The Hessian fly (as it is called), which has been so destructive to the young wheat in autumn, may be avoided by good culture and late sowing; indeed an agricultural friend, (G. Clymer, esq. President of the Philadelphia Bank,) whose knowledge of the country is of longer standing than mine, assured me that it has been of great service to the farmers, by inducing them to bestow on their land an extra portion of tillage and

manure.

The moth-fly is a more troublesce insect, especially in the States of Maryland and Virginia. In some seasons it devours the wheat while in the stack. The best remedy for this is the thrashingmill.

Although the climate of the United States is more subject to extremes than that of England, it is in many respects more favourable for agricultural operations. At the time of harvest, as I before mentioned, the weather is generally fine. Thunder-storms and heavy showers frequently occur in summer, but they are almost invariably succeeded by fine weather in less than twenty-four hours.

The extirpation of weeds by the plough is much facilitated by the powerful heat of the sun; and as the grain ripens in July, a crop of turnips, or buck-wheat, can be raised on the wheat-stubble the

same season.

Maize, or Indian corn, is a useful addition to the crops of the American farmer. It is excellent food for hogs, horses, and poultry; the meal is esteemed superior to oatmeal for culinary uses; and the tops, (the stems of the male flowers,) are cut and dried for fodder.

Plaister or gypsum, as a manure, is an invaluable acquisition to the United States. The small quantity of a bushel of ground plaister to the acre, which costs half a dollar, when strewed on clover, will generally double or treble the produce. By the aid of this manure, lands worn out with repeated corn-crops and bad tillage, may be speedily and cheaply renovated.

The parochial payments, consisting of the county rate, poors' rate, and a contribution of money or labour for repairs of roads, amount to about six-pence sterling per acre. The expences of government are all paid by the duties on imported goods; and in this country the farmer is free from taxes and from tythes: here are no test-laws as a stigma on the religious tenets of one part of the community; nor is the elective franchise with held from another part. All sects are on

I should not, however, have troubled you with this, were it not at the same time to transmit some observations I made whilst there, in the hope, that by communicating them to the public through your widely-extended miscellany, they may be attended to by those concerned, and the effect of the whole improved to the greatest degree possible.

As I was there pretty early, and be fore many of the children had taken ther places, the first observation I made was that, notwithstanding the immense theatre erected and provision made, there was yet hardly sufficient room to accommo date the whole of the different schools; many of the children finding a difficulty in seating themselves, and, when settled, were much crowded. Owing to this probably it was, that some few were occasionally had down to the schoolmistresses below, to be plied with smelling-bottles to be kept from fainting, And this would perhaps have happened to a much greater degree, had not the day been as favourable as possibly could have been for the purpose, without either rain or extreme heat.

As each school must doubtless be made acquainted

acquainted with the number of seats allotted to it, this inconvenience might certainly be remedied, by leaving as many of the younger children behind, (whose voices can hardly be expected to add much to the general effect,) as may enable the remainder to be well accommodated.

My next observation was upon the choir of St. Paul's, which sang alone in the Te Deum and Jubilate, and in the greater part of the Coronation-Anthem and Hallelujah from the Messiah, and which appeared to me to be much too weak for that occasion, especially after the charity-children had added their voices in the two latter; contrasted to the immense force of which the choir seemed as it were annihilated; scarcely any thing but the organ (at least where I sat) being to be heard. Surely upon so great an occasion as this may justly be reckoned, the choirs of the Chapel Royal and Westminster Abbey might be requested to lend their assistance, as at the Festival for the Sons of the Clergy, with which aid the contrast would not be carried to such an extreme, as must be the case with a single choir opposed to such a force.

My third observation was upon the performance of the charity-children themselves, whose extreme steadiness and accuracy was astonishing, and did the highest credit as well to themselves, as to the persons that had instructed them. In, however, the beginning of the 100th psalm, with which the service commenced, the effect was not so great as I had expected, owing probably to a want of courage in many of the children, which might prevent their putting out their voices so much as they did in the latter verses. But in the 118th Psalm, before the Sermon, they made ample amends, as nothing, I think, could exceed the wonderful and striking effect occasioned by the transition from the full chorus, to the voices of the girls alone on one side, and thence again to the full chorus, as was also the case in the Hallelujah succeeding it. The cathedral responses and amens too were very accurately performed by them, and well in time. I cannot, however, help thinking, but that, in the Coronation-Anthem, and Hallelujah chorus from the Messiah, a considerable improvement in the effect may yet be made, by a different arrangement of the air, or tune, in the parts where the children join, by not merely taking the treble notes, to which the melody is by

