning them; though I
fhould think those subjects, properly handled, not un-
worthy of the pen of genius; but simply this, as a
previous inquiry with regard to the natural history of
those creatures of a wild disordered fancy, to ascer-
tain, if that can be done, in what country, and at
what era the idea of fairies was first broached,
Their airy forms lefs terrible than those of the other
spirits of darknefs; their drefs, their music and dan-
cing, dmmenente luna, mark them rather as the at-
tendants of Diana, than the inmates of Pluto, or the
children of Lodo. Should any of your correspon-
dents through the channel of your valuable Miscel-
lany, favour us with any new light on those anti-
quated topics, I may perhaps trouble you with a
conjecture concerning their real character and true
origin, supported by collateral evidence from their
history, as handed down by tradition. I mention the
latter circumstance to distinguith the real fairies from
those that were the creatures of poeti¢ fancy, whe-
ther in allegory or novel. J am, Sir, Yours,
ick *.
* The Editor will thank any of his correspondents for hints on this

subject, and will be particularly obliged tothe writer of the above,
for his promised communication.

POETRY.

Tue SIEGE or A HEART.

Beurnpa studied man, and knew his folly,
Smil’d with the gay, gloom’d with the melancholy,
Lovers in crouds begg’d humbly her commands,
And seem’d in heav’n when they might kifs her hands.
First came Cozceit, torn from his darling toilet,
Drest in the various hues which deck the violet, .
Gigled and ogled, talk’d of mutual blifs,
Flutter’d like silk fly from the chrysalis.
His drefs explained his wit could go no farther,
But surley ladies, “* this can do no murder.
A city buck next strove to won the laurel,
And brage’d his belly was a huge wine barrel.
A jocky blood with twenty thousand pound
Appeared, and hop’d with victory to be crown’d. — -
Bel heard impatient, ‘‘ Thats your sorts’’ discourses,
And all the leaps performed by his hotses,
Till tir’d to death fhe bade him change his ground Sir.
And with his grooms go Tallio the hounds Sir;
Next came, terrifick name, a man of war ;
Bold were his looks, his oaths were bolder far ;
This forward blade, Belinda blufh’d tu tell it,
Had got commifsion’d ere he learnt to spell it.
A poet next, with elegies and sonnets, -
On lapdogs dead, and, fair Belinda’s bonnets,
Strove for the honour of the maid’s alliance ;
But all the muses were kept at defiance.
A scholar too, would try ; fhe would not hear him,
For all the talk on one side who could bear him.
A modest fellow next began to stammer ;
But both his jaws were nail’d by Cupid’s hammer,
Cherries and snow are ne’er found at one season;
More seldom love is seen conjoin’d with reason,
A spouting playhouse lounger claim’d a hearing
But was discarded on his first appearing.
A young man who all morning studied graces,
The sport of fancy and of all new faces,
Efsay’d to won her, then with joy elate,
Turn’d on his heel, and fhow’d a male cocquet.
At length appear’d a firm and manly youth,
Whose thoughts were honour, and whose words were truth,
He lov’d the maiden, the approved the plan,
And found that honour is a woman’s man.
Puoenix HunTER.

1793- poetry. ‘ 25

A WINTER Piece.
From Loch Lomond, a poem:

Jy winter oft descends the flaky snow,

. And heaps the mountaintops, and fills the glens.
The woods, that fringe the lake around, scarce bear
Th’ opprefsive load. A deeper azure now
The lake itself afsumes. Intense the frost ;

And fast in ice each lefser flood is bound,

Hither, from more inclement fkies, the swan

On sounding pinions, through the yielding air,
And thousand fowls of various wing, resort.
Oft wheeling round thy hospitable flood,

Which, open still, invites their wandering flight ;
At length they light and swim around,

And mix, and dive, and joyful clap their wings,
Or {kim in troops excursive o’er the deep.

The sportsman, whowith steady eye had trac’d
Their airy rouzds, and on their near approach
Had felt his breast beat high with barb’rous joy,
They please and vex alternate. While conceal’d
By rock or bufh, he cautious lurks unseen, *

And frequent fhiftinz, oft he takes his aim—

Yet baffled still; at last, with cold benum’d,
Gall’d he withdraws, full late, and leaves unhurt
The floating tribes, which yet his eye provoke,
Now distant seen far glistering to the moon.

Vanity or Names:

Say, where those names which set the world on fire?,
Where does the pride of Gre-ce and Rome retire ?
Czsar’s dread name now marks the butcher’s dog,
Cato saws wood, and Scipio drives a hog:

Seek you for Pompey! search the tanner’s yard,
You'll meet with Nero in your garden’s guard.

VOL. xvi, D t

26 literary sntelligence. July 10

———————oeoeeeeeoooeoeoeaeaeseses®®n — SSO

Literary INTELLIGENCE.

Ir is with pleasure. the Editor announces to the public,
‘the institution of a new literary society in Newcastle up-
on Tyne, on a plan so liberal, as cannot fail to be atten-
ded with very beneficial effects to society. Happy it is
for those communities in which men, instead of wrangling
about politics or controversial divinity, which only tend
to sour the mind, and to estrange men from one another,
cordially unite together with a view to the advencement
of science, and the general difsemination of useful know-
ledge. Among young persons in particular, such institutions.
are in the highest degree beneficial ; as they excite a spi-
rit of emulation chat gives a laudable bent to the human
mind, and calls off the attention in some measure from

vain and frivulous, perhaps vicious pursuits. Every per-—

son who has the welfare of the community at heart, which
is best promoted by the active energy of niind, and the
virtuous dispositions ofits members, must rejoice at the
diffusion of such laudable societies, and lend his best aid
to promote their prosperity. Every parent especially en-
dowed with ample fortune who is interested in the wel-
fare of his posterity, must feel a glow of satisfaction at
the mention of such an institution within the sphere of
his influence, as it must naturally tend to diminifh that
anxiety which every parent must feel, when he sees his

children exposed tothe seductions of pleasure, or the al-

lurements of ambition, without any powerful call to di-
vert his mind into an ardent pursuit’ of objects that tend
to afford more lasting and satisfactory enjoyments. It is,
therefore, in a peculiar manner incumbent on such men

E53.) literary society, Newcastle. 27
to lend every afsistance in their power to promote the
establifhment and prosperity of such societies.

The objects intended to be attained by this society are
so interesting, and they are so clearly explained in the
following well digested plan of it, which has been trans-
mitted to the Editor, that he thinks he will do his read-
ers in general a pleasure by submitting it to their perusal,
without abridegment or mutilation of any sert.

Plan of the Literary and Philosophical Society of Newcastle
upon Tyne.

Quemadmodum enim aqua, sive ex ccelesti rore descendens, sive ex
fontibus scaturiens, facile disperditur, nisi colligatur in aliqua recep-
tacula, ubi per unionem et congregationem se sustentare et fovere
pofsit, similiter liquor iste scientie pretiosifsimus mox periret om-
nis et evanesceret, nisi conservaretur in libris, traditionibus, collo-

> quiis, ac precipue in locis certis his rebus destinatis.

; Bacon.

Prefatory observations on the propriety of establifbing a Li-

terary Society in Newcastle ; and on the objects which
will naturally claim the attention of its members.

“ Among the various causes of the rapid advancement
of science, which has taken place in modern times, the in-
stitution of Philosophical Societies is one of the most ob-
vious and important. Men by their united labours ac-
complifh undertakings far superior to the efforts of indi-
vidual strength ; and this is particularly the case with in-
tellectual pursuits. “ Knowledge, like fire, is brought
forth by collision ;” and in the free conversations of afso-
ciated friends, many lights have been struck out, and ser-
ved as hints for the most important discoveries, which
_ would not, probably, have occurred to their authors, in the .
retirements of private meditation. Societies of this na-
ture have, besides, been instrumental to draw forth those
falents, which would otherwise have been buried in ob.

28 literary society, Newcastle. July 10.
scurity. Many excellent writers have been encouraged
through the medium of their transactions, to make their
first entry into the world of letters, who would never
have ventured, but under some such sanction, to have ap-
peared before the public in a literary character at all,

“ It is to the honour of our native country, that these
excellent helps to the improvement and diffusion of know-
ledge were introduced by her sons; and that the Royal
Society of London, which was the first in order of time,
continues to claim the first rank, among the literary soci-
eties of Europe. But it is to be regretted, that, while,
in Germany, France, and Italy, there is scarcely a provin-
cial town of consequence which has not some establifhment _
of this kind, in England they have been, in a great mea-
sure, confined to the metropolis. Of late, indeed, very
respectable societies have been formed in the capitals of
our sister kingdoms, the transactions of which have done
honour to the abilities of their respective authcrs. And
in England, the Literary and Philosophical Society of Man-
chester has not only been eminently serviceable to that
flourifhing town, by leading the attention of several of its
members to pursuits connected with the improvement of
its extensive manufactures, but it has greatly contributed
to the general instruction and entertainment, by the pub-
lication of its memoirs,

“ Ts it not highly desirable that these provincial \iter-
ary societies might become more general? Might they
not serve as nurseries, to train up useful members, for the
larger and more important afsociations ? to whose labours
they would, in the mean time, be the means of exciting
a more general attention, by diffusing, more extensively,
a taste for philosophical and literary inquiries. Might
they not, besides, be made to answer a salutary moral pur-
pose, by encouraging in our youth a love of literature,

’

3793. diterary society, Newcastle. 29 -
and an ambition to distinguifh themselves among the mem- _
bers of these societies? May they not be expected to en-
crease the pleasures and advantages of social intercouse,
by providing an easy method of spending the evening
agreeably and usefully ; and may they not thus be a means
of checking the first formation of difsipated habits ; of
banifhing from our tables the coarser pleasures of intem-
perance ; and of substituting, for the always contempti-
ble, and frequently destructive, pursuits of the game-
ster, the rational and manly entertainments of literature
and philosophy ?

‘“« These observations may serve to evince the propriety
of such institutions in every considerable town. But
there appear to be many circumstances peculiarly favour-
able to the attempt, at least, in Newcastle.—Previous,
however, to an enumeration of these circumstances, it
may not be improper to advert to an institution of great
respectability, already subsisting here; which may be
thought, perhaps, to supersede the necefsity of any furthur
literary establifhment.

“ The gentlemen of the faculty in this town and neigh-
bourhood have fhewn a laudable zeal for the advance-
ment of medical science, and of those branches of philoso-
phy which more immediately relate to it, by forming
themselves, about five years ago, into a “ Philosophical
and Medical Society.” ‘There cannot be the smallest
doubt of the great utility of this institution, or of the ad-
vantages with which it must have been attended; and it
appears to be formed upon such liberal principles, as to
admit into its. body any lovers of general literature who
might offer themselves as candidates, though not of the
faculty. But since it will, naturally, be the principal ob-
' ject of its members to improve the practia/ part of their
profefsion, and since this is an object of the utmost im

-

Bot fierary society, Newcastle. ~ July 10.
portance to the general welfare, it would certainly te im-
- proper in them so far to extend their plan, as to admit the
general investigation of scientific subjects. On the other
hand, since the recitation of cases, with their symptoms
and treatment, cannot but be, at least uninteresting, to a
general audience, a society formed upon the idea of ad-
mitting persons of all profefsions, parties, and persuasions,
fhould prohibit the introduction of practical medicine, as
well as, for obvious reasons, of politics and religion.
“‘ Without interfering, therefore, with the Medical So-
ciety, it appears that there is still room for a general

literary afsociation ; which, however, must probably still _

look out, from among the members of that most respec-
table gtaeitaiun: for a considerable fhare of its credit and
support.

‘ To return from this digrefsion: ‘The circumstances
which seem to render Newcastle a favourable seat for a li-
terary society, are such as follow :

‘ I. The two great natural‘ products of this part of the
country, coal and lead.

“x, The origin and chemical properties of coal, the
position in which it is found in the earth, the thicknefs and
inclination of its strata, the nature of the strata above and
Sefow it, and the frequent interruption by perpendicular
fifsures called dykes, troubles, &c. (the knowledge of
which is almost entirely a literary desideratum, very lit-
tle, or nothing, being to be found about it in books *) are
curious and interesting subjects of inquiry, concerning
which the ingenious persons who are employed as viewers
are capable of supplying better information than can be
obtained any other way. To these gentlemen, on the

* See Williams’s Mineral Kingdom, almost the only book in which
these interesting objects in mineralogy are explained. Edit,

—_.

L793. Hierary society, Newcastle. 33
other hand, the speculative philosopher might perhaps
have an opportunity of returning the obligation, by com-
municating useful hints concerning the nature of the seve-
ral damps and vapours which infest the mines, with the
means of destroying or removing them.

“ Improvements in the machinery, both above and below
ground, supply a constant field for the invention of the |
fkilful mechanic ; and indeed the bare keeping up of
that which is at present in use, will secure the constant
residence. of ingenious men in this line, whose specula-
tions may afford both entertainment and advantage. To
this may be added, that there is probably still room for’
improvement in the method of working the coal, both as
to quantity and roundne/s, in the means of preserving
the health, and-providing for the safety of the miners,
dc. de.

““ 2. Similar observations may be made respecting the
other great product, lead; particularly with regard to what
concerns the health of the workmen employed in all the
branches of it, from its first discovery in the mine, to
the manufactures in which it is even most remotely con-
cerned: to which may be added the great ease with
which a complete collection and investigation may be
made of the several kinds of ore, with the spars, and o-
ther heterogeneous substances, which are found along
with them in the veins; not to say that there is proba-
bly more room for the introduction of mechanical and o-
ther improvements, into the method of working lead, than
coal mines. , ’

“ 3, The introduction of various manufactures, which
depend upon the plenty and cheapne/s of fuel; such as those
of wrought and cast iron, and steel, glafs, pottery, dc.
has been attended with great advantage to this neighbour-

hood. May it not be one object of a society of this na-
5 t

$2 hierary society, Newcastle. Fuly 18%
ture, to point out, and encourage the establifhment of
such other manufactures, as arey.on this account, peculiat-
ly adapted to this country ?

“ 4. It is obvious that Newcastle enjoys peculiar ad-
vantages for chemical investigations, on account of the
cheapnefs of fuel, glafs, fire clay, wrought and cast iron,
implements, &7c. ec. ; it may, therefore, be expected that
persons who have a turn for inquiry will be induced to
apply to these pursuits; especially as they may have an
opportunity of seeing many chemical procefses, upon a
large scale, at the works of various ingenious persons resi-
ding in this town and neighbourhood.

TI. It will be a worthy object of such a society to in-
quire, how far the country is still zmproveab/e, Probably
many muinera/ treasures may yet be discovered, which
have hitherto eluded the researches of the curious *.
Hints for the advancement of agricu/ture might pofsibly
come even from such a society ; or at least, as, perhaps,
indeed, is more likely, it might receive entertainment
and instruction from the communications of ingenious men
engaged in the various branches of this most important
national concern, Schemes for facilitating communica-
tion by means of inland navigation have, of late, engaged
much of the public attention; and something of this
kind has even been thought practicable here. A so- ~
ciety of this nature will furnifh a proper place for can-
vafsing the arguments for and against such undertas —
kings.

“ More immediately within its province, under this
head, would be the analysis of various mineral water's
which have been found within this district ; as the sul-

* Many valuable hints on this subject may perhaps be gathered
from Wallis’s History of Nerthumberland, ;

£793- hierary society, Newcastle. 33
phur springs of Gill’s-land and Butterby, the salt springs
‘of the latter place and Birtley, various chalybeate wa-
ters, do’c. And, inthe present advaneed state of chemica
science, particularly since the great improvements intro-
duced into the chemical investigation of waters by Berg-
man and others, a more accurate analysis might easily be
made of those which-supply this town than can be found
elsewhere ; and perhaps further hints might be given for
obtaining a better supply.

“¢ TTI, But it is not merely on account of its mineral trea-
sures, or its capability of further improvement, that the
country will claim the attention of this society: The ro-
mantic scenery which is every where found in it, especially
on the banks of the Tyne, and the other rivers, will fur-
nifh a variety of subjects for the pencz/, and for the lover
of picturesque description. With these the society may
hope to be occasionally entertained.

“TV. And the profusion of antiguzties, both military
and ecclesiastical, not only in Newcastle, but along the
Roman Wallfwhich, though they have furnifhed abun-
dance of employment for so many able pens, are not yet
by any means exhausted, will engage the attention of the
patient inquirers after these venerable monuments of extinct
_ Nations, customs, and religions.

““V. In this respect, however, we may not, perhaps, be
able to make any great addition to the voluminous col-
lections of the indefatigable author of the History of
Newcastle. But it may, perhaps, be a subject which will
not altogether disappoint our inquiries, how far he has
left room for supplying his defects with regard: to, 1. The
exact enumeration, and accurate cla/sification (as to sex,
age, and other circumstances,) of the inhabitants of the
town, which is not merely an object of curiosity, but might
answer many useful purposes with respect to medical in-

VoL, xvi. E 2

34 , literary intelligence. July 16
quiries, questions of polititical ceconomy, the computation
of annuities &c.; 2 The history and progrefs of com.
merce, patticularly of the coal trade; 3. Accounts of the
introduction and gradual extension, of the various manu-
factures :* In fhort, with regard to almost every thing re-’
lating to the presént state of this extensive and populous
town and neighbourhood.

“ VI. The biography, too, of eminent men, who have
been natives of, or residents in, these parts, may furnifh
very useful articles for perusal, and subjects for conversa-
tion, to such a society.

“-WII. Tothe various circumstances above mentioned
it may be added, that Newcastle is peculiarly well situated
for procuring “iterary inte/ligence.

“x, As being more immediately connected, and en-
joying more frequent (indeed constant) opportunities of
communicating, with the capitals both of England and
Scotland }, than any other town in either kingdom.

«9. As being peculiarly well situated for making col-
lections of natural, and other curiosities from abroad, by
meaus of the vefsels which trade from this port into vari-
ous parts of the world : in which we may also hope to be
afsisted by the ingenious natives of this town and neigh-
bourhood who reside in, or occasionally visit, foreign
countries. Te connections, besides, which some. of us
may have with leatned foreigners, may, in like manner, be
improved to obtain accounts of the progrefs of litearture
in other countries.

The regulations for the internal government of the workmen
employed by Crawley’s company at Swalwell, are said to be very cu-.
rious, though probably but little known,

+ And the residence of an ingenious friend of many of the mem-
bersin the capifal of the third, will secure also the communication ef
“Grith Literary Intelligence.

3. literary society, Newcastle. 35

“ VIII. The mention of our concern in fhipping na-
turally leads our thoughts to xavigaczon, and its necefsary
auxiliary, the Mathematics. And here so wide a field of
important objects is opened to our view, as might lead a
projector into a boundlefs range of speculation. Suffice
it to say, that the improvement of naval architecture has
given rise to the recent establifhment of a society under no
lefs than royal patronage; that the solution of various impor-
tant problems, still necefsary to the perfection of navi-
gation, has, for near a century, been considered as a na-
‘tional object, and a Board of Commifsioners been appoin-
ted for this purpose alone; that the Mathematical Sei-
ences, in their various branches, are capable of almost uni-
versal extent and application; and that in these most
sublime of human investigations, the natives of that part
of the country which we inhabit, have particulary distin-
guifhed themselves ; as a variety of important works, which
have been publifhed within the last twenty years, are
sufficient to prove.

“ Tt might, further, be remarked, with what good
ground we may hope to look forward to the pleasure of
being favoured with various clafsical illustrations, inquiries
into antient manners, customs, &c. &c. ; what a fayoura-
ble prospect we may reasonably entertain of being rega-
led with specimens of eastern literature 5 which is daily
becoming more and more important in a commercial view,
and which appears to be fraught with various beauties,
both of sentiment and diction: We might resume a for-
mer general argument, and fhew the advantages which
may arise to. our youth in particular, from any institu.
tion which may tend to obviate the many ‘temptations
arising from the great degree of leisure which seems, from
whatever cause, to attend the trade of this por,

36 : on serpents. july 10
“ But enough, it is presumed, has already been ’said to
demonstrate the propriety of attempting such an estab-
lifhment.—It only remains to inform the public, that se-
veral gentlemen, residing in Newcastle and its neigh-
bourhood, after maturely considering the above mentioned
circumstances, have at length determined to from them-
selves into a Literary and Philosophical Society. Seve-_
ral preparatory meetings having, been held, it was resol-
ved, on Thursday the 7th of February 1793, that the
following plan fhould be laid before the public, and that
the friends of literature and philosopy fhould be respectful-
ly solicited to. contribute their afsistance to carry it into
execution. ;
Farther particulars of the plan will be given in our next.

On Serpents.
Sir, To the Editor of the Bee.

Arrer long waiting, in expectation that some of your
readers would give an explanation of the phenemenon
T sent you an account of, which you thought proper to
insert in volume ninth, page fifth of your Bee, and not
having observed any thing of a similar nature taken no-
ties of, I begin to think that none of your correspondents
have ever observed any thing of thesame kind. Your
curious account of the migration of eels somewhat reseme
bled it, but farther explanation is still wanted, otherwise
jt will still remain unaccounted for. I fhall just mention
to you, a few things which may tend to confirm my for-
met account stillmore: About two weeks after I wrote
to you, the same person that found the one I described,
observed two distinct companies, near the same place
where first found, moving in the same order, but not sq

1793). indese indicatorius. , 37
numerous. He killed them every one for fear of danger,
and told me of them when he came home. So that
this is now the fourth time they have been seen in this
place; once in the adder fin, and three times without
any cover, only moving in regular order, in one aggregate ©
body. ‘Their life seemed to depend upon keeping close
together, because when separated, the dust on the road
stuck to them so that they could not move, and conse-
quently would soon have died; it appears, by your ac-
count to be quite unnatural, to suppose them to be young
adders; and supposing them maygots produced by some
fly stinging the animal, as you gave an account of a spe-
cies of fly stinging a caterpillar, and the young of the
fly after being hatched from ezzs withia its bowels, li-
ying upon it until arrived at # certain size, wnen they
eat themselves out, and entered into anocher state oi ex-
istence. ;

However, if this fhould be the case, naturalists seem
to be unacquainted with the species by whom they are
produced.

As I expect, if health permit, to remain for some time’
near the place where they were found jasi summer, if
I have the good fortune to find any of them, I iball pay
a little more attention to them; and if potsible send
you a part alive for examination ; as I wifh much to have
this phenomneon farther explained. I remain Sir yours
sincerely. Gri Tr

aoa aaaaoaoao

InpEx INDICATORIUS.

Tut following lines were sent by az old subscriber some time ago ;
on the magnum bonum sunday’s club; a club which we are well
pleased to think few of our readers have ever heard of, .

38 index indicatorius. Guly 10;
Fortius et melius Magnas plerumque nectit res
Ridiculum acri.

Ha! ha! cried old Begby, and grinned so broad,

His tone and his phiz seem’d so new and so odd,

All his dons were astonifh’d—struck dumb with surprise,
They hung on his lips, and decypher’d his eyes.

Ha! ha! my good feliows, he roars out anew,

Our vicegerents on earth leave us little to do.

These fleth and blood demons have learned so well
The art of our calling, they laugh at our hell.

We believe, and we tremble, but so do not they '
How royally they keep the dominicalday!

Their own donum magnum Vl hang round their neck,
So I dub them my kights, (sie subscribitur ) Nick.

Given in council, at our palace of PANDEMONIUM, and in the year of
our infernal reign 5795. m

D. W. narrates a story that has been too often realised, of a girl
whose name was Susan, whose parents from affluent circumstances
were sunk into poverty by inevitable lofses; and whose father after
some innefectual efforts to reinstate his affairs, sunk under a load of
affliction and died. His destitute family were then reduced to the
necefsity to go into se» ice. Susan was received into the house of a
master, who behaved at first with tendernefs to her, which by an
afsumed sympathy on ..1s pari, engendered gratitude on hers; and he,
taking advantage f these ci: cumstances seduced and ruined her.

The story has been too cf..), repeated to prove new to any of our
readers; and the moral observations though just, and dictated by a be-
nevolent mind, have bee: so oite: made. before, that it is unnecefsary
to repeat them. It is be regretted that the general destestation of
mankind fhould not be so strongly excited by such meannefs dnd bru-
tality of conduct, as to make men who have been guilty of it, uni-
versally detested and fhunned as public disturbers of the peace of
society. Till this fhall happen, moral reflections on this crime, will
produce little effect. It would afford a good object of disquisition for
some of our ingenious correspondents to discover the reason wuy this
crime is so little the object of public detestation in civilised nations
as it is found universally to be. P

A very respectable correspondent, who signs himself Humanitas,
has taken the trouble to transcribe a very long extract from Mr’
Clarkson’s book on slavery, giving some fhocking instances of cruelty
to negro slaves, which could not be inserted at the time it was recei-
ved trom want of room, and other considerations ; and on which it’
would be unnecefsary at present to enlarge. It is much to be regret.

1793. ~ index indicaiorius. 39°
ted that such things fhould ever be ; and it isto be hoped that the pu-
blic notice which has of late been talkén of such notorious conduct wilt
have a tendency to check its frequency at leastin future. We finc,
however, from our own experience at home, that it is extremely dif-
ficult to prevent some degree of cruelty from being exercised against
our fellow creatures, under various pretexts, even by the most rigid
injunctions of law. It would be fortunate for mankind, if every in-
dividual, in his private capacity would endeavour to cofrect the ir-
regularities of his own mind, where interest seems to chalk out a
different line of conduct from what humanity would seem to require ;
for it is to be feared unlefs this be done, the operation of any law
that can be contrived for protecting the weak, will prove nugatory.
The instances narrated in the paper here quoted are fhocking to
humanity indeed.

A jolly fellow gives some ironical hints addrefsed to the Scottith
gentlemen on polite behaviour; of which the following is a spe-
cimen.

“ Tfa lady requests the honour of your company to dine and spend
the evening ; never refuse her, if you like to go, and are certain her
hufband takes a good drink.—Never get up from table until it is
time to lay the cloth for supper, and then you may enter the draw-
ing room; but be sure to be quite drunk, lest the ladies fhould think
you a meer milk-sop. If you are so drunk you do not understand
a word you say, so much the better; as they cannot be angry at a
thing you did not mean.” And 0 on.

This might serve in some measure to ridicule the manners of the
times: but it is not quite so pointed, nor is it half so good for this
purpose, as the laws enacted by the Emprefs of all the Rufsias, for
maintaining the etiquitte at afsemblies at court, now universally
known, by means of translations, all over Europe.

Blackbeard gives an account of the ram’s head club.

Who with chit chat, and sing song gay,
Pafs many a sultry night away.

Anda bald account it is. It amounts to this: That the members
of this club meet oncea fortnight in the house of a jolly widow, not.
ahundred miles from the Bee Office, where every member pays
fourpence ; for which he gets value in ham, porter, beer, a pipe of
tobacco, and exhilirating glafs. The president entertains his guests
with a song, and afks all the company in their turn to do the like,

>

46 to correspondents. July 10.
and so the night pafses away. It would fill five hundred Bees to
give the names of all the clubs of this sort that subsist in Britain ;—

but who would read them ?

; TO CORRESPONDENTS.

-Tue elucidations of ¥. K. on the gooseberry caterpillar are received

and fhall have a place with the first conveniency. His observations
on the slug, and other destructive reptiles will be very acceptable.

The communications by Rama came safely to hand; and fhall be
duly attended to. But he will see the propriety of postponing the
letter on education, till the former communications on that subject
are exhausted : which will not be for some time yet.

To the Lover of System, the Editor of the Bee begs leave to obs
serve, that though he withes to appropriate some part of his Miscel-
lany to the advancement of knowledge in natural history, and par-
ticularly to the collecting of useful facts relating to it ; yet it never
was his intention to enter into the system of clafsification, which
would present to most of,his readers a series of words and phrases
that would be totally unintelligible. Those who with to enter deep-
ly into that branch of the science will naturally have recourse to
books profefsedly written for that purpose. Whatever occurs in
this Miscellany on that subject being entirely suited to unscientific
readers, he in some measure guards against the particular this cor-
respondent calls for. But if the Editor does not pretend to clafs sys-
tematically the objects, especially non descript, which he chances to
notice; he will endeavour so to describe them, as that a scientific
student may beat little lofs to clafs them himself. This is the ut-
most length he ever wifhes to go: nor will he deem it enough to
exclude an article entirely where the description cannot be in all its
parts so circumstancial as he could wifh for the scientific student;
where the matter appears to be interesting; for in regard to
drawings especially, it may often happen that the general appear-
ance, and particular parts of an object are so exactly represented as
to identify it sufficiently on all future occasions in doubtful cases,
though the particular parts that are necefsary for its exact systema-
tic clafsification may not have been brought into view.

The verses by F. A. are received,and under consideration.

As are also the poetical pieces of Zara, A. R. R. and Ximenes.

Thanks to an obliging correspondent for his hints for the obitua-
ty of the learned with a specimen, which fhall be presented the first
convenient occasion.

As also to Socius,for his obliging communications.

The clafsical lines, ad murem, are received, and fhall have a place,
though the writer will easily see reason why things of this nature
cen only be inserted with a very sparing hand ; and that only wher@

ney are very fhort.

\

137:

THE BEE,
? OR
LITERARY WEEKLY INTELLIGENCER,

FOR
Wepneapay, Juty 17. 1793:

On THE DIFFERENT VARIETIES OF SHEEP IN A WILD AND DO-
MESTIC’ STATE, REARED IN THE Russtan Empire, AND BY
THE PASTORAL NATIONS FROM THE FRONTIERS OF EUROPE TO

_ THose or Cura.

_ Composed principally from the Latin notes of the learns
ed and liberal zoologist Dr Pallas, profefsor of na=
tural history in the imperial acadamy in St. Peters=
burg, containing the interesting remarks made during
bis wide extended travels in Rufsia, Siberia, Tara
tary, Se.

COMMUNICATED By ARCTICUS,

4 For the Bee.
" ‘INTRODUCTION.

Tanks to our great countrymen Bacon, Boyle, and
Newton, with their worthy succefsors, theoretic jar-
gon, unsupported by facts, is banifhed from natural
philosophy, and in a great measure from science at
_ large, insomuch that our modern sophists are obliged
to direét their hypothetic artillery, to the theory of
_ government, and will probably retard its progrefs, a8
- VOL, XVI. FE $

42 account of foecp fotind in Rufsia. uly x4.
long as they did that of physics, which has of late
years made such wonderful advancement, by follow-
ing the wise plan suggested by the above mentioned
real philosopher’s, who were, and will ever remain, -
even in the tomb, the glory of their country.

Surely sir, I need not caution the society for the
melioration of Britifh wool, to whom this paper is
principally addrefsed, against permitting theoretic
reasoning, on the nature of /beep, to influence any of.
their operations for the advancement of knowledge
‘on that important subject.

They will certainly regard as mere unsupported
eonje&tures, the common place ideas, that the use-
ful ua which makes so deservedly the object
of their research, must be small to carry fine wool,
large to carry coarse ; that it must be fed exactly in
this or in that manner ; and that it must inhabit
precisely a given climate, or which is the same thing,
live exactly at such a diftance above the level of the
sea, to enjoy the advantage of a fine fleece.

Wearecertainly notas yet arrived at that point of in-
formation, to speak positively on the subject, although
much has been done by intelligent gentlemen of late
years ; but must submit to a long and patient course
of judicious experiment, to be able to decide on facts
afserted with so much boldnefs.

in the mean time, every one who withes well to
such a laudable undertaking, fhould contribute their
mite by giving the best information their situation

and knowledge will permit, relative to the theep in |
fhe country they inhabit, including their descrip-
‘tion, measurement, i at fleece, food, and general

3793 account of foeep found in Rufsia, 43
mode of life, details which, though fatiguing to some
readers, will be highly useful and acceptable to those
who are in search of information on the natural histo-
ry of the animal ; and more particularly to the socie-
ty whose patriotic endeavours are directed to a sub-
ject of so much national importance.

_ I make no doubt, but your plodding men of ha-
bit, will sneer at such a research, as they do at every
thing they do not comprehend, or which militates a-
gainst the practice of their fathers ; but I will ven-
ture to 2flirm, that it is a much easier tafk to change
the fleece of {heep, than the morals, manners, and
even nature of the human species, to fit them for the
enjoyment of metaphysical primitive liberty, before
the commencement of social compaét, which moderz
philosophers are persuading us of the practicability of.
But as philosophers are not in general the most opu-
lent members of civil society, there is some danger
that they wifh to fith in troubled water, when the
sovereigns they are setting up, have thrown all into
anarchy and confusion.

. To return to the more uesful animal which is the
subject of this paper, permit me to say that as ex-
ample is better than precept, I have endeavoured to
set oné to our countrymen living abroad, by collect-
ing every thing that my situation will permit, confin-
edasI am by duty to thecapital of an empire, relative.
to the theep of this country ; and I make nodoubt but
you will give me credit for having had recourse to
the ample information collected by my learned friend
Dr Pallas, in his wide extended travels in this em-
pire, and amongst the pastoral nations of Great Tar.

.

wy

44 account of fheep found in Rufsia. Fuly 14.
tary, 8c. from the frontiers of China, to those of
Europe. These people are all fhepherds, as well as
the Nomades of Siberia, and several countries of
Europe, under the dominion or protection of the
Rufsian empire ; and the great riches of them all con-
sist prineipally in theep. f
There are few of these pastoral nations but the
doctot saw, either in full horde, or detached par-
ties, so that the opportunities he had of examining
not only the wild, but domestic fheep, in several of
its varieties, and almost. in a state of nature, from
their little controled, nay, almost unlimited range,
in the wide plains of Tartary, were more nume-
rous than ever fell to the lot of any man who has
treated the subject.
But the remarks and observations of our learned
academician will -be more particularly valuable to
the society ; as his equal knowledge in zoology, and
the other brenches of natural history, enabled him
to givé an account of the fheep in a very superior
manner ; noting the climate, soil, water, and plants,
of every district where he found a different varie-
ty of the animal. The doctor remarked with the
eye of areal naturalist, the influence of these, joined
to exercise, on the stature, vigour, plumpnefs,
and fleece of fheep; and has described the distinguilh-
ing marks of the four varieties he met with, as
well as the musimen or wild fheep, ina masterly
manner, In fhort his remarks furnifh an excellent
model for those of others, who may pursue the sub-«
. ject; and I must add in terms of much gratitude,
that he furnifhed in the most liberal manner; al}

87936 of captain Billings... ay
‘the notes he had made in lis travels, on the subject of

fheep, the moment your correspondent signified an

_ intention to write this paper; and has since regiew-
ed the whole, to see if his meaning had been siezed
in every part, and the result of his observations
faithfully given.

The only part your correspondent can then
claim, is that of having given the sense of the origi-
nal author in Englifh, to the best of his power; and
to have taken the liberty of explaining what he took’
to be his meaning, whenever such illustration was
necefsary, and the text too laconic for the purpose
of the society; as Dr Pallas wrote for the learned
alone in the dead language he employed, and the
author of this paper for the public in general,
However my learned friend having given his sanc-
tion to the whole, by reading it over at the particular
desire of your correspondent, and making occasion-
ally a remark, has of course adopted the paper, and

thereby rendered it much more worthy of the at-
tention of the society.
To be continued. .

NEWS FROM CAPTAIN BILLINGS.
Continued from p. 17.
Courtositirs 9c. sent by captain Billings from the
Atule islands, and the continent of America.
Happening to be with,Dr Pallas, when several
cases arrived from captain Billings, containing dif.
ferent things collected in his voyages, we recollect
having seen the following articles unpacked,

46 of captain Billings. Fuly 144
Amphibeous animals.
Some new species of seals and sea bears.
; Birds. \
A new species of large eagle, with some new
species. of auks and puffins.

Drefses from the island of Kibtak, not visited by
captain Cook, who took it to be part of the Ameri-
can continent, so that every thing from it is new to
Europe.
tst, A man’s drefs made of the fkin of the mus ci-

tellus of Linnzus, or Casan marmot of Pennant, the

souslik of the Ruf-ians, but a thicker and better fur
than the variety which this country furnifhes, al-
though little different from it in other respects.

This handsome spotted fur, has no bad effect in form

of a long close garment, which must be put over the

head to get it upon the wearer, as must indeed all
that we saw. A painted wooden head drefs, exactly
in form of an Englifh sportsman’s stiff velvet cap, ex-
cept that a sort of face was carved on the crown
of it: probably this head piece is intended for war.’

2d, A festival drefs, of young sea bear fkins of
great beauty, and prettily ornamented with varie.
gated beads.

3d, A drefs of the fkins of the alca impennis of

Linnzus, or great auk of Pennant, of a fine cinereous

colour.’
4th, A species of coverlid, or pofsibly a fhawl,

made of beaver hair, curiously wrought on a wor-
sted ground, so as to resemble a velvet fhag, ex-
tremely soft and warm, of a fine dark cinamon co-
lonr, and fringed with thick twisted threads of the

2793- of captain Billings.
white downy wool of the American musimon or
wild fheep, according to Dr Pallas’s opinion.

_ The musimon or argali carries a fine downy wool;
like your fhetland fheep, mixed with long coarse
hair; and of this the islanders near that continent,
seem to make several uses.

5¢4, A curious sort of gingling tambouret, proba
bly intended as an accompanyment to dancers, con-~
sisting of a thin circle of wood, with a crofs piece to
keep it firm, ornamented with streamers of the
Jong white hair which hangs from the neck of the
rein deer.

In place of bells, 2 number of auk’s bills are hung
on it all around, which produce a curious gingling
noise when the tambouret is fhaken.

6th, several curious head drefses resembling the
Gipsy straw hats, worn at present by the ladies in
Europe, most artfully and neatly made, and remar-
kably strong; one in particular had a coloured circle
in the middle of it, executed with much taste and
good effect, whilst its crown of the tube kind, (the
very fafhion at present of this city,) surpafses in
invention those of our Belles, being curiously joint
ed, so as to make a waving or nodding motion in
walking, like a plume of feathers.

4th, And last with regard to apparel, we found
some hairy caps, probably either intended for war
or farce, which all savages are fond of, mostly deck-
ed out with the long rein deer’s hair mentioned 2-
Dove.

ry of captain Billings. uly v7.6
_ Armour. :

A curious species of light armour, only calculated
to keep off arrows ; but of so neat and artful a con-
struction, as would probably draw the admiration of
even a London whip maker ; as it rivals him in the
application of cat gut on the neatest whip. —

It is composed of a number of small rods of a
light tough wood, about a yard long, covered and
joined together with fine threads of the sinews of
some animal, so as to ply round the body, and form
a species of light cuirafse. But the manner these
sinews are applied is remarkably neat and artful,
whilst they seem to have undergone some previous
procefs of bleaching, to have given them the clear
silky appearance, that makes this savage armour
look so well.

The other_articles in captain Billings’s cases which
drew my attention, were some difhes of a wide boat
form, of a hard red wood, unknown to us, close, com~
pact, and without veins. The workmanfhip was
neat for men in so low a state of civil society,
whilst their form seemed to point out the maritime
ideas so natural to an insular situation: nay even
the spoon, which by its bent handle, lay convenien-
tly within the difh, represented a small hoisted into
a large boat. These emblematic difhes, with much
truth may be supposed to indicate, that they are in
general filled from the surrounding element, as the
island offers little other food than fith or amphibeous |
animals. A couple of inferences I think, may fairs
ly be drawn from these drefses, utensils, tc. that

1993. on education. 49
both the musimon or wild fheep, and the rein deer,
are natives of the American continent.

And that these islanders are in a higher state of
civilization, than the Americans on the continent,
judging from the state of the arts amongst them;
& superiority arising probably from the greater
security and repose their insular situation offers, than
that of their savage brethren on. the main land, ex-
posed to continual attacks of other restlefs tribes.

SS? 86aeGVC0—e—6—.—°.e ee e———sSSSs«-—sSsaeeeeeeeooooaooOoOoOooo

4

HINTS For ESTABLISHING A SEMINARY OF EDUCATION
ON A NEW PLAN.

Continued from vol. 15. p. 239.

OF THE ACADEMY.

Or schoool for sciences and useful arts.

Iy a complete seminary of education, men of all des-
criptions, dispositions, tastes, and employments, who
are in that rank, as to be able to afford the expence,
fhould have it in their power to acquire all such
branches of knowledge as suited their tastes, dispo-
sitions, and views in life, without being obliged to
attend to any other branch of learning than those
which they themselves or their parents and guardi-
ans thought proper.

. If such be the intention ‘of the institution, it would
be necefsiry, in many branches of science, to have
two distinct and separate courses of lectures. One

_which gave a general view of the leading principles

anly of that science, for the use of those stu-

VOL, XVi. G t

§e on education. Suly 176
~ dents who did not with toenter deeply into that branch
of study, but who were desirous of understanding
the ontlines of science in general ; the other, particular
and minute, for the use of those who wifhed to be-
come proficients in that particular branch of science
only. The reader will observe that attention has
been bestowed to this circumstance in the distribu-
tion of the following clafses.

But not only the scierices, strictly so called, fhould
be there taught; but also the principles of many
arts which are of great utility in life, fhould be
there explained, so as that those who meant to fol-
low these arts as a businefs in future, might be ena-
bled to attain them. These also he. will find ad-
verted to below. .

There are besides some practical arts very necef-
sary to be taught to youth, which could not with
propriety be included under any of those institutions,
either in the gymnasium or academy, which ought to
be taught at schools as at present ; such as writing,
arithmetic, book keeping, walking, dancing, fencing,
riding, drawing, music as a practical art, te.

Exclusive of languages, therefore, and these
practical arts, the other branches of knowledge
that might with propriety be taught in the aca.
demy appear to be as follow. Each of these bran-
ches of knowledge being taught by a distinct course
of lectures, accompanied with such experiments
‘and illustrations as are necefsary for rendering them
‘clear and intelligible.

Mathematics
In all its branches. A general course.

.

£793- on education. 5x
Natural phitosophy.

A general view of the philosophical sciences. For
students who with to lay in a fund of general know-
_ ledge. ;

Mechanics.

A particular course, intended for those who wih
to enter deeply into this branch of philosophy. In
this course fhould be not only explained in a very
particular manner, the mathematical principles of
mechanics, but also a particular ratzonale fhould be
given of the philosophical principles, on which are
_ constructed all the most remarkable and the most ~
useful machines that have been invented for the use
of man.in all parts of the globe ; illustrated by ac-
curate models of each, and accompanied with criti-
cal and practical observations, pointing out the pe-
culiar advantages and disadvantages of each for par-
ticular purposes, with the defects that experience
had discovered te attend each of them, and hints for
their improvement.

-Jn a’ manufacturing nation like Britain, where so
much of our succels must depend upon the perfecti-
on of the machinery employed, a course of lectures
on the subject here proposed, appears to be one of
the most useful that could be named. It would
give our artists who fhould attend it, a stretch of
philosophical acumen, very different from that which
mest of them now pofsefs ; and by bringing under
their. view at an early period of life, all that varie-~
ty of machines that had been.invented and carried
into practice, it would not only give them a facility in
selecting that kind of machine which was best fitted
for the purpose they had in view, but would also

Lie on education. Suly 17%
enable them to form such a comprehensive idea of
the manner of combining the different powers,—of cor-
recting their defects, and adapting them for parti- .
~~ cular purposes, that they would be able to invent
with great facility, new, machines fitted for every
emergency that might occur.

In consequence of the little attention that is at
present bestowed on matters of this kind, many
excelient mechanical inventions have been adopted
in ove part of the country, a great many years be-
fore they are known or thought of in another,
Mills of all sorts for grinding grain, afford a clear
example of this ; for every district has its own par-
ticular model, which is there adhered to most religi-
ously for ages, I had almost said, after others much
more perfect have been executed in other parts of ©
the country. On other occasions, machines of ves
ry great utility are not so much as heard of in one
district, though they be universally employed in an-
other. The winnowing machine affords an ex-
ample of this sort. it was only very lately intro.
duced into London as an invention almost new; and
has not till this hour been ever heard of by many
thousands of respectable farmers in England, though
in one district in Scotland, it has been known for
upwards of fourscore years; and has been there so
long generally used, that few persons could there be
found whoever saw grain winnowed in any other
way. :
‘ Astronomy.

A particular course, intended for those who with
to acquire a thorough knowledge of this sublime

+

1793: on education. $3
branch of scierice, accompanied with actual observa-
tions.

Optics.

Considered not only with regard to its philoso»
phical principles, but also as a practical art, illustra-
ted by philosophical, chemical, and mechanical ex,
periments. .

Chemistry.

A general course, for the use of those who only
seek to obtain a general scientific knowledge In

this course, the principles of chemistry, as appli-
cable to arts in general, fhould be explained, but on-
ly generally.
Chemical arts.
A particular course. Intended for those who with
to attain a thorough knowledge of those branches of
chemical philosophy that can be applied in perfec.

‘ting the arts ; such as metallurgy,—the art of making

glafs, enamels, tic ; the art of dying, staining li-
nen, tanning, and many others. °

Perhaps Britain is not at present so far behind
some other nations in any respect; or at least, is not
farther from having reached perfection in any par.
ticular department, than in the knowledge of the
principles of chemistry, as applied to practical arts.
The consequence is, that much waste of labour, time,
and money, which might be well saved, is daily in-
curred by the persons who practise these arts, which
in a very unnecefsary manner, enhances the price
of their manufactures. And so much uncertainty

_ prevails with respect to the result of their opera-~

fions, as damages many goods, and thus diminishes

84 : on phystognomy. Fuly 143
their value. Those who have not adverted to this
particular can scarcely form an idea of the amount
of the lofs that is thus daily incurred; but they
may form some idea of it when they are told, that
scarcely a single material which is employed in
cleansing or in separating ehemical bodies from each
other, but retains properties after these operations,
frequently as valuable as before they were employ-
ed; and might, by fkillful management, be either
recovered in their original form, or applied in other
manufactures with equal effect as new materials,
though these in general are at present suffered to

run entirely to waste.
To be continued.

ON PHYSIOGNOMY.
For the Bee.

“ What's female beauty, but an air divine,
Thro’ which the mind’s all gentle graces fhine?
They, like the sun, irradiate all between ;
The body charms hecause the soul is seen.
Hence men are often captives of a face,
They know not why, of no peculiar grace.
Some forms tho’ bright no mortal man can bear,
Some none resist, tho’ not exceeding fair. ’
: Youne.

Tue soul and body are sa closely connected toge-
ther, that whatever highly affects the one, always
produces some effect upon the other also. What-
ever is hurtful to the body, and tends to difsolve
its frame, excites the sensation of pain.in the mind,
as whatever promotes the health and vigour of the

1793+ on physiognony. 55
body produces pleasure in the soul. In like manner
the various affections and pafsions of the mind
have all an influence on the body: and when strong-
ly exerted, make very sensible imprefsions on the
external form. How vastly different is the air,
the figure; and appearance of a man when fired with
rage, from what it is when he is transported with
joy, or sunk in melancholy ? In the countenance, the
various affections and pafsions of the soul principal-
ly discover themselves : there they make their im-
prefsions. Each of them has its proper cnaracters
by which it is there exprefsed, which will always
accompany it where this natural agreement of heart
and face is not intérrupted by artifice and difsimula~
tion.

Even in that case, nature is sometimes too power-
ful to be counteracted, and the inward workings of
the heart, will discover themselves in characters too
deep to be effaced by all the fotce or ‘kill of dif-
simulation. Magnanimity and noblenefs of spirit
is often easily discerned in the face and manner.
Where misanthropy prevails in the temper, it can=
not be concealed; but the malignity of the heart
will betray itself in the sournefs of the countenance.
Peevifhnefs and bad humour are always accompani-
ed with fretful discontented looks. A mind of-
ten disturbed with angry pafsions, will imprint on
the external form, a fierce and furious aspect:
whereas a calm unruffied temper diffuses a mild sere-
nity on the face, and a gentle softnefs on all the ac+
tions. In general,-where any pafsion or disposition
prevails i in the temper, and is often exerted, it will

56 on physiognomy. July 17.
stamp its signature on the external form, and render
natural to the body those features, that air and man-
ner, by which it is exprefsed. ©

These observations, which are confirmed by daily
expe ience, evidently fhow the powerful influence
which the operations and affections of the mind have
upon the body. So sensible are all men of this, that
they cannot help determining concerning the temper
and disposit on from the external appearance, and
forming some judgement of the character of every
person, the very first time they see them. Nay the
imprefsions made upon us on these occasions, are
often so strong, that it is a difficult matter after~
wards to efface them. If we go into a company
where all the persons are equally uaknown to us,
we cannot be long indifferent, but will soon find a
partiality to some of them, a secret charm that al.’
Iures and draws us to seek the conversation of one
preferably 'to that of another. If they are engaged in
play, we cannot help wifhing succefs to one, or grud-
ging at the good luck of another ; and we will be as
much interested in the event of the game, as if we
ourselves were concerned in its succefs. —

A late French writer *, after having made this
observation, puts the question, ‘‘ From what does this
prejudice proceed, and upon what is it founded ?”
And then he replies: I don’t think it is a thing
which can be defined. Will it be said, that it is the
apreement of taste? The persons are strangers to
one another. Js it the union of sentiment? Have

* Avthor of L’Ecole de l'homme.

1793) on phystognomy. 57
they had time to discover this? Is it the sympathy
of inclinations and humours ? They have not had
time to thew they had any. What is this charm
then which tends and draws whether we will or not?
It is sympathy. A definition not very satisfying
and of which we know only the consequences.

It will readily be granted to this writer that his
definition is not very satisfying, but perhaps he is
a little too hasty in the last part of his inference,
that it is a thing which cannot be explained, and of
which we know only the consequences. .The greater
part of people indeed know only the consequences,
because they attend only to these; they content
themselves with dbserving the effects without taking
the trouble to inquire into the causes which pro-
duce them: but any one who attends to what pafses
within him on these occasions, who carefully consi-
ders the progrefs of his mind, and traces its various

_ steps, will find that what chiefly forms the secret, the
sudden prejudice in favour of any person at first
sight, is the appearance of the social, kind, benevo-
lent affections exprefsed in his looks and behavie«
our.

Nothing gives the mind greater delight than a
strong and lively picture of a worthy and amiable
character. Nothing affects us more strongly than
the representation of generosity, benevolence, come
pafsion, a strong love and earnest zeal for the
happinefs of mankind. These dispositions are al-
‘ways beheld with pleasure; and wherever they ap=
peat command respect andesteem. Strong indicas.
tions of these amiable qualities exprefsed in the

VOL, XVi. ; H a See

53 on physiognomy. — Fuly 4
face and mein, are the greatest ornaments which na-
ture can bestow upon it, and the best recommenda-
tion to the love of others. Wherever the appearance
of good and virtuous affections is strongly painted, it
produces love and good will; as on the contrary,
every mark of a sour, nartow, selfifh temper immedi-
ately excites aversion and dislike. ’Tis the appear-
ance then of benevolent and amiable dispositions that
so suddenly, and often powerfully prejudices us in
fayour of those with whose real character we are
entirely unacquainted. [he appearance of modesty
and gentlenefs, an unaffected simplicity of manners,
never fail to gain our good will. These qualities, as
they contribute greatly to the easé and pleasure of
society, are always agreeable, always beloved ; but
pride and arrogance, a forward - afsuming air, a
contempt of others, as they destroy the happinefs of
mutual intercourse, so every symptom of them ex-
cites our aversion. And wherever the amiable and
benevolent affections are strongly exprefsed in the
features and manner, men are pretty unanimous in
the judgement they form of the character, and easily
discover the cause of it. They readily answer any
one who afks upon what their opinion is founded, .
that they see kindnefs, affability, benevolence, chear~
fulnefs, modesty, painted in the face of such a per-
son.’

It is not however the appearance of the ‘social and
benevolent dispositions alone which allures us thus
powerfully, and secretly gains our good will; but
the appearance of that turn of mind, those inclina-
tions and humeurs,; which we find most pfevalent in

¥993> on physiognomy. 59
ourselves, will produce the same effect. In this case
however, the social and amiable qualities mustnot seem
to be wanting: nor must there be any, symptoms of
mean, corrupted, and selfifh dispositions ; for these
always produce aversion. But where we perceive no
indications of any blameable or base qualities. of
heart, there, any marks of a correspondency of tem-
per and inclinations, will have a powerful, influence
ever us, and insensibly attract our good will.
Men’s self love extends to every thing concerning
them: they are apt to set a high value on their own
accomplifhments ; their own studies and pursuits
they look upon as the noblest and best ; and what they
fondly pursue, they esteem the only sources of real
pleasure. Those studies, inclinations and humours,
which are most adapted to their own temper, ate
beheld with complacency in others; every appear-
ance of them is viewed with approbation, and, na-
turally prepofseses them in favour of those in whom
they are observed.

Now, as the tempers, inclinations, and characters
of men vary infinitely ; so here is a foundation laid
for that diversity of judgements which they form, and
/ prejudices they feelfrom the same external appearance.
The thoughtful silent philosopher, will be pleased
with the appearance of gravity, sedatenefs, and a
contemplative air; he will immediately be inclined
to esteem and with well to the person in whom they
are observed: whilst the same appearances will
strike one of a gay and sprightly turn, with disa-
greeable ideas of solemnity, formality, and sullen
reserve. One pofsefsed of a constant flow of high

60° on physiognomy. Fulp 19s
spirits, will love every appearance of such a dispo=
sition in others, and feel no favourable prepofsefsion,
for any one whose look and manner indicate the want
of it. These two particulars which have been
pointed out, appear to be the sources of those
sudden prejudices we form at first sight, before we
are really acquainted with thetrue characters of
those we see. Where the characters of these dispo-
sitions are striking and obvious, peopleeasily account
for the consequences of them. But where the
indications of them are lefs plain, there is greater
te diversity the in sudden judgements men form of the
character, and it is at the same time more diffi-
cult to trace the favourable or unfavourable pre-
judices they take to their source and origin. This
T fhall endeavour to explain a little more fully.
Every one knows the surprising power of the af-
sociation of ideas by which a train of ideas which
have no natural relation or affinity with one ano-
ther, having been presented at the same time to the
mind, become so closely connected, that any one of
them being afterwards presented to the mind, it re-
calls the whole succefsion ; and this happens so
constantly, so instantaneously, that the combination
of these ideas which was only accidental or atbi-:
trary, comes to be considered as natural; and people
imagine that ideas that have always aceompanied
one another in their minds, never were nor can be
separated. It is almost needlefs to give instances in
a matter so well known. °Tis for this reason that
persons of a narrow confined education, who havé

1993- on physiognomy. 6r
had no opportunities to learn the customs, mMannners,
opinions, of other ages and countries, are so muclt
$urprized to seé or hear of any thin different from
what they have been accustomed to, ‘and are so apt
to imagine that every such difference from their
manners and tenets is absurd, ridiculous, and 2 de-
viation from nature. In our infancy, when every
thing makes a strong imprefsion upon us, when we
_are governed entirely by sight, whem we are inca~
pable of attending to the progrefs of our minds, and
of judging what ideas are naturally connected toge-
ther, and what connections are owing to chance and
fancy, we form numberlefs combinations which be-
ing then frequently presented to the mind together,
“any one recurring afterwards immediately recalls
the rest with all the train of affections and pafsions
with which at first they were accompanied.

And in many cases, the circumstance that recalls
any train of ideas and concomitant affections to the
mind, is so trifling, has so slight, so vague a connec
tion with it, that we are apt to overlook it, and not
to perceive that it was by means of such a circum~
stance that this train of ideas and affections was pre-
sented to the mind: so that we are frequently at a
lofs to discover how they were recalled. The pro-
grefs of the mind is often so quick, and one idea
succeeds another so instantaneously, that it requires
in many cases some pains to separate the ideas, to
distinguifh the order of their succefsion, and to what;
their connection is owing. Many of these combin:
tions, particularly, which are formed in our infancy,
are so arbritary, owing to such trifling accidents , as

63 on phy siognomy. Fuly.14,
might then make strong imprefsions upon us, but
come afterwards to be more and more neglected, till
at last we forget them entirely, and cannot tell to
what such a combination is owing, or by what acci-
dent it was formed.
. . Monsieur des Cartes, in one of his letters tells that
he had frequently observed he had a particular affec-
tion and fondnefs forevery body thatsquinted. Thishe
says led him to inquire into what could be the cause
of so odd an effect ; that after some reflection he dis-
covered it to be owing to this accident, that when
he was a child, he had’ been attended by a young
girl who had this defect, of whom he was extremely
fond. Being accustomed therefore to see this girl,
and the obvious particularity of squinting making a
strong imprefsion upon him, which was always ac-
companied with the affections of love and fondnefs for
her, made the connection so strong, that whatever af-
terwards made the same imprefsion upon his senses,
immediately awakened the same affections which it
did at first.

This instance may serve to explain a great num-
ber of others. If the affections of a child have been
won by the fondnefs and carrefses of any person, the
child beholds every thing relating to him with plea-
sure; it marks every look, every action, and natural.
ly connects the ideas of kindnefs, love, good nature,
with that set of features, that air andmanner, which it
‘has observed in him orher. Whenever the child af.
terwards sees a similarity of features and gestures, it
will immediately conclude that it is accompanied with
the same goodnefs and benevolence, and they will eXs

1493. - on physiognomy. i 63
cite in it the same fondnefs and good will as at first.
The most distant resemblance of such a person in
any particular however minute and trifling, will in-
stantly recall to the mind the whole train of ideas
with which such an appearance was first connected; it
will excite the same pleasing sensations, and awaken
the same feelings and pafsions. On the other hand,
if any person by injuring and teasing a child, has
become the object of its dislike, whatever resembles
him or her in the most accidental circumstance, will
give it pain; and excite the same aversion it used to
feel for him. In fine, any similarity to one whom
we have either loved or hated, will produce in us
the same affections of love or aversion, wherever it is
observed. Now as these accidental combinations
of ideas may be infinitely diversified, and will often
be directly contrary in different persons, various
judgements will be formed, and quite different pre«
judices produced from the same external appearance,
For the same feature, the same air and manner,
which by one person has been connected with the
ideas of kindnefs, chearfulnefs, and benevolence, may
from other circumstances, anda different combination,
excite in another the ideas of a selfifh, sour, malevo~
lent disposition. But in every case, we will find
_that what disposes us to think well of a person at first
sight, and what as it were instantaneously commands
our good will, is either the appearance of beneyo-
lent and amiable dispositions, simplicity, modesty,
and candour ; or provided these do not appear to be
wanting, the indications of that humour and tem-
per which is most agreeable to our own, whether
these qualities of mind. really are, or from some par-

64 on physiognomy. Suly 14.
ticularcircumstance, orsome combination of ideas, ap-
pear to us to be exprefsed in the face, the air, and
manner of the person.
The exprefsions of these amiable dispositions of
tnind, give external beauty its chief force, and
most powerful charm. Beauty, harmony, and just
proportions, are always viewed with pleasure ; and
no beauty in external objects affects us so strong-
ly as that of the human form. A fine face, a well
fhaped body, an easy air, and graceful deportment,
are beheld with a high degree of pleasure by every
spectator. Yet still it is the exprefsion of some-
thing inward that charms us most. For though the
beauty or deformity of the mind, is not necefsarily
connected with that of the body, yet we are natu-
rally inclined to infer the one from the other; and
wherever we behold a beautiful and agreeable form,
We are apt to conclude, that the soul which ani-
mates it, is no lefs amiable. When we observe
great beauty and elegance in the one, we will not
allow ourselves to think the other is deformed and
depraved. But that the qualities of the mind ex-
prefsed in the face and manner, form the great charm
of beauty, and have the most powerful influence in
gaining the~ affections will appear, if we consider
that where good sense and a good heart are not dis-
covered, we may admire the fine proportions and
symmetry of features, but will find nothing that at.
tracts out affection and good will. “* Why else,” (but
for the reason now given,) says the noble author
of the characteristics, ‘‘ is the very air of foolifhnefs
enough to cloy a lover at first sight? Why does an
idiot look and manner destroy the effect of all their

1793- on phystognomy. 65
outward charms, and rob’ the fair one of ioe power,
though regularly armed in all the exactnefs of fea-
tures and complexion? We may imagine what we
please of a substantial solid part of beauty, but were
the subject to be well criticised, we fhould find per-
haps, that what we most admired, even in the turn
of outward features, was only a mysterious exprefsi-
on, anda kind of fhadow of something inward in
the temper: and that when we were struck with a
majestic air, a sprightly look, an Amazon bold grace,
or a contrary soft and gentle une, it was chiefly the
fancy of these characters or qualities which wrought
on us: Our imagination being busied in forming
beauteous fhapes and images of this rational kind,
which entertained the mind and held it in admira~-
tion, whilst other pafsions of a lower species were
employed another way.

If the charm of beauty consisted only in the or
der, regularity, and symmetry of features, then would
they who pofsefsed these qualities in the highest de-
gree be most succefsful in making conquests: but
experience fhews us that this is not always the case.
Many faces formed according to the justest propor-
tion, are beheld. with indifference, if unexprefsive of
that chearfulnefs and good humour, that benevolence
and sweetnefs of disposition, which are admired and
loved by all, Whilst other faces formed with lefs
“minute exactnefs win the affections of every specta~
tor, because they present a strong picture of sim-
plicity and candour, unaffected modesty and benevo-
lence. This is elegantly exprefsed by Dr Young in
the lines selected as a motto to this efsay.

VOL, XvVl. I ft

POETRY.

To THE NaRctssus.

Tree too, Narcifsus white, whose pliant stalk,
Stil weak’ning as it grows, scarce dims the force
Of wand’ring zephyrs, thee I fain would sing
In deathlefs strains with beauties like thine own.
Had that wnhappy youth, who pin’d for love ©
Of his own wat’ry thape reilected fair,
From the pure surface of the glafsy stream,
Boasted thy graces, it had been no crime
T’ have gaz’d enamour’d, thro’ the live long day,
T’ have sigh’d in sicknefs, and then died at last
With hopelefs anguifh.. .Tho’’tis fable all,
Nor e’er did lover grieve his soul away
For unsubstantial fhade, yet well he feign’d,
Who feigned this story, when he chose thy form
To tell what matchlels charms that youth beguil’d,
Who still desiring what he ne’er could reach,
And, fondly looking on what fondly look’d,
Hung like a. marble statue o’er the flood,
Till life had left the form_he never left.
Unspotted fiow’r, when scarce the red hair’d sun

Had raised his foot above yon eastern hills,
I’ve quitted oft my downy bed to gaze
O’er ail thy beauties, while thy silvery face,
Bath’d in frefh pearly dew-drops ofthe morn,
Shew’d like a virgin, from whose tear-wet cheek
Heart-peircing grief had rifled all the rose,
And leit the widow’d lily, there tomourn
Her partner’s lofs. If, as I mark’d thy charms,
It chane’d that some rude wind came rufhing by,
And bent thee down, thee and thy flag like leaves,
Down to the ground, with still elastic force,
Recovering still, I’ve thought thee in my mind,
Some king surrounded with his fawning train,
Who watch his motions, copy all his ways,
Bend as he bends, and, as he rises, rise. :

PH

Sk Sa poetry. 4 "O

Ap Mure *,

WNidis aratro eversis.
For the Bee.

Eheu, parva nitedula, qualis nunc tremer implet
Pectora! Ne subito celeri té proripe cursu ;
Ansectari te nollem rulla truculenta.
Nature, imperio humano, foedus sociale
Ruptum, mi dolet, et justam me dicere cogit
Illam suspicionem, qua fit ut exsilis a me
Terrigena comite, in terram fig 2 redituro.
Hand equidem dubito quin tu furere aliquando.
. ~ Quidni? animal miserum, te certe vivere oportet :
Granum e mergite tota, ecce petitio parva !
Quodque a te demptum, damnum haud dignoscere pofsern:
Et mihiquod superest illo fruar numine fausto.

Angusta ista domus moestam dedit parva ruizam :

Structuram invalidam spectas dispergere ventos ;
Et nec jam stipulas tenues, illam ad renovandam,
Usquam suppeditant arva: interea imminet asper,
Mordaces referens ventos acresque, December.

* Agros, ex, nudatos, vastatos, hyememque

Vidisti tristem properantem,, spemque fovebas,
_ Obtecta hic ut contra aquilones degere pofses :

At scindit nidos, crudeli vomere, aratrum. -

Congeries hec culmorum exigua et foliorum, -
Fefso dente fuit, multo et convecta labore:

Nunc operam perdis, et tectis exul ademptis,
Frigus acerbum perierres, pluviasque nivales.

At non indicium, tu parva nitedwla, sblum es; ”
Quam vana est mens prudens et preesaga futuri ;
Consilia enim, qu muribus et mortalibus egris
Summa concipiuntur cura, flectere in ebliquum
Afguescunt ; et, pro succelsu letitiaque, :
Nil prterque dolorem tristitiamygue relinquunt: '

Attamen hand incertum est, prez me te else beatum ;
Hora etenim presens solum te tangere pofsit : \
Ast retro, inque dies meestos, mea lumina verto ;

Et quamvis non prevideo, auguror atque tremisco.

-
* It is hoped our mére Englith readers will not be difsatisfied at our
' gratifying those of cl fsic taste, with a small corner, once i the course
of several volumes.

68 literary sociely, Newcastle. — July 1

jo) “afta ei eae re eee ee Se

Pian or THE Literary and, ParnosospuicaL Society of
NeEwcasTLE upon Tyne.
Continued from p. 36.
“ Ava meeting held at the Afsembly-Rooms on Thurs-
day January 24. 1793. for the purpose of taking into con-
sideration the propriety of establifhing a Literary and
Philosophical Society of Newcastle,
“ Resolved, ‘
“ That it appears to this meeting highly expedient, that
such a Society be formed.
“ Resolved,
“ That*William Cramlington, Esq; Robert Hopper
Williamson, Esq; the Rev. Edward Moises, the Rev.
William Turner, Dr Pemberton, Dr Ramsay, Dr Wood,
- Mr Anderson, Mr Murray, Mr Newton, Mr David Ste-
phenson, Mr Thomas Gibson, Mr Doubleday, Mr Malin
Sorfbie, and Mr Nicholas Story, be a committee for
drawing up a plan to be submitted to the next general
meeting, which fhall be held at the Dispensary on
Thursday the 7th of sat che at six o’clock in the
"evening.
“ Resolved,
“ 'That in the mean time the committee be requested
to meet each Wednesday previous to the general meeting,
at the above mentioned hour and place.

«“ At a general meeting, held at the Dispensary, o
Thursday, Feb. 7. 1793-
(The Rev. Edward Moises in the chair.)

1793: literary society, Newcastle. 69

« A plan for the formation and government of a
Literary Society having been presented by the com
mittee,

*¢ It was resolved,

« J. That this meeting do form itself into a society,
‘by the name of “ The Literary and Philosophical So-
ciety of Newcastle upon Tyne.”
~ « JJ, That this society fhall consist,

« yx, Of Ordinary Members; who fhall be liable, from
the time of their becoming members, to the annual con-
tribution of one guinea; and to whom {hall be confined
the sole management of the businefs of the Society, and
the election of officers and members.

“« 9, Of Honorary Members; with whose correspen-
dence the society may hope to be favoured; but who
fhall not be liable to any expence.

