It would be easy to enlarge much on the various qualities of foil, the nature and procefs of vegetation, and the peculiar properties of the Oak; but as thefe topics may be found amply and judicioully difcuffed in many other au thors, who have exprefly treated on thefe fubjects, I fhall decline all fuch fpeculations; and, with the hope of being more effentially ufefut, fhall confine myfelf to a statement as fimple and practical as poffible.

The Oak, in the progress of its growth, fpreads numerous roots near the furface of the ground, and in an horizontal direction: thefe aflift in fupporting and preferving the tree in its pofition, but feem to contribute very little to its increafe and magnitude. The Oak appears to derive its chief nutriment and ftrength from a root that always defcends at right angles to the horizon, and is called the tap-root. The first thing, therefore, to be oblerved is, that, upon a judicious attention to this peculiarity, the planter's fuccefs principally depends; and the neglect of this care is the conftant fource of error and difappointinent. In all climates, and upon all foils, to preferve this tap-root from injury, and as much as poffible to affift its growth, is a general, and indeed the most effential principle in the cultivation of Oak. With a due regard to this circumftance, the management of a plantation may be refolved into the three following practical directions;

Previously to planting the acorns, laufen the earth intended for their reception, by deep trenching.

Never tranfplant, or in any way difturb, the faplings intended for timber. Keep the plant carefully pruned till arrived at a proper height.

More fully to elucidate the fubject, and to prevent the pollibility of milap prehenfion, it may be proper to give a more detailed Ratement.

In determining on a spot to form a plantation of Oaks for timber, it must

always he recollected that the plants

are to remain without removal in their first fituation: the clearing and feneing may then be attended to as ufual; and in the courfe of the winter, from September to March, the particular spots intended for the reception of acorns may be prepared for that purpofe, by digging a trench about three feet in width, and from three to fix feet in depth, according to the clofenefs and tenacity of the foil. If grafs-ground, the firft fpit fhould be placed at the bottom of the trench; and, if more than one trench be neceffary, they fhould be prepared in the fame manner, preferving a diftance of 10 yards between each, if it be intended to employ the intermediate fpace in underwood or for any other purpose.

Having made a careful felection of acorns that are perfectly found, and in good prefervation, they are to be planted about the middle of March. Draw a drill in the centre of the trench; two inches in depth, if the foil be heavy and loamy; but three inches in a light and fandy earth. In this place the acorns two inches afunder, and cover them carefully with mould. When the plants appear, they must be weeded by hand in the rows, and the earth of the trench round them cleaned with a hoe, once a month, during the funimer. In October infpect the rows, and thin them by pulling up every other plant: attention will of courfe be paid to remove the weak and crooked plants, and leave thofe that are tallest and traiteft. On the fecond year, the operation of thinning must be repeated, at the fame time, and in the fame manner; and, fhould any of the remaining plants have made fide-fhoots ftronger than the general character, they muft be fmoothly cut off with a fharp knife, clofe to the leading flem. On the third year, the thinning is again to be repeated, and the general pruning commenced, by cutting off clofe to the leading flem all the fide-fhoots of the first year; thus leaving the branches of two years to form. the head of the fol

lowing year. The removal of every alternate plant must be continued yearly, till the trees are about 30 feet apart, at which difiance they may remain for timber. The pruning is to be continued, by removing every year, vory fmooth and clofe to the main tiem,. one year's growth of fide branches, till: the plants are arrived at a stem of 40;

lutely reminded me of a good pair of heels at a ballet-dance; nor did we once hear the din of the lafh, a found which carries no very favourable impreffion, indeed a very hard one in the affociation of ideas.

