AND Journal of Belles Lettres, Arts, Politics, etc. No. 54. SATURDAY, JANUARY 31, 1818. THE IMPERIAL TOURISTS. distant from each other. This machine is drawn by two horses, and driven over | the swath to turn it. That the hay may not hang to the axle, and impede the motion of the machine, a piece of Beau-flannel is hung over the axle to brush off the hay. Tour of Their Imperial Highnesses the Archdukes John and Lewis of Austria. (Continued.) Beechwood, Woburn, Leicester, desert. We saw a great many various machines. A sowing machine, which is like those at Hofwyl, with this difference, that in the front a little ploughshare is applied, with two projections (oreillons) between which the seed falls: the cylinder, which passes over the furrow, presses down the earth over the seed, and at the same time makes a new furrow. The sowing machine is fixed to the cylinder, and both are drawn by the same horse. Another machine, for sowing turnips, appeared to us remarkably ingenious, on account of its simplicity. It consists of a wooden chest, lined with tin, which has holes pierced in it, and is fixed upon wheels, two or three feet high. An iron bar, passing through the chest, is put in motion by the wheels themselves; to the iron bar wooden rollers are fixed, provided with brushes, which, turning with the bar, keep the holes open, and hinder them from being stopped up. We saw a very large and convenient rake for gathering up the oats and barley when mowed down: it consists of a piece of wood two toises (twelve feet) long, furnished with iron teeth and a handle: a horse is yoked to it, and it is drawn over the corn; in this manner the rake gathers up the harvest with great rapidity. Sir John Sebright possesses a flock of a thousand sheep. They are partly Merinos, and partly of the English breed. As his principal object is directed to fattening, he prefers the latter, which possess, in this respect, advantages over the Merinos.* We passed the evening in agreeable conversation. The worthy Baronet's eldest daughter, who is very fond of chemistry, shewed us an experiment of Wollaston, which has since been published, but was then new to us: namely, that of a little galvanic battery, contained in a thimble, which is able to make a wire of platina red hot. We saw so many things at Beechwood, that it was impossible for us to take notes of every thing; but Sir John politely promised to visit us after our return to London, when the very important notices, which we had collected at his seat, should receive a complete supplement. We made, besides, the best use of the time that we were able to pass in his company, so that we learned far more from him, than it would have been possible to collect elsewhere in the same time. He is the true model of an English gentleman: his mind is highly cultivated by travelling; he understands both French and German, and converses on various subjects in an agreeable and instructive manner. The machine invented for turning the hay, appeared to us very ingenious; it seemed perfectly to answer its purThe seat of the Duke of Bedford at pose, and at the same time to save Woburn, where we arrived on the 5th much manual labour. It is fixed upon of November, is, with its park and two wheels joined by an axle, twenty-gardens, one of the most beautiful retwo feet long; two pieces of wood, in which the axle turns, join in an angle towards the pole; the latter has in its fore part a little wheel: a mechanical power is fitted to the axle: two rings are fixed to the smallest wheel of this mechanical power: and, lastly, to the rings four laths, under which there are springs, which give way when they strike against stones: the laths are furnished with teeth, six inches VOL. II. sidences in England. Whatever makes the British country seats agreeable and delightful, is found here in the greatest perfection. We saw an extensive and well chosen library; we examined with much pleasure a valuable collection of fine paintings; among which we particularly remarked many by Vandyke, The above remarks prove how accurately these Princes observed our most useful mechanical inventions.-Editor, PRICE 1s. and the portrait of Anna Bullen, by Holbein. In the anti-room is a bust of Napoleon of Carrara marble. In a In walking through the Duke of Bedford's garden, we were struck with the remarkable beauty of a large orangery. In the middle of it are eight columns of white marble; they surround a large vase, adorned with bas-reliefs, and several smaller marble vases. niche` stands a cast of the Apollo Belvidere. At the end of the orangery is a temple, supported by four columns of the Ionic order, which is sacred to the memory of the late Duke of Bedford, brother to the present duke. Within is a cabinet, with a gilded ceiling, in which are placed the busts of Fox, and of his friends, the Lords + Fitzpatrick, Lauderdale, Robert Spencer, Grey, Holland, and Harvey. A Chinese pavilion is adorned with furniture and