no means confined. For when the composer thus formed his score, he naturally supposed that the different voices would in general be pretty equally arranged, and that therefore it would be of little consequence whether the principal air was in the treble or any other part. Could he however have foreseen that, upon some future occasions, there would be about two thousand trebles, (supposing only a third part of the children to sing in these chorusses,) to about three or four tenors and basses, or had the present annual meeting and performance been instituted in his time, he would undoubtedly in the full chorus have thrown the air as much as possible into that part, which cannot so justly be said to predominate over the others, as to drown and annihilate them. My principal allusion is to the first three bars of the last movement of the Coronation-Anthem, "God save the King," &c. and the same as repeated towards the end, which as a loyal exclamation in unison, appears striking enough, but can hardly be called singing, being nearly all upon one note. As, therefore, the air is here evidently sung by the counter-tenors and tenors, supported by the violins in the octave above, I should propose in these three bars, the boys taking the counter-tenor part, and the girls the tenor in the octave above, or in unison with the second violin part. And this, being in fact but one bar three times repeated, need not startle those who with great reason object to the children being taught to sing. in parts, to which I would make this the sole exception. In like manner, as at the repetition of the same words in the key of A at the 17th bar, the principal air is in the tenor part; I would have the children taught to sing that part in the octave above, instead of the proper treble part, as being likely to produce a more striking effect.

In other parts of the Coronation-Anthem, and in the Hallelujah chorus, Similar improvements may be made, by selecting such parts from the score, as have most air or time in them, for the children to sing, either in unison or in the octave above, as may best suit their voices.

I have yet a fourth observation to mention which I made, viz. the want of an organ of more power in the bass to qualify the prodigious strength of treble; although Mr. Attwood, by his full and judicious accompaniment, made the most that he could of that, (upon all other oc4 B2

casions

casions as it may be reckoned,) compleat and noble instrument. Indeed, since these annual meetings have been established, one cannot but lament that the proposal of Mr. Renatus Harris, mentioned in the 552d number of the Spectator, of erecting an organ of the greatest powers and dimensions over the great west door of the cathedral, has not since been carried into execution. The present organ, however, might be enlarged for this occasion, by the exchange of the trumpet stop for one of more power than the present, and addition of a double trumpet bass, with likewise (if room should be found,) a clarion, or octave trumpet. With these powerful reed stops, and additional voices proposed, there would be something considerable left when the childrens' voices cease in the Coronation Anthem, &c. and in the full chorus the great force of the trebles would be qualified and contrasted by a bass bearing some proportion to it, and a grandeur would be given to the whole, which would wonderfully improve the general effect. Should however the additions to the organ here proposed, be not found practicable or expedient, then perhaps one or two bass trombones, used merely when all the children sing, might answer the purpose.

I cannot conclude without paying my small tribute of approbation to Mr. Page, as well for the very great pains he must have taken, and time he must have bestowed, in preparing the children at the different schools so as to enable them to perform by ear, and without the least knowledge of the science, with such great accuracy and precision; as for his clear, distinct, and animated manner of conducting so large an assemblage of voices, actuated as it were by one mind; thereby producing an effect that is probably not equalled in Europe. Your's, &c.

M.

To the Editor of the Monthly Magazine.

SIR,

BEG the favour of you to insert the

used, the coachman puts his foot on pedal, and in an instant the two shoes rub violently against the wheels, not locking them (which by the way is the best method that can be devised for tearing the strongest wheel to pieces,) but producing on the tire or iron rim of the wheel a friction that I venture to affirm is sufficient to stop the most anruly horses, even when attempting to run away down hill.

I feel justified in recommending this simple devise from two years' experience of its effect, down some of the steepest hills in the Isle of Wight, and should it but prove the means of preventing one accident, now when every body will be thinking of their country excursions, I shall feel ample compensation for any trouble I may have taken in bringing it about, and making it public.

There is a yellow sociable at Tatter sall's at present, which your mechanical friends would perhaps after this descrip tion like to see; though it, being the first to which the bar was fixed, is certainly not so simple as I could have wished. Your's, &c.

