to lead back to honeft life those who have wandered from it; and all this upon a plan very eafy of execution, and fo formed as to be begun on a small fcale, with a capability of extension to any degree that may afterwards be requifite. Only the benevolent contributions of the publick in general, and the zealous exertions of a very few active and judicious individuals, are wanting, to eftablish and render it permanent. And can we fuppofe that, when fo many other charities of infinitely lefs moment meet with ample fupport, one tending to alleviate great national evils, to restore to fociety multitudes of its loft members, and to refcue thofe pitiable individuals from mifery here and perdition hereafter, will not receive due encouragement? No, Sir, I truft that neither profligacy has fo far har dened the hearts of the bulk of our countrymen, nor luxury fo diffipated their refources, that a proportionate dole from the majority of families will not be found towards providing an afy lum for thofe miferable objects called Outcasts. Mr. URBAN, P. C. June 15. HE invitation to Naturalifts, in p. ver, a perfon of veracity, whofe house forms the North boundary of St. Mary's. church-yard in that town. Having occafion to go into a fumber-garret (feldom vifited by any of the family, the window of which fronts the South, during a fevere winter, when there was much fnow on the ground), he obferved in one corner of the room a number of Swallows in a torpid ftate; one of which he took up, but found they were all linked together. He was greatly furprized at the difcovery; and, on cafting his eyes around, he obferved they had got into the garret through an opening in the window. The following morning he went again, and found them all in the ftate in which he had left them. The fun fhining with great fplendour in at the window, he placed all the Swallows in the full uninterrupted rays thereof, with an intention to obferve the effect the rays would have upon them; but being fuddenly called away, and continuing abfent two or three hours before he could return, when he did, he found they had all taken wing, and were gone! He has often regretted his not T410, throughout the kingdom, to ing taken the precation to Rop up the notice, in their refpective diftricts, the earliest appearance of the Swallowtribe, in order to determine the queftion refpecting the brumal retreat of this ufeful little animal, I have noticed. Falling over the exprefs time at which the Hirundo ruftica, or Hirundo urbica and Apus, make their appearance, I fall confine my few obfervations to the doubtful conjectures of their emigrating or not. The obfervations I have made on this fuhject for a fucceffion of years inclines me to think there are many, but of which fpecies I do.not pretend to determine, quit this kingdom on the approach of winter for countries more congenial to their nature; and others again remain with us the whole of the winter in caves, old towers, dank receffes, and perhaps in ponds, till the return of the vivifying fpring; and their re-appearance fooner or later in the fpring muft, I think, depend upon atmospheric properties. To corroborate this latter opinion, I beg leave, Mr. Urban, to mention a circumftance communicated to me, fome years ago, by a Mr. Finch of Do hole in the window, before he tried the experiment of the effect of the fun's rays upon his fomnific friends. Does not this authentic account, Mr. Urban, ftrongly corroborate the opinions of thofe gentlemen who contend that many of thefe harmless emigrants remain with us the whole of the winter feafons? I have obferved that, when the lat ter end of a March and the beginning of an April have been uncommonly fine, fome fewofthefe pleafing harbingers. of fpring make their appearance on the 4th or 5th of April, and on a fudden change of weather their difappearance. If fo, is it not fair to conjecture that they had paffed their winter here, and had retreated again to their hiding-place till a return of more fettled and warmer weather? S. G. the laft word is fubftituted by Macbeth for before, which was juft about to efcape his lips meaning, the fhould have died before the had perfuaded him to commit thofe crimes which had brought him to the unhappy fituation in which he then found hinifelf. But this appears to me a very improbable conjecture; for, through the preceding fcenes, Macbeth does not caft the flighteft reproach on his wife, for having urged him to the criminal methods by which he obtained the crown, accufing only the predictions of the witches and his own vaulting ambition." The explanation of this paffage, as given by your first correfpondent, appears to me the most reasonable: that the misfortunes and horrors with which he was then furrounded were fufficient of themselves, without this additional one of Lady Macbeth's death, which, had it happened at fome future and more tranquil moment, he would have found time to lament. He then proceeds to moralize on the fhortness and vanity of human life. Almost every fentence in Shakspeare has had a comment on it; but, as cricifin cannot be better employed than in drawing forth the hidden beauties, and