his industry, by the opening of our Continental intercourse, became immediately subject to another standard-that of bullion or specie, "And the great, effectual, and indeed only remedy for these evils is, to equalize those burthens, which have hitherto borne exclusively upon farming capital; by reducing the nominal price of our currency to the real standard, or value of bullion upon the Continent." We do not think the Author's mode of effecting this important end will be quite palatable. It is, "Supposing the pound-note to be intrinsically worth only fourteen shillings, immediately to make it a legal tender at that sum." By this plan, he flatters himself that "All persons, without exception, will be immediately restored to the precise relative situation in which they stood before the peace; when, all are now willing to admit, the country was, in the highest degree, flourishing and prosperous. All distress and cause of discontent would be instantly removed, universal cheapness taking place, without producing injury to any one. The farmer, reimbursed his previous loss, and deriving equal profit from his future industry, would be constantly in a condition to pay his landlord regularly at the quarter day. The landlord would be thereby enabled to pay his tradesman's bills; the tradesman consequently would be enabled to pay his merchant or manu. facturer: and hence Trade and Agriculture would both revive, with an increased and redoubled energy." On the subject of Tithes thisWriter's arguments are just, and unanswerable. 64 The delusion which prevails on the subject of Tithes having of late been propagated with more than beggarly sturdiness, requires in this place one or two short observations. Whatever may have been their origin, whether obtained by priesteraft, as is commonly asserted, or, like the greater part of our landed estates, originally the fruits of conquest, which at the time might have been synonimous with plunder, they now subsist, both the one and the other, by the same justness of title-namely, possesAs such they have been uniformly recognized for ages by the common law of the land, precisely after the manner in which that same law recognizes every man's right to security within his own dwelling, as well as the farmer's right to his own sheep or oxen; and would punish, in either case, with a halter, the villain who should impiously dare to invade it. sion. "The next vulgar argument against Tithes is about equally substantial with the former. They are said to operate to the discouragement of agriculture, as a tax upon industry. Is it possible for selfish avarice so completely to blind the eye of reason as to accompany this assertion with belief, even in those who make it? Are not all taxes, taxes upon industry? That is, does not wealth of every kind originally spring out of industry? Most unquestionably it does. The real fact, however, is, that Tithes are not a tax upon industry;' they are an integral part of the actual property in the land itself; and all estates not tithe-free (which have not been plun dered and forcibly robbed of those rights which at the time belonged as exclu sively to the church, as the remaining nine parts did to the landowners them. selves), are invariably understood, in all contracts of purchase and sale, to be so subject to a deduction of one tenth of their actual produce, reserved for a specific purpose; namely (as the law now stands, and has stood for ages), for the maintenance and support of the regular clergy, wholly independent of all secondary interference." 39. A Description of the Safety Lamp, invented by George Stephenson, and now in Use in Killingworth Colliery. To which is added, an Account of the Lamp constructed by Sir Humphrey Davy. With Engravings. 8vo. PP. 16. Baldwin and Co. THIS Publication claims for Mr. Stephenson, against Sir Humphrey Davy, the priority of invention of the Safety Lamp, now in frequent use in coal mines: it is written with great fairness and liberality. The ingenious claimant (Stephenson) is a man in humble life, who for four years last past has been employed to superintend the engines at Killingworth Colliery, one of the most extensive mines in Northumberland, where there is a considerable quantity of machinery under ground. During this time his leisure was most laudably and humanely employed in endeavouring to lessen the number of the accidents, by making experiments on hydrogen gas, experiments which he made in the mine, and upon the gas there found. The result of his experiments was, the formation of a Safety Lamp, which has been, and is still used in that concern, and which his friends consider (with what justice the publick must decide) as precisely the same in principle with that subse quently t de ther 2 quently presented to their notice by This Publication contains a state- 66 -The use of the wire gauze (Sir tion of