vessels from China and Japan; and a menagerie contains many rare animals. We have not seen any where a park so well stocked with deer as that of Woburn. These pretty creatures are so tame, that they come up to the very windows of the chateau. The farm is at the distance of half a mile from the house, and, including all its dependencies, looks like a little village. Many remarkable things are to be seen here; among which is a steam engine, which puts in motion a machine for threshing corn, and two mills. The manner in which the motion is produced by the steam engine, is extremely ingenious; but a clear idea of it cannot be given without a drawing. The present duke is brother to him who is so well known as an agriculturist, and who also erected all the buildings on this fine estate. During his life, agricultural pursuits were carried on here with great activity. The time of sheep-shearing, about the middle of June, was observed as a rural festival, at which three or four hundred persons were present. The country through which you travel after leaving Woburn, is rather monotonous, though well cultivated; but as soon as you get into the county + General.-Editor. We do not know who this is.-EDITOR. of Leicester, the country and the cultivation change. In the higher position, on account of the abundance of meadow land, the breeding of cattle is the chief object of attention. On the 6th we arrived at Leicester. The houses are built of bright red bricks, and covered with slates, which has a very neat appearance. Wilson's foundery was the first manufactory that we saw in this town. It produces only machines, and other curious things. The horizontal windmills, for which Wilson has a patent, are uncommonly beautiful. The manufactory of Mr. Kelly, for knitting-work, is very considerable. A steam engine puts in motion fourteen large looms. By this means this ma nufactory is able to furnish for four teen shillings, the same goods which formerly cost forty. The produce of the establishment is very considerable. They sell every week seven or eight hundred dozen of braces (bretelles). A quantity of these goods goes to America. Near Ashley we saw the first iron rail-road. The waggons used on these roads, have four small low light wheels, of cast iron. On these four wheels stands a square kind of chest. The waggon is drawn by one horse.* On the 7th we arrived at Beaudesert, a fine seat belonging to the Marquis of Anglesea. During our stay there, we were enabled to form an idea of the mode of living of the rich English landowners. Before nine o'clock in the morning, nobody is to be seen. At ten, the company assemble in the draw ing room, where an ample breakfast is provided, which consists of tea, bread and butter, toast, eggs, cutlets, &c. This breakfast lasts an hour: then the company separate, and every one employs or amuses himself, as he thinks fit, till dinner, which is served up at six or seven o'clock. Half an hour before dinner, the company meet ih the library or drawing-room. In the morning the gentlemen may appear in boots; but in the evening they must be dressed as in town. The ladies tob appear full dressed. The dinner consists of every thing, that a good kitchen can afford. The table service is very handsome; ofteh you are served in silver gilt. After We do not know how large the waggons afe which their Highnesses saw here, but on some roads one horse draws ten or more waggons. EDITOR. the soup, cold punch is presented: Aimé Bonpland, &c. vol. iii. 8vo. after this, custom requires that you pp. 575. with maps, plans, &c. &c. take a glass of wine, according to the THE literary and scientific world will, choice of the lady of the house, and we are sure, rejoice with us in the apdrink her health. Afterwards, when pearance of another volume of this you wish to drink, it is the custom to highly interesting narrative. To those invite acquaintance, or those who sit who have not perused the preceding next you, to join you. Every body publications of these distinguished trahelps to the dish that stands before vellers, we may say that their zeal and him. At the dessert, the ladies with-intelligence are not to be surpassed; draw, the servants are dismissed, and and to those who have enjoyed that the claret bottle begins to circulate gratification, we shall content ourselves from the left hand. After that, the with stating, that the present volume is gentlemen go to the ladies in the in no respect inferior to any which have drawing-room, or into the library, gone before. We might sometimes enter into conversation, and every one wish for compression, but are never leaves the company when he thinks fatigued. proper. Riding and hunting are the principal diversions. In the first the ladies take a great share. The fox-chace, with dogs, is rather a dangerous pleasure, because you are obliged to leap your horse over hedges and ditches. They also hunt hares. The dogs are ex tremely well broke, and the fowling