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MONTHLY AGRICULTURAL REPORT.

THE cold easterly winds and sharp frosty nights that have prevailed during the greatest part of the month, have continued favourable in checking the over luxuriant state of the early sown young wheat crops, and kept back vegetation in general in a considerable degree.

The weather continuing mostly fair, the operations of this busy month have been carried on with great alertness; and a vast extent of team, as well as other labour, has been performed, which will probably make good the deficiencies of the last month, in these respects. The winter fodder of different kinds has held out better than was expected some time back, in consequence of the season being so remarkably open, both in the beginning and since. The grain stock, probably from the large importations from the continent, continues to hold out better than was supposed about the close of the harvest, and at more reasonable prices. In the corn market, the fluctuations in the prices have not, since our last, been much.-Wheat fetches from 68s. to 80s. per quarter; superfine 104s. to 108s. Rye, 40s. to 52s.; Barley, 30s. to 48s.; Oats, 22s. to 30s.

The fattening stock, both in the stalls and other modes, have been pushed on with tolerable success, but still continue high in price. Sheep in many instances have not gone on to well as the meat cattle stock, mutton keeps of course high in price. In → Smithfield market the prices were on the last market day.-Beef fetches from 4s. 8d. to 6s. per stone of 8lb.; Mutton, 4s. 8d. to 6s. ; Veal, 5s. to 7s.; Pork, 5s. to 78.

The ewe stock has in general lambed down pretty favourably from the season being mostly pretty mild and suitable for them; though late dropped lambs have in many places suffered considerably.

Hay keeps pretty well up to its price in the different markets, and fetches from 41. 108. to 61. 10s.; Straw, 21. to 31. 3s.; Clover, 61. 10s. to 71. 10s.

METEOROLOGICAL REPORT.

Observations on the State of the Weather, from the 24th of February 1810 to the 24th of March 1810, inclusive, Four Miles N.N.W. of St. Paul's.

Barometer.

Thermometer.

Highest, 29.7. Feb. 28. March 22. Wind W. Higheft, 56°. March 9. Wind S. W.
Lowest, 28.55. March 6. Wind East.

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The thermometer, early in the morning of the 12th inst, stood at 50°. and on the next day at the same hour it was no higher than 38

THE quantity of rain fallen since our last Report, is equal to nearly two inches in depth. This all fell toward the beginning of the mouth: some slight showers occurred about the middle of it, but during the last twelve days it has been perfectly fair weather; and from the 17th to the 24th inclusive, the days were remarkably brilliant, scarcely a cloud intervening from morning to evening. The heaviest snow that we have experienced during the winter, fell on the 6th of March: the thermometer during the whole fall being several degrees above the freezing point, it could not lay long, and on the following day the rain was as abundant as the snow had been heavy. The wind has been variable, but during the last fortnight it has blown from the easterly points, and from those points we may expect it for some weeks to come. Vegetation fortunately, is not so forward as to be injured by the bleak breezes, nor by the frosts which have occurred, and which may still be expected. The average temperature for the month is 42-952: and the mean height of the barometer is 29.3.

ERRATA IN LAST MONTH'S NUMBER.-Page 108, col. 2, 15, for decided, read divided. -P. 115, col. 1. 1. 24, for statement, read document.-P. 134, col. 2, 1. 34, for Edinburgb, read edition of.

TO CORRESPONDENTS.

A communication having some time ago appeared in the Monthly Magazine of December 1, 1806, reflecting on the members of King's college, of Aberdeen, in regard to the management of their BURSARIES, the Editor feels it his duty to state, that he finds, on satisfactory information, that it contained an unfounded calumny on that learned and respectable body. He thinks it therefore an act of justice to make this explanation.

PRICES

Bank

Stock. S per Ct

Reduc.

3 per Ct.

Consols.

4 per Ct.

Consuls

Navy

5 per Ct

Long

Ann.

Imper.

3 per Ct.

PRICES OF STOCKS, from the 23d of FEBRUARY to the 24th of March, both, inclusive

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N. B. In the 3 per Cent. Consols the highest and lowest Prices are given; in the other Stocks, the highest only. WM. TURQUAND, Stock and Exchange Broker No. 9, St. Michael's Alley, Cornhill.

5 per Ct

India

Stuck.

India

Bonds.

S. Sea

Stock.

Ann.

New

Ann.

Excheq. Bills.

Omniu.

Consols

for Accp.

Lottery Ticke

MONTHLY MAGAZINE.

No. 198.]

MAY 1, 1810.

[5 of VOL. 29.

As long as thofe who write are ambitious of making Converts, and of giving their Opinions a Maximum of Influence and Celebrity, the most extenfively circulated Mifcellany will repay with the greaten Effe&t the Curiofity of thofe who read either for Amufement or Inftruation.-JOHNSON.

ORIGINAL COMMUNICATIONS.

To the Editor of the Monthly Magazine.

SIR,

AVING many contem

should be expected to cultivate in the most productive way.