a beautiful manufacture to a It might be considered a want of candour were I not to take notice of the Lamp constructed by Dr. Clanny; but my reason for not inserting it is, that I considered it as constructed upon a principle entirely different from mine; that of separating the external and internal hydrogen by means of water. If I am deceived, there can be no question upon the merit of the discovery, as there is no doubt but that gentleman had directed his talents to the subject, and bad constructed his original Lamp, long before I had reduced my ideas into practice." In conclusion Mr. Stephenson adds, "In the judgment that will be pronounced upon this statement I feel the greatest confidence. This, at least, I trust I shall have credit for, that in this publication I have been actuated solely by a justifiable attention to my own reputation, and a sincere desire to have the truth investigated, and not by any disgraceful feeling of envy at the rewards and honours which have been bestowed upon a gentleman who has directed his talents to the same object, and whose reputation is too well established to be injured by me, even if I had the baseness to attempt it.—I may be permitted to add, that many gentle men have already publicly declared their opinion in my favour; and I have the authority of one of them, to whom I submitted the above statement, to add, that at the first meeting of the Coal Trade, where the subject was mentioned, and some testimony of gratitude proposed to Sir H. Davy, he called upon state in what his Lamp differed from the friends of that eminent Chemist to mine in point of principle, which was not even attempted to be done. I understand, at the same meeting, a gentleman, eminent for his success in mechanical pursuits, declared his conviction that a Lamp similar to Sir Humphrey Davy's must have followed mine, had he never directed his attention to the subject. On this strong assertion no comment was made; and the result was, a vote to me of 100 guineas.-The refusal of two subsequent meetings, summoned for the purpose of bestowing some mark of approbation on Sir H Davy, to enter upon an investigation of gentlemen, on the ground that they did dates and facts, was justified by many not meet for that purpose, but merely to testify their approbation of a gentlepursuit had been attended with consiman, whose exertions in this interesting derable success: of such a determination what right had I to complain? But when, at the second meeting, the expression of the invention of his Safety Lamp' was altered to his invention of the Safety Lamp,' I felt myself called upon to assert my claims. And I trust I have now done it in a way not to of larly those to whom I already feel myself fend any man of liberal feelings, particu unpleasant task of weighing the compaso much indebted, and who, declining the rative merit of competitors in the field of Science, generously resolved to reward each individual who had exerted his talents in their service." Nearly ready for Publication. LITERARY INTELLIGENCE. Cambridge, Jan. 31. Annual Prizes of 251. each are this year Dr. SMITH'S adjudged to Mr. JOHN THOMAS AUSTEN, of St. John's College, and Mr. TEMPLE CHEVALLIER, of Pembroke-hall, the first and second Wranglers. The Second Part of NEALE'S Illustrated History of Westminster Abbey is published. Of this beautiful Work we shall take early notice in our Review. Mr. PECK has finished the First VoTume of his History of the Isle of Ax. holme; which shall also soon be noticed. The Rev. Mr. BROOME has enlarged his Selections from the Works of those eminent Divines, Fuller and South, in Second Edition, lish; by JOHN SHAKESPEAR, esq. ProA Dictionary Hindoostanee and EngIndia Company's Military Seminary. fessor of Oriental Languages at the East Theory of the Tides, On the Figure of Four Philosophical Essays: On the phy, On the Moon's Orbit. By Mr. the Earth, On the Atomical PhilosoLUCKCOCK of Birmingham. digenous Plants of the more central A Midland Flora; comprising the inCounties; by JAMES SOWERBY, F. L. S. With occasional Notes, and a short InT. PURTON, Surgeon, &c. of Alcester. troduction to the Study of Botany, by Part I. of "6 Whole-length Portraits of Ulus Illustrious Men, with Biographical Sketches of their Lives and Characters, By CHARLES GEORGE DYER." The Work is intended to display a general View of the Costume of the period in which each person flourished; and for this purpose those Portraits bave been selected that exhibit the person represented as in the usual walk of life, not placed in studied attitudes, or habited in theatrical dresses. The Engravings are principally executed by Mr. ROMNEY, from Drawings copied from original Pictures by G. M. BRIGHTY, esq.; and the Work will be completed in Twelve Numbers, each containing Six Plates, large octavo. A neat Re print of "A Treatise full of Consolation