endeavouring to clear the obfcure paffages, of this immortal author, I will beg, Mr. Urban, that your correfpondents will favour me with their opinions on another paffage from the play of Hamlet, which I think by no means fatisfactorily explained by Dr. Johnfon it is in the fcene between Hamlet and his mother; at the conclufion of which Hamlet, begging of her not to difclofe to the king that his madness was not real but affuined, adds ironically, No; in defpight of fenfe and fecrecy, Unpeg the basket from the houfes' top; Let the birds fly, and, like the famous ape, To try conclufions in the basket creep, And break your own neck down." Now, I will thank any of your cor. refpondents for the hiftory of this famous ape. ATTICUS. I know. That the latter has been the cafe at the place mentioned by Detector, (p. 409) I know; that it is not fo now, is known to all the parish; that the patron has taken every poffible pains to have the duty properly performed, I know; that he has been at confiderable expence for this purpose, out of his own pocket, I know; that he never received one fhilling from the eftates for his own afe, I know. The latter part of Detector's letter fhews why he fent it to you. Yours, &c. NO POACHER. I Mr. UREAN, Hull, June 20. HAVE long been a reader of the Gentleman's Magazine; and with very great fatisfaction have often noticed pleating, judicious, and inftructive anfwers to quefiions on various fubjects. I now take the liberty to fubmit to the confideration of your ingenious correfpondents an extraordinary, although, I believe, not a peculiar defect in fight, having twice or thrice met with inftances fimilar to my own. I never in my life have been able to diftinguish colours with propriety. For inftance; if a perfon was to lay before me three or four fhades of greens with three or four fhades of drabs or browns, and defire me to felect the greens from the others, I could not do it; and in like manner with most other colours-in fhort, I can place no dependance whatever on myfelf with refpect to a proper judgment on any colour. Notwithstanding this, I can fee the fmalleft object, and read the finalleit print at any diftance, as perfectly as any perfon. I fhall be happy to fee any obferva tions on this cafè in your valuable Magazine. Perhaps tome of readers your may be able to account for it. I do not recollect having read any thing on the. fubject. W. N. D. R. fented to the vicarage of Bifhops-Ilchington, near Southam, co. Warwick, in 170; and died at the abovementioned place July 15, 1721, leaving one daughter, who was the mother of your humble fervant, Y T. Mr. URBAN, Birmingham, July 2. OUR correfpondent S. in p. 528, makes too hafly an obfervation on what I have faid in p. 528 respecting the Roman Bremenium; as the lealt confideration mufi have fhewn him, that the Bremenium of Richard of Cirencefter, not of Antoninus (which has long fince been fixed at different places near the wall in Northumberland), was the station alluded to, Had any reference to the 10th Iter of Richard of Cirencefier been confulted, he would have found undeniable reafons for placing that Bremenium at Birnaingham. The following extract will speak for itfelf: "Etocelum; wall near Lichfield. P. 516, 1. 39 and after, for Shorley r. Ibid-Sillill fhould be Solihull. P. 520, line 35, r. "confiftent with the belt feelings of the heart." Yours, &c. WILLIAM HAMPER. ESSAY on THE CULTIVATION OF To expatiate upon the vafi impor tance of increafing the growth of Oak-timber, feems unneceflary. The national advantages refulting from this fource appear to be in general well understood; and yet the cultivation and management of this molt ufeful plant has not hitherto obtained that degree of attention which it molt certainly merits. Entirely to obviate, or even in fome meafure to remove or leffen, the obftacles that fill continue to impede the planting of Oaks, would therefore be rendering an effential fervice to the Nation. The defire of accomplishing fo beneficial a purpofe has induced *The Silver Medal of the Society of Arts, Manufactures, and Commerce, was adjudged to this effay. See their Tranfactions, vol. XX, for 1802. EDIT. the judicious and public-fpirited conductors of the Society of Arts to propofe a premium for "afcertaining the beft method of railing Oaks ;"-in confequence of which, this paper is fubmitted to their candid confideration. And as the ftatements here made are founded upon a fedulous and active experience of 50 years, it is prefumed the spirit and meaning of the Society's propofal may have been obferved, although it has not been possible (in this inftance) literally to fulfil its terms; at leaf, the very intention of promoting and forwarding the views of fo enlightened and highly useful a Society may, it is hoped, be accepted as an apology for calling their attention to thefe obfervations. It forms no part of the prefent defign to enter minutely into the various caufes that continue to operate in obftructing the cultivation of Oak; as there is one of peculiar magnitude, the confequences of which are highly detrimental and injurious, and which it is therefore the