196 On the Depression of Agriculture, and on Small Farms. [April 1, apostles of art, and be the select rulers and princes of the artist world? I am fearful your querist argues from personalities, and perhaps may consider some one engraver more worthy of the honour than some one academician: but is this, or any thing like it, broad and just reasoning? I should try the merits of the question thus: Is the class of engravers so likely to produce artist-like merit and instruction as the classes admitted? On this one point will I stake my defence of the Academy. What better, what sounder mode can be taken of advancing engravers, than by advancing their parents the painters? And now, Sir, I will conclude with expressing my most unfeigned admiration of the art of engraving, it being the means of translating and making more public the rarer and more excellent works of the pallet and the chisel. Order is Heaven's first law :-let then the Academy go on in promoting the welfare of the heart and soul of art, and in due season the functions and the limbs will receive their proper nourishment and vigour. MR. EDITOR, J. S. IN perusing your valuable miscellany for January last, I was very much pleased with the remarks of OMEGA on the depression of agriculture and commerce. With respect to the latter, I cannot presume to be a judge sufficiently competent to estiinate the magnitude of the difficulties under which it labours, but I conceive them to be very great: with those of agriculture, however, I am somewhat acquainted by experience, and most perfectly agree with your intelligent correspondent that the monopolizing of farms is one very great cause of the dissatisfaction at this time manifested in the country, and consequently of the present distress. Perhaps it is not difficult to prove that the trade in provincial towns is thereby very materially injured; for the farmer who in the late golden times (as agriculturists have falsely called them, but which are likely to prove a greater injury than benefit) cultivated an estate, whatever might be its extent, found it impossible, tom the great expense of stocking a farm, and the difficulty of procuring one from so many having been swallowed up by monopolizers, to establish his sons in business as farmers in a manner agreeable to his wishes; he was, therefore, obliged to apprentice his sons to some business or profession. These sons, when their respective terms of ap prenticeship were expired, he was able to establish in their respective trades, and generally in the nearest provincial town. But the great accumulation of tradesmen in any provincial town must necessarily divide the customers who are in the habit of attending that market; and although they may all, while the agricultural part of the community could purchase their goods to so great an extent, be able to support themselves, and some of them even to acquire independence, yet now that the farmer can no longer expend any more than is sufficient to purchase what he absolutely wants, and sometimes scarcely that, these tradesmen are driven to the brink of bankruptcy. To the quantity of acres, however, which OMEGA proposes for each of his small farms I must beg leave to state my objection, as being too small, as there could not be found a sufficient number of tenants to occupy them; for few farmers who have a sufficiency to stock a farm of 100 or 200 acres, would cultivate one of 20 or S0, and take upon themselves the whole labour, as those must do who live on farms of that size. It would also be very difficult, if not impossible, to procure tenants from the lower ranks of agricul tural society who have either enough money, or are sufficiently prudent, to take upon themselves the cultivation of so inany small farms. The quality of the land must likewise be taken into consideration, which in many parts of the kingdom is so indifferent, that a man, however industrious, could not procure a livelihood, even if he had no rent to pay. The expense of erecting so many cottages, with the requisite offices, (as small barns, &c. which are absolutely necessary,) ought to be considered: for suppose an estate of 1,000 acres of land to be divided into 50 small farms, there would in many cases be 49 houses to build; the expense of cach, on the most economical plan of building, would be little less than 2501., making in all a sum of 12,000). Perhaps it would tend much more to the encouragement of agriculture, if all the good land in the kingdom was laid out in farms, in all the gradations from 15 to 250 acres for each farm; there would then be encouragement for every man to be industrious, in the hope of obtaining a farm something larger than that which he then occupied, and such an one as would enable him to pass the latter end of his life without toil; for it is impossible to attain a sufficient compe 1816.] Impositions on Travellers in the Isle of Wight. tence for the comfortable support of old age in farms so small as OMEGA wishes to divide the country into. Where the land is so very bad, as it is in some parts of Suffolk, Norfolk, and many other counties, the farms must be from 2 to 500 acres each; as it is there absolutely necessary to keep a quantity of sheep, and sheep cannot be kept with advantage, at all seasons of the year, on small farms. Such, Sir, is my humble opinion on the subject, which I must leave to your judgment to insert, or not, in the pages of your widely-circulating