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1810.] On the Name of the Great Swedish Botanist.

names of other countries, of which the French are so ridiculously guilty. I would certainly not imitate them in endeavouring to naturalise Marcus Aurelius; and, though I would not attempt to substitute Wien, for Vienna, now naturalised beyond recal, I would doubtless say Taheitee rather than Otaheitee, since the prefix is proved to be superfluous. But not only do the Swedes always call their countryman Linné: the same title is constantly given to him in Germany; and I should have added France, had not Dr. Smith assured us, that there they are beginning to use Linnæus. Certainly this change is of very recent date, and I should much doubt its becoming general; at any rate, the naturalists of Germany and of Sweden, more numerous by far than those of all the rest of Europe com bined, always use Linné. The question then is, whether a due respect for the memory of this great man does not re'quire that we should conform to their example; whether, in fact, it is not an apparent though doubtless unintended insult upon his countrymen, not

do so.

337

him.

Latin as, in Swedish. How does he call
Natura? He does not say Systema Na-
"Caroli
himself in the last edition of his Systema
turæ Caroli Linnæi, but
Linné." Indeed, not to have preserved
this designation in Latin, in which lan-
guage nine-tenths of his works were
composed, would have been to give up
the distinction conferred upon
2. The assertion that the Swedes in
Latin now always use Linnæus, is by
much too unqualified; and I am greatly
mistaken if, on re-examination, Dr, Smith
will not find just the contrary to be more
It is true, that in
nearly accurate.
Latin composition, where oblique cases
occur, the Swedes say Linnæi, Linnæo,
&c. as they are forced to do to be intel-
ligible; but in the nominative, they in-
variably, as far as my experience goes,
use a Linné, never Linnæus. I have now
works in natural history, that have been
before me one of the most recent Latin
received in this country from Sweden

Gyllenhai's Insecta Suecica, published
occurs in the
wherever Linné's name
to
in 1808. In the preface to this work,
nominative case, it is constantly written
a Linné; in one case even after the pre-
position ab. I am well aware that Lin-
næus analgamates much better with
Latin composition than a Linné; but I
do not see that this is any reason for de-
able title. Indeed, modern authors seem
priving him of his real name and honour-
to be getting sensible of the folly of
Latinising our often barbarous Gothic
names, and generally leave thein as they
find them-surely the most rational plan.
Happé, the author of "Icones Pinnt.
Crypt." does not call himself Happæus.
And the effect upon our jaws will be not
gers, or Wiggersius; Scheuchzer, or
greatly different whether we read Wig-
Scheuchzerus; Schkuhz, or Schkulzins.
However strange it may seem to Dr.
Smith therefore, I am of opinion that
not only in English, but in Latin, at least
in the nominative case, we ought to say
Linné.

To judge of the validity of this mode of reasoning, we should bring the case home to ourselves. Suppose that the order of the Bath were in this country as honourable as that of the PolarStar in Sweden; and that in conferring this distinction on any one, it were our custom ever afterwards to give a Latin termination to his name. Sir Joseph Banks would then, on becoming a knight of the bath, have been called Banksius. Now, would it not have been deemed a mark of the grossest ignorance or ill-breeding, should any Englishman in future have persisted in calling his illustrious countryman by his former name of Banks? And should we not have applied the same epithets to any foreign nation, which, after learning the new honour conferred upon him, persisted in using the old designation; especially if all other countries had adopted the new one? But this is precisely what we are guilty of in the case of the inmortal Swede.

Dr. Smith will urge however, that this argument applies only to the vernacular name of Linné; that “in Latin, 'even in Sweden, he is now always called Lin. næus ;" and that it is the Latin title which we profess to adopt. In reply to this I must observe, 1. That if we are to admit a na to be the best judge of the mode of writing his own name, Linné's designation ought to be the same in

But Dr. Smith will here repeat his objection, that to be consistent we ought to call him a Linné, or von or de Linné. In Latin, I think doubtless we ought to follow the Swedes in saying a Linné; but in English, as I observed in my first letter in obviating this objection, I conceive we may safely follow the Germans and French, who always say Linné without custom is omnipotent; and the decision the prefix. In matters of this kind, of the majority should be submitted to.

If

If we write the name (as we ought to do) with the accent, there need be no fear that it will he Anglicised into Linny. Surely few of those who will pronounce the name are likely to fall into such an absurdity, when every volunteer appren tice gives the French pronunciation to

corps.

I have thus diffusely given the reasons that prevent me from acceding to Dr. Smith's opinion on this subject. For Dr. Smith however I have the greatest respect; and should be glad even, so little wedded am I to my own notions, if my conviction would allow me to bow to the decision of so excellent a botanist, who has such just claims to be admitted the arbiter of disputed points in an empire where his authority stands so high. I do not myself intend to say any thing more on the subject: but if Dr. Smith condescends to make a rejoinder in this amicable controversy, I promise him the most unprejudiced attention to his ar guments; and that if I am convinced by them, I will at once conform to his practice. I argue for truth, not for victory. April 8,

1810.

