days since, in again meeting with several of your recent numbers, I was much gratified by a perusal of the remarks of your Correspondents Economicus, Humanitas, Benevolus, &c. respecting the keeping of Bees. Having resided by far the greater part of my time in the country, and in a part, too, where the keeping of these valuable and industrious little creatures is common, my observation has been frequently turned towards their habits and propensities. If the few remarks which I bave to offer respecting them are worth a corner of your next publication, I have no doubt you will do me the honour to insert them. The labours of the Bee seem, during latter years, to have been greatly abridged in this country; at least in such part of it as comes under my observation, there is neither so much honey procured from their colonies, as was formerly the case, nor are there so many Bees to be found from which it can be procured. quicksands of unstable hopes, and all the numerous ills that flesh is heir to,' render life an unsubstantial shadow, an airy existence, unworthy the regards of the wise and the good." While he thus soliloquizes, and repines at the lot of Providence, he raises his eyes, and surveys the objects about him; he finds himself perchance in a country richly diversified with natural objects, and presenting all the enchanting aspects of wildness and sublimity. Caught with their novelty, and diverted from the thread of his former reflections, a new train of ideas occupy his soul: he inhales the breezes of heaven, ranges through the verdant groves, not a shrub presents itself to his now invigorated sight, but he discovers beauties unobserved, and new sources of investigation. He raises his eyes, and surveys the fields of atmosphere which bound the prospect on either side; the grey tints of evening have solemnized the scene, while the glories of a Western sky still illumine the slow-revolving clouds as they pass at intervals over the firmament. The pleased spectator, his powers set free from the vexations which had previously harassed them, contemplates with satisfaction the new world into which he is thrown; he at once philosophizes with the eager enquiry of the sage, mentally revolves the systems of naturalists, marks their apparent errors, and endeavours to penetrate difficulties yet unsolved. Content with little, and relinquishing his former designs, he soon experiences, from the calm tranquillity which sweetens his meals, and attends his pillow, that other cares were designed by Providence to fill and expand the mind, besides the pursuits of human ambition, and that while the material system of the universe sheds its wonders around, occupations are held forth to us, which will at once interest and relieve the anxieties attend-ameter, with only a narrow entrance ant upon life. Mr. URBAN, Tilmanstone, April 15. HAVE long been a constant admirer of your very interesting Miscellany, though for many months past I have been prevented by peculiar circumstances from regularly turning to its valuable pages. A few Few things are more common than to hear the proprietor of Bees complaining that he is not able to preserve them through the season of Winter, and that the Bees are inactive during the season of gathering honey. Now I am induced to believe these complaints owe their origin to some modern refinements in the management of these useful insects. It was the practice of the old Beemasters, balf a century ago, when Bees were known to be much more productive than at the present time, to place their charge as much in a state of nature as possible. For this purpose they had what was usually termed a Bee-garden, situated at some distance from the habitations of men, and surrounded by a tall hedge, of a circular form, composed of white blossom thorn, inclosing a plot of ground of 15 or 20 feet di sufficient for one person to be admitted at a time. In this circular inclosure, the hives were placed on moderately bigh and very firm stools, and the place of their abode was often so overgrown with thorns, briars, &c. as to render it almost impervious to intruders; the hives were sheltered from the inclemency of storms by thick coverings of straw of a conical shape; and in this strong hold, the Bees, secure from molestation, seldom failed to produce a plentiful supply of their delicious sweets. Unfortunately, this good,old mode is sacrificed to modern folly; and in its stead an elegant Bee-house in the Chinese, or some other still more ridiculous style, must be erected; into this refined modern structure the industrious insects are now compelled to enter; and most likely, if the owner can afford it, into hives of glass at the same time, instead of warn coverings of straw. Now