punifliment defeats itself, and atrocious criminals are enabled and encouraged to defpife the restraints of law. While at Warren, one of the miffionaries fent by the ftate of Connecticut to inftruct the Indians in the dogmas of Christianity, officiated after the Prefbyterian form. We attended; his nanie is Robbins: he is a little man, loaded with high-church doctrine, but delivered with confiderable eloquence a plain moral extemporary fermon. About eighty perfons were prefent. The next night the inhabitants requested our attendance at a ball, at which were prefent about fixteen or feventeen couple, including fome very handfome, and one (my part ner) as handsome a woman as ever eutered a ball-room. We spent a very pleafant evening; and the next morning, being the 7th of May, left Warren for Mefopotamia, eighteen miles. For the first fix or eight miles, the land did not feem quite fo good as to the eaft of Warren; it alfo, appeared to labour under the want of a due fupply of water, an evil which probably will be remedied when the country becomes more open, as it is very customary to find numerous fprings upon clearing of wood-lands. The latter part of our journey was through a very rich country. For the first five miles we travelled along the meanderings of the Mohaning branch of the Beevor; the next three miles was on an apparently flat country, at the extremity of which we reached the fources of Grand River, which emptics itself into Lake Erie, and fo through the river St. Lawrence into the Atlantic; whilft the waters of the Beevor pafs down the Ohio, into the Midillippi, and thence into the Gulf of Mexico. It is certainly extraordinary, that the fources of thefe rivers, fo near to each other, fhould be undivided by any ridge or high land; for the eye alone could not afcertain why either of thefe waters purfies the course it does, rather than an oppofite one, the ground being there fo very level. Although all the lands in this county may with truth be called good, yet a preference is undoubtedly to be given to thofe which are watered by the rivers which empty themfelves into the lake, rather than to the lands on the different branches of the Beevor. We flept at Mefopotamia; and as the good people of the houfe at which we ftopped had only one spare bed-room, we furrendered it to Mr. Ĝ, who on that day had been very unwell, winlit inviclf and companion went to bed in the fanie room where the man and his wife flept in one bed, and two beautiful girls in another, fo near my bed-fide that, had I been fo difpofed, I could have touched them with iny hand. The novelty of this situation fo affected my risible faculties, that I could not fleep, to the no finall annoyance of my bed-fellow, who, accustomed to fimilar fcenes, was very much difpofed to fleep. The reft of the party, alfo, appeared unconscious of any peculiarity in the circumfiance, and flept with as much compofure as if every perfon in the room had been of the fame fex. There were then but ten families fettled in Mefopotamia. In every part of the United States with which I have any acquaintance, cattle more anxioutly feck for falt than in England: this defire encrcafes as you proceed froin the ocean; and in Western America, if you do not occafionally give your horfes falt, they will cat their bridles, the flaps of their faddles, and fuch other parts of their furniture as being moistened with their perfpiration they can get at with their mouths. May not this be occationed b the want of a due portion of faline particles in the atmosphere, in confequence of its remotenefs from the fea; and if fo, may it not account for another fact, mentioned with a view to difparage this country, by fuch authors as Weld and Parkinfon, (the first of whom afferted that mufquitoes would bite through a boot, on the authority of General Wafthington, who I am informed actually told him fo, to ridicule his credulity; and the fecond boldly affures his readers, that there is no bread in America), that our horned cattle will eat the horse-dung in the treets: the fact is fo, and I prefume they do fo in pursuit of the "falt contained in the excrement. From Mefopotamia to Windfor is feven miles; the country very little cleared, and covered with lofty timber, of which we counted, betides innumerable Smaller ones, twenty-three different kind of trees, viz. white, black, and yellow oak, chefnut, black walnut, fugar, maple, foft maple, cherry, yellow birch, papaw (very plentiful), white walnut or butter-nut, bitter or finooth-barked hickory, lion or bafs, white poplar or fattin wood, cucumber, white elin, white ath, flippery or red eln, black afli, and iron wood. Windfor container! fourteen families, twelve of which, confitting of feventy perfons, had emigrated from Connecticut that spring. Emigrants generally preferred