opinion that "alcohol does not exist ready-formed in a fermented fluid, but is a product of distillation." Such has been the idea of chemists, merely because it had been found impossible to separate the alcohol from pure wine by any other means than decomposition by heat; and Mr. Brande has instituted a set of experiments on the subject, which, he conceives, prove this opinion erroneous; but it appears to me rather surprising that a gentleman of his accuracy should not have been aware that the three principal wines he was operating on (viz. Port, Sherry, and Madeira) never leave the place of their manufacture without having brandy purposely added to them for their preservation, which must have rendered all the results of his experiments nugatory, unless indeed they were imported expressly for this purpose, in their pure state, as they remained immediately on the conclusion of the vinous fermentation, which, being very unlikely, would in that case have been particularly mentioned; it ought therefore to be kept in mind, that experiments on foreign wines in England must vary greatly from those made at the place of their growth, in consequence of the different mixtures they receive previous to consumption. As a direct proof, however, that in one fermented article (viz. a solution of sugar in water of 1.061 specific gravity,) alcohol is formed at the moment of the conclusion of the fermentation, I have procured from it at this period, merely by condensing the vapour which arose, (the heat of the fermented mixture being 980,) a spirit of specific gravity 980; and I am therefore the more surprised that Fourcroy, in his Chemistry (article 4, 37), should assert that brandy is not entirely formed, or contained, in pure wine, and that nothing but a little fragrant water is disengaged at a heat less than ebullition. If there can be such differences in fermented subjects, (and, for the reasons already mentioned, his experiments cannot be controverted but by others made in the wine countries,) the subject certainly deserves an atten tive enquiry; but I must at present believe that Fourcroy operated on wines in which the quantity of alcohol was in small proportion, and that the product of the distillation in balneo maria was not submitted to instruments to ascertain its specific gravity, which will often detect ar dent spirit when the taste merely would be incompetent to do it. Guernsey, June 26, 1813. J. H. To the Editor of the Monthly Magazine. SIR, SEVER EVERAL public companies at this time are candidates to supply London with WATER. Thus there are, The NEW RIVER COMPANY. The WEST MIDDLESEX COMPANY. But anciently no such competition existed, and, till very lately, the New River and the Thames Companies supplied the town just as they thought proper, and in many situations housekeepers had no choice. Happily however a competition is now raised in every part of the metropolis, and it will be the NEGLECT AND FAULT OF THE PUBLIC if it be not beneficial. Competition ought to lead to improvethat such may be its consequence, is my ment in this case as in all others; and motive for addressing the public through your widely circulated Magazine. have existed entirely in its FOULNESS and The past faults of the London water IMPURITY—simply for want of STRAINING OF FILTERING! Nothing, for exLondon than to have the pipes stopt by ample, has been more cominon throughout eels, fish, and amphibious animals, or to see in a glass of water brought to table live shrimps, and other water insects, sometimes in great numbers. Now this, and nauseous! Complaints have been to say the least of it, is highly disgusting made in vain to the committees of the old been more easy than to have caused the companies, although nothing could have water to pass through filters before it entered the reservoirs and pipes. At this point then I earnestly advise prefer and use none but the water of that the public to make their stand, and to company which shall condescend to adopt suitable studied contrivances by which to cleanse it from gross impurities. It is the only process which London water requires, and it is very hard that these com panies will not perform the single task for the public which is in their power, in return for the liberal patronage conferred upon them. CIVIS. respecting trades and professions, if not repealed, would have remained a dead letter on our statute book; but I find, from the parliamentary reports, that attempts are making to more rigidly enforce the Acts of the 5th Queen Elizabeth; at any rate, a motion has been made to that effect, and a committee of the House of Commons has been appointed to inquire into the same. I therefore would have all those who live in small towns, and do not find the trade they were brought up to sufficient to keep their family, to be on the alert; for without going through the regular routine of an apprenticeship, it appears, they will be allowed the privilege of twirling their thumbs, and thinking, that if they only might use their talents and industry, they might honourably extend their means of promoting the comforts of their families. The motion met with much opposition from several liberal and enlightened members, which I trust will be renewed at every stage; and I seriously hope that the remarks I am now going to make, will stimulate all that are not narrowminded and selfish, to request their representatives to repeal, if they alter at all, the old-fashioned Act alluded to; which will not allow any one to exercise his abilities, ingenuity, and industry, or einploy any one else in his behalf, in any trade, without he has been lawfully bound an apprentice for seven years; which compels all tradespeople to employ, to every