517

to

as

1819.] Sir J. Sinclair's Letter to Mr. Kean; and Answer. Shakspeare, Hotspur describes him. INSCRIPTIONS ON THE SWORD: self (Part I. Henryll. Act 1, scene 5),

On the Front, in the Centre. • leaning upon his sword ;' That is to

“ To EDMUND Kean, Esq. say, resting upon it in the scabbard.

as a tribute of admiration The sword, also, was not carried in

to his splendid talents, belts attached to the person (which,

from with a large and heavy sword, would

his friends at have been too cumbersome), but was

Edinburgh." either held in the right hand, or car- On the other side, in the Centre. ried on the left arm, the elbow being

“ This Sword was presented bent for that purpose.

In battle, when the sword was drawi, the scab

EDMUND KEAN, Esq. bard was thrown away, to imply, as

to be worn by him that phrase denotes, that the combat

when he appears on the Stage was to terminate with the death of

• Macbeth, the parties.-2. There is reason to

King of Scotland,' believe, that Shakspeare collected

November 1819." materials for the Tragedy of Macbeth,

MR. KEAN'S ANSWER. on the spot where many of the transactions took place. It is recorded in “ Sir, I have the honour to acGuthrie's History of Scotland, that knowledge the receipt of your

Letter, Queen Elizabeth seot some English annourcing the transmission of a va actors to the Court of her successor luable Sword, which you teach me to James, which was then held at Perth; receive as a tvken of the flattering and it is supposed that Shakspeare estimation, in which my professional was one of ihat number. This idea exertions in the Northern capital, are rèceivęs strong confirmation by the held by yourself, and a portion of

a following, striking circuinstance :- that Publick, to whose fostering inThe Castle of Duosinane is situated dulgence I am already bound in lastabout seren or eight miles from ing gratilude. Perth. When I examined, some “To those upknown patrons, in years ago, the remains of that Castle, whose names you have been pleased and the scenes jo its neighbourhood, in such gratifçiog terms to address I found, that the traditions of the me, I beg you will convey the ag. country people were identically the surance that their kindness has not

as the story represented in been lavished where it is not truly Shukspeare. There was but one ex- appreciated and deeply felt. ception. The tradition is, that Mac- "I am happy in the conviction, beth endeavoured to escape, when he that I shall only do justice to their found the Castle no longer ļenable. intentions in receiving this Sword, as Being pursued by Macduff, he ran up at once a record of national liberality an adjoining hill, but, instead of being and a pledge of Scottish patronage of slaiu in single combat by Macduff the Stage. May ! not recognize in (which Shakspeare preferred, as he. this their object, by the selection of ing a more interesting dramatic inci. the distinguished pen, which has hos'. dent), the couotry people said, that, noured me with this commendation, in despair, he threw himself over a as well as in the costume of the preprecipice, at the bottom of which sent itself, which you are pleased to There still remains'the Giant's Grave,' inform me, is strictly national, both where it is supposed that Macbeth in its character and in its ornaments ? was buried.

When you next visit “ Permit me to add, Sir, that my. Scotland, it would be interesting to own feeliogs could know no' higher take an early opporlunity of exainia. gratification than to be instructed to ing these classic scenes.

the belief, that I may have been the With my best wishes that you fortunate instrument of increasing may long continue an ornampeot to the number of the patrons of our the British Theatre.-l remain, Sir, Art, the difficulties of which may, in your very obedient servant,

some measure, be appreciated by the John SINCLAIR. rårity and instability of success, and $ 133, George-street, Edinburgh, in which we but too sensibly feel, Nov. 16, 1819.".

how necessary is public protection to

encourage

some

T ofiction Bills appears

encourage and sustain us even in our there is an excess of the population least chequered and unclouded career. employed in manufactures: aud would

“I have the honour to be, Sir, with it pot be eligible in the inasters, to grateful respect, your very obliged institute some rule which would limit servant,

E. KEAN. the number of Apprentices ? Legisla. “To Right Hon. Sir J. Siuclair.” tion on such a subject would be

deered an unjustifiable infringement Mr. URBAN,

Dec. 23. of the liberly of the subject; but the "AL enactinent of the recent Re- manufacturers themselves could check

to be con- excess by a very simple means;-raisfined to a specific purpose, beyond ing the premiurn of apprenticeship, which they caunot in propriety ex- when there is excess; and lowering tend. It is probable, however, that it in opposite circumstances. They much good would result to the na- might also encourage their workmen tion by removing one cause of sedi- to become members of Saving-Banks tion, distress, and to the inhabitants and Friendly Societies.-In short, it of the manufacturing districts by di- appears plain, that some sort of rules minishing the poor's rates.