pieces excellent. The region of New Andalusia, Cumana, and the Caraccas, the exploration of which furnishes matter for the work, affords it peculiar claims to notice, at a moment when political events of so great importance are acting upon this theatre. Intending, therefore, to devote more than one Number to the examination of its contents, we shall proceed directly to our As every rich landowner passes a task, and follow the thread of the narpart of the winter in the country, rela-rative, in bringing our readers actions and neighbours meet together, quainted with its most striking feaand the company is numerous enough tures. to supply the place of the circles in town. The prevailing ton is pleasing, free, but strictly decorous; and the hospitality and politeness that you meet with here, must afford pleasure to every one who is capable of appreciating their value. The arrangement and furniture of the rooms are extremely convenient. In these country seats you find every thing combined that can tend to the material, or the intellectual enjoyments of life. The intercourse with the ladies, who in general possess much and various knowledge, and often more than the men, affords all that you can wish. If to this be added the perfectly unconstrained mode of living, it is easy to conceive the charms of a country life; and it seems very natural that the English nobility and gentry should reside in the metropolis only during the sittings of parliainent. REVIEW OF NEW BOOKS. * Our travellers penetrated into the interior of the missions of the Chayma Indians in Andalusia, "A country studded with forests; and visited a convent surrounded by palm trees and arborescent fern, situate in a narrow valley, where we felt the enjoyment of a cool and delicious climate, in the centre of the torrid zone. The surrounding mounof nocturnal birds; and, what affects the tains contain caverns, haunted by thousands imagination more than all the wonders of the physical world, we find beyond these mountains a people so lately nomade, and still nearly in a state of nature, savage without being barbarous, and stupid rather from ignorance than long rudeness. Europe, penetrates for the first time into “ When a traveller, newly arrived from the forests of South America, Nature presents herself to him under an unexpected aspect. The objects that surround him recal but feebly those pictures which celebrated writers have traced on the banks of * Missions are small communities of the wandering tribes, formed by the Roman Catholic missionaries about, and subsequent to, the era of Charles V. These establishments, though originally favourable to civilization, have now no other effect than to stultify the poor Indians, and Personal Narrative of Travels to the keep them in stupid subjection, insulated from Equinoctial Regions of the New Conti-the rest of the world; their intellectual progress enchained, and their wild independence ill exnent, during the years 1799-1804. changed for gloomy degrading servitude to cloisBy Alexander de Humboldt and tered bigotry. still unknown. The Casas del Rey are to be The child had no other nourishment than the milk of his father. Lozano, who was not at Arenas during our journey in the missions, came to us at Cumana. He was accompanied by his son, who was then The missionary of San Fernando reabout 13 or 14 years of age. Mr. Bonceived them kindly, as they were fur-pland examined with attention the father's nished with proper Canonical letters of breast, and found it wrinkled like those of women who have given suck. He observed recommendation. He was a true sample that the left breast in particular was much of monastic sensuality; very curious enlarged; which Lozano explained to us about the news of battles and sieges in from the circumstance that the two breasts Europe; but much more interested in did not furnish milk in the same abundthe killing of a cow, which was to take ance." place the next morning, to furnish him the Mississippi, in Florida, and in other temperate regions of the New World. He feels at every step, that he is not on the confines, but in the centre of the torrid zone; not in one of the West India Islands, but on a vast continent, where every thing is gigantic, the mountains, the rivers, and the mass of vegetation. It might be said, that the earth, overloaded with plants, does not allow them space enough to unfold themselves. The trunks of the trees are every where concealed under a thick carpet of verdure; and if we carefully transplanted the orchideæ, the pipers, and the pothos, which a single courbaril, or American fig; tree (ficus gigantea) nourishes, we should cover a vast extent of ground. By this sin- with what he called the most incom- menon M. de Humboldt argues upon fect." This curious physiological pheno gular assemblage, the forests, as well as the parable enjoyment of life, the means of at some length, and quotes several exflanks of the rocks and mountains, enlarge