principal object of this paper to remove. An opinion is generally prevalent, that the Oak is particularly flow in its growth, and requires a great number of years before it affords any advantage. This idea too often deters from planting, on account of the very great length of time it is fuppofed the land must be Occupied before any return of valuable produce can be obtained from it, after a confiderable expence may have been incurred in forming plantations. This opinion I confider as entirely founded in error, and to have taken its rife in a great meafure from the want of proper management that has hitherto commonly prevailed in the raifing of Oaks; and in this paper I shall endeavour firougly to flate, that the Oak may be rendered very rapid in its growth, and that confequently land may be employed to great advantage in its cultivation, as a very confiderable and profitable produce may, in a much fhorter time than is generally fuppofed, be derived from proper parts of an eftate thus employed. Oak-timber in this country, for the moft part, appears in trees of a confi derable extent of head, but feldom more than 20 or 30 feet in flem; and this, in many inftances, the growth of a century. Now, by the courfe of management here propofed, it is conceived that trees, of at least double this magni magnitude, may be obtained in about half that time. It is not my intention to attempt a proof of this propofition by theoretical deductions; but to appeal for its confirmation to the indubitable teft of fact, which, from the event of repeated trials, impreffes a conviction, that experience will be found to fupport and eftablish it in the most unequivocal It would be eafy to enlarge much on the various qualities of foil, the nature and procefs of vegetation, and the peculiar properties of the Oak; but as thefe topics may be found amply and judicicully difcuffed in many other authors, who have exprefly treated on thefe fubjects, I fhall decline all fuch fpeculations; and, with the hope of being more effentially ufeful, fhall confine myself to a statement as fimple and practical as poffible. always be recollected that the plants are to remain without removal in their firft fituation: the clearing and fencing may then be attended to as ufual; and in the courfe of the winter, from September to March, the particular pots intended. for the reception of acorns may be prepared for, that purpose, by digging a trench about three feet in width, and from three to fix feet in depth, according to the clofenefs and tenacity of the foil. If grafs-ground, the firft fpit fhould be placed at the bottom of the trench; and, if more than one trench be neceffary, they fhould be prepared in the fame manner, preferving a diftance of 10 yards between each, if it be intended to employ the intermediate fpace in underwood, or for any other purpose. The Oak, in the progrefs of its growth, fpreads numerous roots near the furface of the ground, and in an horizontal direction: thefe affift in fupporting and preferving the tree in its pofition, but feem to contribute very little to its increafe and magnitude. The Oak appears to derive its chief nutriment and ftrength from a root that always defcends at right angles to the horizon, and is called the tap-root. The first thing, therefore, to be obferved is, that, upon a judicious attention to this peculiarity, the planter's fuccefs principally depends; and the neglect of this care is the conftant fource of error and difappointment. In all climates, and upon all foils, to preferve, this tap-root from injury, and as much as poffible to affift its growth, is a general, and indeed the moft effential principle in the cultivation of Oak. With a due regard to this circumftance, the management of a plantation may be refolved into the three following practical directions; Previously to planting the acorns, loofen the earth intended for their reception, by deep trenching. Never tranfplant, or in any way difturb, the faplings intended for timber. Keep the plant carefully pruned till arrived at a proper height. More fully to elucidate the fubject, and to prevent the pollibility of milapprehenfion, it may be proper to give a more detailed fiatement. In determining on a pot to form a plantation of Oaks for timber, it muft Having made a careful felection of acorns that are perfectly found, and in good prefervation, they are to be planted about the middle of March. Draw a drill in the centre of the trench; two inches in depth, if the foil be heavy and loamy; but three inches in a light and fandy earth. In this place the acorns two inches afunder, and cover them carefully with mould. When the plants appear, they must be weeded by hand in the rows, and the earth of the trench round them cleaned with a hoe, once a month, during the fummer. In October infpect the rows, and thin them by pulling up every other plant attention will of courfe be paid to remove the weak and crooked plants, and leave thofe that are tallest and ftraiteft. On the fecond year, the operation of thinning muft he repeated, at the fame time, and in the fame manner; and, fhould any of the remaining plants have made fide-fhoots