some disorder. It has been remarked by a celebrated Author of the present day, that, "As the various unnatural modes and babits of living, to which the bodily constitution is gradually reconciled by a course of luxurious indulgences, have such a tendency to correct each other's effects, as to render a partial return to a more simple regimen, a dangerous, and, sometimes, a fatal experiment; so it is possible, that many of our imperfect political institutions may be so accommodated to each other, that a partial execution of the most plausible and equit able plans of reformation, might tend, in the first instance, to frus trate those important purposes which we are anxious to promote."-Stewart's Philosophy of the Mind, vol. i. p. 260.

Mr. Owen has not only by patient induction discovered the true principles of political economy, but has also suggested the best and safest mode of facilitating their speedy introduction into practice. He has superceded the necessity of any violent or sudden changes on the one hand, or of making any alteration in the laws of the country on the other. Having ascertained that communities of from one to two thousand

individuals are the most advantageous in every respect for human nature, he recommends that the destitute, the unemployed, and the parochial poor should be placed under arrangements that will enable them to support themselves. The wasteful or injudicious expenditure of the poor-rates is now universally condemned, and while the appropriation of these funds, as proposed by Mr. Owen, will be productive of considerable saving, it will at the same time conduce to the comfort and

happiness of those for whose relief they were designed. Thus will the disorders even of present society be corrected, by detaching the dissatisfied and the turbulent, and rendering them contented and peaceful-but they will be made subservient to a higher object-they will afford an opportunity of bringing to the test of experiment, principles, which if found to be practicable, will be hailed as the most valuable truths in their beneficial consequences, that science has developed in all the former ages of the world! J. M. M.

Part i. p. 364. b. Mr. Prebendary Dennis, if his speech is here correctly reported, in speaking of the "Constitutional claiin" of the Convocation "to act as one of the Three Estates

of the Realm," probably did not recollect the title of the Service for the 5th of November, which is "A Form of Prayer and Thanksgiving for the happy deliverance of King James, and the Three Estates of England." The Convocation, whose power I am far from wishing to see abridged, is not one of the three Estates of the Realm, any more than the King himself (sometimes erroneously so called) is one of them. The Lords Spiritual and Temporal are two of the Estates, and the Commons are the third.

Phænix, a Palm Tree.

P. 420. It is memorable, that the learned Sir Thomas Browne did not

discover the mistake (which has been Corrected, p. 504, part ii. 99,) arising from the identity of the names in Greek of the Phoenix and Palm Tree, dit to the story built upon it: "If though he did not give implicit crestrictly taken for the Phoenix,” he very strange is that which is

says,

delivered by Plutarch, that the brain thereof is a pleasant bit, but that it causeth the head-ach." Vulgar Errors, p. 110.

Turpin, the Highwayman.

P. 604. Your Kentish Correspondent, part ii. p. 104, who gives a circumstantial account of Turpin, the highwayman, is probably well inform ed. I have commonly heard it said, that, taking a pistol from his pocket and shooting a game-cock, that accidentally crossed him on the road, was the occasion of his being apprehended and discovered.

P. 13. It is here supposed, that a Cedar, planted in Feb. 1676-7, is the oldest in this Kingdom. There were two, or, I think, three very large ones at Wolseley Bridge, which were said to have been brought from Mount Lebanon by Sir William Wolseley, the traveller; and when he lived, many perhaps of your Correspondents can inform you, though I cannot. I think one of these uoble trees was blown down about 30 years ago; as was, I think, a very large one at Hillingdon and another at Enfield. The other two, standing a few years ago, will, I hope, long survive and flourish.

The cedar, if planted in a soil that it loves, "by the water-courses," is rather of quick growth. I have seen some, which the venerable planter lived to see, I think, seven or eight feet in circumference.

Suicide forbidden.

