575 Despotism of Algiers.—Queries, &c. a tablet, which projected round the tower; and a bell fell directly over it. Upon its removal some weeks afterwards, the watch was found undamaged. To this statement we may add, that in 1750 a new spire was erected on the remains of the old tower; and to the unskilful manner in which this union was effected, is to be ascribed the memorable accident. The action of the strong winds, and the frequent ringing of the bells, so disturbed the arches which supported the spire, that on one of the key-stones falling out, the whole superstructure was precipitated to the ground. DESPOTISM OF ALGIERS. THE kingdom of Algiers is about 1600 miles in circumference, and more fertile than any other part of the Barbary coast. It has no sandy wastes, but all its ground is a rich muddy soil, producing every kind of corn, and almost all sorts of fruits and vegetables, except dates. The country also produces quantities of indigo and wool; the latter of which the inhabitants manufacture for their own use. They also make a particular kind of sashes, which, being a mixture of silk and gold, are very expensive. The coast furnishes quantities of coral. They also have cattle in abundance. But, with all these natural blessings and advantages, the inhabitants are rendered miserable by the detestable system of tyranny under which they languish. They have no regular taxes levied on their lands; but to meet the rapacious demands of government, as soon as the promise of their future harvest appears about a foot high, officers are sent to every part of the kingdom, to inspect the cultivated lands. These make an estimate, according to their pleasure, prejudice, or their caprice. Under these unnatural exactions, it frequently happens, that the poor agriculturalist, knowing he cannot possibly pay the taxes, in a paroxysm of despair destroys what he had sown or planted, and retires to the mountains. Others, less desperate, resort to the expedient of bribing the officers to lessen the tax that he had previously levied. To heighten their misfortunes, wherever the tax-officers arrive, the people are obliged to provide for them 576 and their suite, and also to furnish them with an additional allowance during their stay, as well as submit to many other exactions. In consequence of this tyranny, many tribes have fled, and taken up their abode in the mountains, where they continue to live by plunder and systematic depredations; and, whenever they find a favourable opportunity of assassinating their oppressors, they rarely let it slip unimproved. QUERIES. A Correspondent of Lytham desires a reply to the following questions: 1. What language was spoken by our first parents in Paradise? 2. Are we to consider the tree of life, and the tree of knowledge, as the same, or as different trees? MR. EDITOR, As your widely-extended Miscellany is open to every subject of a useful tendency, both of a theological and scientific nature, I take the liberty of requesting you to insert the following Queries, as soon as you possibly can; viz. 1. What are the real advantages of mathematical studies to mankind? 2. Has mathematical science a tendency to promote the cause of Christianity? 3. What reasons can be given, why so many mathematical scholars have been either doubters or opposers of revealed Truth? Hoping that the above questions will elicit satisfactory answers from some of your able Correspondents, I remain, dear Sir, Yours, respectfully, Cardiff, 1819. G. B. INSTINCTIVE ANIMOSITY OF ANIMALS Ir has frequently been observed, that 577 Instinctive Animosity doubtful.-Memoir of Mr. Exley. 578 their instinctive animosities. But, in all cases, this theory seems to want confirmation. It is well known, that Cowper domesticated two hares, and taught them to associate in his house with animals which were their reputed enemies. Rabbits and dogs have been trained to live in amity; and cats and pigeons frequently dwell together in the most undissembled friendship; and in some of our public exhibitions, mice are seen associating with cats, with as much familiarity as if they had been kittens. The most hostile animals have learnt, under the fostering care of humanity, to approximate towards each other, and to lose that ferocity which has been supposed to be instinctive. This harmony conspicuously appears in the following singular family, which, though already seen in public, we introduce, to oblige LEGATOR. A gentleman, travelling through Mecklenburgh some years ago, was witness to the following curious circumstance at the post-house in New Stutgard. After dinner, the landlord placed on the floor a dish of soup, and gave a loud whistle: immediately a mastiff, a fine Angora cat, an old raven, and a large rat with a bell round its neck, came into the room, and, without disturbing each other, fed together. Afterwards, the dog, cat, and rat, lay before the fire, and the raven hopped round the room. The landlord, after accounting for their familiarity, informed his guests, that the rat was the most useful of the four; for the noise he made had completely freed the house from rats and mice, with which it was before infested. rial Encyclopedia, and the author of several works of minor importance. These circumstances induced us to solicit his portrait for the Imperial Magazine, which we intended to accompany with some memoir of his life. With our request in the former case, he has obligingly complied; but from the latter, his feelings have so revolted, that nothing could induce him to become the historian of his departed days. Defeated in this attempt, we repeatedly solicited some particulars, from which we might be able to supply that deficiency, which his own delicacy would otherwise occasion; and we have at length succeeded in obtaining a few facts from himself and others, from which we have been enabled to draw up the following account. Mr. Exley was born at Gowd, a small village in the parish of Snaith, in Yorkshire, on the 9th of December, 1774. His father occupied a small farm, which he afterwards purchased; and was well known as an unrivalled manufacturer of such tools as are used for digging in marl, in clayey soils, in the making of