nighl take place, by agreement beThe improvidence of the Poor is tween masters and workmen, which proverbial; and they pour such vom- would considerably augment the combers of the population into particular fort of the former, and diminish the tracks of employ, that the master possible evils of the lalter.-As lo cannot extend his capital to meel the weaving, and similar trades, a predaily increasing demand for work. ference ought to be given to females,

It has been stated (but the writer because another income is thus added of this has no means of referring to to the waves of the husband or fadocumerts) that the total number of tber.

C. D. adult males in the kingdoin amounts only ly three millions. of this much Mr.URBAN, Stoke Newington, Dec.20. too large a proportion is devoted to XPERIENCE has proved lo all the weavers in the silk, cloth, and lovers of Botany and Gardening, cotton manufactories.

how uncertain their expectations of In the two departinents of the silk success generally are in raising plants and cotton branches, we perpetually from seeds collected in foreign climes, hear of distress. The Spitalfields ! bave frequently experienced this weavers, the stocking weavers, and disappointment, Though I have felt the cotton weavers, are almost Ibe assured the secds I possessed had been only branches of employ by which we selected and packed with every pos. are periodically reminded (let the sible degree of care. I have now in times be in other respects what they my possession some which were colmay), that there is a stagnation of lected far in the interior of Van Dietrade, through which they are thrown man's Island in the autumn of 1817, a out of bread. All trades fluctuate; part of which were sown last spring, but the weavers, being far too nume. and almost entirely failed.' My obrous, suffer excessively.

ject in writing is to request your The constitutions of persons in this scientific Readers to oblige ibe Publine of employ are so enfeebled, that lick by communicating any knowthey are bot capable of husbandry ledge they may possess, as to tbe best work, at least for continuance. They mode of producing germination in have a squallid aspect, and a tendency exotic seeds.

C. L. to asthma and phthisis. It is well known thal, during the A BOLITION OF THE SLAVE TRADE.

E tained in sufficient numbers, io the

correct minute of the proagricultural counties, to get in the ceedings which not long ago took crops as fast as they were ready; and place in the Court of Vice-Admiralty it is equally certain, that the work. of Jamaica, relative to an attempted houses cuotain no able-bodied nuen. violation of the Abolition Laws, which It is too prelly clear 'lhat country had been detected upon a part of the carpenters are never io want of work, Coast of that Island; and the whole onless through personal misconduct. of those proceedings are of a nature

May it pot then be inferred, that's satisfactory, that we haye plea

EX

а

1819.)
Abolition of the Slave Trade.

5.19 sure in communicating them to our not being able to prove that he was readers.

a British subject. Among the papers laid before Par. Tiainent in the course of the last Ses.

MONDAY, JULY 26, 1819. sion, will be found the particulars of

Judges : -- His Honour Henry Conran, proceedings under an Act recently Hon. Wm. Roden Rennalls, Judge of the

esq. Lieutenant-governor, President; the passed by the Legislature of Jamaica, Vice-admiralty Court; the Hon. Thuinas evincing the promptitude with which

Witter Jackson, Chief justice of the Is. all classes of its luhabitaots have con.

land; Sir Home Popham, K.C. B. Com. 'curred to prosecute any case' of il- mander in Chief of the Naval Forces at licit importation which may come the station ; Captain Henry Hart, of his within the reach of their own Colo. Majesty's ship Sapphire ; Captain Tho. nial Regulations *, and the statement mas Wren Carter, of his Majesty's ship we now present will show a liké ready Wasp. zeal to enforce the provisions of the

WednesDÁY, JULY 28. British Acts of Parliament which THE KING V. JOHN RUDSON AND JOHN JOWDK. have been directed to the same object. The Court having been opened, the

The prisoners in the present case names of the parties bound to appear were indicted upon the first section were called over, and the Grand Jury of the 51 Geo. Ill. capo 23 (the Slave sworn, his Honour the presiding Judge Felony Act,) and they were tried un- delivered the following charge :"Geo. der a Commission issued by virtue of tlemen of the Grand Jury,-- We are asthe 46 Geo. 111. cap. 54, and which sembled by virtue of his Majesty's letters Commission is expressly declared by patent, for the purpose of trying offences the 58 Geo. III. cap. 98, to embrace by the calendar, that your attention will

comınitted on the bigh seas. It appears all offences made felonies or misde.