P. 138. Is there any word, Mr. Urban, in our language stronger than astonishment? If there is, we have here occasion for it; for I should wonder indeed, if one in ten thousand allowed, what your Reviewer (1 believe it is) says, is “universally allowed," that "Suicide does not come under the Sixth Commandment!" Is there a child of ten years old, that does not know that "Thou shalt do no murder?" Ov Qoyεves, non vccides, (take it in what language you please) is a prohibition of all murder, and therefore of self-murder, as well as of any other.

Missionary Language.

P. 263. b. I know not whether it is the Missionary Society, or their Eulogist, that has inade the discovery, "that nearly 100 millions of immortal beings are found under the dominion of the small kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland." But Missionaries and Bi

Sovereign of the earth," the Emperor of China, whose curious rescript follows on the next page, have, like the gods in Homer, a language of their own, and are not content to speak in the common dialect of mortal men. I am, Mr. Urban, “standing on the earth, not rapt above the pole," Yours, &c.

R. C.

Mr. URBAN, Towcester, Dec. 11.
PERUSED with pleasure, in p.

407, an observation upon the neglect of the Churchwardens in not removing the earth, which has been allowed to accumulate against the walls of the Churches, subjecting the edifices to the most prejudicial consequences from damp. As a future preventative of the nuisance, I submit to your opinion, the propriety of pitching with pebbles, or other stones, for about three or four feet from the Church, in an oblique direction. The experiment was recommended by my late father, Mr. Gilbert Flesher, when Church warden of this parish, about 1777, to pitch with small pebbles the North side of the Church, and the North and West of the tower; which retains its original neatness and utility, preserving the walls from damp, and preventing the earth being cast thereon. The adoption of this system will also materially prevent the graves being dug so very frequently close, as to prejudice the foundation. G. FLESHER.

I

Mr. URBAN,

Dec. 21. KNOW from experience you need no apology for my troubling you, as many old Westminsters will feel gratified to read in your extensive circulating Publication, any thing relative to the little world at St. Peter's, which will recall to their minds the "eventful history of their boyish days;" and you will gratify me by communi cating to them, that I had an intellectual treat on the 13th inst. I attended the third representation of the Adelphi, by the gentlemen of the King's School. I was never more delighted. They performed it to the admiration of a most crowded audience of the first rank and respectability in the kingdom.

The contrast of the Adelphi Mitio (Mr. Short) and Demea (Mr. Henderson), was admirably supported in

R

Dec. 20. OUGH and intemperate as Mr. Brougham has been in the investigation of abuses in Public Schools and Charities, placed as it now is in the hands of able men who will enter calmly into the business, much good may be expected to arise from its being agitated.

But there is a circumstance at Winchester School, which seems very seriously to call for an alteration in the Statutes.

Mr. Brougham says (in a Letter to Sir Samuel Romilly, p. 52), the boys, when they attain the age of fifteen, solemnly swear that they have not 31. 68. 8d. 2 year (5 marks) to spend; yet (says Mr. B.) they pay 10 guineas a year to the master, and the average of their other expences exceeds 507.

The gentleman who has addressed a Letter to Mr. Brougham, in vindication of Winchester School, says, that the payment to the Master, and the other School expences, are paid * See the Prologue and Epilogue in the present Number, p. 617.

GENT. MAG. Suppl. LXXXIX, Part II,
D

by the parent, not by the boy; and that the oath taken by the boy does not relate to those expences. He gives the oath to be taken by every boy in these words; "Ego, in Collegium Sanctæ Mariæ prope Wintoniam admissus, juro, quod non habeo aliquid de quo mibi constat, unde possum expendere annuatim ultra quinque marcas Sterlingorum." He then interprets these words, not according to Mr. Brougham's interpretation, "I have not 37. 6s. 8d. a year to spend;" for that probably, says this gentleman, many of the Scholars have from the liberality of their friends; but I have not any property, any income which I can so call my own, as to be able to spend from it yearly above the sum of 5 marks. He says (p. 37, 38, note), taking into consideration the relative value of money at the Founder's time, and the present, 31. 6s. 8d. in the former, is equal to 607. now; and that, agreeable to the intention of the Founder, a boy may now be possessed of 607. per

annum.