dikes, and in the draining of morasses. In this department he had an extensive trade; and the articles of his workmanship were sent to various parts of the kingdom. It was his intention to prepare his son for the same occupation, and his education was at first conducted with an eye to this employment, though it was somewhat more liberal than the business itself absolutely required. Mr. Exley received the first rudiments of his learning in his native village; where, at an early period, he evinced a considerable thirst for knowledge, and manifested a more than BRIEF MEMOIR OF MR. THOMAS EXLEY, common ability in his acquirements. A. M. OF BRISTOL. (With a Portrait.) THERE is scarcely any literary task which we can conceive more irksome to a feeling mind, than for an individual to write a memoir of his own life; although it must be admitted by all, that no man can be supposed to be so perfectly in the possession of such facts as are necessary to a biographical sketch, as that person who is the subject of it. Mr. Thomas Exley is well known in the scientific world, as an able mathematician; and in the departments of literature, as a compiler of the ImpeNo. 6.-VOL. I. His learning, however, was confined to writing, and the first rules of arithmetic; after which, having been initiated in these branches, he was placed under the care of an eminent teacher in the same parish. This gentleman, Mr. Thomas Young, was so pleased with his pupil, that he advised his father to give him a liberal education; observing, that as he learned as much in a fortnight as boys commonly learn in three months, this might be done without any considerable expense. With this advice, his father reluctantly complicd; and here Mr. Exley soon obtained a competent knowledge 2 P 579 Memoir of Mr. Exley. of arithmetic and book-keeping, and was initiated in the first principles of geometry, trigonometry, and surveying. The death of Mr. Young, which unfortunately soon took place, deprived Mr. Exley of his friendly aid; but the ardour of his desires after improvement remained undiminished ; | and to him no other stimulus had at any time been found necessary, as he does not recollect ever having received any chastisement during the whole course of his pupilage. For some time after this event, he continued his studies under the son of Mr. Young, after which he returned to his home, where he embraced every opportunity of increasing his mathematical knowledge, until he had attained the age of seventeen. About this time an advertisement appearing from a mathematical and classical school, in the north of Yorkshire, near Barnard Castle, which furnished some flattering prospects, Mr. Exley solicited his father's permission to become a pupil there. This was at length obtained; but so eager was he to realize the object of his wishes and his hopes, and at the same time so solicitous to avoid becoming burdensome to his parents, that he commenced his journey on foot, notwithstanding it was in the depth of winter, and the ground was covered with snow. In this manner he reached the place of his destination, although the distance was not less than eighty miles. Nor was he deceived on his arrival. In this school he became well grounded in the various branches of the mathematics, and performed by instruments the numerous operations which practical experiment required. The principal objects which now engrossed his attention, in addition to the Latin language, were, common arithmetic, mensuration, logarithms, practical surveying, spherical geometry, and the various branches connected with each. In this seminary, such were the advancements which he made in his mathematical acquirements, that the classical tutor one day observed to him, "I would gladly give up all my classical learning, to obtain that knowledge of the mathematics which you possess." On leaving this place, and returning home, Mr. Exley began seriously to think of some situation, in which he might be suitably and advantageously employed. With this view, he first | 580 proceeded to Manchester, having letters of recommendation from his uncle, Mr. Ward, of Snaith, who had some considerable connections in that town. But, being compelled to wait on those to whom he was recommended, with more servility than was congenial to his feelings, and having no other hopes than those of obtaining employment as a clerk in some mercantile house, his patience became exhausted, and he began to inquire for a situation as teacher in a school. It happened about this time, that Mr. J. Clarke, A. M. the father of Dr. Adam Clarke, opened a classical school in Manchester; and, as in this department of learning, Mr. Exley's knowledge was incomplete, he once more became a pupil for a short season. The abilities of Mr. Clarke soon gained him a respectable number of pupils, which rendered a mathematical teacher necessary. In this department Mr. Exley engaged; which circumstance established an intimacy between him and that family, which was at once delightful and honourable; and finally led to a marriage union, between himself, and the amiable Miss Hannah Clarke. This event took place in the year 1796, with the mutual consent of all parties. Mr. Exley, after his marriage, continued with his father-in-law about one year, when he removed to Huddersfield, where he opened a school on his own account. In this place, his success far exceeded his most sanguine expectations. The first week he had tico scholars only; the second five; and the third an increase of thirtyone; in a short time his pupils exceeded eighty; and he retained from that number, to one hundred, during the two years that he continued in this town. In addition to these, he was also employed as private teacher to several respectable families, who much regretted his departure, when circumstances directed him to remove to Bristol. During Mr. Exley's residence in Huddersfield, he wrote an English grammar, which he intended publishing, chiefly for the use of his own school. This was submitted to the inspection of Dr. Clarke; who, though he spoke of the work in terms of high respect, advised the suspension of its publication, as several works of a similar tendency had been recently |