three apprentices, one journey. man; and which also gives to every person the right of compelling any one, under certain conditions, to be his apprentice, with power to justices to im prison on refusal. Our courts of justice have very properly, in all cases, given as favourable decisions as they well could to the liberty of the subject; which has been the means of many an honest individual continuing to enjoy the fruits of his talents and industry; which the law, if rigidly enforced, would have prevented. In the infancy of professions and trades, it might be policy in our ancestors to secure, by such laws, the exclusive use of their respective professions; but at this time, when the arts and sciences have been rendered subservient to most trades and professions; when knowledge and experience have been more extended through every gradation of society; and time itself has rendered familiar those hidden mysteries, which form the basis of all trades, such laws cannot possibly be longer of any use to the security of that fame, by which this nation stands so peculiarly unrivalled. I consider that seven years' servitude does not necessarily qualify a person, and always render him capable of pursuing a profession, with credit to himself, and advantage to the public; it depending more on the capacity and assiduity of the individual, than the time he has em ployed. I consider that, at the age when apprentices are bound, they cannot always form a proper opinion whether their capacity, health, &c. are congenial to such employments. How often does the developement of other faculties, change of health, accidental change of circumstances, render absolutely neces sary for the better support of a famly, a change of business? A slight perusal of our Biographical Dictionaries, would convince every reflecting mind, I should think, of the injurious effect of such laws; but from the advocates of such measures, I expect but little information, and less liberality. How many individuals, without the routine of apprenticeship, have made great improvements in many branches; and I flatter myself it is more owing to the liberty of freely exerting their talents, that we are so eminently superior to other nations, than to any other cause whatever. From the many instances that might be brought forward, I beg leave to mention a few particulars. The present practice of surgery owes its origin to Mr. J. Hunter, who was originally a carpenter. Sir R. Arkwright, originally a penny-barber, invented the machines for spinning cotton. The celebrated Mr. J. Baskerville, a name so dear to science and to learning, was not brought up to any trade, kept a school some time at Birmingham, then commenced japanner, which he brought to great perfection; and as his active mind was free and unshackled, he made great improvement in the casting of types, which are much admired for their elegance and beauty. William Caslon served his time to the engraving of gun-barrels; but from his ingenuity was made letter-founder to the king. If injudicious laws, the offspring of groveling, stupid ideas, had prevented these and many other worthy characters from exercising their talents, because they had not been bound to a seven years appren ticeship to their respective trades, or from employing any one else, how many com forts and advantages we now enjoy, would have sunk silently with them to the tomb! The greatest stimulant to useful and noble SIR, N° O one can pass along the streets of this vast metropolis without being assailed by the plaintive cries of the children of the numerous mendicants who infest them; and that heart must be callous to every impression of christian charity, which does not experience a pang at the spectacle of so many helpless infants destitute of cloathing to shield them from the battering storm, without a morsel to alleviate the pressing calls of hunger, and fostered in the arms of wretchedness and vice. It is to the condition of these innocents that I am induced to crave the attention, and solicit the assistance, of those noble and generous minds, whose bands are ever ready to dispense to the poor a portion of those blessings which heaven has showered down upon them, and who advocate the cause of Christianity by the practice of its chiefest virtue, CHARITY. Amongst the numerous institutions for the relief of various classes of the poor, there is not one which fully embraces the object now before us. It is therefore very desirable that a new structure should be reared, designed to receive, at a very early age, the children of beggars; and, by proper nurture and suitable education, fit them to become, in riper years, useful and industrious members of society. Although the benefits of such an esta. blishment should be diffused as extensive y as possible, yet some discrimination would be needful to guard against imposition, and the admission of improper subjects. For it is a lamentable fact, that a great proportion of the parents of such children are hardened in depravity, and destitute of the common feelings of nature. Ignorant, or violators of the obligations of religion and morality; they instruct the infant lips to utter lies and blasphemy, and stretch forth their little hands to cruelty and plunder. The offspring of such should, if possible, be rescued from destruction; whilst those pa rents, whose poverty has arisen from misfortune rather than from vice, would find a refuge for their helpless and half-famished babes. The funds requisite for an institution of this nature would be considerable. Not only must a spacious building be erected, but a large number of nurses and tutors would also be necessary. To accomplish the first, I am willing to flatter myself liberal