the beech and maple lands, as the the roots of thofe trees foon rot in the earth, and after four or five years ceafe to obftruct the plough, whilft thofe of the oak and chefout are many years before the farmer can clear his lands of them. Grand River paffes through, and becomes navigable for finall craft at, Windfor; and it will be read with furprife, when I affure you that good French brandy and Jamaica rum were purchafable at Windfor as reasonable as at New York, the caufe of which is that the Canadians fnuggle thefe articles on to the flores of Lake Erie; a practice fo injurious to our national revenue, that it was one of the objects of the treaty, contemplated to have been held at Cleveland, to prevent it; and I have reafon to believe that, although that treaty did not obtain every object delired, it has leffened the practice of fauggling into at least this part of the coast on the lake. I remain, Sir, your's, &c. R. DINMORE. To the Editor of the Monthly Magazine. SIR, T has often been matter of furprife the English fhould never have ftruck out a mode of checking the progrefs of fire in their metropolis, fince they cannot prevent its occafional ravages. A very fimple method has occurred to me. It is this: to floor all fhops, warehoufes, nurferies, bed-chambers, particularly the rooms in which fervants fleep, with brick or tiles, or fome kind of hard compofition, fuch as we find in the beft houfes (may, in the palaces) of Italy. If, in a room fo floored, fome article of furniture fhould take-fire, it may (hould it be too large to be thrown out of the window, or to be removed through the door) be drawn into the middle of the room, and there allowed to burn, while the furrounding inflammable articles are removing. Thus the progrefs of the flames would be completely flopped; for the hard floor fetting fire at defiance, the family would move with confidence about the flaming object, and confine the confamption to itself. This plau, however, cannot be carried into execution in such houfes as are already built, except in the ground or lower apartments: but hauses should, in future, be fo conftructeff as to admit of the nie of brick, tiles, of compofition in the upper ftories, Proper officers, like the ædiles of ancient Rome, fhould be appointed to fuperintend the erection of new buildings; and I am not fue but the legislature should fo far interfere as to oblige the builder to floor certain rooms in the manner I recommend. Such an act night perhaps appear arbitrary, and be thought to favour of defpotifm; but when the lives and properties of many valuable citizens are expofed to deftruction from the careletinels or malice of a vicious or drunken fervant, there would be no just cause for complaint. In this fattidious age, objections might be made to fo vulgar a floor as tiles; a modern beau or belle would perhaps be thocked at the idea of fetting a foot upon any thing but boards. Let them then cover their floors with mats or carpets; and if the legiflature thould allow them boarded floors in their parlours and drawing-rooms, they fhould be thankful, and difpenfe with tiles or Compolition in their upper and lower rooms. In Italy noble, and even royal, feet tread either upon marble, brick, or tiles to the indulgence of boards they are frangers. If the hints, which I have thus thrown out loofely, fhould be taken into confifome or tect, my imperfect plan may, perhaps, be improved to a degree of perfection that may fave the lives and properties of thoufands of our fellow-creatures. To the hints already fuggefted, I fhall beg leave to add, that the legislature fhould infilt upon a little divifion between the walls of houfes: I mean, that neighbouring houfes fhould not touch; nor fhould one wall, as I fear is too often the cafe, become what is called a partywall; that is, two houfes thould not rest upon the fame wall by means of inferted beams. I would alfo recommend stone or marble ftairs, as often as fuch materials can be obtained; and above all things, ftone or marble landing-places, to aflift in efcape from the puriuing or approaching flame. 