“ JII That ali persons resident within five miles of
Newcastle, fhall be eligible into the clafs of Ordinary
Members only: But that persons residing beyond
the distance of five miles, may be elected into either
clafs.

“ TV. That every person who fhall join the society,
in person, or by letter, at its first regular meeting, on the
yth day of March, fhall have a power to nominate, on
that day, one Ordinary and one Honorary ‘Member ;
after which, all candidates for admifsion fhall be propo-
sed by at leat three members, during two succefsive
_ meetings of the society. That every election fhall be by
_ ballot, twelve members at least being present ; and that

the votes of three-fourths of the members present hall
be requisite for the admifsion of the candidate.

“V. That a President, four Vice-Presidents, two
Secretaries, a Treasurer, and four other Members, fhalf
be annually elected, by written lists, out of the clafs of

40 Literary society, Newcastle, July 14.
Ordinary Members, at the general meeting in’ March,
and fhall form the Committee of the Society ; any five
being competent to act. To them fhall be entrusted the
expenditure of the funds of the society ; (any member,
however, having a right to recommend, and any general
meeting to direct, the purchase of such books, tye. as
they may think proper.) They fhall also have a power
to decide upon the propriety of communicating to the
society any. papers which may be received, as well as
upon their subsequent insertion in the records of the So-
oe

VI. That the mettings of the society be held at the
Dispensary ; for the’ present, not more frequently than _
the first Thursday in every month. That the chair be |
taken at a quarter before seven; but that the members
be requested to meet at half past six, to hear such litera-
ry intelligence, trc. as any tial may have to commu-
nicate.

“ VII. That the reading of Sapers fhall always com-
mence at seven o’clock precisely ; and if the election
of Members, or other private businefs, fhould not be
first dispatched, the President may adjourn such busi-
nefs till after ‘the discufsion of the subject for the
night.

“ VIII. That the subjects for conversation thall com-
prehend the Mathematics, Natural Philosophy and
History, Chemistry, Polite Literature, Antiquities, Ci.
vil History, Biography, Questions of General Law and
Policy, Commerce, and the Arts. But that Religion,
the practical branches of Law and Physic, Briti/b Poli-
tics, and indeed a// Politics of the day, fhall be deemed pro-
hibited subjects of conversation.

“« [X, That all the friends of literature and philosophy,
whether Members or not, be inyited to favour the socie-

*

17.93? hiterary society, Neweastle. - or
ty with papers on any of the above subjects, or with li-
terary intelligence, curious productivns of nature or art,
gc. directed to any Member of the Society. And that
all communications, which fhall have been approved by
the Committee, fhall be read, by one of the Secretaries,
or by the author, at his option, in the order in which
they were received ; notice being given, at the close of
each meeting, whenever it can conveniently be done,
of the subject of the paper or papers to be read at the
next.

“ XX. That the Society will consider itself as particu-
larly indebted to those who fhall favour it with notices
concerning coal and lead, with the strata, ee. accompany-
ing them ; or with specimens, draughts, plans, sections,
borings, tye. illustrative of the natural history of these
minerals.

“ XI. That it be left to the future deliberations of
the Society to determine what, or whether any, measures
fhall be taken for obtaining the establifhment of a gene-
ral library : But that, in the mean time, Members want-
ting any particular book, fhall be permitted to give no-
tice of it, in the Society’s Room, in order that, if any
other Member be in pofsefsion of, and disposed to lend,
it, (or can give information where it may be obtained, )
the person who has occasion for it, may be accommoda-
ted upon the following terms w. That he give a written
receipt for any book furnifhed by a Member, with an en-
gagement to return it, within a specified time, in as good
condition as received. .

“ XII. That any Member may introduce a stranger ;
but that an inhabitant of the town can only be in-
troduced with the permifsion of the President for the _
night.

92 literary intelligence. July 17.

« XIII.. That, in order to encourage a taste for l-
terature in the younger members of the community, it
be allowed to any Member to introduce a young per-
son, between the ages of seventeen and twenty-one ;
but that this clafs of visitors be expected to withdraw
immediately after the reading of papers is conclu-
ded.

“ XIV. That it be requested of Honorary and
Corresponding Members to suggest such hints as may
occur to them for the improvement of the plan of this
Society.

' -™ XV. That these regulations, together with the pre-
face recommended by the Committee, be printed, for dis-
tribution amongst the friends of those who have already
subscribed the form of afsociation.

Epwarp Morsss. Chairman.”

Officers for 4793:

President, John Widdrington Esq.
V. Residents, R. H. Wiliamson Esq. Fobn Clark M. D Ge.

Stephen Pemberton M. D. Witliam Cramlington Esq.
Secretarics, Rev, William Turner, Mr R. Doubleday.
Treasurer, Mr T. Gibson.
Committee, John Ramsay M.D. Mr Walter Hail.

Mr D. Stephenson, James Wood M D.

Lireaary Inreriicencr, rrom Russi,
CommunicaTeD By ARcTICus,
Exiraordinary cold produced by the vegetable alkah *,
Proresson Lovitz, the same mentioned in a former Ars
ticle to have discovered a mode of restoring putrid fluids,

* Some slight notices of this important discovery were givenia |
the Bee, vol. xv.p. 69. The following more particular account of

it willbe highly acceptable to our Philosophical readers.

& 593. i terary tatelligebioe! 43
particularly water, to their natural state, by simple admix-
ture of pounded charcoal.

It appears by a late London newspaper, that Mr
Lovitz, although probably ignorant of the fact, was not
“the first discoverer of the curious operation of charcoal
on water ; for in a patagraph of the said newspaper, (its
date I have forgot, though probably sometime in December
4792,) I read, that a steward of the navy had discovered
last war a mode of preserving water sweet for any length
of time, by merely burning the inner surface of the cafks,
so as to produce @ coating of charcoal a few lines thick.
The above, which your correspondent quotes from me-
mory, is exactly the principle of Mr Lovitz, and merits the
attention of your victualling office *

He has lately discovered a mode of chrystalizing the
caustic vegetable alkali, per se, which difsolves so quickly
when mixed with snow, and both become liquid so instan-
taneouly, as to produce a degree cf cold which a man
versed in these experiments, could have scarcely suppos-
ed pofsible, and which certainly does never obtain natu-
rally in any part of the habitable globe. The utmost
cold Dr Guthrie of this city was able to produce in
1785, by frigorific mixtures of nitrous acid and snow,
when aided by a natural cold of twenty degrees below
6 of Reaumeur, was only thirty-six, tHat is only four de-
grees more than necefsary to congeal mercury, in all its
degrees of purity or adulteration, which he found made
not the least difference with regard to its freezing point,
uniform: ly at thirty-two of Reaumeur. But Mr Lovitz,

* * Charcoal, from many late experiments, appears to be one of the
most powerful chemical agents yet known, whose effects have never
yet been sufficiently attended to; it is therefore recommended asa
very proper object for experimental investigation by young mea
who are keen inthe active pursuit of useful knowledge. Edit.

yor xvi., K -

’

m4 fiterary intelligence. . July 97s
by means of the chrystalized caustic alkali, freezés mercury
by the pound, nay in mafses of eight or twelve pounds at a
time, in 4n iron potin a warm room, heated to twelve de-
grees above the freezing point of Reaumeur, and produced
thirty-six in his frigorific mixture below it. I cite here the
particulars of his experiment in the imperial academy,
He has never yet been. able to freeze highly rectified
spirit of wine, although he produced forty degrees of cold,
aided by eighteen and a half natural cold, no more than
his predecefsor in these experiments mentioned above; a
fact that would have staggered the belief of natural phi-
losophy some years ago, when mercury was universally pre-
ferred for ascertaining the cold of the most northern coun-
tries, in perfect confidence that it was the most tenacious
fluid of the two, with regard to its retention of heat. How-
ever, Dr Pallas and the other academicians who attended
the experiments already mentioned in 1785, immediately
gave up as fallacious, all their observations made in very
high latitudes wih mercurial thermometers, on seeing it
freeze at thirty-two, and then cease to be a measurer of
cold, as is literally the case. However, fortunately spirit
of wine still remains fluid, and perfectly answers that
purpose, in the greatest cold yet produced by all the re-
finement of physicks; indeed its resisting such an incon-
ceiveable degree of cold as forty degrees of Reaumeur
below the freezing point, equal to fifty-eight and one third
below o of Fahrenheit, is rather a discovery of curiosity
than use, as probably no animated being could live even in
thirty-six ; for we know that with a cold of thirty-four, all
nature seems to be threatened with destruction, whether
animal or vegetable ; birds fall down dead ; trees are rent
with it: nay even the joists and beams of houses, make
explosions as if blown up with gun powder, to the ter-
xor of the inhabitants,; who dare not fhow their faces to

F793. hterary intelligence: 46
_ the atmosphere, during the fhort reign of such a calamity,
which all the furs of Siberia cannot make endurable to the:
most northern inhabitant.
Dephlogisticated fluor gas *.

Count Steremberg made his curious experiment here,
to consume a diamond in a species of air which takes fire
on coming in contact with the phlogistic gem.

The fluid which has this singular property, is the fluor
air, distilled on manganese, in a tin retort, till it loses the
power of corroding glafs.

-In my opinion the tin retort, in this procefs, can have
no other use, than preventing the escape of the fluid,
which would make its way through glafs; but what merits
attention is, that the fluor acid fhould be convertible into
air after losing it phlogiston, (and certainly the manga-
nese must dephlogisticate this, as it does the other acids, )
for I think Dr Priestley found that he could not convert
the marine acid into permanent air, after having gone
through this very procefs. However I cite the learned
doctor only from memory.

= eee Creo e
——<———$ =

Literary news taken from the seventeenth volume of the fa-
bours of the Economical society of Si Petersburg, printed in
the Rufsian language, now in the prefs, and will appear
soon, ,
On the rhus typhinum or vinegar plant, the Airschkolben

sumach, of the Germans, a communication by the Aulic

councellor Beber.

This plant, originally a native of North America, has
been long cultivated in the north of Germany, and is late-
ly introduced into Rufsia.

* This ci was mentioned in a former number of the Bee vol. xv;
Pe 60.

45 literary ‘eteligremsiataile plant. July. v7.

It has got the name of the waegar plant from the doubl&
reason of the young germen of its fruit, when fermented,
producing either new, or adding to the strength of old.
weak vinegar, whilst its ripe berries afford an agreeable
acid, which might supply the place, when necefsary, of the
‘citric acid,

The powerful astringency of this plant in all its parts,
recommends it, according to the learned author of the Pas
per, as usefulin several of the arts.

As for example the ripe berries boiled withallum, make
a good dye for hats. = = ~

’ The plant in all its parts may be used as a succedane-

um for oak bark in tanning, especially the white glove

leather. It will likewise answer to prepare a dye for

black, green, and yellow colours; and with martial vi-
~ triclit makes a good ink.

The milky juice that flows from incisions made in the
trunk or branches, makes, when dried, the basis of a var-

-nifh little inferior to the Chinese. -

Bees are remarkably fond of its flowers ; and it affords
more honey than any of the flowering fhrubs, so that it
may prove a useful branch of economy, where rearing
these insects isan cbject Last] the natives of Ameri-
ca use the dried leaves as tobacco Such is the subject
of the paper on this curious astringent plant; but I pre-
sume we must allows mething for the over rated account
of its German cultivators, although I make no doubt but
the learned author, whom I well know to be such, and a
native o! the country where it is in such esteem, has on-
ly- faith‘ully collecte them, and submitted the whole
to the judgemeat of the society.

179} ) > Muerary intelligence, aivegar plant. "4
He enumerates five species which probably may suit

different climates and soils, wx. the auvs “yphinum, glabrum,

copallinum, coriaria, and cotinus *.

As to the cultivation of the rhus typhinum, the subject
of this article, and which promises fair to answer with
you, as it thrive. in the north of Germany, where cer-
tainly the winters are ruder; it is first raised by seeds
planted in autumn, which come up next spring, and may
be afterwards multiplied by cuttings) nay, I must caution
you that as the branches bend down, and plant’ them-
selves, it is easier got zm, than out of ground, so that L
recommend, in trying experiments with this, with the
asclepias Syriaca 0) silk plant, and with the two species

of Siberian poly:onim or wild buckwheat, that you plant

them in a spot bounded by a frame of boards, sunk deep
enough in the gronnd to coofine their subterraneous wan
derings, otherways you may naitvrelize y «ur foreign guests,
whether you find them or not worth the privilege of de+
nizenst.

AMERIGAN ANECDOTE

Dorine the war before last, a com; any of Ind‘an savages
defeated an Englifh detachment. [he conquered could
not escape so swiftly as the conquerors persued. They

* All these are.common in this country, except the copadlinum,
which is more rare. We have besides that the rhus rhododendron,
which is hardy, and several kinds that require the green house or
stove. Edit.

+ The rhus typhimum in this couhtry sends up great plenty of
suckers, by which means it has been cultivated in this country suffi-
ciently quickly to supply the demand for it; asit is here only consi-
dered as a fhrub of no economical-use, ané not of great beauty.

Edit.

+

68 anecdote. Suly wml
were taken and treated with such barbarity, as is hardly
to be equalled even in these savage countries.

‘A young Englith officer being pursued by two savages:
who approached him with uplifted hatchets, and seeing
that death was inevitable, determined to sell his life dear-
ly. At this instant, an old savage, armed with a bow,
was preparing to pierce his heart with an arrow; but
scarcely had he afsumed that posture, when he suddenly
Tet fall his bow, and threw himself between the young of-
ficer and his barbarian combatants, who instantly retired
with respect.

The old Indian took the Englifhman by the hand, dis-
pelled all his fears, by his carefses, and conducted him
to his cabin, where he always treated him with that ten-
dernefs which cannot be affected. He was lefs his master
than his companion; taught him the Indian language, and
made the rude acts of that country familiarto him. They
lived contentedly together, and one thing only disturbed
the young Englifhman’s tranquillity ; ; the old man would
sometimes fix his eyes on him, and, while he surveyed
him attentively, tears fell in torrents from his eyes.

On the return of spring, however, they recommenced
hostilities, and every one appeared in arms. The old man
who had yet strength sufficient to support the toils of war,
set off with the rest, accompanied by his prisoner. The
Indians having marched above two hundred leagues
through forests, at last arrived on the borders of a plain,
where they discovered the Englifh camp.

The old savage, observing the young man’s counte-
nance, fhewed him the Englifh camp. ‘‘ There are thy
brethren, (said he to him,) waiting to fight us. Be at.
tentive. I have saved thy life. 1 have taught thee to.make
a canoe, a bow, and arrows ; to surprise an enemy in the
forest, to manage the hatchet, and to carry off a scalp.

$703. anetdéte. ° 4a
What wast thou, when I first conducted thee into my ca-
bin ? Thy hands were like those of a child; they served
neither to support nor defend thee: thy soul was buri-'
ed in the obscurity of night; you knew nothing; but
from me you have learned every thing. Wilt thou, be
so-ungrateful, with a view to reconcile yourself to your
brethren, as to lift up the hatchet against us ?”

The young Englithman protested, that he would ra-
ther a thousand times lose his own life, than fhed the
blood of one of his Indian friends.

The old savage covered his face with his hands, and
bowed his head. After having been some time in that
posture, he looked on the young Englifhman, and said to
him, ina tone mixed with tendernefs and grief: “ Hast thou
a father ?”—‘ He was living, (said the young man, ) when I
quitted my country.” “Oh! how unfortunate is he !”’ cri-
ed the old man ; and after a moment’s silence, he added,
“ knowest thou that I have been a father? I am no more
such! I saw my son fall in battle; he fought by my
side ; my son fell covered with wounds, and died like a
man ! but I revenged his death, yes, I revenged it.”

He pronounced these words in great agitation ; his
whole body trembled, and sighs and groans, which with
difficulty found their way, almost suffocated him ; his eyes
lost their usual serenity, and his sighs could not find a
pafsage from his heart- By degrees, he became more se-
rene, and turning towards the east, where the sun was ri-
sing, he said to the young man; “ Seest thou that gilded
heaven, which spreads abroad its resplendent light ? Does
it afford thee any pleasure to behold it?” ‘ Yes,’ said
the Englithman, ‘the sight adds new vigour to my heart.’
“Ah, thou happy man : but to me it affords no pleasure !”
veplied the savage, thedding a flood of tears. A moment
afterwards, he fhewed the young man a fhrub in bloom;

86 index indicatorius. * july 17:
« Seest thou that beautiful’ flower? (said He) Hast thou
pleasure in beholding if?” ‘Yes, I have,’ replied the
young man. © To me it no longer affords any,” answer-
ed the pe hastily, and then concluded ‘with these
words: “ Be gone, hasten to thy own country, that thy
father may have pleasure in beholding the rising sun, and
the flowers of the spring.” ;

oe eee

e InpEx InpICcATORIWvs.

Carricus objects to the corn laws in force, (in 1791) and repro-
bates bounties as being highly pernicious. Instead of these, says he,
“ Let the land holders in each of tke corn counties, erect themselves
into a banking company, with a capital sufficient to purchase
double the quantity of corn ever was exported in the most plefitiful
year, then let them giv: in so much of this capital as will be suffici-
ent to lay up the corn of.one year through that county; and« when
ever the corn fell so loW in that county, as to allow of the bounty
by the present regulation, let the occupiers of land deliver their corns _
into the nearest granary, as low as the bounty price; after this let

the export be free, till the corn rise in any county ten “per cent above

the bounty price, then let it be stopt till it fall as low as before, or

the free exportation be allowed again. He then proposes the large’

towns fhould eacherect granaries, and purchase as muchcornas would

sustain the whole inhabitants a twelve months.” te. &e.

yh Welwijfber as catly as March 1791, advises the margin of the

Bee to be made larger, [this has since been done by enlarging the pa-

per, without diminifhing the size of the page.] ‘* May I presumex
(says he) to beg of you to give us a head'of an eminent Scotsman by _
way of frontispiece toeach volume. It would beautify the work,
and prove highly gratifying to many of your readers. This correspon-
dent will observe his hints have not been thrown away. It always
affords the Editor much satisfaction when he can comply with the
withes of his readers. And he is now happy in being able to give
them prints that will vie with those of any other periodical perfor-
tance. He has it in contemplation scon to get another head done of
Dr Cullen, that he may be enabled to cancel the wretched thing he
was compelled, through breach of faith in the operator, to give in the
first number.

The Editor having been out of towz7, ackno wledgements to corres
pondents are deferred.

Russian Sheep, Puare Furst.

THE ARGALI. ;

mm Pe 22.26 ANCES:

ee die’
\ory =. eae

PSE So a SS iol
‘ = eng See A tc Ae

Paneer eS ov. ie id heii area: tig

0 with” any:
rvattor is apps abl: guih.
phys alogical and araimnioal: “okheiads Ag ch,

shi ote are ‘eariched, but which £ poate coy

| See is Begin SOM - a oY

Tenis hei} .

oe tOgive an outline of, wich a
Jt thet; end eben cute. E.
fe aaa ees

aay

THE BEE,

OR

LITERARY WEEKLY INTELLIGENCER,

FOR
WEDNESDAY, JULY 24. 1793

Ow THE DIFFERENT VARIETIES OF SHEEP IN A WILD AND DO-
MESTIC STATE, REARED IN THE Russian Empire, AND BY
THE PASTORAL NATIONS FROM THE FRONTIERS OF Europe TO
THOSE or CutNa,

Continued from p. 45.
Siberian Argali or Wild Sheep.

With a plate.

I SHALL begin my paper with a general descrip-
tion of this animal, as it appears to be the parent
of all our domestic varieties of fheep, howevét
changed by servitude, climate, food, tc. in the
hands of man; but it would swell this difsertati-
on to a volume, to enter into its difsection, and all '
the other minutiz of zoology with my learned
friend. The same observation is applicable to the
many physiological and anatomical inquiries with
which his notes are enriched, but whichI have ta-
ken the liberty only to give an outline of, with the

conclusions he draws from them; and even that I

resume is fully as much as will fall into the plan
VOL, Xvi. L t

s

J \ é

82 account of the argali. Fuly 24+

_of the society, or suit the bounds allotted to papers
in the Bee; but the curious inquirer may have re-
course for that species of information to Dr Pal-
Jas’s learned work, his Spicilegia Zoologica fascicu-
lus undecimus, printed at Berlin in 1776.

Dr Pallas found the ovzs fera, or wild theep, in all
its native vigour, boldnefs, and activity, inhabi-
ting the vast chain of mountains which run through
the centre of Asia to the eastern sea, and the bran-
ches which it sends off to Great Tartary, China,
and the Indies.

This wild animal which our learned naturalist

declares to be the musimon of Pliny, andthe ophion

of the Greeks, is called arga’t by the Siberians,
which means wild fheep; and by the Rufsians
amennot barann, or fheep of the rocks, from its or-
dinary place of abode.

It delights in the bare rocks of the Asiatic chain
just mentioned, where it is constantly found bafk-
_ ing in the sun ; but it avoids the woods of the moun-
tains, and every other object that would intercept
the direct rays,ot f the glorious luminary.

Its food is the Alpine plants and fhrubs it finds
amongst the rocks. The argaéz prefers a tempe-

rate climate, although he does not disdain that of

Asiatic Siberia, as he there finds his favourite bare
rocks, sun fhine, and Alpine plants ; nay it is even
found in the cold eastern extremity of Siberia and

Kamtfhatka, which plainly proves that nature has

given a-most extensive range to the fheep in a
wild state, equal even to what fhe has given to man,
the lord of the creation ; a fact that ought to make

>

i —

— = Ss

“/3

£793. account of the argaili. 83.
us slow in believing the afsertions hinted at in my
introduction, which tend to prove the fheep a local
animal ; or at least confined to certain latitudes, to
pofsefs it in all its value *

The argali loves solitude, or pofsibly perfect li-
berty, and therefore flees the haunts of all-subdu-
ing man; hence it gradually abandons a country in
proportion as it becomes peopled, if no unsur-
mountable obstacle obstructs its flight ; insomuch
that Dr Pallas thinks that nothing but the surroun-
ding sea can account for the wild fheep being found
in an inhabited island; as is sometimes the case.

The ewe of the argaii brings forth before the
melting of the saow. Her lamb resembles much
a young kid; except that they have a large
flat protuberance in place of horns, and that
they are covered with a woolly hair frizzled and
of a dark grey. There is no animal so fhy as the
argali, which it is’ almost impofsible to over-
take on such ground as it keeps to. When pur.
sued it does not run streight forward, but doubles:
and turns like a hare, at the same time that
it scrambles up, and over the rocks with wonderful
agility. In the same proportion that the adult. ar=:
gali is wild and untameable, the lamb is easy to

* We learn from Bruce’s travels, o,rather we have there a confir-
mation ot what was known long ago, that the horse is a native of a
wery hot climate, and is found in his greatest beauty, activity, fire |
ce. between the latitude 20° and 36% ; yet there is no part of the
world where that noble animal is reared in greater perfection than in
Great Britain, where by crofsing the breed, you have obtained al] the
qupliies of the different races united into one,

84 account of the argali Fuly 240,
tame when taken young, and fed first on milk, and
afterwards on fodder, like the domestic fheep, as has:
been found on numerous experiments made in the
Rufsian settlements in these parts.

This Animal formerly frequented the regions a-
bout the upper Jrti/b, and some other parts of Sibe-'
ria, where it is no longer seen since colonies have
been settled in these countries. It is common in,
the Mongalian, Songarian, and Tartarian moun-
tains, where it enjoys its favourite solitude or li-
berty. The argali is found likewise on the banks of
the Lena, up as high as 60 degrees of north latitude;
and it propagates its species even in Kamtchatka, as
noticed before. ‘The doctor gives us a description of
a young argali ram of that country, which he took. ,
from Steller’s zoological manuscript, a naturalist who
had been sent in a former reign ta explore the wilds
of Siberia.

The argali is also found in the mountains of Per~
sia, of which variety we have a stuffed {kin in the
museum of the imperial academy of sciences, sent
here by Gmelin, who travelled about the same time
with Pallas; and one of that last mentioned gentle-
man from Dauria, of which he has given a general
description whilst alive, to be seen at the end of this
article ; although he had not then sufficient leisure to be
so particular as he has. been in the description of 2
female argali, (likewise translated in this article, ) al-
though not with all the minutenefs of the doctor’s
zoological accuracy ; for the reasons given above.

The same wild animal is also said to obtain in the
Kuril islands in great size and beauty.

3793. * account of the argalt. 85
The argali purges itself in the spring, (like all
the domestic varieties cf the fheep, when left at liber. .
ty to follow their instinct; as will be more fully
fhown in the sequel,) with acrid plants of the anemo-
noide kind, till milder plants spring up, and fhrubs
begin to sprout, which with Alpine plants constis
tute its usual food. It likewise frequents the salt
martthes which abound every where in Siberia; and
eyen licks the salt efflorefsence that rises on the
ground, a regimen that fattens them up very quick~
ly, and fully restores the health, vigour, and fieth
they had lost during winter, and during the purging
course, so wonderfully dictated to. the fheep species,
together with the restorative, by the Almighty,
whether in a wild or tame state, if left to roam at
large where the necefsary plants. are to be found.
acs finith the subject of the Siberian argal or
musimon of Pallas, without taking notice of a note,
by your learned naturalist M:, Pennant, to the arti-
cle theep in-his Britiih Zoology, where he says, that
he has had thrice an opportunity within these two
years, of examining the musitmon, and he found that
both in the form of the horns, and fhortnefs of the tail,
it has the greatest agreement with the goat, in which
species he has therefore placed it in his Synopsis, with
the trivial name ot Siberian. Now Mr Pennant does
not mention from what country these animals were
which he examined, but certainly they must have been
different from the Siberian argali, of which I have. sent
an exact coloured drawing, furnifhed by thedoctor him-
self, and which agrees with the fheep inevery thing else;
and as for the tail, its length is so various in the dif.

86 ’ account of the argali. » Fuly 24.
ferent varieties of theep, froma couple of inches to
two feet and upwards, (as will be seen in this paper)
that no specific difference can be concluded from that.
But Dr. Pallas also found the’ parent animal of the
goat species in a wild state, on the mountains of
Caucasus and Taurus, which he has named egag-
yus, and which agrees in all efsential characters with
the domestic goat, particularly in the horus: but
this wild goat must not be confounded with the Idex,
another animal resembling the goat at first sight,
but widely differing from it on nearer inspection,
more particularly in the horns, of which I send youa
drawing, as well as of those of the egagrus, (see plate
4th) to be compared by the curious with one another,
and with those of the Szberzan argali, well delineat-
ed in the coloured figure of the animal. The zbex, of
which Dr. Pallas has learnedly treated, is found on the
same mountains of Siberia with the arga/z, but inha-~
biting a much higher region, amidst clouds and snow,
whilst the wz/d_/beep keeps to the lower, and delights
in the warmth of thesun, reflected fromthe bare in-
ferior rocks, as much as the zbex doesincold. It by
no means falls into the plan of this paper, to en-
ter further into the history of these two curious ani-
mals, which are both in a manner foreign to my.
subject, and the pursuits of the society to which it is
addrefsed. I fhall only take the liberty to suggest 2
doubt, (which I hope will not offend so respectable a
zoologist as Mr. Pennant.) Whether the three ani-
mals he examined were not rather the egagrus thanthe
argali of Pallas? from the circumstance of his having
ranked them with the’ goat species. If they came

1793 9 account of the argali. 87
from the East Indies, they were probably of the -
egagrus kind, as that animal frequents the. moun-
tains of India and Persia. Since writing the above,
Pallas tells me, that Mr Pennant has publifhed a
later work on the zoology than the one I have, and
that he ‘has pofsibly cleared up the subject there, al-
though he does not remember to have read the arti-
cle, nor did he the note I have commented, on, in
the midst of his numerous and varicus labours in na=
tural history, and other literary vocations, recom-_—
mended to him by her imperial majesty. *

Ly ———
Description of the ovis FERA, or wild /heep, the AR-
GALI of the Siberians.

It is about the height of a small hart, but its sidee
is much more robust and nervous.
Its form is lefs elegant than that of the deer, and
its legs and neck fhorter.
The male is larger than the female, and every way
_ stouter.
_ Its head resembles that of a ram, with long strage
ling hairs about the mouth ; but no beard.
-. Its ears are rather smaller than those of a ram.
The form of its Loras will be best understood by the
inspection of the drawing sent ; they weigh inan adult
“sometimes sixteen pounds.

* Mr. Pennant in the last edition of his natural history of quadru-
peds, makes three several species. 1. wild fheep, (argali, ophion, mu-
simon.) 2. Bearded, which he formerly called Siberian goat. This
differs from the argali by its beard, and the great length of hair on
its breast. 3. Caucasan goat, the wgagrus of Pallas. Thus he re-
Stores the wgagrus to the goat, and the other to the fheep genus.

Edit,

88 account of the aks Suly 24%

Tail is very short.

The summer coat consists of fhort hair, sleek, and
resembling that of a deer.

The winter coat consists of wool like down, mixed
with hair, every where an inch and an half long at
leaft, concealing at its roots a fine woolly down, of a
white cobour, in general.

As to ‘colour and all other particulars, I refer to
the drawing, executed and coloured from life by the
doctor’s draughtsman, under his own eye.

The doctor exa:nined in Dauria, a lamb of the ar-
gali or wild fheep, and found its coat even four or five
inches long in some parts, and sufficiently soft, with
hair much finer than in the deer kind; nor was it un~
dulated like it.

The colour of its coat was in general of a dark
greyifh brown, with white tips to the longer hairs,
and consisted of hair mixed with wool, of a dark iron
grey.

The doctor ‘likewise saw in 1768, amongst some
garments brought from the islands lying between
the continent of America and Kamtchatka, strings
that were made of a white wool, which the doctor was
certain had been taken from the arga/z, and he was
confirmed in his opinion on observing that it was
mixed with hair.

Dr. Pallas on reading this article, made the follow-
ing addition to it.

By accounts lately received from the Tthutfki, the
argaii is found of a white colour on the continent of
America, opposite to their country. It is likewise
of a whitifh coleur at Kamtchatka ; which was ane«

1793 account of the argalie &g
ther reason for supposing that the above mentioned
Strings were made from the fleece of that animal.

The doctor procured in the Rufsian Dauria, be-
tween the rivers Onon and Argun, an adult male
argali, or wild ram, witb an adult female, or wild
fheep. Below is given the weight and measurement of
them, as likewise of an argali lamb of about three
months old.

The male argaii or wild ram, weighed, whilst en«
tire, three hundred and ten medical pounds. It measur-
ed in French feet, inches, and lines. 4 oe eR
Total length from the upper lip to the anus 5 9g 10°
Length of the horns following theircurve, 3 10 9
Distance between them at the base, - - 6
Their circumference at the base, - - © 240
Distance between their tips in front, = 2 7 9g
Ditto between their posterior arches,

measured over the neck. sa

The weight of a single argali horn with its ofseo
nucleo was sixteen Rufsian pounds.

(N. B. 49 Rufsian pounds make 36 Englith.)

The above described male argali, Dr. Pallas had
only time to examine superficially, and is the same
of which the {kin is to be seen, stuffed, in the museum

_ of the imperial academy of scienes at St. Peterfburg,
with another of the Persian variety of the argali,
sent by Gmelin, about the same time. But the doctor’s
description of the following is much more distinct.

The female argadi or wild theep weighed when en-
tire 229% medical pounds. Sek ae
Total length from the upper lip tothe anus 5 3 ©

VOL, xvi, M t

99 account of the argalt. Fuly 24%
Forequarter, its height from the heel hs ore
the spine.
Hindquarter, its height from ditto to ditto. 517
Head, length of it from the upper lip to
the middle of the forehead, directly be- o 4
tween the horns.
Circumference of the muzzle measured “t

ver the szaus labiorum.

=)
-
ot

Distance between the eyes and ears,
Ditto between the eyes.

ae 2
= 6

Ditto between the ears and horns.
Ditto between the ears, measured over the

throat. “he

Length of the ears, 4

Circumference at their oe era 4

Distance between the horns at their base, I

Ditto between them at their tips. ” i 2

Length of the horns following their curve, 4

Circumferance at their base, es 6

2

5

fe)

6

ornwo ow FADO

n°)

Ditto, of the neck at the head,
Ditto, of ditto at the fhoulders,
Length of the neck,

Lo ee |
-
Le |

Trunk, circumference of it at the forelegs, 3
Ditto ditto in the middle, = i. S200 «6
Ditto ditto at the hind legs, . - pana S

An argali lamb about three months old, weigh-
ed whilst entire, eighty-four medical pounds. f. 7.
Total length from the upper liptothe anus, 2 11
Forequarter,heightfromtheheeltothespine, 2 1
Hindquarter, height of ditto from ditto, 2 aa’ 3
Length ofthe/ornsin followingtheircurve, 2 3

oe we COM

1793: ; art of life,—economy. Gr

Distance between them at their base, - Icz
Ditto between their tips measured over

the muzzle, BD 1u0
Ditto, between their posterior arches,

measured over the neck, r 2° 6
Circumference of them at their base. - ale 'O,. 0

To be continued.

a

FRAGMENTS BY BACON.
Art of life in ordinary expence, with due but splendid

ECONOMY»

For the Bee.

Continued from vol. t 5. p. 324-

*#** T nor sweetly remember when I was at
Gorhambury with my father, my ever to be honour~
ed father, | being then a student at Cambridge, did
greatly wonder at the changes he had wrought in
my absence, both upon his mansion, and upon his
orchyard and garden.

As we were one lovely evening reposing our-
selves in the little banqueting house in the orch-
yard*, which was just then finifhed and provided

* It will be curious and interesting to many of the readers ofthese
fragments of Bacon, to set down in this place, the list of worthies pla-
ced by Sir Nicholas Bacon inhis banqueting house in the orchard,
as it will serve to fhow without any argument, the astonifhing pro-
grefs of science since the year 1578, when this conference took place,
a few months before the death of the lord keeper.

G2 art. of life,—economy. Guly 24+
with pictures of eminent worthies, and no person be-
ing present but my young schoolfellow Rawley, I
did turn unto my father, and with cordial affection,
mixed with great exprefsions of admiration, did ex-
ceedingly descant upon the beauties of his innovationsi;
yet not without some exprefsions that indicated the
great charges that I thought must needs have accom-
panied these undertakings.

Grammar.
Donatus, Lilly, Servius, Priscian,
Arithmetick.
Pythagoras, Stifelius, Budzeus.
Logick.
. Aristotle, Rodolphus, Porphiry, Seton !
Musick.
Arion! Terpander! Orpheus!!!
The list ix Rhetorick as good as ever.
Cicero, Isocrates, Demosthenes, Quintillian.
Geometry.
Archimedes, Euclid, Apollonius.
Astronomy.
Regiomontanus,Hally ! Copernicus, Ptolomy !

Be pleased now my dear readers, to take your pens, and set down g
few names as they may occur to you; Ramus, Verulam, Gafsendi,
Descartes, Leibnitz, Harris, Lowth, &c. Napier, Briggs, &c. Leib-
nitz, Harris, encore et encore.

Palestrina, Carolo, Gosualdo, Arctino, Corelli, Handel, Geminani,
&c. &c. Gregory, Wolffe, Simson, Newton,&c. Newton, encore et
encore. Halley, Cafsini, d’Alembert, Bernoulli, de la Lande, Mr de la
Grange, &c. encore et. encore ; and then judge for yourselves how
much we owe to the great lord Verulam for his fketches, for his open-
ing men’s eyes, and teaching them to think for themselves.

It was the glory of lord Bacon, tolay a foundation for banifhing the
breivary of the cloyster, and introducing the breviary of reason and
common sense. ;

“‘ Wave your toupees ye little paulty criticks, in sign of worfhip
wave,”

19793: - art of life,—economy. _ oF

Whereupon my father with a smile of amiable
complacency, and strict intelligence of my thoughts,
did thus with great condescension, apply himself
to the train of my reflexions. ‘

My son, (said he,) verily it giveth me no small
contentment to see that in the midst of admiration,
and kind fellowfhip, in my delectations, you do fhow
forth the rudiments and seeds of the fair blofsom of
prudence and economy, which I pray God to ripen
into the goodly fruit of well ordered expence; a vir-
tue which standeth high on the tree of the know-
ledge of good, and of evil. i

Engaged as [ have long been in a function of
great fatigue and anxiety of mind, it was necefsary
that 1 fhould seek for recreations that fhould renew
the vigour of my mind, and fit me for continuing
the performance of mine arduous duties.

In none could I find such sweet and healthful va-
xiety as in these you now behold, which I take to be
the purest of humane pleasures, as they were in-
deed the first that were devised and recommended
‘unto man by his heavenly maker.

God Almighty first planted a garden, aad he
hath planted in the mind of man an extraordinary
delight in the operations of agriculture, aid in be-
holding the growth and progrefs of the vegetable
kingdom.

It is the greatest refrefhment to the spirits of
man, without which, even palaces are but grofs han-
dy works, and a man fhall ever see, that when ages
grow to civility and elegance, they lose the chaste
fruition of the simple delights that hide themselves

94 art of life,—economy. Fuly 24%
in the country, and betake themselves to the pomp
of buildings, and the glare and noise of cities, to
the great deperition and ruin of all the finer affec-
tions of the soul, that is not depraved by artificial
and unnatural delectations.

Now, if a man relifh not the turbulent pleasures
of a city, during the segsons of recefs from businefs,
he must betake himself to the recreations of the
country.

But if he fall into the rude sports, and crapulous
excefses of esquires, wiich ever succeed to the vio-
lent exertions of (king and hunting, his last e-
state will be worse than the former.

For a man ever afzimilateth himself unto what is
close unto him, and continually subjected to his sen-
ses; and by tollowing of dogs and of hawks, and by
living with horses and horse keepers, he will be-
come brutal in his appetites, and unseemly in his
manners, changing the celestial image of his maker,
into the likenefs of the inferior creatures with whom
he herdeth.

Certainly therefore, as a man of competent riches
must have, or seek to have, pleasing occupations
of leisure, that fhall exhibit some marks of his own
ingenuity or {kill in contrivance, none can be
more apposite, innocent, or praise worthy, than
those of ugriculture, horticulture, and plantation.

Yet in all these, as in every other divertisement to
which aman may take for his recreation, regard must
be had to the worth of the occasion, and to the ex-
tent of his fortune.

173: art of life,—economy- 95.
When I did obtain this manor from Sir Ralph

Rowlet, I found it indeed rich in soil, as having
been long manured by wealthy churchmen, and a-
bounding in orchyard, but otherwise, from neglect,
fallen into rank and uselefs vegetation.

I did therefore set myself first to prepare a plain
but commodious dwelling for myself, and for my
servants, and hyndes, and then as now to increase
both the fertility and amenity of the fields.

But in all this I have been gradual, and have ex-
pended no more than I was used to do upon other
divertisements, which were now supplanted by the
sweeter and more profitable divertisements of the
country. And now, my son, since I am upon the
right ordering of expence, and that we have occasion
of leisure, I will dilate a little to you, and to your
friend Rawley, on this great and important particu-
lar of the art of life, without which ali other parti-
culars are vain and uselefs, and do end but in
trouble and in vexation of spirit.

The first great maxim of economy is, that a man
in any degree above the lowest, fhould consider
that his ordinary expences, as relating to the mouth,
wardrobe, and equipage, do bear but a small propor-
tion unto extraordinaries which cannot so well bear
calculation, and are always estimated much below
their outgoings ; so that at the last many men for-
bear looking into their real estates and situations,
not so much from culpable negligence, as from
thinking thereby to bring themselves into melan-

choly, in respect that they fhall find them bre-
ken.

96 art of life,—economy. Suly 240
But wounds cannot be cured without searching,
and he that cannot look into his own estate at all,
had need both choose well those whom he employ-
eth, and change them often; to pay as he goeth, and
turn all his receipts into certainties, that he may order
his economy without the danger of disappointment.

SC ieematiecheneaeanel
SS

* * * My son! riches have wings, and some-
times they fly away of themselves, sometimes they
must be set a-flying to bring in more, but do thou
guard adventures with certainties, that may uphold
lofses.

Now certainly nothing can so guard you against
the evils of poverty, as a strict economy in the ma-
nagement of your affairs, and a fhunning of those
expensive enjoyments which do not only waste the
purse, but enfeeble both the soul and the body.

Another grand maxim therefore in the art of
life, touching expence, is to consider well what be
absolutely necefsary unto comfort and well doing,
and not to mar contentment, by giving vain desires
any strong holds in your imagination. If a man
goeth into a brafs founder’s fhop, or into a market
of divers wares, he will bethink himself of many
wants, whereof most are needlefs, and spring from
the lust of the eye, and the pride of life, and few,
very few indeed, of indispensible utility.

So it is also in the general experience of life,
throughout all its departments. When you go
out into the world, every day will present new obs
jects that will draw forth your concupiscence, and
you will not be able to marthall them in their due

£793. art of iife,—economy. 97
estimation but dy abstaining from all those that are not
absolutely necefsary to your subsistance, and far
within the limits of your fortune and estate.

I recommend unto you the carrying tablets al-
ways about with you, whereupon to write and make
due’ entries of the smallest expenditure; and that
you do most religiously write out the same, fair and
correctly, (however inconsiderable it may sige be=
fore you sleep.

Four times in the year at least, during the great
festivals, it will be of high import that you do
strictly examine all the entries of your expendi-
ture, and maturely consider how far you have swel-
led some, and diminifhed others, beyond a reason~
able proportion, so that you may be able thereafter
to proportion them more to your comfort.

As if you be plentiful in diet, to be saving in
apparel ; and so inthe rest. The upfhot also of
these considerations I would that you commit unto
writing, that these tablets may be unto you as a
manuel for the right ordering of economy in ex-
pence. Take care that you be not penny wise,
and pound foolifh. Beware of beginning charges
which once begun, will continue ; but be frank, espe-
cially in the giving of rewards for services that will
not often return.

Cast not away your doublet if it will serve for
your other apparel; and be chiefly careful in those
things, which return daily, and hourly, and are not
in the sight and ken of your fellows.

yoL. Xvi, N t

98 art of life,——economy. Fuly 240.

Finally, my son, be substantially great in thyself,
and more than thou appearest unto others ; and let
the world be deceived in thee, as they are in the
lights of heaven.

Hang early plummets upon the heels of pride,
which engendereth foolifh expence ; and let any am-
bition, save that of virtue, have but a narrow cir-
cuit in thee. Measure not thyself bythy morning
fhadow, but by the extent of thy grave. Spread not
into the buundlefs expansions either of designs or
desires,

Think not that mankind liveth but for the sport
and grandeur of a few ; and that the rest are born
but to serve those ambitious which in courtly wars
make but flies of men, and wildernefses of whole
nations, to serve the turn of a few sceptered fami-
hes.

If thou must needs rule, be one of Zeno’s kings,
and enjoy the empire of thyself. He who is
thus his. own auto-cratot contentedly sways the
scepter of himself, and enjoyeth not the glory of
crowned heads, and the dignitaries of the earth!

Thus ended the exhortation of mine excellent
father. ;
Oh, how my heart burneth within me, when I
think of these things; and remember when, and
from whence they came! * *# f

2793: on the gooseberry Caterpillar. 09

ON HE GOOSEBERRY CATERPILLAR:

Sik, To the Editor of the Bee.

In your Bee of the 12th of June, I read the obser.
vations of your correspondent C. on the gooseberry
caterpillar with great pleasure; and as he wifhes
every information on that subject, I with to send
some of my own observations through the ciiannel
of your useful paper. I must own, (being fond of
.the pleasures of a garden,) I am an inveterate ene-
myjto the gooseberry caterpillar, and the slug snail,
I have tried many experiments for some years back,
which are as follow, by which I mean to prevent
others giving themselves the same unnecefsary
trouble. ;
I first tried wafhing the bufhes with salt wa-
ter,—That had no effect. I next tried a mixture
of kyan pepper, glauber’s salt, tobacco dust, and salt,
all mixed together, and soaked for some days in u-
rine ; I then took a bruth and strewed it all over the
‘buth :—this did not destroy them: I only observed
them stop feeding for some hours, and then went on
as formerly, as soon as the buth dried. I next
tried a small quantity of brimstone, and covered the
buth over with a cloth, and set fire to the brimstone
at the bottom of the bufh: this destroyed the cater-
pillar, but at the same time it also destroyed the
whole leaves of the buth for that season. I next
tried ‘a method of driving them off the buthes as fol-
lows. I took a small hand hoe, and with that lif

1co on the gooseberry caterpillar: Fuly 24

ted up a handtul or two of earth, and taking of the
earth in my hand, threw it with forceagainst the bufh :
this drives most of them off; and] think, if they were
properly collected and destroyed after, this would
be a very good method; but it will require often
practising. I found another very succefsful way of
destroying them, (but this would be too tedious in
- large plantations,) it is looking over the bufhes,
and whenever you see them on the leaves, take them
betwixt the thumb and fingers on the leaf, and squeeze
them, leaving them on the bufh, as this prevents the
others coming to the same leaf; at the same time,
you fhould be careful to pick off all the leaves you see
full of small holes ; for they. contain all the young
tribe in great numbers. But the most effectual me-
thod I have as yet found out, is this: take a brufh in
form of a common bottle brufh, but much larger,
with a stronger handle than common ; take two small
cloths, which will spread rather more than the cir-
cumference of your bufh; place one on each side un~
der the bufh, overlapping each other ; then take the
brufh and rub over all the branches, and at bottom ;
you will be surprised what vast quantities fall off
into the cloths ; then put a stone in the center of
each cloth, taking them carefully up by each cor.
ner, and fhake them up and down, which drives the
whole of them down to the stone: you may then’
spread your cloths under another bubh, till you have

sufficient to take away and burn or otherwise de-
stroy. You will find on brufhing thick bufhes, a great

number of that fly, which your correspondent’ C}

mentions, fall down into the cloths, and attempt to

$793. on the gooseberry caterpillar. ror
run, and not fly away: they are only of one kind,
but whether the male or female I cannot say. De-
stroy them likewise.

If your correspondent C. will carefully look at
the bottom of the bufhes, and under some old bran-
ches, he will find the caterpillar all the winter over;
or by striking the bufh with your foot, after all the
leaves are gone, he will see them dropping themselves
down the same as a spider, but remarkably small,
their substance being quite exhausted: these I ima-
gine, turn into the fly early in the spring, and hatch
their eggs at the bottom of the bufh; as they gene-
rally begin to feed there first. When the bufh be-
gins to thicken with leaves, the flies then conceal
themselves mostly in the middle of the bufhes ; one
of them is much more active than the other, and
does not suffer itself so easily to be taken.

I intend to make-a trial, (this winter,) on a few
bufhes, with pouring boiling water over the bottom
of them in frost; this will prevent the hot water
from destroying the roots, better than in frefh wea-
ther. If you think these remarks can be of any ser-
vice, I fhall be much obliged to you in giving them a
place in your useful paper, and am, Sir, your most
obedient servant,

Fune 23. z I,K.
2793

P. S. I forgot to acquaint you, that I have tried
quick lime some years ago, but it destroyed the
leat more than the gee hala

£02 bints on domestic economy. Fuly 2h

HINTs ON vVARIOUs SUBJECTS OF DOMESTIC Econo.
~ MY, FRom a CoRRESPONDENT IN GOTHENBURG.

Brewing from unmalted Barley.

Nor long ago, I met. with a small treatise on the
subject of brewing and distilling, publifhed in the
year 1771, bya volunteer in the king of Sweden’s
life gaurds ; which | ave read with attention, and
must say the author discovers no inconsiderable
knowledge of the arts on which he ‘treats. In
Britain it is common to distil spirits partly
from unmalted grain; but our author points not
only at that, but also at a method of brew-
ing good ale, from barley with a very small
addition of malt. For my own part, I must own,
I am prepofsefsed in favour of the old system
of brewing from malt only, as itis by means of
vegetation, that barley. developes its farinaceous,
and more especially its saccharine properties: so
that I have often thought the old Scotch rhime inex-
plicable, and ridiculous, which says,

That Wallace Wight,

Upon a night,

Threw ina stack of bear,

And ’fore next morn,

At gray day light ;

He'd drink o’t to himself,

And draff o’t to his mear.

However, this riddle may be solved, if we suppose

the Scotch in the days of Wallace understood the
ert of brewing ale from unmalted barley.

2793- ints on domestic economy. 103

Candles made from herring oil.

About same time I mentioned to you, that a Swe-
difh boor in the island of Oroust, had succefsfully
_used a certain proportion of herring oil, along with
tallow, to make candles of, and that the smell was
notoffensive. I have been told that a very little alam
was used in the composition ; but if the herring oil
previously edulcorated, I think it fhould answer
still better. In this procefs I apprehend charcoa}:
might become a powerful agent; and if you could
“suggest any procefs whereby the two following
points could be gained, you would do me a favour.

ist, To sweeten or edulcorate herring oil, so as to
deprive it ofits fetid or rancid quality. And,

2dly, To reduce, or bring the same oil into the
consistence of tallow.

The first of these may be probably attained by
charcoal, and some other ingredients, but the se-
cond is perhaps a more ridiculous proposition. I
have however to state, that herring oil in its ori-
ginal state, afsimulates honey or soft butter, in so .
much that it has been taken for the latter by
some of our own countrymen. Do you think
that a small proportion of bees wax, or rosin, boiled
up with the oil would bring it into the consistence of
tallow; or are any other ingredients more suitable ?
I mean this to be done after the oil is edulcorated.
And I can afsure you, if this last point could.
be gained, you might be supplied with an article —
for your soap boilers and candlemakers, much cheap-

'

104 _ bints on domestic economy. Fuly 245
er from this country, than from Rufsia. But this
can only happen when the herring oil afsumes a new
form; for you know that all foreign train oil is
loaded with a duty on importation into Britain, equal
to a prohibition.

Swedifh stoves.

Our Swedith stoves are the most useful, elegant,

and economical fire places of that kind in Europe ;
and I really think, that when you complain so much
of the scarcity of fuel in different parts of Scotland,
you fhould have recourse to such an invention. I
afsure you, we keep ourselves warm here in very
cold weather, by firing only twice in twenty-four
hours ; and that the value of 20s. worth of wood, is
sufficient fuel for a stove the year round.
- The stoves alluded to, ate made of a kind of por-
celain or delft ware; and a handsome stove for a
room of fourteen or fifteen feet square, can be got
for sl. or 61. sterling. The larger and more elegant
cost tol. and isl. But such stoves can be built
wholly of bricks at a very trifling expence ; and I
must say, that this last sort, when plastered and
painted with water colours, are extremely neat.

Tt is indeed a little difficult to erect such fire pla-
ces, owing to the various evolutions of the flues,
though I think I could make you master of the bu-
sinefs either by a drawing, or by a wooden model *.

"+ The Editor will be much obli ged to his correspondent for such a
drawing and explanation.

POETRY.

Sir, To the Editor of the Bee.

Sr By inserting the little poem that accompanies this into the Bee;
you will, I imagine, please many of your readers, and oblige.
An OccasIoNAL CORRESPONDENT,
Cx1To To DEttia.

DEAR maid! accept the breathings of an heart
That’s rack’d, and tortur’d by each varied smart ;
My soul, with thy lov’d, heav’nly form imprest,
No comfort knows—No interval of rest!
My hours, from morn till night, elapse in pain,
Death TI invoke—but death invoke in vain!

When our tall fhip, her spreading sails unfurl’d,
With prosp’rous winds, fhe plough’d the wat’ry worlds
Swift, o’er the flood, fhe stretch’d for India’s coast,
Whilst thee, I hourly mourn’d, my Delia, lost !
Sometimes, I climb’d the topmast’s lofty height,
And gaz’d—till gazing, dim’d my ling’ring sight :
Fix’d my fond eyes toward Britannia’s thore,
Where center’d ali I /ov'd—my richest store !
Sometimes, incumbent, o’er the stern I’d lean,
And, weeping, swell the billows of the main,
Charg’d ev’ry gentle breeze that {kim’d the sea,
To bear my sighs, and wifhes, back to thee!
To books I fled, to cure my ceaselefs grief,

ut’ Ah! nor books, nor aught could give relief;

And, when at night, with sorrow quite opprest,
Reclin’d I lay, and, sought in sleep to rest,
Some little respite from despair to know,
Sleep, only added to my piercing woe!
For fancy fhew’d me thy ecstatic charms,
Carefs’d, and fondled in another’s arms; :
Gave, to my tortur’d sight, my lovely fair,
The flowing ringlets of thine auburn hair,
Thy heav’nly form, that might a God enslave,
Make old age youthful and the coward brave; F
Gave to some raptur’d rival’s happy arms,
The full pofsefsion of thy glowing charms!
Then, then I rav’d! and, raving, wak’d again,
Each hour to prove accumulating pain!

Oh, Delia! would some zephyr to thee tell,
What mighty torments in my bosom dwell;
What keen anxieties—incefsant woe,
Foi thy loved sake, my fair, I undergo:
Pity, alone, would move thy tender breast,
To make thy C/ito’s faithful pafsion blest.

VOL Xvi; e ft

-

106

poett ye July 24
Yes, Clito’s love, (though driv’n to India’s hore!
os burn for thee untill his life be o’er.
No other fair one, fhall my heart arrest,
Nor tear thy image from my constant breast.
Tear thee from me! thou, emprefs of my soul!
Thou only object where my patfsions roll ;
Tear, from thy C/ito, thy lov'd—beaming eyes;
Thy matchlefs beauty—thy eternal joys!
Sooner the Alps and Pyrenees thall stand
Encompafs’d in'the hollow ofmy hand ;
Sooner fhall heav’n and hell in concordreign,
And raging flames emerge from out the main,
‘Than e’er one treach’rous thought of thee thall rest
Within the latent confines of my breast !
Oh! wert thou Dedia, poorest ofthe poor!
Forc’d keen distrefs, andhardfhip to endure :
Wert thou, my fair one, of the meanest train,
Still, would thy virtues, my affections gain ;
Still, Id prefer the lustre of thine eye,
To all the wealth Golconda’s minessupply !
Can sordid gold productive be of peace,
Yield solid comfort, or unsated blits ?
Ah! no, my fair! ’Tis mighty love alone,
Can make these joys that rival heav’n, our own!
Often Iramble tosome lurid spot, _
And, weeping, tell the winds my helplefs lot,
Carve thy delightful name on ev’ry tree,
And make responsive echo sing of thee !
Thrice happy those! who, in embow’ring fhades,
Sequester’d grottos, and umbrageous glades,
Who, mid the windings of the forest dale,
Or, on the margin of th’ enamell’d yale,
Can unreserv’d, the feclings of the heart,
And smiles exprefsive, mutually impart ;
Can safely, all their fervent palsion tell,
And ev’ry anxious, latent thought reveal 3
How blest their lot! whilst I, in sad despair,
Am exil’d far from “all my soul holds dear.”
But, cease.my heart, be quell’d my poignant grief ;
Indulgent heav’n, will give me yet relief;
-Give, in the compafs of my circling arms,
My lovely Delia,-and her blifsful charms !
Then, fhall no father’s hard, unfeeling heart,
Compel us, oh! my De/ia, more to part :
No pangs of absence, then, fhall intervene,
‘Fo vextour constant, uappy souls again ;
But once reclin’d upon eech raptur rd breast,
Be ever blefsing, and for ever blest | : Le

1793: a farmer 109

\
AN EXAMPLE OF A PARTICULAR ABUSE OF POWER.

Str. To the Editor of the Bee.

I uave been a constant reader of your Bee since its
commencement, and have found much useful information
in it on many subjects. But there are some that I think
of great importance, you have never so much as touched
on. With your permifsion 1 fhall state. a case of that
sort which lately occurred to me, It is a grievance ofa
very heavy nature; nor do I know how to obtain a re-
medy for it.

You must know, Mr Printer, that 1 am a farmer, and
have a numerous family, most of them boys; and am not-
a little dificulted about finding proper businefses for
them all. Farms are now so dear.in our neighbourhood,
and so ill to be had, that 1 am obliged to look for o-
ther businefses for most of them to follow. My third
son, having made a visit to Edinburgh made choice of a
profefsion there: and having communicated his withes ta
me, I thought it afforded no unreasonable prospect of en-
abling him to live by it, if prosecuted with attention and
economy ; and agreed to let him follow it. I accordingly
took an opportunity of speaking to a man in that businefs,
who agreed to take himas an apprentice, on his serving
four years without receiving any wages, and paying an ap-
prentice fee of —— pounds. After some hesitation on
my part, and explanations to prevent mistakes, I agreed
to the proposal: miy son was bound,—the prenticethip
is now expired, and my son returned home.

Now, Sir, though Ido not mention what the businefs
is, lest it might lead: to a knowledgevof the parties, and
thus appear to be personal; which I obserye you justly

408 a farmer. Fuly 24.
dislike, it is necefsary you fhould be informed that it
is a businefs of such a nature as consists of three de-
partments, two of which are merely mechanical; for
performing the offices of which departments, though ap-
prentices are bound for a certain number of years, yet
they not only pay no apprentice fee ; but even receive
wages from their master during the whole currency of
the apprenticefhip. The third department is ofa higher
nature, and which alone was the department to which my
son was bound; as the conditions of the indenture sufh-
ciently fhow. As an illustration of the case, supposing a
man was to be bound an apprentice as an architect, to a
master builder, who along with the practice of archi-
tecture, carried on the businefs of building on a large
scale ; he, in this case, must have under him both masons
and carpenters; and perhaps bricklayers, and plasterers.
Now, it so happened that when my son came home trom
his apprenticefhip, and I interrogated him as to his busi-
nefs ; to my utter astonifhment and vexation, 1 found
that he knew nothing at all of that part of the businefs
for which he had served his time; and that instead of
learning z¢ he had been employed entirely in the mechani-
cal departments, during his whole time: and thus had be-
come a mere drudge to save his master the money he
must have paid for a labourer all the time, without re-
ceiving any benefit from him in the way of his profef-
sion properly so called. It was as if, in the fore-cited il-
lustration ; instead of being taught the businefs ofan ar-
chitect, he had been confined entirely to the businefs of a
mason or a bricklayer.

This appeared to me such a breach of faith as excited
a degree of indignation greater than J can well exprefs.
I considered the man who had deliberately committed
such an injury to me, as worse than a robber; and ina

1793. a farmer. 109

paroxysm of rage and vexation, went to consult my laird,
who isa kind master, and a humane protector of the poor,
to see if no legal redrefs could be obtained for such an
injury. My good master, who listened patiently to the
whole of my tale, having a large family of his own, may
God blefs and long preserve them !—Calmly answered,
“ Tndeed, John, the injury you have sustained is such as
might ruffle the temper of any man a little, but while we
are in this world, we must be perpetually exposed to lof-
ses and disasters; nor can we hope to get full redrefs in
many cases. I am afraid you have, yourself, been some-
what to blame. Why did you not look into that mat-
ter sooner ; and, before it was too late, either insist with
your son’s master to put him to that part of the businefs
for which he was bound, or take him away before the
time was elapsed in which he ought to have been learning
something else ?” ‘ Blefs your honour, said I, how could
I conceive that it would be pofsible for a gentleman who
promised so fair to me at the time of my son’s engagement,
and who spoke so favourably of my son every time I saw
him, praising him for his talents and attention ; how could I
suppose it pofsible that such a man was imposing upon me
all the time! Besides, I was not so entirely inattentive as
you seem to imagine. I frequently afked my son how
he liked his master, and how he came on with his busi-
nefs ; and though there were some little jarrings, yet upon
the whole he spoke very highly of his master; and I, in
general, recommended attention to him, and submifsion to
the orders of his master; for this I thought it my duty
to do. When I inquired as to his knowledge of the
higher department, he did not explain himself so fully as
to make it clear to me. he was absolutely precluded from
it; and when I heard of his labouring in the other depart-
ments, I thought there was ng harm is his knowing the

rot a farmer. Fuly 24,
whole, and did not with to encourage the idea of his af-
suming the airs of a gentleman too early ; on these ac-
counts, and from my son himself afsuring me that he would
be instructed in all the departments before the Close of
his apprenticefhip, I contented myseli with recommending
it to him to be attentive to it. In this way things went
on ; and having been much hurried with the seed time this
year,I had no opportunity of being in town towards the
close of his apprenticefhip : so that the news came upon
me all at once slap dafh, like a clap of thunder.’ ‘‘ Indeed
John, said my kind master, I am very sorry for your situ-
ation; but I fear it will now ‘be a more difficult matter
for you to get redrefs than ygu seem to imagine. It is so
common for masters now a days, especially where ap-
prentice fees are given, to be inattentive te the interest of
apprentices, that the master of your son would have too
many to keep him incountenance; and whatever you or
I may think, or whatever the judge himself might think
of it, were the case ever tocome before him; yet when it
becomes necefsary to inflict pains and penalties, one is obli-
ged to look forward to the consequences ; and it becomes”
so necefsary for judges to preserve the authority of masters
over apprentices, and to guard against the abuses that
might be made of the chicanery of ill’designing men,
that I fhould suspect the circumstances must be very
flagrant indeed before a judge could be brought to pro-—
nounce such a decision as would in any degree compen-
sate for the injury you have sustained. My advice te
you therefore is, rather to sit down with the injury you
have already sustained, than make it perhaps worse by;
seeking for redrefs.at law. I have as bad an opinion of
the man who could commit such a base piece of fraud as
you can have ; and therefore fhall take care how I have
any dealings with him: but your best way is to leave him

¢

1793- extraordinary adventure: TIE
to himself, and the checks of his own conscience ; and
without distracting your mind. with fanciful ideas of le-
gal redrefs, set yourself attentively and without remifsion
to put your son into some other way of earning his
bread. You will take better care in future; and I make
“no doubt you will profit by the lefson.”

I was satisfied with the advice, and resolved to adopt
it. But as my example may be of use to others, I send
you the above plain narrative, hoping, as I have dis-
guised names so as entirely to avoid personalities, you
will give it a place in your useful Miscellany, that thus
my private lofs may in end prove a public benefit to the
community. A Fanner.

East Lothiain Fune, 1. 1793.

ACCOUNT OF AN EXTRAORDINARY ADVENTURE.

Two Parisian merchants, strongly united in friendthip,
had each one child of different sexes, who early contracted
a strong inclination for each other, which was cherifhed
by the parents, and they were flattered with the expec-
tations of being joined together for life. Usfortunately,
at the time they thought themselves on the point of com-
pleting this long wifhed for union, a man, far advanced
in years, and pofsefsed of an immense fortune, cast his
éyes on the young lady, and made honourable proposals ;
her parents could not resist the temptation of a son-in-
Jaw in such affluent circumstances, and forced her to
comply. As soon as the knot was tied, fhe strictly en-
joined her former Jover never to see her, and patiently
submitted to her fate: but the anxiety of her mind
preyed on her body, which threw her into a lingering
disorder, that apparently carried her off, and fhe was con-
signed to her grave. As suon as this melancholy event
teached the lover, his affliction was doubled, being depri-

112 extraordinary adventure. July 24.
ved of all hopes of her widowhood. but recollecting that
in her youth, fhe had been for some time in a lethargy,
his hopes revived, and hurried him to the place of her
burial, where a good bribe procured him the sexton’s per-
mifsion to dig her up, which he performed, and removed
her to a place of safety, where, by proper methods, he
revived the almost extinguifhed spark of life. Great was
her surprise at finding the state fhe had been in: and
probably as great was her pleasure, at the means by which
fhe had been recalled from the grave. As soon as fhe
was sufficiently recovered, the lover laid his claim; and
his reasons, supported by a powerful inclination on her
side, were too strong for her to resist; but as France
was no longer a place of safety for them, they agreed to
remove to England, where they continued ten years,
when a strong inclination of revisiting their native coun-
try seized them, which they thought they might safely
gratify ; and accordingly performed their voyage.

The lady was so unfortunate as to be known by her old
hufband, whom fhe met in ‘a public walk, and all her en-
deavyours to disguise herself were ineffectual: he laid his
claim to her, before a court of justice, and the lover de-
fended his right, alleging the hufband, by burying her,
had forfeited his title, and that he had acquired a just
one, by freeing her from the grave, and delivering her
from the jaws of death. These reasons, whatever weight
they might have in a court where love presided, seemed
to have little effect on the grave sages of the law: and

“the lady, with her lover, not thinking it safe to wait the
determination of the court, prudently retired a second
time out of the kingdom.

Acknowledgements to several correspondents deferred for want of
room. ;

139:

THE BEE;

LITERARY WEEKLY INTELLIGENCER;

FOR
WEDNESDAY, JULY 31. 1793.

t

Hints For ESTABLISHING A SEMINARY OF EDUCATION
ON A NEW PLAN.

Continued from p. 54. and concluded.
OF THE ACADEMT.

Or schovol for sciences and useful arts.

Natural History.
A GENERAL survey of the natural objects found
on this globe, intended not only to afsist in the claf-
sification and nomenclature of these objects, but al-
so, to give an idea of their properties and uses im
hature, and arts. For the use of students in gene-
ral.
Mineralogy,

Or the doctrine of fofsils. For the use of those
who with to make a particular:study of this branch
of natural history. [Illustrated by specimens; and
chemical experiments.

VOL, Xvi; BP f

>.

114 : on education. Fuly 3%
Zoology, /

Or the doctrine of animals: not a dry system of
elafsification ouly ; but also to give an account of
the habitades and uses of the different animals, in
food and in arts ; and the method of catching those
that are useful, or of destroying such as are hurtful
to man.

Botany,

Or the doctrine of vegetables.

Meteorology.

The doctrine of meteors, including the doctrine
of electricity, and the different kinds of air, from
whose combinations and separations are produced
so many of those phenomena which are reducible
to this clafs.

Hydrography,

Or the doctrine of waters. Including the theory
of tides, currents, €8e. Ce.

OF these branches of natural history, botany is
tse only one that has hitherto been separately
taught ; though the others are at least of equal im-
portance.

The philosophy of history.

Including philosophical geography and chronoloe
gy, connected with historical events. Ans

From the want of a systematic arrangement in this
branch of science, history 1s in general a confused
and uninteresting study to youth, in comparison of
what it naturally ought to be. Here thould be gi-
ven a general comprehensive View of leading events,
in which their ‘connection with regard to time and
place fhould be so marked as to make an indelible

793+ | on ediucation. rIs
imprefsion on the youthtul mind, and their mutual
influence and relation to each other, so distiuctly
pointed out, as to make the connection of every
particular historical event that fhould afterwards
occur, with the general train of other events, be reas
dily recognised, so as to prevent that confusion
of ideas, which alone renders history an unin-
tertaintag study to youth. In such a general
course, the progrefs of the human mind, rather
than the history of potentates and kings, fhould be
“traced with fidelity and care.
Political Economy,
Or the philosophy of legislation. In this course
fhould be explained the principles of legislation as
having reference to industry, arts, manufactures, a-
griculture, population, happinef;, and national
wealth, as applicable to societies in their pro-
grefs from rudenefs to refinement,’ and in dif-
ferent situations, as to habits, manners, aud’ cirs
cumstances. '
.-In Britain, where every man may become an
actual legislator, and where every one in his
individual capacity is allowed to judge of the
affairs of government, too much care cannot. be
taken, to render the sound principles of legisla-
tion generally known among all ranks of people in
this island.
Antiquities.