A LINNEAN.

To the Editor of the Monthly Magazine.

SIR,

THE

HE rapid strides which the French emperor has made in the subjugation of continental Europe, and the great acquisition of territory he has lately made by the annexation of Gallicia to his dominions (a part but little known), makes the following account of the Ukraine peculiarly interesting.

His constant anxiety to extend his commerce, and his perseverance in endeavouring to destroy ours, makes this article curious, as it affords a new proof of his retaining the sentiments expressed in the report published by his orders by a French-Polish writer of much celebrity, Monsieur Malekeusky.

By the treaty concluded in October, at Vienna, he has gained an immense tract of country abounding in timber, iron, hemp, saltpetre, cattle and corn. All this evinces his eagerness to raise a powerful navy; and eventually to shut us out from the Mediterranean, as he has done from the Baltic: this is evident from the tenor of the report. He has also got possession of the celebrated salt-mines of Wielicza, which produced an immense revenue to Austria. Though this may to many appear trifling, yet be well knows

its value; and as a description of these famous mines may be amusing, I shail send it for your perusal.

An ACCOUNT of the UKRAINE; cxtrafied in part from MALTE-BRUN'S late Pic ture of POLAND..

Of all the ancient kingdom of Poland, the finest part is that which borders on Turkey in Europe, and comprehends the palatinates of Russia and Belz, with the free state of Chelm, the palatinate of Wolhynia, which forms a province of the same name, and those of Kiovie, Brac law, and Upper Podolia, generally com prised under the name of the Ukraine, that is, the frontier provinces.

The soil of these countries, more elevated and less moist then that of Lithuania, enjoys also the influence of a more southern climate, for Polish Ukraine extends nearly from the 48th to the 52d degree of latitude, which corresponds with the parallels of London and Paris. Yet it appears that the climate is not more temperate than that of Holstein, to which it bears a resemblance by the wetness of the winter. Every sort of grain thrives bere in great abundance: the earth only requires to be slightly moved, to return its produce with usury. Many of the grains return from fifty to sixty per cent.; and in general manure is dispensed with. A spot of earth is covered with a thick verdure in three days: and it is a fact, that vegetation in the Ukraine exhibits the greatest vigour, variety, beauty, and magnificence. Innumerable sorts of flowers abound, and perfume the air with their aromatic sweets. The grass grows to such a height in the meadows, as just to leave the horns of cattle visible; rosemary, thyme, asparagus, and pumkins, grow spontaneously, and of the finest quality. Vines also grow, but they pay little regard to the cultivation of them. The forests contain oak, and other sorts of timber, but not every where equally good: droves of wild horses are met with; and also of the subak, a species of antelope.

One cannot give a better idea of the importance this country might be of to France and the Ottoman empire, than by quoting the words of a celebrated Polish writer, monsieur Malekeusky.

"The abundant and various productions of Poland, were for a long time only exported by the Baltic. In the last years of their political existence, the Poles, barassed with the enormous taxation or

the

the customs and duties of the Prussian government, began to be persuaded, that the way by the Black Sea would in every respect be more to their interests. The ancient government of France, well acquainted with the fertility of the southern provinces of Poland, and the importance of their productions both for the navy and the trade of France, was prepared to encourage the Poles in this new enterprize; but it was only just planned, and the cabinet of Versailles was then in its decline.

"These provinces form almost one-half of the extent of Poland. Three great rivers water them: the Nieper or Borysthenes, the Bog, and the Niester. These rivers traverse a much greater extent of country than the Niemen and the Vistula, the only great roads (if they may be so called) of commerce by the Baltic; and the countries which they flow through, in spite of the neglect of cultivation, may with justice be called the Land of Promise, for the first wants of

man.

"In order to prove how provisions abound in these countrics, it is only necessary to mention that the Ukraine alone subsisted the Russian armies during all their late wars with the Turks. "Timber for building is found of very advanced growth, and in great abundance of this it is easy to be convinced by the report of the master mast-maker of the dock-yard of Toulon, who was sent expres-ly to visit the forests of this The masts which arrive by country. the way of Riga, are eighteen or twenty months from the forests by the Baltic; while those by the way of Cherson have arrived in three months at Touion, according to the experiment made by the old French government: and the calculation of monsieur d'Anthoine has proved arithmetically, that for the Polish masts and timber the way by Cherson is far preferable to that of Riga.

"The salt provisions of the Ukraine are better than those of Ireland; and the low price of horned cattle, as well as of the salt of Moldavia and the Crimea, according to experiments made, allows them to be delivered at Akerinan or Cherson, at one-half the price they could be got for in Ireland.