Going up a hill, I fuppofed he was

:

twifting the cord of his thong; but he must be only playing with it, for he was off in an inftant, walking by the fide of his horfe, and patting him from head to flank we had no fooner furmounted, away again; fhoulders, limbs, heels, tocs, keeping up with his bufy thoughts, during which his dog pufhed himself a-head, fometimes on one fide, then the other; my dog all the time watching his motions and longing to be with him, and who ran up to him with all the familiarity of old acquaintance when we alighted.

chaife, hoping the languor I laboured under might be refreshed by the morning air; particularly as a gen tle rain had fallen in the night, after a long drought, and I was to pafs through a very rich and interefting country. But to my fubject. I was ftruck with the peculiarity of the poft boy going for a rope after the oftler had put on the baggage well; he foon returned, and faltened the handles of my trunk, under fuch change of countenance as convinced ne, the whole animal ftrength was in action; (and I am now affured, this caution was a predetermination of the expedition he intended keeping up). On having finished, his features were inftantly reftored, and he scarce gave me time to obferve a fair and ruddy face, with light hair, than he was horfed, and rattled along the fireets with a large brown and white dog, fnuffing the wind along-fide; whilft our pilot wielded his whip, rifing rapidly, flaring to the right and left on his gaping town's-folks. I was quite charged with curiofity to witnefs fuch a whirl of felfhappiness; and when clear off the parement, he gave me an intelligent look, as much as to fay, "I know that I fhall meet your approbation;" and in this little period I had the fatisfaction to reckon, I had a character to follow.

The weather having cleared, he pulled off his great coat, folded it up like a foldier, and faftened it to the crois bar; and even in this exerted all his ftrength: this gave me occafion to notice that he expected other kind of admiration; for he exhibited a finart grey jacket, with a black velvet collar, three tiers of buttons to each pocket, and open cuffs to the fleeves, fcantily fprinkled with them. But I was on the point of being extremely gratified; for I perceived the tweeping down his lafh was to drive off the flies from his favourite horfes' back, and I do not believe he hurt a wing of one of them.

Away we fpanked; fometimes he took his hat off, and rubbed down his hair, fometimes only half off; then ftroked the lath of his whip gently down the off-horfe's back, changed it to the other hand, and pull up the fide of his breeches; an action never performed, without a fimilar pull to the oppofite flank, with confequent fhrug of thoulders; then he maneuvered his whip into as many curves as ever came out of a mathematical brain; or cabrioling with it fo lightly, as abfo

We overtook feveral flocks of theep and lambs; by the ftretch of his arm he directed his dog to wheel them, as fhepherds do, and was equally obeyed: once there was a fleeting fcuffle between a fhepherd's dog and him; and I was glad to fee that he was as brave, as faithful to his mafter and the horses. Pofty repaid him for it, by bridling up his head, whittling, and called him by his name. We paffed one drove of oxen, one of calves, and feveral of pigs knowing their obftinacy, he gave no direction to his dog, but only flackened his pace until clear of them. In fhort, he never went up a hill without difmounting, or gave a lafh but to the air.

Let not the fqueamish cry "stush," at fo vulgar an expreflion as brechees; they really had not poor Humphry Clinker's ragged indent, but were good ones and whole, aud mot tightly braced.

2

:

I never gave a poftilion fo much money before, and am forry the boon was fo fmall. A word was never interchanged, except when I paid him; and it is the more remarkable, as I fel dom let flip the opportunity, which I have all my life fought, of rattling

away

rattling away to the humble, from the lifping infant, up to reverential old age. I was in a hurry of mind; and words would have been useless lumber. I retired while another carriage was preparing quite aftonished! when I got into it, I faw him in deep talk with a well-dreffed young woman, and confpicuously placed; he took off his hat, and received on my part a níoft friendly return. A VAGABOND. Mr. URBAN,