Comprehending a review of the laws, manners,
and customs ; languages, arts,-and sciences, of the
differei.t European nations 11. former times: as also
the doctrine of coins, medals, iuscriptions, and other

¢*

116 pn education. Suly 3r.
particulars, that tend to bring to light the knowledge
of past events. _

Asiatic literature.

Comprehending the languages, arts, and sciences
of the different Asiatic nations.

Considering the intimate connection that Britain
has at present with those nations, the utility of this
course will be at first sight apparent.

Ethics,

Or the doctrine of mind. Metaphysics, moral
philosophy.

Grammar,

Considered in its general principles, particularly
as applied to the Englifh language. This is a branch
of science which has been so little adverted to by
the moderns, and so much deference has been paid
to the partial rules of ancient languages, as has in-
volved the subject in perplexity and confusion, which
it is high time fhould now be rectified

Logic.

On the improved plan, as by many it is taught
at present ; divested of those sophystical subtleties
which made the pride of the schools in the middle
ages.

Rhetoric and the belles letters.
The law of nature and nations,
Civil law.
Including Englifh law.
Divinity.
Church history.
Agricultures

1993. on education. 114

It appears surprising that an art so necefsary for
the well being of mankind ia all ages, fhould have
been till of late, so totally overlooked in almost eve-
ry system of education, Its advances have been slow
in proportion to the neglect into which it has fals
len, as an object of scientific inquiry. Since expe-
riments have been made the test of truth, few facts
have been thorougly ascertained with regard to a.
griculture, because so much time is required for
making one experiment, and so much care and nice.
ty in the conducting them, that as these experiments
usually come to be made by men who are not ac.
customed to the niceties of philosophic investiga-
tion, wrong conclusions are hastily drawn from ill
ascertained facts. To point out the attentions that
are necefsary in making experiments; to select with
care the few facts that have been thoroughly ascer-
tained, from those which are only grounded on
conjecture ; to specify such decisive experiments
as are necefsary for elucidating doubtful points: and
to inspire into the minds of those who meant to
enter on such investigations, that cautious diffidence
which the person who is in quest of important facts
fhould ever bear in mind, would form the principal
businefs of this course.

Architecture,

Considered as an useful art, depending on mathe-
matical and chemical principles, rather than as a_jine
art.

In modern times, so much attention has been be-
stowed upon architecture, as an ornamental art, that
the mathematical principles upon which itis fourded,

z18 on education. Fuly. 3i«
have beenin agreat measure disregarded, and the con-=
trivances that have been adopted in former times to
give strength and stability to the fabric, along with
cettain internal conveniences, have been ridiculed
as the monstrous innovations of barbarism and igno-
rance. Many structures which have been dignified
with the stile of Gothze, as in scorn, while their stu-
pendous. magnificence extorts the reverential awe
of the ignorant critic, who laughs at the absurdity
of those parts of the structure which he deems mon-
strous aud uselefs ornaments, owe their stability, to-
gether with that inexplicable magnificence of effect,
to those very parts which instead of being usclefs,
ornaments, as the uninformed e¢ritic vainly suppo-
ses, are parts of the most indispensible atility. He
knows not on what principles superadded weight
can be made to contribute to apparent lightnefs, as
well as real strength, and therefore presumptuously
blames what he cannot comprehend. The very
principles which constitute the strength of an arch,
in different circumstances, have been so ‘otally dis«
regarded in architecture, as ‘never yet to have been
explained; so that the most glaring imperfections
in this respect have been often earnestly recommen-
ded 2s efsential improvements, and sometimes car-
ried into actual practice in the construction of brid-
ges. We cannot therefore too soon correct these
hurtful absurdities, and therefore cannot make too
much haste to institute the course of lectures herg
proposed.

£793." on education. 1i9°
Anatomy.
Theory of »bysic.

Practice of medicine.

Materia medica.

These branches of medical knowledge have been
so long taught with good effect in Europe, that no
farther explanation of them ts necefsary.

Pharmaceutic chemistry,

Or the doctrine of compounding medicines. ‘This
has hitherto been only incidentally taught as a par-
ticular part of the general course of chemistry.
For obvious reasons it fhould be separated into a
distinct branch ; many students have occasion for
the one of these courses, who do not desire the o-
ther.

, Surgery.

The veterenarian art,

Or the treatment of the diseases of domestic ani-
mals This never has entered into the system of
Britifh education ; though it is without dispute an
object of great importance. Farriery is the only
branch of it which is in any respect followed as a
particular businefs in Britain. France had made
great advances in establifhing a veterenarian school
before the late troubles arose, which for a time, have
suspended the progrefs of this and many other use-
ful institutions. It is to be hoped, these will be again
revived when peace fhall be restored to that distrac-
ted country ! Some feeble attempts have of late also
been made to establifh a veterenary school in Bri-
tain, which we may hope will gradually attain a-
snore perfect degree of stability.

220 on educatio#. Fuly 31.

These seem to be the principal branches of
science, whied in the present state of knowledge in
Europe, appear to be necefsary to be taught in a se-
minary of education, where it is intended to give
full scope to the human mind in all its various de-
flections ; as we advance in knowledge, other subjects
of investigation will naturally arise, which may re-
quire additional means of elucidation, which will
no doubt be adopted when the want is felt.

Mode of studying, and internal government.

As nature has, for wise purposes, given to
the individuals among mankind, different powers,
faculties, and tastes, in consequence of which one
person attaches himself to one branch of science, ex~
clusively in some measure to all others, who by
studying that branch with ardour, pufhes his re«
searches in it to the utmost stretch his faculties cam
carry him; while another, neglecting that branch,
is equally ardent 1 in prosecuting another: it follows,
that in order to derive the full benefit from these
exertions, no artificial restraints ought to be thrown
in the way, to check this natural progrefs. Hence
then we see the impropriety of prescribing any deters
mined mode of study, to which, as of old, all the pu-
pils must invariably adhere. instead of this, every
one ought to be left at perfect freedom to attend
such of the profefsors as fhall be judged most pro
per for forwarding him in those studies that promise
to lead most directly to the end in view. And as
young men who are so far advanced in life as to be
capable of engaging properly in scientific pursuits,
must be supposed to be capable of exercising theiz

1993: pee on education: - 1F
reasoning powers, no other compulsitor té study
ought to be employed, but those of the evident
thterest, or inclination of the student. And as it is
found by experience, that those things which are
attained with much facility ate disregarded, while
what is purchased at ahigh price, is much prised,
there fhould be no such thing as gratiuitous lec-
tures to be given in this seminary, unlefs in such
cases only, as where, from the peculiarities of the case,
the teacher may think proper to make a present of
a ticket to such as he fhall deem deserving of it.
Neither’ ought the fees for admifsion to the lectures
to be small, but proportioned to the general opulence
of the country at the time. Nor fhould these be

- arbitrary ; both the minimum and the maximum ought
to be fixed by the rules of the institution, and public-
ly known ; which would be attended with many ob-=
vious consequences tending to preserve the dignity
of the preceptors, and independente of the students.
And if the fixed salaries of the preceptors were
low, as in the university of Edinburgh, the office
of a prefefsor could never be desirable, unlefs to
such men only as were proficients in the particular
departments they were to teach, and who had a reaso-=
nable prospect of obtaining such a number of effec-
tive students as fhould indemuify them for the
trouble of giving lectures.

To insure against abuses in this department, how-
ever, perhaps some farcher precautions might be*
necefsary. Each profefsor fhould be required to de-
liver public lectures, five times a week, during each
sefsion, which fhould not be lefs than four or five

VoL. xvi, & f

122) oa education. July 3%
months ; and these lectures to take up about an hour
each in delivering; or if he neglected to do this his
chair fhould be declared vacant, and the place gi-~
ven to another.

To enforce these regulations, perhaps no better
method needs be sought for, than to appoint a PRIN-
CIPAL, whose businefs it fhould be to act as a censor
over the conduct of the profefsors ; and who, by the
aid of a senatus concilium, consisting of all the pro-
fefsors without exception, might be authorised to
admonifh, suspend, or depose any of the members of
that body, who fhould, by a majority of that coun-
cil, be deemed worthy of such punifhments. The
election to vacant places might be by the votes of a
majority of the senatus concilium, with such checks as
fhould be judged proper. One indispensible requisite
for the office of the PRINCIPAL fhould be, that he ought
to teside in the seminary always during the time of
the sefsion. Perhaps a permifsion of absence for a
fhort time, might be granted on urgent occasions ;
but the occasion ought to be very urgent indeed,
and fhould perhaps never be granted for more than

weeks at a time; nor even that, without an
unanixous vote of the members of the senatus concilt-
um. The ruin of every literary, or religious institu-
tion 1 have seen, commences with a negligence
in the discharge of duties, in consequence of the
absence of those’ who ought to officiate: it
cannot be therefore too much guarded against.
Neither ought any one to be be permitted to teach
by a deputy, unlefs in very particular cases, and in

1793- on education. 123
consequence of the permifsion unanimously granted
of the senatus concilium.

With regard to the place where such a semina-
Ty ought to be establifhed ; it ought doubtlefs to
be in the neighbourhood of the largest city in the
‘state to which such an institution belongs ; for thus
it would be rendered accefsible to the greatest num-
ber of people, without deranging their affairs. In
England, therefore, London is clearly the best place.
And Edinburgh for Scotland.

Good substantial houses, (but not palaces, ) with a
garden to each, if pofsible, fhould be provided for
each profefsor, and be perhaps the principal part,
if not the whole of the fixed living. Adjoining to
these fhould be provided a suite of convenient lectu-
ring rooms, and a museum and library ; without
which every seminary of education must be extreme-
ly incomplete. The museum fhould be divided in-
to departments suited’ to the clafses of lectures ;
each lecturer to be intrusted with the charge of the
articles belonging to his own department. All the
articles contained in each fhould be inseYted in a ca-
talogue, and the whole fhould be visited once a year
by committee of the senatus concilium, afsisted
by certain other persons to be named for that pur-
spose, who fhould compare the articles with the ca-
talogue, and see that nothing is destroyed or deranged.
This visitation ought to be a great public act ac-
companied with particular ceremonies; and every
student who had attended the seminary more than

years, fhould have a right to atttend at that
‘yisitation if he chose it.

124 on education. Fuly 3%-

For the support of the library and museum, 3
specified sum fhould be paid by each student annu-
ally on his matriculation ; in consequence of which
he fhould have a right to consult any book in the
library, when it was open, under proper regulations,
and to carry home such books as it might be judged
safe to entrust out of the library, on depositing the
price of the book with the librarian, to be got up
when the book was returned. This regulation has
been found to be a very proper one in the univer-
sity of Edinburgh, where it has been adhered to for
many years past. The profefsors, too, fhould
have the use of books, but under certain regulati-
ons to prevent them from being too long detained
in the pofsefsion of any one person. For purchasing
books, a committee of three of the profefsors thould
exercise that office for one year, to follow in rotas
tion regularly, so as include the whole.

These hinis have already extended to too great
a length for this Miscellany, and will by some be
decmed of a nature too nearly approaching to Uto-
pian, to he capable of being carried into prace
tice. It would be easy however to fhow that
there is nothing either physically or morally im-
practicable in the plan, in a place of great ex-
tent; such as London, Paris, or any other great city,
where, if able teachers were appointed, a sufficient
number of students could easily be found to afford
a reasonable compensation to literary men in all de-
partments for their labour ; and that by acting thus
jn concert, knowledge might be advanced to a much
higher degree than it has yet attained, and the acg

1793> on education 125
quisition of it be rendered much more easy, and lefs
expensive than ever yet has been practicable. But
on these heads I thall not enlarge, leaving every
one at liberty to judge for himself.

Should ever such an institution however be attemp-
ed in England, care fhould be taken to secure to the
present universities, their present exclusive pri-
vilege of conferring academical degrees; otherwise
such an opposition would arise from that quarter, as
must at once quath such a project. Indeed, at any rate,
it may supposed, that the members of these antient
institutions, who have long battened on the provision
appropriated to idelenefs, by their ill judging forefa-
thers, will behold with en evil eye, any proposal for
establi fhing a literary seminary on principles so dif-
ferent from those which have been there adopted ;
and which, if encouraged, might tend to throw their
venerable institutions into a comparative ppint of
view, that would not tendto exalt them. It is
thus that private considerations too often prevent
the establifhment of institutions of great utility ;
and the public may be said to be kept, with regard
to literary attainments, in a perpetual state of pupi-
lary nonage. Thus it has been since the beginning
of time, and thus it will continue while this world
lasts,—though now and then small advances may be
made in spite of these checks which must operate con-
tinually though slowly in promoting improvements;

J

126 account of domestic foeep. Fuly 3%.

Own THE DIFFERENT VARIETIES OF SHEEP IN A WILD AND DO-
MESTIC STATE, REARED IN THE Russran Empire, AND BY
THE PASTORAL NATIONS FROM THE FRONTIERS OF E.uRopE TO
THOSE OF CurNna.

Continued from p. gt.
Domestic fheep.

Havive given an account of the argali or wild
fheep, I fhall now enter upon Dr Pailas’s remarks,
made during his wide extended travels in the Ruf.
sian empire, more particularly in Seberia, and a-
mongst the pastoral nations of great Tartary, rela-
tive to the domestic fheep.

The doctor found what he regards as only one
species of fheep in the whole range of his journey,
subdivided into /owr varieties, and distinguifhed by
their tails, the form of their heads, their ears, and
fleece. ‘These four varieties are the long tailed, the
fhort tailed, the fat tailed, anda mixed breed of fheep
with longith tails, fat at the base, with a species
of lean bony apendage tapering to a point. So
that this able zoologist condemns as unfounded and
fanciful, the erroneous idea of making specific diffe-
rences of the accidental varieties which education or
mode of life, climate, food, and crofsing the breed,
have produced in /heep, as in pigeons, dogs, and o-
ther domestic animals; and in conformity to this o-
pinion he considers the ovis daticaudata, longicauda,
pilosa, Africana, Guineensis, strepsiceros, Hungarias

1794s account of domestic sheep. 129
mos, t8c. of authors, as only accidental varieties of
the same species of fheep; as he does the capra Sy-
riaca seu mambrina, « d all the o her fanciful sub-
divisions of authors of the goat species, as only vari-
eties of that animal.

However, it must be acknowledged, that Dr Pals
las had opportunities in his extensive travels, of clear-
ing up the doubts which prevented other naturalists
before him, from deciding on that curious subject.
It is well known, that if all the different kinds of fheep,
or of any other animal, when the breeds arz crofsed
in every pofsible direction, always generate a prolific
stock, or in other words, produce young which are
capable of propagating their species through many
generations ; in that case, there is no specific diffe-
rence between them, and all the different kinds, how-
ever various they may be in form, We. are only va=
rieties of the fheep.

Whereas different species of any animal, although
they may generate together, only produce a darren
progeny which naturalists agree in naming mules,
whichcannot propagate their species throngh many ge«
Nerations ; if we are even to give credit to those who
pretend they have through two or three, in some
singular cases, or rare instances.

Now Dr Pallas had an opportunity of convin-
cing himself, that the long tailed, fhort tailed, fat tail-
ed, and mixed Boucharian breed of fheep, the four
varieties he treats of, all produce a prolific race,
when crofsed in every direction, and are therefore not
different species.

128 account of Ticherkefsian Soeep. July 3ui

The four varieties of domestic Jheep, which Dr Pallat
examined on his travels, were,
Ist. variety,

Is named both by the Tartars and Rufsians,
Tscherkefsian theep, and by Pallas dolichura, or long
tailed ; it is the ows Jongicauda of authors.

2d. Variety,

Is called the Rufsian fhcep, by the natives, and by
Pallas brachiura or fhort tailed; it seems to be the
evis Islandicus of authors, with smaller horns.

34. Variety,

Has no fixed ttivial name, as its appellations are
as various as the provinces where it is reared; Pal-
las has called it steatopyga or fat tailed; it is the
Ovis laticaudata of authors.

4th. Variety,

Has likewise no fixed trivial name, but Pallas has

called it Bucharian, from finding it reared by the
\ Bucharian Tartars in immense flocks. 4

The first variety.

The TSCHERKESSIAN /heep of the Rufsians and Tartars,
the Ovis DoticuurA 0f Pallas, and Ovis LoneI-
CAUDA of authors.

This, variety is handsome with a noble air in its
pative country andthe southof Rufsia, resembling inits
habits, horns, fleece, and length of tail, the Spanith,
but more particularly the Englifh theep. Its head
is well proportioned, and of an elegant form ; ears
streight ; horas large, even, rounded in the angles,
tapering toa point, and bending inwardly toward’

1793+.. account of the Tscherkefsian foeep. 129
the back. The rams are seldom without horns, and
the ewes have them often bent in a lunar form.

The wool though coarse is without admixture of
hair * , and promises to be much meliorated by crof-
sing the breed, and rearing the animal, with more
care and {fkill. .

; It is even known to become much finer without
the afsistance of art, merely from the influence of a
temperate climate, as on mount Caucasus.

_ The taz/ of the ram is covered with fine long
wool, like the Indian fheep described by Buffon, which
trails on the ground, sO as to efface the prints made
by the animal’s feet on sand; and it contains often
twenty joints or vertebre.

This variety of fheep seems to. have quitted with
its coarse fleece and all its native ferocity, in pafsing
from the state of nature to that of servitude ; 3 as it
is the mildest gentle animal pofsible, although lefs
degenerated in form from the argali or musimon,-the
parent animal of the species, than the steatopyga or
fat tailed, which has at the same time preserved
Ymuch more of its wildnefs than the gentle Tscherkef-

* It appears to me, that the having no hair among the woak is
not a specific, but merely an accidental distinction. We know well
that among; the yarieties of fheep common in England, and every o-
ther European country, there are found’ many which have hairs a-
mong their fleece,. while it is only the selected dreeds that have none.
This variation, which has probably been at first accidental, like many
other varieties among domestic animals, becomes in some measure
permanent, by carefully excluding other varieties from intermixing

with the selected breed, as will be moré fully proved in the sequel
of this efsay. Edit.

VOL. xvi. R ny

id

130 account of Nhe Tscher ‘hefoian Socep. July 3.
sian, probably from its ranging with very little re
straint the wide plains of great See

_ Lhe Tscherkefsian or long tailed fheep, (which is
always the subject of this article,) is reared in all the
Kuropean regions of the Rufsian empire, situated on
this side the river Occa,—in the nearer Poland, and
by the pastoral people of mount Caucasus ; and they
are commonly of a white colour.

The same variety, we are told by Rufsell, in his na-
tural history of Aleppo, is reared under the name of
Beduin Sheep, by the Arabs, and in the western parts
of Mauritania; with a trifling difference in the Jength
and thicknefs of the ¢a‘/. There are likewise fheep
in Morocco which belong to this variety, on account
of the distinguifhing character of it, a dong tai, al-
though otherways different in having an ugly look,—
head covered intirely with hair, little hanging ears,
and remarkably long wool.

The doctor has himself seen fheep answering to the
last description, in Germany ; probably from a mix-
ture of those of Flanders, with some foreign varie-
we |

The Indian and Guinea fheep, so well described by
Buffon, resemble the Tscherkefsian only in the length
of their ¢a/, whilst in other respects, they come
nearer the steatopyga or fat rumped fheep of Pallas,
in size, form, and fleece mixed with’ barr,

Arid burning deserts seem to produce this change
on the woo/; as it is observed principally in the At.
Jantic deserts ‘near the meridian, from which the
theep being transported to still warmer situations in
America, haye muluplied considerably, but mostly

1793- account of the Tscherkefsian Jheep. 131
without horns, and have now a covering of hair in-
stead of wool.- As a further confirmation of torrid
deserts turning wool into hair, the doctor cites
Shaw’s travels, where that author tells us, that the
fheep in the Shara desert of Africa, are commonly
of the height of a doe, and covered with hair like
that of a dog; and another traveller, ‘the abbé
Demanent, afserts in his new history of Afri-
ca, publifhed at Paris in 1767, that two varieties of
fheep are reared in Guinea, one of which is covered
“with wool, with a long fat tail (the fat probably ac-
cidental) whilst the other is larger, stronger, and co~
vered with fhaggy hair, like a goat. It is very good
eating, although the most common, and least valued.
Dr Pallas draws a double inference from this
quotation from the abbé, wz. that the first of the
two varieties, which is evidently the Tscherkefsian,
from the Jong tatl, fhows that it is widely dispersed
over the earth, more or lefs affected by climate, soil,
and sometimes by admixture of other breeds ;
whilst the second of the abbé’s varieties, covered

with thaggy hair, is another confirmation of what
the doctor advanced above, that burning deserts turn
wool to hair; and here he ends his proofs of that
fact, which does not scem to require further con-
firmation*. Dr Pallas finifhed the description of

* There seems to be something unsatisfactory in the reasoning
here. Were heat of climate the only cause of wool being converted:
into hair, it ought to operate equally on the two kinds of fheep here
mentioned: and they ought to be both alike covered with hair or
with wool. Perhaps in the course of this efsay, some hints may oc.
cur tending to clear up thi#and other difficulties Edit.

132 | account of the Tscherkefsian focep. Fuly 31.
this variety, with the following curious piece of in-
formation.

Tscherkefsian lamb /kins.

There is a valuable traffic carried on in the north,
with the /£ins of the Tscherkefsian lambs; the beau-
ty of which they heighten in the following man-
ner :

The inhabitants of the Ukrain and Podoli, as soon
as a lamb is dropped, (which comes into the world
with a pretty wavy fkin, even without the afsistance
of art,)-to augment ‘its beauty, and make it bring
a higher price, sew it up in a sort of coarse linen
fhirt; so as to keep'up a constant gentle prefsure on
the wool, pouring warm water over it every day, to
make it soft and sleek ; only letting out the bandage
a little, from time to time,.as the animal increases
in size, but stillkeeping it tight enough to effect their
purpose, which is,.to lay the wool in beautiful glof-
sy ringlets, and thereby produce a delicate spe-
cies of fur, in great request. for lining clothes, and
morning gowns. By this treatment the fine soft
wool which rises in the infancy of the lamb, takes
a handsome arrangement; and the animal is killed
younger or older according to the species of fur
intended to be produced, from a fhort glofsy nap like
gattin, only fit, trom its thinnefs, for the purposes
mentioned above, to a warm thick fur for a winter
great coat. The first of these furs in estimation
and price, is a fine black that looks like ‘silk’ ‘da-
mafk ; an inferior black furgomes next, much thick-
er, for pelices or Joubes, as we call the upper winter

‘

,

“1793 accoitnt of the Tscherkefsian s focep. Bar
garb worn out of doors ; and the least in estimation
is the whitifh, except it be of a very pure colour
and silky appearance, when it is a rival to the first ;
especially for night gowns, a very common drefs,
both morning and evening, amongst the Rufsians,
particularly in the interior parts of the empire*. ©
To be continued,

* It appears from books of ancient travels, that this curious kind of
lamb’s fur has been long an article of traffic, and in great request in those
countries ; and we learn from this instance, that the people are’ nei-
ther inattentive to the elegancies of life, nor incapable of availing
themselv es, by their ingenuity and application, of those blefsings that
‘Heaven has thrown in their way.

. It appears from these notices, that either there is a diversity of
colours among this breed of theep, or that the wool is stained, so as
to afsume the colours above mentioned. The first seems the most pro-
bable ; for if it were done by art, they could obtain the black furs in
any quantities, as well as those of every other colour, if the original
wool be of a pure white. It would seem that this fine white is ra-
ther uncommon, and that -when it does occur it is very much pri-
sed.

The silky glcefs here mentioned, has a nearer resemblance to hair
than to wool in its’usual state. Among the great diversity’ of
breeds of fheep ia this country, there are some which carry crisped
wool frizzled up, as it would seem nearly in the same manner as A-~
frican negroe’s hair. Other breeds carry lank wool, hanging streight
down in locks, nearly as goats hair: while in other cases, though the
filaments be parallel to each other, and by no means frizzled in their
natural state, yet these locks are gently waved, as if they had been
done up by pincers. This is the case with most of the Shetland
breed of fheep. It is probable the wool of the lambs here mention-
ed may resemble these. It would tend much to the increasé of
knowledge, could some genuine spgcimens of these furs, and other
fkins of fheep of the most valuable breeds in different parts of the
world, so drefsed as to preserve the fleece entire, when at its full
growth, be procured, and deposited in the museums of natural history
all over Europe; and the Editor of this Miscellany will be much o-
bliged to such of his correspondents abroad, into whose hands this

334 strictures on manners. Fuly 316

STRICTURES ON MANNERS.
Continued from vol. iii. p. 239.
Parr Il.

Manners of the Englifh after the Norman con-
quest.

Tae most striking instance of barbarity we find
upon record, in the manners of our ancestors, was
the common, though horrid practice, of selling them-
selves, their-children, or kindred, into slavery; a
practice common to all the German nations, and
long continued by the natives of this island.

may fall, for such specimens as may come in their way, accompanied
with a description’of the place where found, the time when obtained,
and every other particular that appears to them to be of impor-
tance. Nor does he with that this fhould be confined to fheep only,
but to that of goats aiso; especially those like the Angora goat,
which carry a fleece of great value; as also of the camel tribe, or
other domestic fur-bearing animals. He has seen a specimen of a
-kind of hair, or wool, said to have come from Peru, that is evidently
the fleece of an animal of considerable size. The filament has none
of that crispinefs, that is a general characteristic of wool; but it is
Tong, sleek, and glofsy,: like hair, though it has the softnefs of
wool, or rather of silk. The longest, and coarsest of that wool measures
more than a foot in length, and is of a fawn coloured tinge, resem-
bling that of Vigonia wool, but lighter. ‘The finer parts of the wool
are white, and though long, is still fhorter than the other ; and remark-
ably sott and silky ; even more so than Shetland wool. Any notices
concerning the animal that carries this fleece would prove highly ac-
ceptable. Edit.

¥993-. strictures om manners. 135

Men, in that uncivilized age, not daring to rely
on the protection of the laws, were obliged to de-
vote themselves to the service of some chieftain,
whose orders they followed even to the disturbance
of the government, or the injury of their fellow
citizens, and who afforded them in return protection
from any insult or injury from strangers.

Hence we find, that almost all the inhabitants,
even of burroughs, had placed themselves under the
protection of some particular nobleman, whose pa.
tronage they purchased by annual payments, and
whom they considered as their sovereign more than
the king himself; and so much was one of these
supposed to belong to his patron, that his murderer
was obliged by law to pay a fine ‘to the latter, as 2
compensation for his lofs.—The inhabitants of some
towns were even in a more servile state ; being al-
together under the ‘absolute power of the king,
or some temporal lord or abbot :—And in this case,
they were at the disposal of their lords, (whether
king or subject,) without whose consent they could
not devise their estates even to their own children.
“The kings of England, (says Mr Madox, writing
of these times.) were generally merciful and gra-
cious lords to the inhabitants of their towns. For it
was entirely in their choice to let them to a ‘pro-
‘vost or custos, with power sufficient to opprefs
the inhabitants; or they might let out their towns
at a rack-rent, or otherwise, to any one they pleased
to gratify.”

* The cities appear to have been, at the conquest,
little better than villages.—York itself, though it

136 strictures on manners. Suly 3hy
was always the second, at least the third city in
England, contained then but 1418 families.—There
was no spirit for buildings of conveniency, far lefs for.
magnifience® . For Malmesbury tells us, that the
great distinction between the Anglo-saxon nobility,
and the French or Norman, was, that the latter built
magnificent and stately castles ; ; whereas the former
consumed their immense fortunes in riot and hospi-
tality i in mean houses.

There was in those days no middle rank of men,
who, as we see now, gradually mix with their su-
periors, and procure insensibly honour and distinc-
tion. If by any extraordinary accident a person of
mean birth acquired riches, a circumstance so singu-~
lar made him an object of universal jealousy and dis-
gust to all the nobles, and he soon found it impofsi-
ble to screen himself from opprefsion, except by cour-
ting the protection of some great chieftain, and pay-
ing a large price for his safety.

Theft and robbery | were very frequent at this
time.—To impose some checks upon these crimes,
it was ordered that no man fhould sell or buy any
thing above twenty- pence value, except in open mar=
ket ; and every bargain was to be executed before
witnefses. Gangs of robbers much disturbed the
peace of the country ; and the law determined that
a tribe of banditti consisting of between seven and

* I, as historians relate, S t Paul’s ecient which was burnt
down in the year 961, was re-built the same year, nothing can bea
clearer proof of the meannefs of the chief buildings at that time,
since, as Mr Maitland rightly conjectures, it must most ~probably
have been a small timber building.

493+ strictures on manners. 139
and thirty-five persons was to be called a troop; any
greater company was to be denominated an army,
and punifhed accordingly.

Notwithstanding the seeming liberty, or rather
licentiousnefs of our remote ancestors, the great bo-
dy of the people in those ages enjoyed much lefs
true liberty, than where the execution of the laws
is the most severe, and where subjects are reduced
to the strictest subordination, and dependence on the
civil magistrate. The reason is derived from the
excefs of that liberty itself. Men must guard them-
selves at any price against insults and injuries ;
and where they receive not protection from the
laws, they will seek it by submifsion to superiors,
and by herding in some inferior confederacy, which
acts under the direction of a powerful chieftain ; and
thus all anarchy is the immediate cause of tyranny;
if not over the state, at least over many of the indi-
viduals, ©

Whatever we may imagine concetnigg the usual
truth and sincerity of men, who live in a rude and
barbarous state, there is much more falsehood, and
_ even petjury amongst them than in civilized nations ;
and virtue, which is nothing but a more cultivated
reason, never flourilhes to any degree, nor is found-
ed on steady principles of honour, except where a
good education becomes general ; and men are taught
the pernicious consequences of vice, treachery, and
immorality. Even superstition, though more pre-
valent among ignorant nations, is but a poor supply
for the defects of knowledge and education; and
our European ancestors, who employed every mo

VOL, XVI. 5 t

138 ~ strictures on manners. Fuly 3%.
iment the expedient of swearing on extraordinary
e¥ofses and reliques, were lefs honourable in all ens
gagements than their posterity, who from experi+
énce have’ omitted those ineffectual securities.
This general pronenefs to petjury, was much jn-
ereased by the usual want of discernment in judges,
who could not diseufs an intricate evidence, and
were obliged to number, not weigh, the testimony
of witnefses. Hence the practice of single combat
was employed by most nations 9n the continent, as
a remedy against false evidence ; and though it was
frequently dropped, from the opposition of the cler-
gy, it was continually revived ‘from the experience
of the falsehood attending the testimony of witnef-
Ses.

The price of all kinds of wounds and injuries was
fixed by the Saxon laws :—a wound of an inch long,
ander the hair, was paid with one fhilling: one of a
like size on the face, two fhillings: thirty fhillings
for the lofs of an-ear, &%c. &5c. tice. There seems
not to have been any difference made according to
the dignity of the person. Ainy one who commit-
ted adultery with his neighbour’s wife, was obliged
to pay him a fine, and dvy him another wifé.
Murder itself was only liable to a fine or compensa-
tion to the kindred of the deceased ; and to satisfy
the church’by their penance. . When a person was
unable to pay the fine, he was put out of the pro-
tection of the law; and the kinddred of the deceased ,
had liberty to punifh him as they thought proper.

As to the value of money in those times, compa-
red to the necefsaries of life, we find that a fheep was

1993+ strictures on manners. 139
estimated at a fhilling; the fleece was two fifths of
the value of the whole fheep: an ox was computed
at six times the value of a fheep; a cow at four: a
horse was valued at about thirty fhillings of our me-
ney ; a mare a third lefs; whereby it appears a horse
was then five or six times the value of an ox. A
man was valued at three pounds; the board wages
of a child, the first year, was eight fhillings. Willi-
am of Malmefbury mentions it as a remarkably high
price, that William Rufus gave fifteen marks for
a horse, or about 301. of our present money. Land
was sold for little more than a fhilling an acre;.a
hen cost about three-halfpence.

It is to be remarked, that in all ancient times,
coin, by reason of the low state of hufbandry, bore
always a higher price, compared to cattle, than it
does in our times. The saxon chronicle tells us,
that in the reign of Edward the Confefsor, there was
the most terrible famine ever known, insomuch that
a quarter ¢ of wheat rose to at least 15s. of our. pre-
sent money, which appears by comparison to have
been a most enormous famine. J_am, te.

Edinburgh, PROMETHEUS.
March 29. 1793.

——— ee
POETRY.
ee

DEttra To CLiTo.

In answer to the espistle in our last.

Ir, to a starving son of want, a feast '
Can comfort yield, and constitute him blest :
If, toa wretch condemn'd, a kind reprieve
Can joy bestow, and his sad soul relieve :
Not lefs delight, did thy dear lines impart,
My Ciito, to my longing anxious heart! .

Qh! had I been some rustic of the plain,
And, Clito thou, some humble village swain,
Then, would no angry father’s harfh decree,
Have forc’d thee from thy country—friends and me }
Pleas’d, our fond tales of love we would have told,
As we, together, sped our flocks to fold,
Near some transparent stream, whose windings lead
In sweet meanders o’er the fragrant mead, 4
We would have sat, and, mutually exprest
The soft sensations of each honest breast.

Frequent, I tread the solitary gloom,
Where, oft together, we were wont to roam;
Sometimes, I hie me to the jefs’mine grove,
Dear, happy spot, where C/ito told his love !
Where, first, he all his fervent flame disclos’d,
And, every secret of his soul expos’d :
Where, bath’d in melting tears that copious flow’d,
Eternal truth, and constancy he vow’d !
Whilst, to my mem’ry, fond reflection brings
Past tender moments, and pathetic things !
But ah! those joysare fled !—those scenes are o’er,
Nor I, perchance, fhall realize them more!

Ah! what are all the charms of pomp and fhow?

To me they’re joylefs, and insipid too.
; ‘The world, can boast no solid blifs for me ;

T’d give its fleeting pleasures, all for thee! *
For thee, I’'d bear the cold—bleak, northern blast,
Or raging sun, that browns the eastern waste:
T’ enjoy thy love, I’d scale whole hills of snow,
Tho’ death and dangers threaten asI go!
Brave desert wilds, encounter rapid floods,
Explore unheard of climes, and savage woods ?
Spurn, at the glories of a monarch’s throne
To make my faithful C/ito all my own; \

£793+

poetry.
Reject th’ exhaustlefs riches of Peru,
Its boundlefs wealth, my C/ito, all for you!

One lonely hour, when silence reign’d around,
And every eye was clos’d in sleep profound :
When solemn midnight, held her sable reign,
Morpheus, the God of dreams, pofsefs’d my brain.
Methought I saw thee on a rugged coast,

With grief transported for thy Delia, lost,
‘Adown thy cheeks the briny torrents flow,

‘And heard thy groans exprefsive of thy woe:
Methought, a savage Indian aim’d his dart

‘At thy defencelefs—agonising heart!

Then, quick inventive fancy chang’d the scene,
And plac’d thee amid fields of blooming green 5
Plac’d thee my Ciito, near an woodbine grove,

- With a fair female, whom thou call’dst thy love!

There, I beheld thee all absorb’d in blifs,
Vow lasting faith and pledge the mutual kifs,
Whilst my sad soul, which nothing could afsuage,
OF perjur’d love, exclaim’d with frantic roge ;
Till with distrefs I woke at morning light,
‘And found twas all a vision of the night.

Oh, Clito, hard’s my wretched lot to prove,
Each varied pain that absence yields to love!
But thee, I’ll ne’er distrust, thou matchlefs youth,
Whose soul is goodnefs, and whose words are truth *
Tho’ cruel fate hath fix’d.thy haplefs doom,
Far from thy love, on foreign fhores to roam ;
Tho’, from my arms, my Clito, thou art hurl’d,
A mourning exile, to a distant world !i
What, tho’ soft pleasure spreads her silken chains,
And wealth and grandeur thrive on eastern plains ?
What, tho’ ten thousand nymphs around thee dwell,
Whose blooming charms, all others do excell ?
Yet, to thy Dedza, thou wilt true remain,
And wealth, and beauty tempt thy faith in vain!

Yes, dearest Clito, let us not despair,
But, constant, Heav’n invoke with earnest pray’.
Then, may the powers, in pity to our smart,
Intenerate thy angry father’s heart.

‘Propitious Heav’n, may yet appoint a day,

When all our doubts, and cares, fhall flee away,
When, thou fhalt in a father’s smiles be blest,

And claspt again with ardor to his breast ;

When, (oh, blest thought !) on Britain’s happy fhore,
We, once again fhall meet—to PART NO MORE :

14

342 : the Edda analysed. Fuly 3h .

EDDA RESENII. . Harnra, 1665. gto.
Compared with Mallet and Goranson, their Editions.

‘The Editor has been favoured with the following brief analysis of the
Edda,—a collection o: the mest ancient northern historical tracts that
have been brou ght down to oartimes, by an ingenious correspondent,
whose writings have thrown great light on many departments in
the republic of letters. These are the earliest attempts at histori-
cal records, and afford only obscure hints of certain transactions now
so totally forgotten as to put it out of our power to separate the
truth from fiction. But Denmark is rich in historical records of a
Tater date, and lefs doubtful authority, which the prince of that
country, with a judgement and munificence that give him a distin-
guifhed pre-eminence among the princes of Europe, has been gradu-
ally publifhing to the world for many years past, in such a manner
as to render them accefsible to all neighbouring nations, on whosé
ancient history these volumes will tend to throw considerable light.
Among these the writings of Snorro hold a-conspicuous rank, from
whose history some extracts were lately given which have been
furnifhed to the Editor by a correspondent to whom the readers
of the Bee are indebted for many other valuable communications.

"Tus book contains, frst, A Dedication to Frederic im.
of no lefs than fifty-eight pages, and which presents a
complete catalogue of all the books publifhed on ethics or
moral philosophy, either by ancients or moderns. This
dedication Mallet calls the preface, by an odd mistake.
Resenius tells us in the end that he was profefsor of
ethics, and so, as seems, thought himself obliged to give
the king.a catalogue of bocks on them ! Never was pedan-
tic folly carried so far !

2d, The preface of fifty-two pages, containing a tole-
rable account of the Eddas, elder and latter ; ; of Snorro,

ee,

“49793. \ the Edda analysed. 143

3d, The Edda and Skalda, printed as one work. The
former contains about 220, the latter about forty pages.
Every chapter first appears in Icelandic, but printed in
Danith characters; then a Danifh translation, then a La-
tin. The Danith is by Stephanius, the Latin by Mag-
nus Olai. Various readings are annotated from the manu-
Script and Latin translation of Stephanius. The version
of Magnus has not the dialogue, nor the Icelandic here
publifhed, so that cutting off the two first chapters, the
work: would run in plain narration. The absurdity of
Har and Jafuhar (Odin himself, as appears from the Skal-
da,) giving an account of Odin, infers that the dialogue
is an interpolation.

The book has neither pages nor folios marked through-
out.

The Edda has LX XVIII mythologies or fables ; Mal-
let has 33, Goranson 26. But the division is arbitrary ;
Mallet and Goranson containing the same matter. OF
the LXXVIII fables both omit from fable L to fable
LXXVIII inclusive, that is twenty-eight fables.

This Edda differs widely from Goranson’s in its intro-
ductory part, which consists of three chapters, I. Quid sz
Edda; il. De partibus Edde. \hese two little chapters,
and an epilogue at the end, are not found in ancient
manuscripts ; and Resenius thinks they were written by
Magnus Olai, the Latin translator.

But the grand difference consists in chapter III. of this
introductory part, which is very long, and is not found in
Goranson’s edition. It contains, 1st, An account of the
creation. 2d, The flood, and how eight men and women
(homines,) were saved. 3d, Of Zoroaster, architect of the
tower of Babel, and the origin of idolatry. 4th, Of Troy
or Asgard, and Odin or Priam. sth, Of Saturn and Ju-

144 the Edda analysed, Fuly 3%.
piter, and how Saturn fled to Italy, and was called Niord.
6th, Of Priam seventh from Jupiter, and of Hector, and how
Odin fled from Pompey. [N. B. This last pafsage is the
sole foundation for the foolifh idea of Mallet, concerning
Odin and Pompey.] ‘This chapter proceeds, 7th, To teil
how Odin, with many followers, went from Asia to Saxony,
where he gave Westphalia to one of his sons, France to
another ; and thence to Reid Gotland, which the author
says exprefsly is now called Yut/and, which he: gave to
Skiold, whence the Danifh kings called Skzo/dunsgar. 8th,
Odin goes to Sweden, where Gylf reigned, who offers
him and his followers what territory they pleased: Odin
chooses Sigtun, and afsumes the name of Niord. He in-
stitutes twelve princes on the plan of Troy, who were to
give judgement in the Turkith fafhion, secundum consuetu-
dines Turcicas ! oth, Odin goes to Norway, and gives it
to Seming, his son, from whom the kings and chiefs of
Norway descend. Then the tongue of the Asz spread
all over Saxony and the North.

It is almost needlefs to remark, that this strange chap
ter differs altogether from Snorro’s history, and from the
Edda itself ; so that it must have been an interpolation

by some ignorant modern hand.

EDDA.

The Edda itself consists of Mythologies and Histories?
They are arranged as under.
Mythologies. ,

Fable I. Is not in Goranson nor Mallet. It tells how
Gylf gave Gefiona as much land as fovr oxen could
plough; and who made with her plough the island of Se-
land. Brag, the poet is quoted. It is from Snorro’s his-
tory, ¢. 5.

175 3. the Edda analysed. 145
. According to Mallet. | ‘According to Mallet.
Fab.If - - Prologue. Fab, XXVil i eH se

eo nee, ae XXVHI
RR Hs etal pS. b. Ny
qyrets taba wey 4%. 09 ‘.
VE aie tore ae OPER PAAR Fi
WIVsS says! Boy XXXII - - 49
VIII XXXII
1X PURIST: XXXIV - - 2
x XXXV
zy XXXVI - - ar
Xil { 2. dey XXXVITt - - 23
XIII XXXV'I.
MG beeie 2-42). 8 XXXIX tA
Big vine att 10 RMy,5) io At ae
XVI 25
-Xvil¢ notecards iE
Stren sen Ae (Mal = ee
BVilb- cl icy KUT ). Po-a8
XIX XLIV .
XX ‘eibin XLV "Aa lee
MXIT - - - 13 REEVE: cece ¢ 1-885
XXII D4 bop | erat
XXIV RENTS WOTMIT ES Senta 5 aia
XXV : XLIX - - + .33
Kai Fo) 3 8S

End of Part First according to Mallet.

Tue following fables are not given by Mallet or Go-
ranson, and it seems doubtful if they belong to the Edda.
The Italic numerals denote the fables omitted.

1. (L) Aéger, a magician, goes to see the Asa, and
is nobly entertained, the hall being illuminated with
the light of swords only. Brag sits next him, and tells
him tales of the Asz.

* The giant Hrosvelgur causes north wind.
¢ Suasudur the south. Not in Mallet nor Goranson.
¢ Real end of the mythology.

VOL, XVi. T f

pe the Edda analysed: july 3.

Fab. 7. 2. (LI) Of Odin, Lok, and Hener. On a jour-
ney they try in vain to boil a bull which they have kill-
ed. An eagle sitting on a tree, eats it, and forces Lok
to swear that he will decoy Iduna and her apples. It is
Thiafse the giant metamorphosed.

—— 3. (LI) Thiafse carries off Iduna. Lok redeems
her. Thiafse slain by the Ase.

— 4. (LH) Skada, daughter of Thiafse, marries
Niord.

Fab. JI. 5. (LIV) Olvald, father of Thiafse, divided
his gold among his children by mouthfuls, whence gold
called The giants mouthful, &c.

Fab. II. 6. (LV) The duel of Thor and Hrugner the
giant, whose weapon was a whetstone, and all whetstones
are parts of it. Hrugner slain.

7. (LVI) Groa, a'witch, tries in vain to take out
a part of the whetstone which stuck in Thor’s head.

Fab. IV. 8. (LVII) Thor’s journey to Geirod’s town,
Geirod and his daughters slain.

End of Brag’s tales.

Fab. V. 9. (LVIII) The Asz go to feast with /Eger,
Lok kills the servant of AXger.

Fab. VJ. 10. (LIX) Lok cuts off Sif’s hair, and gets
from the dwarfs golden hair, The thip Skydbladuer,
Thor’s hammer, d'c.

Fab. VII. 13. (LX) Origin of poetry. The gods and
Vans make a man. He is slain by two dwarfs, Fialar
and Galar, and his blood mixed with honey is poetry,
These dwarfs also kill Gilling, a giant, and his wife.
‘——— 12. (LXI) Suttung, son of Gilling, i imprisons the
dwarts, and gives the poetic draught to his daughter
Gunlanda, to keep.

—— 13. (LXII) The Asz acquire poesy: Odin hires
himself as a servant to Baug, brother of Suttung. He cay,

nes cee RD 9

: ' ‘

793. the Edda analysed. 949
ses Baug bote a hole through a stone in the wall of Gun.
lauda’s chamber, turns himself into a worm, lies with her
three nights. She lets him drink all the potion, He
turns himself into an eagle, dc. as in Mallet.

j Historical.

Hist. /. 1. (LXIII) Of Hrolf Krak, king of Denmark.
Origin of the proverb, Parvo Voggus gaudet.

— 2.(LXIV) Adventures of the same, and Adis
king of Upsal. Why gold called The seed of Fyrefield, &c.

Hist. ZZ. 3.,(UXV) Holg, king of Halogaland, buried
in a tomb roofed with gold and silver. Hence gold call-
ed The roof of Holg’s tomb.
_ Hist. I. 4. (LXVI) Frode Fridleif, and the mill of
Fenja and Menja. Salt called The meal of Fenja, &c.

Hist. ZV. 5. (LXVII) Of Hilda, daughter of king Ho-
gna, Why battle called Hi/dur, &c.

Mythclogical (out of place *.)

Fab. VIII. 14. (LX VIII) Odin, Lok, and Heener kill
an otter.
— 15. (LXIX) Hreidmar calls his sons Fafner and
Regin, and tells that the Asse had killed Ottar, their bro-
ther, who used to hunt, changed into an otter: The Asz
promise as much gold as will cover the otter’s fkin.
- 16. (LXX) Lok goes to Andvar, the dwarf, to
get gold: The gods cover the skin. Hence gold called
The otter’s price.

Historical.
Hist. V. 6.( LX XI) Fafnet and Regin kill their father
for his gold. Fafner takes all; turns himself into a set-
pent, and guards it.

* But it may be said that all to the end forms the history of Sigurd,
Gudrutia, and their children.

—

148 observations on the Edda. July 31.

—— 7. (LXXII) Regin becomes smith to king Hial-
frek, who educated Sigurd [Torf. Ser. 333.] son of Sig-
sound Volsung, and of Hiardisa, afterwards a great king.
Regin makes a sword wherewith Sigurd kills Fafner.
He broils his heart, and learns the speech of’ birds.
Warned by two swallows, he kills Regin. Gold called
The bed-of Fafner.

Hist. V7. 8. (LXXIH) Sigurd marries Gudruna,
daughter of Giuki, and has two children, Sigmund and
Suanhilda.

—— 9. (LXXIV) Of Brinhilda and the death of Sig-
urd.

Hist. VII. 10. (LX XV) King Atle kills the Giukungi,
sons of Sigurd. Gold called The strife of the Nifiungi
or Giukungt.

Hist.» VIE 11. (LXXVI) Gudruna kills Atle, and
marries king Jonaker, by whom fhe has three sons, Saurl,
Hamdersand Erp. Suanhilda, daughter of Sigurd, edu-
cated. © .

—— 12. (LXXVII.) King Jormunrek marries. Suan-
hilda. Randver, his son, wifhing to have her, is put to
death.

- 13. (LXXVIII) Jormunrek kills Suanhilda.
Gudruna excites her sons Saurl, Hamder, and Erp, to slay
Jormunrek, but they, are seized and stoned to death.
Hence stones are called The bane of the brothers.

End of the Edda.
An epilogue is added by Olai of no moment.

OBSERVATIONS ON THE ABOVE. —
- Ir is a very singular fact that the original histories of
all nations are marvellous fables and tales, which are ut-
terly incomprehensible by the human understanding. The

1993. observations on ihe Edda. 149
fables and extravagant stories hinted at in the foregoing
abridgement of the Edda, bear such a similarity to the my-
thological fables of the Hindus, and other Asiatic nations,
many of which have been lately brought to light by the re-
searches of the Europeans in Asia; and these are so like to
the fables of the Egyptians, Phcenicians, and Greeks,
as to give a strong indication that they must all
have had one common origin. ‘To discover the origin of
this universal coincidence in such a seemingly unnatural
aberration of the human mind, would afford matter foravery
curious investigation. By the foregoing very brief analysis
of the Edda, when compared: with other early tales of na=
tions, the fact is incontestibly proved ; and it appears 'to be

one of the most singular facts respecting man that has
yet been brought to light. :

Let us not, however, plume ourselves with the notion
that the natural faculties of man, at a distant. period;
were weaker than those we now enjoy, although many of
the writings that have been preserved to us appear absurd.
We all know that certain moral causes have a power of
influencing the mind to an astonifhing degree, and of
overruling its natural powers at certain times, so as to
induce peculiar modes of thinking and of reasoning, even
among the wisest men, that at another period appear to
have been the most childifh and absurd imaginable. Per-

_ haps few of the human race was ever endowed with natu-
ral faculties of: superior energy to those of Duns Svotus;
yet his finest reasoning we now-deem but quibbles : and
what can appear'to be more absurd than the reveries of
Swedenburgh, who was allowed to be a man of talents far
exceeding those of the common race of men. These are
proofs that the human mind is at the present day equally
liable to err as in former times; and the Proverbs ‘of So-
lomon afford. a clear incontestible evidence that

150 - the deformed and handsome leg. July 3.
the understdnding of man was in former times equally vi-
gorous as at present. £s0mh

Let us not, then, despise those who have written what
we cannot understand ; or think, that because their fables
appear to us extravagantly absurd, that the persons who
believed in these things were by natute inferior to our-
selves. Let us rather, when we feel in ourselves a dispo-
sition to afsume a dictatorial authority above others, be
convinced, that we also, may in our turn, be found to have
been under the influence of some fascinating power that
has led our understandings astray ; and let us at all times
with becoming humility of mind, instead of arrogantly
afsuming to ourselves a superiority above all others, rather
lay our hands on our mouths, and our mouths in the dust,
humbly beseeching the Supreme Being to banith from our
hearts all vanity and pride, that we may be thus enabled
to act our part in this life with kindnefs to others, and
mutual forbearance 3 as knowing that a time will soon ar-
rive, when all these boasted attainments, on which we aré
apt to plume ourselves so much, fhall appear at best to be
but weak and foolifh reveries like the fables of ancient
times.

OOOO SaaS TOOT

THE DEFORMED AND HANDsoMe Lxc,
By Dr Franklin.

Tuere are two sorts of people in the world, who, with
equal degrees of health and wealth, and the other com-
forts of life, become, the one happy, and the other mi-
serable. This arises very much from the different views
in which they consider things, persons and events—
and the effect of those different views upon their own
minds.

In whatever situation men can be placed, they may
find conyeniencies and inconyeniencies: in whatever com-

.

3793. the deformed and handsome leg. =§=——‘t 5k
pany, they may find persons and conversations more or
lefS pleasing : at whatsoever table, they may meet with
meats and drinks of better and worse taste, difhes bet-
ter and worse drefsed. In whatever climate, they will
find good and bad weather: under whatever government,
they may find good and bad laws, and good and bad ad-
ministration of those laws. In every poem, (or work of
genius) they may see faults and beauties. In almost e-
very face, and every person, they may discover fine fea-
tures and defects, good and bad qualities.

Under these circumstances, the two sorts of people a-
bove mentioned fix their attention, those who are dis-
posed to be happy, on the conveniencies of things, the
pleasant parts of conversation, the well drefsed dithes, the
goodnefs of the wines, the fine weather, d’c. d'c. and en-
joy all with chearfulnefs. -Those who are to be unhappy,
think and speak only of the contraries. » Hence they
are continually discontented themselves; and, by their
remarks, sour the pleasures of society, offend personally
many people, and make themselves every where disagree-
able. Ifthis turn of mind was founded in nature, such
unhappy persons would be the more to be pitied. But as
the disposition to criticise and be disgusted, is, perhaps,
taken up originally by imitation, and is unawares grown
into a habit, which, though at present strong, may never-
thelefs be cured, when those who have it, are convinced
of its bad effects on their felicity, I hope this little admo-
nition may be of service to them—and put them on chan-
ging a habit, which, though in the exercise it is chiefly
an act of imagination, yet has serious consequences in
life, as it brings on real griefs and misfortunes. For, as
many are offended by, and nobody loves, this sort of people,
no one fhows them more than the most common civility
and respect, and scarcely that; and this frequently puts
them out of humour, and draws them into disputes and

152 the deformed and handsome leg. Fuly 3X
contentions. If they aim at obtaining some advantage
in rank or fortune, nobody wifhes them succefs, or will
stir a step or speak a word to favour their pretensions
If they incur public censure gr disgrace, no one will de-
fend or excuse, and many join to aggravate their mis-
conduct, and render them completely odious, If these
people will not change this bad habit, and condescend to
be pleased with what is pleasing, without fretting them-
selves and others about the contraries, it is good for
ethers to avoid an acquaintance with them, which is al-
' ways disagreeable, and sometimes very inconvenient, es-
pecially when one finds himself entangled i in their quarrels,
An old philosophical friend of mine. was grown, from
experience, very cautious in this particular, and carefully
avoided any intimacy with such people. He had, like
other philosophers, a thermometer to fhow him the heat
of the weather, and a barometer, to mark when it was
likely to prove good or bad; but there being no instru-
ment invented to discover, at first sight, this unpleasing —
disposition, in a person, he for that purpose made use of
his legs, one of which was remarkably handsome, the o-
ther, by some accident, crooked and deformed. If a
stranger, at the first interview, regarded his ugly leg more
than his handsome one, he doubted him. If he spoke of
it, and took no notice of the handsome leg, that was suf,
ficient to determine my philosopher to have no further
acquaintance with him. Every body has not this two
legged instrument—but every one, with a little attention;
may observe signs of that carping, fault-finding dispositi-
on, and take the same resolution of avoiding the acquain-
tance of those infected with it, I therefore advise those
critical, querulous, discontented, unhappy people, that. if
they wifh to be respected and beloved by others, and hap,
py in themselves, they fhould eave off looking at the ugly leg.

140.

THE BEE,

OR

LITERARY WEEKLY INTELLIGENCER,

FOR

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 7. 1793.

On THE DIFFERENT VARIETIES OF SHEEP IN A WILD AND Do-
MESTIC STATE, REARED IN THE Russian Empire, AND By
THE PASTORAL NATIONS FROM THE FRONTIERS OF Evnore Tp
THOSE oF Curna,

Continued from p. 133+

The second variety.

Short tazled beep:

"Tuts variety of domestic fheep is ‘called the Ru/-
sian, and Pallas has named it ovzs brachiura, or
fhort tailed. It is reared through out all the’ north
of Rufsia, and resembles that of Iceland, in’ size,
tail, and coarsenefs of fleece.

Thus we see that although the northern regions
of Rufsia are little favourable to woo’ bearing ani-
mals, yet they boast of a variety of the fhort tailed
fheep, peculiar to the country, which although re-
sembling the Icelandic in-many respects, yet differs
from it in a very efsential character, that of the
horns, which are much smaller, aud have nothing

VOL. Xvi. U t

154 account of the fhort tailed foecp. —-Aug. 7
of that exuberance which Buffon and others attri-
bute to the fheep of that island.

It resembles the Tscherkefsian fheep described in
last article, in the form of its head, straight upright
ears, and in thicknefs of fleece; but the quality of
the two fleeces are widely different ; as this variety
has woo/ almost as coarse as dog’s hair : but the great
distinguifhing character between them is the tai/,
which is almost a quarter yard fhorter than that
of the Tscherkefsian.

The brachiura or fhort tailed theep, is reared not
only by the northern Rufsians, but likewise by the
Fins and other neighbouring nations. . Some of this
variety have been transported by the Rufsians into
Siberia, where they have supported themselves on
some pastures, though in poor condition; but
through all the southern countries, they are in lefs
estimation than the long tailed, and fat tailed,
varieties, which are much superior to them for size,
fat, and good eating. The ewe of this fhort tailed
variety, couples readily with the ram of the steato-
pyga or fat tailed breed, and produces an animal
nobler and larger than its mother, with a ¢az/ swelled
at the base with fat, but meagre towards the end,
like that of the mixed breed, which makes Dr
Pallas’s fourth and last variety of domestic fheep.

The ewe of the brachiura (always the subject of.
this article,) couples likewise clandestinely with the
domestic he goat, and produces an animal much

1793° “account of the foort tailed fheep. 155

resemblitig the mother, but with a fleece of wool
and bair*.

The brachiura or Rufsian fheep, supports very
well the severity of a northern climate, and Dr
Pallas doubts not but it might pafs the winter in
the plains of mountainous northern countries,
where there is not much snow; nay he even thinks
it might augment their hardynefs and strength, if we
are to judge from their habits and treatment of the
Iceland flocks, so well described by Anderson in his
account of that island.

Dr Pallas remarked that on mountainous pas-
tures, exposed to the sun, such as on the acclivity of
the Ouralic chain, the Rufsian or fhort tailed
fheep, were larger, fatter, and had a finer fleece.

Grofsing the breed with the Tscherkefsian or long
tailed fheep, likewise mends both the stature and
fleece of the Jrachiura; whereas in its own natural
state, without admixture of other varieties of fheep,
it is but small, lean, and produces, in ‘the northern
parts of Rufsia, a wool so extremely coarse, as on-

# Has this fact been sufficiently ascertained? I very much doubt
it. In many parts of Scotland the fheep and goats go together pra-
miscuously at all seasons ; and notwithstanding what has been said by
Buffon,and other naturalists on that subject, it is a certain fact that
no person in these countries, ever saw a breed produced between the
goat and the fheep. This opinion seems to have been adopted merely
from the fhaggy appearance of the fleece of some breeds of fheep,
which much resembles the hair ofa goat; but these are found equally
in countries where no goats exist, as in those where goats aboound.

Edit.

156 account of the fat ramped fheep.. —-_ Aug. 4+
ly to be fit for the cloth of peasants, in a state of
vafsalage *.

*

The third variety:

The STEATOPYGA, or fat rump of Pallas; the oyts
LATICAUDATA of authors. .
This variety, which has no fixed trivial name, bat

is differently denominated in every country where it

js reared, is both the most abundant and largest
breed of fheep in the world. »

It is reared throughout all the temperate regions
of Asia, from the frontiers of Europe to those of
Ghina, ‘in the vast plains of Tartary. All the No-
made hordes of Asia, the Turcomans, Kirguise,
Calmouks, and: Mongal Tartars, rear it; and indeed

% The coarsenefs of the fleece seems to be by no means a charac>
teristical peculiarity of this breed of fheep. The Shetland breed of
fheep is obviously referable to this clafs, and it produces the finest wool
ofany that is yet known. I myself have seen an indefinite number
of varieties of this breed of fheep, each of them pofsefsing certain he-
reditary and distinguifhable peculjarities. Some of these carried wool
of the finest pile I have ever seen, and softest quality ; while others
carried wool extremely coarse, and of very little value. It would
seem that this last breed of this variety of fheep had chanced to be
very generally difseminated overthe Ruisian empire. Smallnefs of
size seems to be a yery general distinguifhing peculiarity of this breed
of fheep. The having or wanting horns is by no means characteris-
tic of this breed. Neither is the tendency to leannefs a permanent pe-
culiarity. The fattest fheep t ever killed was of this breed: it was
ofa'very small size,—had run abroad all winter among a considerable '
flock, which was not fed for the butcher. It was killed in the
month of May. The hind quarter weighed only five pounds and a
half, cixteen ounces to the pound, and it gave six pounds of tallow,
twenty-six ounces to the pound—irom which some idea may be had
wl the nature of the muttun. It was aewe that had miised lamb.

7 Edit.

£493. account of the fat rumped fheep. 157
it constitutes their chief riches, the number they
pofsefs being enormous. The Persians also rear it in
abundance ; as likewise the Hottentots, as we are
informed by Kolbe in his travels to the Cape of
Good Hope; whilst Osbeck in his journey to China,
afserts that the fat tad/ed fheep are reared through
that whole empire.

We know from other authorities, v7%. Shaw, and
the abbé Demanent, two writers quoted in a for-
mer article, that the same breed obtains in Syria,
Mauritania, and the other regions of Africa, under
some modifications of form, from different causes, so
that the doctor thinks he has brought sufficient
evidence of what he advanced.in the beginning of this
article, v7z that the steatopyga or fat rumped fheep
is the most universally reared and multiplied of
any breed in the world.

Here however the pure wnmixed race is only trea~
ted of, as they exist in the vast deserts of Great
Tartary, influenced in their form only by pastur-
age, soil, air, and water ; no other variety being near
to contaminate their blood.

The flocks therefore of all the Tartar hordes re-
semble one another by a large yellowifh muzzle, the
mpper jaw often projecting beyond the lower ; by
long hanging ears; by the horns of the adult ram
being lerge, spiral, wrinkled, angular, and bent in
alunar form. ;

The body of the ram, and sometimes of the ewe,
swells gradually with fat, towards the posteriors ;
where a solid mafs of fat is formed on the rump, and
falls over the anus in place of a tail, divided into

158 account of the fat rumped beep. Aug. 4s
two hemispheres, which take the form of the hips,
with a little button of a tail in the middle, to be
felt with the finger *.

This variety, besides the characters mentioned
above, have slender legs in proportion to their bo-
dies, a high chest, large hanging testicles, a large
prepuce, and tolerably fine woo/ mixed with hair.

Such are the great characteristic marks by
which the flocks of all the Tartar hordes resemble
one another ; but climate, soil, tc. produce some
small difference on this variety, whether reared by
the Tartars, or the Rufsians, in the western deserts
of Great Tartary, from the river Volga tothe Ir-
tifh, and the Altaic chain of mountains. In all that,
tract of country, the pasturage is mostly arid, and it
abounds in acrid and liliaceous plants, in spring,
whilst in summer it produces, at least in the open
spots where fheep delight to feed, besides gramen,
bitterand aromatic plants artemisia, camphorosna, and
many species of salsola, abounding in juices and salts.

There is likewise found every where an efflores-
cence of natron, with sea, or glauber’s salt; nay eve
the waters of the desert contain in’ general the same
salts.

Now it is almost unnecefsary to inform European
fhepherds, that such pasturage has the effect of aug-
menting the size of /beep, if it produces no other
change upon them, so that we see in this instance,
bow some kind of difference may arise amongst
fheep of the same breed, merely from accidental cau-

* See plate second, fetter A. This plate will be given with a fu-
ture number. Edit.

s

1793. * account of the fat rumped Jheep. 159
‘ses, without the least admixture of hetrogeneous
blood.
Kirguise Tartar flocks wandering in Great Tartary.

The mode of life of the southern Tartar flocks,
may certainly have an influence upon them, as well
as on the western just mentioned. It is as follows:

They enjoy a moderate winter with regard to
cold, from the protection of mountains, although
they pafs it in the open-air, with their Nomade
masters; living mostly on dry stalks, especially
those of the half dry worm-wood, which is abun-
dant in the miore elevated situations, that the wind
keeps clear of snow.
Tn the spring, their masters conduct them to pas-
tures rich in rising plants and flowers *; and now
being come into a most palatable and favourite pas-
turage, sprinkled with the above mentioned salt ef-
florescence scattered by the wind, and further im-
pregnated with saline dews, which fall often there in
the night, they augment their bulk very considera-
bly during summer, and still add to it in autumn,
by the pasturage mentioned above, abounding in
salsola and artemisia.

In these long journies, they are often deprived of
water for a considerable time, till they come to

* Virgils excellen: description of the Lybian Nomade fhepherd in his

3d book of the Georgics v..340, answers well to the Tartar No~
Mades

Diem noctemque et totum exordine mensem
Poseitur—itque pecus longa in deserta sine ullis
: Hospitis ; tantum campe jacet omnia secum
Armentorius aseragit, tectumque laremque
Armeque amyclarumque canem crefsamque pharetram, &<.

\

160 account of the fat rumped Sheep. Aug. 7.
some brack:th well, of which they drink most greedy-
ly. In (hort the flocks partake both the pleasures
and sufferings of their wandering masters, and enjoy
almost as much liberty.
However in one respect, they enjoy but a limi-
ted portion, that is in illicit and promiscuous amours,
to prevent which the Tartars tie about the belly of
the rams, some old rags, after* they have covered the
ewes at a stated time, so that they may bring forth
their young, when every natural advantage awaits
them. Forty or fifty rams are sufficient for a thou-
sand ewes, and still they are so prolific, that they
generally bring two, and often three lambs, at a time ;
especially when the bandage of chastity has been
employed.
Thus the fheep are fattened from their infancy,
and their size augmented : first by great abundance
‘of mother’s milk, and then by saline bitter pastures,
insomuch that they often weigh in those regions
20u pounds ; of which weight, the soft oily fat alone
that forms on the rump, independent of suet, amounts
to from twenty to forty pounds. The wropygium or
fat rump, which is made up of this oily species of
fat, is so very large as to incommode the animal in
walking ; ; but when the same.fheep are carried in-
to the interior parts of Rufsia, the tail loses half its
size and weight, nay sometimes more, froma change
in their food and mode of life.
Johnston in his work on quadrupeds, confirms the
fattening and prolific effects of saline pastures by say

* Query, Ought not this to be before. Edit.

1703- account of fat rumped cep, r61

ing, ‘‘ that fheep become fatter in the maritime salt
marthes of Italy, than on any other kind of pasture.”

Some'of the hordes of Kirguise on the river irtifh,
and the Stauropol. Calmouks, who wander on the
banks of the Volga below Samara, in the govern-
ment of Casan, rear a breed of the same fheep, but
much diminithed in size, in the mountainous country
they inhabit, by the want of saline pastures, and by
the depth of snow which falls there, that naturally
produces a scarcity of winter food, amongst careleis
wandering hordes who do not provide hay.

In those flocks, both sexes are often without
horns*.

The same variety, viz. the steatopyga or fat
rumped fheep are still smaller with the pastoral
Tartars on the Jenisey ; and have still lefs fat on
the tail, than the flocks alluded to above. Those of
the Bouretes come likewise under the last descrip-
tion of diminifhed fheep, from the coldnefs of their
mountainous regions, where the plants are crude,
without saline impregnation; at the same time that
the country is devoid of saline efflorescence, and where
even water is very scarce. All these wants joined
to cold, render the country of the Bouretes very
unfit for rearing large sized fat mutton. The Mon-
gal Tartars who dwell near Selenga have flieep rather
larger than those of the three hordes just mentioned ;
but never of the size of the Kirguise flocks, treated
of in page 159. Whereas the transalpine Dauric re-

#® Sce plate third letter A. .
VOL. Xvi. 3 x i

162 account ws Fat rumped fheep. Aug. 7.
gions although likewise cold, but exposed to the
south, and the genial influence of the sun, pro-
duce'the largest domestic rams Dr Pallas saw in his
whole travels, larger than those of the Kirguise, and
noteven yieldingin sizeto the European musimon; yet
the mafs of fat on the rump or tail is very small,

not exceeding much the size of two fists, and spslora
weighing ten pounds.

