drical tubes, running from the leaves back into the root: the third set are the spiral vessels, accompanying the common vessels; and are supposed to be either absorbents, or air-vessels; but their office has not yet been clearly shewn. In trees, besides their vascular structure, two kinds of fluids are found, the sup, and peculiar juices: the sap is a fluid nearly as liquid as water, is imbibed by the roots from the soil, and is conveyed, as before stated, by the cominon vessels through the tree: the peculiar juices are the sap concocted, and changed by the leaves: they are found in the proper vessels, and are thus fitted to become the aliment of the tree.

Having now related, of the physiology of trees, what I consider necessary in this short disquisition, it will be proper to take a view of the method of Nature, in conducting her vegetable offspring to their final growths and uses. All things change' is her motto, and wherever we turn we find ample proofs of its truth: the plant originates from the seed of its parent, is fed by its ashes, passes through the various stages of germination and vegetation, scatters the germs of a new generation, and finally nourishes its own offspring after the manner itself was supplied.

All vegetable substances, when left to themselves, undergo the putrefac live fermentation; or in other words they are gradually decomposed, and decay. It is necessary to this end, that water should be present, and that the temperature should not be below 45°, nor so high as to evaporate the water hastily. This process therefore depends upon the presence of moisture and heat; but the moisture must not be perpetually renewing; neither may the subject be submersed, nor the heat too great. Any temperature between 45° and 90o assists this process, and the nearer it approaches the maximum, the more rapid will be the process. When these circumstances meet in a tree which has passed its age of maturity, or in timber, the elementary parts of the water, the oxygen and hydrogen gases, attracted by and attracting the principles of the wood, aided by heat, (and this heat is generated by the moist vegetable substance, as is exemplified in the case of damp hay or saw-dust) separate; and the fer

.

415

menting and vegetating principle, oxygen gas, begins to act: the consequences of this action are, the formation of water, the springing forth of fungus*, which owes its origin to the action of the oxygen gas upon the sap and juices of the tree (and be it remembered, that timber, as now feiled and used, is loaded with them), that stimulus, assisted by the heat generated, exciting an unnatu ral or abortive vegetation of these, in consequence of the tree not pos sessing its complete organs to modify the vegetation; gaseous matter is also generated (carbonic acid gas); the loss of the weight and cohesion of the wood ensues, and this process is carried on until the whole vegetable matter has undergone a com plete change; the organic texture is at last destroyed, and there results a heap of unorganised carbonaceous

matter.

It now remains to shew that the putrefaction of wood, and the Dry. rot, are one and the same process, under different modifications: this i shall endeavour to do by comparing the cases.

The agents then in the first case are water, and heat; the agents in the second case are the same.

The circumstances are alike; being only more favourable to its rapidity in the second. It is found in the first, that when the water is frequently renewed, or the wood is submersed, that it proceeds very slowly, or not at all; and when the wood is kept dry, it does not occur. In the second

case these circumstances affect in the same manner those parts of a ship that are covered with water, as the floors and keel, very rarely have Dryrot; and those parts that are kept dry by being exposed to the sun and air, are also free from it, except, indeed, when they happen to be continuations of timbers, the lower ends of which are in situations favouring the change. Again, a high temperature is a favourable circumstance in

It is, I think, worthy of remark, that the putrefactive fermentation of animal matter is productive of animals of inferior organisation to their parent: thus the varieties of maggots are the production of that process, in man and brute; so the fungi in their varieties, owe their origin to the same

cause.

the first case; so it is in the second, as is exemplified in the case of sending newly built ships into hot climates; where they are remarked to decay in a rapid manner. Moisture is applicable in the same manner; let us notice those parts of ships most infected, and we shall find that there heat and moisture prevail: from the heads of the first futtocks up to the gun-deck beams, along the dead-wood, in the stern-frame, in the cant-bodies fore and aft, its ravages are most remarkable; and precisely in those situations do heat and mois ture most prevail: there is a difference in situation and of circumstances in the latter case, which will account for its amazing rapidity, namely, the sbutting up the timber in a damp state, as it were in a box; and surrounding it with a damp, heated, and stagnant atmosphere; this must, according to the nature of the thing, cause it to decay faster than that which has the advantage of an occasional renewal of water and of air, and the frequent action of the sun's rays.