46

Hemp, hair, common wools, linens bleached and unbleached, sacking, raw and tanned hides, are in great abundance. "Saltpetre, pitch, tar, tallow, rape and linseed oils, honey, butter, hog's

lard, hops, and spirits distilled from grain, are also very plentiful.

"Wax and gums are at so low a price in the Ukraine, that the Austrian merchants have them brought over-land from this province into Gallicia; from whence they transport them also by land across Moldavia and Austria, even toTrieste; where they sell them, notwithstanding the length and expence of the carriage, for a very considerable profit.

"The tobacco of the Ukraine is excellent. A trial of it was made in France in 1757, and it was found almost equal to that of Virginia.

"Pot and pearl ashes, which for a long time were exported from Poland only by the ports of Dantzic, Koenigsberg, and Elbing, are also among the productions of the Ukraine; and it is easy to observe, that the difference of the carriage by the Baltic or by the Black Sea, must make a difference in the price.

"These countries, which present so great riches to us, in provisions and articles of necessity, are almost entirely derived of manufactures; and the French trade would find by the Black Sea an opening equally advantageous to both countries, and a market for cloths, silks, jewellery, wines, fine oils, liquors, sugar, coffee, spices, drugs, colours, &c. The attempts made before the revolution, have clearly proved of what importance this trade would be to France, and more par ticularly for those departments situated on the Mediterranean.

"French vessels could even bring all the merchandize of the Levant into this country. This branch of commerce is now solely in the hands of the Jews and Armenians, and carried on across Moldavia; a long, tedious, and expensive way, and in which these poor men are subject to many insults and great extor

tions.

"The great mass of the exports of these countries by the Black Sea, would become

more considerable for the French than those which the English and Dutch obtain by the Baltic: and the imports on that side would far exceed those of Dantzic, Koenigsberg, or Riga; because the three rivers, the Nieper, Bug, and Niester, when once rendered completely navigable, would penetrate more into the interior of the country than the Niemen and the Vistula. The canal of Muchawa, which already connects the Vistula and the Pripetz, and that of Oginski, which, when improved would

unite

unite the Boristhenes to the Niemen, would ultimately extend the trade of the Black Sea over almost the whole of ancient Poland; and would join to the advantages of the trade of this Sea, which is already immense, that of the Baltic.

"The French besides would not have to encounter on these coasts, as upon the Baltic, any rival nation who would seek to possess themselves of all the trade; and who at present, whether owing to its capital, to the nature of its manufactures, or its policy, forms obstacles frequently difficult to overcome.

"France also by its credit, the proximity of its ports in the Mediterranean, and by its power on that sea, is of all others the nation. most proper to undertake this branch of commerce."

Exclusive of these important objects, the Ukraine also possesses a production formerly held in very great estimation, I allude to the seed of the kermes, better known by the name of Polish cochineal, It is now sold only to the Turks and Armenians; who use it to dye their Moracco leather, stuffs, thread, and horsetails. The women in the Levant prepare it with wine or lemon-juice, and thus make a sort of vegetable rouge, with which they stain the nails both of their fingers and their toes.

Locusts are the only remarkable Scourge to which these provinces are exposed.

The inhabitants of the Ukraine call themselves Malo-rosses, which is, Little Russians. According to the historical system generally adopted, they are the descendants of the Russians of Kiowie. These parts, for a long time usurped by Poland, have returned to their mother country. These peasants of Little Russia, are better farmers and economists in husbandry, than those of Great Russia; they do not destroy their forests. Their houses are not entirely built of wood, but some of stones and white clay mixed. With the exception of some of the gentry, and a few of the inLabitants of the towns, they do not use the warm bath. The peasant makes use of no candles to light him; but is satisfied with tallow and oil, which he burns in small pots: or he makes torches of different plants, which give a clear light without smoke. Almost all the peasants of the Ukraine have orchards Found their houses, and they plant fruittrees in their kitchen gardens. They consume a rast quantity of wood in the preparation of their brandy, parti

1

cularly of the common sorts. The natives of the Ukraine have their implements of husbandry much more perfect than those of Great Russia: but what chiefly con tributes to make agriculture flourish, is the great quantity of cattle; which at the same time serves to manure the land, and assists in its cultivation. The Ukrainers are more robust and less ignorant than the Lithuanians.