That it is reasonable it should be so, perhaps no one will have the smallest doubt; but the Founder says, his Statutes are to be taken according to their plain, literal, and grammati cal sense and understanding. What is the plain, literal, and grammatical sense of the words to which the boy is compelled to swear? Will a boy of that age comprehend a learned disquisition on the relative value of money, by which 37. 6s. 8d. is supposed to mean 607.? Will a boy who never returns to school after the vacation without five guineas (perhaps much more) in his pocket, take this oath according to the plain literal grammatical sense of the words, with a clear conscience? Is it not one part of the master's duty to inculcate on his scholars the solemn nature of an oath ?

It appears then to me, Mr. Urban, who am a plain man, that this matter calls for the most serious attention. If the Statutes are in some particulars construed very properly with a view to the alteration of times and circumstances, why should not this oath be either wholly omitted, or at least extended in plain literal grammatical words, according to what is said to be the tree meaning of it?

If

If this cannot be done without the aid of an Act of Parliament, can we doubt the readiness of the Legislature to relieve the boys from the cruel situation of being obliged to take an oath which, according to the plain literal grammatical sense of the words, cannot be taken with a safe conscience, or being expelled the School? A. P.

Mr. URBAN,

HA

Dec. 9.

AVING a considerable quantity of grass land in my own occupation, the whole of which is seen from the windows of my house; it is natural to suppose, I could wish it to be in a respectable state of cultivation, and to assume (for the greater part of the year) as verdant an ap pearance as possible.

Ground bones have been recommended to me as a proper manure, but as I am totally unacquainted with the process of grinding them, and the necessary quantity per acre for meadow or pasture land, I again repeat, I shall esteem it a favour, if any of your Readers will answer the following questions: What apparatus is necessary to grind the bones? where the same can be procured, and the probable expence? Must the operation of grinding the bones be performed by the aid of water or a horse?

Are the bones required to be grossly powdered, or otherwise? what quantity required per acre for grass land? the nature of land most suitable (whether wet or dry) for this species of manure? Lastly, whether bonedust is esteemed a permanent mapure?

1 conceive, Mr. Urban, it has always been a desideratum in agriculture, to have the grass lands, the whole of the year, as green as possible, especially when in sight of a respectable residence; but I am sorry to say mine are now almost as white as the paper I write upon. Should any of your friends give themselves the trouble to take the above request of mine into their consideration, and should not conceive bone dust as likely to answer my purpose, perhaps they would have the goodness to recommend some other species of mapure as more likely to be of service. Yours, &c. LANCASHIRE.

Mr. URBAN,

Dec. 13.

MIDST the prevailing disquietude of the country, the Provisional Committee for Encourage ment of Industry and Reduction of Poor's Rates, with pleasure communicates to its friends and the community, that that most important remedy, the increase of employment for the Poor, is daily developing.

The occupying portions of land, as near as they are to be met with, for the employment of the Poor of large and populous places, and where the cultivation of that valuable article flax shall be prominently attended to, cannot be too urgently recommended; while the encouragement afforded to these views by the Legislature in the last Session, may be contemplated as an earnest of its acquiescence in such measures as shall enable the industrious classes, through their own exertions, to emerge from a dependance on parochial aid.

To affect these important objects, numerous judicious details have been agitated; the following may perhaps be noticed as an efficacious mode:That Commissioners may be appointed, say of the Board of Agriculture, and Local Commissioners, composed of Magistracy, &c. appointed by Hundreds or other divisions or districts, who shall be empowered to erect necessary abodes, and employ the uuoccupied, under suitable Superintendanis. That the funds necessary for effecting the same may be taken from a fund similar to the loans granted to facilitate the carrying on public works, the security of which to be the Parish Rates.