miscellany; for the complete success of which, to the utmost extent of your hopes and expectations, accept the sincere good wishes of Feb. 14, 1816. MR. EDITOR, A FARMER. DURING my residence in the Isle of Wight last summer, I observed with pleasure that your Magazine was in general circulation, and that its contents were treated with more consideration than the generality of periodical publications; from this circumstance I am desirous that the following remarks should be permitted to occupy a page of your next number. I have for the last few years been in the habit of passing a month or two in that delightful island; but I fear my visits must be given up, as each year my expenses have increased,--not by any extravagance on the part of myself or family, but from circumstances which will appear in the perusal of this paper, which any persons justly complain of, and which in part, I understand, the magistracy and gentlemen (who are large proprietors in the island, and of course interested in making it the resort of company) are now engaged to remove. The first thing to which I would point their attention is, the number of miles charged, the traveller, which in most stages is many more than he travels, and which during a tour amounts to a considerable sum, as the charge per mile is more than in England, to make it an swer the innkeepers' purpose to keep a sufficient number of horses for the summer during the winter, when there is little travelling. The new road from Ryde to Newport, which will be opened this spring, is more picturesque than that now in use, and one mile shorter. I wish a general measurement of the roads on the island to take place, when I am convinced a considerable saving would accrue to the 197 tourist on every road, especially from Newport to Yarmouth, which is now charged twelve miles, although not more than ten; and from Ryde round the back of the island, a very considerable number of miles would be saved. The next thing I remark is, that it is customary for tourists to hire a gig, chaise, or sociable, for a day or days, to go round the island: neither the distance of each day's journey, nor the number of days, is fixed at the time of setting out, but depends entirely on the taste of the traveller, who is induced to remain or proceed as that sense is gratified-the distance being sometimes ten miles, seldom if ever more than fourteen. The heavy charge for the day by the innkeepers is stated to be because they are obliged to pay (so they say) a posthorse duty of 2s. 6d. per day for each horse employed. Now, Mr. Editor, on reference to the acts of parliament, I find the duty is only 1s. 9d. per day per horse, if the distance is unascertained at the time of hiring, which is the case in ninety-nine times out of a hundred. I hope the magistrates will look to the acts, which will convince them of the truth of this; and if the distance be ascertained, (which I can venture to assert is never the case by persons going to the back of the island, which is the principal object of attraction to the traveller,) then the duty is only 14d. per unile for the number of miles each horse shall travel, reckoning the number of miles going and returning, and which in very few cases would amount to more than 1s. 9d. duty for each horse. Another evil is the heavy charges of the innkeepers in respect to tavern bills. That they should be paid more, having only a summer season, is I think fair and reasonable; but as every article of consumption is considerably cheaper, and as the income-tax is to be reduced, if not to expire altogether, I hope they will be more moderate in their charges; Iam sure it would be to their advantage. The last thing I shall point out is, the unequal and very high price of lodgings: this is an evil that loudly calls for redress. Bath, Cheltenham, and other places, are under a regulation in this * These duties, I understand, are let by public auction, for a period of three years, to the highest bidders; but I do not see why the act of parliament is to be infringed to make the profits of speculators greater at the expense of the traveller, especially as when Government collected the duties they only received 1s. 9d. per day per horse. 198 Voodtal, the Painter-Remarks on the Case of Eliz. Fenning. [April 1, respect, and so should the Island be. Let the charges not depend on the caprice of individuals, but be regulated at so much per room per week, allowing a handsome remuneration to the persons letting lodgings, which may be effected, and yet lessen the price materially to the occupier; and as the charges of pleasure-boats are regulated, why not the lodgings? Unless these regulations are made, I am confident the islanders will find the number of their visitors decrease, notwithstanding the beauties and attractions which the Island possesses, especially as the Continent is now open to the traveller, and which should operate as a strong inducement to remedy these grievances. Feb. 14, 1816. T. Q. MR. EDITOR, I WISH for information respecting a painting in my possession, which probably some of your correspondents may be able to furnish. The picture (on pannel, 22 inches by 16) has at the right corner the name of VOODTAL, an artist I can learn nothing of from any dictionary I have seen. The back ground has much of the grandeur of Italian scenery, and resembles Poussin, particularly in the foliage; yet, strange to say, the foreground, which has a grand