donations would be afforded; and for the support of the latter, and the general expences, adequate annual contributions might reasonably be hoped for. The nurses should be selected from the deserving and industrious poor; and tutors competent to impart sufficient instruction, would readily be obtained from the schools of Dr. Bell or Lancaster. The management of the undertaking would be entrusted to a board of governors; and no doubt can be entertained but zealous assistance would be rendered by the truly charitable, whose leisure would admit of their becoming active paB. D. trons. To the Editor of the Monthly Magazine. SIR, N the course of the present summer, I (1711) Swift's thoughts were engaged on the project stated by him in the wellknown letter subsequently published and addressed to the Earl of Oxford. "I am proposing," says he, (June 22) “to my lord, to erect a society or academy for correcting and settling our language, that we may not perpetually be changing as we do. He enters mightily into it." It is probable, however, that Lord Oxford deemed it, as it really was, a visionary scheme; though, in compliance with Swift's humour, he might seem to give it some encouragement; for during the whole term of his administration, no step was taken towards it. The writings of Addison, Bolingbroke, and Swift himself, which are now just as intelligible as they were a century ago, sufficiently prove that the English language had, in the reign of Queen Anne, arrived at that stage, and had attained to that standard of refinement, which precludes the hazard of change; and the undoubted improvements which have since been made in point of correctness, are such as could derive no additional weight from the decisions of an academy; which, if right, would be superfluous; if wrong, inju rious. But to return from this digression. In his letter of June 30, Swift professes to sigh at the recollection of Laracor. "All the days I have passed here have been dirt to those. I have been gaining enemies by the score, and friends by the couples, which is against the rules of wisdom, because they say one enemy can do more hurt than ten friends can do good; but I have had my revenge at least, if I get nothing else, and so let fate govern." This is the language, not of reason but of passion, embittered by rancour. "Remember," he adds, "if I am used ill and ungratefully, as I have for merly been, it is what I am prepared for, and shall not wonder at it. Yet I am now envied and thought in high favour, and have every day numbers of considerable men teazing me to solicit for them; and the ministry all use me perfectly well, and all that know them say they love me. Yet I can count upon nothing." When we hear Swift charging in these harsh terms the late ministers with ingratitude, one would wish to be informed what were the nature and extent of the obligations he had conferred upon them. On conversing with Lord Oxford upon the subject of the first-fruits, Swift took occasion to declare that he would not, for a thousand pounds, any body but his lordship had got them to Ireland, who had got them for England too. Oxford, who was accounted negligent in money concerns, bid him consider what a thousand pounds was. Swift said, he would have him to know he valued a thousand pounds as little as his lordship valued a million. This ostentation of disinterestedness, was a bravado that had better been spared. It might, unfortunately for him, obtain some credit. He appears to have been long kept in an auk ward and anxious state of suspense. "Lord Keeper told me," says he, (July 17) &C some months ago, he would give me a living when I pleased, but I told him I would not take any from him; I know nothing of getting any thing here, and if they would give me leave, I would come over just now." The best crown livings are not in the gift of the chancellor, and this is the language of a man too proud to accept of smail favours. On this very day he had dined with the Earl of Oxford, and had taken an opportunity, as he mentions, "to speak to him of the queen." But the minister cut him short with the French proverb, “Laissez faire à Don Antoine." This, however, was a virtual acknowledgment of difficulty. The queen usually resided, during the summer months, at Windsor, where Swift often repaired with the ministers, Oxford and St. John. But it does not appear that the slightest notice was taken of him by her majesty. (July 29) He writes, "I was at court to-day; I generally am acquainted with about thirty in the drawing-room, and am so proud I make all the lords come up to me. (August 6) "Lord Treasurer and the Secretary thought to mortify me, for thev told me they had been talking a great deal of me to-day to the queen, and she said she had never heard of me;" upon which, Swift smartly replied, "that was their fault and not hers." The design of mortifying Swift's vanity is much easier of credence, than the pretended decla ration of the queen. (August 9) "Lord Treasurer stole here last night: I just drank a dish of chocolate with him. I fancy I shall have reason to be angry with him very soon; but what care I? I believe I shall die with ministries in my debt." The jealousies which had arisen by this time, between Oxford and St. John, could no longer be concealed from those who had access to both. "Do you know," says Swift, (August 15) that I have ventured all my credit with these great ministers, to clear some misunderstanding between them; and if there be no breach, I ought to have the merit of it. It is a plaguy ticklish piece of work, and a man hazards losing both sides." Here is another amusing proof of the excessive value Swift put upon his own services. Others, no doubt, exerted their