The reason of this remarkable change in the size
of the fat tail or uropygium, seems to be, that
there is very little wormwood in that district ; and
although there are some salt lakes, which produce
an efflorescence, yet the pasture is little or nothing
impregnated with it, which has so great a fhare, in
Dr Pallas’s opinion, in producing that particular
species of fat which forms on the tai/. The plants
that obtain there are chiefly Jeguminous. Alpine
plants, amongst which the most nutritious are the
astragali, and a small fhrub. much resembling the
robinia caragana, which fheep devour with much a-
vidity, and which has a considerable fhare in in-
creasing their size. It is likewise necefsary to add,
that very little snow lies on these mountains, and of
course the flocks have open pasture all winter ; so
that it is not so surprising if theep which have the
same nourifhment, and pretty much the same range and
habits as the musimon or wild variety, fhould ap-
proach them in size, whilst the absence of that load
of fat on the tail, so remarkable in the Kirguise flocks
in the southern deserts of Great Tartary, is evident-
ly accounted for, according to the doctor’s hypothesis,

149935 account of fut runiped fhcep: 163
by the absence of its cause, vzx. bitter saline pastures,
which do not obtain in that country.

But it seems, that such pasture alone whe unaf-
sisted by other circumstances, cannot support the
extraordinary size of the wropygium ; for when the
southern Kirguise fheep are transported, and breed in
the Rufsian colonies, even in the south of Siberia,
where.the pasture is pretty much the same as in
their own country, they become weak and lean,
wliilst the uropygium dwindl.s away to the size re-
presented in table 3d letter A.

This Dr Pallas attributes to the great change in their
mode of life and treatment by the Rufsians, who first
of all keep them watm within doors all winter, next
they give them water to drink, instead of letting them
eat snow as at home; and lastly, they deprive them
of salt: now the effects of this change of regimen is
still more visible in the descendents of the Kirguise
fheep reared in the Rufsian villages, where the uro-
pygium is diminifhed to the size of 4 man’s fist, al-
though the little button or tail remains still of its old
dimensions, and never increases them, if the breed
is not crofsed with some of the other varietes, which
alone merit the name of taz/ed fheep; as that of the

Steatopyga or fat rump, scarcely deserves the appel-
lation,

To be continued:

164 habits of attention and observation. Aug. J.

FRAGMENTS BY LORD BACON.
Art of life, in habits of attention and observation.
For the Bee.
Continued from p- 08.

# # * ® Wruen reason, industry, and experience,
build upon nature, we may expect Pyramids; but
where the foundation is artificial, nothing that is great
or durable. oo

Nature is often hidden, sometimes overcome, sel=
dom extinguifhed. :

- Force makes nature more violent m the rebound
from constraint ; long custom only doth alter and sub-
due it tothe reasonable and social purposes of life, which
is mainly visible in getting, keeping, and quickening
the habitudes of observation and attention, which
rise more sure and orderly from the nature of man
and from time, than from pedantick institution.

Touching our early years, we do not rightly ap-
pretiate the wisdom of God in giving unto chil-
dren the insatiable love of variety, and of handling
and examining every thing that is subjected unto their
view.

It is then that the human microcosm is rising out
of chaos, and that the spirit of curiosity sits brood-
ing upon the face of the deep, to bring forth the in-
finite variety of the human nature; and this grand
operation, though it may be somewhat directed by

1793. ne A attention and observation. 165
education, or the drawing rorth of the human powers,
ought not to be in any wise obstructed or precoce-
ously directed to artificial considerations.

This exercise of natural curiosity produceth in
children what may be called foreign travel, and
knowledge of the world, on which the whole of the
future excellence of the man is to be formed and es-
tablifhed ; and during this exercise, 7f zt is mot pre=
posterously and foolifoly disturbed by parents, guardi-
ans, or pedagogues, the habitudes of attention and
observation are acquired and confirmed.

This is the first grand principle of a xovum arga-
num educationis, which after ages, loosed from the
trammels of prejudice, will evince and establith.

~ It hath been a complaint universal among all who
charge themselves with education, that the difficul-
ty of obtaining and fixing the continued attention of
children to learning, baffieth all their endeavours, and
that while the book is in their hand, their thoughts
are engaged in plays that are past, or plays that are
looked for, when the irksome ta/k of the hour or of the
day is accomph/fbed.

Now the question herein plainly occureth which
may be quickly answered :

Whether is the creator of the child, the great God
ofthe universe, or the silly parent and pedagogue,
the proper judge of what inclination the child ought
to have in common with all other children for the
fitting of the whole future man for fulfilling the
intention of his creation.

Certainly what we foolifhly call a disposition in
the child to trifle, and disregard our discourses and

/

766 habits of attention and obseryation. Aug. "}4
instructions is no other than thé” far superior,
more interesting, more useful, important, and delec-
table instruction which the child is hourly, daily,
and perpetually receiving from the book of nature,
and from the author of nature, in the visible, audible,
and tangible, objects of creaton, which by infinite
mutiplications, combinations, divisions, and re-uni-
ons of imprefsed notions, are verifying by experience
the right knowledge of external objects, and form-
ing that complex rational being, which, when
duly improved in after times, 1s to be truly entitled
to the appellation of man.

Now what sort of attention would you expect
from Galileo Galilei, or from Keplerus, to an imper-
tinent schoolman who fhould pester them with pneu-
matological discufsions, whilst they were examining
and exploring the stars of the Medicis, or the laws
of the heavenly orbits ?

Do you think they wonld sit contentedly to lis-
ten to the jargon of the schools, while every mo-
ment was offering or presenting to their wondering
perception some new appearance of delectable no-
velty ?

Can we then marvel at the inattention of child
ren, occupied as they are by the irrisistible power of
young desire, and charmed as they are, with the en-
joyment of new and delightful acquaintance with
surrounding nature, for which the author of ‘that
nature has endowed them with the inexterminable
instinct of curiosity! the Palladium of human
reason, and that which in its greatnefs setteth man
so peculiarly at the head of animated nature.

1793- habits of attention and observation. 167
We thall generally find that what is called genius,
or an uncommon reach of novelty in thought and
invention among men, is no other than the fruit of
the unfhackled powers of the understanding, working
by attention, observation, and comparison, the habi-
tude of which, hath been obtained by following
that which peculiarly tickleth and delighteth the
imagination or the understanding.

It is this which leadeth some men into enterpri-
sés, that are never so much as thought of by such
as be guided in the trammels of pedantic instituti<
on, and from whence we see that most of ouré
notable discoveries have been due unto men that
have sprung from the earth, like the teeth of Cad-
mus, and have not been reared in the hot beds of pe-
dantic seminaries.

Unto a common and carelefs observer, a rich mea
dow seemeth to consist of nought but grafs, daisies,
butter-flowers, and some well-known weeds that
do infest the pastures ; but unto him who hath once
been drawn to examine the diversity of plants which
grow therein, a fhort time will exhibit to his de-
lighted and wondering eye, a variety increasing ‘with
the curiosity and intensity of observation.

Now to foster this disposition, is a grand object
both in the art of education and in the art of life,
both with respect to the natural and the moral
world.

The habitude of attention and observation, when
it hath for its scope, the almost infinite variety of
humane character and conduct, will render more
and more perfect, that notable wisdom which enab-
Ieth a man to discern the real dispositions of his

‘

168 = habits of attention and observation. Aug. 4.
fellows, their secret intentions, their weak and their
strong sides, their qualities and prejudices, and to
know how to apply himself to please others, and
yet to avoid the dangers arising from selfifhnefs and
treachery, a wisdom truly that is nowise crooked,
and may be honestly conjoined unto moral vir-
tue.

The eye and the ear, when duly accustomed to
observe all the movements of the countenance, and
the gesticulations of the body, together with the va-
rious modulation of the voice and accent, will be
able to discern the slightest approaches to envy, ma-
levolence, circumvention, and treachery; and if the
guard of the eye lids are jodiciously used as a pa-
rapit behind which to observe the movements of
‘the enemy, and to ward off his mifsile weapons, much
evil may be eschewed, and much advantage gained
by the knowledge of the distant intentions of those
with whom we are engaged in the common inter-
course of life, and still more in the commerce of
difficult and dangerous affairs.

In the exercise of this art, it highly comporteth
to mark also the unaffected exprefsions of benevo-
lence, in those with whom we converse, and from
such, gradually to choose our principal mefsmates
and companions. From these again, after due pro-
bation, to select such as may deserve some fhare of
our esteem and confidence ; and last of all, out of
this small groupe, to obtain that most rare and ad-
mirable gift of heaven, a real and true friend, or in
other words a second self. I say a second self, for
certain it is, that true friendfhip is that which not ons

nO3).. instance of bodily strength. 169
ly hath not a plural, but not even a dual in its true
construction and authentic prosody.

That phisiognomonical science hath been set down
as of doubtful interpretation, or even existence, by
deep thinkers, and prudent observers of human na-
ture, may be owing unto this circumstance, that
tnost men who have dealt in it, have drawn their
rules more from anatomical and picturesque consi-
derations, than from long and actual observation
and experience ; and have not considered that it is
only deserving of credit, when taken along with
the tone of the voice, the convulsionary move=
ments, or gesticulations of the body, the air of the
whole person, and a thousand concomitant circum-
stances, that can only be the fruit of the con.
firmed habitudes of attention and observation,
which therefore in the art of life, are ‘to be justly
held as of high commendation and importance * *, »

The rest of this section is wanting, or could not
be made out from the M S.

INSTANCE OF BODILY STRENGTH.

The prodigious strength of Bu/sigua, made Milon
cry out, ‘ Jupiter have you. then made another
Hercules.” This Bufsiqua lifted a stone which
Milon could scarcely move: he carried it to a cons
siderable distance, and threw it from him with the
greatestease. This same Bufsiqua laid hold of a
bull with one hand, inthe middle of his course,
and held him fast, in spite of his greatest efforts to
disingage himself; nay, he even seized another
bull who was pafsing by accident at. that time,
and held them both at the same time,

VOL, xvi. ¥ t

Tyo - on making ice in Inditi. Aug. 4.

ON MAKING ICE IN INDIA:
_ SIR, Edinburgh, 1793.
‘Tar following procefs of making ice in the, East
Indies, was communicated by Sir Robert Barker
F. R. S. in a letter to Dr: Brockleshy, which
was publifhed in the Philosophical Transactions.
Ifit meets with your approbation, your inserting |
jt in your Miscellany will btiinck Sir, your humble
servant Amicus.

re

The procefs of making ice in the East Indies ha-
-vitig become a subject of speculation, I beg permif.
sion to present you with the method by which it
was performed at Allabahad, Mootegil, and Calcut«
ta, in the East Indies; lying between 25° 30, and
23° 30, of north latitude. At the latter place, I
hhave never heard of any person having discovered
nat. ral ice in the pools or cisterns, or in Any wa-
ters collected on the roads; nor has the thermome-
ter been remarked to descend to the freezing point ;
and at the former, very few only have discovered
4ice, and that but seldom: but, in the procefs of
making ice at these places, it was usual to collect
a quantity every morning, before sun rise, (except
in some particular kinds of weather, which I fhall
specify in the sequel,) for near three months in the
year vis. from December till February.

£4Q3>. on making tee in India. PRE

The ice maker belonging to me at Allabahad, (at
which place I principally attended to this inquiry, )
made a sufficient quantity in the winter for the sup-
ply of the table during the summer season. The
methods he pursued were as follow: on a large
open plain, three or four ex@avations were made,
each about thirty feet square, and two deep, the
bottoms of which were strewed about eight in-
ches or a foot thick with sugar canes, or the stems
of the large Indian corn dried. Upon this bed
were placed in. rows, near to each other, a number
of small fhallow earthen pans, for containing
the water intended to be frozen. These are ungla-
zed, scarce a quarter of an inch thick, about an inch
and a quarter in depth, and made of an earth so
porous, that it was visible from the exterior part of
the pans, that water had penétrated the whole sub-
stance. Towards the dufk of the evening, they vere
filled with soft water, which had been boiled, and
then left in the afore-related situation. The ice ma-
ker attended the pits usually before the san wasabove
the horizon, and collected in bafkets what was frozen
by pouring the whole contents of the pans into them,
and thereby retaining the ice, which was daily con-
veyed to the grand receptacle, or place of preser-
vation, prepared generally in some high dry situation;
by sinking a pit fourteen or fifteen feet deep, lined first
with straw, and then with a coarse kind of blanket-
ing, where it is beat down with rammers, tillits own
accumulated cold again fréezes, and forms one soli
mafs.. The mouth of the pit is well secured from the
exterior air with straw and blankets, inthe manner

172 on making icein India. Aug. Jo
of the lining, and a thatched roof is thrown over the
whole. It is here fecefsary to remark, that the
quantity of ice depends materially on the wea-
ther ; and consequently it has sometimes happened,
that no congelation took place: at others, perhaps,
half the quantity will be frozen; and I have often
seen the ‘whole contents formed into a_ perfect
cake of ice. The lighter the atmosphere, and the
more clear and serene the weather, the more fa-
vourable for congelation ; as a frequent change of
winds, and clouds are certain preventatives. For I
have frequently remarked, that after a very fharp cold
night, to the feel of the human body, scarce any ice has
been formed ; when, at other times, the night has
been calm and serene, and sensibly warmer, the con-
tents of the pans will be frozenthrough. The stron-
gest proof of the influence of the weather appears by
the water in one pit being more congealed than the
same preparation for freezing will be in other situ-
ations, a mile or more distant.

To redson physically upon this procefs of making
ice, it may be said, that, had the thermometer been
suspended in the air, free from every other body

. capable of communicating heat, in some parts of the
night during the cold months of December, January,
February, the quicksilver might have descended
to the freezing point, and that water, being artfully
placed ina similar situation, contained in thin po-
rous pans, and supported by a substance little capa-
ble of communicating heat from the earth, might
also freeze, and continue ina state of congelation till
the heat of the morning cameon, J say this may BS

2793. on making ice in India. 173
pofsible ; but at the same time, I must beg leave to
‘observe, that, during my residence in that quarter
of the globe, I never saw any natural ice. | can-
not declare, that the thermometer has not des-
cended to the freezing point during the night,
because I never made the nécefsary observations ; but
the water in every other situation, excepting in the
pans, has not appeared to be in a freezing state.
The climate may probably contribute in some mea-
sure to facilitate the congelation of water, when pla-
ced in a situation free from the heat of the earth,
since those nights in which the greatest quan-
tity of ice has been produced, were, | before obser-
ved, perfectly serene, the atmosphere fharp, and
thin, with very little dew after midnight. *Many
gentlemen now in England, have made the same re-
marks, in their frequent visits with me to the ice
pits. The spungy nature of.the sugar canes, or
the stems of the Indian corn, appears well calculated
to give a pafsage under the pans to the cold air;
which, acting on the exterior parts of the vefsels,
may carry off by evaporation a proportion of the heat.
The porous ‘substance of the:vefsels seems equally
well qualified for the admifsion of the ccld air in-
ternally ; and their situation, being full a foot be-
neath the plane of the ground, prevents the surface
of the water from being ruffled by any small cur-
rent of air, and thereby preserves the congealed par-
ticles from disunion. Boiling the water is esteem-
ed a necefsary preparative to this method of conge«
lation ; but how far this may be consonant. with
philosophical reasoning, I will not presume to des
termine,

194 on ntaking ice in India. Mug. 7.
From these circumstances it appears, that water,
by being placed in a situation free from receiving heat
from other bodies, and exposed in large surfaces to
the air, may be brought to freeze, when the tem-
perature of the atmosphere is some degrees above
the freezing point, on the scale of Fahrenheit’s ther-
mometer; and, by being collected and amafsed into
a large body, is thus preserved, and rendered fit for
freezing other fluids, during the severe heats of the
summer season. In effecting which there is also an-
establifhed mode of proceeding; the fherbets, creams,
or whatever other fluids are intended to be frozen,
are confined in thin silver cups of a conical form,
containing about a pint, with their covers well lu-
ted on with paste, and placed in a large vefsel filled
with ice, salt petre, and common salt, of the two
last, an equal quantity, and a little water to difsolve
the ice, and combine the whole. This composition
presently freezes the contents of the cups to the
same consistency of our ice creams, tc. in Europe;
but plain water will become so hard, as to require a
mallet and knife to break it. Upon applying the bulb
of a thermometer to one of these pieces of ice thus fro-
zen, the quicksilver has been known to sink two or
three degrees below the freezing point. So that from
an atmosphere apparently not cold enough to produce
natural ice, ice fhall be formed, collected, and a cold
accumulated, that fhall cause the quicksilver to fall
even below the freezing, point. The promising advan-
tages of such a discovery could alone induce the Afsia-
tic, (whose principal study is the luxuries-cf life, and
this may well be called such, when J have often ree

1¥93- on the life of a flea. 145
galed with ices when the thermometer has stood at j
112°,) to make an attempt of profiting by so very
fhort a duration of cold during the nights, in these
months, and by a well timed and critical contrivance
of securing this momengary degree of cold, they have
procured to themselves a comfortable refrefhment asa
recompence, to alleviate, in some degree, the intense
heats of the summer season, which, in. some parts of
India, would be scarce supportable, but by the afsis-
tance of this and many otherinventions. I am, Sir,
with regard, your most obedient humble servant,

R. B.

ON THE LIFE OF A FLEA.

SIR, To the Editor of the Bee.

By inserting the following instance of the duration
of the life of a flea, in your excellent Miscellany,
you will much oblige, Sir, your humble servant,
and admirer
Caithnefs 7 :

- Fuly 1793. § LycurRGus,
~ On the duration of the life of a flea, by Borrichius.

| From the acts of Copenbagen. ’
Purny represents to us a Greek philosopher, whose
occupation, for several years together, was to mea-
sure the space fkipped over by fleas. Without giv-
ing into such rediculous researches, I can relate an
anecdote which chancé discovered to me in regard to
thatinsect, Being sent for to attend a foreign lady, whe

196 "on the life of a flea. Aug.%s
was greatly afflicted with pains of the gout, and ha-
ving staid by desire to dine with her, fhe bad me
take notice, after dinner, of a flea on her hand.. Sur-
prised at such discourse, I looked at the hand, and
saw indeed a plump and pampered flea, sucking greedi-
ly, and kept fast to it by a little gold chain. The lady
afsured me, fhe had nursed and kept the little ani-
mal at that time, full six years, with exceeding great
care, having fed it twice every day with her blood,
and when it had satisfied its appetite, fhe put it up
in a little box lined with silk.. In a month’s time;
being recovered from her illnefs, fhe set out from
Copenhagen with her flea ; but, having returned in
about a year after, I took an opportunity of waiting
upon her, and among other things, afked after her
little insect. She answered me with great concern,
that it died through the neglect of her waiting wo-
man. What I found remarkable in this story was,
that the lady being attacked by chronical pains in
the limbs, had recourse in France to a mercurial sa-
livation during six weeks ; and all this time the flea
had not ceased to feed upon her blood imbued with
the vapours of mercury, and yet was not the worse
for it, which fhows how much its constitution is dif-
ferent from that of the louse, to which mercury is a
mortal poison.

wm? :

POETRY.

ADDRESS TO THE Rose.
For the Bee

Go lovely rose, to Mary’s bosom go,
That bosom fair asis the opening morn,
When it doth nature with her sweets adorn,
And spreads her beauties upon all below.

‘Still art you sprinkled with the morning dew,
Seeming in tears to mourn the absent san,
Who yesterday his course so glorious run,

And gave your opening beauties to our view.

But the will kifs those pearly drops away,
And with her breath thy sweets fhall sweeter seem
Than fhepherd lads and fhepherd’s lafses deem

The frefh sprung violets of the month of May.

Those sweets will pleasing be, tho’ you decay.
So time to Mary’s mind perfection brings,
That fhould frail beauty roam on airy wings,
She still may charm us as at break of day.
B.B.

————S—

To Love.

Or nov, or fiend, or angel, by what name
Shall I addrefs thee? how exprefs thy powers? i
Strange compound of extremes, of heat and cold,
Of hope and fear, of pleasure and of pain!
Most credulous infidel! now trusting nought,
Now anchoring on a feather; craving all;
With nothing satisfied ; perplex’d with doubts,
Yet dreading to be sure ; surcharg’d with thought,
‘ Of speech incapable; in absence curst,
Yet eager still to ruth on certain pain!
The’ blind they call thee, yet I’ve known thee, Love,
More keen and watehful than the sleeplefs eye
Of that dread serpent whose terrific glare
Hung’ like a comet o’er th’ Hesperian boughs.
Nor ken of griping miser, nor of lynx;
Nor his whom poets feign’d with hundered eyes,
Argus, nor that majestic bird’s which looks
Undazzled on the sun, looks half so fharp,
So vigilant as thine. All seeing Love,
NNo look, no motion, gesture, deed, or word,

VOL. XV Zz .

peoliye Aug. ve
No nor the secret councils of the heart;
Can ’scape thy scrutiny. How wretched thou, id
If aught thou spiest which thwarts thine ardent with ‘
And, oh! how ravifh’d, if thou mark’st one line
Which tells the latent longings of the soul!
In that high fever, the delirious brain
Coins gaudy phantoms of celestial blifs,
Of blifs that never comes—for now, ev’n now,
Now, while love seeks and eyes the rainbow hues
With child-like rapture, and full fondly thinks
‘They ne’er fhal! fade, even now comes jealous fear,
With tottering fist, and thunders at the door. :
At this rude noise alarm’d the dreamer starts ;
Looks trembling round, and finds the vision fled.
Where now’s th’ angelic hue, the dimpl’d cheek,
The moistened eye ball, and the hidden blufh
Or Love’s delicious-smiles? From dreams like these,
From airy joy’s, he wakes, to real pain.
Quick to his sight up springs, in long array,
A tribe of devilifh ills—the cold reply,
Th’ unanswer’d question, the afsenting nod
Of dull civility, the carelefs look
Of blank indifference, the chilling frown,
That freezes at the heart, the stony eye
Of fixt disdain; or more tormenting gaze
Bent on another.. These, with all the train
Of fears and jealousies that wait on Love,
Are no imagin’d grief; no fancied ills
These; or, if fancied, worse than solid woes.

Such art thou, Love; then who that once has knownv
Thy countlefs sands, and rocks that lurk beneath,
Would ever tempt thy smiling surface more ?

Long tofs’d on stormy seas of hopes and fears,

How willingly at last my wearied soul

Would seek a fhelter in forgetfulnefs !

O bland forgetfulnefs, Love’s sweetest balm,

Come, rouse thee from thy bed, if still thou sleep’st
On Lethe’s fhore, come take this willing breast,

And fold it in thine arms; thro’ all my veins

Thy dead’ning pow’rs infuse, close up each gate

And avenue to Love, purge off the slime

“That clogs this spirit, which fain would wing its Might
To sense, to reason, liberty, and law. P,

17938. hints respecting domestic economy. | 179

Hints RESPECTING VARIOUS PLANTS TRAT MAY BE USEFUL IN
DOMESTIC ECONOMY, BY Axcticus

Sr, To the Editor of the Bee

I rxoposr dedicating this letter, to the queries in your

last letter with some miscellaneous hints on plants

that may be cultivated with advantage in Great Britain,

or which at least merit a fair trial. ,
Potyconum Yataricum.

First, The species of wild Siberian buck wheat, which
you inquire after with so much anxiety, from having
been told of its being perennial, and a promising fodder for
cattle, is the po/ygonum Tataricum of Linnzus, called by
the Rufsians Ail, and the Tartars d:kuschka.

It grows wild in several parts of Siberia; and in some
is cultivated, as it remains several years in the ground
without labour or expence. So far is certainly true; but
still I cannot take upon me to say that it is a perennial
plant, but on the contrary suspect its being an annual.

This apparent paradox may be explained in the follow-
ing manner, and I suppose will be found to be the real
fact; that as the seeds of this polygonum ripen very ‘une-
qually, those first come to maturity, are fhaken out with
the wind, before what may be called she /aiter crop, is
reaped, so as to reproduce the grain for several years
without frefh sowing, although it gradually thins, till it
totally disappears, if cut down yearly.

The Siberians gather in the grain as an article uf food,
prepared in the following manner. They roast it a little
in an iron pan, after swelling it by steeping in cold wa-
ter; a double operation which makes the hufks separate
readily during the grinding in their wooden mortars,
which are more common than mills, The grain thus

bg v
180. hints respecting domestic economy. Aug. 7».
treated is semitransparent, ef a yellowifh colour, and has,
a very agreeable taste when boiled up in milk, in
form of porridge, theig usual way of eating it, as I have
been informed by a friend residing in Siberia:

The Potyconum convolvolus.

But there is another species of polygonum, wz, the
P. convolvolus of Linnzus, which I think merits a fair trial
with you, and promises to be useful in some parts of
Scotland, from its pofsefsing the following qualities.

First, it is a hardy Siberian piant like the former, which
is not hurt by even a much severer cold than any it can
meet with in your island.

Second, it will grow onthe poorest grounds.

Third, because the grain ripens altogether, which facili-
tates much the getting of it in, in northern situations.

Fourth, because it carries more grain than the polygo-
num Tataricum, the wild Siberian buck wheat you in-
quired after.

It likewise grows wild like the other, in several parts
of Siberia, particularly about Murom on the Okka, and
might probably be an acquisition to some of the more.
norchern sterile lands of Scotland.

I send you the seeds of the polygonum Tataricum, and
fhall write to Siberia for the other. *

* Some of the seeds of the polygonum Tataricum, which accom-
panied this letter, were sown as soon as pofsible after they arrived.
They came up very readily, and are now growing vigorously. In
corroboration of this correspondent’s opinion, the plant has the ha-
bit, and much the appearance of an annual.

I am much obliged to this valuable correspondent for his at-
tention in this and every other respect; and fhall exert my-
seifto make the best use in my power of his communications, The
polygonum convolvolus, isfound in some places of this country, and
seeds of it may probably be got here. It never attracted my notice
as a plant promising to be of much utility; but I fhall now examine
it with more attention. Edit.

1793. ~——-Aints respecting domestic economy. 1$1
LE fhall now finifh my letter with a few miscellaneous,
hints on northern plants, which will probably for that rea-
‘son suit your climate, and which I think merit trial from,
, usefal purposes they may be applied: to.

pean en A

Tarrotium hybridum.
Do you cultivate in Scotland the best of all our nor-
thern® grafses,1 and the most hardy, the trifolium hybri-
dum, a most excellent white clover ? *.

Rosinta ferox, and Ferura asafetida.

Has the robinia ferox succeeded for impenetrable hed-
ges, the seeds of whichI sent over, with many other Si-.
berians, to my old correspondent, the late worthy profef-
sor of botany}? I fhould likewise be happy to know if
my ferula asafcetida is still alive, and has produced
good seeds, of which he was’so proud twelve years ago,
when that plant presented the new and curious phenome-
non of flowering in Europe, to which it had till then

. been a stranger. The true asafoetida was a valuable ac-
quisition to Great Britain, if it has been cultivated with
succefs ; for the good doctor had it growing in the open air,
and mentions in the Philosophical Transactions of London
(where he has given a fine plate of the plant in flower)

t
* Answer: I donot know that it is ever cultivated here. Some of
theseeds of it will prove acceptable. , Edit.

+ I was so sensible of the value of this plant for the purpose here
hinted at, when I read the account of it in the Flora Ro/sica, lately~
presented by the Emprefs of Rufsia ta the Royal Society of Edin-
burgh, that I wrote by post to Arcticus, requesting the favour of him
to procure me some seeds of it. Since receiving the above I have
made inquiry for it in the Botanic garden; but do not find it
there. Edit.

182 hints respecting domestic economy. Aug. 7.
the fetid juice which forms the famous drug, having ap-
peared in considerable quantity *:

The plants we reserved for this country, have all pe-
rifhed, so that if Britain pofsefs it still it is unique in
Europe.

’

Ropinia pygmea,

I forgot to mention above, when inquiring after the
robinia ferox; another species of it, viz, the pygmea,
which might pofsibly be employed for some useful pur-
pose by your industrious people, since the lazy wandering
Tartars about Krasnojarfk in Siberia, obtain a species of
coarse thread from it +.

You will observe, Mr Editor, as Iam very little a san-
guine projector, and very little fired with modern enthu-

siasm of any kind, pofsibly from living so long amongst.

ice and snow, that I cnly propose for trial such of
our hardy Siberian plants as are likely to succeed in your
northern sterile, and waste lands; hoping that the more
southern and fertile, .are too well employed to be the
theatre of experiment, 1 fhall only depart from that ma-
xim in mentioning a Jamaicd plant, which however has
been tried in Sweden by Linnzus’s advice, although I

have not heard of its succefs there as yet, being long im-.

* Iam bappy to be able to inform this correspondent that the
Ferula asafcetida is still alive in the Botanic garden here. It has
several times produced ripe seeds, by which means the plant has been
multiplied, so that there are now a good many plants of it here in a
very thriving condition. It bears our hardest winters quite well.

Edit.

+ Ido not know that this: plant has been introduced into Britain,
Will be obliged to any correspondent for imformetion concerning it,
if it has. Edit.

a

#793. hints respecting domestic economy. . 183
ported after the death of that great man, who certainly
would not have recommended any thing to his country,
which had not'a probability of succeeding. 7

Sees WE SS

ZiZania aquatiea.

Iallude to the x%ania aquatica of Jamaica, a plant
which bears a grain like rice, equally eatable, and which
grows in wet places where nothing is produced but reeds.
Such sort of experiments which cost little or nothing, and
that do not require a productive soil, are certainly the
most valuable, in a country abounding already with most
of the useful plants of the known world.

I am much of your so/id opinion on all these subjects,
that we fhould endeavour to do. all the good we can in
morals and in physics, but hazard nothing from wild theory
in either the one or the other. By persisting in that wise
plan, though it is scarcely pofsible you can stem the tor-
tent of folly in many cases, in anisland too much abound-
ing with good things, and blefsings of all kinds, to be so-
ber ; yet you may have the good fortune to moderate its
course, which is doing a great deal; for my own opini-
on, I really think from my knowledge of the continent as
well as our island, that if ever the beautiful simple alle-
gory of holy writ, was applicable to a country, it is to

Great Britain at present, ‘ and they waxed fat and kicked.’
ES ——————

Vegetable soap.

A vegetable soap would certainly be as great a curiosi-
ty with you, as the vegetable silk you inquire after, and
such a one actually exists in the northern parts of Siberia,
known to the Rufsians by the name of Yacar/koi mutlo or.
Tartar’s soap, from its being used as such by the Tartars
about Krasnojarfk near Irkutzk.

a84 hints respécting Comeéstic economy. Aug: aN

The plant is the Achnis chalcedunica of Linneus, and it

is the crown of the flower which is employed as soap *.
To preserve fruit trees from caterpitlars,

Have you tried in Scotland a mode of guarding fruit
trees against the caterpillar, so much recommended ;
which is to wrap in spring a rag dipped in train oil round
the top of the trunk ? the lefs valuable the oil for other

* We have the lychnis chalcedonica, the scarlet lychnis vulgo,
in abundance in our gardens. It is now coming into flower. I have
tried it in every way that seemed likely to answer with me, but
have not been able to discover any symptoms of its being useful as
adetergent. If any of my readers fhall prove more succefsful in their
trials with it, I will be glad to hear of these. It is probable the
inhabitants of Siberia may content themselves with some poorer sub>
stitutes for soap than the more wealthy, and I presume more cleanly
inhabitants of Britain. ;

Various other detergents.

In former times even we of Britain employed various substances,
both vegetable and animal, as detergents, which now have falleh into
disuse ; and soap has come into more general use.

Urine was long employed for that purpose, insomuch that the
general name for it among the vulgar, wasn, which now, as falling
into disuse, deserves to be preserved, was derived from this property.
Whence the same substance derived its other vulgar name, MASTER, is
not so easy to conceive. *

Blood is likewise, in certain circumstances, a powerful detergent,
as also milk, especially when sour, though in a lefser degree.

Cow dung has been also often used asa sort of detergent in the
operation called bucking, in the procefs of bleaching, among the
country people.

Among vegetable substances, all the farinaceous grains, or seeds,
when grinded into meal, are well known to be among the best and
mildest detergents for the human fkin. Hence the use of almond
powder, and various others as cosmetics.

Raw potatoes operate strongly in the same manner; and no doubt
many other substances. But allof these, unlefs upon the human flkin,
are much inferior in power to soap, Edit.

1793: hints on domestic econotay. i85
purposes from rancidity, the better it will answer for the
proposed experiment *.

Such are a few of the well intended hints thrown out
by the zealous citizen of Great Britain who signs himself
your correspondent, ~ ARcTICUuS.

ESR mo Rue keane Cs eS

Hints ON DOMESTIC ECONOMY.

Sir, To the Editor of the Bee.
As I see. (in the third number of the Bee) you have

made choice of an excellent piece for the improvement of
morality, fromthe Pennsylvanian almanack, I have here-
with sent you a few observations, from an old tradesman
to a young one, which I have collected from newspapers,
from the year 84, till 87, which if they were duly attend-
ed to, by tradesmen of every denomination, would deprive
the lawyers and doctors of much money, needlefsly
thrown away, and might teach the trading part of your
readers, of the meanest capacity, and even the most learn-
ed, to become rich, and usetul members of society. I am
your humble servant Mercator
To young tradesmen.

Every one of you gentlemen, ought to consider him-
self as having the affairs of a little republic to manage.
You have a treasury to provide for; you have ways and
Means to seek; you have constituents whose good graces
you must cultivate ; you must take such care that your
bills thall always pafs, and above all, you must be ready
to answer all demands of your opponents, and keep your
civil list free from arrears. Never trust to the second
quarter for the payment of the first; and as in kingdoms

and states, it is absolutely necefsary to have such an ad«°

* Has this been tried by any of the readers of the Bee, and with
what succefs ? Edit,

VOL, xvi. XA +

186 hints on domestic evonomy. Aug. 3;

ministration, as fhall maintain the dignity and the conse-

quence of the nation in the eyes of surrounding powers,

so it becomes you to make yourselves dreaded, and yet »
respected by your fellow tradesmen, not to raise their envy

nor their contempt by flafhy extravagance, but to dis-

tinguifh yourselves by industry, probity and punctual-

ity. .

Of punctuality it is impofsible to say too much, You
must be sensible, that what you like in others, others wil
look forin you.

Honestus is a tradesman distinguifhed for this happy
quality. No man calls twice upon him to settle any
businefs which can pofsibly be done at once; and he is
always more ready to pay than others are to receive.
His word is never given, but where he not only seriously
means to keep it, but also knows that, humanly speak-
ing, he has it in his power to keep it. Hence there are
few men who would not as confidently take his word as
his bond; and if his character were as well known in
courts of justice as it is in trade, I believe his simple
affymation would be as valid as an cath, if the customs
of the place did not forbid it.

Now mark the different character of Tom Tedious,
He never keeps his time, yet he always is allowed to ap-
point what time he pleases; time and place are always
left to him, but the place he forgets, and the time he
purposely out stays. If he had 100 guineas in his pocket,
which he had no occasion for, and you wanted a bill of
thirty fhillings paid, your servant must call again, aye,
again and again, before it is done. By this mode of pro-
‘ceeding he has so completely disgusted all his brethren,
that no one withes to deal with him; and for his word,
no man will take the word of .him who never keeps a
promise.

1793: hints on domestic economy. 187
The main drift of all my advices, is to prevent those
distrefses which are now so frequent among tradesmen.
Our papers are crowded with bankrupts, and the greatest
part of them young ones, a circumstance which to me
appears alarming in the following point of view. As the
old must soon die, whom thall we find to succeed them,
and keep up the spirit of trade in this country? If ex-
‘travagance, folly, and levity, are the characteristics of
you tradesmen, where fhall we find proper succefsors
to those eminent characters, who from small beginnings,
much smaller, gentlemen, than some of you have begun
with, have risen to be heads of their several profefsions,
and who have been dignified with those great offices and
honours that are conferred on distinguifhed probity and
worth? On your conduct now, therefore, much depends
on a national view of the matter. It is not the man who
makes a long speech to the populace, and catches the ap-
plause of the vulgar by an affected contempt of courts,
and places which in fact he withes to have, that is to be
accounted a patriot: for repeated experience has convin-
ced us, that such men are no better than impostors. No,
you, gentlemen, are the patriots of this nation. It is you
who are expected to support her glory, by preserving the
spirit of generous commerce ; it is you who, while you
enrich yourselves, pour wealth into your country, provide
for the industrious poor, and make your nation courted
by all others as a2 commercial nation.

A tradesman who has raised a petty fhop, by slow in-
dustry and probity, to a capital warehouse, and whose
.character adds consequence to the name of a Britifh mer-
chant, he is the true patriot. Those will be happy that
are under him ; and from superior ranks eyed with plea-
sure. Look round and mark the potency of a gteat name,
a name raised by probity, industry, and honour, to rank
and munificence. See what power that man has—what
confidence the world puts in such men; and

188. - on the instinct of animals. - Aug. 7.

how the voice of slander, ever so loud, cannot so much as

be heard. Think on such men; follow their steps, and

be happy ! ;
to be continued.

OssERVATIONS ON THE INSTINCT OF ANIMALS,

From Reid's efsays.

We come into the world ignorant of every thing, yet
we must domany things in order to our subsistence and well
being. A new-born child may be carriedin arms, and kept
warm by his nurse ; but he must suck and swallow his food
for himself. And this must be done before he has any con-
ception of suckingand swallowing, or of the mannerin which
they are tobe performed. He is led by natureto do these
actions, without knowing for what end, or what he is a-
bout. This we call instinct. ; ‘ ®

In the animals we are best acquainted with, and which
we look upon as the more perfect of the brute creation,
we see much the same instincts, or mechanical principles
of action, as in the human kind, or very similar ones, suit-
ed to the particular state and manner o! life of the ani-
mal.

Besides these, there are, in brute animals, instincts pe-
culiar to each tribe, by which they are fitted for defence,
for offence, or for providing for themselves and for their
offspring. |

It is not more certain, that nature hath furnifhed various
animals with various weapons of offence and defence, than
that the same nature hath taught them how to use them;
the bull and the ram to butt, the horse to kick, the dog
to bite, the lion to use his paws, the boar his tufks, the
serpent his fangs, and the bee and the wasp their sting.

3793: on the instinct of animals 189

The manufactures of animals, if we may call them by
that name, present us with a wonderful variety of imsting s
belonging to particular species, whether of the social or
the solitary kind—the nests of birds, so similar in their
situation and architecture in the same kind, so various in
different kinds—the webs of spiders and of other spinning
animals—the ball of the silk worm—the nests of ants and
other mining animals—the combs of wasps, hornets, and
bees,—the dams and houses of beavers.

The instinct of animals is one of the most delightful
and instructive parts of a most pleasant study, that of
natural history ; and deserves to be more cultivated than
it has yet been.

Every manufacturing art among men was invented by
some man, improved by’ others, and brought to perfection
by time and experience. Men learn to work in it by
long practice, which produces a habit. The arts of men
wary in every age, and in every nation, and are found
only in those who have been taught them.

The manufactures of animals differ from those of men,
in many striking particulars.

No animal of the species can claim the invention, No
animal ever introduced any new improvement, or any
variation from the former practice, very one of the
species has equal fkill from the beginnixg, without
teaching, without experience or habit. Every one has its
art by a kind of inspiration. 1 do not mean that it is in-
spired with the principles or rules of the art, but with
the ability and inclination of working in it to perfection,
without any knowledge of its principles, rules, or end.

The more sagacious animals may be taught to do
many things which they do not by instinct. What they

‘are taught to do, they do with more or lefs fill, accor-
ding to their sagacity and their training. But, in their

-

To on the instinct of animals. Aug. 7.
own arts, they need no teaching nor training, nor is the
af ever improved or lost. Bees gather their honey and
their wax, they fabricate their combs, and rear their young
at this day, neither better nor worse than they did when
Virgil so sweetly sung their works.

The work of every animal is, indeed, like the works
of nature, perfect in its kind, and can bear the most criti-
cal examination of the mechanic or the mathematician.
One example from the animal last mentioned may serve
to illustrate this.

Bees, it is well known, construct their combs with
small cells on both sides, fit both for holding their store
of honey, and for rearing their young. There are only
three pofsible figures of the cells, which can make them
all equal and similar, without any uselefs interstices.
These are the equilateral triangle, the square, and “the
regular hexagon.

t is well known to mathematicians, that there is not
a fourth way pofsible, in which a plane may be cut into
little spaces that thall be equal, similar, and regular, with-
out leaving any interstices. Of the three, the hexagon
is the most proper, both for conveniency and strength.
Bees, as if they knew this, make their cells regular
hexagons, j

As the combs have cells omboth sides, the cells may either
be exactly opposite, having partition against partition, or
the bottom of a cell may rest upon the partitions between
the cells on the other side, which will serve as a buttrefs to
strengthen it. The last way is best for strength; accor-
dingly, the bottom of each cell rests against the point
where three partitions mect on the other side, which gives
it all the strength pofsible.

The bottom of a cell may either be one plane, per-
pendicular to the side partitions, or it may be composed

2793%- on theinstinct of animals. 191
of several planes, meeting in a solid angle m the middle
point. It is only in one of these two ways that all the
cells can be similar without losing room. And, for the
same intention, the planes of which the bottom is com-
posed, if there be more than one, must be three in number,
and neither more nor fewer.

It has been demonstrated, that, by making the bot-
toms of the cells to consist of three planes meeting ina
_ point, there is a saving of material and labour no way
inconsiderable. The bees, as if acquainted with these
principlesof solid geometry, follow them mest accurately ;
the bottom of each cell being composed of three planes
which make obtuse angles with the side partitions, and
with one another, and meet in a point in the middle of
the bottom; the three angles of this bottom being sup-
ported by three partitions on the other side of the comb,
and the point of it by the common intersection of those
three partitions.

One instance more of the mathematical {kill displayed
in the structure of a honey-comb, deserves to be men-
tioned.

It is a curious mathematical problem} at what precise
angle the three planes, which compose the bottom of a
cell, ought to meet, in order to make the greatest pofsible
saving, or the least expence of material and labour.

This is one of those problems, belonging to the higher
parts of mathematics, which are called problems of maxima
and minima. It has been resolved by some mathematicians,
particularly by the ingenious Mr Maclaurin, by a fluxiona-,
ry calculation, which is to be found in the transactions of
the royal society of London. He has determined pre-
cisely the angle required ; and he found by the most ex-
act mensuration the subject could admit, that it is the ve-

3192 to corPespondents, Aug;
ry angle in which the three planes in the bottom of the
cell of a honey-comb do actually meet.

Shall we afk here, who taught the bee the properties of
solids, and to resolve problems of maxima and minima ?
If a honey-comb were a work of human att, every man
of common sense would conclude, without hesitation, that
he who invented the construction, must have understood
the principles on which it is constructed.

We need not say, that bees know none of these things,
They work most geomatrically, without any knowledge
of geometry ; somewhat like a child, who, by turning the
handle of an organ, makes good music, without any
knowledge of music.

The art is not in the child, but in him who made the
organ. In like manner, when a bee makes his combs so
geomatricallv, the geometry is not in the bee, but in that
Great Geometrician, who made the bee, and made all
things in number, weight, and measure !

_—_—_—— “=e

TO CORRESPONDENTS.

The laboured apolopy of Specudator is received. And though the
Editor is resolved to keep clear from disputes on matters of that
sort, yet for th: sake of impartiality, he will insert, either in whole
or in substance in an abridged form, the principal arguments here
offered; and there the matter must rest: for this miscellany fhall
never be made the vehicle of controversial altercation, which on the
plan here begun, might be spun out for ages, without coming to any
conclusion that could benefit mankind.

The letter of Cynic is received. The Editor is sorry he fhould have
had any cause of disgust. Had he been as explicit on former occasi-
ons as in his last letter, this would have been entirely prevented. He
may rest afsured that neither he nor any other person who is e-
qually explicit, and gives the same alternative he allows, fhail ever
have reason to complain of their wifhcs not being complied with.

The favours of Contemplator are received, and fhall be inserted with
the first opportunity.

*,* Acknowledgements to correspondents still necefsarily deferred
other.

‘Russian Sheep, Pruara 024 YHE STEATOPYGA.

cn captains DE tinier Wh a Us dn o-
vere, Rep as vex Reisstan Eter by, ap et

ee oS RRR Ss

t ayere abe ti Die!

icon | ae
aS age

= fies - =a : “
« S s ) ‘ ¢ F + ss = . i
iCE-SGS ae Tg = a
‘ : PPA Re aS ia = . Pee ci =
. ' « = > ne 4 n :
: wa a |

’ a
ci oe

I4i.

THE BEE, » :

LITERARY WEEKLY INTELLIGENCER,

FOR
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 14. 1793.

On THE DIFFERENT VARIETIES OF SHEEP IN A WILD AND DO=-
MESTIC STATE, REARED IN THE Russian Emping&, AND BY
THE PASTORAL NATIONS FROM THE FRONTIERS OF EuROPE TO
THOSE OF CHINA.

The fat rumped Sheep.

The third variety.

Continued from p. t 56.

H ERE fhould follow, if I kept strict to his notes, a
learned inquiry of Dr Pallds into the origin of the
uropygium; but as, although it would be highly inte.
resting to the physiologist, it does not fall into the
plan of this paper, which is meant more especially
to convey practical information, I fhall only men-
tion the conclusion of my learned friend.

He regards the uropygium as a fatty excrescence
produced originally by the bitter saline pastures of
Tartary, which has gradually augmented in size
through a number of generations, like some disea-
ses, insomuch that the tail has gradually decayed

VOL, XVi, BB t

194 account-of the fat rumped fhecp. Aug. 14,
and dwindled away to the little button we find re-
maining, suffocated in a manner by fat, as parts of
the human bo#, have been found decayed and dimi-
‘pihed in certain cases of unnatural accumulation of
fat*, The doctor likewise says, that the fat which

.

* The Editor cannot help regretting that his ingenious correspondent
fhould not have thought it necefSary to give Dr Pallas’s opinion
at large on this very interesting subject in economics, that has scarce~
ly hitherto entered into the views of the Britifh farmer; and the ob-
servations of so well informed a naturalist must have a useful tendency
to direct the attention of the farmer to the proper objects of inves-
tigation. There can be no doubt but certain kinds of food and modes
of treatment have a tendency to augment the size of some parts of
the body of animals more than others. A striking examgie of this
was given in the mode of feeding geese and ducks given in the Bee,
(vol. 12th, p. 68,) where we see that, by a particular mode of mana-
gement, the liver can be increased at pleasuse to an enormous size, in
proportion to the other parts of the body and this; quite independent
of the breed. Now, assome parts of the body are of more value than
others, could the farmer, by a due attention to the effects of different
kinds of food, and modes of treatment, be able to augment at pleasure the
proportional size of the most valuable parts, it would be a discovery of
muchimportance tohim. The exampleabove given, is acleat proofthat
thisis polsible in certain cases, and ought to stimulate the’ attention of
the philosopher and the farmer, to discover in how many other cases
the same thing may be done. To help forward this inquiry, which
has yet scarcely had a beginning, the detailed observations of Dr
Pallas will be highly acceptable at any future period tothe Editor of
this Miscellany.

‘The attentive reader willhere observe, that this inquiry is different
from that which the very ingenious Mr Bakewell has so happily com-
menced for attaining the same end, Hissystem consists in effecting the
same purpose by means of the dreed; as by his hypothesis, certain breeds
of animals have a tendency to lay more meat on the valuable, than on
the coarser parts of the body. An attention to the peculiarities of
breed, and of food, at the same time, promises to produce the happi-
est effect.’

t

Pa ioe ST ie

2793. - account of the fat rumped fhecp. 195
‘gathers upon the rump of this variety of theep, is of
‘a soft oly nature, very different from suet; which
refutes the opinion of those who afsert, that rumi-
nating animals never generate any’ other species of
fat but suet*.

Immediately after the last inquiry, the doctor en-
ters upon a second learned disquisition on the taz/
of the Boucharian fheep, which make his fourth and
last variety: but tor the reasons urged before, I
fhall content myself with merely giving the substance,
when I enter on the next article, to which it proper-

‘ly belongs; at the same time that I am “convinced
the anatomist and zooiogist will be much pleased
with the whole.

The doctor next proceeds to fhow that a defect or
disease in theep, may be transmitted through many
generations ; gives a figure of one, where a defect ia

_the nose ofa ram, pofsibly at first accidental, is trans-
mitted to a whole breed; as is a hump on the back
of another race of fheep, reared with much care in
Persia. Dr Pallas pursues the same subject ef here-

-ditary defects in other animals; and mentions a

This inquiry is likewise different from that which tends to discos
ver the bes: mode of treating animals so as to promote the general

i

fattening of the whole body in a fhort space of time, an example of “

which was also given in the Bee, (vol. 15th p. 73.) in regard to the
management of poultry; where an economical practice of very
great importance is developed with much perspicuity. Edit.

* Those who are well acquainted with full fed old Scotch mutton,
and Highland becf, know very well, that there is abundance of fat
interspersed among the flefh of both these sorts of meat, extremely dif.
Aerent from suet. ‘ Edit.

’
~

196 account of the fat rumped foeep. Aug. 14,
race of dogs in Persia aud India, without either hair
or tail; next he points out defective breeds of fowls ;
and lastly, a race of cats at ambos with fhort
stumpy tails, as if docked by art,’ like coach
horses in Britain some years ago*.

’* Here we must again regret that Dr Pallas’s observations on this
very curious subject fhould not haye been pursued at full length, ‘as this
is a disquisition of the utmost importance in domestic economics; for
if valuable peculiarities among animals, which come at first from
accidental circumstances that cannot be accounted for, are capable
of being perpetuated through the breed by procreation, it gives a
range to amendment, and a stimulus to attention in domestic eco-
nomy, that may be in time productive of wonderful improvements.
Though such disquisitions therefore appear at first sight matters of
mere curiosity, this ought not to discourage the inquirer; for these
inquiries may lead to very useful consequences. From these conside-
rations a few facts on this subject that have come tomy own know-
ledge fhall here be stated.

That certain peculiarities both of mind and éiy, are in a certain
degree hereditary even in the human species there can be no doubt,
not to mention some diseases universally allowed to be so, and che
acknowledged similarity which usually prevails among the individu-
als of the same family, called a family likenefs. It is equally well
known, that certain families have been distinguifhed for a peculiar
cast of mind, or bent of genius, for ages in succefsion. The permanen-
‘cy of the breeds of dogs, cats, cows, and horses, fowls, and other do=
mestic animals, when not adulterated by intermixture wah others,
is also notorious.

This seems to be indeed so universally the case, that we account it
perfectly natural. But instances like those that Dr Pallas mentions, of
peculiarities which were known to be at first accidental only to the
individual, being propagated through the progeny, have been seldomer
observed, and have not muth attracted the attention of mankind ; yet,
by a careful attention it will probably be found that this happens of.
tener than is usually ifnagined.

A cat, now in the pofsefsion of one of the profefsors in the universi-
ty of Edinburgh, was, when young, perfectly complete in all its parts,

but by accident lost its tail by some violent stroke; this animal has
fa é

£793- account of the fat rumped fhecp. 194

Deformity, and even a preternatural number of
horns in theep, and other animals, the doctor evident-
ly fhows, by numerons examples, highly curious,
may be likewise tragsmitted by propagation; but
they are much too voluminous for this paper. How-
ever his important conclusions from the whclz of

had several litters of kittens, and it has invariably happened that
some individuals of every litter have been without tails ; sometimes
nearly one half, while the others have had tails. It remains to be
tried, ifa male and female of those taillefs cats, would invariably
* produce tailiefs cats, as a hornlefs cow and bull’ produce hornlefs
calves. This cat is still in life.

A more singular instance of an accidental blemifh becoming in
some degree hereditary, occurred with regard to a bitch belonging to
a merchant in Leith now alive. The bitch had one eye knocked out ;
a considerable time after which, fhe had a litter of puppies, one of
which had the eye on that side of the head which was blind in the
mother; blind also, in every respect resembling that of the mother.

Another gentleman of my acquaintance has a breed of rabbits, has
ving only one ear; which must probably have been at first only an
accidental deficiency. I have also seen a breed of fowls without a tail,
that has probably had a similar origin.

Let me add to these instances among brute animals, another some~
what of a similar nature in the human species. The writer of this ar-~
ticle was, when young, endowed with a very acute sight ; and in par-
ticular could see objects at a greater distance than .most persons
he met with; but when he was between twenty and thirty years of
age, in consequence of some internal disorder, of which neither he nor
his physicians could give any account, his eyes became tender, and
he lost his eye sight in part by degrees, so that he thought he was iw
danger of going entirely blind. He never suspected that he was be-
come fhort sighted, till an accidental circumstance discovered it.
This was, to him, a great discovery indeed : for having fitted himself
with concave glafses, he now sees ata distance as well as ever, and
pofsefses without them, the usual perfection of vision as to near objects.
Now, though no one of his:predecefsors, or those of his children on
the mother’s side, were known to be fhort sighted, it chances that
several of his children have the same defect of vision, and are obliged
to use concave glafses to view distant objects. Edit,

198 account of the fat rumped focep. Aug. 14.
the curious facts he has brought together, are: .
That much depends on the fkill and care of the fhep-
herd, to meliorate the wool of his flock, and correct
the form of his fheep when defective: nay, he afzerts
that it depends on his choice of breeding fheep, to ef-
fect not only the ching: already mentioned, but
likewise, either to correct or propagate defects, and
even multiplicity of Horns, particularly by his
choice of rams.

Dr Pallas thinks it very probable, that the strep-
siceros variety of fheep, were produced in this man-
ner, by propagating a particular configuration of
-horns; he alludes here to the animal which Bellonius
first discovered on mount Ida in Crete, and which
he supposes the strepsiceros of the ancients®*.

On the subject of multiplicity of horns, Dr Pallas
remarks, that there are no where so many fheep
with four, and occasionally five horns, as amongst
the flocks of the Tartars living on the banks of the
Jenisy. They are likewise generally arranged with
-symmetry, rising from the head in radii, gently bent
inwards, and scarce a foot long, as represented in
plate second letter c. and plate third letter 6. The
first is a drawing of a Jarge Kirguise ram with five

* Cur learned natutalist acknowledges in a note, an error
he had fallen into, in supposing the strepsiceros of Bellonius the
Scythian antelope or saizg, whilst we now know that animal never
approaches Europe, nearer than the deserts of Arabia. “TI have since,
says the doctor, learned from the inspection of its horns that there ex-
ists a variety of fheep in Pannonia with horns often a yard and a
quarter long, in both sexes, exactly like those so well described by
Bruickman in his accunt of the Hungarian fheep.” :

Epistol. Itiner. Cent. 1,

37936 account of the fat rumped fheep, 199

horns, the second is a ram from the banks of the
Jenisy, with four, symmetrically arranged. On the
authority of Mr Leigh in his history of Lancafhire,
Dr Pallas mentions a breed of large fheep in En-
gland, with dazr instead of wool, and four horns, the
upper pair like those of a he goat, the lower spiral
like those of a ram; probably the breed came ori-
ginally from Iceland, where we are told such fheep
obtain; and he finifhes the article by bringing evi-
dence of multiplicity of horns, in the extremes
of both heat and cold, although he thinks a severe
cold climate, lefs tavourable to luxuriancy of this
kind, than an excefsive hot one, judging from the:
number of cows he met with in the north, e:ther in«
tirely without horns, or with remarkably small ones.

He pursues the subject of horns, by informing us
that the Mongal Tartars rear in general goats with-
out them, to prevent them wounding one another in
their battles, which they effect by never admitting
into their flocks a he goat with horns.

As to fheep, if the ewes have them, although the
rams are without horns, the lambs will have them;
but if both parents are without these weapons of
offence, their progeny will generally be so too.

Dr Pallas next treats of the ears of this variety
of fheep, and of other animals.

The form of the ears, like that of the head, is
constantly pendulous inthe steatopyga, or fat tailed
variety, and’are either bent forward, so as to meet
on the forehead, as in plate third letter a, or they
hang down towards the giound; and are always
larger and looser in this variety of fheep than in
any other (see plate second letters A, C.) The

.’ :
200 © account of the fat rumped foecp. Auf. 14.
first of these positions is applicable likewise
to the ears of the Nomade goats; and he remarks
that pexdant ears, are common to domestic animals:
in general. Here he finifhes the subject, except
mentioning in a note a breed of favourite ladie’s cats
at Pekin in China, with pendant ears, and long loose
white hair, which are very bad hunters of mice in
general*. ;

’ The learned academician then treats of a species
of feinny apendage, hanging from the necks of cer- .
tain varieties of fheep.

There are amongst the Calmouk, but more com-
monly amongst the Kirguise fheep, some that have.
two pieces of fkin, hanging from the under part of

_the neck, like the Guinea theep, (see plate second 4,
third a,) which the Latins of the middle age called
Noneota, and which the Rufsians call Sercy or
earrings. They resemble small cows udders or ra-
ther dugs, soft, about an inch and an half long, and
the breadth of a finger. Sometimes they are cove-
red with hair, and sometimes almost bare. Both sex-
es have them ; and they are equally common to the

Kirguise he goats as tothe fheep. Dr Pallas quotes
in a note an afsertion of Varon, and Columella ;
that two of these warts are a mark of a good he
goat; and concludes his observations on this varie-
ty, by observing, that although the steatopyga breed
of fheep, surpafses all the others in size of carcase

* Some cattle are found in the north of Scotland, having loose pen«
dulous horns, that adhere to the head by a cartilaginous apendage.
These horns are always of a small size. Cattle having by this
peculiarity are distinguifhed in Aberdeenfhire by the local appella-
tive scurr’d, as a scurr’d, ox or cow. Edit.

793° . strictures om manners. 20%
and fat, yet it ranks amongst the lowest of the
species in regard to wool, as it bears a very
coarse sort mixed with hair, throughout all Asia,
whilst the famous Kirguise breed, are covered with
more hair than wool, at the same time that it is mat-
ted together in clots.

Some flocks of this variety, particularly those be-
longing to the western Nomads, have long hair,
which rises above and covers the wool, and is un-
dulated like that of a deer. ~

On the whole, Dr Pallas thinks that the meliorati-
on of woo/ in the steatopyga or fat ramped breed, is in-
compatible with such a regimen as is calculated to
support or maintain them of the large size they ac-
quire in the southern Tartary, with the extraordi-
nary load of fat on the rump or tail, as we see that
any change in their mode of life diminifhes both.

To be continued.

STRICTURES ON MANNERS.
Continued from p- 139+
Part IIl.
Manners of the Englifh, after the Norman con-

quest.

Wr regard to the manners of the Anglo-Saxons,
at the conquest, we can say little, but that they
were in general a rude, uncultivated people, igno-
rant of letters, unfkilful in the mechanical arts, un-
VOL, xvi. Cd t

202. - strictures on manners. “Augerg.
tamed to submifsion under law and government,
addicted to intemperance, riot, and disorder. Their
best quality was their military courage, which was
not yet supported by discipline or conduct. Their
want of fidelity to the prince, or to any trust fe
posed in them, appears strongly in many parts of
their history, and their want of humanity in all.
Even the Norman historians, notwithstanding the
low state of the arts in their own country, speak of ©
them as barbarians, when they mention the invasi-
on of the duke of Normandy. The conquest put
the people in a situation of receiving slowly from
abroad the rudiments of science and cultivation,
and of correcting their rough and licentious man-
“ners: ?* , 3
But certainly this state of slavery and barbarism
was not peculiar to England, but reigned alike in e-
very country of Europe. Mezeray gives this ac-
count of the state of France : (anno 1108) ** Vio-
lence universally prevailed, and justice was tramp-
led under foot. The clergy, merchants, widows,
and orphans, as well as-all the rest of the people,
were exposed to rapine and plunder, from the lords
and gentry, who had all of them castles, from
whence they were used'to sally out to rob on the
highway s, and on rivers, in the defencelefs coun- —
tries. Thé cities of France, to defend themselves,
had formed communities and created popular magis= —
trates, with power to afsemble and arm the people ©
against these. dreaded attacks.” 3
These poor and rapacious nations,” says Vol-—
taire, talking of the nations on. the continent, a-

1793. strictures on maniters. 208
bout this period, ‘* valued the most heinous crimes
as murder, mutilation, rapes, incest, and poison-
‘ing, at a fixed price. Whoever had four hundred
sous, z. €. four hundred crowns, to give away, might
kill a bifhop with impunity. It would cost two hun-
dred sous for the life of a priest; as many for a rape,
andas many for poisoning with herbs. _A_ witch
that had eaten of human fiefo! could escape for two
hundted sous: and this ihews that witches were not
only to be found among the dregs of the people, as
in these latter ages, but that those horrid extrava-
gancies were .ptactised also by persons of for-
tune.”

So little communication was there between niegh-
bouring nations, that. we find a merchant of Sens,
Whose name was Samon, went to trade in Germany.
Thence he went as far Sclavonia. The savages of ©
that country were so amazed to see a*man that chad
travelled so far to bring them things*which they wan-
tod, that they made him their king.
We are informed by Eginhardies, secretary to
Charlemagne; or Charles the Great of France, that
. this conqueror did not know how tosign his name ;
and yet by mere strength. of genius he was con-
vinced of the utility of polite learning. He sent
to Rome and Scot/and for teachers of grammar and
fhetoric.

There were no clocks in the cities throughout
all Europe, nor were they introduced till towards
the thirteenth century. Thence comes the ancient
custom, which is still kept up in Germany, Flan.

2 OY strictures on manners. . | Aug. 34%
ders, Britain, t&c. te. tSc. of hiring persons to
ery the hours of the night.

The drefs which at that time “prevailed was fhort
clothes, except on days of ceremony ; when, over
their coat, they wore 2 mantle frequently lined with
furs ; these they imported from the north, especial-
ly from Rufsia, as we do now. The Roman man-
ner of covering the legs and feet was still preserved.
Tt is mentioned that Charlemagne used to cover his
legs with fillets twisted in the form of bufkins, after
the manner of the Scottifh highlanders, the only
people who have preserved the military drefs of the
ancient Romans. ' :

In the reign of Edward 1. no man under a hun-.

dred a year was allowed to wear gold, silver, or
silk in his clothes; servants also were prohibited
from eating flefh or fifh above once a-day. It was
easy to foresee that such ridiculous laws must prove
ineffectual, and could never be executed.

‘The use of the French language in public deeds
was not abolifhed in Britain till towards the end
of the fourteenth century. It may appear strange

that the nation so. long thould have worn this badge |

of conquest ; but the king and the'nobility seem ne-~
wer to have become thoroughly Englih till the wars of
Edward rr. with France gave them an antipathy to
that nation. Yet, still it was long before the use of
the Englith tongue came into general fafhion.

No kind of misery or distrefs was more frequent-

Yy or more fatally experienced'in these barbarous |

times, than grievous .and severe famines, arising
from the low state of hufbandry and the arts. A-

+ @ 7

1793... strictures on manners. 203
bout the year 1314, perpetual rains and cold wea-
ther, not only destroyed the harvest, but bred 2
mortality among the cattle, and raised every kind of
food to an enormous price, The parliament endea-
voured to fx more moderate rates on all sores of
commodities ; not sensible that such an attempt was
impracticable, and that, were it pofsible to reduce
the price of food by any other expedient than in-
troducing plenty, nothing could be more pernicious
and destructive to the public. Where the produce
of a year, for instance, falls so far fhort as to afford
full subsistence only for nine months, the only ex-
pedient for making it last all the twelve, is to raise
the price, to put the people by that means on fhort
allowance, and oblige them to spare their food till a
more plentiful year. But in reality, the increase of
prices is a necefsary consequence of scarcity ; and
laws, instead of preventing it, only increase the, evil
by cramping and restraining commerce. ;
The prices affixed by that parliament are some-
what remarkable: 2]. 8s. of our present money
for the best ox, not fed with corn; if fed with corn
3 1. 12s: a fat hog of two years old, 10s: a fat wed-
der unfhorn, 5s.if fhorn, 3s. 6d; a fat goose, 7d.1:
‘a fat capon Gd. a fat hen, 3d. two chickens, 3d. four
pigeons, 3d. two dozen of eggs, 3d. If we consi-
der these prices, we fhall find that butchers meat,
in this time of great scarcity, must still have been
sold, by the parliamentary ordinance, three times
cheaper than our middling prices at present, poultry
somewhat lower; because being now considered as
' adelicacy, it has risen beyond its proportion, But

206 strictures on manners. Aug: 146
the inference to be drawn’ from the comparison of
prices, is still mote considerable. I suppose that
the rates affixed by parliament were inferior. to the
usual market prices in those years of famine and mor-
talitw of cattle; and that those commodities, instead
of a third, had really risen to a half of the ‘present
value. But the famine of that time was'so )consu-
ming, that wheat was'sometimes sold for’ 41. fos. a
quarter, usually for 31. that is considerably above
twice our middling prices. A certain proof -of the
wretched state of tillage in. those ages.

It appears that the middling price of corn in these
times was, in good years, half of the present value,
while the middling price of cattle was only an eighth
part. We here fiad the same immense disproportion
in years of scarcitys It may thence be inferred
with certainty, that the raising of corn was a spe-
cies of manufactory, which few of that age could
practice with advantage.

The same parliament.also stomped the. impracti-
eable scheme of reducing the price ofilabour after
the pestilence. A reaper in the first week of Aus
gust. was not allowed to take above two-pence a-day,
or near six-pence of our present money; in the se-
cond week a third more} a master carpenter was li-
mited through the whole year to three-pence -a-day, ;

a common carpenter to two-pence, money of that
age. ‘It is remarkable, that, in the same age, the
pay of.a private soldier, an archer was six-pence a-
day, which by the change both in denomination and
value, would be equivalent to four or five fhillings
of our present'money. Qoldiers were then inlisted

2793- strictures on manners 207
only for 4 fhort time, they lived idl2 all the rest of
the year, and commonly all the. rest of their lives,
one succefsful campaign, by pay and plunder, and the
ransom of prisoners, was sufficient to raise a mana

small fortune; which no doubt was a great induce-

ment to enter into the service.
The increase of commerce within the last three
centuries, has introduced a very great increase of e-
legance in buildings, furniture, equipages, tables,
and drefs, throughout all Europe. Until the reign
of, Henry vit. the buik of the houses of England
owas generally very mean in comparison of the pre=
sent times. They had very few stone buildings, or
even brick ones, excepting some large churches,
some of the great men’s houses, and the larger mo-
nasteries, the generality of houses not only in Lon-
don and other cities, but many capital court seats,
were of timber, with clay or plaister intermixed ;

=.

and those of most farmers, and in villages, were of

mud and clay. ‘

In these days, they had'scarce any other than thatch-
ed houses in the most ‘polifhed countries of Eu-
rope. .