Polish Ukraine, in the limits which it occupied since 1686, contained no towns of any considerable note. Zytoirsz, and other places of the palatinate of Kiovie, scarcely deserve to be menti oned. In the palatinate of Braclaw, besides the city of the same name, there is also Niemerow, which contains about three hundred and twenty houses, some manufactories in leather and cotton, and a tolerable trade. At Tulozin, the French have established a manufactory of fire-arms, of which they make a considerable exportation by Cherson. Tar. govica is known by its confederation; and at Human the fine forests of oak cease, and the extensive plains without trees commence. The palatinate of Podolia contains the town of Kaminiec, situated on a small river which runs into the Niester, and is about three leagues from the Turkish city of Choczym in Moldavia. Its castle, built upon a rock, and fortified more by nature than by art, was formerly considered as a place of great strength; though now very ruinous it was always the best fortress of Poland. The city at present contains about five thousand six hundred and sixty inhabitants, Szarygrod is more populous, having near seven thousand inhabitants. Barr is only remarkable for having been the seat of a famous confederation.-Such are the towns of one of the most fertile coun trics in the world. The Tartars, the Russians, and the confederate Polcs, by turns, have banished from this country, along with peace, industry and civili zation.

One cannot describe the Ukraine without naming Kiow, that famous capital of Southern Russia, reduced it is true to a population of only twentytwo thousand souls, but still in a flourishing state for a city of this country; possessing an university of great antiquity, restored and endowed by Catharine II. and Alexander I., and now serving as a depot for the merchan dise which passes up and down the great river Borysthenes, that washes its walls. Kiow was founded in 430,

according

according to the Polish historians. In 880, this city became the place of residence of a prince of the race of Rurick; in 1037 it was declared the capital of all Russia, and the grand-dukes continued to reside there till 1157. In 1210, it passed under the dominion of the Tartars; then under that of the Poles and Lithuanians. In 1686 it returned definitively under the Russian sceptre. The Joss of this place, which as it were commands the navigation of the Borysthenes, was one of those remote causes which prepared and accelerated the subjection of Poland.

To the north-west of the Ukraine extends Wolhynia, a province no less fertile. Its chalky soil produces in great abundance millet, barley, and the heaviest and most farinaceous wheat of all Poland. Some mines of iron are found here; and near Dubno is found yellow anıber. A great part of this province is covered with immense forests. In the woods are found, in a wild state, rosemary, asparagus, and various other plants, which, though growing without cultivation, are with difficulty to be distinguished from those which are reared in our gardens with the greatest care and attention. The rivers and lakes abound with fish. But even this delight fal country has, at different times, experienced great devastation; particularly in 1618, when the Tartars carried off no less than thirty thousand prisoners, and an inmense quantity of plunder. The inhabitants are Russians, as their lan guage, their religion, and their customs, prove. They are a very warlike race of people, and make excellent soldiers.

We shall now enumerate the principal towns of Wolhynia. Since 1774, Dubno has become the seat of a kind of fair, at which all the nobility of the province assemble, in order to settle their affairs. We also meet there with Turks, Armenians, Germans, Swiss; in short, sometimes there is a conflux of not less than thirty thousand souls: the ordinary population is estimated at six thousand. Luck is the ancient capital, and Novogrod-Wolynski that of the present day. Isaslaw, with five thousand and sixty inhabitants, and Ostrog, with four thou sand six hundred, are the two most industrious places; the latter is the chief town of a very ancient duchy, now transformed into a majorat, which, after Laving, for its sovereigns, dukes of the MONTHLY MAG. No, 198,

house of Ostrogski, passed to the house of Lubomirski, and afterward to that of Sangusko: it yields an immense revenue. Oiyka, another duchy, belongs to the Radzivills. The small village of Czartoriski is reported to be the origin of the illustrious family of that name. The Lubomirski, who are still more rich and powerful, are also originally of Wol hynia, or at least its vicinity.

The country of Chelm has a sandy chalky soil. The wheat is of a most excellent quality: large quantities of yellow amber are also found here.

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SIR,

I SHALL be obliged if some one of your nuthrough the medium of your valuable miscellany, of the best method of discovering whether there be vitriolic acid in what you generally purchase for vinegar. There is lit tle doubt, from the different taste vinegar now has, from what it used to have, that it is made from a different material; and from the very increased consumption of vitriol, there is some reason to think it is manufactured from that mineral acid. The publicity of an others, as well as to answer to this may be serviceable to many

merous chemical readers will inform me,

A CONSTANT READER.

To the Editor of the Monthly Magazine.

SIR,

THE late celebrated Dr. Priestley, many

years ago, wrote and published a small tract, entitled "Considerations for Young Men, and the Parents of Young Men;" which has long been out of print: and it is a pity that it should be, since a wide circulation of it might be productive of good. A friend of mine wishes to reprint it, but cannot procure a copy; and I believe it is to be met with only in private hands. Perhaps it is in the " possession of some one of the numerous readers of your valuable miscellany who may see this (if you will kindly give it a corner there), and will probably favour me with the pamphlet; either to take a copy from, as it is but a very short one, or to forward to my friend for the purpose of its being reprinted.

CHRISTOPHER EARNSHAW.

43, Chancery Lane.

To the Editor of the Monthly Magazine.

SIR,

IF any reader of your entertaining miscel lany can inform me of means to remove 2X the

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