1 would further recommend the ufe of iron, or caft metal, in window-frames, window-fhutters, furbafes, and all the projecting ornaments of rooms; alfo thin plates of iron under fuch floors as may be boarded. I think, too, much might depend on the choice of wood in Hoors and in ftaircafes. Deal, which is generally afed, is the most inflammable of all wood; oak, or fome flow-burning wood, fhould be preferred. Perhaps fome chemical Hh2 preparation As you his ufual laconicifm: "I am fenfible of grinations he found him feeble and ema- The Livonian remained about five months under Lefling's roof during the inclemency of the winter feafon. When, however, fpring appeared, with its long days and genial funthiue, he one evening after fupper unexpectedly faid to Lelling: "To-morrow morning early I fhall take my departure." The good man, knowing his guett's refolute mind, there upon took him into a room adjoining, and gave him wherewith to pay his travelling expences. The next morning, before the family was rifen, the philofopher took up his staff, and, accompanied by his faithful companion, again com rious particulars refpecting that enlight- menced his rambles. When he was Lelling was extremely attentive when in a theatre, and could not bear to be difturbed. If the most wretched actor was performing, he alone would pay him the moft marked attention, although the reft of the audience was clamorous in its difapprobation. afked, how he could fuffer his attention to be engroffed by fo miferable a bungler? Bungler!" Leffing would farcaftically reply, "do yo think fo? Well, I am of opinion that this bungler, as you call him, plays his part better than you or I could; confequently we may both of us learn fomething from him." I am, Sir, &c. S. To To the Editor of the Monthly Magazine. infancy; the prefent profpect, however, is encouraging. I SIR, REGARD the formation of focieties for the cultivation of fcience and philofophy to be of contiderable importance to mankind. Such affociations are calculated to ftimulate the exertions of individuals in the purfuit of knowledge, to aflift them in their enquiries, and to promote a tafte for rational improvement in the places where they exift. It is pleating to find that fuch focieties are increating; and your widely-circulated and truly valuable Magazine is certainly a proper channel for communicating to the world notices of their existence and proceedings. I now fend you a fhort acCount of a Scientific Society, lately formed in Wifbeach, the publication of which, it is hoped, may promote the formation of fimilar focieties in places where they do not at prefent exift. This fociety commenced in January 1804, under circumftances highly difcouraging, and with but little profpect of fuccefs. At first it confifted of only four perfons, and very few new meinbers were added during the years 1804 and 1805: however, fmall as their number was, they had the virtue to perfevere; they continued to hold weekly meetings for the difcuffion of fcientific and philofophical fubjects, and their efforts have been fuccefsful beyond what the most fanguine among them expected in the time. These circumftances are mentioned with a view to ftimulate the friends of fcience in other places, however finall their number, or however difcouraging appearances may be, to attempt the formation of fuch focieties; as their doing this may draw others to them, and excite enquiry on philofophical fubjects, as well as accelerate their own progref five knowledge. During the last year, the above-mentioned fociety added nine new members, befides two honorary members, fitted up a room in which its meetings are held, and procured an air-pump, fome electrical and other apparatus, and a few philofophical books. The prefident performed a number of curious and inftructive, and fome original, experiments. All the meetings have been conducted with much good nature, friendship, and unanimity. Still the fociety is yet in its The honorary members are gentlemen refiding too far from Wilbeach to attend the meetings of the fociety, The following is the plan on which the above fociety is formed and conducted. The fum of two guineas is required as a term of admiffion, and every member pays a fmall fubfcription monthly. The money is expended in purchafing philofophical apparatus, books, &c. A prefident, treasurer, and fecretary, are chofen annually. The members of the fociety hold a meeting every Monday evening. At each meeting fome fcientific or philofophical fubject is difcuffed, and, when it will admit of it, illuftrated by experiments. Regular minutes of the proceedings are preferved in a book provided for the purpose. No fubject but what anfwers to the name and nature of the fociety can be difcuffed during the time of meeting: confequently all the dif cuffions are abfolutely restricted to what is fcientific, &c. Wishing that ufeful knowledge may every where increase, I request you will give this fhort communication a place in your mifcellany. Your's, &c. Wifbeach, March 3, 1807. R. WRIGHT. To the Editor of the Monthly Magazine. Ν SIR, IN the Vanity, of Human Wife of his Dr. Johnfon, he cites as one of his examples the celebrated Lady Vane, "For Vane can tell what ills from beauty Spring." I fhall be extremely obliged to any of your correfpondents for the fequel of her history: it is left unfinished by Smollet in the Memoirs of a Lady of Quality (confidered as her genuine hiftory), which he has introduced in Peregrine Pickle; and to be informed where and when the