for all that are afflicted in Mind or Body, or otherwise; which armeth us against impatience under any cross. By NICHOLAS BOWNDE, D. D." First printed in 1608. The Bible Class Book, or Scripture Readings for every Day in the Year; being 365 Lessons, selected from the most entertaining and instructive parts of the Sacred Scriptures: upon a plan recommended by Dr. WATTS. The admirable productions in the Lithographic Art which have of late appeared at Munich, consisting as well of the works of modern Artists, as of imitations of ancient Masters, have induced Mr. ACKERMANN to use his best endeavours to rival the productions of this Art on the Continent; and he hopes to have his arrangements in sufficient forwardness to employ the Lithographic press in gratifying the publick with the first number of some periodical publica tion on the 1st of May. Mr. ACKERMANN has in the press "The Dance of Life," intended to form a Companion to "The Dance of Death," lately published. The designs by Mr. ROWLANDSON, the Illustrations in verse by the Author of Dr. SYNTAX's Tour. Preparing for Publication: Mr. ALEXANDER BOWER is engaged upon a History of the University of Edinburgh, in two 8vo volumes. The Author has had the most liberal access to the Records of the University, and those of the Town Council of Edinburgh which relate to it; and the narrative will embrace, in a great degree, the political and literary history of the periods to which it refers, together with biographical notices of many eminent characters. The Secret and True History of the Church of Scotland, from the Restoration to the year 1678, by the Rev. JAMES KIRKTON, with Notes, and a Biographical Memoir of the Author. The Work will contain original anecdotes and interesting details not elsewhere to be found; the more valuable as KIRKTON was himself an eye and ear witness of many of the facts which he records, and a distin guished sufferer in the Presbyterian cause, during a part of Charles II's reign. By Mr. CHARLES KIRKPATRICK SHARPE Illustrations of the History of the Younger Cyrus, and Retreat of the Ten Thousand Greeks; with explanatory Maps. By Major RENNELL. An Account of the Island of Java; by THOMAS STAMFORD RAFFLES, esq. late Lieutenant-governor there. With a Mar, and numerous Plates, by DANIELL Mr. CHARLES PHILLIPS is preparing for the press Speeches delivered by him at the Bar, and on various public occa sions, in England and Ireland. A Volume of Comic Dramas; by Miss EDGEWORTH. Mr. JOHN ADYE REPTON proposes to print a few copies, for private distribution, of a curious MS Romance, entitled, "A Trew and feithfuile Hystorie off the Valourous Prynnce Radamanthus." A Treatise on the Science of Shipbuilding, illustrated by more than 120 figures and tables. By Mr. ISAAC BLACKBURN, ship-builder at Plymouth. Capt. LAYMAN, of the Navy, is engaged on a work, entitled, "Outline of Maritime History, with General Events connected therewith, from the Creation of the World to the termination of the French Revolutionary War, 1814-15; including a particular account of the Rise, Progress, and State of the British Navy at the latter period; together with a Supplement, containing a Discovery for preparing Forest Trees for immediate use, and increasing the strength and duration of Timber; thereby furnishing the means to prevent the premature decay of Ships," &c. &c. &c. When the PRECURSOR to this Work was mentioned in the House of Lords, Earl DARNLEY declared, "that if any one wished for information on the state of our Navy, be should read the Precursor." -The late Earl STANHOPE said, "I am happy to bear testimony to the merits of the Precursor. It is clear to me that Capt. LAYMAN possesses a strong mind and sound judgment, with great indus try, and who is deserving of encouragement, not discouragement." Dr. CAREY is about to publish an Ap. pendix to his "Latin Prosody," viz. "Latin Versification made Easy;" or, a copious Selection of Verses from the Antient Poets, altered and prepared, as progressive Exercises for the juvenile Versifier, according to the improved Continental system, adopted in his "English Prosody and Versification," and in his private practice as a teacher. SBAC Tava R. 5. says, (in answer to Caradoc, LXXXVI. ii. 487.) that Bp. Warburton, when in 1764 he mentions "rents due to him as Rector of Firsby forty years before," speaks somewhat at random, and in round numbers. He probably was presented by the Duke of Newcastle to the Rectory of Firsby, on the death of Mr. Thomas Heron, who, as it appears from the Register of that parish, was buried there in 1730. The name of no other Rector can be found in that Register till 1754; when "William Warburton, D. D. Rector," together with the Curate's and Churchwarden's names for the time being, are all fairly written on a blank leaf in the beginning of a RegisterBook. He resigned Firsby in 1756. E. says, "All