July 10. ON N fomne future occafion I may perhaps be able to furnish you with fome traits in the perfonal hiftory of Mr. Allen of Kettering. In the mean time, I fend you two more of his let ters, which will afford fome idea of his learning and his eccentricity. M.GREEN, "St. Paul's Day, Jan. 25, 1754, from Kettering. "Dear and reverend Dr. Stewkely, "Ifhould have made you a prefent of my Miltonick or blank verfes concerning the New Birth or Chriftian Regeneration before I left the town; but pray lay out 18 d. on that work. I have a fecond part in preparing, full as fublime as that. You are a judge of poetic performances, as fully appears in your celebrated application of one of Horace's Odes *, concerning Bacchus, to the true God or Jehovah. That fhewed that you had a right tafle of poetry, and a vaft fhare of learning; fed quid fructus fine ufu? Now, for God's fake, fhew an example worth imitation. Buy the book at Manby's first for yourself; and, if you find i anfwers the title-page, and is proper to be got memoriter by fervants at gentlemen's houfes, and children under parents, and boys and girls at fchools, then fhew thofe mafters and miftrelles, parents, or trustees, that book of yours in your free converfes with them in St. George's parifh, that they may buy one of the fame; and so fet the wheels of truth and holiness a going or in motion.

"

This will go a great way towards

The One here referred to is Lib. II. Ode 19, in "Palæographia Sacra ; or, DifCourfes on Monuments of Antiquiry that relate to Sacred Hiftory; Num. 1, A Comment on an Ode of Horace, fhewing the Bacchus of the Heathen to be the Jehovah of the Jews; by Wm. Stewkley, rector of All Saints in Stamford. Lond. printed for Ionvs and Manby. 1736.

GENT. MAG. July, 1804.

making up your accounts laudably with God. The charity-children will foon get them by heart, and may repeat at their examinations privately or publicly.

"How fcandalous is it to fee fo many gentlemen's fervants lolling, fitting, landing, or talking idly, in their mafters' houfes, and waiting to give anfwers at their mafiers' doors, unem ployed; whereas, were they to get memoriter thefe verfes in thofe fpare hours, they would commence holy and regenerate Chriftians, and have a good talle of facred poetry befides.

"The four principal fchools of London and Weflminfter have them fince their publication in December last, 1753; and, if they ufe them well, as I don't doubt but they will, this will bid fair for renewing a great part of the metropolis. Nor is it to be doubted but all the great fchools in England will follow their example. As this cannot well be done without the Cler gy's elpoufing this good caufe, pray communicate this to all the Clergy of your acquaintance. I am

Your loving brother in Christ Jefus,

"THO. ALLEN, rector of Kettering." "An original letter fent by the Author of the New Birth or Chriflian Regeneration in blank or Miltonian verfe to divers learned Schoolinafters, to introduce it into their fchools.

"Jan. 29, 1754, Kettering. "Ornatiffime Domine, "Sicut munus juventutis erudienda magno bonorum applaufu fufcepifli, et Chriftus dixit Petro Pafce agnos meos; nam præceptor in fchola, quæ eft ecclefiæ feminarium, præet difcipulis ut paftor ovibus, ut pafcat, fanet, et protegat cas; fic non dubito, quin difficili hoc et tam præclaro nunere et officio, in erudiendis et tuendis pueris ab Ethnicis erroribus, five idolatriâ et pravis opinionibus, alacriter et fummo cum honore et integritate functurus es, et provinciam quam nactus es ornare fedulò navabis operam.

"Sicut patriarcha Jacobus, dum pecudibus præerat, multas noctes infomnes tranfegit, aeftum et frigus et aëris inclementiam patienter paffus, quo meliorem Labano fuo focero cujus grex erat redderet rationem.

"Pafor ille celeberrimus apud Batavos ludimagifler, anno 1644, voluit Ethnicos authores è fcholis generaliter excludi, recolligens quod Virgilius maxime impèfcribit in Au. lib.vii. v. 661,

'Mifta Deo mulier;'

Et Palingenius,

In Cœlo elt Meretrix, in Cœlo eft turpis Adulter;'

Illudque Euripidis,

'Dii, fi patrarent turpia, non Dii forent.' "Attamen mediocris curfus potiùs, ut mihi videtur, eligendus eft; legantur fed fummâ cum cautione, et non fine fortiffimo repagulo, ne idolatria vel vana fuperftitio, vel minima libido aut illecebra, ut in Eunucho Terentii, irrepant aut corrumpant animas.