And, although those countries were overrun with
woods, they had not even learnt to guard against
the cold by means of chimnies, (the kitchen excep-
ted,) an invention so u%eful and ornamental to our
imodern apartments. The custom then was for the
whole family to sit in the middle of a smoaky hall
round a large stove, the funnel of which pafsed
hae ag the ceiling.

u

-

7

2¢8 strictures on manners, Aug. th.

Laflamma, who wrote in the fourteenth century,
compiains that frugality and simplicity had given way
to extravagance and luxury, and regrets the times
of the emperor Frederic Barbarofsa, of the twelth
century, and of the emperor Frederic 1. of the
thirteenth century, when in, Milan, the capital of
Lombardy, they ate flefh meat but three times a-
weck. Wine was very scarce. They had no idea
of wax candles, and even those of tallaw were deemed

luxury, insomuch that all the better sort of people

used splinters of wood instead of candles. Lhey
wore woollen fhirts, the most considerable citizens
gave not above ioo livres for their daughter’s porti-
ons, ‘* But now, (says Laffamma,) we wear linen,
the women drefs in silk gowns, and have their ears
adorned with gold pendants, with other luxuries un-
known to our ancestors.’’? At this time, the use of
fhirts and table linen was very rare in England.
Wine was sold only by apothicaries, and that as a
cordial alone. Private gentlemen’s houses were all of
wood, both in London and Paris. It was reckoned a
kind of luxury to ride in a two wheeled cart in the
ill paved and dirty streets of Paris, and was forbid-
den the wives of citizens by an exprefs law. ‘* Let
no one presume,’ (says an edict of Carles v of

France, )to treat his guests with more than soup —
and two dithes.”? The use of silver knives, and
forks, spoons, and cups, was esteemed in those’ days,
an extreme degree of luxury. Glafs windows had
been in use long before this, but being always es-
teemed marks of great extravagance, had not come
into general use, and were very rare in private

3993. detention of vefsels in neutral ports. 209
houses. Italy had. them first, next France, from,
whence they made their way into England.

We read in’ Madox’s his‘ory of the exchequer,
that king Henry mr. in the 26th year of his reign, |
directs the theriff of Gloucesterthire, to buy for him
twenty salmons, to be baked in pies, and to be sent
him up to London by Christmas tollowing. He al-
so directs the fheriff of Sufsex, to send to him ten
brawns, with the heads, ten peacocks, fifty rabits,
100 partridges, and soo hens. Jam, tc
- Edinburgh, ‘ , PRomETHEUs.

April 1793. {

QUERIES RESPECTING THE CONDEMNATION OF VESSELS
IN NEUTRAL PORTS, We.

Sir, To the Editor of the Bee.

Ir you will admit the followiig queries into your
paper as early as pofsible, you will much oblige
your Constant reader _

Leth, Fuly MERCATOR.
25>} 793-

Many vefsels have been of late seized by French
privateers in the northern seas, and carried into
Norway and other neutral ports, concerning the con«
demnation or detention of which I find opinions are
hot unanimous. I will therefore be obliged to you
or any of your intelligent correspondents for answers
. to the following queries.

Has it been the practice heretofore to allow vef-
sels te be condemned and sold in neutral ports ;—and

VOL, xvi, DD ‘ +

210 detention of vefsels in neutral ports. Aug. 14.
if so, what are the forms of proceeding in this case ?,
I do not myself at present recollect any case exact-
ly in point, and therefore I can only reason from
what would seem to be the dictates of common
sense. In that point of view it would scem at first
sight, that neutral powers could not naturally af-
sume a right of jurisdiction over either of the par-
ties; and that therefore the persons who brought vef-
sels into their ports, might, without examination
into the manner in which they had acquired the pro-
perty, be at liberty to dispose of them in any way
the establifhed laws of the state permitted; so that
the property of captured vefsels might be disposed
of as readily as of others imported by the original
owners.

This, however, is on the supposition that no le-
gal alleged claim fs made against the person who of-
fers it for sale. For if a representation fhould be
made setting forth that the owners of the vefsel had
obtained pofsefsion of it by an act of piracy, there
can be no doubt but all sales would be stopped till
this question was tried and decided.

In like manner, it would seem that in case a plea
were lodged, that a captured vefsel had not been le-
gally captured, a stop to all sales must in this case be
made till the question be examined and a decision
given. - Accordingly we find, that in no case is
a prise delivered up for sale, even in a friendly port,
without a legal trial ‘and condemnation ; but such a
trial and condemnation would be afsuming a juris-
diction that no neutral power seems to have a right
to exercise, so that it would seem no condemnation

‘

~ #593: detention of vefsels in neutral ports. 21%
can there be made, and consequently no sale of cap-~
tured vefsels be permitted.

Supposing no sales of captured: vefsels can be per-
mitted in neutral ports, May they be there laid up,
and detained for an indefinite time, or are there any
limitations in this respect admitted by common con-
sent ? f

It is well known that there are regulations uni-
versally admitted respecting the sailing of vefsels
from neutral ports, so that if a vefsel belonging to
one of the belligerent powers sails at any time, ano-
ther of superior force belonging to the other, is not
allowed to sail, till after the lapse of a limited time
from the sailing of the former ; but I have heard of.
no rule that has been generally admitted respecting
the time that alleged prises may be allowed to re-
main ina neutral port, though I can see many rea-
sons that would seem to indicate that such a rule
ought to be adopted.

Vefsels coming into any port, if not for the
purpose of trade, are supposed to come there for
the purposes of obtaining a temporary fhelter
from danger either from storms or inimical at-
tempts, or for obtaining refrefhments to the hands,
or for repairing such damages as the vefsel may be
in want of ; and after a reasonable time has been al-
lowed for these purposes, all the claims from neu-
tral hospitality seem to be accomplifhed, and the
neutral power has certainly then a right to order
such vefsels to depart ; and if they decline to exer-
cise that right it must have so much the appearance

Aes x

212 detention of vefsels in neutral ports: Aug. 14;
of favouring one of the parties as to be an apparent
infringement of the rights of neutrality. «

What appears to me just and reasonable in this
case would be, that in all cases, prises brought: into
a neutral port, or vefsels taking fhelter there in
time of wat, fhould be allowed to remain there for
their convenience, not exceeding a certain limited
time,—say three months ; at the expiry of which
time*they ought to be ordered to depart, wind and
weather serving, unlefs they could make it appear
that the port was biocked up at the time by the
enemy’s cruizers, within sight of land ; inwhich case
alone the fheltering power fliould be allowed to exer- ©
cise a discretionary suspending power, without breach
of the laws of neutrality, I do not know, however,
that this rule does any where obtain ; but if it does
not, it is evident that the neutral power may be al-—
lowed greatly to favour one of the belligerent powers
more than the other. In the case which gave occa-
sion for these queries, for example, French cruisers
finding that the rifk of carrying prises from Nor-
way to France is too great to be ventured upon by

“them, might allow the vefs-ls they have carried into
Bergen to lie there till they rotted ; so that although
they got no good of them themselves, they fhould
thus deprive the Britifh owners of the whole of their
prises. But for a fneltering power to lend its con-
currence to such a plan, would seem to be depart-
ing very far from the idea of strict neutrality. I
cannot help therefore thinking that if such a rule as
is hinted at above, does not already prevail, it ought
tobe universally establifhed withoutdelay. Itscems for

2703. detention of vefsels in neutral ports, 213
the interests of mankind in general, that as many te-
straints as pofsible, fhould be Jaid upon that kind of
piratical warfare, which we call privateering; so that
instead of extending neutral protection beyond due
bounds in its favour, it ought to be curtailed as far
as is pofsible, consistent with the ideas that prevail
at present on that head. Indeed the whole of that
system seems to be but a remains of that barbarous
kind of warfare which generally prevailed in fore
mer times, but which now, except in this instance,
is universally laid aside in all civilized nations; for
can any good reason be given why- the property of
individuals fhould be respected on /and by bellige-
rent powers, and not equally respected at sea} yet that
nation would be justly deemed barbarous, which fhould
invest certain individuals, or bodies of men, with full
Powersto go out at pleasure in armed bands, to pillage
and to plunder the enemy’s country ; though we
and every maritime power in Europe, do not deem
ourselves barbarous, when we give such a commif-
Sion to private adventurers, called detters of marque,
to ifsue forth with armed force, and sieze whatever
property belonging to private individuals among our
enemies, can be met with upon the sea. Surely there
ean be no difference between an unarmed merchant
vefsel carrying goods for the behoof of private indi-
viduals, and a waggon loaded, or a storehouse filled
with similar goods on fhore; yet habit makes
us look upon the one as a just and honourable acqui-~
sition, and the other asa wicked and difhonourable
plunder. Were armed cruisers at sea to make war
only upon other armed inimical vefsels, as armed |
troops on land make war upon others they meet

at4 detention of vefsels in neutral ports. Aug. 143
with opposing them in arms; or were these to seizé
at sea, as they would do on land, all provisions and
warlike stores going directly to add to the strength
of the enemy, there would be nothing contradictory
in our practice; but surely it is in the highest de~
gree absurd, in the one case to make prisoners of
private individuals unarmed, or to seize property
that does not come under the above description, and
to protect them in the other.
So long however as the general opinion gives
sanction to such practices, the utmost that an indi-
vidual can with propriety do, is to attempt, not to
stem the torrent directly, but only to. moderate its
course, that it may be by degrees stopped entirely ;
and blefsed would be the effects of such a stoppage,
as it would remove one of the many inducements
to war,—the hope of private plunder. With that
view, I fhall beg leave to propose one other ques+
tion, with which I fhall close this disquisition.

If capturing vefsels are not permitted to allow
prises to rot in the harbours of neutral powers,
with a view merely to injure their enemies, with-
out benefitting themselves, are they at liberty to'sink
these prises at sea, in order to prevent them from
being recaptured by the enemy ?

I never have heard this question discufsed ; yet
methinks it is necefsary that it fhould not be left
doubtful; for although it does not often happen that
it can be done, yet we can easily conceive that it
might, in some cases, be pofsible to effect it without
the lofs of men.

1793. anecdote. 215

There is no doubt that, by the universal practice
which prevails at present, one vefsel may sink ano-
ther, when actually engaged’; but after a vefsel has
struck, and thus comes under the power of another,
it does not seem to be fully his property, until it
has been legally condemned, and adjudged to him ;
so that it would not seem that he had a right vo-
luntarily to destroy it. Were this restraint remo-
ved, wicked men might on some occasions wantonly
destroy much valuable property ; so that ifno rule
he already establifhed on this head, it certainly
ought to be so decreed by universal consent among
all civilised nations.

ANECDOTE.

Acccorpine to the abbt de Choisi, Moliere took the
idea of his famous comedy, Tartuffe, from the fol-
lowing anecdote. One evening the prince de Conti
had drefsed himself for a masquerade, in spite of
the remonstrances of the abbé de Conac; who had
represented to him, that his health would be injured
by late hours. Seeing this advice disregarded, he
flatly told him, that made as he was, his fhape
mente. immediately discover him under any dis-
guise *. The prince, being drefsed for the masque-
rade, the abbé de Roquette, entered the apartment
as he was leaving it: and addrefsing the prince of

* The prince was musfhapen, and of a weakly constitution

216 anecdote. 4ug. 14,
Conti, as if he was speaking to M. de Vardes,
“ Sir, (said he,) thew me, I beg of you, his high-
nefs ;” and then turning to the abbé de Conac,
‘* Pray which of these two mafks’is his royal
highnefs ?” In fhort this courtier made so many gri-
maces, and paid so many fulsome compliments in
order to convince the prince of Conti that he was
well disguised, that the abbé de Conac quite in a
rage, cried out loud enough to be heard by the
prince, ‘* Fie, Mr de Roquette, you ought to be a-
fhamed of yourseli; tor when his highnefs drefses
himself in masquerade, for his amusement, he ~
knows very well that his fhape, and that of M. de
Vardes, are quite different.” This speech of
the abbé de Conac, was noted down by his friend
Guilleragues, who communicated it to Moliere.

Anecdote of the cardinal de Retz.

Tue cardinal de. Retz, told a friend of his that he
had caused the war of the Fronde, solely with a
view to marry madame de la Meilleraye with
whom he was in love ; the old mar-chal de la Meil-
leraye was still living, though very infirm. It was
true that he was coadjutor of Paris, bifhop of Co-
rinth, and a priest: but he thought that by over-
turning the state, to render himself so considerable,
that the pope would not dare to refuse him every
dispensatign.

POETRY.

On Beauty, ADDRESSED TO THE FAIR.

Beauty ye fair, [compare to a rose,
Which you know is at best but a flow’r;
And a flower has nothing at all io dispose,
As it blofsoms and fades in an hour. j

Thus as beauty you see, is pofseis’d of no fame,
So I hope you'll agree,
In one voice with me,

That, to boast of one’s beauty is vain,

Loe F k

Tue Ortop *.

Sir, To the Editor of the Bee.
Insertine the following lines in your highly useful publication will
much oblige your constant reader. Nauvticus.

Aip me kind muse, so whimsical a theme,
No poet ever yet pursu’d, for fame.

Bold!y I venture on the novel scene,

Nor tear the critic’s frown, the pedant’s spleen.
Sons of the ocean, we their rules disdain, °
Our bosom honest, and our language plain.
Let Homer’s battles and his goasdelight ;
Let Milton with internal legions fight :

His favourite hero, polifh’d Virgil fhow ;
With love and wine, luxurious Horace glow:
Be such ther subjects, I another chuse,
‘As yet neglected by the laughing muse.

Deep im the fabric where Britannia boasts
O’er seas to waft her thunder and her hosts,
A cavern lies, ne’er pierced by solar ray,
Where glimmering tapers only lend the day,
Where wild disorder holds her wanton reign,
And carelefs mortals wanton in her train,
Hail happy Oriop, midst thy glooms I stray,
To sing thy wonders in descriptive lay.
Stooping bencath a hammock’s friendly fhade,

See Esculapius, + with his arms pourtrayed,

* Lowest deck in a fhip of war.
t In this deck is lways placed the cockpit or surgeon’s operating
room as ina place of safety under water.

VOL. Xvi. EE ft

128

peotry: ; Aug. 143

The pointed steel one hand impending holds,
The other round the trembling victim folds;
His gaping Myrmidon, the deed attends,
Whilst in his cup the crimson stream descends;
Pox, scurvy, itch, and hot distempers, boil,
Death’s grim militia standing rank and file;
Unaw’d young Galen stands the hostile brunt,
Pills in his rear and Cullen in his front.

From neighbouring mansions lo what clouds arise,
That half conceal the owner fronf our eyes; ;
One penny light, with feeble lustre fhines,

To thew the midfhipman, who in Olympus dines,

Let us approach the preparative view;

A cockpit beau, is surely something new.

To him Japan her varnifhed joys denies,

Nor blooms for him the sweets of eastern fkies ;

His graceful form no lofty mirror fhews,

Nor tender couch invites to sweet repose;

A pigmy glafs, upon his toilet stands,

Crack’d o’er and o’er by sacrilegious hands ;
Chesterfield’s page polite, the seaman’s guide, \

. A half eat biscuit, Congreve’s mourning bride,

Bestrew’d with powder in confusion ly.
Frizeurs croud in and tarry salve apply.

At length this meteor of an hour is drest,

And an Adonis rises Irom his chest ;

Cautious he treads lest some unlucky slip,
Defiles his cloaths with hase bargoo or flip.
Those rocks escap’d, arrives in statu quo,

Bows, dines, and bows, then sinks again below.

Not far from him a joyous group are set,

For social converse, mirth, and pastime met,
Inspiring gtog with rapid course goes round,
And not a care is in the circle found.

Remov’d from these, profoundly deep in thought,
His busy mind with lines and tangents fraught,
Sits a poor midfhipman in calculation lost,

His efforts still by some intruder crost.

Opposed to him his sprightly mefsmate rolls,
Exclaims with Garric or with Shuter drolls:

His bosom now great Cato’s virtue warms,

And now his talk the gay Lothario charms,

No more for pleasures, joys, or courts repines,

But pease soup entering points out where he dines,

Such is the mottled face the orlop wears,
Where nature in her plainest garb appears;

Yet think not meanly of this humble seat,

Whence spring the guardians of the Britith fleet,
Sacred behold the state, however low,

That form’d to martial deeds a Hawke a Howe. ‘

Dunfermlint , Fuly,3793.

~

r493- on nettle yaru. 219

On THE PECULIARITIES AND USES OF THE NETTLE IN ARTS,

Ix addition to the useful observations of our very inge-
nious correspondent Arcticus, upon the utility that may
be derived from observing with attention the natural qua-
lities of plants,—a study which has been of late but too
much neglected, I fhall add a few remarks upon the eco-
nomical uses that may be made of the common nettle,
suggested by the hints of a gentleman who is an
attentive observer of all facts that fall under his cogni-
sance.

It has been long known that a filament may be obtain-
ed from the common stinging nettle, urtica urens, much
ofthe nature of hemp or flax, though pofsefsing some pecu-
liar qualities that render it lefs desirable than them for
the common manufactures in which these have been usually
employed; but few experiments have been made to as-
certain preciscly the diiference between the qualities of
these three substances.

Cloth made of nettle filament is known to be harder to
the feel than that of either hemp or flax ; but itis not in
general known that it is lefs corruptible, and lasts much
longer in water than either of these substances. An acci-
dental circumstance induced my informant to discover
this fact. The fithermen at Newhaven have frequently
occasion to send oysters to Greenock, and along the west
coast; and as wooden packages are expensive to send
off goods of so small value, and troublesome to return, they
were constrained to send them in some kinds of bags;
and cheapnefs to them is the greatest recommendation.
At first they sent bags of coarse sacking made of hemp
tow; ut these, being kept constantly wet, were very soon
rotted and uselefs, Some of the poorer and more induse

‘220 on nettle yarn. Aug. 14
trious among these people having tried.to make a coarse
cloth from the nettles they gathered in waste corners, spun
it into a coarse kind of yarn, upon the rock, and got it
woven into a slack kind of cloth, somewhat like biscuit
bags, which they employed for transporting their oysters,
Tt was soon discovered that these bags lasted much long-
er than others of the same kind made of hemp. This in-
duced others to try the same experiment. It succeeded |
equally well ; and it is found to be such a saving plan, that
a manufacture of this sort has been for some time carried
on among these industrious people, for their own use on-
ly, to their great emolument.

The fact being thus ascertained, my informant thinks
that if the nettle were cultivated in considerable quan-
tities, and watered and drefsed upon a large scale, it might -
be employed with great advantage for many useful nati-
onal purposes ; such as for fithing nets, fifliing lines, and sail
cloth; all of which are articles of great importance to this
nation; and being necefsarily exposed to wet, when made
of hemp or flax, are found to be of a very perithable na-
tare: In the east Indies and south seas, they have fifh-
ing lines, made of a grafs that grows in those climates,
which are not only stronger of the same thicknefs than any
that we can make, but infinitely more durable. Have any
attempts been made to see if this grafs could be reared ei-
ther in Earope or the west Indies? I have heard of none.
Till we ,obtain it, the nettle, which we know prospers a-
bundantly here, ‘promises to be a very useful substitute for
hemp in these manufactures.

But another important use to which even the coarsest
parts of this manufacture might be applied, is the caulk-
ing of fhips. It is well known, as he afsures me, that
either hemp or flax, when employed as the core thread in
first caulking of vefsels, so quickly rots, as to become the

1493.‘ on nettle yarn. 231
source of great inconvenience and expence to fhip owners,
This has been so severely felt that many attempts have
been made to get a more durable substitute for it; even
lead;—the thin fheets of it that come with tea packages,
have been tried for that purpose ; but besides the enormons
expence of that article, it is neither so pliable as could
be withed, nor remains without corrosion; which is des-
tructive in several respects. Nettle yarn, he therefore
thinks, could be applied for this purpose with much be-
nefit to the public. It might also be employed for ma-
King hawsers and cables, that would be much stronger,
and more lasting than those made of hemp.

These are important purposes that would certainly be
effected with ease, if it fhall be found upon trial, by a
series of decisive experiments, that the filament of this.
plant is pofsefsed of the incorruptible quality he thinks
the experience of the fifhermen authorises him to say it
has. I therefore recommend this as an object deserving
the attention of the public ; and as this paper willbe pub-
lithed a little before the time that the nettle will be fit to
be gathered, it will put it in the power of such as incline
to do it, to make experiments on this very substance
during the present season,

Would not this be a proper object for a set of premi-
ums by the trustees for encouraging manufactures, to sti-
mulate men to make decisive experiments upon this sub-
ject?

In France, where for some years past, people in the
higher departments of life have been more than usually
attentive to agriculture ; and where of course many then-
retic hints for improvements would be thrown out, some
persons have thought that the nettle might be cultivated
with profit as a food for cows. It is well known in this
country that cows eat it very readily if cut before the bark

-

222 . ~ a query, Mug. t4.
becomes fibrous, and the stems woody. But it is also
known that unlefs the nettle grows on very good ground,
it does not produce fhoots of such luxuriance as to pro-
mise to be of much value to the farmer, if sown upon
barren wastes ; so that I fear little good can be expected
from it in this point of view.

The roots of the nettle are also esteemed usefulin some cas-
es in medicine ; and in the Highlands of Scotland they are
sometimes employed to produce a yellow dye. The leaves
also are gathered, when they first come up in the spring,
by the country people, and boiled in broth, which is es-
teemed wholesome; and as it affords a peculiar grumous
sensation on the palate, they are reckoned a delicacy by
most young people who taste them. But these are ob-
jects of little consequence.

It may not be improper to take notice of one other very
singular property of the nettle, viz. that if a new made
cheese of a small size be laid among growing nettles, or
those that have been newly cut, so a8 to be supported by
a close bed of them, and covered over with the same, this,
if frequently fhifted, renders the curd in a fhort time of a
soft and butyraceous consistence, so as to have very much
‘the taste and appearance of cream cheese.

A: QUERY.

Sir, To the Editor of the Bee
T have one of the best gardens in this country, which fur-
nifhes me with abundance of fruit and roots for the use of
my family, but there is something peculiar in the ground
by which the onions, which grow to an enormous size, rot
immediately after they are pulled, and as I have been
thereby necefsitated to purchase what of this useful root I
need, I will esteem it a great favour done me, if you, or

3793: index indtcatorius. 223
some one of your numerous correspondents will, by the me-
dium of your Bee, give a remedy for this evil, and by. so »
doing you will very much oblige your constant reader,
‘admirer, and humble servant, Lycurcus. }

Caithness, July 1793:

'

Ee eres i eS SSE, Ba A SLES SRT ESS
ee eee

INDEX INDICATORIUS.

A Wilberforcite sends the following extract from an old book.

“ Jf a man be found stealing any:of his brethren, and maketh
merchandise of him, or selleth him; then that thief fhall die, and thou
fhalt put evil away from among you.”

Renovatus requests that the following verses may be inserted in
the Bee.

When youth first fill’d my breast with fire,
No bounds were fix’d to my desire,
All woman kind I lov’d ;
The black, the fair, the wit, "the prude,
The awkward, smart, the mild, the rude,
Alike my paision mov'd.

One time with Kate, I was perplex’d ;
Sall, Moll, and Sue engag’d me next
"My love for each was equal; .
But one sweet fair at length has caught
My life, my soul, my heart, my thought,
As you'll see in the sequel.

My lovely Ann, sweet Anna fair,
My charming Ann, dear Anna rare
_ Has caught me on the wing ;
It is for Ann, I now do smart,
*Tis darling Ann has won my heart,
Of AnnI meantosing. - - - - - «

But our room will not admit of a longer extract.

K. among other remarks on the Englifh language, observes that
* One of the greatest pesfections in any language is to have words
and exprefsions ascertaining precisely and universally the exact de-
finition of the ideas accompanying them. Another is to be so pure
and distinct in itself as not to stand in need of words peculiar and
belonging to a foreign language.”. He thinks “ there is no language.
capable of the highest degree of improvement and none which stands

' <* ‘ Sa

224 _tndex indicatorius. Aug. 142
defs in need of the aid of foreign ornament than the Englifh.” | He
therefore reprobates the practice of borrowing words and - phrases
from languages, as pedantic and unnecefsary. Would authors, he says»
abandon this silly ostentation, and rather strive to purify and perfect
their mother tongue, than thus to corrupt it, they would attain more
universal reputation to themselves, and render their writings more

generally useful. :
He likewise. justlyreprehends the practice of mixing foreign words

in conversation as puerile and affected ; and is itself often the -source
of barbarism and vulgarity, by a misapplication of foreign words that

are not sufficiently known.
Apis Amicus displays his wit and irony in the following strains,

Frugal, faithful, neat industrious,
Sober, honest, generous Bee }
_ For thy labours so illustrious
Much I love and honour thee:
For thy instinct far surpafses
Th’ artificial modes of xen,
Who compared to thee are a/ses,
Toiling, moiling, all tor gain.
-
Fame and fortune, which they strain at,
With themselves must soon decay
But the exd which thou dost aim at
Is thy bounty to display:
‘Thou from pole to pole extendest
Universally thy sqweets;
All thy life and labour spendest .
on our most delicious treats - - - - =

‘The above specimen it is hoped will afford awmost delicious treat
to at least oNE person; but as we have many others to TREAT iz the
same manner, We are constrained not to give too much to any one of
them, so that the remainder of these fine lines must be omitted. The
very ingenious writer will parceive his underlinings have been exact-

Jy attended to.
\ Milifsa it seems differs in opinion from Apis Amicus for thus fhe

writes.

,

A book that I did lately see,

And what I hear is call’d the Bee,

Tho’ it did not gather honey, 2 :
It gather’d what was very good, a
And what will buy the author food ; .

It gathwr’d its master money.

142.

THE BEE,

OR
LITERARY WEEKLY INTELLIGENCER,
FOR

WEDNEsDAY, AUGUST 21. 1793-
SS

Arctic LucuBRATIONS ON PARLIAMENTARY

REFORM.

!
Though the Editor has for some time past declined insertinz any

thing in this miscellany on the subject of the present efsay, think~
ing that the spirit of the times did not any longer require it. Yet
the respect he owes this very liberal correspendent, who at the
time of writing it, could not know how much the publ opmion
had here changed of late, as well as the ingenious nature of the
arguments here adduced, wili render any apology, he supposés, une
nece(sary to his readers ior departing a little in this instance from
the general rule he had adopted.

Sir. To the Editor of the Bee.

Ira countryman who has been so long abroad as
your Arctic correspondent, may be permitted to make
remarks on the subject of reform, which the news
papers announce to be again on the carpet, I fhould
be glad to hazard a few on that great question ; not
that I think they are worth sending so far, but
merely to keep up my birth right of instructing our
rulers in the government of the nation.
VOL, Xvi. Fr +

he

226 on parliamentary reform. Aug. 21;

However, that no man may go a step farthet
with me than he chooses, I fhall reverse the ordi«
nary mode of proceeding in these cases, and distinct-
ly give a decided opinion in the beginning, instead of
the end of my discourse, by an afsertion equally
bold and true, that as all writers, whether natives
or foreigners, who have treated of the Britith con-
stitution, unanimously agree, that it 7s the best ever
yet devised by human wisdom, a fact which even mo-
dern innovators acknowledge at the very time they
modestly propose to better it on theoretic princi-
ples; I say admit only the above data, which I be-
lieve have never yet been disputed, and I will ven-
ture to afsert, that an attempt to correct what is
allowed to be the most perfect work of frail and
fallible man, will probably be the greatest ex-
ample of human vanity ever yet given to the asto-
nifhed world ; and I fhould be sorry to add of human
folly, which laying violent hands on the venerable

* structure without proof of real not supposed delin-

quency, will pofsibly make but too applicable. You
will observe, Sir, that I combat the question of ex-
pediency, not of right ; and flatter myself, that I have
a decided majority of at least seven or eight milli-
ons of Britifh subjects on my side, and can afsure
you, Mr Editor, that foreigners are in utter astonifh-
ment to hear, that in a country where the meanest
subject cannot be condemned without /egal proof of
guilt, the object most dear to Britons, their far fa-
med constitution, to which all nations do homage,
fhould be threatened with rude theoretic correction,

without any species of legal proof being given of its

1493. on parliamentary reform. 424
Jaulty or defective operation and influence on the
happine/s of the people, and without a single indivi-
dual being to be found in the whole realm, to prove
at the bar of the house, a real injury received from it,
except in his brain, heated by the declamations of
artful men. I can afsure you of another fact, that
the proposal of new modelling your constitution to
the new theory of government, is affording a great
triumph to those who with to justify what has been
done in France ; and they find the declamations of the
Opposition, excellent weapons to combat their anta~
gonists, who hold up Great Britain, as the most so-
lid and wise nation of the modern world, whilst they
maliciously agree with them, that the insulted con-
stitution, has already united what all nations and all
ages have been in search of, viz. personal liberty,
security of property, with unlimited trade, and the
natural result of these three blefsings, national pro-
sperity*.

This being confefsed both at home and abroad,”
you can easily conceive the astonifhment of men who
sigh for, and languifh after, what the Almighty has
so liberally granted you, on hearing of a proposal
to put these greatest of earthly blefsings to the ritk,

* They afsert, that even the late bankruptcies is the greatest proof
of it, that could be given in the nature of things, as the cause of them
was a degree of credit unparalleled in the history of commerce. In
what nation, do they afk, were there ever heard of hundreds of indi-
viduals, pafsing their private notes to the amount of many times their
fortune, 07 apar with gold andsilver, whilst most of the national
paper on the continent, and that of se many crowned heads, is so
much below par ?

228 on parliamentary reform: Aug. 2%.
by new arrangements, which carry on their very face
the seeds of much disorder and division of opinion,
the bane of civil society. They even think that the
so much desired augmentation of number, if obtained,
would make the house of commons a mob, which all toe
large societies are, if even composed of philosophers;
whilst it might destroy that nice and delicate balance
of the legislature, which is universally regarded a-
broad, whatever it may be at home, as the real se~
eret discovered by your wise ancestors, for preser-
ving that liberty which is the admiration and envy
of the world ; and which permits you to revile either
the executive government, or the representatives of
the commons, without fearing, (if you keep within
the law,) either the resentment of power on the one
hand, or the summary punifhment of offended de-
mocracy on the other; and they challenge your in-,
stigating sophists to name any country, either an-
cient or modern, which could or can boast of such
a latitude. I fhall now finifh the remarks of others,
with a few of my own, drawn from observation in
a course of years.

ust, As long as I can recollect any thing, I
remember reform to have been the weapon wielded
_ with more or lefs dexterity by every opposition
in turn, to puzzle and cl cane the ministers of
the day ; well knowing that if they could, by cla-
mour and importunity, engage him to lay violent
hands on what is the deserved idol of the people, he
would be instantly hurled from his station, and set,
never to rise again-as a statesman im Great Britain.

For the real iact 1s, whatever arts may be used te

1793+ on parliamentary reform: 229
disguise the sentiments, and good sense of the nati-
on; that nine millions of the ten, adore, and wisely
judge of their constitution as of their watch, by its
going, rather than its construction, which they have
not the mania be pretend to be competent judges
of ; and indeed I think that if even your political
philosophers did the same, it would be no great
slur on their wisdom, whilst they might flatter the
people whom they court, by repeating to them one
of their favourite proverbs, that the proof of the
pudding is the eating of it ; and surely it never was
more applicable, as it certainly is the operation and
influence of a constitution, on the libert., proper-
ty, and happinefs of a people, that real wise men
fhould look at, not its construction ; and in my opi-
nion, fhould cherifh and support a good one, to what-
ever number of springs, checks, We. such a moral
machine owes its divine qualities ; especially as we
have a recent example of the extreme difficulty of
composing one, even by the united efforts of all the
philosophers of a nation locked upon as the most
enlightened and civilized of modern times ; and
although they even had to work upon what bey
themselves thought the most clear and simple prin-
ciples ever a legisature pofsefsed.

IT recollect a remark made by a very able mecha-
nic, which I thought at the time a most luminous
explanation of what may be the cause of our con-
stitution answering so well, with all the theoretic
faults imputed to it. Having demanded a reason,
why we sometimes find a low priced watch on the

:
230 on parliamentary reform. Aug. 203 |
old principle, go as well as one oa the newest and
best, he replied, ‘‘ that, Sir; is owing to one error
counteracting and correcting another, which some-
times happens from a certain accidental combina-
tion.” Now Mr Editor, I do not give a farthing,
if either my watch, which serves me well, or the con<
stitution under which I enjoy protection, liberty, and
happinefs, can be demonstrated by your soz disant phi-
losophers to be the composition of light or darknefs ;
and if I had my will they fhould not put a finger in-
‘to either of them.

T could still wifh, if Ido not take up too much
of your volume, to hazard a couple more simple re-
marks, of x man who has no pretensions to politi-
cal philosophy, or to tinker the constitution of
Great Britain. These I mean to make on the only
plausible reasons for reform that I have met with
in the speeches of the present opposition ; for I have
forgot the ingenuity of the former, vzz. certain old
decayed boroughs which still pofse/s, and@ certain
new manufacturing towns, who still are with-
out, the privilege of choosing members of parlia-
ment.

ist, I humbly offer an opinion which I am affraid
will be looked upon as high treason against modern
doctrines, that it is by a play on the word repre-
sentation, and giving it a local application, very
different from the intention of our ancestors when
they framed our constitution, that the pafsions and
interests of men have beeu stirred up in this contro-
versy ; for fhall I acknowledge that I think from all
my reading, that they first calculated the number

¥793- on parliamentary reform. 232
they thought would be the properest to represent
all the commons of England, and then obliged such
places to send them up and maintain them, as ap-
peared at the time most able so todo; a hardfhip
much repined at bythe ancient inhabitants of the
appointed spot, who thought it highly unjust to be
forced to choose and pay members to represent the
whole commons, without receiving any particular
and locai advantages in return; as they had not
yet discoyered the value of a vote, now so well
known ; which may be one little collateral reason
for some people withing to get a few more of them.
Nay, I am disposed to think that the five hundred
and fifty-eight members when in parliament afsembled,
still represent the whole island, and the place that’
chooses them not a jot more than any other*. If this
Was not the case in a trading country, where the
interest and commercial views of the towns, are as
various as their situations, we fhould see the cham-
pion of Bristol pitted in parliament against the
champion of Liverpool, and the agents of one set of
manufacturers, waging a war of words with the
agents of another.

However, leaving the subject of reprensetation in
' the able hands who make so capital a use of it, to stir
np a change inour happy constitution, I fhall fi-

* In confirmation of this opinion we have heard of the most popu-
lar and patriotic members, both in Britain and Ireland, telling their
constituents on the hustings, that they could not engage to follow
their instructious, but to act to the best of their judgement for the
public good, as was their real duty.

232 on parliamentary reform. . Aug. 2%.
nifh with a few words on the subject of the decay
ed horoughs.

Dare I avow it, Mr Editor, that I see are
more natural than that in a free commercial coun-
try, men, fhould of their own accord, make a vir-
tual and voluntary surrender of their privileges
za one pluce, for something they prefer in another ;
er in other words, that they fhould relinquifh
their votes in Old Sarum, to gain money in new
Manchester. Bat I cannot think equally natural
the clamour raised against the legislature, for not
hurrying their privileges after the emigrants ; for
two very simple reasons. The first ts, that it would
be an act of great injustice, to deprive of their
privileges those who choose to stay where they
were, preferring birth right to gain, to confer
them on those who, being of a different opinion, had
voluntarily relinquifhed them, and already got the
equivalent they desired.

The second reason is, that«such a transfer would
be a fhort sighted act, of little wisdom, was zt even
just. For considering the changes your island is sub-
ject to*, from the action of the sea, from the col.
lecting of sand at the mouths of harbours, the course
and obstruction of rivers, the discovery of mines,
the erection of new manfacturies, &c. it is more
‘than probable, that if the election of senators was
to follow the varying sites of trade and manufac.
tures, the legislature might in time franchise and

* See Dr Campbell’s Politicai Survey of Great Britaia for the
changes alluded to.

1793. on parliamentary reform. 233
disfranchise every spot in the island; nay such is
the uncertainty on which this new philosophical
principle hinges, that a decayed and despoiled bo-
tough, has only to discover a coal mine in its neigh-
bourhood, (the gold ore of Britain,) and new manus
factures will spring up, to repopulate the half des
serted borough, when a future opposition may pos-
sibly demand of the minister of the day, new pri-
vileges for a hard used opprefsed town; which. one
of his predecefsors in office had disfranchised to
serve some vile mintstertal purpose ; probably to court
the support of some powerful proprietors of the
upstart boroughs *.

Such, Mr Editor, are the sentiments of a man
who left Britain with a sincere attachment to its
happy constitution, who has neither heard of nor seen
any thing like it since, and who never expects to
live under its equal in any other part of the world ;
whilst he has as yet met with nothing in all the
florid display of new Inghts, to lefsen his respect
for what was once universally acknowledged to be
the glory of a Briton, and which still remains so of

* This argument deserves to be particularly attended to, as it
hag not, [think, been adverted to by either of the parties who have
come forward in this case. Let any one recollect what endlefs cause
this would give for cavils and sophistical arguments, and political
cabals, and he will easily perceive, that the legislative council would
have little time for any discufsion, except to correct the perpetual in-
justice, real or imagined, that would arise from this ‘source. Admit
as a principle that any one circumstance, be it what it will, is to give
an invariable right of representation, and there can be no end of squab-
bles and disputation about it. This is the reason why the land tax
higs remained so long unaltered; and a good reason too. Edit.

VOL, Xvi. GG +

234 on pai'liamentary réform. Aug. 205
an. old Caledonian who is more of a natural than a
political philosopher.

Will you still allow him to whisper you on part-
ing, but pray dont expose him to the ridicule of
the wits, that he sees nothing in all the new boast-
ed discoveries on the theory of government, but a
few old hints of some of our speculative Britifh
writers, served up a-new with a French sauce, for
which that nation was more famed at the time he
emigrated, than for giving lefsons on liberty, to a
nation grown old in the study and pofsefsion of that
greatest of blefsings ; but it is really amusing to ob-.
serve the changes that take place in a few years ;
for he left that once amiable and volatile people
learning you to dance and drefs your locks, and he
seems to be in a fair way on coming home, (if the
friends of the people get their will in bringing about
a change,) to find them learning you to be free, @
la mode de Paris.

However, i think there is little danger of such a
victory, if what was positively declared in the house
on a late occasion be literally true, that not one bo-
rough or city in the whole kingdom had petitioned par-
kament for a reform in its corporate capacity; for as
to the signature of individuals, I who am a stran-
ger almost, will engage to procure with the afsis-
tance of only one member of the opposition, an old
Ruf.ian acquaintance, Mr Whitbread, twenty or
thirty thousand signatures to a petition ten fathoms
long, either for a’ reform of parliament, or of the
@pposition themselves, 1f that fhould be found more
ueeefsary. J only wifh such a sum wes depen

1793- hints on chivairy. 235
ding on my succefs as would make it worth while
to pay you a visit, and you would then see for
the first time your correspondent,

Imperial corps of

noble Land Cadets ArcTICcus.
in St Peterfburgh,

May 19. 1793-

P. S.1 have here given you an opportunity, Mr
Editor, of thewing your perfect impartiality, by in-
serting the opinions of one who admires the consti-
tution and the Britifh government, as much as
Thunderproof found fauit with both ; and if it
fhould be necefsary to offer any excuse for my eti-
thusiasm, as it may be called by the discontented, I
plead that my admiration arises from modestly com-
paring them with the fallible works of the other
varieties of the human species, not with those of an-
gels; for it is the man who looks for a perfect con- |
stitution, a perfect senate, or a perfect any thing
else, that is the enthusiast, not he who judges of eve-
ry thing by the standard of human frailty, and by
. comparison with what men have been able to effect
in other parts of the world.

HINTS RELATING TO CHIVALRY.
For the Bee. -

Institution of chivalry,
Tor people who overturned the Roman empire,
and Settled in its various provinces,’ were free men,
who conquered for themselves, not for their leaders.

236 hints on chivalry. . Aug. 2X.

They followed the chieftain who led them forth in

quest of new settlements, not by constraint, but from

choice ; notas soldiers whom he could orderto march,

but as voluntiers who offered to accompany him.

They considered their conquests as common property,

in which all had a title to fhare, as all had contributed
to acquire them. Every free man, upon receiving a
portion of the lands which were divided, bound
himself to appear in arms against the enemies of’
the community. This military service was the

condition on which they received their lands ; and

this tenure, among a warlike people, was deemed |
both easy and honourable. The king or general,

who led them to conquest, continuing still to be

the head of the colony, had, of course, the largest

portion allotted to him. Having thus acquired the

means of rewarding past services, as well as of
gaining new adherents, he parcelled out his lands

with this view, binding those on whom they were
bestowed, to follow his standard with a number »of
men in proportion to the extent of territory which

they received ; and to bear arms in his defence.

His chief officers imitated the example of their

sovereign ; and, in distributing portions of their

lands among their dependents, annexed the same

conditions to the grant. This new division of
property, together with the maxims and manners

to which it gave rise, gradually introduced a

species of government formerly unknown. This

singular institution is now distinguifhed by the’

name of the te outer system, \

1793> hints on chivalry. - 237

But the bond of pol:tical union was extremely
feeble. The sources of anarchy were innumerable.
The powerful vafsals of the crown, soon extorted
a confirmation for life of those grants of lands,
which were at first purely gratuitous. Not satis-
fied with this, they prevailed to have them con-
verted into hereditary pofsefsions. One step more
completed their usurpations, and rendered them un-
alienable. Having thus secured the pofsefsion
of their lands and dignities, they obtained the power
of supreme jurisdiction within their own territories,
together with the right of carrying on war against
their private enemies, in their own names, and
by their own authority. The king, stripped of alm,
most every prerogative, could neither protect the in~
nocent, nor punith the guilty *, >

The feudal system then was a state of almost pers
petual war, rapine, and anarchy ; during which the
weak and unarmed were exposed to insults and in=
juries. The administration of justice was too feeble to
redrefs their wrongs. ‘The most effectual protecti-
on against violence and opprefsion, was often found
to be that which the valour aad generosity of pri-
vate persons afforded. To check the insolence of
overgrown opprefsion, to rescue the helplefs from
captivity, to protect or to ayenge women, orphans,
and ecclesiastics, who could not bear arms in their
own defence; to redrefs wrongs, and remove grie-
vances, were deemed ‘Ucts of the highest prowefs
and virtue. Such was the origin of chivalry,

* Rober‘son’s Charles v. vol. 1. p. 15. and seq.

238 bints on chivalry. Aug. 24.
which arose naturally from the state of society at
that period *.

Characteristics of chivalry.

The rise of chivalry from the circumstances of
the feudal government, having been fhewn, it will
be easy to account for the several characteristics of
this singular profefsion.

ist, The pafsion for arms, the spirit of enter-~
prise the honour of knighthood, the rewards of va-
Jour, the splendour of equipages ; in fhort, every
thing that raises our ideas of the prowefs, gallantry,
and magnificence of the sons of Mars is easily ex-
plained in this supposition. Ambition, interest, glo-
ry, all concurred, under such circumstances, to pro-
duce these effects. The feudal principles could ter-
minate in nothing else And when by the necefsas
ry operation of that policy, this turn was given te
the thoughts and pafsions of men, use and fafhion
would do the rest, and carry them to all the excefseg
of military fanatism. iN

2d. Their romantic ideas of justice, their pafsi-
on for adventures, their eagernefs to run to the suc-
cour of the distrefsed, and the pride they took in re-
drefsing wrongs, and removing grievances, all these
distinguifhing characters of genui e chivalry are exe
plained on the same principle. For the feudal state
being a state of perpetual war, or rather of conti-
nual violence, it was unavoidable that in their cone
stant fkirmifhes and surprises, numbers of the foly

* Ibid page 83

8953; | _ Bints on chivalry. 239)
lowers of one baron ‘hduid «ot be seized upon, and’
carried away by those of another: and the interest
each had to protect his own, would introduce the
point of honour in attempting by all means not only to
retaliate on the enemy, but to rescue the captive’
sufferers out of the hands of their opprefsors, it’
would be meritorious in the highest degree, to fly to
their afsistance, when they knew where they were to
be found, or to seek them out with diligence, when
they did not. This last service they called gomg
in quest of adventures ; which no doubt, was confined
at first to those of their own party 5 but in procefs of
time, we find the knights errant, wandering the
world over in search of occasions on which to exere
cise their generous and disinterested valour.

3d. The courtesy, affability, and gallantry, for’
which these adventurers are so famous, are but the
natural consequences of their situation. For the cas-
tles of the barons were the courts of these little sove-'
yeigns, as well as their fortrefsefs ; and the resort of
their vafsals thither, in honour of their chiefs, and
for their own security, would make that civility and
politenefs, which is seen in courts, and insensibly
prevails there, a predominant part in the characters
of these afsemblies. Further, the ladies joined in these
circles of the great, which would operate so far on
the sturdiest knights as to give birth to the atten.
tions of gallantry. But this gallantry would take a
refined turn, not only from the necefsity there was
of maintaning the strict form of decorum, under the
eye of the prince; but also the inflamed sense they
must have of the frequent outrage committed by

240 bints on chivalry. Aug. 223
their neighbouring clans, on the honour of the sex,
when by chance of war they fell into their hands.
Violation of chastity, being the most attrocious .
crime they had to charge on theif enemies, they
would pride themselves in the glory of being its
protectors.

4th. It only remains to account for that character
of religion, which was so deeply imprefsed on’ the
minds of all knights, and was efsential to their in-
stitution. Two.reasons may be afsigned for this.
ast, The superstition of the times in which chivalry
arose; which was so great, that no institution could
have found credit in the world, that was not inter-—
woven with religion. 2d, the condition of the
christian world, which had been harrafsed by long
~ wars, and had just received a breathing time from
the ravages of the Saracens. The remembrance of
what they had suffered from these grand enemies of
the faith, made it natural and even necefsary to en-
gage anew military order on the side of religion. And.
indeed this principle, a zeal for the faith, acted
warmly upon the profefsors of chivalry, and entered
deeply into their idea of the military character.

Thus we seem to have a fair account of that pro-
wefs, generosity, gallantry, and religion, which were
the peculiar and vaunted characteristics of the pu-
rer ages of chivalry *.

To be continued.

* Dr Hurd’s letters on chivalry and romance.

1793° account of the fat vumped foeep. , 24

|S reer or vee cae oe a

Os THE DIFFERENT VARIETIES OF SHEEP IN A WILD AND DO-
MESTIC STATE, REARED IN THE RusstAN Empire, AND BY
THE PASTORAL NATIONS FROM THE FRONTIERS OF Europe To
THOsE oF CHINA. ;

The third variety.
—— ae
The fat rumped Jhcep. ‘

Continued from p. 20U-
‘(Dr Pattas on the subject of wool combats an

opinion of Aristotle, that its finenefs depends on
the tendernefs of the fkin from which it rises ; and
offers the fleece of this very variety of fheep, as 2
‘refutation of the doctrine ; for the ur opygium, throat,
and belly, where the. fkin is thinnest, are covered
with coarse hair instead of wool. He then offers
his own opinion on the subject, which is, that the
quality of wool depends on the state of the fiefh, and
cellular substance, rather than the fkin; as we see
in wild beasts, that the leaner animals have the fin-

est glofsy hair, whilst those with ap oily fkin, such
as the hog, the phocus, and the bear, have the coars-
est of all species of hair, under the name of bristles*.
The temperature of climate the doctor thinks,

# I fhould suspect, that here also no general rule could be esta+
blifhed. The martin and all that clafs of animals which are known
to carry fine furs, are not remarkable for leannefs; and the beaver in’
particular, whose ‘wool is the softest, as well as the closest of the fur’

VOL. XV. HH +

: —

242 ' account of the fat rumped foeep. Aug. 2%.
and even can afsert from his ‘own observation, has
considerable influence on the quality of wool ; nay the
extremes of heat and cold, have so powerful an in-
fluence as to turn’ wool to hair*.

Our author, after closing the subject of the steato-
pyga variety of fheep, enters into a learned inqui-
ry into the cause of colour in animals, and the chan-
ges wrought on their different hues, by climate, pas-
ture, water, and certain artificial methods, such as

red tribe, is remarkably fat; We know also, that among the various
breeds of fheep in this island, there is no sort pf connection obser-
vable between the tendency to leannefs or fatnefs, and the finenefs or
coarsenefs of the wool. It is necefSary we fhould guard cautiously
against general conclusions from particular facts, as that might lead
‘ta very material errors in practice. j Edit,

* I fhould demur to this conclusion also, It is proved by expe~
riments that have been carefully made, that the thicknefs of any fila-
ment of wool is affected by the heat the animal has suffered at the
particular period that filament was produced ; the part of it produced
during hot weather being always coarser than that which grew du-
ring the prevalence of cold weather. From partial facts, picked
up in general reading, it would seem, that in general, warmth of cli-
mate had a tendency torender the fleece thinner than it would be in a
cold region, or to incourage the growth of hairs, that are to be found
among the wool of many fheep, in preference to that of wool; but
even these facts are not yet fully proven. I have never met with
any fact that indicates any other change upon the fleece of fheep by
climate ; as tothe circumstance of coarse wool being found on the
fheep in some northern regions, it may be merely accidental ; the ori-
ginal breed of fheep found there perhaps having produced wool of that
quality, and thus have been propagated there dy kind. The coarsest
wool in Britain is found in Cornwall, the southermost part of the
island, the native theep of which are said to produce a fleece hiker
hair than wool ; andthe finest is found in Shetland, the northermost part

of the Britith dominions. : o

2793. _- account of the fat rumped fheep. 243
giving powder of antimony, or the catkins, (amen-
tum,) of nuts, with their food, as is practiced in
Rufsia, to change a plain colour to a.dapple.

Amongst the zatural causes of the change of com
lour in animals, he calls in the authority of seve=
ral ancient writers to prove, that particular wa-
ters have that effect; and thinks that certain pas
tures must have no lefs, if we are to believe a fact
afserted in Rajus’s philosophical letters, p. 245.
s* That there is a hill named Haselbedge*, in the
peak of Derbyfhire, which changes the colour of a
tow from white to grey in three yearst.”

* I cannot pafs over the curious quotation of my learned friend Dr
Pallas as given above, without takingnotice of the singular coincidence
between the name of the Derbyfhire hill, and the mode of changing
the colour of horses in Rufsia and Poland, with the catkins of nuts.
It would be curious to inquire if the said hill abounds in haxel, as its
mame seems to have once indicated. Arcticus.

+ We must again regret that the disquisitions of this celebrated
naturalist on this very curious subject, have been curtailed. Though
I fear, that till experiments fhall have been made with the accuracyof
modern philosophers, we must pay little respect, to the ill ascertained
facts that have been accidentally preserved by natural historians; ma
ny of which have been taken from hearsay alone, and we know that
in this way, wonderful changes have been effected. Hasit ever been
proved, by well ascertained experi-nents, that the colour of the hair

of animals can be changed at pleasure by the nature of the food? I
have never fallen in with these experiments. At the same time there
is good reason to believe, that this may be pofsible; for it is well
known, that we can artificially change at pleasure the colour of the
bones, and in some instances particular parts of the flefh of animals»
bya particular kind of food. By analogy therefore we may believe tnat
the hair may also be thus affected; but I have not heard of «ny fact
that proves this. It 1s known that one kind of hares, an many other
animals, change their colour in winter in coidregions. This has hi+

. .

244. . account of the fat rumped foecp. Aug. 24

Dr Pallas treats likewise at the end of his third
variety, of the curious phenomena of hair balls, found
in the stomach of fheep and other animals. He be-

therto been intirely ascribed to the rigour of the season. It is not
however impofsible, but the nature of the food théy must then feed
on may contribute somewhat in effecting this change.

There are some particulars respecting the fur of animals that have
not attracted the learned doctor’s observation in’this difsertation, nor
that of any naturalist I have as yet met with, which I fhall here
beg leave to bring under the notice of the reader.

From whatever circumstance the diversity of colour among domess
tic animals arises, there seems to be certain peculiarities invariably
connected with some colours, that do not attend others: For exe
ample the hairs of a white horse adhere to the fkin much more loose=
ly than those of a bay, or chesnut, or other dark colours. Hence
the clothes of the rider are much more copiously filled with the hairs
of a white horse than that of any other colour.

In general white cattle have a much thinner coat of hairs than
cattle of a black or dark brown colour.

But the most singular and invariable peculiarity of this kind ¥
have ever observed, is that ofa kind of dead coloured cattle I have seen
ia the Highlands. These do not so much abound as those of darker
colours; but they have izvariably a smooth sleeked glofsy hair, very
much resembling the glofs of silk. I never saw one of those that
were not thus distinguifhuble, even while going in the same herd
with cattlé of black and other colours whose hair were of an opaque
dry like appearance. '

Idonot recollect ever to have seen a glofsy black wool, where
the fleece consisted entirely of black filaments, nor have I ever obser-
ved either very fine or very soit wool of that colour, though I have
often remarked that in certain breeds of fheep I have seen in the High-
lands of Scétland, that carry what we call gray, or sometimes blue
wool, consisting of a mixure of white and black filaments. In that
case the black filaments intermixed with the white havea clear bugle
jike lustre, and great softnefs, so as to make the-fleece when nearly
examined appear of a clear silver grey colour.

These remarks might be much extended; but the above may
serve at presefit to direct the attention of the carcful inquirer to this
subject. Edit.

2493. account of the fat runmped fheep. 243
gins by informing us that the flocks of none of the
Tartar hordes are so much subject to them, as thosé
of the Kirguise and Kalmouks.. They are seldom made
up of their own wool, but of grey coloured camels
hair ; and seem to have the following origin.

The comel, besides feeding on fhrubs, or spinose
and asper plants, are particularly fond of saline ve=
getables; and sustain themselves in some parts of the
Tartarian deserts, intirely upon salsolis, halimo, and
such like plants,

hey likewise lick up the saline efflorescence, so
frequently found on the earth in these countries; and
by these means, their fluids become so fully satura-
ted with sal, that after perspiration, their hair is
as if it was powdered with salt.

The fheep, which are equally fond of that mine-
ral, lick it off the fkin of the camel with much a-
vidity, and with it swallow the loose hair of their
coat, which forms one or more balls in the stomach;
as the operation has been repeated in different sea
sons. These camels hair balls are from the size of
a walnut to that of an egg, commonly either round,
or a little concave from being prefsed in lying.

This species of ball is seldom incrusted with tar-
tar although another kind to be described below,
commonly are covered with that matter.

The doctor finifhes the subject of bair balls, by
Mentioning ina note, his having seen, when in Lon-
don about the year 1762, at the house of the cele.
brated naturalist Mr Henry Baker, a roundifh ball
of soft white wool, the size of an orange; one of
six found in the stomach of an Englith fheep.

246 = account of the fat rumped fhecp. Aug. 215
Cows likewise form hair balls in the stomach in
all countries, and the doctor is in pofsefsion of one
taken out of the stomach of a turfy, consisting in-
tirely of borse hair. :

The other kind of ball alluded to above, often
found in the stomach of the Tartarian fheep, is com-
\ posed of dry mathed twigs, sometimes of the size
of a man’s fist, though generally smaller and of an
oblong form.

This species of ball is often found covered with
a thin coat of ‘tartar, of a blackifh colour ; and oc-
casionally with a stony incrustation.

Their smell, which does not quit them for a length
of time, much resembles that of bezoar; and Dr Pallas
thinks they take origin from the dry twigs of worm-
wood on which they feed in winter, incrusted with
tartar, formed from a mixture of vegetable juices,
with the gastric liquor and saliva.

_ The grinders of this variety of theep are likewise
covered with a coat of yellow coloured tartar, ge-
nerated probably in the same manner.

—

Description of a KIRGUISE RAM of the STEATOPYG A,
or fat rumped variety.
This ram was not of the largest size.
Head, was rather lefs than many others of the
same variety ; and all black, even to the horns.
Ears, pendent and black, except the outer rim,
which was spotted with white, as were tlie legs.
Tbroat, covered with greyifh hair, the rest of the
animal white.
Horas, spiral,

3493. account of the fat rumped fheep. 247

Uropygium, very large, and divided into two he-
mispheres.

Anus, filled with fat, or rather stuffed with it in
all parts.

Scrotum, covered with hair.

Prepuce, large.

Wool, coarse, and some inches long, on the back,
sides and extremities, whilst it is mixed every
where with hair.

Weight.
Medical Pounds.
Total weight of the ram before cut up or
fkinned, - . £ " te 193

The carcase without fkin, head, and bowels, 79
The fat of the uropygium and anus, - - 38
Measurement, in French feet, inches, and lines. _
~ A
Total length from the upper lip to the fis-
' sure of the uropygium or fat rump, 5°29
Head, length from the upper lipto thehorns, ro 6
Ditto from ditto, to the nap of the neck, §£ 2 6
Circumference of the muzzle measured over

the nostril, - - - 8
Ditto of the face between the eyes and ears, £ -1
Ditto of the head, just below the horns, |
Distance hetween the angles of the eyes, = 5
Ditto between the eyes, andears,- - - 2
Distance between the horns andeyes, - - 1
Ditto between the nostrils - Sh) B
Distance between the eye and lip, sia

a
ars, length of, - ° - 61f

248 reading memorandyms, Aug, 21.

fot. Lie
Ears, greatest breadth, - - 44
Ditto circumference at their base, - RS
Horns, their length following their curve, 1 7 7
Circumference at their base, - 610
Distance between them in front, - 8
Neck, citcumference at the fhoulders, = «3-810
‘Ditto at the the head, - - Aig 2

Trunk, circumfe:ence at the fore epg ity 2448p

Ditto at the largest :. art of the m-ddle, - 3 3 0

Ditto at the hind legs, 2 on er Gite
To be continued,

READING MEMORANDUMS:

Woe to the marble h arted . hilosophers, who in-
sult real sorrow by their pretended consolation,
which the bosom of the afflicted is just as able to
receive, as the lips of the dead are to open for 2
cordial! The only way I believe to triumph over
true grief of heart, is to indulge it in all the vehe-
hemence of its fond desires or sorrows. Grief is a
_ noble imperious pafsion that ought not te be thwar-
ted; but to be flattered and indulged.

That ‘‘ this is a strange world,” mortals often ex-
claim, there is truth inthe observation. Yet what
is ‘t but our strange humours, which makes it

«0?

PoETRr. ao
THE ConsTANT Lover.
For the Bee.

Tuovcx thou my love, no more appear,
Wo more thy voice salutes my ear ;
And tho’ no more with thee I stray,
From early morn till setting day,

Yet in myself no change I find,

Still art thou present to my mind.
Sometimes exulting thus I say,

My thoughts no more on Lucy strays
Her 2bsence now has broke my chains.
Alas! ’tis only fhe doth change;

For in myself I none can find,

Thou art so graven on my mind.

You from the first with so much art,
At once despised yet gain’d my hearst:
Thad :.ot reason left to see,

Tho’ Lucy smil’d ’twas,not on me;
But, now, alas! too late I find

My heart was captive to your mind,

Vain are my efforts to be free,.

While every thought is fix’d on thee

While I from absence only prove, |

Absence dsth wound, not cure my love

While I from absence only find,

Thou still art presenttomy mind __ B. B.

CoNVERSATION.

Hart! conversation, heav’nly fair,
Thou blefs of life, and balm of care,
Call’st forth the long forgotten knowled
Of school, of travel, and oi college!
For thee, best solace of his toil
The sage consumes his midnight oil;
And keeps late vigils, to produce
Materials for thy future us..
if none behold, ah, wherefore fair?
Ah! wherefére wise, if none must hear?
Our ‘ntellectual ore must fhine,
Not slumber, idly, in the mine.

et education’s moral mint

he noblest images imprint ;
Let taste her curious touchstone hold,
To try if slander’d be the gold;
But ’tis thy commerce, conversation,
Must give it use by circulation;
That noblest commerce of mankind, ¢
‘Whose precious merchandise is MInp,

VOL. XVie it t

ie seers: Taal

What stoic traveller would try
A sterile so i, and parching iky,

‘ Or dare th’ intemperate northern zoné,
If what he saw must ne’er be known?
For this he bids his home rarewell—
The joy ofsceing is to tell. ;
Trust me he never would have stir’d,-
Were he forbid tospeak a word;

And curiosity wouid sleep,
hh ber own secrets the must keep:

‘ The blefs of telling’ what is past,
Becomes her. rich reward at last.—-
Yet not from low Jesire to hive,

Docs genius toil in le rning’s mines

Not to indulge in idle vision,

But strike new light by strong collision,
O’er books the mind i inactive lies,

Books, the mind’s-food, not exercise !

Her vigorous wing the: scarcely feels,

Till use the latent strength reveals’:

Her slumbering energies, call’d jorth,

She rises conscious of her worth ;

And, at her new found pow’rs elated,

Thinks them not rous‘d, but new created:

Enlighten’d spirits! you who know

What charms from polifh’d converse’ flow,

Speak, for yon can, the pure delight,

When kindred sy mpathies unite;
alasinsipiaes correspondent tastes impart .

Communicn sweet from beart tovheart =

ae ne’er the cold gradations need,

Which vulgar soul’ to union lead ;
‘ No dry. discufsion to unfold

The mefning, caught as‘soonas tolds

But sparks electric only strike

Om souls el-ctrical alike; _

The flath of intellect expires,

Unlefs it meet congenial fires.

The language of th’ elect alone,

Is, like the mason’s'mystery, known 3.

In vain th’ unerring sign is made

To him who is not of the trade.

What lively pleasure to divine

The thought implied, the hinted line,

To feel allusion’s artful force,

And trace the image toits source!

Quick mem’ry blends her scatter’d rays,-

Till Fancy kindles at the blaze ;

‘The works of ages start to view,

And-antient wit engenders new.-

993." obitdary of the learned: |» 25%

Ostuary, OF THE LEARNED,

Sir, Introductory letter to the Editor of the Bee.

No rwitustanpine the anathema of my excellent praecep-
tor Adam Smith against mugazines, reviews, and other
‘periodical pubiications, recorded in your miscellany, vol.
au. p. 6, 1 will venture to afsert that in the present situa-
‘tion of Europe, no books (if they are properly conducted)
‘can be equally useful in promoting the improvement of
society by the rapid collision of sentim nt, and the per-
‘vasive information of all ranks of men with re,pect to
those things that are of general utility, aad which escape
motice in books which are expensive and not easily ob-
tained. ;
» Quoting your own respectable prospectus IT would say
that “‘ It is net on account of the difsemination of know~
“ ledge alone, that you cali the attention of the public to
“ your work, but beczuse it is equally adapted to the ex-
“ tirpation of error. Facts, especsally when they respect
“ matters of difficult expiscation, are often imperfectly
“known, or much misrepresented, by those who commu,
“ nicate them to the public. When this happens in the
“ ordinary modes of publication, such misrepresentations
cannot be easily discuyered. It may be long beforg
such puolications fall in the way of those who know
the facts with precision dc. @'c. But this could not
happen ‘fhould this miscellany meet with as general a

“~
n

circulation as it is naturally susceptible of. In that case
the publication would soon fail into the hands of some
one who would know with precision the facts that oc-
“curred in it, even with respect to very unobvious ob-
“ jects; and as exvors of this soit may be rectified in mae

2

’

253 obituary of the learved. Aug. 2%:
“ ny cases by a few lines, which would cost little trouble
“to write Gc. might prompt such persons chearfully to
* point out errors wherever they occurred, and so speedi-
“ly check their progrefs almost as soon as they did orie
* ginate,” ! . .

These considerations, Sir, have induced me to pro-
pose for your miscellany, an Obituary of the Learned, in :
which, beginning with the present century, or earlier if
agreeable to your correspondents, the obit of every man
of Learning fhould be*set’ down, with such particulars of
his literary life as may be thought most ar dailrite and
useful to the republic of learning.

It seems at present as if there were no bounds between
3 mere entry in a bill of mortality, and an extreme panegy-
ric or an eulogy pronounced in a literary society in honour
of a deceased afsociate, neither of which come at all with-
in the scope of my proposal; which fhould embrace only
the great outlines of the life and character, and the titles
and purport of the writings, with ‘notices of such works
as may remain in M. S. and unpublifhed.

Besides in such an obituary as I have done myself the
honour to prapose, correct particulars might be given
of great importance to the general history of literature,
unmixed with that ridiculous anecdote which disgraces
our modern biography, and makes every one afraid to see
one’s friend become the subject of literary record. Asa
specimen of the proposéd obituary, permit me to set down
as on the spur of the occasion, an entry on the death
of George Stuart, Doctor of Laws, late profefsor of hue

manity in the: university of Edinburgh.
Dr George Stuart.

Goerge Stuart ©’c. of an honourable descent, was born
in the year'17i15. He was particularly attached to the
family of the earl of Dalhousie, and having given instruc-

: eyed
%
.
1793 obituary of the learned. 253
tion in the Latin language to the late earl, on his prema-
ture death at Abbeville, on the 4¢4 of November 1787, he
bewailed the event in the following clafsical strain to. a
noble lord on the 7% of December following.

“ De obitu Dalhostii Comitis ad Abaviliam in Gallia
*¢ nuper meestifsime audivi. Fuit inter nobiles doctus, inter
‘ doctos nobilis ; vir veteris prosapiz, necnon multarum i-
“ maginum. Si varia virtutes.et amabiles mortis immature
“ gradum sistere potuifsent, dies fatalis advenifset serius,
“ nec tam cito orbafset rempublicam consilio numerosam
** progeniem exemplo, viduam mcerentem marito.”

On the death of Dr Samuel Johnson he transmitted to
the same noble lord, the following characteristic and
clafsical epitaph, which has been much admired while its
_ yeal author was unknown.

M. S.
\ Samuetis Jounsonr LL D.
Viri subacti et firmi ingenii,
In literis Angliz ornamenti ;
Cui non vita erepta, sed mors
Donata efse videtur ;
(Etsi sit et erit luctuosa amicis,
Matura forsan sibi,
Sed acerba patriz,
Gravis bonis omnibus ;)
Ne diutius videret Britanniam
Vesgtigalibus petulanter opprefsam,
Ardentem invidia Senatum,
Sceleris nefarii principes reos, /
Civitatem eam denique
In omni genere detormatam,
In qua ipse florentifsima
Multum omnibus gloria preestitit.
Obiit anno etatis septuagesimosexto, fc,

If this (said the profefsor) is not approved of, it is at
least a pleasure to me to pay this last tribute to a clafsi-
cal man in clafsical language, such as he himself would

have approved of ; and from Scotland too! where flattery
1s out of the question.

Fifherow, 22 December 1784.
VOL. Xvi, res +

;

254° ' review. : Auge 3.

In the year 1741 Dr Stuart was admitted profefsor, -
~ and taught the Roman clafsics and antiquities with great
reputation and succels for more than four and thirty years,
resigning his chair as soon as he found himself unequal _
to his wifh, to Dr John Hill the present profefsor, who
has taught the clafs with much approbation since. the
Phat at ht AE '

It is not easy in the present flippant and insubsiedinate
times to support that dignity and authority which was
afsumed and obtained by George Stuart, in the zenith of
his profefsional career, acircumstance which cannot be too
much averted or deplored. Quid leges sine ae 2 Va-
ne proficiunt.