that I know of Charles Perry, M. D. author of a pompous "View of the Levant," published in 1743, is, that I understand he was brother to William Perry, esq. who married the daughter of the Hon. Col. Sydney, the last heir of that respectable family. Whether there were any relationship between them and Capt. John Perry, author of "The State of Russia under the present Czar," 1716; and "An Account of the Stopping of Dagenham Breach," 1721-who died 11 Feb. 1732-3, I am entirely ignorant." E. observes also, that Mr. Archdeacon Coxe might be further informed of an article in the Obituary, 17 Feb. 1732-3, recording the death of the Lady Eleanor Hedges, mother of John Hedges, esq. Treasurer to the Prince of Wales, and relict of Sir Charles Hedges, formerly Secretary of State." We thank C. C. for his copy of Sir Philip Sidney's Letter; of which we had before been favoured with two or three other copies; see our last Volume, p.502. T. W. refers BIOGRAPHICUS, p. 33, for some account of Mr. Gilpin, to our Vol. LXXIX. p. 197. H. C. B. Jun. (of Enfield) will be best answered by a reference to "J. Reeves, esq. one of the Patentees of the office of King's Printer." The Prayer "for the Chief Governor or Governors of Ireland" was evidently written (probably printed) before the Union with Ireland. We thank A WELL-WISHER, and should be glad to oblige him in what he desires to procure. His drawing is accepted. MICHAEL is sorry to observe the total disuse of the old punishment of the Parish Stocks; firmly believing that, were it revived, it would be the means of whence derived) is the authority of committing persons to the Parish Stocks? and the crimes for which that punishment is inflicted? M. B. would be obliged by any par ticulars of John Thomason, whom Mr. Pennant, in his Scotch Tour, notices as an excellent Penman, but particularly famous for his exact and elegant "imitation of the Greek character." epitaph is in the church-yard of Tarvin, His a small village near Chester. A LANCASHIRE CORRESPONDENT asks Whether any Information can be obtained with respect to Sir Jonas Moore, author of "England's Interest; or, the Gentleman and Farmer's Friend, London, 1721." He is supposed to have been a native of Pendle Forest, in the parish of Whalley, Lancashire, and to have held an office in the Mint, during the reign of Queen Anne. An account of the time and his epitaph (if any) will be partiof his death, the place of his interment, cularly acceptable. Margaret Beaufort, Countess of RichZ. asks, at which Hadham it was that mond, was married to Edmond Tudor. Sandford mentions the place as if it were well known. The same Historian mentions our Henry II. being born at Mentz, in Normandy. Lord Lyttelton says Mans. Which is correct? A CONSTANT, THOUGH YOUNG READER, wishes for some account of William Walker, of Darnal near Sheffield, who is supposed by some to have been the he believes there is some mention in Executioner of King Charles; of whom one of our early Volumes. He informs us that the Rev. J. Hunter's "History of Sheffield" is in great forwardness. D. M. Y. says, In Snelling's "View of the Silver Coin and Coinage of England" it is stated that "The Money coined by Henry IV. before bis 13th year, and that of Henry VI. after his 49th right owners." year, are by the balance placed to their Henry VI. reigned, 38 years, 6 months, 4 days, and was only in his 40th year when his successor (Edw. IV.) assumed the Crown-yet as the 49 Henry VI. is several times repeated in the Work (and no errata noted) D. M. Y. requests some Numismatic friend to state what he supposes the Author intended to convey. of Fires during the past year, has enume IGNIS, who has obliged us with a list PALATINUS; but as these are not easily rated eight more than our Correspondent decreasing the numberless instances of distinguishable, he will further oblige us juvenile depravity, by checking its earliest stages. The Law upon this subject, he says, is little understood by most by a list of the eight separately. A View of the House in which JOHN KNOX was born, in our next; with the Parish Officers; and he asks, What (and communications of C.; E. M.S.; &c. &c. SELECT SELECT POETRY. LINES, written Feb. 14, 1817, on the Writer's entering his LXXIIId year. WELCOME the morn, which opes to me The pleasing dawn of Seventy-three: My griefs, my joys, they fondly share; -Warmest in converse, FIRE began,- And sometimes traffic to New Spain. When due restraints, compulsive, bind. And roar like thunder in the War. In Faction's voice I'm loud and high, In Love, I kindle chaste desire;When Smoke appears, suspect me nigh, Tho' frequently I prove false fire, *From Heaven Prometheus stole my ray, To man imparted as a gift:I'm gently lambent when I'm GAY, But keen and brightest when I'm SWIFT." ** This Stanza is superior to that in Mr. Sheridan's Poem, copied from it. |