be principally called to the investigation meanors by the 51 Geo. III.

of a charge preferred against two persons, The evidence given on the trial for a violation of the Acis of Parliament clearly proved that the most secret passed in the 17th and 51st years of his applications which were made by the present Majesty, for the Abolition of the prisoner Hudson, for the Sale of the Slave Trade. By the first of those Acts Slaves, and especially at Anolta Bay, this species of traffic was declared to be were immediately rejected ; and we

illegal, was abolished, and for ever probave' authority for saying that no.

hibited among British subjects, under the thing could exceed the promplitude pain of pecuniary penalties. By the seand earnestness with which the Ma- jony, not, however, of a capital nature,

cond this crime was declared to be a fe. gistrates in that part of the country but subjecting the offender to transportaconducted themselves to bring the tion or confinement. [His Excellency offenders to trial. The result of the

here recited the words of the Act, whicha trial, viz. the transportation of Hud- declared the punishment for the offences son for seven years, and of Jones under consideration to be transportation for three years, certainly affords one beyond seas for a term not exceeding 14 of the strongest answers (if further years; or imprisonment and hard labour answer were necessary) to those who for a term not exceeding tive, nor less than have called in question the good faith

three years.]-Gentlemen, many years of the Inhabitants of our largest West

have elapsed since the wisdom of the Im. India Colony.

perial Legislature, after a long and assi. There was another Indictment

duous deliberatiou, declared itself upon

this interesting and important subject. against a Seaman on-board the same

Whatever might have been the doubts vessel, oamed John Johnson, for a and difficulties incidental to the measure misdemeanor under the 'second sec

in its progress (from the real or suption of the 51 Geo. 111.; but he was posed interest of these colonies), all speacquitted, in consequence ofthe Crown culation on the question has long ago been

* "I have the satisfaction of saying, that, to the best of my information, the en. forciug of The Abolition Laws is carried ou with alacrity, and in full obedience to tlie Laws of the Mother Country; and not ovly with alacrity and cheerfulness, but even with zeal and eagerness on the part of the Colonial. and Legislative Assemblies, particularly of Jamaica. The Assembly of that Island have passed Laws in furtherance of the great measure of Abolition, particularly two Acts, the tenor and effect of whicha are such, that it is but right and just to give them complete.credit for the sincerity of their wishes, for the full success of that great object."--(Speech of Lord Holland, De.' bate ia House of Lorus, 4th March 1819.)

at

at rest. The law has passed and been unimpeachable, in regard to the characobeyed. I say, Gentlemen, that the law ter and demeanour of the witnesses, and has been obeyed, because I conceive it irresistible as to the clearness and con. not to be inconsistent with the duties of currence of their staiements. The Court the present occasion, and of this place, were happy to find, that although the conto call to your recollection, that our clusions against you, to be drawn from the Island Legislature has gone hand in hand evidence, were undeniable, you stand with that of the Mother Country in pass- alone in the transactiou. Not the slighting local regulations in aid of the Aboli. est suspicion arises that you had in this tion laws. This very proceeding is itself island any confederate to draw you to our in some degree a manifestation, that a shores, but you appear to have rasbly desire to violate or evade them forms no come hither : unseduced and uninvited. part of the character of the inhabilants Far froin meeting with encouragement, of this colouy. This is the first time that when you first landed on the North side there has been occasion 10 institute a le. of the island, you, John Hudson, were re. gal prosecution similar to that in which pelled by the person to whom you clanwe are now engaged. Indeed, I cannot destinely applied for the disposal of your disregard so suitable an occasion as the cargo, and admouished of the peril in present for declaring my implicit con- which you stood. An excuse has been viction, that, in Jamaica, those laws have alleged for your intrusion into this colony. been strictly and scrupulously fulfilled. that you were diverted from another deThe length of time during which I have stination by necessity and famine. Were here held a public station, must have al- this allegation true, it would not bare lowed me the means and opportunities been a legal exculpation ; for it was a for observation ; and it is from the ex- felonious act in you both, as British sub. perience and information thus obtained, jects, to bave engaged in a traffic in ihat I feel myself bound to make this de- slaves of whatever national character. It claration. Your experience and general appears in evidence against you, John knowledge of the laws render it unneces- Hudson, that you disregarded the warnsary to expatiate on the outure of the du. ing which you had received at Anatto. ties attached to you, as the Grand Inquest bay, and approached Oracalessa, there of the country. You are well aware, lhat again offering the Africans on board your in the investigation of offences, it is your schooner for sale, and arowing your reprovince to hear evidence on the part of solution to continue along the coast for the prosecution, and to inquire whether the purpose of disposing of them : ignothere be sufficient cause to call upon the rance of the law cannot be urged in beparty accused to answer it. You will half either of you. The crime, of wbick have the goodness for the present to with you have been found guilty, was, it is true, draw, and the indictment will be laid be- once introduced and sanctioned by the fore you with as little delay as possible British Legislature; but the change in by the officers of the Crown."

the complexion and consequences of such

a transaction was not made on a sudden. FRIDAY, JULY 30.

