fair. "Orangemen, "Many are the malicious plots your enemies have devised against you; many are the ridiculous publications they have set forth for your destruction: even in the Belfast Magazine for June and July, 1810. Yet to your faces they will speak Take care, for they would deceive the very elect, if possible. So always be on your guard, and believe not what they say respecting government. Because, Orangemen, you stepped forth like men, regardless of danger, to defend your King and glorioust constitution, and as long as you keep your former character, government will support you in all your undertakings. God save our King. ly blow is intended." The writer might also have added the in stronger terms, the Orange system is Belfast Magazine for July, 1811, in which, again reprobated. + Are corruption and peculation integral parts of our constitution, or are they not excrescences which deform a fabric origi ally good, or at least improvable. They who reap emoluments from these causes, may well be clamorous in their support. But the people suffer Here we have the exclusive display of loyalty, the bane of the country, when a party, a faction, arrogate to themselves a claim for superior loyalty. There is something insidious in the expressions, "our King." These dark insinuations are calculated to arouse to animosities through the medium of working on the fears of the credulous, who suffer themselves to be duped AGRICULTURAL REPORT. From October 20, to Nov.mber 20. THE weather has been generally wet and stormy since last report, until about the 12th of this month, when a favourable change took place, which afforded an opportu nity to the farmer to raise his late crops of potatoes: these have turned out a much better crop than there was any reason to expect, from the unusual lateness of planting, The openness of the weather, and the absence of frost, have contributed much to their attaining maturity. The crop of this nutritious and necessary root is however, on an average a deficient one, and as it is now pretty fully ascertained, that the oat crops throughout the country are much below the usual produce, there is a prospect of provisions being much higher than they have been for several years past. The high price of wheat will probably induce the farmer to sow a greater quantity of hh BELFAST MAG, NO. XL. that grain than usual, less of course will be brought to market, and the price wil consequently be kept up. The price of flax has latterly experienced a considerable advance in the markets; the demand for it for exportation, added to the deficiency of its produce this season, accounts for the extraordinary rise. In the South, grain of every kind has risen very much. At Carlow, wheat was 52 to 54s. per barrel, of 20 stones...barley was 23 to 24s. per barrel, of 16 stones...oats, 18 to 20s. per barrel, of 14 stones; and at the sea-ports prices were still higher. But potatoes, the main support of the poor, had not advanced, and were still at 94. to 44. per stone. It was hoped, that there would be sufficiency of this useful article of food, and that the alarms in many quarters are not well founded. COMMERCIAL REPORT. THE new regulations adopted by the Linen Board, in consequence of a memorial from the linendrapers of Beltast and Lisburn, as noticed at page 417 of this magazine, will, when carried into effect, be productive of much benefit to the trade, in the correction of abuses. Publicity is essential to the ends of justice. On the one hand, offenders against the law should be known, and on the other, they should have the satisfaction to know, that the fines imposed on them are inflicted according to a due course of law. As matters in some cases have been managed, the imposition of fines has been more in the nature of compositions for the liberty of continuing frauds, rather than as calculated radically to cut them up. It is especially incumbent on magistrates, minutely to examine into all breaches of the linen laws, of which complaint is made to them, and not to trust to ex-parte evidence, so that neither the innocent should be punished, nor the guilty permitted to go free. The publication in each market-town of the fines levied in the preceding month, is well calculated to promote these ends, if the orders of the linen board be properly fulfilled, and it is a duty of the trade to see that they are substantially obeyed. In some markets much frequented by buyers on commission, complaints are made, that they too frequently, for the sake of making larger purchases, obstruct the proper exercise of the law,by winking at abuses in the sellers, and do not properly support the inspectors in their exertions to prevent jobbing, and other illegal and improper practices. Public officers are entitled to public support, while they are found in the discharge of their duty. The new regulations have no tendency to relax proper exertions. They are calculated to repress improprieties in the mode of punishing, and above all, to inforce publicity, which is an essential quality of justice. The linen-trade continues without aincndment. The cotton-trade in this country has latterly not suffered so deeply as in the sister country. From local causes the home `consumption has been pretty brisk, and is the almost only share we have of the cotton trade, but the closing of the continent against British manufactures has injured their trade