efforts; but his are all the merits yet. The motives which prevented these ministers from coming to an open rupture, would no doubt have had much the same weight, whether Swift were in England or in Ireland. But they indulged him in his freedoms, availed themselves of his talents, and conde scended, even when they disapproved, to hear him patiently. On the 17th of August he dined, for the first time, at the Lord Treasurer's, with Mrs. Masham, who had supplanted the Duchess of Marlborough in the queen's good graces, and had been the chief instrument in effecting the late changes. “She was used," says he, "with mighty kindness and respect, like a fa vourite." But he concludes his letter with repeating, "that he had enough of courts, and wished he were at Laracor: and if he could come away with honour this moment, he would." At the close of this month, his apprehensions were anew excited. "The Whigs whisper, that our new ministry differ among them selves, and they begin to talk out Mr. Secretary. They have some reasons for their whispers, although I thought it was a great secret. I do not much like the posture of things-burn all politics!" The unexpected and singular appointment of the Bishop of Bristol, (Robinson) to be Lord Privy Seal, an office which had not, from time immemorial, been filled by a churchman, took place at this period; and amid all his fears and forebodings, Swift seems to have been not a little pleased with it. A gleam of gran deur opened perhaps upon his mind. "All the friends of the ministry," says he," are extreme glad, and the clergy above the rest. The Whigs will fret to death to see a civil employment given to a clergyman. It was a very handsome thing in my Lord Treasurer, and will bind the church to him for ever." Swift however would, in this stage of his political progress, have willingly accepted Irish preferment. Having received, a short time since, a letter from the Archbishop of Dublin, in which his Grace mentioned, that he would shortly write to him something about himself; "it looked," says Swift, "as if he intended something for me. At last, out it comes, and consists of two parts. First, he advises me to strike in for some preferment, now I have friends; and secondly, he advises me, since I have parts and learning, and a happy pen, to think of some new subject in divinity not handled by others, which I should manage better than any body.-A rare spark this with a p, but I shall answer him as rarely." It must be owned, that Swift was under slender obligation for such friendship as this, and beyond this it was now clear that he had nothing to expect from the archbishop. The truth is, that this ambitious old man was looking eagerly up to the primacy; Dr. Marsh, who filled the see of Armagh, being in a state of great decay. But the ministers lately appointed, were not considered as firm in office, and in case of a change at court, the promotion of Swift, by the archbishop, would not have been easily -forgotten or forgiven. Sept 15, Swift expresses his wish that Mrs. Masham would return to Windsor, for the Duchess of Somerset was thought to gain ground daily. Like all weak persons, the queen, from her excessive jealousy of being governed, only became the more easy dupe: and she refused to repose, in ministers of her own choosing, that confidence which was essential to their stability, and placed it where it could only be acquired and maintained by artifice, insinuation, and flattery; and in listening to the alternate adulation of her intriguing favorites, she fancied she was balancing parties and displaying her impartiality. The negotiation with France, though still clandestinely conducted, was by this time far advanced. Sept. 28, Swift says, "We have already settled all things with France, and very much to the ho◄ nour and advantage of England-all this news is a mighty secret.-The Earl of Strafford is to go soon to Holland, and let them know what we have been doing, and then there will be the devil and all to pay; but we'll make them swallow it with a p". Such were the politics adopted by the Earl of Oxford, and approved by Swift. Can it be wondered at that the memory of this nobleman's administration, both at home and abroad, is still held in execration? The odious malignity of Swift shews it. self in nothing more than in the meanness of his revenge on the most obscure and defenceless enemies. Oct. 10, he ex presses himself as follows: "A rogue that writes a newspaper, called, 'The Protes tant Post Boy,' has reflected on me in one of his papers; but the secretary has taken him up, and he shall have a squeeze extraordinary. He says, that an ambitious Tantivy, missing of his towering hopes of preferment in Ireland, is come over to vent his spleen on the late ministry,' &c. I'll tanticy him with a vengeance." Perhaps his vengeance would not have been so strongly excited if the fact had not been so truly stated; and if we advert to the boundless licence which the political polemics of Swift exhibit, it will be difficult to suppress our emotions of astonishment and indignation. In a confidential conversation with Mr. Secretary St. John, about this time, Swift boasted that he had gone between him and Lord Treasurer often, and told each of them what he had said to the other.Adding, "that he knew all along that this proceeding of his was the surest way to send him back to his willows in Ireland; but that he regarded it not, provided he could do the kingdom service in keeping them well together;" and reminding him "how often he had told Lord Treasurer, Lord Keeper, and him together, that all things depended on their union." St. John was in a rage, and swore he will be upon a better foot or none at all;" and |