fironger than the general character, they muft be fmoothly cut off with a fharp knife, clofe to the leading ftem. On the third year, the thinning is again to be repeated, and the general pruning commented, by cutting off clofe to the leading fem all the fide-fhoots of the firit year; thus leaving the branches of two years to form the head of the fol lowing year. The removal of every alternate plant muft be continued yearly, till the trees are about 30 feet apart, at which diftance they may remain for timber. The pruning is to be continued, by removing every year, very fmooth and clofe to the main ftem, one year's growth of fide branches, till the plants are arrived at a ften of 40, 50, or 60 feet, and they may then be permitted to run to head without further pruning. (To be continued.) The English Poftilion on the Sea-coaft. (A true relation.) MR. URBAN, July 5. AVING been locked up fome days Hby indifpofition, I ordered a chaife, hoping the languor I laboured under might be refreshed by the morning air; particularly as a gen tle rain had fallen in the night, af ter a long drought, and I was to pafs through a very rich and interesting country. But to my fubject. I was ftruck with the peculiarity of the poftboy going for a rope after the oftler had put on the baggage well; he foon returned, and fastened the handles of my trunk, under fuch change of countenance as convinced me, the whole animal ftrength was in action; (and I am now affured, this caution was a predetermination of the expedition he intended keeping up). On having finifhed, his features were inftantly reftored, and he fearce gave me time to obferve a fair and ruddy face, with light hair, than he was horfed, and rattled along the fireets with a large brown and white dog, fnuffing the wind alang-fide; whilft our pilot wielded his whip, rifing rapidly, ftaring to the right and left on his gaping town's-folks. I was quite charged with curiofity to witnefs fuch a whirl of felfhappiness; and when clear off the pave mment, he gave me an intelligent look, as much as to say, "I know that I hall meet your approbation" and in this little period I had the fatisfaction to reckon, I had a character to follow. Away we fpanked; fometimes he took his hat off, and rubbed down his hair, fometimes only half off; then stroked the lash of his whip gently down the off-horfe's back, changed it to the other hand, and pull up the fide, of his breeches; an action never per formed, without a fimilar pull to the oppofite flank, with confequent fhrug of fhoulders; then he manoeuvered his whip into as many curves as ever came out of a mathematical brain; or cabrioling with it to lightly, as abfo * Let not the fqueamish ery " tush," at fo vulgar an expreffion as brechees; they really had not poor Humphry Clinker's ragged indent, but were good ones and whole, and mofttightly braced. 2 titely reminded me of a good pair of heels at a ballet-dance; nor did we once hear the din of the lafh, a found which carries no very favourable im preffion, indeed a very hard one in the affociation of ideas.mp 3059999 Going up a hill, I fuppofed he was twifting the cord of his thong; but he muft be only playing with it, for he was off in an infiant, walking by the fide of his horfe, and patting him from head to flank: we had no fooner fur mounted, away again a fhoulders, limbs, heels, toes, keeping up with his buly thoughts, during which his dog pufhed himfelf a-head, fometimes on one fide, then the other my dog all the time watching his motions and longing to be with him, and who ran up to him with all the familiarity of old acquaintance when we alighted. The weather having cleared, he pulled off his great coat, folded it up like a foldier, and faftened it to the cross bar, and even in this exerted all his firength: this gave me occafion to notice that he expected other kind of admiration; for he exhibited a fmart grey jacket, with a black velvet collar, three tiers of buttons to each pocket, and open cuffs to the fleeves, fcantily fprinkled with them. But I was on the point of being extremely gratified; for I perceived the fweeping down his lafh was to drive off the flies from his favourite horfes' back, and I do not believe he hurt a wing of one of them. We overtook feveral flocks of fheep and lambs; by the ftretch of his arm he directed his dog to wheel them, as fhepherds do, and was equally obeyed: once there was a fleeting fcuffle between a fhepherd's dog and him; and I was glad to fee that he was as brave, as faithful to his maker and the horses. Paty repaid him for it, by bridling up his head, whittling, and called him by his name. We paffed one drove of oxen, one of calves, and feveral of pigs; knowing their obftinacy, he gave no direction to his dog, but only flackened his pace until clear of them. In short, he never went up a hill without difmounting, or gave à lafh bur to the air. 1 never gave a poftilion fo much mo ney before, and am forry the boon was fo fmall. A word was never in terchanged, except when I paid him, and it is the more remarkable, as I fel dom let flip the opportunity, which I have all my life fought, of rattling 3 away |