eating good beef (carne de vacca.) The amples of males of the human species, the domains of organic nature. The same price of the animal was only seven as well as animals, producing a secrelianas as creep on the ground, reach the piastres, and the mode of slaughtering tion of milk at the breast, which we tops of the trees, and pass from one to an-it barbarous in the extreme: it is done are the more inclined to credit, from other at the height of more than a hundred by ham-stringing, and then plunging having been eye-witness of the fact, in a large knife into the vertebræ of the a Scotish Highlander, employed in the neck in twenty minutes after which labours of harvest in a southern county. operation, eight Chayma Indians cut M. de H. instances the lower order of the carcase completely up into small Russian peasants, as offering frequent pieces. It may be noted, as a charac- examples of the same kind. But it teristic trait, that on the same day, the does not appear that the quantity of friar paid a soldier eighteen piastres this secretion is often sufficient for the for having succeeded, after many fruit-purpose here attested; nor are we sure less attempts, in bleeding him in the that the quality deserves the name asfoot. cribed to it. In the case we have cited, the liquid had more of a mucous than lacteal appearance; and we cannot flatter our sex with the hope of agreeably rendering the most lovely of female and maternal duties a sinecure. They walked for hours under these majestic arcades, and in groves where the pendent bottle-shaped rests of the oriole hung like artificial ornaments to the lower branches, while the song of that bird mingled with the harsh notes of flocks of parrots, and the dissonant cries of macaws, which only fly in pairs, sometimes composing altogether a concert loud enough to drown even the thundering noise of the mountain torrent. Proceeding onward, they reached the small village of San Fernando. "This was the first mission we saw America. The houses, or rather the huts, As San Fernando is a sample of the multitude of other missions, we may observe, that it consists of a hundred families, and that the population is inincreased by the custom of early marriages, at the age of thirteen or fourteen. The government of these parishes is very complicated; consisting of governor, major alguazils, and militia commanders, who are all copper coloured natives. The militia is composed of companies of archers, who are trained to shoot at butts, and have colonels, &c. like regulars-a curious anomaly under a purely monastic system. of the Chayma Indians, separated from each other, are not surrounded by gardens. The streets, which are wide and very straight, cross each other at right angles. The walls, which are very thin and slight, are made of clay, strengthened by lianas. The uniformity of this construction, the grave and treme neatness that reigns throughout their habitations, reminded us of the establishments of the Moravian brethren. Every Indian family cultivates at some distance from the village, besides its own garden, the conuco of the community. In this the adults of each sex work one hour in the morning, and one in the evening. In the missions nearest the coast, the garden of the community is generally a sugar or indigo plantation, under the direction of the missionary; and the produce of which, were the law strictly observed, can be employed only for the support of the church, and the purchase of the sacerdotal ornaments. The great square of San Fernando, in the centre of the village, contains the church, the dwelling of the missionary, and that humble edifice, which is pompously called the king's house, Casa del Rey. This is a real caravanserai, destined to lodge travellers; and, as we often experienced, infinitely valuable in a country where the name of an inn is taciturn air of the inhabitants, and the ex Near San Fernando is the village of Arenas, where the following singular story is related, which we chuse to give in the author's own words, rather than risk our credit by an abridgment. It relates to one Francisco Lozano, a white man, descended from Europeans. "This man has suckled a child with his own milk. The mother having fallen sick, The next stage of our travellers was Cumanacoa, seven leagues from Cumana, and a place of 2300 inhabitants, having quadrupled in the last sixty years. It is a strange circumstance, that while it scarcely ever rains at Cumana, there are annually seven months' of wintry weather at Cumanacoa, which is 104 toises above the level of the sea. The thermometer kept at from 18. 5o. to 20o. Tobacco, of a fine aromatic kind, the same as the Virginia, is much cultivated, the monopoly of which is odious in itself, and most oppressively and insolently enforced upon the people;no mean cause of the insurrection in the province. The amazing fertility of the tropical regions may be conceived from the history of the culture of this plant. |