The phenomena are the same; being slightly modified by circumstance and situation, and passing with greater rapidity. In the first case they are the occasional appearance of fungi; the extrication of carbonic acid gas; the formation of water; the reduction of the weight, solidity, and loss of the strength of the wood; and the destruction of its fibrous and organic texture.

In the second case these are also the phenomena: the fungus is always found to precede it; this is so notorious, that it has been supposed by many to be the cause of it. The extrication of carbonic acid gas is also constantly found; this is evident from the unwholesome state of the atmosphere of ships below the gun deck, when rotten; especially if they have not been ventilated for some considerable time. The loss of weight, strength, and solidity of the timber, are its principal and most obvious characteristics. The formation of water is found one of its indications, as frequently, before fungus appears, the surface of the timber is covered with moisture. The destruction of the fibrous and organic texture is not so generally seen, because the ships are generally opened, and re

paired before the decay has proceeded so far, yet it may be traced; it is not unusual to find the centre of a timber reduced to an impalpable powder.

The result is similar, being a mass of carbonaceous powdery matter.

Having thus compared the two cases, and found the agents, phenonemena, and results the same, the conclusion is irresistible, that they are the same process.

Form of Thanksgiving for the Preservation of the Regent.

Mr. URBAN,

May 1. SI am certain of your venera

Asia cette Touth, and your

attachment to that which we are told is "the pillar and ground" of it, I do not doubt that, if you think they are vindicated in the following Letter, you will insert it in your Mis cellany for the present month. F. H. To the Right Honourable the Earl of Albemarle.

Vicarage, Okehampton, My Lord, April 10. I trouble you with this to answer a question which your Lordship is said to have asked at the late County meeting at Norwich.

The Times Newspaper of April 7, reports that your Lordship said,

"It had been admitted on all sides that it [the attack on the Prince Regent] was no indication of disloyalty in the great body of the people, although Ministers had at first attempted su to construe it; and the Church was profaned by an open assertion that it was so.(Hisses and applause.) Had not the Church, he asked, directly charged the People of England with madness?"

And I am astonished to find, that although the Reverend Mr. Glover made an "energetic address," your Lordship's question did not receive the decided negative which I now give to it.

I am not ignorant that something of the kind came from an Honourable Baronet in a certain Assembly. I had two reasons for not noticing it then. The first, your Lordship will readily imagine, arose from the place; the other, which I presume equally influenced all the Members of that Assembly, arose from the man,

As the bell clinketh, So the thinketh, said the wisdom of our ancestors. No, I am well aware that the Baronet is as certain

certain to resound at the application of the word People, as the aforesaid instrument at that of the clapper. And a fine jingle we had in all the newspapers.

But is your Lordship really to be informed, that a word may have two senses; and that the poor Baronet here laid hold of the wrong one? People may mean either, as he took it, those who compose the community;" or, as the framers of the form in question applied it, "the vulgar." And your Lordship would not have failed to see that they did so apply it, if you had not jumped, in the spirit of the Epic Poet, into the middle; but had begun in the jogtrot way at the beginning; where they have expressed it by "the base and barbarous assaults of a lawless multitude:" each being previously equivalent to your Lordship's own expression, "the act of an intemperate rabble;" which his R. H. of Sussex has been pleased to style "certain popular irregularities."

If your Lordship could have wanted any thing farther to satisfy you that the Church, as you express it, had not directly charged the people of England with maduess, the Reverend gentleman above-mentioned might have supplied it, by iuforming you, that the words which have given you such offence were actually written by a man who never could have heard of the People of England. FRANCIS HUISH.