and beautiful groupe of rose-trees, &c., is precisely in the manner of Breughel. This strange union of two masters so unlike, makes me the more curious as to the painter, The figures have much of the peculiar and theatrical air of the French school, and are in the style of Lairesse. The whole picture is most exquisitely finished. I cannot close this note without saying how highly I approve your ably-conducted magazine, though I am aware it is almost "too late to praise when all commend." Yours, G. MR. LDITOR, IN common with many others who have taken a deep interest in the case of the late Eliz. Fenning, I was particularly gratified by reading your spirited and judicious review of a recent publica tion on the subject by a distinguished writer, to whom your own pages have been indebted for several valuable communications;* and I can only regret that Dr. WATKINS' "Important Results of an elaborate Investigation of the mysterious Case of Eliz. Fenning.”—See New M. Mag. Vol. IV. p. 352. This book, whatever idea may be formed of the correctness of the author's deductions, is at least" written in a spirit of manly argument and gentlemanly feeling. your notice of that work has not led to a more extended discussion of this affair in your subsequent numbers. Many persons I am, however, perfectly aware, entertain the idea, that the affair having terminated, and the past not being recallable, whatever it be, no possible good can result from any further investigation of it. For one, I can by no means accede to this opinion; so far otherwise do I think, and I am far from being unsupported in this conviction, that I conceive a candid and dispassionate discussion of the business of the utmost importance, as tending to prevent the probability of any erroneous verdict hereafter occurring through that fatal precipitancy which led to the execution of this unfortunate convict. But without wishing now to enter inte the question whether the evidence was sufficiently decisive to establish the sentence against this unhappy girl, or whe ther some of the circumstances in that evidence might not have amply justified a verdict of acquittal, what I chiefly desire at present to comprehend in the whole transaction is this-upon what ground could a man of the reputed honour and probity of the learned Recor der reconcile his own departure in this single case from the constant practice (pursued by himself and every other judicial functionary, of avoiding all communication with the prosecuting parties) with the impartial execution of his high and important office? For what mos tive, I should like to learn, could he in this solitary instance, hold a private interview with the Turner family during the interval between the sentence and the execution, and that interval a period in which the most anxious sympathy was both felt and publicry expressed in the fate of this girl? I do not presume to question that the Recorder had sufficient motives to justify his departure from the usual judicial practice; but I cannot help thinking that it would have been, and be but still just to the feelings of those respectable characters who have taken so deep an interest in the case of this unhappy convict, to have stated his reasons for so doing, both for their satisfaction and to tranquillize the public feeling at large. However just the sentence might after all turn out to have been, yet, under all the very peculiar circumstances of the case (as it appeared on evidence), I must ever accord in the sentiment which has been so forcibly expressed, that "the reputa tion of the justice of this country has been more injured by carrying the sen 1816.] Lord Byron's Imitations-The late Bishop of Oxford, &c. tence of the law into effect, than it would have been by allowing mercy to inter fere." February 20, 1816. V. M. H. P.S. I must be permitted to add, that the opinion of the late Archdeacon Paley has been appealed to in this affair with more confidence than judgment; for after all, what he says amounts to an extenuation rather than an approval of the inverted proposition-that it is better that one innocent person should suffer than ten guilty escape. "If an innocent person suffer as the effect of a strict adherence to established principles of evidence and adjudication, that person (his argument is) who falls by such a mistaken sentence, may be considered as falling for his country."* He does not say it is better or right that such an innocent person should fall, which is the impression those who have appealed to his testimony wished to produce. MR. EDITOR, SOME ingenious critics, holding Bishop Hurd on "The distinctive Marks of Poetical Imitation" very cheap, have fancied that they have discovered the fountain of many of Lord BYRON's most favourite images-have muttered the word plagiarism through lips half yellow with envy, and have brought forward their parallel passages accordingly. May I be permitted to have a guess of the same kind; and as I despair of emulating the fame of the noble author, to nibble for one moment at his claim to originality? In the magnificent Poem of the Corsair, Conrad says to Medora, "Be thou my rainbow to the storms of life!" Might not the illustrious bard, who, in spite of some unhappy appearances to the contrary, is said to be a great reader of the writings of divines, have had an eye of recollection on the following passage from Bishop Horne?" No storm can overshadow a true Christian, but his faith will discern a rainbow in it." (Es says on various Subjects, p. 28.) Yours respectfully, A PROVINCIAL SCHOOLMASTER. P.S. Your memoir of the late Bishop of OXFORD was very accurate and judicious in the delineation of his Lordship's character and merits; but it is rather Singular that no biographical sketch of that eminent and active prelate, which I have hitherto seen, should have mentioned his prowess as a mathematician. *Paley Moral and Polit. Phil. B. 6, Ch. 9, ad finem. 