"Hæc loca evitanda funt ficut Scylla aut Charybdis, et oculi et aures ita obftruendi funt, ne quid impium ani.

mis introeat vel, impurum contaminet, quod nullo modo fiat, nifi in planè detegendis et prorfus detectandis diaboli infidiis et aftutiis; ad quod quidem fideliter peragendum maxima vix fufficiens et par erit cura.

"Memini quoque in Scholâ Novi Collegii apud Oxonium, circiter 1699, celeberrimus ille præceptor five ludimagifter, et accuratiffinius, Jacobus Badger, in noftris ipforum libris pura .ab impuris fuo calamo difliuxit et ad

notavit.

"Ad onera levanda tua, et ad promovendani maximè fanctam et piam inftitutionem, librum perexiguum non ita pridem in publicum emifi, vocatum Nova Natalitia, five Chriftiana Regeneratio; cum Caufis, Ratione, et Neceffitate ejufdem ad Salutem; non lato fermone fed verfibus compofitum ; quem tibi commendo, memoriter à difcipulis tuis recitandum, præcipuè in exercitiis fuis, vel faltem fæpiflimè relegendum; ficut David, cum converfionem fubditorum fuorum ad exemplar cordis Dei et fui ipfius fibi propofuiffet, hoc penè idem injunxit omnibus cum pfalmos fuos alphabeticos compofuiffet ope divinâ.

Liber enim eft quafi medulla Chriftianæ Theologiæ ex optimis authoribus delibata, confecta, e: decerpta, carmine Miltonico concinnatus, in ufam juventutis Britannica, ad regenerandum ad palingehefin, ut naturali quæ eft in illis concupifcentiâ detectâ, repudiatâ, et devicià, novus homio in illis renafcatur, et indies renovetur, præ quo omnia, ut Paulus ait, pro rejec tamentis reputanda funt.

Proflat liber venalis apud R. Manby prope Ludgate, pr. I's Gd.

Vale in Deo fempiterno. "THO. ALLEN, Rector de Kettering. "Hic liber tibi commendatus teritur in manibus ludimagilirorum fub gym

nafiarchis quatuor maximarum fcholarum Londini et Westmonafterii.

MR. URBAN,

YOUR

"Ne fiat labor vel moleftia in tranfcribendo, poft lectas literas et librum accerfitum per bibliopolam bene approbatum in ufus defignatos, impensè quæfo ut communices eos ludimagiftrio infignioris notæ, non fecus ac minorum gentium circumquaque verfantibus, ut gloria Dei eniteat in multorum emolumentis; et clericis quibus tecum interci dit ufus, ut parochianis fuis librum commendent. Quo major Dei gloriat, &c." July 3. OUR numerous antiquarian correfpondents and friends will, no doubt, perceive with pleafure the im provements which are now carrying on round Westminster-abbey. Mont of the houfes, which choaked up the Northern fide of Henry the VIIth's chapel, and obfcured the beauty of that moft elegant fpecimen of the Florid Gothic, are now removed; and the Dean and Chapter, have, I understand, procured an Act of Parliament, by which they are empowered to take down the houfes as far as the Ordnanee office; and it is their intention to furround Henry the VIIth's chapel with an iron railing, finiilar to that which at prefent inclofes the space round the North fide of the nave.

Too much praife cannot be given to the Dean and Chapter for this fpirited meafure, by which the whole appearance of the building will be greatly improved, and which will alfo tend in no fall degree to the prefervation of the fabrick felf. Nothing, indeed, can fhew more clearly the zeal which the prefent worthy and learned Dean has for the prefervation of the noble edifice entrusted to his care, than the expending fo much money on improvements, fo foon after the heavy expences which the Chapter have incurred by the unfortunate fire in laft July.