Time was given for the sentiments and The Court being formed as before, with commercial habits of men to assume a the exception of Sir H. Popham, and the new direction, before the act of traffickiog prisoners being put to the bar, his Honour in slaves was denounced as a felony, the Judge of the Vice-admiralty Court

[ 521 ]

REVIEW OF NEW PUBLICATIONS.

31. An Original History of the City of consisted of jejune and dry details, Gloucester, almost wholly compiled from 'mere chronological indexes. To riew

Materials : supplying the numerous show the correctness of this stateDeficiencies, and correcting the Errors of ment we have oply to bring forward preceding Accounts ; including also the in comparison, the present work, original Papers of the late Ralph Big, which is copious, illustrative, and · land, Esq. Garter Principal King of Arms. By the Rev. Thomas Dudley novel. If the catalogues of the county Fosbrooke, M. A. F. A. S. Author of parishes, monastic estates, and memthe Flistory of the County, British Mo. bers of parliament be excluded, fornachism, &c. fol. & 4to. Nichols and Sou. mer works do not contain so much

matter as the General History of the THE THE Monumental and Genealo- present book. Add to this, various

gical Collections, of the late valuable and curious reprints, such Ralph Bigland, Esq. are malters of as the whole of that exceedingly-rare such interest to the inhabilaots of Tract, “ Dorney's Journal of the Gloucestershire, and, under circum. Siege;" all the paragraphs in the stances, of such important benefit to newspapers published during the Ci- : them, that we are sincerely glad to

vil War ; Corbell's Military Governsee an attempt to bring them to a

ment (so far as concerns the City); conclusion seriously commenced; and numerous Biographical notices, and we also hope, that a county so en

Archæological disquisitions, of high lightened and opulent as that of curiosity and interest, which now for Gloucester, will not permit the de- the first time are presented to the sign to fail for want of due encou- publick. The Work is written upon ragement. Do not these Collections, a new plan, thus explained by the

Author. preserve those pious and sacred memorials of their ancestors, which they “ Topographical works consisting of have erected, often at very consider

matters of reading, and matters of reable expence, and is any mode of ference, and being heavy from a com. : preservation equally durable with the mixture, as absurd as would be making

a continuous narrative of the paragraphs recording page of History? The work before us is the first the Author determined to throw all un

and the Advertisements of a newspaper, part of the intended Continuation, manageable details (in the manner of adand supplies that important deside- vertisements) into an Appendix, at the ratum, concerning this antient City, end of the chapter. Antiquarian science which its real history required. This can only be made a subject of general desideratum was a proper archæolo interest, by removing such incumbrances, gical explanation of its interesting, re- nor does

so well avail to'pick out Topó. mains; no preceding accounts had graphy with the History of England, as elucidated the station, or exhibited with Archæological Dissertatiou, always the distinction between that and the curious, and to Philosophers always imBritish city. No notice had been portant. Besides, such a History-of-Engtaken of the Palace of the British and

land construction is much like depriving the Mercian Kings, or of a castle, tumes; its leading features of interest

an old portrait of the beard and cosexisting before the Norman Con to posterity. À local history is not a quest. Matter, equal in quantity to machine, carriage, or engine, of which a volume, and of interesting general the merit depends upon a particular history, had been totally veglected. mode of action, but a museum or cabinet ; Before the publications of Mr. F08- and accordingly, the antient quotations brooke, not a line had appeared and extracts are given in their native from the manuscripts in the British form.” Preface. Museuin. In short, the whole re- If it be judicious to separate pasearch was confined to the Chronicle ragraphs and advertisements, in those of Abbot Froucester (once in the sweetmeats of luxury-reading NewsChapter Library), and a few of the papers, we think this distinction beCity Papers, with very rare excep. iween matters of reading and mat. tions; the whole of the City History ters of reference to be equally proGent. Mag, December, 1819.

per