died. In the fame novel, the hiftory of the Annesley claimant is related, but left unfinished. I have feen the original trial, in the Irish courts, between Richard Earl of Annelley and James Annelley, Efq. in whofe favour a verdict was given, but a rule for a new trial was immedi ately granted. Some of your correfpondents, converfant in the decisions of the courts of law, will perhaps have the goodness to inform me, through the Monthly Magazine, what was the final termination of the affair. December 8, 1806. C. Y. То TOTICING, in your Magazine for November, the with of I. P. for information as to the utility of the fruit of the horfc-chefnut, I am induced to fend you the following obfervations, if you deem them worthy of infertion. "The horfe-chefnut was brought from for the threshing machines of the prefent day? I beg pardon for fo long trefpaffing on your time, and am, Sir, your's, &c. Lillington, R. RUFFHEAD. near Woburn, Bedfordshire, SIR, M the northern parts of Afia, about the To the Editor of the Monthly Magazine. year 1550. It was called cutanea froin the thape of its fruit, and the title of equine was added to it from its being a good food for herfes, when ground. In Turkey the nuts of this tree are ground, and mixed with the provender for their horfes; efpecially thofe which are troubled with coughs, or are broken-winded, in both which diforders they are reckoned very good. Deer are very fond of the fruit, and at the time of their ripen ing will keep much about the trees, and greedily devour them as they fall." Miller's Gardener's Diéi. 4to. Mortimer, in his Art of Huthandry, 8vo. vol. ii. page $2, corroborates the above refpecting food for horfes. And Wetton, in his Tracts on Agriculture and Gardening, page 192, fpeaking of rearing and fattening poultry, among other cheap foods which he recommends, expreffes himfelf thus, "and (what I fhould apprehend the best of all) horfe-chefnuts: thefe laft fhould be either fteeped in boiling water, or boiled a lit tle, to take off the bitternels; to tempt fowls to eat them at firft, a little barley meal fhould be inixed with them," &c. In your Magazine for November laft, page 382, you mention the Polyauto graphic art. I do not recollect your having ever publifhed any account of it amongit the New Patents. I could with to be informed, through the channel of your ufeful Mifcellany, what are the fubjects of the numbers already published as fpecimens of the art, by Mr André and Mr. Vollweiter, and the fize of each, and where fold. To inany of my brother ruftics this information would be as plealing as to mylelf, no doubt. I recollect having feen mention made in fome old agricultural book of a thrething machine, faid to have been invented at Dalkeith in Scotland, which in a mi nute gave 1320 firokes, as many as thirty-three men. It was faid to go while a water-mill was grinding, but might be turned either with wind or horfe. Query, ou what conftruction was it, and whether it is the foundation of the plans Y learned friend, Dr. Mitchill, of New York, the respectable reprefentative of that city in the American or Fredonian government, has communnicated to me the following propofal for defignating that immenfe republic; which, from the high character and great influence of the doctor, will probably be fome time adopted; and if you think it of importance or curiofity enough to occupy a fpace in your valuable Mifcellany, it is at your command. The Doctor concludes his letter to me in the following words: "I with that in writing, henceforward, you would diftinguish the United States by the name of Fredon, and the inhabitants as Fredes, purfuant to the enclofed nomenclature." The communication of this propofal GENERIC NAMES for the COUNTRY and RICA. The portion of terraqueous globe comprehended by the great Lakes, the Saint Law rence, the Ocean, and the Millilippi, lus no general denomination by which it can be conveniently diftinguished in geography. Its fubdivifions and local names are appropriate enough, and fufficiently well understood. But there is still wanting one broad and univerfal appellation, to defignate and characterize the whole appropriated and unappropriated territory of the United States. It was a great over fight in the convention of 1787, that they did not give a name to the country for which they devifed a frame of government. Its citizens are fuffering every day for lack of fuch a generic term. Destitute of a proper name for their own foil and and awkwardly on the fubject. By fome it region, they exprefs themselves vaguely is termed United States; this, however, is a political, and not a geographical title. By others it is called America, and the inhabi tunts Americans. But these epithets equally belong to Labrador and Paraguay, and their natives. New England and New England:13 |