this Chinese Bee-house must be placed at no great distance from the dwelling-house, because the curious proprietor wishes to attend to their labours, and therefore it must be placed in his own garden, which, forsooth, must also be planted, for the use of the Bees, with flowers of such kind as are known to yield honey in the greatest abundance; and in this situation, the Bees, constantly subject to the unwelcome visits of domestics, friends, and curious neighbours, besides dogs, and other animals, embrace the earliest opportunity of quitting their elegant apartments, and fly to a more congenial abode in the hollow of some antient tree; or if they do not seek a more agreeable residence, they seldom prove industrious, or produce honey in any material quantity, so that, if left without assistance, they generally die during the season of Winter, and not unfrequently destroy one another in warfare. Bees are not fond of artificial habitations, nor will they collect their materials from flowers planted about them, but seek their honey abroad; they are not fond of the society of man, and often testify their disapprobation of it. To be thriving, they should be resigned, as much as possible, to the care of their parent, Nature. I knew an instance of a very indolent fellow, who possessed a large colony of Bees, about which he never gave himself the smallest conceru, yet his Bees were remarkably productive. On a warm day in the month of June he happened to have a young swarm issue forth from one of his hives, which soon settled on a bush close to the edge of a deep ditch, in which the young swarm, as soon as hived, were placed until they should become sufficiently quiet to be removed to a more eligible situ GENT. MAG. Suppl. LXXXVII. PART. I. B ation, but which, to be brief, was forgotten ever to be done; in this state they remained upon the ground, and, overgrown by every kind of rubbish, until the owner's attention was called to them the ensuing year by a neighbour, who discovered them preparing to send out a young swarm. The original stock proved, upon examination, the strongest and richest in the man's possession. It is not the laudable curiosity of the ingenious and inquisitive Naturalist, with regard to Bees, that I would condemn; but if we would see Nature in perfection, we must tread Nature's paths. W. WEEKES. To all and singuler Capteynes, Lieutenaunts, Masters of Shippes, Souldion, Maryners, Saylors, and other men and Serviters whatsoeuer for the voyage towards the Northewest unto the country nowe named Meta incognita Martyn Frobyser, Esquyar, her Maties Admirall in those parts, and Generall Capteyne and Governor in and for the saide voyage, sendith greetinge: Forasmuche as of com'on experyence, yt is and alwayes hath byn founde necessarie that in such cases of government and conduction of men and shippes as aforesaide, every Generall, by reason he cannot be present in all placs at all tymes, shoulde therefore depute and substitute a Generall Deputie under hym, with full authoritie and com'ission to doo and execute all things whatsoever apperteyninge to good rule and government as largelie and amplie as his Gen'all hymself might or coulde doo being personally present: Know ye therefore, that I the saide Martyn Frobyser have named, appoynted, and ordeyned, and by theise p'nts doo name, appointe, and ordeyne Edward Fenton, Esquyer for the bodye of of sov'eign ladye the Quene, my Generall Deputie and Lieutenante for me and quicksands of unstable hopes, and all the numerous ills that flesh is heir to,' render life an unsubstantial shadow, an airy existence, unworthy the regards of the wise and the good." While he thus soliloquizes, and repines at the lot of Providence, he raises his eyes, and surveys the objects about him; he finds himself t perchance in a country richly diversified with natural objects, and presenting all the enchanting aspects of wildness and sublimity. Caught with their novelty, and diverted from the thread of his former reflections, a new train of ideas occupy his soul: he inhales the breezes of heaven, ranges through the verdant groves, not a shrub presents itself to his now invigorated sight, but he discovers beauties unobserved, and new sources of investigation. He raises his eyes, and surveys the fields of atmosphere which bound the prospect on either side; the grey tints of evening have solemnized the scene, while the glories of a Western sky still illumine the slow-revolving clouds as they pass at intervals over the firmament. The pleased spectator, his powers set free from the vexations which had previously harassed them, contemplates with satisfaction the new world into which he is thrown; he at once philosophizes with the eager enquiry of the