199 Upon that pedestal of fame he stood There is a verbal inaccuracy in your MR. EDITOR, IN order to answer the query pro- cannot therefore be conceived that the 200 Rev. Mr. Mackinnon on the History of Cain. speaks as to the authenticity of Moses, and the truth of his narration. We might, further to confirm it, bring for ward the accounts of Strabo, of Trogus Pompeius, of Plato, and of many others of even Porphyry, Julian, and Mahomet himself, in attestation of the genuine truths recorded by this historian; but this is unnecessary, as he must be sceptical indeed, after what has been said by writers in every age, who now doubts the authenticity of the author or his history, or in any measure hesitates to pronounce its records correct and just. To comprehend the whole, we must not read a part, but take it in its general bearings and connection-we must compare scripture with scripture; thus one part will elucidate another, and render it perfectly clear and comprehensible. But to proceed to the question.-How long our first parents remained in a perfect state we are not told; yet, as marriage was instituted immediately after the woman was formed, and no children were born unto them during their continuance in paradise, we may conjecture that Cain was born in the end of the first or beginning of the second year of the world, and Abel the year following, and from the blessing of God, "increase and multiply," that Eve continued to bring forth children, "sons and daughters," and that these children themselves, as soon as they came to years of maturity, intermarried and multiplied. It is objected, that as there were three only whose names are mentioned, Cain, Abel, and Seth, there were no others, male or female; but the reason, in all probability, that the sacred historian should chiefly confine himself to the posterity of Seth, was because from him were descended Noah and Abraham, and consequently the people chosen to preserve the knowledge of God in the world, and to give birth to the promised Messiah. [April 1, and its fruits, Abel his flocks and their young A question must now arise, wherefore had the former his lands, and the latter his flocks? It must have been for some other purpose than to support themselves. The reason is obvious: the Lord God himself had declared, "that a man should leave his father and his mother, and cleave unto his wife." (Gen. ii. 23.) No doubt then, in compliance with the blessing imparted to their parents, Crescite et multiplicamini, the children Cain and Abel had left their father and mother, had married and cleaved unto their wives, and presided at the head of a numerous family. But who could be their wives? They were the daughters of Eve; for in the beginning it was necessary that the sister should marry the brother:—and the reason why these daughters were not mentioned, was not because there were none, but because they did not in any measure give authority and strength to the pedigree of Noah and Abraham, which the historian wished only to keep in view in recording the names of Cain, Abel, or Seth. We have said that the families of Cain and Abel were numerous, and indeed, from the nature of things, it must have been the case; for if 70 people in the family of Jacob amounted in 210 years to many more than 600,000 souls,-for we do not take into the account those that died during that time,what must have been the number sprung from a few families in the space of 100 years, allowing Cain and Abel to be 29 and 28 years of age at the time of their marriage, which in all probability took place much sooner, and no deaths occurring during that time; for Abel is the first man mentioned in Scripture that died, and he was then in his 128th year, and A. M. 130? By this time mankind must have ra pidly increased, when we consider that all nations were to spring from Adam and his issue. It was the numerous progeny of a murdered brother that the wicked Cain feared, when he said that every one that findeth ine shall kill me. It was the daughter of an afflicted mother that he took to be his wife. It was, finally, his children and his children's children who assisted him in the building of a city called Enoch, from the name of that child begotten by him after he had murdered his brother Abel, and become a fugitive and a vagabond on the earth. I remain, &c. "Factum est post multos dies," in process of time, Gen. 4, 3. Dies here must not be literally translated days, for it is frequently used by the Hebrews for annis, years; so that Cain might have been for some time (pro multis annis) a tiller of the ground, and Abel, for the same reason, a keeper of sheep. The death of Abel did not happen until the 129th year of Adam. Seth was born the year after Abel's death, consequently in the 130th year of Adam; but long before this period had Cain and Abel separated from their parents, each having his distinct inheritance-Cain his land Bassingham, Feb. 14, 1816.. JOHN MACKINNON. |