Thus, while acting on the truest political economy, an enormous burthen of Poors' Rates will, at an early period, be removed; the avenues of domestic comfort and domestic trade re-opened, and the revenue be upheld by the participation of every class; the fabrick of our civil society will be placed on the most firm and stable basis; and the security, happiness, and prosperity of our empire, under Divine Providence, be re-assured. Yours, &c.

Mr. URBAN,

IF

BENJAMIN WILLS.

Hackney, Dec. 12. F we reflect on the long struggles we have as a Nation maintained for so many years, with the experditure

ture of blood and treasure occasioned thereby, it will, no doubt, produce painful sensations to our minds; but we have, notwithstanding, great reason for exultation, to find that we are so honourably and advantageously recovered from them, and are placed in so enviable a situation amongst the nations of Europe; it is a subject for inexhaustible satisfaction. Although we have been so occupied as to call forth the energies of the nation, yet that has not been entirely the occupation of our time, thoughts, or talents, for great have been our advances in various interesting subjects, but none more than by an increasing knowledge of Geography and Navigation. The immortal Cook, under the auspices of our excellent and revered Monarch, first led the way by opening to us new sources, fresh information, and improved nautical science; he discovered to our view a Southern Archipelago, and proved the certainty of circumnavigating the globe with a healthy crew. How interesting are his Voyages! As Islanders we feel so influenced in these pursuits, that it cannot be surprising to find that voyages, from their earliest accounts, are read with avidity by the greatest part of our best-informed population. Anson's Voyage made us more particularly acquainted with the Pacific Ocean; and the animating recital of Hanway first informed us of the navigation of the Wolga and the Caspian Sea. Rapid indeed have been our progress since: and the scenes now opening in the Southern hemisphere, seem to be unfolding new ideas, new sources of commerce, and a larger field for activity, exertion, and advantages arising from them. How far the independence of the Spanish colonies may afford an increase of commercial pursuits, is not for me to say; the regions are immense; and not only the coasts of the Pacific, but the Phillippine Islands, offer inconceivable prospects for commercial adventure. No doubt can be entertained but a strict neutrality is the result of our councils; and no doubt can be entertained of the propriety of them; but there was a time in the recollection of very many of your Readers, when the mother country of these colonies did not preserve a neutrality towards us, and I have it full in recollection, on being intro

duced at the levee of Don Gulver, Governor of Louisiana, of seeing a picture illustrative of that conduct, afterwards adopted by two powers to humble us, which has so completely recoiled on themselves; – whilst waiting to be presented, my eye caught a painting, exhibiting an island with the setting sun, a fleet at anchor close "in shore," with British colours; at a distance, "in the offing," were two fleets, distinguished by their colours, and which I could not mistake; in the fore-ground were the Genius of France and Spain, with their shields of arms, viewing with great complacency the objects before them," but so did not I." To preserve a strict neutrality, therefore, is at present the just, the exact, the generous line of proceeding; nothing more or less can be expected from a free Government and a generous people.

But to return to our nautical pursuits, justly availing the opportunity; the Alceste, after landing Lord Amherst on his mission to Pekin, proceeded on a most interesting survey of the Yellow Sea, the coasts of the Corea, and that pleasing little island of "Lewchew ;" and if it is rational to send missionaries to wild and uncultivated countries, surely we may suppose it may be justifiable to this Island, where they seem to want nothing but the pure worship of God to render them completely happy. In the present instance, they are so circumstanced, as to seem fit for the reception of Christianity; but if such an attempt was made, it must not be by conveying the missionaries in a large ship,-that would excite suspicion; but by a small vessel, with but a few hands to navigate her; then by a residence of time, and a blameless life, it is not improbable but good effects may be produced. The early conquerors of South America were sometimes preceded by a Friar, with a Cross, who expected the miserable natives to worship it instantly, and to become converts to Christianity almost at once. May I not add that we are not entirely free from being implicated in weakness sometimes almost as bad? From what I have seen of the Aborigines of America, I cannot but think -we must first humanize, next civilize, and then Christianize. 'T. W...

On