sage, mentally revolves the systems of naturalists, marks their apparent errors, and endeavours to penetrate difficulties yet unsolved. Content with little, and relinquishing his former designs, he soon experiences, from the calm tranquillity which sweetens his meals, and attends his pillow, that other cares were designed by Providence to fill and expand the mind, besides the pursuits of human ambition, and that while the material system of the universe sheds its wonders around, occupations are held forth to us, which will at once interest and relieve the anxieties attendant upon life. days since, in again meeting with several of your recent numbers, I was much gratified by a perusal of the remarks of your Correspondents Economicus, Humanitas, Benevolus, &c. respecting the keeping of Bees. Having resided by far the greater part of my time in the country, and in a part, too, where the keeping of these valuable and industrious little creatures is common, my observation has been frequently turned towards their habits and propensities. If the few remarks which I have to offer respecting them are worth a corner of your next publication, I have no doubt you will do me the honour to insert them. The labours of the Bee seem, during latter years, to have been greatly abridged in this country; at least in such part of it as comes under my observation, there is neither so much honey procured from their colonies, as was formerly the case, nor are there so many Bees to be found from which it can be procured. Few things are more common than to hear the proprietor of Bees complaining that he is not able to preserve them through the season of Winter, and that the Bees are inactive during the season of gathering honey. Now I am induced to believe these complaints owe their origin to some modern refinements in the management of these useful insects. It was the practice of the old Beemasters, half a century ago, when Bees were known to be much more productive than at the present time, to place their charge as much in a state of nature as possible. For this purpose they had what was usually termed a Bee-garden, situated at some distance from the habitations of men, and surrounded by a tall hedge, of a circular form, composed of white blossom thorn, inclosing a plot of ground of 15 or 20 feet diameter, with only a narrow entrance sufficient for one person to be admitted at a time. In this circular inclosure, the hives were placed on moderately high and very firm stools, and the place of their abode was often so overgrown with thorns, briars, &c. as to render it almost impervious to intruders; the bives were sheltered from the inclemency of storms by thick coverings of straw of a conical shape; and in this strong hold, the Bees, secure from molestation, seldom failed to produce a plentiful supply of their delicious sweets. Unfortunately, this good.old mode is sacrificed to modern folly; and in its stead an elegant Bee-house in the Chinese, or some other still more ridiculous style, must be erected; into this refined modern structure the industrious insects are now compelled to enter; and most likely, if the owner can afford it, into hives of glass at the same time, instead of warn coverings of straw. Now this Chinese Bee-house must be placed at no great distance from the dwelling-house, because the curious proprietor wishes to attend to their labours, and therefore it must be placed in his own garden, which, forsooth, must also be planted, for the use of the Bees, with flowers of such kind as are known to yield honey in the greatest abundance; and in this situation, the Bees, constantly subject to the unwelcome visits of domestics, friends, and curious neighbours, besides dogs, and other animals, embrace the earliest opportunity of quitting their elegant apartments, and fly to a more congenial abode in the hollow of some antient tree; or if they do not seek a more agreeable residence, they seldom prove industrious, or produce honey in any material quantity, so that, if left without assistance, they generally die during the season of Winter, and not unfrequently destroy one another in warfare. Bees are not fond of artificial habitations, nor will they collect their materials from flowers planted about them, but seek their honey abroad; they are not fond of the society of man, and often testify their disapprobation of it. To be thriving, they should be resigned, as much as possible, to the care of their parent, Nature. I knew an instance of a very indolent fellow, who possessed a large colony of Bees, about which he never gave himself the smallest concern, yet his Bees were remarkably productive. On a warm day in the month of June he happened to have a young swarm issue forth from one