most essentially. As we had but little share in that trade, its loss is less felt. The manufacturers and work-people in Lancashire suffer heavily. At Liverpool distress is great, between the badness of trade, and the probable high prices of provisions during the ensuing winter, it has been computed that 20,0000 persons in that town, about one-fifth of its population will be likely to stand in nced of charitable aid, to enable them to get through the winter. Some amendment is reported to have taken place in Liverpool in relation to cottons and sugar, and that a little revival of trade has been the consequence, as may be gathered from the following extracts: "From the great defalcation which has taken place in the imports of Cotton for the last two months, and the prevalent opinion that the supplies, under existing circumstances, must necessarily continue to be limited, an evident change has of late been produced on the minds of both buyers and sellers. A speculative demand has accordingly been excited; the dealers have also been induced to come forward with more spirit than we have witnessed for a long time past, and from an increasing reluctance on the part of the holders to sell, the prices of almost every kind of Cotton have been gradually improving. The inquiry continues without abatement, and a disposition is still shown to purchase freely, but as the holders, anticipating a further advance, have either wholly withdrawn their stocks, or generally demand higher prices than the dealers and speculators are yet inclined to give, the sales have not been so considerable as would otherwise have been the case." "The prices of British plantation sugars, during the last months, were subject to several fluctuations, the market being in a great measure governed by the quantity offered for sale, which was frequently more than adequate to supply the existing demand. In the last ten days, however, a considerable improvement has taken place, the inquiries have not only become general, but every parcel brought forward has been purchased with much animation. The holders in general entertain a favourable opinion of the future state of the market, and their expectations seem to rest not only upon the comparative lowness of our stock, but also upon the belief prevalent here, that, from the high prices of grain in every part of the kingdom, the distillation from corn will be prohibited after the meeting of parliament." The fears of measures of hostility being determined on by America, on the meeting of Congress, are beginning to operate. At Liverpool, a requisition to the Mayor is under consideration, for a meeting upon the subject of the orders in council; and it is hoped, that even the former advocates of these pernicious measures, now when they have been pinched themselves, will join in a petition for their abrogation. Their selfinterests are at length found by them in opposition to these orders, under which they have smarted so heavily, and self-interest pleads more strongly, than arguments drawn from patriotism, or general policy and justice. Have our merchants yet sufficiently smarted under this system to have their eyes opened? Those interested in the linentrade, may also consider what will be the situation of this country in regard to flax-seed, if Congress prohibit the exportation of it from that country. They will scarcely repeat the blunder of the meeting at Armagh, in 1808, in carrying a simpering address to statesmen, calling on them to act as they may think best in their wisdom, and decline the straight-forward path of boldly pointing out their errors. The opening of the oilstores, and inundating the country with bad flax-seed, which resulted from the proceedings of that meeting, will scarcely be again hazarded.' The question of discount between landlord and tenant has for the present been, in most cases, amicably adjusted. Some landlords charge 24, and others 5 per cent, discount on the amount of the rent, while the Marquis of Downshire takes bank-notes on all lands lately set, and insists on the rents on old leases to be paid in guineas. Accord ing to a fair principle, the landlord is justly entitled to some compensation for the de preciation of the currency in which his rents are paid; otherwise, if the depreciation advances, as it most probably will, the landlord, the annuitant, and every creditor under an old contract, would be forced to bear more than his share of the loss occasioned by paper being substituted for specie. The depreciation is a certain truth, which cannot be shaken by the sophistry of statesmen, even with the aid, which Earl Stanhope has been misled, though with the best intentions to give to their tottering system of public credit. On the meeting of parliament, it is probable, that further legislative regulations will be attempted. These attempts will, most likely, hasten the downfall of the fabric, more especially, if they enact that bank-money shall be a legal tender. The attempts to uphold a decayed building, frequently tend only to its more speedy overthrow. The difference between guineas and bank-notes is in Dublin 30 per cent., and on the Exchange of Belfast 22 per cent. Exchange...Belfast on London, 8 Dublin on do. per cent. do. 8 84 do. Bills at 61 days sight on Dublin rate at 1 per cent. In addition to the previously existing causes of depreciation, it is said, that guineas are now greatly in demand in London, as many foreigners who have money in the British funds, are, from apprehension of the instability of their security, withdrawing and realizing their properties for whatever sums they can procure in hard cash, 420 NATURALISTS' REPORT. From October 20, to November 20, 1811. 