May 25,

D. F. WALKER, 5 Gloster-street, Portman-square.

To the Editor of the Monthly Magazine, SIR,

Ν

IN your Number for April last, p. 225,

have perused with great pleasure Mr. W. Marshall's paper on the excellence of Handel. It has not yet been in my power to make such research into the particular methods by which Handel obtained the words of his Oratorios, being too fully occupied in the musical analysis of those grand compositions. I shall, however, be happy to contribute a few remarks on such beauties of expression, as the union of poetry and music in those works present to the feelings of all who have a true taste for harmony in the most extensive signification of the term.

It has often occured to any mind, that a regular criticism on the excellencies of Handel, associated with their chronologi cal order in the Sacred Scriptures, would

prove of general service. It is a little contrivance, costing a mere trifle, which is attached to a two or four-wheeled carriage, for the purpose of impeding the accelerated velocity of the vehicle down hills, or when the horses run away. A bar of iron with two steel shoes to its ends is attached, under the futchels or shafts, the shoes facing and fitting the wheels, so that when the contrivance is to be

energies to the auditor, and of impressing their succession on the memory.

For this purpose I send you a specimen of my design in some remarks on the Ora torio of Joseph, which is the first in order of time, being the only one selected by Handel from the book of Genesis.

The overture of this Oratorio, like that of the Messiah, is composed in E minor; a key for which Handel seems to have had

The whole terminates with the anthem in D:

"We will rejoice in thy salvation, and triumph in the name of the Lord our God. Hallelujan

"

This short sketch of the principal beauties of Joseph, is submitted to the judg ment of the lovers of Handel, as a specimen of an investigation into that expressive union of music and poetry which contributes to the heightening of both.

A more remote object also may be obtained from the enquiry: in such a classification of the principal airs and chorusses as the present criticisms will form, a very clear view will be given, how far Handel did or did not consider the choice of key as essential to the character of the piece. Even in this short analysis, the firm and composed melancholy in the key of E minor has been mentioned, and the brilliant effects of D major have not passed unnoticed. My present numerous avocations will not justify a hasty promise, but it is my wish to continue this series regularly through the Scripture History, as it is found in the works of Handel.

If, for the sake of technical memory, we might give this particular oratorio one decided term to express its general character, it seems to require no better than that of RESIGNATION. Kensington Gravel Pits.

Your's, &c. J. W. CALCOTT.

annexed, my curiosity has been much excited relative to 2,0001. bequeathed in a codicil to the said will, 1,000l. to the citizens of Boston, and 1,000l. to the corporation of the city of Philadelphia, to be let out at interest at five per cent. in different sums, to such young artificers under the age of twenty-five, as had serve ed an apprenticeship in the sad towns, and were married. If any person can gratify my desire to know whether the said legacies are appropriated agreeable to the patriot's will, through your justly admired miscellaneous collection, he will much oblige your constant rea

and the exterminating conflict of nations, there are yet those among men whose aim is the happiness and the preservation of their species. Your Correspondent, Common Sense, in his communication of last month, has made known an easy method of escaping from a house when on fire; and for which, I may venture to say, that no one of your readers will refuse him their commendation, or feel less than grateful.

Permit me, Sir, through the same medium, to make a few remarks on the probability of still further lessening those dangers to which our lives are daily exposed. "For, to know That which before us lies in daily life Is the prime wisdom: what is more, is fame, Or emptiness, or fond impertinence, And renders us in things that most concern, Unprac.ised, unprepared, and still to seek."

People who do not consider how much their peace and safety depends on little things, will hardly be prevailed on to care about the security of their doors and windows, stoves, &c.; but I would particularly recommend every master of mistress of a family to accustom themselves to arrange and secure their effects in such a manner, that in case of these too common and dreadful alarms, their lives and valuables might be better preserved from the hands of midnight robbers, or the ravages of fire; for it is more than probable, that when such calamities befall us, the perturbation of our spirits, and the want of time, will be fatal to our safety. How many valuable lives might have been saved by the precaution of

to escape in such an emergency as is. produced by fire, by the aid of a rope, of the alarm of a rattle!-On keeping the window free from the blockade of chairs, tables, flower-pots, &c. much of our safe ty depends. I have always thought that a window is generally preferable to any other part to escape from, when our dan ger is pressing, because from this part of the house we are conveyed at once istn the street; but, in cases of midnight alarms by fire, by the time lost in attempts to unlock and unbolt doors, to descend stairs, and pass through pass ges, we may fairly conclude many a person has died the most terrible of all deaths!

Dreadful as the alternative must be. I am yet inclined to believe that a leap from a window is often preferable to the

more certain destruction by suffocation

and fire; and though our neighhous should neglect to strew their beds to re