of his hives, which soon settled on a bush close to the edge of a deep ditch, in which the young swarm, as soon as hived, were placed until they should become sufficiently quiet to be removed to a more eligible situGENT. MAG. Suppl, LXXXVÏÏ. Part. I. B ation, but which, to be brief, was forgotten ever to be done; in this state they remained upon the ground, and, overgrown by every kind of rubbish, until the owner's attention was called to them the ensuing year by a neighbour, who discovered them preparing to send out a young swarm. The original stock proved, upon examination, the strongest and richest in the man's possession. It is not the laudable curiosity of the ingenious and inquisitive Naturalist, with regard to Bees, that I would condemn; but if we would see Nature in perfection, we must tread Nature's paths. W. WEEKES. To all and singuler Capteynes, Lieutenaunts, Masters of Shippes, Souldions, Maryners, Saylors, and other men and wards the Northewest unto the country Serviters whatsoeuer for the voyage toFrobyser, Esquyar, her Maties Admirall nowe named Meta incognita Martyn and Governor in and for the saide voyin those parts, and Generall Capteyne age, sendith greetinge: Forasmuche as of com'on experyence, yt is and alwayes hath byn founde necessarie that in such cases of government and conduction of men and shippes as aforesaide, every Generall, by reason he cannot be present in all placs at all tymes, shoulde therefore depute and substitute a Generall Deputie under hym, with full authoritie and com'ission to doo and execute all things whatsoever apperteyninge to good rule and government as self might or coulde doo being personlargelie and amplie as his Gen'all hymally present Know ye therefore, that I the saide Martyn Frobyser have named, appoynted, and ordeyned, and by theise p'nts doo name, appointe, and ordeyne Edward Fenton, Esquyer for the bodye of or sov'eign ladye the Quene, my Generall Deputie and Lieutenante for me : and and in my sted and place in this saide I Martine Frobisher. L. S. Remarks on Ecclesiastical History. FROM almost all the reliques is tion [stillicidium]; but even the common lamp-oil used in the churches has been known to restore sight to the blind, as is related in miraculis S. Dionysii Paris. lib. ii. n. 33. Taken inwardly, numbers of the sick, especially of fevers, were relieved by it; and Mabillon quotes a passage from Sulpitius Severus, wherein it is asserted, that Martinus, after blessing common oil, administered it inwardly. From the tomb of St. Segolena flowed a curative oil without ceasing; the sacristan repeatedly set a large glass under it, as it continued to trickle. This oil was good for all diseases. I shall here just remark by the way, that the earliest report of it is borrowed from the legend in actis S. Johannis, et vita ejus, which was still read in Greek in the sixth century. Euphræmius, a Bishop of Antioch, formerly comes orientis, makes mention of it as yet extant in bis time; and affirms that John was not dead any more than Enoch and Elisha; that he was indeed buried, agreeably to the general opinion, but presently made his escape; and from his grave flowed the holy oil, which we still continue to draw. So it is related in these books: Photii Biblioth. codice 229. pag. 443. edit. Hæschel. We find however even simpler remedies than this. Gregory relates of Bishop Fortunatus, that in the war of the Goths, two boys were carried captive, whom he would fain have ransomed; but the Goth positively In much grief rejected his offer. therefore he said to the Goth, thou wilt repent of this refusal. The latter rode on, having sent the boys before him. As he rode by a Church dedicated to St. Peter, the horse stumbled with one foot, when the Goth was thrown down and fregit coxam, ita ut in duabus partibus os ejus divisum. This brought him to recollection; and he directly sent back the boys. The Bishop upon this, gave to his deacon consecrated water, to pour over the body of the patient. Having done so, mox, ut aqua benedicta Gothi coxam contigit, ita omnis fractura solidata est-immediately the fracture was healed, as if the accident had never happened; and he rode on within the bour. This was perhaps some of the curious water, of which it is said, Dialog. i. 5. that it burnt as well as oil. For once when there was a want of oil, the lamps in the Church were filled with it, atque ex more in medio papyrum posuit (famulus), quas allato igne succendit, sicque aqua arsit in lampadibus, acsi oleum fuisset. Leastwise it is unquestionably as true, as what is related, cap. 2. concerning the virtue of a buskin or spatterdash, which the libertinus of St. Honoratus used always to carry about with him in his bosom. It happened as |