417

cesan; and that therefore this must be so far a gain. Confining the application of the proposed new clause to un-beneficed Clergy, it may be true, but not otherwise; for, by the 21st Hen. VIII. cap. 13, sect. 8, it is expressly provided, that “ spiritual persons not having sufficient glebe or demesne lands in their own lands, in right of their churches, may take in farm other lands*, provided only that the increase thereof be always employed and put to and for the only expence in their households and hospitalities, and not in any wise to buy and sell again." And as by the con current Act of 43 Geo. III. above cited, it is further provided, that "nothing contained in that Act shall extend to deprive any spiritual person of any privilege, as to the taking, having, or holding any farm or lands to which any such spiritual person was before entitled" under the former Act, it is evident that this new clause in the Consolidation Bill absolutely annihilates a previously existing privilege of the Beneficed Clergy-an undisputed enjoyment ever since the reign of Henry VIII.

I must, therefore, Mr. Urban, as a Beneficed Member of the Establishment, feeling I am on the point of having a comparatively frivolous privilege granted as a boon, while l'am to be deprived of a great and valuable immunity, beg for one to remonstrate against such a decided invasion of my professional rights. VIGILIUS.

stock and grain; that roads were to be made, and schools erected; and all this without the least assistance from any public fund; it cannot be a matter of surprize that there are scarcely any Churches, and that an appeal should be made to the generosity of the Mother Country."

No man can be insensible to the necessity and importance to any society of maintaining principles of sound Religion amongst its members; and of affording to all ranks the means of knowing and fulfilling their duties, the worship of God, the allegiance due to their Country, and all the charities of social life: for these are, indeed, the very bonds of every society. If they are of such importance in civilized countries, with a well-regulated government and active police, how much more needful are they to restrain and influence the dictates of passion, in a country where there may be truly said to be no Government at all! for the parts of Canada on behalf of which the Subscription seems to have been commenced, is too far removed from the Courts of Justice, and the eye of the Legal Authorities, to be under much restraint from them.

If there were then no other motives than those suggested by a prudent policy, this Subscription claims the patronage of every friend to order and good government, and of every person wishing well to Great Britain. But there are motives of a more honourable kind, which call upon the charitable and pious to assist their Canadian brethren in erecting places of Public Worship. In Canada the Protestants are surrounded on the one side by men bigoted to the Roman Catholic Religion, and on the other they are liable to be misled by the wild and enthusiastic doctrines of visionary Fanaticks. And, indeed, unhappily, the latter have already commenced their labours, and in some instances with too much success. To check the progress of Error, should be at all times the wish and object of the pious man; but at the present moment, when such efforts have been made to disseminate doctrines bordering on Infidelity, it should be particularly the care of the Members of the Established Church, to endeavour to prevent any of their brethren from becoming the sacrifice of such delu

sions. And what better method cau there be, thau assisting them to build places where the Ritual of the Church of England may be performed in publick, and where they may hear its doctrines expounded by a well-educated and learned Clergyman, who will at the same time warn them of errors, and specious systems of Religion, and instruct them in their duty to God and their Country?

That the present attempt to effect these desirable and important objects may be successful and encouraged, must be your wish, Mr. Urban, and that of every Church of England man, as well as of, Yours, &c.

WYKEHAM.

CATHEDRAL SCHOOLS.
(Continued from page 328.)
Mr. URBAN,

Crosby-square,
May 11.
CANTERBURY CATHEDRAL.

THE spot now occupied by this

magnificent Cathedral was for merly the Palace of the Kentish Monarchs. I will not occupy your Pages with a history of Augustine, and of his successful labours as a Preacher of the Gospel; but I may be permitted to remark, that it was the interest awakened in the mind of the Roman Pontiff for the instruction of the English youths, which first induced him to undertake the conversion and civilization of their Country.

The Choral School at Canterbury is coeval with the establishment of the Anglican Church; Augustine having introduced the Chaunted Service still re tained in our Cathedrals. The Science of Music was universally cultivated by the Clergy; and was so completely identified with religious offices, that, in the language of our ancestors, to sing and to pray are used as synony

mous terms.

"That Augustine settled a School here," say the Canterbury Historians, "can hardly be doubted." And we are informed, by the same authority, that a Collegiate Establishment, with Masters and Professors, under the Archiepiscopal jurisdiction, attained great celebrity during the Heptarchy, and served as a model for the Univer sities which arose at a subsequent period.

In treating of an Academical Institution, confessedly the most antient