Profefsor Stuart died at Fifherow on Tuesday the 18
of June 1793.

~He has left in great forwardnefs for the prefs an im-
proved Thesaurus Lingue Latine. Iam Sir your humble
Servant, 4 Vege OC

REVIEW.

Tue History or Ruruercien anp East Kizagive
By Davip Urz.A. M.

Hiraerto provincial histories have been chiefly confined
to antiquarian researches only, or those of natural history.
‘The present work embraces a wider field ; it comprehends»
besides the natural and civil history, commercial, political
and agricultural arrangements ; and traces in some mea_
sure the progrefs of the human mind, and the advance-
ment of arts and manufactures in those. parts, from a pret-
ty remote period till the present time. The writer ap.
pears not to have made a peculiar study of any one depart
ment exclusively of all others, so that theugh to the critical

+1 ohh

170% on manufactures in Glasgow. act
connoifseur in specra/ departments it may not be athitied
particularly excellent; yet he writesin general, like a per-
son who has made diligent researches, and is well inform-
ed on every subject he investigates. The stile is clear,
concise, and unaffected. On the whole this performance
will afford much satisfaction to the candid inquirer after
knowledge; and gives a very favourable specimen of the
literary acquirements of the clergy of this country in gene--
ral ; for the author appears not ever to have been in a si-
tuation or circumstances peculiarly favourable for the at-
tainment of knowledge; yet the progrefs he has made
will give a considerable degree of respectability to his
work among the candid.
The following extract is given as a specimen of the
work. Some others will perhaps be given in this Lv ir
on future occasions..

AN account oF THE oricin or Manuractures in GLascow.

_ Tue name of Flakefeld, took its rise from a’ place called”
Flakefield, in the upper part of the parifh. About the.
middle of the last century two young men of the name of
Wilson, the one from Flakefield and the other from the
neighbourhood, went to Glasgow and commenced mer-
chants, The samenefs of the name had occasioned fre- ;
quent mistakes in the way of their businefs. ‘To ‘prevent
this,.the one was, for the sake of distinction, in a fhort
time, known from the other by the cognomen: Flakefield,
the place of his birth. His real sirname soon become
obsolete, and he was afterwards called by the name cf
Flakefield, which, in place of Wilson, has descended to
his posterity.

To this man’s son the city of Glasgow, is, in a great.
measure, indebted for her present opulence and trade.

256 on manufactures in Glasgow. Ang. 122
I Tobe it will be thought noi altogether foreign to our

design, to mention the circumstance by which this was
brought about. Wilson, a/zas Flakefield, put one of his
sons to the weaving trade. The lad, after having learn-
ed,his businefs, enlisted, ebout. the year 1670, in the re-
giment of the Cameronians, but was afterwards draughted
into the Scottith Guards. He was, during the course of
the, wars, sent to the continent, where he procured a blue
and white checked handkerchief. that had been woven in
Germany. A thought struck Flakefied, that, were it his
good fortune to return to Glasgow, he would attempt to
snanufacture cloth of the same kind. Accordingly he
preserved, with great care, a fragment sufficient for his
purpose, Being difbanded; in the year 1790, he returned
to his native city, with a fixéd resolution to accomplith
his laudable design. Happy would it be for mankind,
were travellers into foreign countries to pick up what
might be useful in their own; and, like this praise wor-
thy soldier, return home pofjefsed of some valuable ace
quisition! A few spindles of yarn, fit for his purpose,
was all, at that time, William Flakefield could collect :
the white was but ill bleached, and the blue not very dark ;
they were, however, the best that Could be found in Glass
gow. About two dozen of handkerchiefs composed the
first web. When the half was woven he cut out the cloth
and took it to the merchants, who, at that time, traded in
Salmon, Scottifh plaiding, Hollands and other thick linens;
They were pleased with the novelty of the blue and
white stripes, and especially with the delicate téxture of
thé cloth, which was thin set in comparison of thé Hollands.
The new adveriturer afked no more for his web than the
neat price of the materials, and the ordinary wages for his
work. All he afked was readily paid him; and he went
home rejoicing that his attempts were not unsuccelsful.

“3493 on manufactures in Glasgow. C2 hy
"This dozen of handkerchiefs, the first of the kind ever made
in Britain, were disposed of in tew hours. Freth Cemands
were daily made on the exulting artist for more of his
cloth; and the remaining half of his little web was bespos-
ken before it was woven. More yarn was procured with
alf speed, and several looms were immediately filled with
handkerchiefs of the same pattern. ‘I he demands encrea-
sed in proportion to the quantity of cloth that was ma-
mufactured. Some Englifh merchants, who resorted to
Glasgow for thick linens, were highly pleased with the
pew manufacture, and carried, for atrial, a few of the
handkerchiefs to England. The goods met with univer-
sal approbaticn. The number of Icoms daily encreased_
so that, in a few years, Glasgow became famous for that
branch of the linen trade. A variety of patterns and co-
lours was soon introduced. The weavers in Paisley and
the neighbouring towns, engaged in the businefs; and
the trade was at length carried on to a great extent.
Thus, from a small beginning, a very lucrative and useful
branch ‘of businefs took its rise; and which has been the
means of introducing others still more extensive. The
checks were folluwed by the blunks, or linen cloth for
printing ; and to these is now added the muslin trade,
which, at present extends, to the amazing sum of nearly
two millions sterl. per ann. and Glasgow is universally
acknowledged to be the first city in Scotland for manu-
factures. But neither William Flakefield, nor any of his
descendents, ever received any reward or mark of appro-
bation, for the good services done, not only to Glasgow,
but to the nation at large. Flakefield, however, having,
during his service in the army, learned to beat the drum,
was, in his o/d age, promoted to the office of town drum-
mer ; in which office he continued till his death,

VOL. XV1. KK i

258 on agricultural surveys. dug. 216

AcRIcuLTuURAL SuRvVEYs:

Our readers have no doubt heard of the board of agriculture institu-
ted by act of parliament, on the motion of Sir John Sinclair Bart.
The object of that institution at the time when it was discufsed in
the House of Commons was declared to be chiefly to collect
authentic information respecting the present state of agricultural
knowledge in the different provinces of Britain, and in foreign
parts; to defseminate the knowledge of the best practices that any
where prevailed, as universally as pofsible; to discover the most
valuable breeds of domestic animals wherever they fhall be found,
and to facilitate the introduction of them in this country. Ina
word to accomplifh, by means of the funds put under the ma-
nagement of the Commilsioners, such useful undertakings respecting
agriculture and rural arts as seemed to exceed the powers of indi-
viduals to accomplith. It now appears the commifsioners have en-
tered on their businefs with alacrity. The following is the first
publication that has reached this country from that board; and we
haye nodoubt but the public willjbe disposed to forward their
useful exertions with alacrity.

Tue bogrd of agriculture, will have occasion to employ,
some very intelligent surveyors, or persons {killed in
hufbandry, in examining into the agricultural state of all
the different counties of England and Scotland, and, in
pointing out, in what respects, there is room for im-
provements. d
The inquiries principally to be made, will relate to the
following points :
1. The nature of the soil and climate of the dis-
trict to be examined ?
2. The manner in which the land is pofsefsed, whe-
ther by great or by small proprietors ?
3. The manner in which the land is occupied, whe-
ther by great or by small farmers ?

4993: on agricultural surveys. 250

4. The manner in which the land is employed, whe-
ther in pasture, in hufbandry,or a mixture of both ?

5.1f in pasture, what grafses are cultivated ? what
species of stock is kept? whether the breeds can be
improved, or whether new breeds ought to be tried ?

6. Whether any of the land is watered, and whether
any considerable extent of ground is capable of that
improvement ? ?

9. If the land is employed in tiaitiand 5y: what are
the grains principally cultivated ?

8. What is the rotation of crops? and in particular
whether green crops, as turnip, clover, &c. are cul-
tivated, and how they are found to answer?

9. Whether fallowing is practised or otherwise ?

10. What manures are made use of ?

11, What are the usual sorts of ploughs, carts; an
other implements of hufbandry ?

12. Whether oxen or horses are made use of ?

13. What is the usual seed time and harvest ?

a4. Whether the land is enclosed or in open fields ?

15. What advantages have been found to result
from inclosing land, in regard, to the increase of
rent, quantity, or quality of produce, im prove-
ment of stock, ve.

16. What is the size and nature of the inclosures ?

17. Whether inclosures have encreased or decreased

population ?

18, Whether there are any common fields, and whe-
ther any division of them is proposed ?

19, What is the difference of rent, or produce, be-
tween common fields and inclosed Jands ?

20. What is the extent of waste lands, and the im-
provement of which they are most capable, whether by

266 of agricultural sarveys: Aug. 28.
being planted, converted into arable, or into pasture
‘Jand? ;

21. What is the rate of wages, and price of labour,
and what are the hours at which labour commences and
ceases, at the different seasons ?

22. Whether proper attention is paid to the draining
of land, particularly the fenny part of it, and what
sorts of drains are commonly made use of ?

23. Whether paring and burning is practised, and
how is it managed and found to answer ? .

24. Whether the country is well wooded, and whether
the woodlands are kept under a proper system.

25. What is the price of provisions, and whether
the price is likely to be steady, to rise, or to fall ?

26. What is the state of the roads both public and
parcchial, whether they are in good order, or capable
of improvement ?

27. What is the state of farm houses and offices,
whether in general they are well situated and properly
constructed ?

28. What is the nature of the leases commonly
granted, and the covenants usual between landlord and
tenant ?

29. To what extent have commerce or manufactures
been carried on in the district, and have they had ei-
ther good or bad effects on its agriculture ?

30. Are there any practices in the district, that
could be of service in other places? \ .

31. Are there ay societies institutedin the district
for the improvement of agriculture ?

32. Whether the people seem to have a turn for
improvements, or how such a spirit could best be ex-
cited 2

2793. on agricultural surveys. 269

33. What improvements can be suggested either

in regard to the steck or the hufbandry of the dis-
trict ?

34. What are the names, descriptions, and directions
of those proprietors, or farmers, who are, the most ac-
tive, or the most fkilful improvers in the district, and
who are the most likely to be useful correspondents to
the board of agriculture ?

It is proposed, for the sake of making such surveys as
easy as polsible, that each person, who may undertake
them, fhall have a district that may be gone over in five
or six weeks: so that it may be untlertaken by those
who have a good deal of businefs of their own, without
much ificonvenience. Thus also the board will have a
greater variety of information, and a greater mafs of
instructive observations, from a greater number of intel-
ligent men, for their consideration and guidance.

It is farther proposed, that the reports received by the
board, fhall first be circulated as much as pofsible, in the
counties to which they relate, for the benefit of receiving
the observations, and additional remarks of every farmer
and gentleman in the district. From the information
thus accumulated, a complete state of its agriculture
will be drawn up and publifhed ; copies of which will
be presented by the board, to every individual, who may
have favoured them with his afsistance.

The board can only make an allowance, at the rate of
sl. per week, for the expence of suchatour. Indeed
some gentlemen, with great public zeal, and much to their
credit, have undertaken to survey several districts gratui-
tously. But that is not always to be expected, particu-
larly from profefsional men. The payment of their ex-
pences, they are well intitled to expect, if they give their
time and trouble for nothing, Profit, however, must

”

262 index indicatorius. Aug. 2¥6
not be the object of those who undertake such an employ-
ment ; nor could such a Board wifh to be concerned with
any one, who would not willingly make some sacrifices
for the public good, and indeed who would not take a
pride in having any fhare in promoting’ so useful an un-
dertaking.

P.S. If the district is remarkable for its orchards, for
its cyder, for its dairy, for its cheese, for its butter, for
ts breed of fheep, cattle, horses, hogs, &c. or the cul-
ture of woad, liquorice, &c. particular attention is re-
quested to those articles, or to any other in which it may
excel. Drawings also, and exact descriptions, of the
different breeds of fheep, cattle, and horses, in each dis-
trict, would be particularly desirable. The quantity
raised of each sort of crop, in the different parts of the
district, cannot be too accurately ascertained and no-

ted

INDEX INDICATORIUS.
Continued from p. 224.

AN constant reader requests that the Editor would in his neat num+
ber insert a fketch of the character of general Wol/e, and also of
captain Cook. He will please be informed that original fketches
of characters cannot be made without considerable research after au-
thentic materials, which the Editor in the present case had no op-
portunities of obtaining.

The following fhort note is given entire to the clergy and kirk
sefsions in Scotland.

“Gentlemen, it sufficiently appears from the various statistical re-
ports made by you and by others, to the truly respectable Sir John
Sinclair of Ulbstet, that the poor are best supported by Christian cha
rity, and not by odious and insufficient afsefsments, which have a tens
dency to generate idlenefs and poverty.

1793. to correspondents: 263

“Permit me to recommend to all of you in your departments, the
old and excellent method of raising funds for the poor in Scotland,
and to exclude all from the benefit of the poor’s funds who use tea or
grocery goods of any kind, or ardent spirits ; by so doing you will se-
cure inestimable blefsings to your country, and obtain the thehigh ap-
probation of, gentlemen your sincere welwither, ALBANICUS.”

Is not the injunction above, rather too severe? the Editor would
not become the apologist for difsipation or vice. A distinction ought’
certainly to be made between the sober and the difsipated, but ad-
solute exclusion from charitable aid to a person in utter want can-
not be done.

Different kinds of humour please different persons. PERroprTa sends

the rollowing specimen of the kind that pleases him. “ Dear Bee, I
want to be a spectator of the proceedings or the parliament house,

will you be my guardian there. We fhall find adventures [Qu. ad-
venturers ?\ there I am told,—and ramblers,—and connoi/seurs, we
must suppose ; also zd/ers, in abundance, Zoungers innumerable: few
mirrors fit to reflect what is proper; fictitious freebolders, producing
settlers without end. In fhort the whole world goes there. Sol
beg you will escort for once yours &c. ” He might have added-
Smatterers, Speculators, Egotists, Sophists, &c. &c. &c.

The following fragment is offered by J. P.in imitation of Ofsian’s
stile.

Ie.
The storm begins to lour—the ball of day
Sinks in the darkened wave. The troubled fky
Rolls big with tempest, and no friendly ray
Shines on the path. The leaves and thistles fly.
Il.
Loud roars the mountain stream. The aged oak
~Groans to the blast. The hunter on the hill
Reels With benighted steps. The hollow rock
Sounds from afar. Black runs the mofsy rill.
Ii.
The trembling sailorhears the ocean roar i
Around the rocking bark. The rattling wind
Howls on the rigging, and the brokenoars
Float on the surge,—confusion fills his mind,
Banks of Yarrow, 1790.

To CoRRESPONDENTS.

Tue ingeinous disquisition of 4. MZ JZ is come to hand, and ‘half
be duly attended to.

The sensible reflections ef Philadelphus, though on a subject that
has been very often treated, still deserve to be attended to.
~ The letter of Amicus, which has been received, he will see had been
answered before it was written.

The efcay. on friendfbip, is rather long for our Miscellany ; but
room fhall be made for i t if pofsible. ;

Thanks to an ingenious correspondent for his curious excerptsfrom
Burrel’s M.S journal written in the year 1758 &c.

The favour of Civis, is thankfully acknowledged,

Won Medicus fhall have his query inserted soon,

Timothy Hairbrain’s queries are received.

TO THE READERS OF THE BEE.

Some of the early numbers of the Bee fine paper, being now again out
ef print for the third time. Whoever has copies of thesethat they
are willing to part with, will please send themto the Bee office.
The Editor having now obtained an engraver capable of doing
justice to the drawings put into his hands, has itin contemplation
to make a new engraving of a head of Dr Cullen, that he may have
it in his power to cancelthat wretched head which he was forced to
give along with the first number, that he might fulfilhis engagements to
the public, having had no time thento get it done anew. On this
accasion, he wifbes, if pofsible, to have a goodlikene/s of that great
man; and as he has never yet seen a picture of Dr Cullen that
pleases him in every respect ; he wiil be much obliged to any per-
son into whose hands this may fa, who fhall. chance to have a pri-
wate drawing of the Dr, fora sight of it, if convenient. _The Editor
bas seen the following original portraits of Dr Cullen ; viz. one done
by Mr of Glasgow; from which the mexzetintohead was
done ; oneby Mr Martin, from which the portrait engraved by Beugo
was taken; one in the pofsef/sion of the late Mr William Cooper of
Edinburgh ; the small fketch in black lead by Brown, from u hich
avas done the print given in the Bee ; a paste head by ae 3 a fhade
taken by Miers ; dnd he once saw a small portrait of the Drin the lid
of a snuff box, hebelieves in the pofse/sion of thelate Dr Brown: If
there are any others remaining they have not come to his knowledge.
When this portrait is properly engraven, intimation will be made,
and copies of it will be given to all those who fballreturn the first
bead given with the Bee, that itmay be entirely destroyed. Care will
be taken that copies foall be sent to-subscribers in foreign countries.

tee : %

ae
Se hae f
ie OS SY
bling ; ;
Teeny es

9

143.

THE BEE,

LITERARY WEEKLY INTELLIGNCER,

FOR

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 21. 1793.

CRITICAL REMARKS ON SOME ery eae
AuTHoRs,.

From a GENTLEMAN OF inl ods idiots LATELY

DECEASED, TO A YOUNG GENTLEMAN WHO HAD

"REQUESTED HIS ADVICE IN REGARD TO THE PRO~
PER MODE OF CONDUCTING His STUDIES.

LETTER VII.

Continued Srom vol. ‘TS. p> 273+

Distinction Lciev poetry and: (pnose,— Wilkie’s. Epi
goniad;—blank. verse,—Sheakespeare as a dramaticat
writer, —@ rhymer ;—Milton’s paradise lost,—Ai-
legro,——-Penseroso,—Lycidas,——-Comus.

Wer y you desire me to_ tell you ‘what is poetry,
and who are the best poets in the Englith language,
you impose a tafk that would require talents far su-
perior to mine to execute in a proper and satisfacto-
ry manner. I hall not therefore attempt to answer
your queries particularly, but fhall merely offer a few
you. Xvi, LL t

266 on Englifh peetry. Aug. 21
hints that may tend to lead you into what I fhould
deem a just train of thought, when you yourself
fhall think proper, at a future peridéd of your life, to
prosecute the subject more fully than I can pretend,
or Have ever attempted to do.

Every person, when he hears of voetry and prose
contrasted to each other, at first sight would believe
that there could be no difficulty in distinguifhing the
one from the other on all occasions; yet here, as in
many other cases, when he comes to investigate the
subiect nearly, he finds it a matter of no small diffi-
culty to mark exactly the limits that distinguifh the
one from the other.

Mankind are pretty generally agreed in admitting
that the most efsential characteristics of poetry are,
that the ideas fhould be striking or sublime, the
language bold and figurative; and its disposition such
as to admit of being uttered with ease, in a flowing
melodious manner, and with some sort of rhythmical
or measured cadence. The last circumstance here
mentioned, the rhythmical cadence, is the most

obvious peculiarity, and therefore it has been by
many persons considered as the peculiar distinguifh-
ing characteristic of poetry, and numerous devices
that have been extremely difsimilar, have been adop-
ted at different times.and in different nations, for
giving this rhythmus. This diversity . “of practice
fhows that every system of rhythmical construction
that has been adopted is merely artificial, being the
creature of fancy a-d imitation alone; and that
of course no one system of rhythmical arrangement

£7933: on Englifh poetry,—rhyme « 267
that ever has been adopted can be supposed to con-
stitute the efsential characteristic of poetry. _

. Among the Greeks and Romans, who were the on-
ly civilized nations in early times, with whose writ-
ings we are well acquainted, the rhythmical cadence
of poetry was produced in a man er extremely dif-
ferent from that which is adopted i in modern times ;
and in the ages that have pafsed away since the o-
verthrow of the Roman empire, various systems of
poetical rhythmus have started up, —prevailed for a
time, and been abandoned,—till at last, what we now
call rhime, or the coincidence of similar sounds, recur-
ting at the end of a certain number of syllables, has
acquired the predominance above all others, and is
now by many thought to constitute the discrimi-
native characteristic of poetry.

The rhythmical cadence of the Greeks and Ro-
mans, was so accurately settled, that it could be dis-
tinguifhed in whatever way it was written ; but as
by this rhythmus the whole composition was divided
into regular parts, by peculiar cadences recurring
pretty regularly, these divisions, consisting each of
a certain number of Jefser metrical divisions, which
have been technically named feet, Have been called
lines, and are now regularly written or printed, each.
in a stretch without a break, one below the other.
In imitation of this particular, modern poetry is in
general arranged into lines likewise, each line con#
sisting of a certain number of syllables, which must
be so arranged as to follow each other in a kind of
cadenced flow. Generally two of these lines terminate

Pi

268 on Englifh poetry,—rhyme. Aug. 2%.
with a syllable having a similar sound, and this is —
called rhime. .

All these things you yourself sufficiently know ;
not will it ptobably have escaped your observation,
that many writers, if they can tag together a certain
number of lines, with the necefsary apurtenance of
thiming syllables at their end, conceive that they
ate writing poetry; and immediately dub themselves
poets. But-here, you will perceive, that by mistak-
ging a part for the whole, and that part too the mean-
est of all the constituent parts of poetry, they are
guilty of a sad misnomer, and confound the making of
Yerses, with the writing of poetry. These are two
things extremely different ; for poetry may exist e-
ven without verse, and far more without rhime ; and
rhime may be very perfect without the smallest
spark of poetry.

Let me therefore caution you to endeavour to
discriminate between these in the compositions of
cthers ; but above all things to guard against the too
common error of believing that you yourself are a
poet, in case you fhould at any time accidentally
discover that you have a knack at writing with to-
lerable faciliry a number of rhyming lines,—usually
called verses. I believe there is no person existing,
who has an ordinary fund of ideas, who cannot write
verses. It is indeed a mere mechanical operation ; and
ifa mam has a natural ear for rhythmical arrange-
ments, he will be able to make the syllables follow
each other very smoothly. But if he has not a talent
for great and bold conceptions ; or for placing objects in
such positions, as to excite new and vivid ideas, that

1793. on Enighih poetry,—wverse, 269
produce pleasing images i» the mind of the reader;
the efsence of poetry is wanting, and it is merely
a dead and lifelefs form. But if these great requi-
sites are present, though the form of verse itself, and
thimes, be totally wanting, it will be accounted poe-
try in the strict and proper meaning of the word.
The book of Job, for example, because it pofsefses
these requisites in a high degree, is by all mankind
admitted to be a poetical composition, though in
our version at least, it pofsefses none of the charac-
teristics of verse. So far is verse indeed from being
necefsary to poetry, that we can produce many in-
stances of poetical compositions being greatly inju-
red by having been converted into verse. OF this
the psalms of David are a noted example: and there
have been some poetical paraphrases, as they have
been called, of several sublime pafsages in the Bible,
lately made by well meaning men, which are still
more liable to objection, as degrading the Scriptures,
than the version of David’s psalms; by Sternhold and
Hopkins itself. These are striking examples that
verse may not only exist independent of poetry, but
that it may even be employed as the means of mur.
dering poetry where it already existed.

An old acquaintance of mine whom I much esteemed,
who pofsefsed a strong and vigorous understanding,
and great talents in many respects, but upon whom
heaven had not conferred the smallest fhare of the vis
poetica, having discovered that he could number
syllables, and clafs together similar sounds ; in fhort
that he could make verses, believed that little more
was necefsary to emulate Homer ; and that he could

290 on Englifh poetry,——the Epigoniad. ite, ote
write a poem which would be equally immortal as.
the Illiad itself. He therefore set himself to con-—
trive the plan of an epic poem, on the model of Ho-
mer ; and by dint of immense labour and perseve-—
rance, at length produced a work, consisting of a
great many thousand verses, divided into a certain
number of books, which he called an epic poem.
This performance was constructed according to the
rules of Aristotle. It had a regular beginning, a
middle, and an end. In imitation of Homer, too,
it began with an invocation ; — many battles were
fought between valiant Heroes,—much blood was
spilt, and various wounds were inflicted and described
with, Isuppose, great anatomical precision :--episodes
‘too were introduced, — orations were pronounced,
— funeral games were celebrated, — similes, and
all the figures of speech that have been enumerated
by thetoricians as necefsary to add dignity to compo
sition, were occasionally introduced to embellith it.
Jt was, in fhort, as exact an imitation as the writer
could make of Homer’s Illiad,—but without one
spark of poetical fire from the beginning to the end.,
Tt might be said to bear such a resemblance to the
Illiad, as the corpse of Hector when chained to the,
chariot of Achilles bore to the living Hector, tri-
umphant as he drove the trembling Grecians to their
fhips. It was a resemblance that brought nothing
but the melancholy recollection of the lofs that had
been sustained by the absence of the original. I need
seatcely add, that the work to which I here allude,
is the Epigoniad of Wilkie. Wilkie was a man whom
I knew well, and whom I esteemed both for his ta-

#793 on English poctry,—the Epigoniad. a7t
nts and dispositions, almost above all others.. And
hough it was impofsible for him to discover defects
which nature had deprived him of the faculties of dis~
criminating ; so that he deemed ita valuable producti~
on till his dying day: yet he told me himself, that
the labour of this composition had been such, as so
much to impair his constitution that it never was
afterwards re-establifhed; and the emoluments he de-
rived from it were so inconsiderable, that he would
have earned more money had he been employed all
the time in hoing potatoes, at the rate of eight-pence
a day ; the common wages of a labourer in his neigh
bourhood at the time he wrote it. At an after pe-
riod he publifhed some fables in verse with much
happier succefs for ; in that species of composition,
judgement is chiefly concerned, and a due selection
of proper words, so as to constitute easy verse ;
in both which respects he was far from being defi-
cient. Indeed in respect to mathematical learn-
ing, philosophy, historical and political knowledge,
and strong sense in regard to the common occurren=
ces of life, Mr Wilkie had few equals in any part
of the world; and I have’ often regretted that in
place of wasting ‘his time in a vain attempt at poeti-
tal excellence, he had not turned his attention to his-
torical disquisition; in which, I am satisfied, he would
have made a greater figure than perhaps any Britith
author that has appeared within the present age.

Pardon this involuntary digrefsion in favour of a
gman whom [| respected much in life, and whose
memory | fhall ever highly revere !

272 on Englifo poetry.—bjank verse. Aug. 2X5
' The foregoing disquisition ill not I hope be en-
tirely uselefs to you; for if it fhall imprefs your mind
with the full conviction that verse and: poetry are
distinct things, it may save you a great deal of unne-
cefsary reading; and perhaps writing too, in your
progrefs through life. How many men who waste
their time in idly writing verses, that they call, and -
believe to be poems, might be diverted from this un-
satisfactory pursuit to others of a more useful ten-
dency, could they be satisfied, with’an ancient bard,
whose verses I cannot quote, because the book is not
to be found here at present, that ‘* Poetry wants
more than verse,” to entitle it to that name; and
were persuaded that nothing is such uselefs lumber ~
in the literary world as voluminous productions in
verse, destitute of the spirit of genuine poesy.
Milton introduced a new species of verse into the
Englith language which he called blank yerse. Indeed
Shakespeare before him had employed the same in
his dramatic compositions ; but Milton, I think, was
the first that brought it into use in poems of another
sort. In this verse an equal attention to rhythmus is
required as in rhime ; and as the sense is lefs mar-
red by the artificial recurrence of certain syllables,
it gives a fuller and bolder flow to the melody
of sounds, and variation of cadences ; so as to ad-
mit of exprefsing the pafsions and affections of the
mind with greater energy. Some critics indeed af-
fect to deny that this can be called verse at all’;
while I, on the contrary, consider this as the only
“species of verse which in our language is suited tg

1793- on Englifh poetry.—Shakespeare. 2493
works of considerable length. In small performan.
ces, the recurrence of rhimes, will often have a
good effect ; and in ludicrous compositions, the very
vawkwardnefs of these gingling arrangements fre-
quently tends to heighten the effect of the picture 5
as when,

The pulpit drum ecclesiastick

Is beat with fist instead of a stick.
But in serious or sublime compositions it can sel-
dom I think have a good effect.

SHAKESPEARE, as a dramatic writer, deserves,
without dispute, the first rank, if. the most perfect
delineation of human characters, easy natural dia-
logue, and energy and propriety of language, are al.
lowed to be the principal cnaracteristics of drama-
tic exellence. In these respeets there never yet has
appeared a writer in any European language who
could be put in competition with Shakespeare. His
powers, indeed, were so much superior to all Sher
amen in these respects, that he can only be looked u-
pon as ‘one of those prodigies that heaven vouch-
safes some times to produce to give an idea of the
pofsible powers of the human mind, and to mode-

~ rate the vanity of those who are disposed to afsume
to themselves a superiority above others. The dra-
matic performances of Shakespeare seem to have
been produced without any effort from him; and
he appears to have viewed them with great indif-
ference himself ; for he took no care to guard against
their being injured by the intérpolations of others.
They were put into the hands of men, who willing
to obtain the applause of an ill informed public,
VOL. Xvi. M M +

com
294 on Engii/b- poetry.— Paradise Lost. Aug. rts ,
made liberal interpolations of scenes of ribaldry, and
low humour, to make the vulgar laugh. Shakespeare
himself, indeed, -with that infinite versatility of pow-
ers so peculiar to him, has drawn low characters,
and ludicrons scenes with the same unrivalled pro-
priety as the sublime and the pathetic. . But it is
easy to perceive that many pafsages which are now
incorporated with his works, never had been writ
ten by him; though the tares have been so long
allowed to grow up promiscuously among the wheat,
that it would now bea difficult tafk to separate
them.

Yet though few writers have ever equalled
Shakespeare in regard to the rhythmical flow of
poetic cadence, where the nature of the subject re-
quired it, yet wherever he attempted rhyme, he
sunk greatly below the meanest poetaster of the pre-
sent day. His rhymes are indeed so very bad, that
weg it not for their uniformity in badnefs, I fhould
be inclined to rank them among the interpolations
that have been foisted so freely into the writings of
that extraordinary man. I dare not venture to form
even a decided opinion on this head.

Milton may be allowed to hold the second rank in
point of dignity among the Englith poets. His Pa-
radise Lost, is a sublime monument of the power of
human genius. Its sublimity indeed is its princi-
pal characteristic; and Milton has discovered, in
the construction of his verse in this work, a perfect
knowledge of the power of poetical rhythmus, in con-

.tributing to the force of the picture he intended to

produce, In some of his lefser poems, Milton has,

1793. on Englifh poetry.— Allegro, &e.. 275
in this respect, been lefs attentive ; and though the
fame he has so justly acquired, for his Paradise Lost,
has given a degree of respectability to all his other
writings ; yet in all of these we discover more of
labour than is suitable to the ease of light composi-
tions. In the d/egro indeed, the measure he has a-
dopted is not unsuitable to the subject,—and all the
objects brought under view are of the pleasing
kind. But whoever will compare these with the
light pieces of Anagreon, or the odes of Hafez,
will easily perceive that the Allegro has been writ-
ten by a grave man who made every effort to be
chearful; while the others indicate an internal
fund of gaity of disposition. But Milton has for-
gotten himself still more in his Penseroso; for
there, adopting the same measure he had contrived
for the Allegro, which is perfectly unsuitable to the
subject, he has gone directly contrary to those rules
which his own practice in most cases fhowed he thought
were efsential. The Lyczdas, too, in spite of some
just thoughts, and happy exprefsions, is, upon the
whole, a stiff unnatural performance ; and as utterly
destitute of feeling as the monody of lord Littleton 5
which is but a laboured imitation of it. I would
not give one single stroke of the true pathos of na-
ture, for five thousand pages of such frigid lamenta-
tions.

Milton perhaps never wrote a poem in which his
genuine feelings were brought so fully forth, as the
Comus. In his other works he speaks for the most
part to the understanding ; in this to the heart,—to
the heart I mean of such men as had ideas of a sis

/

26 on Enghfh poetry.—Comus. Aug. 21.
milar stamp to those of Milton; for these were al-
ways great: nor could the smallest spark of levity e-
ver find accefs to his mind. His ear for the charms
of musical sounds seems to have been exquisitely
delicate; and to a person who has felt the over-
powering ecstacy which can be derived from this
source, the language of Milton in his Comus speaks
‘* unutterable things.” I will not hesicate to declare,
that were I ever to become ambitious of the cha~
racter of a poet, I fhould be more proud to have
been capable of writing the Comus of Milton than
all his other works, the Paradise Lost itself not ex-
cepted.

. You see, my dear boy, that though age has damp-
ed somewhat of that enthusiasm, which was apt to
hurry me sometimes in the early parts of life, be-
yond the bounds that men with other propensities
thought _ strictly reasonable, I still cherith these
feelings with ineffable delight. In matters of taste,
it is to the perceptive powers, and not to the reasos
ning faculty that application fhould be made. A
poet who proceeds only by line and rule, is a pers
fect solicism in nature.

My paper puts me in mind that it is time to
close this epistle. It is not impofsible but 1 may
resume the subject at another time, though I do not
say for certain, I fhall do so ; that will be as the

spirit moveth, Adien!

To be continued,

1793- on delays in the tourt of sefsion. 299

ON THE DELAYS INCIDENT TO°THE COURT

Or Session.
To the Lord President of the Court of Sefsion.
My Lorn,

FY ur uniform endeavour to obviate the Jaw’s delay,
and to promote a speedy decision, induce me to
addrefs to your lordfhip, the following observations
upon the forms of procedure.

The restraint of forms is equally intended to pro-
tect the one party against the arts and encroach-
ments of the other, and to guide and direct the judge
in giving a considerate and impartial decision, |

The forms prescribed fr calling a party into
court, are such as to in-ure him of due notice on
the one hand, and to certify the judge on the other,
that due notice has been given to him; and after
he has 2ppezred, the forms preclude the judge from
provouncing against him, be the evidence ever so
strong, until he has an opportunity of being fully
heard ,

An alteration therefore of the forms of procedure,
may prove a change of the law itself; and to abolith
forms would be to reduce the law under the will and
power of the judge. Jt would even be dangerous
to make great alterations, as all the consequences
could not well be foreseen; and therefore it is
with much hesitation, that I submit to your lord-
fhip some of those to be here proposed, but.
gthers appear to arise so naturally out of things

’

298 on delaysinthe court of sefsion. Aug. 21.
in their present state, that they must’ generally be al.
lowed to be safe changes, and for the better, though
unfortunately opposed by the interests of some of
the members of court. In ‘the outer-house proceed-
ings, the representing days, are as strictly in ob-
servance. as the reclaiming days are in the zmner-
Bouse. Buta salutary regulation takes effect in the
inner-house, that ‘has no place inthe outer. Only one
reclaiming bill or petition can be received against an
interlocutor of the court. This is establifhed zz ten
lines, by the act of sederunt, November 26th 1718;
and a similar act prohibiting more than one re-
presentation would have the happiest effect *.

Such a regulation would, it is true, affect the in-
terests of many respectable members of court. To
the clerks of court, it would fhorten the “ength of
extract ; to the clerk’s afsistants, it would much lef,

%* For the information of readers in foreign parts it may he pro-
per here to observe, that the court of se/ston is the supreme court for
determining all civil causes, those respecting revenue matters alone
excepted, in Scotland. It consists of a president, and fourteen ordina~
ry members, commonly called lords of se/sion. For dispatch, the
businefs that comes before this court is separated into two depart-.
ments ; in one of which each judge acts separately, and decides as an in-
dividual. In the other, the court acts in its corporate capacity, as
a court of review of their sentences individually given.

When the judges act es individuals, they officiate in a large open
yall, which is called the ozter howse, in which, as there are erected
three tribunals, three judges officiate at once ;—the whole court
except the president taking this businefs in rotation. A judge offi-
ciating in th's capacity is calledthe dord ordinary. From his decision
an appeal lies to the court in its corporate capacity; which from its
sitting in an innet chamber is called the zzmer-house. From the de-
cisions Of this last court, lies an appeal to the house of peers. Edit.

1793- on delays in the court of sefsion. 249
sen the number of borrowings; and above all, it
would diminifh the fees of the lord’s clerks, But a
suitable compensation might be made to these use-
ful descriptions of men, by raising their other emo-
uments in proportion to the lofs; and thus one
great source of undue delay and expence would be
fhut up.

Another prevailing grievance arises from the bro-
card or maxim, guod statim liquidari potest pro jam
liquide habetur. An illiquid or unvouched counter-
claim is an unfailing source of almost endlefs
delays. But such acclaim is so rooted in the forms
and substance of our proceedings, that it might be
dangerous at once to tear it up. In place of entire-
ly rejecting such counter-claims, and decerning
_a defender to pay, without regard to them, (lea-
ving him to seek relief afterwards by a counter ac-
tion,) it might perhaps be more expedient, to al.
low him to insist upon his counter-claim in the u-
sual way, unlefs the pursuer fhould offer to find
sufficient caution, enacted in the books of court, for
payment of any sum that fhall be decerned for
in the course of any counter-action that may be
brought by the defender within a limited time, for
example four months. Where a pursuer is unable
to find good caution, he must submit to the hard-
fhip of having his cause delayed. But in case
he offers caution, and if the supreme court has no
power to accept or enforce the offer, the object is of

such importance, that an act of parliament ought
to be obtained.

280 on the study of natural history. _ Aug. at:

The delays in the bill chamber, are to be ascri-
bed partly to claims of the above nature, and part-
ly to other causes: but these and other causes of
delay fhall be the subject of future lerters. JI have
the honour to be, te. LENTULUs.

To a YounGc Lapy on THE Stupy oF NATURAL
History.

For the Bee.

My Dear ALATHEA,

DO not wonder at your being delighted with
tle «xamination, (for I will not insult you with
saving the sight,) of Mr Weir’s muszum, and the
collection of the generous hermit of Morning-side ;
and I am pleased with your withing to be directed
in a course of reading and observation with respect
to the charming study of nature.

With a view to fan the flame of science that has
been kindledin your mind, you may begin with reading
the little collection of extracts on natural history by
Robert Heron, lately publithed. from that you
may go to the pafsages in lord Kaims’s Sket-
ches that morte particularly relate to your purpose ;
and you may read his art of. thinking, which
was written for the use of his own family.

From thence you may take in hand Mr Smellie’s
excellent Philosophy of Natural History; and by
way of touching your subject, and practicing your
French at the same time, you may read the specta~

2793° on the study of natural history. 281
cle de Ja nature, and such of the prefaces of Buffon,
vas your parents may think proper for your peru-
sal.

As some of the contemplations de Ja nature, of Mr
Bonnet, have in them nothing that is very deep or
fanciful, but much that warms the mind to piety.
and virtue inthe view of the works of the Creator
of the universe, these you may read with great
satisfaction and wich a beneficial effect.

Having thus obtained an apprehension of the no-
ble scope of natural history, with regard to religion
and morals, you may then enter gradually into the
detail of whatever branch of that immense study you
fhall happen decidedly to prefer. If birds attract
your choice, you have Smellie’s translatian of
Buffon’s Ornithology ; or you may read it with great
advantage to your French excercises in the original,
as the count de Buffon is not lefs eminent for his
eloquence than his learning. The quotations or refe~
ferences in the margin will lead you always easily
to the further and more minute examination of any
particular subject : as for example if you wih to en-
ter into the detail of singing birds, or birds suppo-
sed to be of pafsage from one country to another,
you can read Mr Barrington on these subjects, in
the Philosophical Transactions of London, and Mr
Pennant in his Britifh Zoology, a book likewise
which in its whole tifsue will deserve your com-
plete perusal when you have once, by means of Mr
Kerr’s translation of the Linnean system, made your-
self fully acquaintad with the method of distinguifh-

VOL. XV1, NN t

282 on the study of natural history. Aug. 213
ing and recognising the different, clafses, kinds, and
species of animals and vegetables.

If the strange habits and peculiarities of the cuc-
kow thould excite your curiosity of further know-
ledge, you can follow out this interesting research in
a paper publifhed in the Philosophical Transactions
of London, by Mr John Hunter, and so on in every
particular that may seize on your laudable curiosi-
ty in any of the numerous departments of natural
history.

But in vain have learned and ingenious authors
written, and uselefsly does nature display her vari-
ous wonders, if we ourselves learn not to explore the
particulars with our own eyes, and by the help of
our own acquired ingenuity and natural sagacitr.
Without these, we fhall learn the wonders, beauties,
and curious circumstances of nature, merely as
school boys learn their lefsons by rote, or as we ac-
quire the rules of arithmetic without its scientific
principles.

You must learn therefore, my dear Alathea, by
degrees to grope a way for yourself in the delightful
wildernefs of nature, to lay things together proper.
ly in your mind, and to draw the results that will
not only establifh in your memory the principles
of science, but will teach you at the same time to
collect the elements of further attainment.

It is for this, reason that I wifh and exhort you
to search and think for yourself in. the contempla-
tion of nature, after you have got hold of the proper
clues to lead you through ber labyrinths, rather than
to go-or be led continually in the trammels of

1993- on the study of natural history. 283
systems, let the intention or explanation of such
systems be ever so good or correct.

No pursuit can be truly endeared to us in which
we do not employ the energy of our understanding,
and satisfy our curiosity by our own particular in-
vestigation and minute examination ; to the want of
which I impute all that listlefsnefs and carelcfsnefs
in the prosecution of rational curiosity which is so
notorious and so cruelly prevalent in common so-
ciety ; and which can only be removed by choosing
some one particular branch of knowledge in which
we wilh to excel, and setting ourselves seriously
and vigurously to examine every thing relating to
it, that either comes in our way accidentally, or that
we can by any means judiciously and properly obe
tain.

An attentive and inguisitive mind often derives
very important instruction from appearances and
events which the generality of mankind regard as
trivial and insignificant.

Even the great Sir Isaac Newton, of whom the
marquis de /’ Hopital, one of the greatest mathemati-
cians of the age in which he lived, said, does Mr
Newton eat, or drink, or sleep, like other men? I re»
present him to myself as a celestial genius entirely
disengaged from matter ; even this wonderful man,
my dear Alathea, confefsed to his most intimate
friends, what | believe to have been as authentic as
it is supereminently modest and unafsuming :
‘** That for his own part he was sensible that whate-
ver he had done worth notice, was owing toa pati-
ence of thought, rather than any extraordinary sa«

284 onthe study af natural history, = dug2t
gacity with which he was endowed above other ment
I keep, (said he,) my subject constantly before me,
and wait patiently till the first dawnings open slow-
}y by little and little into a full and clear hight.”

What an encouragement is here to the attentive
and inquisitive mind, and how much ought we to
rub up our faculties in youth that they grow not
rusty.

Lord Bacon, ‘* that prophet of science which News
ton was born to reveal,” reprehended those who upon
a weak conceit of sobriety, or ill applied moderati-
on, thought or maintained that one can search too
far or be too well studied in the book of God’s
word, or in the book of God’s works. Rather (said
tie,) let mien awake themselves and chearfully ens
deavour and pursue an endlefs progrefs and profici-
ency in both ; only det them beware lest they apply
knowledge to pride, not to charity ; to ostentation, not
to vse. ‘* That a superficial taste of learning and
philosophy may perchance incline the mind to Athe«
ism or irreligion; but 2 full draught thereof bring.
eth the soul back again to religion: ‘* That in the
éntrance of philosophy in the history of nature, when
the second causes most obvious to the senses offer
themselves to the mind, we are apt to cleave unto
them, and dwell too much upon them, so as to for-
get. what is superior and inte/ligent in mature. But
when we pafs farther, and behold the dependency,
continuation, and confederacy of causes, and the
works of providence, then, according to the allego-
ry of the poets, we easily believe that the highest

link of nature’s chain must needs be tied to the

2793; on the study of natural history. 284
foot of Jupiter’s chair or perceive. - ‘hat philoso-
phy, like Facob’s vision, discovers to us a ladder
whose top reaches to the footstool of the throne of
God.”

Now by confining yourself, my dear Alathea, to
some one favourite pursuit, as that of some branch
of natural history, as you now seem disposed, you
may avoid that flimsy state of knowledge, which is so
dangerous a thing, and has been so emphatically as
well as morally sung by our famous Prk: ing poet of
Twickenham.

As examples of the benefit to be derived from an
attentive observation of appearances in nature, that
at first sight might be regarded as trivial and in.
significant, I fhall mention a few for your amuse-
ment and instruction.

But betore I open this little budget, I must ob-
serve that in the whole history of human science,
you will find scarce any valuable discovery owing
to theory or analogy, and almost every useful art or
science owing to patient observation, repeated expe-
riment, and comparison.

As a signal proof of this, reflect for a moment
that Greece and Italy in their utmost glory of re-
finement were ignorant that water in pipes rose to its
level ; and from the want of this knowledge were
forced to supply their cities with water by means
of immense aqueducts, carried in many cases acrofs
¥ivers and mountains at an incredible expence *

* There are reasons to believe that they were notso totally unac-
quainted with the art of making water run in pipes as the ingenious

-

286 onthe study of natural history, Aug. 2ts

That though they were acquainted with the attrac. -
tive power and polarity of iron, and the magnet or
loadstone, yet they knew not of its application to
the purposes of geography or navigation.

That though they were almost perfect in sculp-
ture and engraving, they never thought of printing
by types or coper plates; and though pofsefsed of
magnifying gems and christals for their theatres,
they never thought of combining these cénvex |
gems, and christals, to form a common ope-
ra glafs; all which must evidently be imputed
to the waat of that turn for observation and experi-
ment, for which Europe is chiefly indebted to the
two great Bacons of England, who stand among
the philosophers of the world like the two great
giants at Guildhall among the common council men
of London !

As water descending through an inclined tube, or
a tube bent in any manner, will spout up through
a perpendicular apperture, nearly to the same
height with the level of the water in the vefsel or
reservoir from whence the tube comes, so the ancient
Romans applied this principle to jet d’eaus in their
gardens, but not to the more useful purpose of
bringing water in pipes from the fountain head.

This was accomplifhed afterwards by mere plod-
ding mechanics, and not by the students of Plato;
Aristotle, or Archimedes.

To be continued.

difsertator here insinuates. But he has probably not thought it worth
while to stop to mark the exceptions. Edit.

3793- hints on chivalry. — 287

HINTS RELATING TO CHIVALRY.
For the Bee.

Continued from p. 240.
The education of a knight.

Havine said thus much on the or*gin and charac.
‘teristics of chivalry, it may be proper now to take
a view of the education which fitted the competi-
tors for chivalry, and to mark the gradual steps by
which they arrvied at that high dignity.

As soon as the person destined for knighthood
was seven years of age, he was taken from the vare
‘of women, and put under the tuition of men. A
masculine and robust education prepared him ear-
ly for the toils of war, a profefsion the same as that
of chivalry. The courts of princes, and the castles
of the Barons, were always open schools, where the
young nobility learned the first rudiments of that
profefsion which they meant to follow.

The first place which these young people enjoyed
_ was that of page; net in the seuse this word has now
adays, for these were of a very inferior rank. . The -
office of the page was the ordinary service of domes.
tics near the person of their master and mistrefs ;
they accompanied them to the chase, and likewise
on their journies, in their visits and walks, went
their mefsages, and even served them at table, and
filled their cups for them to drink. The first lef.
son they were taught regarded chiefly the love of
God, and of the ladies; that is to say, of religicn and

288 hints on chivalry. Aug. 21»
gallantry. The precepts of religion left in the bot-
tom of their breasts, a veneration for sacred things
which sooner or later, totally pervaded them; the
precepts of love spread, in their intercourse with
the ladies, that respectful regard which so re-
markably characterised them. The instructions
which these young people received with regard to
decency to their morals and virtue, were continus
ally taught by tlfe example of the ladies and knights.
The generous care which these noblemen took to
educate such a number of young men born in indie
gence, turned out to their advantage, in procuring
for them faithful vafsals. Besides this, they em-
ployed the young nobility with advantage about
their own persons. The tyes which a Jong and cons
tinued habit of living together could not fail of for- |
ming between them, being doubly bound by grati-
tude and kindnefs become indifsoluble. The chil-
dzen were always ready to add new favours to those
of thetr father, while the others always ready to re-
quit them, by the most important services, seconded
all the interprises of their benefactor. They were
likewise taught to respect the institution of
chivalry, and to revere in the knights those virtues
which had raised them to that high dignity. By
this means the service they performed was ennobled
in their eyes : to serve them, was to serve the
whole members of chivalry. The games also, which
made a partof their amusement, contributed to their
instruction. The natural desire of their age of —
imitating every thing they saw persons of a more
advanced age do, induced them to throw the quoit

1793+ hints on chivalny- 289
and the javelin, and perform the other exercises.
Thus they received a foretaste of the different kinds
of tournaments, and began to form themselves to the
noble exercises of eqnerries and ‘knights. In fhort,
this emulation, so necefsary in all ages and _ states,
increased more and more every day, whether through.
an ambition of going into the service of some other
knight of a higher dignity, or of a greater repute~
tion, or through the desire of rising to the rank
of equerry in the house of the lady or lord whom
they served ; for this was usually the last step which
conducted to knighthood.

But before pafsing from the state of page to
that of equerry, relegion had introduced a,ceremony,
the end of which was to instruct the young men in
the use they ought to make of the sword, which was
then for the first time put into their hands. The
young gentleman was presented at the altar by his
father and mother, who each held a wax taper in
their hands. The officiating priest then took from
the top of the altar a sword, over which having
gaid several blefsings, he bound it to the young per-
son’s side, who from that time continued to wear it.

These courts and castles were excellent schools of
courtesy, politenefs, and other virtues, not only for
the pages and equerries, but also for young ladies.
There they were early instructed in the most efsen-
tial duties they would have to perform. There they
culgivated and brought to perfection, those graccs
and tender sentiments with which nature seeins to have
formed them. They, by their attention, gained the
esteem of the different knights who arrived in the
castle ; they took off their armour at their return

from tournaments, and warlike expediti ons. The li-
VoL. xvi. 0° i)

‘ }
290 hints on chivalry. Aug. 2%.
dies destined to have for their hufbands the knights
who lived in the same house where they were edu-
cated, would not fail to make themselves agreeable by
the care and services, and attention they paid them.

They learned to pay one day or other to their
hufband those services which a warrior, distinguith-
ed by valour, could expect from a tender and gene-
rous wife, and prepared the most agreeable recom-
pence and rest from their toils. Affection inspired
‘them with the desire of being the first to wipe away:
the dust and blood with which they were covered
for the glory of the ladies:

In the néw office of equerry, the young men, ap-
proaching by degrees nearer and nearer the person

of their lord or lady, being admitted with more con- ;

fidence and familiarity to their intertainments and
afsemblings, could still better profit by the mo~

dels on which they were to form themselves,

They paid more attention to gaining the favour
of their masters, in seeking opportunities of plea-
sing strangers, and other persons of which the
court was formed, and in paying to the knights and
equerries of other countries their proper honours.
In fhort, they redoubled their efforts to make theme
selves appear to the best advantage.

The equerries were divided into several clafses,
according ts their employments, e. q. the equerry
who attended the person of his master or mistrefs,
which was the most honourable; the chamberlain,

and several others.
Other equerries had the care of preparing the table;

they carried the meat @f each course, and paid anun- —

remitting attention so that every thing might be

right; they then gave the guests water to wath ~

»

\

1793") hints on chivalry. 29k
themselves after the repast, and afterwards disposed
every thing properly for the ball that was to fol-
low, at which they danced with the ladies of high
rank ; they then served the spices, confections, wine
and other things, which always concluded these inter-
tainments.

From this service, which was only the prelude to
another which required more strength, agility, and
fkill, they went to that of the stable; this consis-
ted of the care of the horses, which could not but be
a noble employment in the hands of a warlike no-
bility, who always fought on horseback. Able e-
quetries broke the horses for war, and had under
them younger ones whom they caused to exercise
them. Other equerries kept the arms of their mas- ©
ters always fit for use and burnifbed. Whenever
the master mounted, equerries hastened to afsist
him, holding his stirrup; others brought the diffe-
rent pieces of his armour, offensive and defensive ;
and all had their part of the body to arm. It was
an art which demanded great attention, as the life of
their master- depended upon his armour being pro-
petly put on. it required a great deal of addrefs
and agility to match and fit the joints of a cuirafse,
and the other pieces of armour properly; and to
place and brace the helmet on the head, and to fas-
ten the visier expertly and exactly. When the
knight had mounted the great horse, and had enter-
ed on an engagement, every equerry remained be-
hind his master, in some fhape an idle spectator of
the combat ; but while he was idle in one respect, he
was not so in another; and his looking on, if useful
for the preservation of the master, was equally in-
structive to the servant, Every equerry was atten-

292 hints on chivalry. Aug. 21.

tive to all the motions of his master, to give him in

case of accident, new arms to retaliate the blows he had
received from his adversary, to relieve him and give

him a frefh horse; while the equerry of him whohadthe
advantage seconded by all the means which his addrefs,

valour, and zeal suggested, keeping always within
the bounds oi the defensive, afsisted him in making
such use of his advantage,,as would gain a complete
victory. It was to the equerries also that the knights

in the heat of the engagement, entrusted the priso-
ners they had made. This sight was a lively lef-
son of.addrefs and courage, which continually fhew-
ed the young warrior new means of defending him-
self, and of making himself superior to his enemy,

and gave him an opportunity of trying his valour, and

of knowing whether or not he was capable of induring

so great toil and labour. ‘Thus the youth, weak and
unexperienced, was not exposed to bear the fatigues

of war, without having learned long before, whether
his strength and abilities were sufficient for it. Eut
the equerry did not all at once step from a peaceful

service to the perils of war, The courts and castles

were schools where they always contihued to bring up

the young men for the defence of the state. Military

games had long been strengthening and preparing them

for the tournaents, those images of war, kept up in

courts of the barons, which were by an useful po-

licy converted to the amusement of the knights,

when their arms were engaged on no serious occasi-

on. The presence of the ladies, who made it an a-

musement to afsist at these games, animated those

who wilhed to distinguifh themselves there.

POETRY.

fo as

On THE IMPROVEMENT OF TIME- t

For the Bee.

Srxz how th’ industrious bee doth evéry hour,
Still wing its airy way, ;
Culling the choicest sweets of May,

With anxious care from every opening flow’r.

\

And like the Bee we fhoiild our time employ,
For youth doth wear away ;
And beauty must decay,
But wisdom’s bloisoms time will ne’er destroy B: B.

Moon ichHT:

‘Lo! from her azure heaven the queen of night
Sheds onitsdufky brow her silver light ;

Whilst on the yellow thade it softly sleeps,

Her court within, an elfin spirit keeps ;

Here, lull’d by murmurs of the silver stream,

May feed bright fancy on her golden dream;
Here contemplation seeks truth’s hidden lore,

Or beauty’s breast its tender wifhes pour 5

Here, may devotion wake her solemn lyre,

‘And mount to heav’n on rapture’s wing of fire,
But fhould this scene, sorichly dight, allure

“j Licentious folly from ‘her haunts impure ;

Should here revenge, that fiend without controul,
Brood o’er the sullen purpose of his soul,

Then horror-struck, the rays would quit their dell,
While the refulgent moon eclipses at their spell.

0 oo eee

A NEW-YEAR’s WISH
Accept, my dear Chloe, from Martha, thy friend,
Each with that can friendfhip endear:
May the bounty of heaven propitiously send
Long health—and a happy new year—

May every enjoyment which prudence allows,
Thy life long continue to blefs;

May love and esteem weave a wreath for thy brows,
And beauty be crown’d.with saccels.

204 hiterary olla. No. 1%. Aug, 2%

Lirerary Orra. “No, tx:
For the Bee.

On THE CHARACTER OF A GENTLEMAN.

Many years ago, on the death of a respectable country
gentleman of large estate, | found myself remembered
by him in his will with a small legacy for a mourning
ring, and a collection of clafsical books ; which last I par-
ticularly valued on account of many of them having slips
of paper in them with judicious original remarks, not at
all if the manner of an author, but in the plain unaffected
manner of genteel conversation.

Among other detached little pieces I found the follow-
ing remarks on the indiscriminate appellation of Gent/e-
man, which from some circumstances 1 believe to have
been written soon after the peace of Paris, when, by an
immense and sudden influx of wealth, gentlemen, proper-
ly so called, were thrown a good deal, and somewhat dis-
agreeably, into the back ground of opulent society.

It is so genuine a transcript of character, and so des-
criptive of the feelings attending a new #ra in Britain,
that I thought it would be a delicate morsel for the
Bee.

Go then busy Bee! Go, and carry it on your thighs to
the uttermost limits of the rational world. Go, and tell
every choice. spirit on your course that there is a little
spot of earth not far from the frozen regions of the pole,
where yahoos begin to learn, not only not to say the
thing that is not; but boldly to say the thing that is.
And give them, oh ! give them to hope, that the time may
come when it fhall not be the only deliberation of the

1993+ literary olla. No. 1x." 295
yirtuous Houynhums whether it would not be better that
they were exterminated from the face of the Globe,

Nam proprie Telluris berum natura neque illum, nec me,
mec quemquam natuit.

“In this active and busy age, where every one is expec-
ted to act a part, there is a clafs of men who formerly
ad great sway in the direction of public affairs, but seem
now to be fallen into general contempt, and appear fitted
only to minister to the avarice and luxury of those whom
heretofore they looked upon as greatly their inferiors.
_. “It will readily be perceived that the land proprietors
are those I mean to treat of, ‘lo these and their unoc®
cupied descendents, the epithet of gentleman was formerly
only applied ; now-a-days we have not only gentlemen
of the law, of physic, of divinity, and trade, (whose pro-
fefsions seem to be entitled tu it,) but the appellation is
surely abused and prostituted when applied to some.low-
er orders ; and evidently so, when bestowed upon an im-
pudent varlet out of livery, who forsooth is dignified with
the appellation of gentleman, though perhaps it is bestow-
ed with great impropriety even upon his master.

“ Though the profefsion of divinity is most honourable
and respectable, when the profefsors of it behave ia a
suitable and becoming manner, yet it does not appear to
me that they ought to affect the appellation of gentlemen
The idea of the sphere they act in, imprefses one with
the notion of some characteristic epithet, lefs worldly, and
more suitable to their profefsion ; and surely those who
affect it, as conceiving it‘attached to theirprofefsion, though
of low birth, and illiberal education, most certainly dis-
grace it, and bring themselves into contempt, by which

296 fiterary olla. No. 1x. Mug. 2%.
means the profefsion itself is liable to suffer though unde-

servedly.
“« Though I have described the land proprietor as unoc-

cupied, yet I would not be understood to mean that he
fhould be so: far fromit; every man in his station ought
to be employed; and it is encumbent upon him to act in
his sphere, for the good of society. The question is how
a mere country gentleman can employ himself properly ?
To be sure very many do not, but on the contra-
ry mifspend their time, and waste their fortunes, in frivo-
lous, and often in vicious pursuits. But are there no in-
necent amusements, no rational occupations to be found ina
country life? Are these confined to courts and great ci-
ties only, where there is a constant bustle and struggle to
get wealth and power, and then as constant a vying with
each other, how to difsipate and waste, what indeed, has
often been acqui ed by unwairantable means.

“ Have rational creatures, or as the king of Prufsia de-
fines them, rather reasoning anima/s, nothing else to do here,
but to amafs wealth, for their profligate giddy heirs to
throw away ?

‘“‘ But who then is the gentleman properly to be called
so? The foundation of gentility no doubt, is to be al-
lowed to consist in a great measure in wealth, and con-
tentment. Ifa moderate estate has been transmitted by
ancestors who could say they came fairly and honestly by
it, and looking round.them, could see much greater o-
pulence without envy, because they beheld much greater
numbers in a far inferior situation, and so could say it
is enough, and more perhaps, than falls to my fhare, if
every one had his due, therefore I will spare as I ought
to some who deserve, but who have been denied the gifts
o fortune; more has been bestowed upon me, than upon
_many others of superior merit and endowments, so I con-

‘193. . literary olla. No. 1x. 297
clude that there is a trust reposed in me, to bestow part
upon others who stand in need of my afsistance. Gene-
‘rosity seems to bé the main characteristic of a gentleman,
and generous in the old Roman language corresponds to
what we mean by that term. ,

I would not be understood to mean however that the
person who has -had a competent estate transmitted to
him, is in all events to rest satisfied with it, and never
attempt to rise to a superior degree of rank and wealth.
By no means: let every man try his talents and abilities,
and if he continues to carry true gentility along with him,
the more wealth he acquires, the more influence he has
in the management of public affairs, or in the distribution
of justice &c. the more his friends and country will feel
the happy effects of his generous and disinterested beha-
viour in whatever sphere he acts. But many persons
of good fortunes, and not destitute of merit, have not ta-
lents for higher stations: it is well it is so, otherwise
there would be too many candidates jor high offices; and
it would be well if those who aspire tothem, would
first well weigh and consider their abilities before they
did attempt to aspire to them. :

But are inferior talents, and those who are willing to
submit tobe governed, to be quite despised and neglected ?
I imagine that no state can ever have the happinels of
good and able rulers, unlefs a sufficient number of those
who are to be governed, can make it appear that they
deserve to be justly and well governed ; many such there
are, itis to be hoped, in this country especiaily, and vet
it is to be lamented how few know how to afsert the pri-
vilege of their birthright upon proper occasions ; hence
the abuse of power in those who take the lead, and of cla-
qmourby those »f interior ranks against things that are at
Jeast indiifere:t,. while measures of a real destructive tér-

dency are cyerlooked,

yw
ss

VOL. XVi,

t

298

hints on domestic economy, Aug. 24.

Ter

HINTS ON DOMESTIC ECONOMY. P

From an orp .Trapresman To Youne Ovngs.

Letter 1.

Genritemen, I took the liberty to addrefs you on the
score of punctuality, the necefsity of which, to give you
proper establifhment in trade, none of you will [hope doubt;
for ifyou in one instanceallow yourselves to grow remifs in
this refpect, you will seldom be able to regain the cha-
racter you have lost. Men in trade have much confidence
in each’other, though without that implicit trust which
subsists only among intimate friends; for with all their
confidence, they are not without a proper degree of ti-
midity and suspicion. To be suspected is very mortify-
ing; but to be justly suspected, you will find to be stil}
more disagreeable. After you have deceived a man once,
which is by no means difficult, you will not find it easy
to deceive him a second time. When you have deceived
a man you are connected with, although in a very incdn-
_ siderable matter, you alarm his jealdusy, and from that mo-
ment make him watchful, cautious, and sullen towards you.

I believe there is no occupation, profefsion, or calling,
followed by men, in which we find more instances of mu-
tual confidence and real friendfhip than among traders,
I have seen and known by information much of this, and
“1 can say with confidence, that no young tradesman who
pursues the system of probity and punctuality, will fail
of meeting with public ard private afsistance and encou-
ragement.

But to come to the second subject of my advice to you,
which is this, “© Learn to see the proper value of mo

ney.

1793 hints on domestic economy.” 299°
To. acquire money, and live comfortably, is the first
and most natural with of all young tradesmen; for this
plain reasen, that there is no living: comfortably without
money. But it unfortunately happens, that many do not
know what they themselves desire. To,live comfortably is
an easy matter. A little money Will suffice for this purpose 5
but many understand comfortably to mean luxuriously ov
splendidly. The moment they affix this meaning to the
wotd comfortably, their good principles receive a fhock,
and we find them deviating by little and little from the
generosity of their character. ‘The first thing a man
does who is ambitious of great wealth, is to launch out ,
into more businefses than one. One businefs, however
has generally been found sufficient for one man ; of more
he must lave but a superficial knowledge, and lays him-
self open to deceit and disappointment. Difsatisfied men
Seldom succeedin anything. They are not contented with
the fair profits of trade, and consequently will form secret
fraudulent schemes for increasing those profits ; schemes
which perhaps may, in some-cases, never be detected, but
more frequently are detected to the fhame, confusion, and
ruin of the unhappy contriver.
_ Be always then content with small profits of your trade.
Do not fix your eyes too eagerly on the great fortunes
which have been made in London. There is nothing, b&b
is true, in your case different from that of those men,
when they were like you young and not provided for. But
you ate to consider, that you may perhaps be of a busi-
nefs in which few fortunes everwere made. Such trades we
know there are; and if you know ‘this to be the case,
you will be the lefs anxious to amafs more money than
your businefs can bring: Nor, when you look at men
who have risen to great ortunes, ure you always to sup-
pose that they have acquired such fortunes by the most
creditable means,

329 on the breed of Carawath horses Aug. 2%:
» This, alas !. is not -always the case. It is no reproach
for an honest, industrious, and wealthy man, to be told

that he was once a footman ; but some of nearly this des-.

cription, who have amafsed riches, had better continu-
ed footmen stili. In a word, esteem no man for his

wealth, unlefs you know that that wealth has been acqui-

red in the smooth way of fair profit, honour, and punctu-

ality ; and is so used as to add dignity to the pofsefsor.

To gain riches honourably, and employ them usefully, is
a great merit, Merely to pofsefs riches, and to pride
yourself on them, is the most disgraceful instance of
meannefs.

Learn then, I say, the proper value of money. It will
make you happy while you use it well; and a very little
will be requisite for 'the purpose even of elegant life’;
much lefs than you imagine, unlefs you think it necefsary
to become the ape of men of fafhion and extravagance.
But perhaps I wrong many of you, in supposing that you
would become imitators of those whose example is the
bane of society ; or that you would ever desire to have
more wealth than could be accounted for on principles of
the strictest honour and generosity.

fn the following pages, I mean to dilate more fully on
the subject of luxury as applicable to young trades-

men,
To be continued. + !

———— ——

Account oF THE BREED or CarnwarTu Horses, FROM Mr
Ure’s Htsrory of RuruercLen anp Ku.eripeE.

¢ "Tur horses are mostly for the draught, and are deser-
‘vedly esteemed the best, for that purpose, in Europe.
They are generally of the Lanark and Carnwath breed,
which was: introduced into the county more than a cern

1793. on the breed of Carnwath horses ~ 308
tury ago. It is said, that one of the predecefsors of the
present duke of Hamilton, brought with him to Scotland
six coach horses, originally from Flanders, and sent them
to Strathaven, the castle of which was, at that time, ha-
bitable. The horses were all stallions, of a black colour,
and remarkably handsome. The farmers in the neighbour-
hood, readily embracing the favourable opportunity, crof
sed this foreign breed with the common Scotch kind, an
thereby procured a breed superior to either. From this,
a strong and hardy race of horses was soon spread through
the country, but in many places, owing to neglect, was
left to degenerate. By want of proper attention, we of-
ten let slip the most favourable opportunities of improve-
ment, and suffer unmanly indolence to deprive us cf
many blefsings we might otherwise enjoy. A high de-
gree of merit, however, is due to the farmers in the up-
per part of the county, for their unremitting endeavours
to improve this excellent breed. ‘They pay strict atten-.
tion to every circumstance respecting the colour, the
softnefs and hardnefs of the hair ; length of the body, neck,
-and legs; but chiefly to the fhape of the back, breast,
and fhoulders of their breeders. No inducement what-
ever can lead tliem to encourage the breed of a horse
that is not pofsefsed of the best qualities. Providence
commonly favours the attentive and the diligent. Their
laudable attempts have proved to be succefsful; and
Britain is now reaping the. merited’ fruits of their well
directed care. Every farm, almost, through the extent
of several yarifhes, supports 6, or at least 4 mares, the
half of which are allowed, annually, to foal. The colts *
_ are mostly sold at the fairs of Lanark and Carnwath,
and bring to the owners from 5], to 20]. each. They

* Thecolts, when a year oldyare called tomontals, a provincial
contraction for twelve-moath old.