26...The Red-wing (Turdus Iliacus) arrived. Nov. 1...Small house-fly, (Musca domestica minor) in great numbers in all the crevices about the windows, from which, when the sun shone, they came forth, and appeared to enjoy themselves very much...Common Lark (Alauda Ar vensis) singing. 2...A Wood-cock appeared in the low-lands...Naked or leafless Crocus (Crocus nudiflorus) flowering. 4...Common Larks and Robins singing. 19...Saw the first flock of Fieldfares, or Pigeon Phelts, (Turdus Milearis) this day. This Autumn the Spanish Chesnuts, (Fagus Castanea) have ripened fas 15,.......... 16,.. 17,.. 18,.. .Dark dry day. ...Showery and stormy. ......Showery and stormy, with snow on the mountain top. .......Wet and stormy. ...Dark dry day. ...Dark day, light misty rain. 19-20,...............Fine days. The Barometer was observed on the 26th of October as low as 28.4, and on the 20th of Nov. it was 30.4, the rest of the time it was not so high as 30. The lowest stage of the Thermometer at 8 A.M. was on the 24th of October, when it was at 36. The highest was on the 1st of Nov. when it stood at 54. The Wind was observed South 5 times....S.W. 11....S.E. 5....W. 4...N.W. 5-so that the prevalence has been Westerly. 421 CELESTIAL PHENOMENA. FOR DECEMBER, 1811. On the 1st, the Moon rises under the 6th of the Bull, and nearly at the same time with the 7th and 12th of Jupiter; the Twins, and Jupiter to the East of her; and we shall have an opportunity before the Sun arises, of seeing her passage under these objects. On the 5th, the Moon rises under the 14th of the Lion, as she passed th's star at six minutes past six in the evening, and of course is followed by the 1st of this Constellation. On the 9th, the Moon rises in the morning under the 2d of the Virgin, being between this Star and the 3d of this Constellation. On the 15, is new Moon at 11 minutes past 7 in the evening, but without an eclipse. On the 224, the Moon is on the Meridian at 4 minutes past 6, being now directly under the two Eastern Stars of the four Stars in Square, having passed very rapidly through the space under them. On the 24th, the vioon is on the Meridian at 8 quarters past 7, the three first Stars of the Ram being directly above her, and Menkar, with the small Stars in the head of the Whale, below her to the East of the Meridian. She is evidently directing her course to a small Star in the Eastern side of the Whale's head, which is called the first Fourteenth. Her Western rim touches the Star at 7 minutes and a quarter past midnight, which she passes over soon after midnight, the Star being 9 minutes and a half North of the Moon's centre; and it emerges at 34 minutes past midnight, the Star being 11 minutes North of the Moon's centre. On the 29th, is full Moon, at 11 minutes past 7 in the evening, but without an eclipse; she rises under Jupiter, and is followed soon by the third of the Twins. This month is distinguished by two evening planets, Mercury and Venus, whose motions and splendor cannot fail of attracting attention. Mercury is an evening Star the whole of this month, and at his greatest elongation on the 29th. Too near the Sun, at first, he will not be noticed; but his duration above the Horizon after Sun-set gradually increases, and as it will be near an hour on the 19th, he will from that time be an object of considerable attention. He is at that time little more than a degree from Venus, having nearly the same longitude, but a greater Southern latitude; and on the 30th, they are only twenty-four minutes apart, Venus being to the South. The Moon passes Mercury on the 16th. Venus is an evening star. The chief feature of importance in her journey, through 38 degrees, is her being attended on so long by Mercury. Unluckily the Moon is not favourable to us, as her absence is more agreeable, when we are making observations on Mercury but on the day when the two planets are nearest each other, she does not rise till we have had an opportunity of enjoying the sight; and the next night she does not rise till they have both set. The Moon passes Venus on the 16th. Mars is on the Meridian in the afternoon of the 1st, at 51 minut s, and on the 19th, at 24 minutes past 4. His motion is direct through 23 degrees. The telescopes directed to Mercury and Venus, in the latter end of this month, will assuredly be pointed sometimes to Mars, who contributes, after them, to give distinction to the Western hemisphere. The Moon passes Mars on the 20th. Jupiter decorates the Eastern hemisphere towards the end of the month, as the three former Planets do the Western hemisphere. Rising then at Sun-set, he has a long dominion in the Heavens, and is seen through the whole night. His motion is retrograde through 4 degrees. In the middle of the month, when he is on the meridian about midnight, if the night is clear, his superiority over the principal Stars is striking. The Moon passes him on the 2d and 29th. Saturn is in conjunction with the Sun on the 21st, being an evening Star to that time. His duration above the Horizon after Sun-set, will, after the first week, be too |