It has alfo been rumoured, and I believe on good grounds, that, as foon as the damage caufed by the fire is re paired, and the intended iron railing, erected, it is the intention of the Dean and Chapter to apply to Parlia ment for aflifiance to enable them to repair and refiore Henry the VIIth's chapel; and we have alfo heard, that the idea of fupplying the defects in the more delicate ornaments of the Chapel by a fpecies of “ compofition" is completely done away. Such are the reports which we have heard, and we

can

I fhall take this opportunity, Mr. Urban, of offering fome little advice to the Gentleman whofe papers have of late fo regularly formed part of your Monthly Olla Podrida." It is, I helieve, pretty generally understood, that the writer of thefe papers is a Gentle man well known by his ingenious works on the Ancient Sculpture and Painting of this kingdom. To his tafte as an Architect, and his abilities as a Drafifman, we cannot but give our warmeft praife; but when he attempts to make his papers a vehicle for abfurd obfervations, completely foreign to the purpofe, and which he may fuppofe are fpecimens of good compofition, we mult confefs the Gentleman to be quite out of his clement, and ceafe to be his admirers.

Should we, however, have laid the merits and demerits of thefe papers at the wrong door, we moft humbly beg the Gentleman's pardon; though, we believe, the Author is as we fay.

If the Gentleman withes to communicate, to thofe who are p partial to antiquarian lore the prefent ftate of the antient buildings of this kingdom, his intention is laudable: but why fhould he depart from a character he is fo well calculated to preferve? why does he not write like ah, Architect, as he figns himfelf, and not like a Rhupfodift? No man of common feufe would require fine writing on fuch an occafion; he would only expect the technical language of the Art; fill lefs would he require an unfuccefsful attempt at fine writing. Were he to give a clear, intelligible account of the buildings which he has vifited, and he profeffes to de

fcribe; he would act a really afeful part, not only to prefent, but to far diftant times. But what Hiftorian, fome centuries hence, were he able to obtain the perufal of this Gentleman's remarks, would have patience enough to wade through the wild effufions of his fancy, for fuch morfels of defcription as he gives? And I queftion much, whether, if he were endued with this patience, he would understand the Gentleman's remarks, thould he perufe them, or even re-peruse them, fo buried is the atom of information in the chaos of extraneous matter, which cannot be better defcribed than in the words of Ovid': Rudis indigeftaque moles."

The Gentleman will, we truft, for give the freedom of our remarks, and pardon us, when we advife him to fiudy Brevity"; or, if he be deter-" mined not to be concife, let him fill his paper in writing to the purpose, and not wandering out of the way to be addrefled as a Pilgrim, nor make his unfortunate readers" drag their flow length along" through the many trifling incidents, and ridiculous excla mations, which he introduces. Not can we difmifs this letter without no ticing the abfurd lift, and equally abfurd explanations, of what the Gentle man is pleafed to call TECHNICAL TERMS. When what are really TECHNICAL terms are explained, we perceive that the Gentleman is writing on a fubject which he has ftudied, and ftudied well; when, however, he wanders from his road, and drags in words which have about as much relation to Architecture, as roast beef, or apple pic; perhaps not fo much, for a man

"from pliant paste may fabricks raise :" the Gentleman appears ridiculous. Who can persuade us, that “Taste” is a technical term? or that "Tumbling" is in any Artift's vocabulary, nhlefs, perhaps, of thofe at Sadler's Wells or the Royal Circus? We can easily perceive the reafon why the term Tafle is thus introduced, in order to cloak illiberal remarks upon an Architect, who, we allow, is as much open to cenfure for feveral depredations, we may call them, on our ancient architectural Aructures, as he is entitled to the highest praise for the many noble fpecimens of his fkill, with which he has adorned his native country. It fecus almoft needlefs to add, that we allude to Mr. W'vatt.

Candour, however, obliges us to alwol, that, though in many inftances