4. The numerous families of children

H plated the practicability of two thus healthily and independently reared

plans, fraught with public benefit and individual happiness, I can no longer refrain from submitting them to the readers of the Monthly Magazine, who include the majority of the public-spirited and intelligent subjects of this realm. I am sanguine enough to believe, that my plans will meet with general approbation; and though they may not be imme diately adopted, a future age may refer to your valuable miscellany, as the instrument which propagated a knowledge of what may prove to posterity eminent blessings.

My FIRST PLAN is to build cheerful cottages, at requisite distances, by the sides of our public roads, as residences for the labourer, whose employment it should be to repair the road, for a space equidistant in both directions from his cottage.

Every benevolent person will view these smiling cottages in his mind's eye with rapture, and will wish he possessed a magical wand, by which he might, in an instant, bring ten thousand of them into existence; but as Commissioners of Roads, and Parliamentary Committees, are moved only by calculations of interest, I shall briefly enumerate a few advantages which cannot fail to attend them.

1. The roads would be kept in better repair, and at much less expence than at present; because the labourer would live close to his work, instead of spending half his time, and wasting half his strength, as is now the case, in walking several miles to his labour.

2. The cottages would afford an independent asylumn to a class of the labouring poor, who, with their families, are generally a burthen to the parish.

3. They would increase the general means of subsistence, if a rood of the waste ground on the road-side were annexed to each cottage, which the cottager MONTHLY MAG, No. 198,

would add greatly to the effective popu lation of the country; and would afford means of recruiting our armies, far superior to our cripple-making manufactories.

5. They would add to the cheerfulness and security of a road; they might be made to indicate distances, and to supply directions to travellers; and they might be so constructed as to afford shelter in case of accident, sudden illness, or inclement weather.

The expence of each of such cottages in building and fitting-up, would be from 251. to 50l. according to the value of the materials which the neighbourhood afforded; and this, if desired, might be reimbursed to the commissioners, trustees, or farmers, of the roads, by paying the labourer 6d. or 1s. per week below the standard or ordinary price of labour. For such deduction, the cottager would receive ample compensation in the advantages of his cottage and plot of ground; but in acts of parliament for new roads, the building of such cottages might form a special provision.

As the labourers would be elected to the cottages, candidates bearing a known good character would of course be preferred. Married men would be -likely to be chosen rather than single ones; and the regular appearance of these, with their families, at church on a Sunday, would be one pledge of their moral conduct. Habitual drunkenness, neglect of their cottages and plots of ground, or any gross depravities, should subject the cottager to the forfeiture of his cottage; while on the other hand, a regular conduct should entitle hitn, once in seven years, to the benefit of a collection at the church, to buy him a cow, to put his children apprentices, and afford him other comforts and benefits.

The SECOND PLAN to which I wish to call the attention of persons possessing:

2 R

power

power and influence, has similar claims on the feelings of private benevolence, and others of a public nature peculiar to itself.

I proposé to surround the shores of the United Kingdom with marine cottages, at intervals of a mile, to serve as beacons on certain occasions, and the especial business of whose inhabitants it should be to superintend the incidents passing on the ocean, and to afford relief, advice, and shelter, to shipwrecked or distressed mariners.

Persons who have been at sea, must have been sensible of the inhospitable aspect of our shores; and could never suspect, if they had made the English coast for the first time, that such a country contained a numerous and active population. Our whole coast exhibits a dreary continuation of rock or cliff, without asylum or friendly invitation, and unprovided with watch or guard for its own protection, or the support and security of the strangers or mariners who approach it. Thus unprovided with any means of hospitality, who could suspect that such was the coast of the most maritime people in the world; or that thousands of lives, and millions of property, were every year sacrificed by wrecks, which might, in a considerable degree, be prevented or averted by means like those proposed?

This plan presents also the advantage of providing, in a characteristic and congenial manner, for five or six thousand maimed or superannuated seamen and marines, two of whom, with or without families, might occupy each cottage, keeping a constant look out, in all wea ther in which assistance might be wanted. Each cottage should be provided with a lantern in its roof, in which a good light should by night be constantly displayed, and with ropes, a signal gun, and other means of affording and producing assist ance in case of wreck.

Benevolence will ask for no reasons beyond those which cannot fail to present themselves on the slightest consideration, for the adoption of a plan so obviously useful; however, as it can only be carried into execution through the influence of a patriotic minister, or by parliamentary sanction, it may not be improper to subjoin some of the reasons which strongly recommend it.

1. Such a continuity of lights indicating the direction of every line of const, could not fail to be the means of prevent

ing numerous wrecks, and saving many valuable lives, and an amount of property, equal perhaps in a single year to the expence of building all the cottages.

2. In cases of unavoidable wreck, the instantaneous assistance afforded by the inhabitants of all the adjacent cottages, could not fail to be the means of saving many of the crew, and much of the property.