“302 on the breed of Carnwath horses. " Aug, 216
are generally purchased by farmers from the counties of
Renfrew and Ayr, where they are trained for the draught,
till they are about five years old: they are then sold at
the fairs of Rutherglen and Glasgow, from 251, to 35).
each ; from thence they are taken to the Lothians,
England, &c. where they excel in the plough, the cart,
and the waggon.”

The latter part of this afsertion is well supported by
the following curious facts, extracted from the same
work which exhibit proofs of a degree of exertion by
_ this useful animal that is oe unequalled in any part
of the world.

~€ The coal works cartied on at Stonelaw, by Major
John Spens, are of long standing. There is mo account
when coals were at first wrought in this place. But from the
number of old wastes the period must be very remote.
At present about 126 persons are employed in the works.
The water is raised by a steam engine, which about 1776,
was erected by Gabriel Grey, esq. of Scotstoun. The
coals turned out are of different qualities, but all of them
are very good. They are sold on the hill at 1od. per
hutch, weighing 4oo Ib. bat it commonly exceeds that
weight ; carriage to Glasgow is qd. so that a cart load of
three hutches, weighing about thirteen Cwt. is laid down
in. the street for 3s. 6d. But two wheeled waggons, con-
taining six hutches, are commonly used. Some of them
that lately were occasionally weighed, contained no lefs
than. twenty-six Cwt. of soft coal ; which; however, is
specifically heavier than hard coal. The enfpty waggon
generally weighs about eight Cwt and an half. It is com-
monly two feet in depth ; three and -an half in breadth y
and five and an half in length; the wheels are four & two’
thirds feet in height. The whole amounting to about |
thirty-four Cwt. and an half is drawn by a single horse,

1703- index indicatuyius. 303
which goes to Glasgow three times a-day. Glasgow is
distant from Stonelaw three miles and an half. Such heavy
draughts, drawn by one horse, even for a greater length
of road, is not unfrequent. in this country. The horses:
employed are of the Lanarkthire breed.” Their superior
excellency, after the above - mentioned exertion of the
strength, to which they are daily accustomed, need not be
called in question. e

————————————— nn

INDEX INDICATORIUS.

“¢ Tue following is entitled, the language of experience and years, to
young persons,” signed a hammer man, It contains sach a mixture of
good and bad as exhibits a very_ unusual appearance. The hand
writing and the orthography seem to indicate that it is written by a
young person. Ifso, and if it be not purloined from some other per-
formance, the writer fhould get somebody to revise his pieces. “It is
written as printed.

In rosy joyous youth ere yet we tread the

Circle round of earth’s vain frivlous joy ; ere yet
We felt how cozning ts the scene,

And hollow ; all of pure congenial blifs, to souls—
How beats the gay deluded heart, how fond

Their ardours for the glittering toy;

In superficial glare all radiant are

And treacherous. Man looks back on all

The gewgaw scene and earthly pursuit with a sickning
Loathing soul, as an illusion great and fancys dream,
That in the barren wilds and wastes of life

Hath driven him out to roam disconsolate,

Far from the path of joy sincere and pure,

And now in disappointment dire they roam.

Two other verses, or stanzas, or what you please to call them, of
the same kind follow, which are here omitted.

A Sitily Leither gives a very strong representation of the inconve~
niences to which the traders are subjected by the board of customs.
He says “ You will find the merchant paying duty for weight that the
purchaser will not receive, and the inferior officer trerobling lest it
fhould be too much.” “ No allowance (he says) is there given for the
ignorance ofa merchant; and when redrefs is applied for, it.is\a board
of justice into whose gloomy mansions mercy dare not enter.” And so
on.

ie index indicatorius. Aug. 21;
“ Vague language of this sort can never ten Jany good purpose.
¥# grievances of the kind here. alleged did prevail to the extent in-
sinuated, doubtlefs they would have been complained of in another
manner. In the execution of an extensive businefs, where many ‘men
of different talents and dispositions of mind must be invested with
power to a certain extent, it is impofsible to prevent abuses of every
sort ; but wherever they do prevail so generally as to become a mat-
tex of serious evil, a distinct specific representation of facts that can
he fully authenticated by evidence, without exaggeration or declama-
tory insinuations, will always be so much attended to in this nation,
when brought forward by such a body of respectable men as fhalj
fiow that the evil is generally felt, will of necefsity command so much
attention as to cause any board in the nation correct their errars ;
bot ill founded clamours, arising from accidental disappointments by
sanguine men, ought ever to be discouraged by the judicions, because
it tends to diminih the weight ‘of sober serious representations when-
_ ever they thall become necefsary. ‘This correspondent (and probably
many others) seems to have imagined that because the Editor of this
muisceilany has pointed out some evils in the executive department of
this country, which he thinks ought to be corrected, as retarding the
prosperity-and dimini fhing the energy of the nation, that therefore he
will be disposed to lend a willing ear to every groundlefs clamour _
that may be raised against the servants of the state. This however,
is far from being the case: for in every instance he will, with equal
firmnefs, support them when right, as oppose them when wreng. It
is by this conduct alone he can ever hope to claim the attention of the
public; and whenever he fhall be found to depart from it he will then

say he deserves to be disregarded.

To CoRRESPONDENTS.

TsE anonymus éfsay on the effects of heat and light on some of the
important functions in the vegetable economy is received, and will ap-~
pear «5 soon as conveniency will permit. h

Linuzus’s method of cutting the snouts of swine, as transmitted by a
pondent in Sweden, is thankfully received, and fliall be brought

corresp
pe as s60n as an cngvavirig can be got finifhed.
Podiicoie wiil please be informed that the delay of which he com~
plains has been in some.measure, unavoidable ; far from intentional, of
which be would be satistied were this a place for explanation, The
Editor hopes soog to be able te gratify his benevolent withes. ;
: a9

’ , ,

The remaining notes to correspondents deferred till our next.

ooh

e

144.

THE BEE, -

OR

LITERARY WEEKLY INTELLIGNCER,

FOR

WEDNESDAY, AuGUST 28. 1793.
W—_oOoOoOoOoOoOoOoooooSS——S SSSsSes“_—_—qjoSSs—qqoOoOoooOmwN

ON THE DIFFERENT VARIETIES OF SHEEP IN A WILD AND D9-
MESTIC STATE, REARED IN THE Russian Empire, anp by
THE PASTORAL NATIONS FROM THE FRONTIERS OF Eugops To
THOSE of Curna.

Continued from p, 248.
The Fourth variety.

Se eos j

The Boucharian fheep.

"Tuts variety, raised by the Boucharian Tartars,
and Persians in great numbers, Dr Pallas regards
as a mixed breed, irom tke union of “his first and
third varieties, wz. the lng, and fat tailed theep.
This fact, the particulir configuration of the zai!
seems to indicate, as it is made up of those of its
two parents ; (see the irticle uropygium below.)
The theep ot this variety which the doctor saw in
his travels were only two years old, and of course
not at their full growta, but he thinks they could ne-
ver obtain the size of either of their parents, the do-
lichura and steatopyga, or even become much _lar-
VOL, Xvi. oe +

306 account of the Boucharian foeep.
ger than the common Rufsian mike or brachiur
of our author.

Head is like that of the Kirguise, but the ‘nize
is {varper, resembling the Indian fheep of Bole

(vol. 23d plate 3d. f. 36.) ; ;

Body, rather smaller than that of the pee
fheep.

Ears large and pendant. _

Uropygium. They have a small-one like that of
the Tartar fheep on the Jenisy, especially when be-
gotten by a Kirguise ram, but in general they have a

Tai, fat and broad at the base, with a long nar-
row appendage ; this last addition resembling the
tail of the Tscherkefsi:an fheep..

Grown Jheep.

Woot compact and thick in the grown fheep, soft,

elastic, and elegantly- foi-med into frizzled circles.
ZL ambs.

In the lamb it is formed) into delicate little circular
waves, as if prefsed close to, the fkin by art, but when
taken from the mother, or killed immediately after
birth, they are still more b\cautiful, and often ele-
gantly marbled, with feathered waves like silk da-
matk.

These three furs are the fin\ est and most precious
of the kind known to Europ 2 and the east; they
are brought to us by the Bou tcharian Martars and
Persians, who sell them dear\’. The most prized
are the blue, the black, and the | silver grey ; but of
the unborn lamb /kins, as the fi ne glofsy thin furs
are called, which so much resemble ‘silk da-

. account of the Boucharian fo.tép- 307
the fine black is dearest and nuost esteem-

-..To obtain these valuable furs, the Boucharian
“Tartars purchase whole flocks of male lambs *, just
dropped from their mothers ; as to kill a female till
‘past the age of breeding, is held asa kind of crime
by allthe Tartar hordes ; such is their reverence for
an animal which constitutes their greatest riches,
and the propagation and care of which is the great
-Dusinefs of their lives; so that all the furs we see of
this species sold by the Tartars, are from young

rams Tf.

_ # The circumstance of the Boucharians purchasing whole flocks of
lambs accounts for the doctor’s having not seen any full grown
fheep of the Boucharian variety, and for their being all about the
same age, viz. two years; that appeared an extraordinary case to the
author of the paper, who forgot to demand anexplanation from Dr
Pallas. Areticus.

+ There isa peculiarity respecting these fheep that deserves to
be taken notice of here; viz. the singular beauty of the furs of the
new dropped lambs; which affords a clear proof that the wool is
quite free from hair; for it is observable among the fheep of Britain,
that when any hair is among the wool, that fhows itself at the birth
of the lamb;-asit is then more fully grown than the wool, and
makes the fleece of an unsightly fhagged appearance.

Every particular in the description of these fheep seems to indi-
cate, that they are a breed efsentially distinct from: any of those
reared in Europe; and that the fleece is of a nature totally different
from theirs in some very important particulars. The most universal
quality of European wool is that it is crisped or frizzed, somewhat
of the nature of negroes hair. Even the kinds of wool that we
distinguifh by the term /azk, and which sometimes hang in locks,
is in no ‘case free of that kind of crispinefs. From the glofsy silky
like appearance of these furs, it would seem that this peculiarity is

308 account of the Boucharian fheep. Aug. 2%.

The Boucharians are of opin:onthatart is necefsary —
to preserve these furs in their greatest beauty, and
in that idea keep the lambs under fhades, &e during
the meridian ardour of the sun; but Dr Pallas has
reason to think that these precautions are uselefs,
as he observed that the same variety of theep produ-
ced the saine fine furs, equal in every respect, with-
out any sort of care, in the hands of the Kirguise

Tartars.
He therefore imagines that it would be well

worth the attention of Europe, to transport
this breed of fheep, and make. experiments on

the valuable fur they yield, which’ might probably
be much meliorated by the fkill of the expert aad

industrious Europeans.
H.r. folivw the reasons for the doctor’s supposi-

tion, that the Boucharian variety are descended from

thete totally wanting. Calves, and other animals of this country
bearing hair, are found in the uterus, when the mother is killed du-
ring an advanced state of pregnancy, covered with fhort glofsy hair,
that lies close to the fkin, and is much more beautiful than that of
the same animal after birth. This seems to” be much the case
with these lamb’s fkins. On the whole, it seems to be a valuable
breed of fheep totally unknown in Europe, which if better known
. might perhapsprove highly advantageous in agriculture and arts: but
we are as yet too little acquainted with it o be able to say in
what respects it could be most beneficially employed. It is therefore
a fit object of experiment.
There are many difficulties occur respecting the idea of this being
a mixture between the fat rumped and long tailed fheep ; especially
if the hairy fleece, and clotted fur be admitted as invariable cha-
racteristics of the fat rufnped fheep ; for nothing of that sort appears
. in this breed. The fur indeed seems to be finer than that of the
Tscherkefsian fheep itself. This suvject fhail be resumed at an after
Edit.

period.

s

1703- - account of Boucharian fheep. “309
a mixture of the long and fat tailed fheep, whose
wool is meliorated by the climate ; they are princi-
pally drawn from the figure and composition of the
tail (as described in page, 3c6) and the great re-
semblance between them ad the mixed race the doc-
_ tor saw in Siberia, as mentioned in his second varie-
ty, produced by crofsing the fat, with the foort tail-
led or Rufsian fheep; and with another breed of
mixed fheep he met with among the Krasnojark Tar-
tars.

The same variety which makes the subject of
this article, is likewise raised in great numbers
by the Persians, and it is more than probable if we
are to give credit to authors ancient and modern,
that this very variety obtains in Syria, Palestine, and
divers countries of Africa, known to them by the
name of ovis macrocereas*.

It differs in all those countries from the fat tail-
edor steatopyga of Pallas, in having a dong taz/, fat
and broad above, with a long narrow appendage,
which is exactly the great marked character of the

* The wools of Persia and of Cafhemire, have been long esteem-
ed the finest that are brought to the European market; and for many
centuries past, have sold at the highest price. In the year 1719 Pierre
Ricardo, in his Traite le Negoce d’ Amsterdam states the price of
wools in that market as under:
Wools of Germany from 7d. to 11d per pound.
Wools of Poland from 9d. 3, to 1s.0% per ditto.
Wools of Persia White from 3s. to 3s. 6d.
or Caramania. Red 4s. 1d. togs. 3d.
Spanifh from 1s. 2 d. 3, to 3s. 10d. 4.
About that period the best Englifh’ wool sold for about 8d.2 per
pound. See Anderson's observations on National Industry p. 247.

gto —- account of the Boucharian focep. Aug. 28. \
Boucharian breed. Pliny tells us, that the Syrian
fheep have Jong fat tails, and carry wool; and by
Rufsell’s account of them in his Natural History of }
Aleppo, they resemble the Kirguise fheep in the
head, face, and ears hanging on the cheeks ; but the
tail is that of the Boucharian, fat above with a long
lean appendage : he adds, that they are covered with
asoft wool, which is another trait of resemblance
with our present variety ; and that they weigh some-
times an hundred and fifty pounds, one third of which
is the weight of the ¢az/. Gesner, in his work on
quadrupeds, tells us that the Arab fheep of Kay,
have nearly the same characteristic marks, especi-
ally with regard to the taz/.

Shaw relates in his travels, that fheep with such
a compound tail, are common in Mauritania, and
‘an all the east. Whilst Kolbe afsures us, that
the fheep which are brought on board the fhips at
the Cape of Good Hope, have tails weighing twen~-
ty-five or thirty pounds, fat above, with a bony ap-
pendage hanging from it; and lastly the abbé De-
manent, in his new history of Africa, mentioned in
a former article, says that fheep are found in Africa
covered with woo/, and with such a tail as we have been
describing ; whilst at Cape Guarda in the south of
Africa, all the fheep are white, with rather small
black heads, otherways a large handsome breed
with broad fat tails, six or eight inches long.

The doctor however does not entirely close his
proofs here, for he quotes several pafsages from
Moses in confirmation of what he has advanced, viz.
that the Boucharian fheep obtain in Syria, Palestine,

1993- explanation of the plates. 31t
| and divers countries of Africa: but as I find that in
our translation of the Bible, the fheep mentioned
by Moses, are rather the fat ramped than the Bou-
charian, I have contented myself with giving merely
his references, without making any extracts from
Holy Writ, that the curious may consult the ori-
| ginal Hebrew ; they are:

Moses book third, chapter eight, verse twenty
fifth ;—and chapter ninth, verse nineteenth.

But it is probable the doctor took his quo-
tations from either the Latin or German ver-
sions.

EXPLANATION OF THE PLATES
Of theRu fsian foeep.

Plate first is'an accurate view from a colou-
xed drawing done by Dr Pallas’s draughtsman un-
der his eye, of the Siberian argali or wild theep.

Plate second, is a side, and back view ; letters
A aof the ram of the steatopyga or fat rumped va-
Tiety in its greatest purity of breed, as obtain-
ing among the Kirguise Tartars in the vast plains
of Southern Tartary; the position of the ani-
mal marked with a fhows the wropygium or fat
rump.

Letter 6 isa representation of the head of the
same animal, with a couple of zoneola hanging from
the neck, called by the Rufsians ear-rings.

Letter C is a drawing of another Kirguise ram
with five horns, fhowing at same time the hanging
position of the cars of this variety.

~

grz = onthe study of natural history. Aug. 28,

Plate third, is a drawing of a degenerate breed of
the steatopyga variety of fheep, reared on the banks
of the Jenisy and Volga, without horns, and with
the uropygium or fat rump greatly ehh a and
one “onevéa.

Letter 4 is a drawing of a ram of the same varie-
ty of the-p, from th« flocks of the Jenisy Kirguise,
wit!) four horus symnictrically arranged by nature,
as 1s [requently the case with this breed.

- Plate tourth, letters a a, gives two «ifferest views
of the horn of the egagrus or wild goat, found
by Pallas on the mountains of Caucasus and
Tauri.

Letter 5 represents one of the horns of the Sibe-
rian ibex, an animal resem ling the goat on a
superficial view, but differing widely on nearer in-
spection.

The account of the Ovis Taurica, and concluding

observations, will be given ina future number.

To a Youne Lapy on THE Stupy oF NATURAL
History.

For the Bee.
Continued from p. 186. and concluded.

My Dear ALATHEA,

Ty swimming highly polifhed needles that had been
accidentally touched by the magnet on a bason of
water, it 1s believed the polarity of the needle. was

tt i i

1993> on the study of natural history. 313
first: thought of being applied to navigation by
placing it on a pivot*.

The art of printing, that choice blefsing to society,
was discovered by 2 goldsmith’s fhopman, trying
experiments with stamping with fhoe black, on wet
paper from some of his master’s puncheons. Thé
weather glafs was discovered by Torricelli, in trying
various experiments with quicksilver, and paying,
constant attention to the procefses and results.

So dull and foolifh do we become by inattention, or
by always digging towards the bottom of a pit in
search of truth, when it is to be found on the sur-
face, that it is not even a long time since we con-
sidered that the only way to prevent interference
of pafsengers, horsemen, or carriages, on a road, is
for each to keep the right hand side of the road.

You have frequently remarked, and perhaps ad-
mired, the volubility and lustre of the little glo-
bules of rain, that lie upon the leaves of kail or
colewort, and of other vegetables; but I dare say

* When a highly polifhed needle is made to swim on water, it does
not touch the water, but forms around it, by a repulsive power, a bed
whose concavity is much larger than the bulk of the needle. This
affords a much better explanation of the fact than the common one
deduced from ‘the tenacity of the water: for the needle swimming
upon a fluid much lighter than itself, must needs displace a quantity of
water equal to its own specific gravity ; and the repulsive power on
the surface occasions the singular circumstance. This instance leads
us to a just and necefsary precision in the hydrostatical law, “ That
the wholeswimming body is equal in weight to a quantity of the fluid
whose bulk is equal to that of the part immersed. For it fhould be
exprefsed, “ That the weight of the swimming body is equal to the
weight of the quantity of the fluid displaced by it.

VOL. xvi. RR is

314 on the study of natural history. Aug, 28.
you have never taken the trouble of inspecting them
narrewly. \

Mr Melville, a young Scoichman of ‘uncommon
genius *, was struck with the appearance, and ap-
plied his attention to the investigation of it.

He discovered that the lustre of the drop is ow-
ing to its copious reflection of light, from the flat-
,tened part of its surface, contiguous to the plant;
and that when the drop rolls over a part which has
been wetted, it instantly loses all its brightnefs,
the green leaf being seen through it.

From these two observations he concluded, that
the drop does not really touch the plant, whilst it
retains its quicksilver like appearance, but is sus-
pended by the force of a repulsive power.

For there could not be any copious reflection of
white light, from its under surface, unlefs there
was a real interval between it and the plant. And
if no contact -be supposed, it is easy to account for
the wonderful volubility of the drop, and why no
traces of moisture are left wherever it rolls.

Now this, my dear Alathea, explains how the fine-
ly polifhed needle I formerly mentioned is mode to
swim upon water without touching it; and how such
a trivial circumstance fhould have led to one of the
most important improvements in the world.

Whew the late Sir John Pringle and Dr Benjamin,
Franklin were travelling together in Holland, they
remarked that the ¢rack schuyt or barge in one of

* Author of som most ingenious tracts, who deserves to be men
tioned in a Liographia Scotica.

j

4793. on the study of natural history. 318
the stages moved slower than usual, aod inquired
thé reason of it.

The boatman informed them, that i it had been a
dry season, and that the water was low in the ca-
nal. Upon this he was afked if the water was so
low that the boat touched the muddy bottom of the
canal? to which he answered in the negative, ad-
ding, (however, )that the diiference in the quantity
of water was sufficient co render the draught more
difficult to the horse. Dr Franklin struck with this
circumstance, and imputing it to the increased re-
sistance of the under keel-water by the small room
left for its being displaced by the volume of the
boat, ascertained by many well concerted experiments, °
that if four men or horses be required to draw a
boat in deep water, four leagues in four hours, five
will be necefsary to draw the boat the same distance
in the same time in fhallow water; a discovery of
high importance in the construction of navigable ca=
nals, owing to the judicious curiosity of a traveller.
One instance more I will give you before I put a
final close to this unmerciful letter.

A playful boy, whose businefs it was to open and
close alternately the communication in a steam,
or what is commonly called a fire engine, between
the boiler and the cylinder, discovered that this
trouble might be easily saved. Whenever there-
fore he wifhed to be at liberty to divert himself
with his companions, he tied a string from the
handle of the valve which formed a communication
to.the other part of the machine that was in moti-
en; and the valve then performed its ofice without

316 on the study of natural history. Aug. 28.
afsistance. The boy’s idlenefs being remarked, his
contrivanee soon became known; and the improve-
ment is now adopted in every fire engine, whilst
the origin of the discovery is known but to a
few.

If such consequences can arise, my dear Alathea;
from a little whetting of curiosity and ingenuity, how
much pleasure and satisfaction may you not have
in employing your leisure in rational inquiries
proper for your sex? and 1 know of none more so
than the study of natural history ; particularly if
you fhall confine your ambition to some one departs
ment that is commodiously within your reach.

Birds, insects, and plants, seem to be your choice;
and among them you may have ample scope.
As you are so much in the country, and in a sandy
soil, what would you think of inquiring whether
the house swallow or martin is often discovered in
the cutting or the banks, or in the draining of ponds?
Try if you can learn to desery little birds that are
supposed to be of pafsage, among the furze and brakes
in winter. You know what an eye can be acquired by
game keepers to find a hare sitting upon ploughed land,
“invisible to all common and unaccustomed eyes. By
this perhaps you may have the honour to solve pro-
blems that have puzzled*all the naturalists in Eu-
rope.

I see you ate particularly fond of the little song-
sters of the groves; and so, asI sent you formerly

the song of the fky lark, and of the nightingale, 1

\
{

eee ee

oo

; 1493° on the study of natural history. 3tF
send you now by way of douceur, a little elegy by 2
wood lark of the Tweed*, to the cooing wild doves:

RonpDEAv.
B
Ah ! how divine to hear my Tueda flow,
With tinkling eddies as it pours along,
While love dispels my inly thrilling woe,
And yon red rocks re-echo to my song.

Happy ! happy: happy ! doves,
Long may ye bruick your secret nest} ’

Long undisturb’d enjoy your loves;
They truly love that are in secret blest.
Il. °
Ah how devine to quaff the balmy gale,
And chaunt reposing on the hov’ring wing;
Then o’er the clust’ring bufh to sail,
Fix on the spray and dainty seeds to fling.
Happy! happy! happy : doves,
Long may ye bruick your secret nest,
Long undisturb’d enjoy your love ;
They truly love that are in secret blest.
; 11k.
Last night I heard a little tit-lark say,
‘That all the wood was now belaid with snares,
That owls and bats were ever in the way,
‘And soon the groves would be beset with cares.
Happy ! happy! happy : doves,
Long may_ye bruick your secret nest,
Long undisturb’d enjoy your loves;
They truly love that are in secret blest.

Ah how divine to hear my Tueda flow,
With tinkling eddies as it pours along,

While love dispels my inly thrilling woe,
And yon red rocks re-echo to my song.

Farewell my dear Alathea! Listen to the melody
of the groves, study natural history and be hap-
py '

* In these lines the mellow notes and round of the wood lark’s
cong is atternpted to be imitated, "

318} bints on chivalrys 4g 28. :

HINTS RELATING TO CHIVALRY.
For the Bee.

The education of a knight.
Continued from p. 292.

Tue young men followed the armies in time of
war; and in time of peace went journeys, and
carried mefsages to foreign courts, in order to ac-
quire a greater knowledge of arms and tournaments;
and to be acquainted with the manners of other na-
tions. Atone time they became archers, at another,
equerries, serving in the kitchen and at the table;
then they became warriors, and served their appren-
ticefhip (if I may be allowed the exprefsion) to
chivalry, eight or ten years before receiving it.
They again employed this time in performing tour-
naments, making war, and visiting foreign countries
wherever honour, arms, and the ladies were in most
repute. The end of ,these journeys was to im-
prove and instruct themselves in the exercises then
in vogue at the different courts, and to learn new
methods of defence. They did not study them superfi-
cially, but remarked every thing with scrupulous
attention.

The evening before the tournament was solem-
nised by games that were called efsays or proofs ; in
which the most expert equerries contended against
one another with arms lighter and more easily ma-
naged than those of the knights ; more brittle, and

a bints on chivalry. « _ 319
lefs dangerous to those who fhould be wounded.
This was the prelude to the grand tournament, in
which the most active knights were to tlt be-
fore an immense crowd of spectators. Those equer-
ries who signalized themselves most in the first
tournament, and who had carried off the prize, some-
times obtained the honour of contending in the se-
cond with the more illustrious knights, receiving
at the same time the order of knighthood ; for this
was one of the steps by which the equerries ascend-
ed this temple of honour. This was the most effec-
tual reward which could be offtred on important
and dangerous occasions, to redouble the courage of
the combatants. The age of twenty-one was the
time at which young men, after so many proofs of
their courage and tryal of their fkill, could be ad-
mitied into the order of chivalry ; but this rule wag
not always observed.
Ceremonies on the creation of a knight.

It will be necefsary for us now to inquire what
were the ceremonies instituted for the creation of
aknight. Austere fasts, nights spent in prayer
with a priest and their relations in the public chur-
ches or in private chapels ; the sacrament of peni-
tence and the eucharist received with devotion; bread,
which signified the purity necefsary to the state of
chivalry ; white garments, which marked the same
purity ; a sincere confefsion of all the faults of their
lives ; a serious attention paid to sermons explaining
the principal articles of the faith, and of Christian
duty, were the preliminaries of the ceremony, by
which the novice was to beinvested with the word
of chivalry. After performing these duties, he en-

320 ints on ehivalry. Aug. 23,
tered into the church, and advanced to the altar with
his sword hanging from his neck. He presented
it to the officiating priest, who blefsed it, and again
put it on the neck of the young man, who went
with his hands clasped, and placed himself on his
knees at the feet of the person who was to invest
him with the order. The knight then asked him
with what intention he wifhed to enter into the or-
der ; and having received his oath that his views ten-
ded only to the maintainance of religion and chival-
ry, agreed to fulfil his desire. Immediately the
young man was clothed by the knights, and some-
times by the ladies, with all the exterior marks of
chivalry. He was armed in the following order:
they first put on his spurs, beginning with the left ;
after that his coat of mail, his cuirafse, and his
. gauntlets ; then his sword: being thus armed he re-
mained on his knees. The knight then rising
from his throne, gave the young man three strokes
with his naked sword on his fhoulder, pronoun-
cing at the same time, these or the like words:
** In the name of God, and St Michael, and St
George, I make you a knight.” A helmet, buck-
ler, and lance were then given him; after that he
mounted a horse and rode round brandifhing his
sword in order to display his new dignity and ad-
drefs. In speaking of these ceremonits, I withed to
thew what was the idea of the duty of a knight, and
what means were employed to make them feel the
extent and purity of their engagements, which
they could not violate without perjury and sacri-
lege.

4

2993- hints on chivqlry. 322

Independently of the: protection of religion, the
young man, by the laws of chivalry was requited,
under the penalty of infamy, to protect widows, or-
phans, and all those who groaned under opprefsion.
They were obliged not only to give them the af-
_sistance of their arm, but even to sacrifice their life
in their cause. The ladies, without arms to main-
tain pofsefsion of their fortunes, denied the means
of proving their innocence when attacked, wouid
have often seen their fortune and their lands become
the prey of an unjust and powerful neighbour, or
their reputation yield to the rude attacks of calum-
my, had not some generous knight been always
ready to take arms in their defence*. Chivalry, as
was formerly mentioned, naturally arose from the
state of society in the middle ages, when the earth
was overwhelmed with rapine and murder. Gene-
Tous persons, therefore, entered into an afsociation
together, to protect the weak from the hand of the
opprefsor. Such was the origin of chivalry, which
Tike some mighty river, at first small and insignifi-
cant, rising among rude rocks and barren deserts,
by the rapidity of its course, the depth of its current,
the extent of the country it adorns, and the cities
and palaces it waters, is rendered more remarkable
and worthy of attention.

There being little or no security to be had,
so many restlefs spirits, and the clafhing views
and interests of a neighbouring, numerous, and
independent nobility, the military discipline of

# Memoirs sur l’anciene chevalerie; par M, dela Curne de St Palaye
VOL, XVI, $s t

324 bints-on chivalry. Aug, 28%
their followers, even in the intervals of peace, was
hot to be telaxed, nor their ardor suffered to grow
cool by a total disuse of martial exercises : hence
the origin of Tournaments, those images of war,
which were kept up in the castles of the barons ;
and, by an useful policy, converted into the amuse-_
ment of the knights, when their arms were employ-
ed on no serious occasion*.

The singular institution of uhialpe in which vas
Jour, galantry, and religion, were, so strangely blend-
ed, was wonderfully adapted to the taste and genius
of martial nobles ; and its beneficial effects were
soon visible in their manners. War was carried
on with lefs ferocity, when humanity no lefs than
courage, came tobe deemed the ornament of knight-
hood. More gentle and polifhed manners were
introduced, when courtesy was represented as the
most amiable of knightly virtues. Violence and
opprefsion decreased, when it was reckoned meri-
‘torious to check and to punifh them. A scrupulous
adherence to truth, with the most religious attenti-
‘on to, fulfil every engagement, became the distin-
‘guifhing characteristic of a gentleman ; because chi-
valry was regarded as the school of honour, and in-
‘culcated the most delicate sensibility with regard to
these points. The admiration of these qualities,
‘together with the high distinctions and prerogatives
‘conferred on knighthood in every part of Europe,
‘inspired persons of noble birth on some occasions
‘with a species.of miktary fanaticism, and led them

* Let. on chiv.

1993- hints on chivalry. . 323
to extravagant enterprises. But they deeply imprin-
ted on their mind, the principles of generosity and
honour. These were strengthened by every thing
that can affect the senses or touch the heart. The
wild exploits of those romantic knights who sallied
forth in quest of adventures, are well known; and
have been treated with proper ridicule: The
political and permanent effects of the spirit of chi-
valry have been lefs observed. Perhaps the huma-
nity which accompanies all the operations of war,
the refinements of gallantry, and the point of honour,
the three chief circumstances which distingui‘h mo-
dern from ancient manners, may be ascribed ina
great manner to this institution, which has appeared
whimsical to superficial observers ; but by its effects
has proved of great benefitto mankind. The senti-
ments which chivalry inspired, had a wonderful influ-
ence on the manners and conduct of men during thie
twelfth, thirteenth, fourteenth, and fifteenth centuries.
They weve so deeply rooted that they continued to
operate after the vigour and reputation of the institu-
tion itself began to decline. _ For some considerable
transactions of later ages, resemble the adventurous
exploits of chivalry, rather than the well regula.
ted operations of sound policy *.

M. G,

# ,Robertson’s Charles v, vol r. pp. 84, 85.

324 letter from Arcticus. Aug. 28,

To the Editor of the Bee.

Mr Epiror,

Aw answer to the fiend sea letter of last year,
having this ‘year, faflen into my hands, I send it
with the more pleasure, as you seemed so content
with the former ; and as I really think the nautical
stile of Charles Chokablock, by no means disgraces
that of his mefsmate Mat Marlinspike. I must own
at the same time that I am individually happy to
find a remnant of the maritime pleasantry of Smol-
let’s sea characters still remaining in the Britith
navy, as I see no harm in keeping up a little of
that marked character and language, which former-
ly distin guifhed the generous and humorous Bri-
tifh+ tar, from his more worldly brethren afhore.
One thing I perfectly remember, that they fought as
well then, as they have ever done since ;and I thall
never forget the fhrewd remark ofa distinguifhed
Britifh admiral (who I hope is well, and will read
this,) on a tour in Rufsia, before the breaking out
of the American war. On my afking how he was
pleased with the French marine, w!'ich he had just been
visiting in their ports: he replied, fhaking his head,
“* not at all; for I found the officers in trousers,
with their hats on their heads: no good news for
Britain. I wifh they do not change characters
with us in time.”’

Now, Mr Editor, the opinion of such a man,
(who i am convinced will give the people he com-

, 3 ag iia i. y TO
\ - > ‘

£993. letter from Chokablock. 325
mented on a good drubbing this war, if they fall in
his way,) emboldens me to forward Chokablock’s
Jetter ; as it is in the language of the old school, of
which he is an e/eve, and which falls so much- in
with the old fafhioned ideas and /ights of your cor-
respondent ‘

Imperial corps of
Noble Cadets in St ARCTICUS. |
Peter fburgb,: May ?
- the 12th 1793.

eS
a

CHoKABLock’s LETTER.

From the drum head of the capston of the Trimmer in Cronstadt
Moid.

Avast brother fhipmate, avast running your rig on
an old sailor ; and pray belay all the rigmarol sto- .
fies about prancing Peter’s, and dancing Jacky
Dobros ; for I have been at sea from the height of
our joly boat, and never met in my born days, half
your adventures on a land cruise. Zounds Mat,
your devilith fine’ story. about Mechanfky* moo-
rings, mother Bumboats, and God knows what, has
set all the fhips company a-gog, to get under way
fer town, with or without leave ; andI believe we
fhant get them to do another days work, till they
have overhauled all your Peterfburgh rounds.
However, to fhow that adventures are to be met
with in Cronstadt, as well as Peterfburgh, at least of
the limbo kind, | hall tip you a spell from our log
book since your departure from the fhip, that will

%* The Mechanfky is the Covent Garden of Peterfburgh,

\

326 letter from Chokablock. Aug. 28,
match the foundering and careening of Will Gas-
kin, or even honest Jack’s running down the Czas
rina’s palace officer.

Trimmer’s log book, Fune 6th 1791, second watch.

Letter reeeived from the boatswains-mate on
fhore with six hands on leave:—dated Cronstadt
guard house, ten o’clock A. M. wind at S. W.
with squalls.

‘¢ May our fhip mifs stays on a lee fhore, if ever
I was so bambouzled and palavered with outlandith
gibberith since I went to sea, as in this plaguy Rufsian
bilbo, into which I have got, for the punifhment of
my own sins, and those of all the fhips crew, I ve-
rily believe. But I hall give you a relation of the
action that brought me here,

«Last night we had been taking a cann of grog
at the mew sign of the hugging fox and bear, and
got about half seas over, when in came Catim the
boatswain, grinning like the fhips head, to pipe all
hands on board; and we only wet his whistle be-
fore we got underway, and made right for the fhip ;
at least.as streight as could be expected, consider-
ing that some of us rather made bad weather of
it, and rolled gunnel’in as we went.

Old Binacle the quarter master, kept conning us
all the way, with ‘‘ steady as you go boys,” and now
and then a ‘* thus, thus, no nearer,” when we were
rather steering wide, and brufhing the lamp posts
on either side; however we were setting every
rag to get on board, and coming on chearily
in spite of a, little lees-way, when as the devil

1793: _ letter from Chokablock. 324
would have it, a flaming Rufsian captain of a
man of war, came right down upon us from the
guard house, carrying a scarlet awning* over his
head, which made us all stare again, and scattered the
- whole squadron, to give him sea room. Some of us
threw up in the wind, to look at him; others bore
away, and whilst I was clapping hard a-port, to
give him a good birth, I unfortunately ran foul ofa
sentry box, and overset it. The lubberly soldier
made such a bawling in his tub, that the whole
guard turned out, and took me, after a smart chase,
just as 1 was weathering an unlucky apple stall
that was moored right in the road; but had not [
had such a heavy head sea against me, the clumsy
land lubbers, fhould not have come ,up with
me so fast. :

** Would you believe mefsmate, that instead of
taking me in tow like a fair prize, who had done
nothing but capsize a sentry box, in steering clear
of an iron bound captain, they put me in irons and
lugged me along like a pirate, as Davy Jones will
lug them one day on their long voyage.

‘« Pray send a hand afhore to get me quickly out
of this Muscovite limbo, and pay my ransom, or I
fhail kick the bucket with vexation in a few tides,
as sure as | am a seaman and your mefsmate.”

Bow RatenD boatswazn’s mate.

There is aspell of slack jaw for you master Mar-
dinspike, that matches your Peterfburgh journal ;
and from as brifk a seaman as ever handed a top-

* A parasol,

328 | queries. — Aug. 28.
sail in a gale of wind. The captain is gone to get
him out of limbo; and we hope to see you all soon
aboard again ; as there seems little sea room in Ruf-
‘sia fora Britih tar, without running foul of a para-
sol captain or_a fine gentleman.

That you all were swinging in your Famesaciae
once more on board the Trimmer is the hearty with
of your fhipmate

Cuas. CHOKABLOCK.

QUERIES.

To the Editor of the Boze.
1. Has the discovery of America been useful of
hurtful to man ?

11. If advantages have resulted from it, what are -
the means to increase and secure them?

m1. If it has been productive of disadvantages,
what are the means-to remedy them ?

1v- When arose, or from whence ‘came the cus-
tom of using pipes and tobacco at burials in the
island ot Great Britain? .

v. What was the motto of the ancient Roman en.
sign of the eagle ?

vi. What is the name, nature, or cause of the
curious white frothy matter resembling a spittle, so
often to be met with on thistles, &%c. and having a
small insect contained in it ? J. SomERvVILLE.

Answer: this is occasioned»by the puncture of —

a small green insect to be found in the heart of the
froth.

£793. € on the poisonous nature of lead. 329

On THE POISONOUS NATURE OF LEAD. de.

Norwirtssranpine the many and frequent cautions given
the public, with respect to the dangerous nature of cop-
per; I have rarely observed any precautions given con-
cerning the poisonous nature of lead, which is to be a-
yoided more cautiously, as its poison, though perhaps slower
in its effects, may yet prove as fatal, or even more cer-
tainly sothan that from the copper.

Lead enters into various compositions, and forms many of
the utensils in common use ; and in this country the health
of its inhabitants is much more exposed from the de-
—Tetericus quality of the lead, than from that of cop-
per. f

A small quantity of lead received into the habit, is ¢q-
pable of producing spasms and convulsions, tremors and
palsies; it interrupts the secretions, retards circulation,
and injures the nerves.

So virulent is the pvison of this metal, that it is said
that where the ore is wafhed and smelted, it proves fatal
to dogs, cats, and fowls, which are kept near the works : 3
—every kind of beast feeding upon the grafs over which
the steam of the smelting ore pafses, live but a fhort
time.—The workmen and those who dig the ore, are
fhort-lived, and most opamp die paralytic—those who

work the oxyde or calx of this mineral are so subject to the
colic, that the disease is known by the name of the pain-
ter’s colic.

Th. potter also who is familiar with the preparations
of lead in his giczings, rarely fails of carrying visible marks
of it in his countenance, and of the complaints of its de-
leterious effects,

“VOL. Xvi. TT }

330 on the poisonous nature of lead. Aug. 28,

Only three grains of lead to the gallon of new rum,
which a regiment of soldiers made free use of, produced a
most terrible complaint of the colic, of which a great
part were down at the same time *.

Some, by a practice of sitting with their feet on theet
lead, which was laid before the fire, have been affected
with the palsy in the legs. }

Preparations of lead in oil, and other solutions of lead
applied to large surfaces denudated, or even to so small
a part as the nipples, when excoriated, have been known
to produce acute pains at the stomach, colic, lofs of ap-
petite, flatulence and deprefsion in the nurse; and in the
child put to suck, (without proper precaution) violent
gripes, and even convulsions; but more frequently are
these effects produced by the use of the sugar or salt of
lead, for the cure of the rufh or sore mouths in infants.

Many have experienced pernicious effects from only
working on oil cloths made with drying oil, prepared
with lead. And I have repeatedly known fatal effects
produced by lodging in a confined room, newly ponies
with leaden pigments.

Printers haye sometimes become paralytic by pandhing
their types, which consist of a portion of lead. .

The vintners or wine sellers, in order to render their
harfh wines vendible have recourse to a horrid diabolical
practice, and frequently: soften and sweeten them with
some preparation of lead. So strong is their pafsion for
gain, that they are lost to all the feelings of humani-
ty, and prepare a fatal poison, of which there can be

_ * It has been observed that the colic has been lefs frequent in this
country since the introduction of earthen instead of pewter plates ;
but perhaps the introduction of iron tea kettles, inste« of the copper
lined ‘with pewter, may be as salutary a change in this respect,

1993. on the poisonous patire of lead: , 338
no mistrust in those who are to endure the fatal ef-
fects.

If the observations on the nature of lead upon the hu-
man constitution are well.founded, (which I believe can-
not be confuted, as they depend on facts,)—then it con-
cerns every individual to take the caution, as all perhaps
are more or lefs conversant with some or other of the
saturnine preparations, many of them unthought of and
never suspected. I write unto you nurses, that while
you are consulting the diversion and amusement of your
little innocents, you may not introduce a fatal poison into
their habit, by putting some painted poisonous toy into
their hands, which have some lead or other poisonous
paint upon them, and only covered with a slight varnifh,
which is soon rubbed and wathed off in their mouths, and so
much poison introduced into their habit, as to beceme
4 source of a long train of evils, if not eventually fatal.

I write unto you honest retailers, to be attentive and
ever jealous of your pewter measures, many of which
have a great fhare of lead in their composition; and if
acid liquors are permitted to remain any time in them, they
will be strongly impregnated with the poisonous salts of
this mineral, and rendered extremely dangerous to those
who drink the liquors.

I write unto you cooks, that you be careful of your
pewter vefsels, or copper tinned therewith, that you do not
suffer your fharp or poignant sauces to be prepared or stand
in those vefsels.

I write to you pye and pastry makers, that you not on-
ly disuse pewter, but that you be aware of your common
coarser earthen ware, whose glazing is of lead and easily
corroded.

I write unto you painters, that ye be cautious of the
poison, on the use of which your subsistence so much de-

332: on the gooseberry caterpillar. Aug. 28) :
pends, that you abstain from that teo common practice
(from -a mistaken idea) of taking by way of antidote,’
a double allowance of spirituous liquors; for one de-
vil is not cast out by another; else is Satan’s kingdom di-
vided. ;

Therefore be admonifhed while working your lead to
use spirits sparingly, if at all; and instead of your usual
nips, take half a gill of sweet oil, which will be found a
great preservative to health.

Now I write unto you limners, and those who use the
pewter paints, that ye may take the above precautions ;
and in particular, that while you are studying your devices,
you do not hold your pencil in your mouths; nor, as it
is too customary, to clean it with your mouths.

I write unto you who have devoted yourselves martyrs
to tir Richard, that ye may look well to it, that old Sa-
turn by an untimely stroke ef his fharp scythe, does not
rob Sir Richard of his sacrifice.

‘To you bachanalians, that the god you serve may not
be difhonoured, nor robbed of the glory which would be
fhortly due to him, were it not for the interposition of this
rapacious mineral.

Lastly, I write unto you vinters, wine sellers, who
make use of this poison to disguise the acid of wine, that
you may consider the justice of your damnation, how
inevitable! how aggravated! for it swiftly comes from

oo
that hand which is termed the avenger of blood, and lin-
gereth not. : Anti-Saturnus.
t °
Sir To the Editor of the Bee.

Arrer reading the observations on the gooseberry cater-
pillar,in number 138, of the Bee, where it is said that

\

2993. on the gooseberry caterpiltars * 333

the method of destroying them by brimstone, destroys
also the leaves. I happened accidentally to find the fol-
lowing pafsage, in the gentleman’s magazine for June 1769.

”
i

=
.

a

ce

"

Berryrig, J. R. A
July 27-§ J

On the gooseberry catterpillar:

“ As the gooseberry and currant bufhes in my neigh-
bourhocd have been overrunthis season with cater-
pillars, the following method has been contrived for
effectually destroying them. Make a hood in form
of a bell, with wooden hoops, pasted over with brown
paper, large enough to inclose the bufh, under which
place a mat tothe fullextent- of the hood. Then on
the windward side of the bufh stick upright in the
ground some lighted matches well stored with brim-
stone, and then cover the bufh and the matches with
the hood. ‘This done, almost instantaneously the ca-
terpillars will drop upon the mat, so that you may des-
troy them at pleasure. Be sure instantly,-on removing
the hood, to wa/b the tree well with water, other-
wise the brimstone will destroy every leaf *,

“ Tt may, however, be of use to remark, that the lofs
of the leaves, fhould that circumstance. happen, will be
no burt to the future vegetation of the tree; for it will
again put forth leaves, and acquire a new and more
beautiful verdure. “Perhaps if it were-early depri-
ved of its leaves, it would even put forth fruit.”

* This seems to insinuate, that’ if proper care be taken to remove

it specdily, and wath the bufh, there would be no danger of destroying
the leaves,

334 on riadesty. queries: Aug: 23!

On Mopesty.

For the Bee
Moopssty is one of the first ornaments, and one of the
most becoming virtues that a human being can pofsibly
pofsefs. ’Tis not like a fine polifhed diamond, which
will only picase the eye of its beholders by the vivid-
nefs of its colours, or by the brightnefs of its reflec-
tions ; but it likewise can entertain the ear of the per-
gon that is a connoifseur of good breeding, as well as the
eye: for which reason, whenever it makes its appea-
rance, ’tis esteemed by the wise, provided itis not ac-
companied with timorousnefs or morosity, which are de-
pravers of genuine modesty.

There is something modesty comprehénds,. which as

powerfully asthe magnet attracts iron, will attract the at-
tention and gain the approbation of the beholder, in favour
-of the harmlefs and gentle creature, who uses it as a rule
to dréfs, to talk, and to act by. But on the otherhand,
the woman who doés not let modesty operate on her
mind, so as to bias or direct the same, whenever the is in
company with those that embellifh themselves with it, fhe
then 2ppears, in similitude, not much unlike the odious
“weed that we sotzetimes seé peeping amongst a bed of
charming flowers. F, K.

UVERIES.

Sir, To the Editor of the Bee.
Attow me to avail myself of your disposition to render
your valuable work of as general utility as pofsible, by re-
questing you to insert all the information you can collect
of the progrefs made in the Britih Fifheries, establithed

479 is queries, 335

a few years since in your part of Great Britain. The
Earl of Bredalbine transmitted to the government of
Bengal the plan that was laid down for the management
of them, and a great many of the residenters of this place
took fhares in the society ;—since that time we have had
no information whatever relating to it ; and you would af-
ford your readers in general, and the parties concerned in
particular, much satisfaction to lay before them the extent
to which they may have been carried, and such improve-
ments, as may have been adopted. ‘hese particulars, we
expected to receive from the secretary.to the society ; but
have been disappointed.

As I may soon have it in my power to furnifh your
Miscellany with some: curious articles, in consequence of
along journey I am about to take into the most unfre-
quented parts of this country, I hall beg’ leave to make
myself known to you under the signature of *.

Calcutta, 20
October 1792.

Eucentvs.

* The querist will find that chey have been in some measure al.
ready answered in the Bee. By these notices 1t will appear that the
directors of the society have by no means been inattentive to their
charge; Mr Dempster, and Mr Pulteney in particular, have had this
object much at heart. It must, however, be owned that notwithstan-
ding their exertions, the succefs has not been such as fully to answer
their beneficent views. While the salt laws continue in force, it is
equally vain to expect that the fifheries canbe fully establithed, if even
the whole revenue of Britain were to be expended on bounties and
premiums, as to expert, by means of powerful incitements to
make a horse whose head was bound to his feet succeedin the race.
Of this noone can be more sensible than both Mr Dundas, and Mr
Pitt. When the body of landed proprietors on those coasts fhall be-
come egually sensible of this as they are, so as heartily to co-ope-
yate with these ministers, the businefs will be done. ‘Till that time,
which seems not to be at hand, those who have the prosperity of that
part of Scotland at heart must moderate their expectations.

The information politely, offered by this correspondent will Frans
very acceptable.

a

536 “to correspondents. Aug. 28.

The obliging favour of B.C, is acknowledged; nothing but the
multiplicity of engagements the Editor lies under, and the impofsibili-
ty of complying at once with the wilhes of all his correspondents, pre=
vents him from doing what would be agreeable to them. He is in the
train of bringing forward the index indicatorius as tast as pofsible, and
fhallcontinue to do so. .

Nor has he forgetten his promise respecting the poor, laws ; ;
nothing but want of room, and a fear of obtruding his own qoserthe
‘tions impertinently in preference of others has kept that so long back.
But as several correspondents have exprefsed a wifh that it fhould be
done, he will endeavour to bring it forward as soon as his other en-
gagements will permit.

The poem by A. Z. C, is unfortunately too long for this miscellany.
Indeed were all the poems ‘the Editor gets sent him to be inserted,
there would be no room for any thing else. He hasoiten exprefsed
his with that his poetical correspondents would rather exert them-

selves to polifh a gem, than to bring forth whole mafses of unpurified
ore from the mine faster than they can get it refined.

‘The poems by Iphigenia. —Fustus, Humanus alter, and Tiresias are
all, received.

The obliging favour of Azonymous containing another packet from
Jsabella to ‘Albert,’ is thankfully received. He feared the whole had
been exhausted.

And the Editor acknowledges with great pleasure the favour of the
much respected Senex,“ who was lost and is now found ;”” the earliest
opportuniiy will be taken to introduce his welcome letter.

To the readers of the Bee.

The Editor begs leave to announce to his readers that he has
lately obtained a literary morsel by the favour of a man of emi-

nence in the literary world; which he hopes will gratify the curiosity of

most of his readers. It is a moral tale, written by the present Em-
prefs of Rufsia,in the Rufs language, which his informant says has
eohsiderable merit, independent of its being the undoubted production
ofsuch an illustrious personage. It is just now in the hands of the
translator; and it is hoped will be ready for one of the early num-
bers.of the next volume. He is also promised some account of the
Tife of Lomanosof, the Shakespeare of Kufsia, with translations of some
of his historical and misce!laneous tracts, by a gentlemen well versed
in Rufsian literature, and thoroughly acquarnted with the language of
that country ; which he se ys is the most beautiful he knows, whether
zntient or modern. \

The Editor has also just ‘received from his valuable correspondent
Areticus, a fall account of all-the iron manpfactures in Rufsia. With
the names of the proprietors ; where situated ; quantity made in one
year; price at which it is soll; the nature ot the ore from which
it is made &%¢ ; which will be inserted in the course of the ensuing
volume, As also an account of the mode of tanning all the different
kinds of Rufsian leather. Gc. ec. .

*,* The engraver has not been able to get forward with, the
plates of the fheep. Taose wanting will be given in the next volume
as soon as they canle got raty.

eewetss stat
—_—_—_——

HISTORICAL CHRONICLE.

SSE

WEDNESDAY, FULY 24. 1793.
ForEIcn.

FRANCE.

y bee allied army on the borders of France towards the Netherlands, have
at length succeded in carrying Condé, which surrendered, by capitulation, .
onthe roth instant. The garrison originally consisted of four thousand
men: of these only fifteen hundred were capable of doing duty when they
surrendered as prisoners of war. The remainder were either killed or in
the hospital.

The capture of this small place it is thought will greatly facilitate the
future operations of the campaign. It commands the Sluices which innun~
date a considerable part of the environs of Valenciennes, so as to enable the
besiegers to drain it, and thus get accefs to the weakest parts of the forti-
fications of that strong place. Condé also can be defended by a very small
garrison, and will be a safe place for forming magazines for the future ope-
rations of the war.

Valenciennes continues still to be valliantly defended. The besiegers are
advancing with caution ; and there can be little doubt; that unlefs Custine
fhall be able to raise the siege, by some decisive action which he seems
to have in contemplation, that place also must soon be captured. The
town already seems to be reduced to a heap of ruins, and the miserable in-
habitants reduced to the utmost state of wretchednefs, for want rp accom-
modation or fhelter from the bombs of the besiegers.

Mentz is nearly in the same situation. The defenders, now driven from
most of their out posts, are confined within the walls of the place itself,
which is thrown down by many powerful batteries. The fine Cathedral, for
sparing of which it is now said a blockade alone was at first attempted, is
now a heap of rubbifh, and many other parts of the town entirely consum-
ed by fire. The sallies of the garrison which were at first vigorous and
often succefsful have been in general reprefsed of late; and the French
themselves begin to speak of the fate of that place as inevitable, unlefs it
an be relieved by some powerful diversion from without.

Custine is, as formerly, incefsantly writing letters to the Convention,
vindicating his own conduct from the imputations of others, and denoun-

7

4 - al

al "historical chroniwve.
cing them as traitors. He reproaches the former generals for having abar~
doned the strong Camp of Famars without necefsity, and demands a large

_ reinforcement of men .to execute a great project he has in view, which he
says may free the country from. its present perplexity, but which may also
miscarry, unlefs conducted with the utmost spirit and caution.

Towards Nice, the Sardinian. forces have made some advances, and car~
ried some out posts, so that that place may be said to be blockaded towards
the land, if the Sardinian account may be believed ; and they expecta fleet
to block it up by sea. are» ;

Corsica is in ‘a state of insurrection, and only three places belong to the
French in that island. ’ ’

_ On the other hand if the letters ofSERvaN who commands the French
army of the Pyrennees, can be credited, the Spaniards have been every
where defeated by these troops in the most fhameful manner. SERVAN
himself, however, is so much suspected by the nation, that he has been su-
perseded by another General, and ordered home to answer for his con-
duct.

In Brittany the insurgents have met with a check. Saumur is retaken;
and the patriotic army has advanced to Nantes, from the neighbourhood
of. which place they hope soon to be able to drive the insur-
gents.

In the mean while the Marseillese. have openly declared themselves a-
gainst the Convention; and after publifhing the following manifesto, are
said to Le on their march to attack Paris.

MANIFESTO

Of the city of Marseilies to the French, republicans.

“ You know the dangers which threaten the public cause; they are such
that we must hasten to expose ourselves to death in the field of honour, or
be butcherell by our fire sides. We must save the Republic, or perifh with
it; carefs anarchy, or destroy it-—We must resume our place among na-

tions, or rank ourselves among the slaves of Asia, or the hordes of sa-

vages.
= When the national representation is difsolved by losing its integrity ;
when the departments, Whose mandatories are fhameiully confined, justly
_ consider themselyes as not represented ; when the majesty of the people
-is violated by insults offered to their ambafsadors; when the faction whe.
with for a king insolently domineer in that corrupted city which braves
us, there is then no middle point:/fxame and slavery, or to hasten to
Paris.
-“ If you waste, in deliberating on. the evil, that valuable time which
ought to be employed in applying the last remedy, your country, your
liberty, the honour of the French nation, you, your children, and wives,
will be for ever lost. °’Phere will be no longer public or private fortune ;
you will have lost.four years of care, trouble, anxiety, battles, and torrents
of blood fhed for the noblest of causes. ;
* & You will lose them without resource : A base handful of factions men
murders the liberty Of more than twenty-five millions. In this state of crisis

J

Ti

me

historical chronicle.

“and agitation, a voice proceeds from the centre and extremities of the Re -
public ;—it proclaims that the nation have risen to conquer, or bury them-
selves under its ruins. lydy sigan are
“ The nation has risen: Let us march ; Marseilles says so; and Mar.
seilles, doubtlefs, has a right to your confidence, and to support that revo-

“Yution of which it set the example. This is the last use which it wifhes to.

make of the freedom of speaking, to manifest its grand resolutions and de-
cisive measures; instead of an armed people, a nation of warriors, who wait
only for the signal of battle, the vain preparation of words, it is the courage
of actions which we have need of.

“Let us strike, and let the French, accused so Jong of being frivolous
prove to the world, that if they were so under kings, they are become impa-
tient of insult, and terrible like the Gauls and the Franks, from whom the
have the honour to be descended.

“ Republicans, men of all countries, who with for liberty au detest
licentiousnefs, who abhor royalty, and who wih to maintain the Republic
‘one and indivisible, join the Marscillese, who exprefs that with already ex-
‘prefsed by a great numberof departments. :

“They perceive that the present political situation of Paris is equivalent
to a declaration of war against the whole Republic. }

“ They accuse and denounce to you, as the occasion of all the disordets
which afflict France, Philip of Orleans and his faction; the frantic monster
who sells to him his howlings, and whose name would disgrace this pro-
‘clamation ; the den of the Jacobins at Paris, the factious and intriguers who
‘are dispersed throughout it, and who make themselves busy in every cor-
‘ner of the Republic. Marseilles marks them out as the enemies of the pu -
blic, who wifhed to conduct us to the brink of the precipice, to adulterate
their monstrous and preconcerted anarchy with a king of their own creation ;
—and this king would be the most corrupted man orhis age: a man loaded
with debt; rich in disgrace, basenefs, and debauchery; a man whom a
virtuous citizen would not admit among the number of his footmen,
and whom the latter would drive from among them—A man, in fhort,
confined within our walls, and against whom we invoke speedy and se-
“vere punifhment. ;

“ We invite you to sign with us the just and indispensible confederation,
which we propose for the public safety, and to wath away so many in-
juries.

“ Marseilles consequently declares that it is in a legal state of resistance
to opprefsion, and that it authorises itself by the law of public safety,! to make
“war onthe factious. '

“That it cannot any longer acknowledge in the Convention, whose in-
tegrity has violated the national representation and that, at that epoch
only when the mandatories of the people restored to their functions, thall

_ yote in freedom, the nation will obey them with confidence and subnii{-

sion.

“ That the throne of anarchy has been raised on the bloody ruins of
that which you have so justly overturned, and that tyranny is detestable
in proportion to the perversity and the excefsive corruption of those who will
to exercise it. ! ee

“ That the factious have already been able to difsolve the Convention,
by weakening it ; by carrying into the bosom of it disorganization, disorder,
“and foolith temerity; and the French nation cannot consider the acts em-

“anating frou a portion of the representatives of the people who still occupy
“their places, but as so many proofs of the consraint exercised over some by
the perfidy and villainy of others. ‘ “9

‘

iv historical chronicle.

“ That theimprisonment of a great number of Legislators is a crime prg~
duced by the delirium of villainy; a crime which posterity will scarcely
credit, if it come not, to them accompanied with proofs of the striking ven-
geax. w ich we swear we will take, and which you will be able to obtain
along with us.

“« That the people of worth, whom Paris still contains, are invited to se-
cond, as much as may be in their power, tne united efforts that we are go-
ing to make for the common safety, and suffer to fall on the heads of the fac-
tious all the weight of that responsibility which they have incurred by their
crimes.

“ That the ruling faction at Paris has reduced the Republic to suffer in
that city, too tong domineered over and abused, an armed force, which is
the last resource of the Sovereign People, by declaring that the destination
of confederated forces under the orders, and raised according to the wifh
of the departments, is to carry on a mortal war against those who with to
diréct it into our bosoms, torn by their criminal hands.

“« That every man capable of bearing arms is summoned in name of the
Jaw, of ‘general and individual interest, and of humanity, to come and
strenghten the mound which we are going to oppose to the destructive tor®
rent, unlefs every citizen wifhes to be hurried into the abyfs which anarchists
and infamous depredators have prepared for us.

“ That by decreeing toraise a determined number of men ready to u-~
nite in a body to effect the annihilation of the factious in their dens, the
Marseillese, who wifh to terminate the revolution they began, and to pro-
pagate the example they gave, invite to them alkcitizens desirous ot meri-
ting wellofmankind. They adopt this mode only on account of the urgen-
_cy of the case, and submitting their measures to the examination and ap-
probation of all the Members of the Sovereign, and without pretending to
set bounds to the zeal of the generous defenders of their country, who
with spontaneously to reinforce the phalanx of liberty, they hope it will
encrease in its pafsage, and will be joined by all citizens desirous of do-
ing good.’ Mh

“ That in the colours of this army, the soldiers of their country will read
the completion of every good law ; the Republic one and indivisible; res-
pect to persons and property—consoling words already engraven in their
hearts. ; : me

‘“« That we appeal to God and to our arms, on account of the crimes com-
mittedagainst the integrity ofthe national representation ; the insults offered
to the indidividual liberty of our extraordinary deputies ; the diberticide plots
from which a miracle of Providence has saved us, and the accomplices of

which, charged with executing the horrid deed within our walls, Marseilles
is now prosecuting. A popular tribunal to which it owes its peaceful and
aweful existence is trying the conspirators, notwithstanding the obstacles
which have been thrown in the way. © Invested with the confidence of the
people, and defended by it, the most imperious of laws, those of the present
circumstances, determine its activity, aiid the people of Marseilles, instead
of being refractory to the law, by employing the sword of it tostrike the
guilty, discharge the principle of social duties, which is the speediest distri-
_ bution of justice.

“ Thus the city of Marseilles joins to the motives drawn from the com-
mon safety of the Republic, which legalizesits determination, a representa-
tion of the particular grievances which afflict it, and the necefsity it is un-
der of silencing its calumniators, who despairing of being able to kindle a-
mong us the torch of discord, dare to present it to the National Convention
as the light of truth. it

historical chronicle. v
* Republicans, the signal has been}given—the moments are precious, and
ecisive measures are necefsary. Let us march—let thelaw enter Paris a~
ng with us; and if you are not acquainted with the roads to it, follow the
aces of the bload of your brethren; they will conduct you to the bottom
‘its walls, from which have proceeded those murderous scourges; the san-
uinary plots and destructive manceuyres—the sources of all our misery.

“ There you will restore liberty to good citizens, .and dignity to the na-
ional represention. The villains will disappear, and the Republic will
e saved. :

“ Deliberated in the General Committee of the thirty-two sections of
Marseilles, June 12. 1793, the 2d year of the French Republic.
(Signed) Petoux, President,

CasTELLANET and Prnaret Secretaries.’
| On the 16th, allthe adminstrative bodies took an oath exprefsive of th
ntime nts contained in this manifesto.

Dumourter exhibits at present a singular appearance in Europe : after
aving, incommon with other patriotic adventurers, amafsed, during his ad-
inistration as a minister, and his operations as a general, a sum of money,
ounting by report, tomore than three hundred thousand pounds, which
took care to secure in the funds of foreign countries, where the govern-
entis more stable than in Francé; finding there was a chance that he
ight be made to submit to the fafhionable operation of the guilottine, which
jhe did not at all relith, thought it prudent to take himself away bofore he
twas subjected to that operation; and wifhing to conciliate the favour of
wie he had formerly oftended, he, with that pliable morality which seems

}to be so wellsuited to the French principle, endeavoured to effect a revo-
lution in favour of those who were fighting against his country. But ha-
ving failed in this respect, he now wanders literally a vagabound throughnall
the countries in Europe, in none of which he has yet been able to finda rest=
ing place. He hastried the Netherlands, several parts of Germany, Switzer-
land, England, the Netherlands again, in which he was reported o have

been arrested : but this information,as appears by a letter from the Elector of
Cologne, seemstohave been unfounded. Where he will now direct his course it
isdifficult to say. There is little probability that the American States, were

he to go thither, would receive him; neither Sweden nor Denmark, it is
probable, would choose to afford him fhelter: The Emprefs of Rufsia would
not probably like to admitsuch a troublesome inmate into her ‘dominions ;
the bow string is such a well known means of recovering ill gotten gear in
Constantinople, that he would not probably like to trust himself there} and
the jealousy of the Venetian Nobles against the intrigues of a man of so
much activity, with such ~command of money, would probably render his
abode inthe Venetian State by no means agreeable. Which way there-
fore he will turn himself, it is difficult to say, so that it will be a matter
of some curiosity to trace his steps infuture. Britain has hitherto been
ready to open her arms to receive monied men, without being very scru-
pulously inquisitive into the mode by which they have acquired that wealth.
If these men have been able to satisfy their own consciences as to the mat
ter, and willing to communicate a reasonable fhare of that wealth to their
partizans, the businefs has been managed tolerably well. Are we from
the case of Dumourier to conclude that the morality of the age is improving,
orto what other cause are we to ascribe this singular phenomenon? This
is a question for the philosophers to solve. '
Custine seems to be in the fair way of either becoming fhorter by nine
et ten inches erc long, or of following the example of his worthy predecefsor.