3. A stop would thus be put to the system of plundering wrecks, a practice which prevails in many parts of our coast, and which sinks us in character, as a people, below the most barbarous na. tions.

4. These marine cottages would serve as signal-houses for many public purposes, and they might especially be made a means of preventing illicit trade.

5. They would cheaply and usefully provide for five or six thousand seamen and marines, as out-pensioners of Green wich, or as a separate establishment; and at the close of the war, sɔme means of providing for this extra number will be wanted.

6. The families of the married cottagers would be universally a nursery of seamen; and indeed it might not be in practicable to register the entire male part of them as future resources for the navy, in which they might be marked as objects for promotion in the inferior ranks of the service.

Some objections may probably be started to particular features of both these plans: 1 entertain, however, no doubt, that these might be removed, on a full investigation; and they must be of trifling consequence, when placed in competition with the vast benefits that would result, in a public and private view, from such establishments. I am indeed sanguine enough to think, that they would in many important respects give a new feature to the moral character of the country; and that at least, instead of solitary roads and desolate coasts, we should have the gratification of seeing twenty thousand cottages, and the consequent happiness and comfort attending perhaps a hundred thousand souls, now the most miserable and destitute members of the commu nity.

At any rate, would not the adoption of both plans atone, in some degree, for the miseries occasioned by so many years spent in unprofitable and destructive wars?

COMMON SENS5.

ADVICE to a YOUNG REVIEWER, with a
SPECIMEN of the ART.*

You

OU are now about to enter on a profession which has the means of doing much good to society, and scarcely any temptation to do harm. You may encourage genius, you may chastise superficial arrogance, expose falsehood, correct error, and guide the taste and opinions of the age, in no small degree, by the books you praise and recommend. All this too may be done without running the risk of making any enemies; or subjecting yourself to be called to account for your criticism, however severe. While your name is unknown, your person is invulnerable: at the same time your own aim is sure, for you may take it at your leisure; and your blows fall heavier than those of any writer whose same is given, or who is simply anonymous. There is a mysterious authority in the plural we, which no single name, whatever may be its reputation, can acquire; and, under the sanction of this imposing style, your strictures, your praises, and your doginas, will command universal attention, and be received as the fruit of united talents, acting on one common principle-as the judgments of a tribunal who decide only on mature deLiberation, and who protect the interests of literature with unceasing vigilance.

Such being the high importance of that office, and such its opportunities, I cannot bestow a few hours of leisure bet ter than in furnishing you with some hints for the more easy and effectual discharge of it: bints which are, I confess, loosely thrown together, but which are the result of long experience, and of frequent reflection and comparison. And if any thing should strike you at first sight as rather equivocal in point of morality, or deficient in liberality and feeling; I beg you will suppress all such scruples, and consider them as the offspring of a contracted education and narrow way of thinking, which a little intercourse with the world and sober reasoning will speedily overcome.

Now as in the conduct of life nothing is more to be desired than some governing principle of action, to which all other principles and motives must be made

This excellent essay having been printed for separate circulation, its merits led us to ask permission of the author to insert it in our pages, in the confidence that it would highly gratify our readers.

Be not

subservient; so in the art of reviewing I
would lay down as a fundamental posi-
tion, which you must never lose sight of,
and which must be the main spring of all
your criticisms--Write what will sell.
To this golden rule every minor canon
must be subordinate; and must either be
immediately deducible from it, or at least
be made consistent with it.
staggered at the sound of a precept,
which upon examination will be found as
honest and virtuous as it is discreet. I
have already sketched out the great ser
vices which it is in your power to render
mankind; but all your efforts will be un-
availing if men do not read what you
write. Your utility therefore, it is plain,
depends upon your popularity; and po-
pularity cannot be attained without hu-
mouring the taste and inclinations of

men.

Be assured that by a similar train of sound and judicious reasoning, the consciences of thousands in public life are daily quieted. It is better for the state that their party should than any govern other: the good which they can effect by the exercise of power, is infinitely greater than any which could arise from a rigid adherence to certain subordinate moral precepts; which therefore should be violated without scruple, whenever they stand in the way of their leading purpose. He who sticks at these can never act a great part in the world, and is not fit to act it if he could. Such maxims may be very useful in ordinary affairs, and for the guidance of ordinary men; but when we mount into the sphere of public uti lity, we must adopt more enlarged principles; and not suffer ourselves to be cramped and fettered by petty notions of right, and moral duty.

When you have reconciled yourself to this liberal way of thinking, you will find many inferior advantages resulting from it, which at first did not enter into your consideration. In particular, it will greatly lighten your labours to follow the public taste, instead of taking upon you to direct it. The task of pleasing is at all times easier than that of instructing: at least it does not stand in need of pain. ful research and preparation; and may be effected in general by a little vivacity of manner, and a dexterous morigera tion (as lord Bacon calls it) to the hu mours and frailties of men. Your responsibility too is thereby much lessened. Justice and candour can only be required of you so far as they coincide with this main principle; and a little experience

will

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