.

vi historical chronicle.
General Montesquiou has contrived to take himself out of a very disagree
able situation with much addrefs. He made his escape many months aga

from his army along the lake of Geneva’: and has never more been heard o}
Probably by changing his name, and living a retired life in some obscure
corner, he may escape detection till the present storm be fairly overblown. —
The emprefs of Rufsia, taking advantage of the disturbances in the west
of Europe, has carried matters forward with very a high handin Poland. A
few weeks ago every thing bore the appearance there of an absolute sub-
mifsion to the imperial requisitions. Some appearances now begin to indicate
that the flame though smothered is not entirely extinguifhed ; but there is
little reason to expect that such unanimity can prevail in that unhappy
country, as fo give sufficient energy to the opposition to her will to make
it effectual.
Three Britif_li fleets of considerable strength are now at sea; but’ nothing
of impertance has been done by any of them. Lord Howe’s squadron consis=
ting of fifteen fhips of the line, seven frigates, one sloop, and a firefhip, sailed
from Portsmouth on the 15th instant ; but the place of its dest:mation is not
- yet known. It is generally supposed to be bound ‘for the coast of Brittany
to favour the operations of the insurgents there ; but from what circumstance.
this conjecture originates we know not.’ It does not appear that any extré
land forces are on board ; nor have we learned that any preparations for faci-
litating a descent have been observable in the equipment of that fleet.
In the mean while, the attention of government seems to have been so
fully fixed on the equipment of these great squadrons for the southward, as
to occasion a great and very alarming neglect of the trade in the northern)
seas. Few cruisers have been able to be spared for the northern coasts of
Scotland and the German ocean; so that many captures of unarmed mer-
chant veisels have been there made; and the trade has been so long delay= 9
ed for want of convoy as to subject the merchants to very serious loises. In]
consequence of the infrequency of conyoys from the sound, the Thames and
the Race horse'were obliged to take under their convoy at one time no lefs
than 150 vefSels, which is a number far too great for any two vefsels to convoy
with safety, let the vigilance of the commanders be even unimpeachable. @}
In consequence of this, information that seems to be authentic, has been re-
ceived, that fifteen sail of this fleet have beencaptured at once by three French
privateers and carried into Bergen. And that these privateers have a-
gain sailed in hopes of being able to come up with and to capture some)
more of the dullest sailing vefsels of that unwieldy flect. :
Though war must ever be accounted the most grievous scourge that can
opprefs'the human race ; yet it is one of those evils that must necefsarily he”
submitted to on some eccasions. Such a necefsity, in the opinion of a great
‘majority of the dispafsionate part of the people of Great Britain did actually”
exist at the bezinning of this year; and Britain was constrained to draw th
$word in order to gttard against mofe serious evils. The inconveniences of this |
war have been already deeply felt in thisisland as well as other parts of Eu-
rope, and even im America itself, if we can give faith to the reportsfrom that
‘countTy: It is thereiore the general wif of the great body of the people
that some mode ‘consistent with the honour and safety of this nation could
be devised, for” putting as speedy a termination to the war as can be done.
Conquest is by no means the present with of the great bulk of the people?
nor ure they desirous of aggrandising any power whatever, to the degrada=
“tion of France or any other kingdom ; but they with for some reasonable se~
curity that they themselves fhall not be disturbed in the peaceable prosecu~"
tion of their own manufactures and trade, foreign and domestic. This they
dre enclined to hope, from the situation of things on the continent at pre»

historical chronicle. v

+ may be now pretty easily attained. France is already so hemmed in on?
sides, that if a few frontier places were obtained, which seems likely»
mn to happen, to be strongly garrisoned, and kept as cautionary towns to
event them from encroaching on th: territories of others; they might then »
}: left to fight each other fairly within their own dominions, and to regu-:
e their own internal government as seemed good unto themselves, without
eiving any disturbance from our interference. Such is the general opinion,
d almost the universal with of the people of this part of the country. But
ere is a party in this state that has discovered principles soinimicalto our va-
ableconstitution ; and this party of late made such advances, and’so boldly -
posed the administration of this country, as to occasion a’ very serious a-
rm to most well meaning sober men, so as to produce a more general
thd marked opposition to the views ofthis party than was ever scen in this
tién during our time.The national jealousy of the views of this party. still,»
ith much reason, prevails, and therefore every man is afraid even to whis-
+ his withes for a peace, lest it fhould, by seeming to favour the views of
at party, give it a weight and preponderance in the nation he wifhes it
ver to attain. Hitherto every motion tending to recommend conciliato-
measures to the members of administration have originated with that.
ty, and therefore have been unsupported by the nation at large. When
e first heard of the petition from Glasgow mentioned in our last chronicle, .
was represented as originating with the most respectable members of the
ciety at large, without any connection with party, and, as this is well
nown to be the genuine opinion of the people at large, it was hoped iz!
ould have that weight with the community in general that its importance
eserved. It now appears however that this was not the case. The petition’
ere mentioned is said, on good authority, to have originated with that
me party of which the public at large are so jealous; and subscribers to it ©
ave been obtained, if we are rightly informed, by nearly the same means’
hat were adopted for forwarding the other popular views of the party, on
hich account it meets with opposition from a great majority of the most
espectable citizens; and it well, we are afraid, rather tend to frustrate than’
ccelerate the prayer of the petition. Such are the circumstances that in
ivil society must frequently occur to frustrate even the most salutary pro=’
sitions; for, when two evils are to be eschewed, the greater of the two
ght ever to be guarded against. f
That “ misfortunes never come single” is an old adage, which, whatever
ay be the case in respect to morals, is undoubtedly true in regard to poli
ical arrangements. ‘Lhe violent proceedings of the antimonarchical party
above alluded to, produced counter afsociation, which if not in its turn
guarded from excets, threatens to become equally subversive of that consti-
tution which it was avowedly instituted to support. The committees of that
society, in imitation of the republican party, who laid themselvés under
contribution to princ and difseminate among the people, gratis, or below
cost, writings that favoured the views of the party, begin already with the
funds in their hands, to print and publifh in the same manner, writings fa-
vourable to the views of these committee men, Thepublic seem not a-
ware, that poison may be thus administered to the people on both sides, un-
der the name of wholesome food: nor has it been yet acverted to that un-
der pretext of supporting the constitution, this institution may be employ-.
ed as a most effectual engine to augment ministerial power,—a power which
though this constitution docs acknowledge, ought ever to be watched with
Breater care, than perhaps any other, because it pofsefses in a peculiar degree
the means of gratifying the wifhes of those who distinguith themselves by

‘

iti historical chronicle
their zeal inits support. The public in this instance seem to have lost sight o
a just principle they almost unanimously acknowledged, viz that “ The Bri-
tith constitution poisefsesof itself powers sufficient to correct any lefser disor-
ders that may accidentally affect it for a time.” In this instance do they
not imitate the absurd practice of the religious bigots of former times, who
under the pretext of vindicating “. Zhe glory of Gop,” who certainly re-
quired no aidfrom such a weak creature as man, persecuted their fellow
creatures, and establifhed at last the most cruel system of despotic tyranny
that ever existed upon the earth? If our constitution is endowed with suf
ficient powers to purge itself from any peccant humours which may acci«
dentally arise, why not allow it to operate freely, and not rafhly conjoin
the popular with the ministerial power, which tends to destroy that ba-
lance that constitutes the peculiar excellence of our truly enviable con-_
stitution? The liberty of the prefs is in all cases the greatest bulwark of
freedom ; and if left to itself it will be sufficient to inform the minds of the |
people in regard to every particular that it is of importance for them a
Know : but if popular committees, under ministerial influence, fhall be per-
mitted to waste the national treasure, in difseminating at an under price a~_
mong the people, such doctrines as tend to forward their own views, while they —
are by the same authority and influence, protected in the exercise of an
inquisitorial power over other writings, so as to deter men from exprefsing
their genuine sentiments with abecoming freedom, then, though we thould ©
still retain the name ofa free people, that independence ef mind which con- :
{

stitutes its efsence would be for ever gone. “Poisoned by political medi-
cines, for which we had no occasion, we might then adopt the epitaph of |
the Italian who killed himself in the same way; Sta bene, &ci.e “I was
in good health, I wifhed to be better, and here I am.” oe
The thing chiefly to be dreaded in this case is, that when the great body
of the people of this nation, if they fhall go toofar in this train, fhall per-
ceive that they have done so, may turn witha voilent unanimity to the
opposite side; and under the idea of correcting this evil, may totally over~
turn the power which fhall have incurred their displeasure, and thus may —
long have occasion to mourn an excefs, which if moderated in time, would —
ccasion no political evil of lasting endurance. |

\ : , |

HISTORIC AL CHRONICLE
a ean oer ean

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 14. 1793: *
FOREIGN.

FRANCE.

cos distractions in France seem to be accumulating. Since the Jaco-
bins acquired the ascendency by force of arms, and on the 2d of June

overawing the National Convention, so as to compel the arrest of the twen-

ty-two members, the country is divided into patties not only of republicans

-and royalists, democrates and aristocratesas formerly; but of republicans

against republicans, who seem to be animated with a greater degree of

fury against each other than against the favourers of the royal part, it-

self.
Afsafsination, of Marat.

It is by the hands of a zealot, a champion of one 6f these parties, that
Marat, whose crimes have been so long the detestation of all Europe, has
been honoured by a mode of death that has been usually applied to per-
sons of much more exalted character. A woman named CyaRLoTTE Cor-
DE, a native of Caen in Normandy, of a respectable family there, having
conceived an idea that fhe would do an acceptable deed, by ridding the
world of this man, came to Paris on purpose to carry her design into
execution ; which fhe effected on Sunday the 14th of July, by stabbing
him with a knife. The particulars were nearly as follows:

On the Thursday preceding his death this woman, of a respectable ap-
pearance, arrived at Paris from Caen in Normandy. On the two following
days fhe was busied, it fhould seem, in making inquiries respecting the va-
rious crimes imputed to her destined victim; and having satisfied her-
self as to the truth, on the Sunday fhe obtained an interview with Ma-
RAT.

She continued in conversation with him for some time, afking his opinion
of several persons whom fhe named; and on his averring them to be,
Counter Revolutionists, fhe instantly stabbed him; declaring that fhe was
then convinced that every thing fhe had heard of him was true.

On her being seized and interrogated, fhe justified her conduct by de-
claring her conviction that Marar had been the cause of all the evils with
which France had lately been afflicted; the seemed to glory in her act, and
declared, that fhe had not been instigated by any person, and that no one
Was privy to it. <

Thus perifhed a man, who has been a principal actor, if not the instigator
of more important events within the last twelve months, than perhaps any o-

' ther person in a similar period of time.

VOL. xvi_ aie é ¢

-" historical chronicle;
» This intrepid afsafsin was instantly seized.and_ tried on the.17th before
the revolutionary tribunal, on which occasion fhe behaved with a firmnefs and _
intrepidity that would have been deemed heroic magnanimity if it had been }
exerted in a better cause. When brought before the judges her counte-—

nance displayed heroic disdain, and her answers, by shes poldneis, struck € e-
very spectator with astonifhment.

At the beginning of her trial. fhe thus addrefsed her judges:—* I did.
not expect to appear before you; I alwaysthought that I fhould be delivered
up to the rage of the people, torn in pieces, and that my head, stuck on the
top of a pike, would have preceded Marat on his’state bed, to serve as |
a rallying point to Frenchmen, if there still are any worthy of that name. —
But, happen what will, ifI have the honours of the guillotine, and my ©
clay cold remains are buried, they will soon have conferred upon them the |
honours of the pantheon, and my memory will be more honoured in France
than that of Judith in Betkulia.”” Sentence of death was pronounced upon
this resolute woman, and ile was executed in the evening.

When fhe was led forth to execution, fhe smiled at the guillotine, deli-
berately cut off a quantity of her hair, and entreated that it might be seat
to her father at Caen. She then told the executioner, with a chearful ~
countenance, that fhe was ready, and disired him to remember that fhe |
died @ pure republican. vues f

It does not appear that this woman had any accomplice in her plan; and
though some attempts were made in the Convention to inculpate several —
of its members as being connected with her, yet no proofs of that sort that ~
could imprefs an impartial mind with conviction have. yet been brought —
forward; though it was easy to discover that many persons in the Con- —
ventioh were no favourers.of Marat’s plans.

The body of Marat was interred with great pomp on the 16th. Butit
appears from the report of his friends on that occasion, that he had been
in such a state of health before, as that in all probability he could have li-
ved but a fort time. His body. was in such a state of putridity that it could
not be exposed so fully tothe people as his partizans would have wifh~
ed.

Few events could have more effectually discovered the inconsiderate

lindnefs of that phrenetic zeal which stimulates to afsafsination, than the /
‘present. The cutting off of Marat in the present situation of affairs in
France is like abstracting only a drop from the bucket ; and by exciting
the detestation of mankind against the atrocious deed, it must tend rather
to augmentthe strength of his party than to diminifh it.

Capture of Mentz. ~

At last the king of Prufsia has succeeded in obliging the garrison of Mentz
to surrender. This event took place by capitulation on the 22d of July.
The garrison consisting of about 12,0co men were allowed to march out with —
the honours of war, but without artillery; and were conducted to France, *

as

'
'
5
‘
ae —y " ba 4

historical chronicle. xi
Sgnder condition of not serving against the allied powers for oneyear. Tt ap-
peared that the garrisou had been reduced to great distrefs for want of
provisions and stores of different kinds, particularly medicines, of which
they were utterly destitute. Before this surrender took place, the French
forcesion the Rhine under BEaAuHaRNots had made several vigorous but unsuc~
cefsful effoyts to raise the seige by different rapid and unexpected attacks,
in which, though several times succefsful at the beginning, they were always
ultimately repulsed by the combined armies. The French havenow no piace

of strength in that quarter nearer than Landau.

Capture of Valenciennes.

This important fertrefs which had been so long gallantly defended by
General Ferranp, having been reduced to the utmost extremity by the blow- -
ing up of some part of the walls on the 2th, followed by a vigorous afault
jn which the combined forces made a lodgement in the covered way, from
which a general afsault being intended, no hopes remained of any resis-
tence they could make preving effectual, General Ferranp. found himself
reduced to the necefsity of surrendering that place, by capitulation, to
the duke of York, on the 28th of July. The French troops were allowed
to march out with the honours of war: and to be conducted safely to the
nearest part of France, on conditions that they fhall not serve against the
allied powers during the war. Frerranp will thus inall probability soon
add one moré to the list of unfortunate officers confined in the prison of the
Abbaye in Paris.

No accounts have as yet transpired of the intentions of the allied powers
with respect to the future operations of this campaign. But if appearances
may be trusted Britain seems to entertain a serious design of besieging Dun-
kirkin form; a large train of battering cannon have been fhipped off from
hence for Ostend; and the Englifhtroops since the capture of Valanciennes
seem to point their route towards Dunkirk. We have not heard that the
‘French have taken any extraordinary precautions for the security of that
place.

From the inactivity of the French forces on the frontiers during the lat-
ter part of the siege of Valanciennes, it would seem that their force and
ardour were both greatly diminifhed of late. A motion was once made in
the National Convention to raise the whole body of the people capable of
bearing arms to the northward of Paris; to be marched directly against
the combined powers, that by their numbers, which were supposed to ex-
ceed one million of men, they might totally overpower their enemies.
But it would appear that the Convention, distrusting their unanimity on
the present occasion, had thought it prudent to depart from this extraor-
dinary mode ot warfare. What mode of defence they mean to adopt a-

: gainst the efforts of the allied powers on the north is by no means obvious at
“present. Lisle, which is a place of great strength, they are said to be pre.

Pi

Ril historical chronicles
paring to abandon ;"as report says, they are carrying off the artillery and
stores from thence ; nor do we hear that either Douay, Cambray, or
Bouchain have es put into a condition to make a vigorous defence,

The tenth of August, being the day in which the new constitution is tobe
accepted or refused by the delegates of the several departments of France in
the Champ de Mars at Paris, when, if it be accepted, the present Convention
will be difsolved and a new election will take place, a considerable fer
ment in Paris is likely then to take place; and every engine of intri-
gue may be expected to be now fully exerted in favour of the heads of difs

rent parties. Condorcet, Brifsot, and others keep themselves at present
quiét probably in expectation of the result of that event.
Custine,

As was to be expected’ from his voilent proceedings, having been aalled
to Paris, was accused in the Couyention of many crimes; deprived of his
command, and KeLrerman we believe appointed in si stead. He was
_ finally committed to the prison of the Abésaye to take his trial before the
revolutionary tribunal. It is reported that he has already been guillotined y
but this wants confirmation.

) Minister at war deposed and restored,

Bovucnotrte, minister at war and his afsistants were, upon the 25th of
July, on the representation of DARTIGOyYTTE, set aside by the Convention
as unfit to occupy the important places they held; and on the 26th the
men of the 10. of August appeared at the bar requesting he might be re-

qwrt

~

placed, and upon the motion of RoseRsPirerre the National Convention _

revoked its decree against Bowohotte and his afsistants amidst the loudest
applause. _

Garat, minister for the home department, geoused Gratn the first agent
of the,committee ofsupplies of the commons of Paris, with being the author
ofa libelagainst him: he justified his conduct in a long speech, and im»
peached that of his adversary,

In the mean time the accounts we receive respecting the military. moves
ments in the interior of France, are so vague and contradictory that no-
thing with certainty can be made out of them, unlefs it be that none of
the parties have as yet obtained any decisive advantage over the other.
The following letter of General Wimpen, commanding the rebel troops in
Calvados, has at least the merit of being laconic,

“< General Wimpen, to the General of the Parisian army, greeting.

“ If you want civil war, advance—if not, do not set your feet onthe
territory of Calvados. Iwanted to avert many misfortunes, but soon shall
an explanation take place.”

Rear Admiral Trucuvet, who for the two last years has es chief in
command at sea in the Mediterranean station, presents a long representa-

tion to the committee of public welfare, respecting the present state of thy

a

tee

historical chronicle. xiii -

French navy and:its officers, dated Paris. 22 July; in which he points out,
with much apparant justice, the dangerous tendency of a want of confidence in
officers, and the necefsity of enforcing ‘discipline at sea, and of choosing
‘able officers for command ; complaining that some of the best sea officers
chad been unjustly degraded and thrown into dungeons, and requesting
their enlargement and restoration to their formerrank. Does not this man
seem to be in the direct road for the Abbaye?

Naval affairs.

Whether the administration of Britain are, themselves well informed at
present respecting the naval armaments of France, itis difficult to say; but
ifthey be, they have taken very effectual care not to allow any intelligence °
respecting it to transpire in the nation, A great fleet of Britifh and Spanifh
fhips of war are afsembled in the Bay of Gibralter; probably intended
for the Mediterranean, where Iruguet’s fleet, from his own account of it,

scems to be inno condition to cope with them.

Lord Howe has been cruising for some weeks in the chops of the channel,
afraid, as some allegé, to put to sea, lest he thould fall in with a superior
squadcon of French flips which lately sailed from Brest, though no intima=
tion ever reached the public that such a fleet was even equipping there.
Others allege Lord Howe has it in view to intercept a large convey of
French West India men, and that the account of a French squadron being
jn the channel is unfounded. v

For some time past, we have been made to believe, that admiral Gardens
er’s squadron in the West Indies was superior to any thing the French could ©
attempt to bring into those seas ; and it is only oflate, that he is represented.
as having sammoned Martinico to surrentler to the Britifh arms. Yet we are
now ‘afsured with great confidence that a French fleet of superior force is
at present hovering before Jamacia, whose ports are-blocked up by it, and a
great fleet of victuallers from Ireland is expected to fall into their hands,
the Britith admiral having no sufficient ferce to protect them. Yet this .
French fleet must have left Europe without the smallest intimation of its
movements ever having reached this island. Such things used seldom to
happen on former occasions, es

A Portuguese fleet of ten fhips of war ate at present in the Naveed
of Portsmouth, one would think they might be much better employed in -
reinforcing the squadron of Lord Howe, if it be in danger of being nearly
equalled by the French Jeet. ,

Ac squadron of Rufsian fhips sailed from Crenstadt above a month ago;
bet have not yet pafsed the sound. And where the Dutch navy is no one
can tell, Many Dutch merchantmen have been captured in the northern

i7° withoug gouvoy. ?
§.

-

iv istorical chronicle.
. These facts ’seem to indicate that some of the allied powers are not as $e<
tiousin their exertions as the interest of others would seem to require; ané
that of course these others ought to look after their own interest in prefer-
rence to that of allies who are seemingly desirous ef fhifting the burden
from themselves.
i Termination of the war. ‘ ,
The object of the-war against France, in as far as regards Britain, and —
indeed all the allied powers, seems to be now in a great measure effected ;
and it is apparently the interest of all parties, if the profefsions with which
they began the war were sincere, now to think seriously of some mode by
which the grievances that ever must result froma state of warfare may
be averted. Those parties concerned, especially, who must have an interest
in preventing the dismemberment of France, which by weakening that na- ©
tion might tend to augment the power of another so much as to indanger
the tranquillity of Eurdpe, ought soon to interfere and withdraw their afsis-
tance, at least in aiding a plan of aggrandisement to those whom ina few ©
years they may be forced to pull down again. Britain and Holland can
sarely have no interest in augmenting too much the power of Austria and
Prufsia. - But fhould they heedlefsly go forward at present in afsisting these
operations, and fhould they indeavour to penetrate into the interior of France,
who can say, in the present distracted state of that unhappy country, where ©
it may end? On the one hand, fhould a man of political intrigue appear un- {
der the auspices of these sovereigns, he might fall upon means of so mana-_
ging parties in France, as to produce great revolutions, and of a more perma-_
nent tendency than those which have lately taken place in that country.
On the other hand, fhould these powers suffer any great defeat, and this
no one will say is impofsible, it will draw us into an indefinite expence to
support them, and involve us in commercial difficulties that it is greatly
the interest of almost every individual in this country to avert.
. » As to the difficulty about the mode of treating, though it be of some mo-
.wment, itdoes not seem to be insurmountable. The generals of armies ate
always understood to have a power of suspending hostilities on certain con-
ditions by truce, for a fhorter or longer time. There is little room to doubt
but the French at the present time would be glad to conclude a truce with
all the nations around them, for any definite time, on thecondition that France
fnould not only relinguith all the acquisitions fhe had made from foreign —
states, and allow the late conquest against them to remain wti pofsidetis ;
put would also agree to put into the harids of the allied powers one or more
fortified places to be held as cautionary towns, under the guarantee of those —
ef the allied powers that did not obtain pofsefsion of any, to be delivered
up to France, on a general peace, provisionally, when the government of
that country, fhould be settled on such _astable foundation, asthat the pow

eee

6 ll a! 4 bi

historical chronicle. xv
-ef Eutope in general fhould agree to recognise it as a legal government.
It is not at all'impofsible but on these terms Britain might obtain pofsefsion
of Dunkirk without bloodfhed, as a security that such stipulations as fhould
be agreed upon dy the truce, for disarming the navy of France toacertain degree
fhould be adhered to, It is unnecefsary to specify terms more particularly; but
it is not difficult to foresee, that if Britain, Holland, and the other allied powers,
were as seriously disposed to obtain a reasonable security only against the hos-
tile encroachments of France, as all parties will be now willing to deciare
they are, it would be no difficult matter for an able negociator who had nosi-~
nister views, to establifh such a trucein a very fhorttime. France might then
be allowed to scramble as long as fhe pleased about the best form of go-
vernment for her, while other nations were allowed to prosecute their own
domestit affairs in tranquillity and peace.
Poland.
» It is the interest of the Emprefs of Rufsia to aid the emperor and the
king of Prufsia, or at least to seem to aid them, by fair speeches, but with as
little expence as pofsible, in regard to their secret views on France and the
western parts of Europe, in order that they may not too scrupulously pry
into the transactions of Poland. The Poles are not yet sufficiently tamed ;
and, like a spirited horse which has lately been taken into hands, they fret
and make a little disturbance: But the power that is over them so far ex-
eceds their forces, that there is little doubt, if left to themselves, how that
contest will end. The coffers of the emprefs are now a little drained, or it
is probable fhe would have found means of doing it before now. The late
convention of Grodno, discovered that they submit to the harnefs with
reluctance. 4

Domestic.

Though the commercial distrefses of Britain have somewhat diminifhed
since our last, they are yet far from being remoyed; and the capture of
vefsels, and the greatinterruption that long delays occasion, tend to sour the
minds of the people, and render them every day more and more averse to the
war. It is hoped that administration will not be so blind to their own in-~
terests as to disregarded these circumstances so long as to excite a general
clamour. Happy is it for that minister who foreruns the withes of the

people:

Ireland.

During the last sefsion of Parliament the Irifh have made one useful ree
form, that does not appear to give room for apprehensions of any hurtful
consequences. It isan absentee act; by which persons who have been non
Fesidents in Ireland for a certain time, are declared to be incapable of being
" elected to serve as members to Parliament. ‘This act and the act which

i

“‘Rvie historical chronicle
frees Roman ¢atholics from certain civil inabilities to which they weré
merly subjected give very general satisfaction. But the law establifhing Fs
militia has given rise to frefh disturbances in that unhappy country. .

MISCELLAN EcUS..

The French East Indiaman, San Jean de Leon, prize to the Surprise pri-
vateér, is safe arrived at moorings off Deptford-yard. Her cargoe is rated at
410, ool. sterling, of which goods to the amount of 85,0col. are claimed by
Mefsrs Constable and Co. of New York in America, one of the partners of!
whose house was on board her when captured; also goods to the amount of
35,0001 are claimed by a house at Geneva. The rest will be the property)
of the captors. :

A small tefsel has been fitted out at New York, said to be intended on a
trip to Charlestown, and not till within a few hours of her sailing did fhe
afSume the appearance ofa privateer. On the 13th ult between the hours
of nine and ten at night, fhe took in her guns and ammunition. The”
Mayor being informed of the circumstance, communicated it to the Gover-
nor, when they both, with laudable zeal, and accompanied by some officers
of the peace, pursued the vefsel which had set sail, overtook her, and brought
her back. : rs

The voyage round the world by M. Dentrecasteaux, who sailed from France
en the 28th of September 1791, is so interesting, that the.following parti-«
culars will doubtlefs prove acceptable to the public.

M. Fitz, a celebrated French mathematician, has just received a letter

from his son, who sailed with M. Dentrecasteaux, dated trom Avzboyna, one.
of the Moluccas. This letter gives the following particulars of his voyage «|
MM. Dentrecasteaux left the Cape of Good hope, Feb. 16th, ¥792.—In April
he arrived at New Holland. In June at New Caledonia./ On the oth of
June at the land of the Arsacides and Bougainville’s island. On the 28th
at the Admiralty Isles, where he thought he perceived some traces of the
fhipwreck of Peyrouse ; and on the 6th of September he reached the Island
of Amboyna, where he received such refrefhments as were necsary to énable
him to pursue his voyage to Batavia. Fart @ details respectimsthis expe-
dition are expected by the first Dutch fhips waich fhall arrive at that colo-
ny.
Mr Muir, (late advocate), who was outlawed by the High Court of Jus-
ticiary, accused of seditious practices, landed on the goth ult. at Port-Patrick
from Iveiand. He was immediately known and apprehended, brought to
Stranraer, and safely lodged in jail. It appears by his pafsports, that he had
lately left France, from whence he came to Ireland. He has been since
brought to Edinburgh.

On the 2d curt. Mr T. F. Palmer, Minister of an unitarian congregation at.
Dundee, was brought to town trom that place-by l=: Williamson, mefsen-—
ger, on suspicion of béing the author of a hand Dill of a sedicious tendency.
He was examined on his arrival by the fheriff, and is committed to the
tolbooth. }

A person of the name of Moren, a fhopkeeper in Edinburgh, is also com-
mitted to the tolbooth, accused of being accefsory to the above seditious
writing.

An Irifh priest who deserted to Valenciennes from the ‘14th regimenty
Was interrogated by the Governor as to the cause of his desertion. The
fellow answered, the ill treatment he experienced from the non-commilsio~
ned officers. The Governor afked him why he did not complain to the of~
ficers)-The answer was, because theywere a set of rascals:—On this the
Governor observed, that if that was the manner he spoke of Britith officers’
he would not credit the other information he might give, and* ordered hing
to prison, where he now remains.

- HISTORICAL CHRONICLE.

—_—___ —________e

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 4. £793.
FOREIGN.

Progre/s of the combined armies.

Syme the capture of Mentz and Valenciennes, the combined armies have
been uniformly succefsful in all their enterprises, though they have met
with several interruptions and smart fkirmifhes in which some lives have been lost
on both sides. On the Rhine the Pruisians have pufhed forward to Landau and
Strasburgh, both which places are bloccaded, but no regular siege has yet

been commenced.

At a council of war held soon after the capture of Valenciennes, it is con-
fidently reported that the duke of York proposed to puth forward directly
to Paris, without stopping to besiege the fortified places, concluding, nodoubt,
‘that sufficient force could be left behind to overawe the garrisons of
these places, while by the rapidity of the movements of the combined ar-
mies, the forces of the republic, already disgusted and disunited by the se-
vere treatment of their generals, would be struck with panic and incapable
of making any vigorous resistance. Prince Cozourg, it is said, though at
first averse to the plan, was at iast brought over to that opinion, and it was”
sagreed that the Duke of Yorx fhouid advance with 30,oco men, while the
ptince of Cozoure fhould support him with a body ot 40,0co0, the remain-
der of the combined troops being left behind to overawe the garrisons. This
plan however was abandoned on the representations of the count de Mercy
governor at Brufsels, and more cautious measures adopted.
It now appears to be determined to dislodge the enemy from all their
strong posts; and to besiege the fortified places, in the idea that though
the war may thus be prolonged, the succeis will be ultimately the more cer-
tain; and probably not without an eye to the final termination of the war,
when, whatever terms of agreement thal] be proposed by France, it will be
much easier for the allied powers to keep poiseision of those provinces in
which they fhall have the full power of all the fortified places, than it
would be, were tranquillity restored to France on such terms as they could
not object to upon the principles openly avowed by all parties, and to which
those who may secretly with to dismember that kingdom, would be obli-
ged then to accede ; whereas by being once in pofsetsion of the strong pla-
ces, itmight notbesoeasy'to dislodge them. A cabinetremarkable for depth
of political views might foresee this. It might also foresee that to rétake
these towns may be'the source of future wars. Pois:bly all this is foreseen
and disregarded, hecause of the vast influence that war must ever give -o
those who fhall have the distribution of the money that it necefsarily re-
uires.

% However that may be, the Austrian troops have advanced, and after dis-
lodging the French with little difficulty from the strong post called Czsar’s
camp near Cambray, and that called Magdeleine in the neighhourhood of
Lisle, they have laid siege to Cambray, which is not conceived to be well
provided for making a vigorous resistance.

While the main body of the combined troops are thus employed, a strong
detachment under the command of the duke of York has, marched to be-
Siege Dunkirk, great preparations having been made in England for carry-
ing on the siege of that place by sea, On their march thither, the Britith

VOL. XVI c t

xviit bistorical chronicle,

and Hefsian troops have had seversl very fharp rencounters, in which some

officers of rank and great estimction have fallen, particularly in an attack

on the suburbs of that place on the 24th Aagust, in which the troops Were

inadvertantly exposed.to the fire of some mafked batteries, which they had

not perceived, which did great execution.
Internal state of France.

The uncertainty that still prevails with regard to intelligence from that
country, obliges us to form opinions from facts and circumstances that are
only imperfectly known; but by a careful comparison of these, there seems
to be reason to believe, that the influence of the ruling powers at presedt |
is greatly reduced; and that a cyisis extremely different from what they
hold forth to view in their public haranging, is seriously apprehended by —
them. It is evident that since the commencement of the present Campaign,
notwithstanding their utmost exertions, they have never been able to bring
forward a force sufficient to give any effective check to the combined pow-
evs on the northern frontier ; but since the defection of Dumourier, and
much more since the imprisorment of CustTiNe, the debility has been ex-
tremely apparent; for nothing else buta disinclination tothe service, ora die
vision of councils, productive of a want of discipline, or an absolute want of
troops, could have induced them to abandonthe two very strong posts above
named, with so much facility. It indeed appears, that weak as these armies
already were, they were obliged to detach from thence a strong body of ca-
valry,into the interior of the kindom to supprefs the numerous insurrections
there.

The ruling junto seem to have been long aware of these evils, and have
made every exertion in their power to overcome them. Sensible that their
whole reliance is on the sans cudiottes, all their views have been steadily di-
rected to the obtaining the favour‘of the mob. It has been repeatedly de-~
‘clared that afsefsments fhall be made upon the rich to pay for the accom-
modation of the poor; and it has been lately declared, that grain fhall be
sold to the poor at a low price, and that the money to pay for the defalca-
tion of that price to the baker, fhall he afsefsed from the rich; but afraid to
put this decree into actyal execution, the decree is not to take effect till the
first of November. Even this douceur not having produced that hearty con-
currence which was expected, other fhifts have been adopted. To keep the
populace attached to their cause, the grofsest falsehoods have been fabrica-
ted. In this line, BarReRx has become singularly conspicuous of late. On
the first of August, he announced in the convention, that a letter from Mr
Pitt had been interrupted, containing directions for fomenting dilsentions in
France ; and is besides evidentiy calculated to throw public odium on certain
persons they disliked. It produced the following decree, which sufficiently
marks the state of mind of the convention at the time.

’ Decree proposedby Barrere onthe 1st of August, and decreed.

Art. I. The National Convention denounces the Britifh government to
Europe and the Eenglifh nation. . |

{l. Every Frenchmen that fhall place his money in the Englith funds ©
fhali be declared a traitor to his country.

Ill. Every Frenchmen-who has money in the Englifh funds, or those of
-any other power with whem France is at war, fhall be obliged to declare
the*rame. ‘

IV. All foreigners subjects of the powers now at war with France, par~
ticulerly the Fuglifs, fhall be arrested, and seals put upon their papers. ;

Y. The barriers of Pars fhall be instantly fhut. :

-

f
:
i

historical chronicle. xix

_ ‘WI. All good citizens fhall be held, in the name of the country, to search
for the foreigners who are concerned in the p'ot denounced.

VIL. Three millions fhall be at the disposal of the minister at war, to
facilitate the march of the gsrrison of Mentz to La Vendee.

VIII. The minister at war fhall send to the army on the coast of Rochelle
all the combustible materials necefsary to set fire to the forests and under-
wood of La Vendee.

IX. The women, the children, and old men, fhail be conducted to the
interior parts of the country. :

X. The property of the rebels fhall be confiscated for the benefit of the
Republic. d
XI. A camp fhall be formed without delay between Paris and the nor-

thern army.

XII. All the family of the Capets hall be banifhed from the French ter-
ritory, those excepted who are under the sword of the law, and the two
offspring of Louis Capet, who fhall remain in the temple. f

XIII Marie Aatoinette thall be delivered overto the Revolutionary Tri-
bunal, and thal be immediately conducted to the prison of the Conciergerie.
Louise Elizabeth fhall remain in the temple till after the judgement of Ma-
Tie Antoinette

XIV. All the tombs of the kings which are at St Dennis, and in the de-
partments, fhall be destroyed on the 10th of Angust-

XV. The present decree fhall be dispatched by extraordinary couriers to
all the departments.

This disposition is still more distinctly marked by the following decree
enacted on the 2 August on the proposal of CouTHon,

1. From the 4th of the present month, the theatres appointed by the
Municipality fhall act, three times a week, Brutus, Caius, Gracchus,
William Tell, and other pieces of this kind, proper to maintain in the
hearts of Frenchmen the love of liberty and republicanism.

2. One of those pieces fhall be acted once a week at the expence of
the republic.

3. Every theatre which fhall dare to act pieces tending to revive ro-
zis fhall be fhut up, and the managers fhall be dealt with according
to law.

The speeches of the leading men in_the Convention are all directed to
Fouse a spirit of patriotism, which seems impofsible to be atchieved ; for not-
avithstanding the fhouts of applause within doors, their effects without doors
are not perceptible. Why have we. not already, said Danton on the 2d.
August, dragged to the frontiers an immense body of citizens? In several
departments the people are fired with indignation at this effeminacy, and
have demanded that the tocsin of general alarm fhould be sounded. The
people haye more energy than you. Liberty has alwaysproceeded from that
part. If you fhew yourselves worthy of them, they will follow you, and
your enemies will be exterminated. [App/auses]. I demand that the Con-
vention will erect into a provisional government its Committee of Public
Safety ; that the ministers fhall be only the first clerks of the provisional
government ; and that 50 millions fhall be,at the disposal of that govern-
ment, who fhall give an account of it at the end of the sefsion, but who
fhall have full power to expend the whole in one day, if they think such a
measure useiul. - - - From this date youmust commit to the disposal
of government, one hundred millions, for the purpose of casting cannon, and
making mufkets and pikes. In all the most considerable. towns, the anvil
Ought never to be struck but to forge that iron which you are to turn a-

t your enemics,—-When the harvest is ended, you must draw from

.
’

> ; 5 ~

\

XX ‘historical chron.icle

each Commune an additional force, and you will find that you have no oc~
casion to despair. ;
On the 12th August, BARRERE brought up a report from the Committee
of Public Safety ; in which, among a variety of other matter, he produces
another intercepted letter from Dunkirk, in which he plots of the Englitn
Ministry are said to be made manifest. “ At the end of September, it
says, all the bankers of London, Amsterdam, Vienna, and Hamburg, are
to stop allpayment. No bill will be honoured, and when they will be
sent back to the drawer, payment ought likewise to be stoopped in France
in the samé manner. ‘This stoppage will give a general fhock tg all pro-
perty, and occasion an utter confusion in your Republic, which will con-
duct the allied powers to the end which they propose to® themselves.”
He then produces another letter for the same purpose, dated Hamburg,
August 2d. containing these words: “ A petition, signed by 2c0,coo per= —
|

ee

sons, has been addrefsed to the king, demanding a peace with France, and
justice to be done upon the ministers: The petition declares, that the pe-
titioners are ,.eady to march to London, where the good citizens are disposed
to punifh the traitors.”—[Applause.]—Having thus endeavoured to excite
hopes of succefs, he returns to the report. ‘ The national guards, says he,
and recruits have received orders to march to St Quentin. We want arms,
‘and the fields still occupy many hands. ‘he cattle and the crops are trans-
porting into the interior parts of the Rupublic. We must strike some
great blow: The administrators do not properly spirit up the people.— “A,
grand movement must be made ; Paris must rc2 once more; we ought to
bloccade the enemy before St Quentin, else the Republic is undone! Your
committee has ordered 18,000 men, taken from the armies of the Rhine and 4
the Moselle, to reinforce the “army of the north ; and the last battalion of
these I can afsure you, arrived there three days ago, and it will fhortly
be augmented by 30,0co more patriots.” It concludes with these words.
“ Doubt not citizens but your enemies will be destroyed.” The Pre-
sident, however, HERAULT Dé SECHELLES, thinksit necetsary to strenghten
these imprefsions by the following speech.

“ Citizens Commifsioners of the French nation, when the French de-
manded a democratic constitution, they displayed their wisdom; by ac-
cepting it two days ago in the face of heaven, they fhewed their majesty.
Now it is time they fhould make their enemies feel their strength and their
power. Depositaries of the wifhes of the Primary Afsemblics, let the,
words you have uttered resound throughout the empire, as a thunder of.
vengeance and destruction ! Magnanimous nation: invincible in thy wrath,
rise all, and France will in one day be tranquil. Let the south rise, and
protect the north, asthe north might screen the south. What can our ene-
mies do, who employ their forces against us not so much as their detestable
perfidy ? We—we all swear by the Genius of the Republic, we will cruth
them, we will triumph ! Distant or rival nations will join us. In despite
of the barriers raised by despotism, liberty warrants the concordance of
every heart. The national plastic power, the cry of humanity, will arise
ina dreadful roar; our eyes, refrefhed with comfort, will view from one
side the immense and sacred mais of freemen, and on the other an hand-
ful o princes and wretched beings and their graves.” “[Applauses:]

The torpor still continuing, BakRreRE returns to the same subject on the
14th; “* Your committee has been employed in regulating the movement
which must be made for the defence of the frontiers, and of la Vendee.
It would be betraying the cause of liberty to attempt to conceal that grand:
measures are called for, The squadrons of-the enemy block up our ports +
the Piedmontesehave had some succefs 5 la/Vende. is torn by civil dixoré;

‘ + 1a

—

historical chronicle: . xxi
the Austrians and Prufsians are advancing; Pitt is expending gold to ruin

us; and the fanaticism of religion and royalty misleadsthe weak minded. The

xoth of August was calm, like the reason of the people, and has recorded
our oaths in heaven. The envoys from the Primary Afsemblies ought to
receive the honourable mifsion of going to warm the public spirit, of in-
viting the citizens to the common defence, and to destroy the federal efforts
of the departments. With such an immense population, and such an a-
bundant harvest, can we be subdued? Did not Louis x1v. resist all Europe?
Did not Louis xit destroy the league of Cambray?—Do not the plains of
Fontenoy still exist for the soldiers of jiberty ? Make but an effort of cou-
rage for two months more, and our liberty will be secured. Envoys of the
people your miiSion is about to be consecrated. The 30,000 cavalry alrea-
dy decreed are wanting to our armies.—cannot each of our municipalities
furnifh one? ‘I summon you said the infamous Brunswick, tothe French,
last year, to furnifh to-morrow so many men and horses, and so much am-
munition.”

“ Rrenchmen, what you gave on the brutal requisition of an Austrian,
will you refuse to the republic? Ye commifsimers from Lyons, Toulon,
Marseilles, la Losere, la Vendee, Eures, and Calvados, you have also a no-~
ble mifsion. Destroy the calumnies thrown out against Paris. Tell your
fellow citizens, that if they still resist the voice of their country, their country
will be enslaved. ‘Cell the Fyench youth, that they are all in a state of
requisition. Let them display valour, union, and unanimity, and victory
will be ours.” f

BarRere then proposed the plan of a decree, the object of which was,
‘that the envoys of the people fhould be charged to propagate the principles
of the unity and indivisibility of the republic, and to invite the French
youth to defend the common cause —Decreed. .

Barrere presented also the plan of an addrefs to the French, which was
also adopted.

Not yet satisfied that all this would do, Dantow adds, “ Barrere has not
said all. He has spoken of the interest which the rich have to repel the c-
nemy, but he has forgotten to say, that if there fhould be no longer safety
for liberty or other resources, we ourselves must direct the vengeance of the
people against the rich. (Here the whole a/sembly rose up in testimony
of approbation.) Where patriotism is not sufficiently! powerful, the com-
mifsioners ought to have the direct power of requisition. I move that they
be invested with more direct and posit * powers, and that commufsioners,
chosen from among yourselves, fhall be appointed for each district, to con-
centrate themselves with the envoys of the same districts, in order that they
m zy observe the greater unity in their movements.”

All Danton’s propositions were adopted. é;

Still farther to conciliate the good will ofthe mob, Barrere on the 15th,
in the name of the Committce of public welfare, proposed adecree to supply
Paris and all the cities and armies with the republic corn.

The Convention adopted the decree in four articles, by which all those
farmers or others, who are in the polsefsion of corn in the departments, are
bound, on being simmoned by the commifsioners of the convention, to give
up the same within twenty-four hours, under pain of being dealt with as trai-
tors to the repnblic.

On the 16th, Barrere proposed that it fhould be declared, that the
people of France declare by the mouth of their representatives, “ that they
will rise in one body, indefence of their liberty, of equality, and of the inle-

dence of their territories and constitution.”

_ Decreed unanimously, amidst the loudest bursts of applause; and cries of
Long live the republic ! 1 4

os 7 '

‘

wxii = historical chronicle,

And to keep up the spirits of the people a mefsenger is introduced tw
announce that the siege of Cambray was raised. ‘‘I present a standavd,
said he, which has been taken from the Englifh by the brave garrison of
Cambray. After a blockade of several days, the enemy, tired with our
frequent sallies, and the brifknefs of our fire, retreated and raised the sieze.
My brothers in arms swore to be buried among the ruins of the place ra-
ther than surrender it to the enemy.”

It is weli known that the,besiegers had received no check before Cam-
bray at a much latter date.

On the 18th Aug. the executive council of France publifhed a list of the
republican armies, amounting to the grand total of 1,001,902 men, so exact
are they in the enumeration as not to omit a single man ,

So far however are the people from adopting the unanimity declared by
the mouth of their representatives, that the cities of Toulon, Marseilles, and
{lions are declared to be in a state of insurrection and in great force ; and
in the Paris papers of Aug. 14th. A letter from Saumur, of the 13th inst.
states that the royalists are af’embling if great force at Chatillon and
Chollet, and their forces amounted to between 4° ,coo and 50,000 men-

Tt did not seem improper to state these circumstances to our readers, as
they plainly announce that the French government is at present in a state
of debility which plainly announces an approaching change; which ought
to influence in a considerable degree the conduct of the allied powers, as it
is always much easier to prevent evils than to cure them.

Trial of the Queen «f France.

The unfortunate Queen of France was taken from the temple on the 1st
Aug. and lodged in the Conciergerie, a common prison, preparatory to her
trial. She is said to have undergone five interogatories, ali private, on which
eccasion it issaid fhe behaved with great firmnefs and dignity. Probabiy the
ruling powers expected thismenceuvre would produce some effect,in which they
were disappointed. Whether their present insecure state makes them dread
the effects of proceeding to extremeties with her or not is uncertain; but at
present the popular opinion at Paris is that fhe will be acquitted.

Even CustTine is not yet put to death that we have heard of. Ten
French generals are now in different prisons, viz. Biron, Cusine, Las
MORLIERE, SANDOS, CHEZOT, WESTERMAN, L’Ecuyver, Mrranpa, LEQUE-
vi, and STINGEL. / i

On the, 25th of July Maret and S # nville and their suite, going as ambafsa-
dors from France, the first to Napics, the lastto onstantinople, were arrested
at Con.o, a small place in the Austrian territories, and made prisoners. The
_ women in their suite were sent back to France.

On the roth of Aug. the new constitution was accepted by the deputies
from the departments in the Champ de mars at Paris, with great pomp and
golemnity. No disturbance took’place in the city on that ocgasion. '

Venice and Tuscany, -

Encouraged by the appearance of the Britith and Spanifh fleets in the

Mediteranian, in superior forc, have now also declared against France.
Rufsia, Sweden, and Denmark.

The Rufsian fleet has now palsed the sound, and is cruising in the north
seas off the coas* of Norway. he emprefs,has sent a rorinal notification
by the Rufsian Chargé des affairs at the court of Stockholm, that fhe will
allow no neutral vefsels to pafs without being searched to discover if they .
are conveying provisions or warlike stores to France; and all this fhe says

historical chronicle. xxii

happens upon this ground, that neutrality can find no place against a govern+
ment composed of rebels.
The court of Peterfburgh has ordered a similar declaration to be delive=
red to that of Denmark. .
The ministers of Great Britain have also delivered a declaration of the
same tenor to the governments at Stockholm and Copenhagen,

America.

A report prevailed since our last, that America had discovered very hos-
tile intentions towards Great Britain, and seemed to be determined to depart
from the principies of strict neutrality. This however, we had good reasons
for being satisfied at the time was . groundlefs report, and it has now sub-
sided. A remonstrance however is said to have been’ received from the go-
vernment of the United States in strong terms complaining against their
veisels being occasionally detained, and insisting that they fhail neither be
detained nor searched. Should the same rule be applied to them, as ‘to o-
ther neutral powers, (and it can scarcely be expected to be otherwise}
this may occasion some umbrage on their part. We hope however, some
mode will be contrived for preventing a breach on this head.

Poland,

Is at present completely dismembered. After being compelled to submit

to the demands oi the emprefs of Rufsia from~a total inability to resist, they

seemed to entertain hopes that by her means they might have been enabled

to resist the demands of the King of Prufsia; but this they could uot effect,

and they have at last submitted to his claim also. The King of Poland

who seems to be a worthy man is so much hurt at these proceedings, that_
he talks 01 resigning his crown, and spending the remainder of his days in

@ private stration.

DOMESTIC,

This island continues quiet. The fleet commanded by the cautious Hows
has sustained no damage. The nation believes that if fleets were fitted out
merely for the purpose of being preserved, there never was so able a com-
mander as Howe. But ignorant people doubt how far this is im all cases
either wise of economical. ‘Chey have not forgot Rodney in the last war
who so happily adopted another system.

* Manceuvring of ileets is but of modern date, and was little practised by
the great Hawke. Though it is certainsy of great importance to maritime
affairs, yet it may be carried to too great a height. The Englifh fleet ma-
neeuvred off the Chesapeak till Lord,Cornwallis and his whol€army were
made prisoners of war, whom Admiral Grieves wassent to relieve ; the
masterly manoeuvring on the memorable 27th of July 1778 prolonged the
disastrous American war at least four years; and a late retrograde manceu-
yre will probably have the same effect in the present. z

_It does not now appear that the French maritime force in the West In-
dies is so considerable as it was represented ; and no apprehensions are en-
tertained for the satety of these islands.

East Indies.

By some late arrivals from the East Indies it appears that Tippoo is de -
termined to fulfil the stipulations entered into by him in the late treaty ;
nor is their any immediate prospect of war in that quarter. - Some of the

orthem circars are still threatened with famine.
~ une

roeee « va)" ‘ 1) Sees at, Oo. ot a rn

&xiv: ri . bistorical chroniele -

Certain information has at last been obtained of the total lofs of the Wins
terton East Indiaman on the coast of Madagascar in August 1792. The |
Captain, first mate, and about forty other persons perifhed. The remainder,

_mear 200 were saved, but no part of the cargo.

Accounts have been received that Lord M‘Cartney was safe in the straits
of Sunda in April last, on his way to China, and informing that he had re
ceived dispatches from thence afsuring him of a favourable reception in
that kingdom. The following extract will be more fully satisfactory.

; / _ Sumatra April 2 1793.

“ At Batavia, Iam happy toinform you, that we met with the expected —
dispatches from China. ; :

“ The contents exceeded our most sanguine expectations. Amongst other
papers was a letter written by the emperor himself, fraught with the most
flattering promises with respect to our reception. And even exprefsing a
strong impatience for our arrival.

“ Orders are given, we understand, to every port on the Yellow sea, to ad-~
minister to us every requisite afsistance. The N. W. Monsoon, for which
we are to wait, will not permit us however to see Pekin before the month |
of August.—The intermediate, time we are to spend at Cochin China, and
the adjacent islands : a

* Lord M‘Cartrney has exprefsed his intention, if the season permits, to re-
turn by the Southern pafsage. This determination will necefsarily prolong
our absence; but for this the idea of having encircled the globe, may with

many be deemed.a sufficient compensatien.”
~ s

M ISCELANEOUS.

A dreadful fire lately happened at Archangel; upwards of 800 houses, ©
with the cathedral and two other churches, are destroyed, together with —
the market, and a very great number of booths, stalls, carriages, Gc. The
court house and several fine stone’ buildings are among those laid in afhes. —
In fine, the sum total of the lofs was not known when the last intelligence
left the place, as every thing was still in coniusion, and a total stop put to
every kind of businefs. Great numbers of the poorer kind of people, who have
lost their all, were obliged totake any kind of refuge in the neighbouring
villages. The hospital was happily saved.

The resource looked to in this calamity, is the generosity of the Em<

refs.
R We are happy to hear, that the white herring fifhery has set in this sea-—
son with the most promising appearances of succefs. In the year 1791, the ©
yefselsfittedout from this part of the kingdom on bounty alone, caught 74,700
barrels of herrings, and in the year 1792, 82,500 barrels.

On the joth Inst. came on before the high court of justiciary in Edin-
burgh the trial of Thomas Muir yeunger of Hunter’s hill Esq. accused of
propogating seditious opinions among the people. The jury were unanimous, |
guilty. He was sentenced to be banithed for fourteen years from this coun~
try to any place beyond seas his majesty fhall pe pleased to appoint.

—

Asuse of power, particular

instance of 107
Academy, hints for a new
kind of 49, 113

Account of the different va-
rieties of theep reared in
the Rufsian dominions, in-
troduction 41,—the ovis
fera, with a plate 81—do-
mestic fheep, 126—Tscher-

kefsian iheep 128—fhort
. tailed fheep, 153—fat rum-
ped theep 156, 193, 241—
Kirguise ram, 246—Bou-
charian fheep, 305—expla-
nation of the platesoi ditto
Adventure,. an extraordinary
one,

Agricultural surveys notices of

American anecdote,

Antisaturnus onthe poisonousna-
ture of lead,

Anecdote of cardinal de Retz

Anecdotes,

Animals, on the instinct of,

Arcticus, his account of Rufsian
theep 41, 8t, 126, 153, 193, 241,
305,—News from Captain Bil-
lings by—o, 45—literary intel-
ligence from 72—on domestic
economy, 179—on parliamen-

_ tary reform

Argali, Siberian, account of, with
a plate $1—description of 87,
—measurement of,

“Armour curious species of, sent

. by Billings,

Artists, eminent Scottifh, G. Ha-
milton, with a portrait,

Art o'life in economy o1—in ha-

_ bits of attention and observation

Attention and observation, habits

_ of, remarks on,

Authors critical remarks on some
eminent ones, 265—Wilkie,
269—Milton,, 272,—Shakes-
peare,

VOL, xvi

77>

225

Bacon fragments by, 91, 164
Barker Sir R. his account of the

mode of making ice in India 170
Billings captain, news fromin Si-
beria, 9, 45

Biographical fketches of emi-
nent Scottifh artists—G. Ha-
milton, with a portrait, I

Blank verse observations on

Brachiura, fheep, account of,

Brewing from unmalted barley,
noticed,

Boucharian fheep, account of

Candles made from herring oil,

Carnwath horses, account of the
breed of,

Caterpillar, observations. on the
gooseberry kind, 99, 332

Caterpillars, how to preserve fruit

134

300

trees from,
Character ot a gentleman, thoughts
on, 294,
Chivalry hints on,— institution of
chivalry, 235—Characteristics
of chivalry, 238—-education of
a knight,287, 318—ceremonies _
on the creationoia knight, 319
Chokablock’s letter to his mefs
mate, 325
Christianity, introduction of into

Norway, 18
Cold extraordinary produced by
the vegetable alkali, 72

Condemnation of veisels in neu-
tral ports, queries concerning 209
To correspondents, 40, 192, 2t4 304,
336,
Critical remarks on eminent au-

thors, 263
Dalhousie lord, on the death of, 253
Deformed and handsome leg, 150
Delaysinthe court of Sefsion, re-

marks on, 277
Detergents, various kinds menti-

oned 184

Diphlogisticated fluor gas, notices

ot
t

75

NxvVI

Dolichura fheep, account of 128

Domestic economy hints on, 188, 298

Domestic fheep, account of as
found in Rufsia,

Dreises, strange, sent by Captain
Billings, A

dda of Resenius, analyzed,

Education, hints for establihing a
seminary of on anew plan 49

113

270

cd

126

4
142

Epigoniad, remarks on

Efsay on physiognomy 54
Eugenius, queries by, 334
Explanation of the plates of Ruf-

sian fheep, Br
Extraordinary adventure, III
Fairies, queries regpecting, 22
Farmer, on a particular abuse of

‘power, 107

Fat rumped fheep, account of, 156,
: 241, 193,
Fera, ovis, account of, with a plate $1

’ Ferula asafcetida, notice of 183
Flea, on the life of 175
Fragments by Bacon, 91, 164
Franklin B. his deformed and

handsome leg, 150
Fruit trees how to preserve from

caterpillars, ; 184
Fars, fine, of lamb fkins 132, 306

Sentleman, on the character of 294
Glasgow, account of the.origin of

manufactures in 255
Gooseberry Caterpillar observati-

ons on 99s 332
Hako the good, account of, 13

Hamilton, Gavin, historical
painter; biographical fketch of,
with a portrait, I

Hints respecting plants that may
be usetulin domestic economy,
Polygonum Tataricum,179—P.
Convolvolus, 180—Trifolium
hybridum, 181—Robinia ferox
ib—Ferula asafeetida, ib —Ro-
binia pygmea, 182—Zizania
aquatica 183

Hints on domestic economy 185, 2 8

Hints on various subjects of do-
metic economy,

Hints for establithin sem nary
efeducation on anew plan 49, 113

Ic2

mndex

Hints on chivalry
Hogmoney, account of
Horses, account of the Carnwath - —
breed of ‘ 300°
Ice, method of making in India, 170

235, 287, 318,
13

6 |Index indicatorius, 37, 80, 223, 262

Shy OHSS
India, method of making ice in 170
Instinct ofanimals, observationson 188

Johnson Dr Samuel, epitaph on, 2 53 ©

Kirguise flocks of theep, account
of, 159—a ram of ditto des~

cription of, 246—measurement
of ditto, 247
Lamb {kins notices of 132 306

Lead, on the poisonous nature of 329
Learned, obituary of,251—George
Stuart, 252
Leg, deformed and handsome one 150
Lentulus, on the delays in the

court of Sefsion, - 277
Letter from Chokablock to his
mefsmate, 325
Literary intelligence, 26—ditto
from Ruisia, ‘ 72
Literary olla No rx, 294
Lycurgus on the life ofa flea, 175
—query by him 222
Manners, strictures on, 134, 20%
Manufactures, origin of in Glas- ;
gow, 255
Mercator, hints on domestic eco=
nomy by, 185—ditto on the
condemnation of vefsels in
neutral ports, 209
On modesty, 334

Natural history, on the study
of, 280-312
Nettle, on the peculiarities and

uses of in arts, 219
Neutral ports, queries concer-

ning the condemnation of vef-

sels in, 209

Newcastle, plan of the literary
and philosophical society there, 27-

68
News from captain Billings in Si-
beria, . 9-45
Obituary of the learned 251:—
Dr G. Stuart, 252

Ovis, fera, account of, with a
plate, 81—dolichura or lon~

andex:
gicauda, 128—brachiura, 153
—steatopyga or laticaudata,
156— explanation of theplates
of ditto,
~Olla, literary, No. 1x.
‘Parliamentry reform, Artic lucu-

brations on, 225
Physiognomy, efsay on, 54
Poetry, observations of, 265

Poetry and prose distinction be-

tween, 265
Poetry and verse distinguifhed 265
Poisonous nature oflead, observa-

tions on, 329
Polygonum Convolvolus, notice

of, 180
Pojygonum Tataricum, notices

of, 179

Power, on a particular abuse of, 107
Promethius, on manners, 134-201
Queries 328-334—respecting be-
ings of ideal existence, 22—
concerning the condemnation
of veisels in neutral ports, 209

by Lycurgus, 222
- to the Readers of the Bee, 264-336
Reading memorandums, 248

Reform, parliamentry, lucubra-
tions on,
Reid’s efsays, extract from, on the

225

instinct of animals, 18S
Remarks on some eminent au-
thors, 265

Review,—history of Rutherglen
and Kilbride, by D. Ure, with

extracts, 254
Rhus typhinum, account of, 75
Rhyme, observations on, 267
Robinia ferox notice of, 181
Robinia Pigmea notice of 182

Rutsia, literary intelligence from, 72

Ruisian fheep, account of, intro-
duction, 41—ovis fera, with a
plate, 31—domestic fheep, 126
—Tscherkefsian fheep, 153—
fat rumped fheep, 156-193-241
—Kirguise ram, 246—Boucha-
tian fheep, 305—explanation

of the plates of «# to, 311
Saline pastures, fattening and
prolific quality of, 160

‘| Short tailed fheep account of,

| Stuart, Dr G. notices of,

xxvii
Scaridinavian sacrifices, 19
Scandinavia, Snorro’s history of,

extracts from, J
Sciences and useful arts, school

for, proposed, 49-1133
Scottifh’ artists—G. Hamilton

with a portrait, I
Seaman’s letter to his mefs-

mate, 325
Serpents, observations on, 36
Sefsion, court of, on the delays

in, 277

Sheep, account of the different
varieties of reared in the Ruf-
sian dominions—introduction,
41—the ovis fera, with a plate,
Si—domestic fheep, 126—
Tscherkelfsian fheep, 128—fhort
tailed theep, 153—fat rumped
theep,156-193-241—Kirguise
ram, 246—Boucharian fheep
305— explanation of the plates
of ditto,

Snorro’s history of Scandinavia,
extracts from,

Soap, vegetable, notices of,

Society, literary and philosophi-
cal of Newcastle, plan of, 27-68

Steatopyga or Laticaudata fheep
account of,

Strength, remarkable instance
of,

Strictures on manners,

183

156

169.
134-208

252
Surveys, agricultural noticés of 258

Swedith stoves, notices ot, 104
Tanning, procefs of in Siberia,
note, 14
Trifolium hybridum, notices of, 184
Tscherkefsian fheep, account of,
128—lamb {kins, notices of, 132
Vegetable soap, notices of, 183
Verse, obsérvations on, 265
Vinegar plant, account of,
Ure D. review of his history of
Rutherglen and Kilbride, with
extracts, 254, 300

vUropygium, or fit rump ot
fheep extr .ordin uy s'ze of 160
—causes of its variation in
size 162—origin of, 163

~ ss a | oe 5. % * ’

* gxvili : index. . Jy: ee
Utica urens, or nettle, on the Loch Lomond a poem excerpt si
uses of in arts, 219 from, 264
Yole, an ancient heathen festi- to Love, 177
val account of, 18 | Lover the constant, ’ 243
to a Young lady on the study of Magnum bonum club, verseson, 38
natural h: story, 280-312 Melisa, yerses from on the Bee, 224
Zizania aquatica, notice of, 183 | Moonlight, 293
ES aun eS woes (ad Niurem 79
PoETRY. ess the vanity of 28
i A arcifsus, verses to 76)
Addrefs to the rose, 176 | Nauticus’ verses on the orlop 217
Anna, addrefs to, 223 | New years with 293
Apis amicus to the Bee, 224 | the Orlop by Nauticus 217)
on Beauty, addrefsed to the fair, 217 | Ofci1n’s stile imitated 263
Clito to Delia, 105|Phenix hunter,—the siege of a
Club, the magnum bonum, verses heart 24
ee 35 | the Rose, addrefs to 177
the Constant lover, 248 | Sea BEC 2 humorous one 217
Conversation, 1D | the S siege of a heart 23
Delia ee Clita, 149! Time , on the improvement of 249
Ser eee the language of, 3°3|]Vanity of names _ ,
the Fair anaddrels to on beauty, 217], Winter piece ib
@ Heart the seige of, 241 With, a new years one 29)5.
oz the Improvement of time, 292 ,

DIRECTIONS TO THE BINDER:

Puace the porttait of Gavin Hamilton to face the title page

The Argali, — — = == = — — — 8m
Ruisian fheep plate, 11 — io Boia tae, opera eee 156
Ditto plate, p11 - -- ee a — we, em 198,
Ditto plate, tv. -= — es 48 — — — 3tk

Place the index after the chronicle at the end.
Place the contents immediately after the title.
Observe fheet il. has the 5 and 6 pages apart marked IL. 3.

Pace.
“Biographical fkerches of emi-
nen: Se etuh artists —Gavin
Hamilion, with a portrsit, I
News from captai: Billings; 9
Extracts fr m S: orro’s htsto:y
of Scandinavia, - .- ©
Queries respecting beings of
ideal existence, -
Literary intelligence, - =)
Plan of the scat and Philoso=
phical Society. of Newcastie,
On serpents, - - - - -
Index indicatorius, = - -
Tocorrespondenis, - - =
On the different varieies of
' fheep reared in Rufsii, and
by the nations between
Europe and Cnina.—intro-
duc ion,
News fron captain Billings,
Gontinued, = - += - =
Hints for establifhing > semi-

nary of *ducation On a new

plan, = - - = 5 - 49
On Physiognomy, = - - 54

Tosophical societ, of New

castle, concluded ~ - - 68
Literary intelligence from Ruf-

Sia) = = - = - = = 72
American anecdote, - - - 77

Tndex Indicatorius, - -
On the varieties of theep rear-
éd in Rafsia and by the
nations between Europe and
China,—the ovis fera with a
place, - +--+. - -
Fragments by Bacon, continu-_
ed—the art of life, on econo.
my - - - - s%= = oF
Qn the gooseberry caterpillar,
Hints on various subjects of
i domestic economy—brew-
ing from unmalted barley, roz
Candles made from herring
* 103

81

99

ee a
On Swedifh stoves = |

|
|
|
|
|
Plan of the literary and phi- a
|

Fares i aon

| Anecdote, ” pay

a”

CONTENTS OF VOLUME SIXTEENTH.

An example of a particular a-
buse of power, - = - - = 107
Accounto omcxtra rcinary -d-
venture = = =, os mw wi TEE
Hin‘s for establifhing a semi-
nary Ofeducation on a new
plan, conciuded, o: the aca-
demy, - - - = «=
On the varieties of fheep rea-
red in the Rufsicn domini-
ons,—domestic fheep, -
The Tscherkefsiintheep, -
The Yscherkefsian lamb’s
Akjgs).etiat reeie ssi) nee
Striciures on manners, part
Bei = rhb) lees Lae
‘The Edda of Resevius analyzed
ee vst ons on the above by
Ne .Bdltors = wewe im
Th deformed and handsome
lege Go wales :
Accou. of the varieties of
theep reared in th Rufsian
dominions,— ! he short tail-
ed fheep, ~.+ = -' = 153
The Stearopyga, or fat rum-
pedfheep, - = - = = 156
F agments by Baco , on habits
of attention and observation
instance of bodily strength - 169
yy making ice in India, - - 170
On the life ofaflea - - - 175
Hintsrespecting various plants
that may be useful in do-
mestic economy, - - =
Hinis on domestic economy
On the instinct of animals from
Reid steisavse = 3 =) = TRS
To correspondents, ~ - = 192
Account of the varieties of
fheep reared in the Rufsian
dominions,—the fat rum-
ped fheep, - - - - - 193
Strictures on manners, pait 111, 20%
Queries respecting captured
velsel8 -=- - # - = -

150

164.

179
185

209
- 215
——— of cardinal De Retz, 216
nee ae

Let ten i “ rh.

ductory lettery - = - - 25%
Dr George Stuart, - + - 252
Review,—history of Ruther-

glen and Kilbride by D.

Ure A.M. - - - - ~ 254
Origin of manufactures in Glas-

Og a ere nae ie Saul we ep oe 255
On agricultural surveys, 258
index indicatorius, - - - 262
To correspondents, - -~ 264
To the readers of theBee, - 1b.

Critical remarks on <minent
authors,—distinction between
poetry and prose, —Wilkie,
Shakespeare,—Milton. - 265

On the delays incident to the

court of Sefsion - - - 277
To a young lady on the study
of natural history, - - 280

Hints on chivalry, continued—
education of aknignt, -
Literary olla No tx, on the

character of a gemtieman, - an
Hints on domestic economy, 298
Account of the breed of Carn-

wath horses, - - = - 300
Index indicatorius. = - = 303
To correspondents. = - #* 304

287

MVSEVM
BRITAN
NICV NL,

iit
.. a contents his 32
On thé uses of. nettle yarn’ ir | Actount of Rufsian fheep, 4th
atha wet =o eae ‘219 variety—the Boucharian
JA (OEY § Ben) a fheep - - = = - -
Index Indicatorius, - = ~ 223 Piwlanation, of the plates of
Arctic lucubrations on parlia~ ditto, - - = = = 31k
mentary | reform, - - ~ 225 - Toa young lady on the study aoe
Hints relating to chi'valry, in- | ofnatural history,concluded 312
stitution of chivalry, - 7-235 | Rondeau, OS a eee
characteristics of chivalry, 238 Hints relating to chivalry con-
Account of fheep reared in the tinued—the education of a
Rufsian dominions, fat rum- Knight, - ~~ - = - = 118
pedfheep, - - - ~- ~ 241 | A letter from Arcticus, - - 324
Reading memorandums, ~ ~ 2.48 | A .sailor’s letrer, ola bs gag
Obituary of the learned, intro- Miscellaneous Queries, =~ - 328

On the poisonous nature of

lead = = = Me = 329
| On the gooseberry caterpillar, 332.
| On modesty, - - - - = 334:
| Queries seepage sing the | Britifh
ffheries,; ~ ~- Sit Se
To correspondents, ~ = ~ 336

To the readers of the Bee, -

eS a
———-

POETRY.
The siege of aheart, = = 24
| A winter piece, from Loch
Lomonda poem, = = 25
Vanity ofnames, -. - = ib.
To the narciisus, - - + - 66
| Admuiem, - - - = = 67
Clito to Delia, - - - = = 105
DeliatoClitoy = - = = 40
Addrefs tothe Rose, - - 177
To Love, - - = = «= ib
On beauty, addrefsed to
the fair, = (= yee = 237
On the Cockpit, - - - ib

Conversation, - heey |
On the improvement of time 293

| Moonlight, - - = ib
| Anew yearswith, - - = id
‘

|
7 The constantlover, - -
|

k

Ne b
' me ¥ ne ne
Bisa: iss