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Mr. URBAN, Lettcomb Regis, Jan. 1. NNEXED is a drawing of an A antient ook-tree in the foreft of Savernake, near Marlborough in Wiltfhire, the property of the Earl of Ailefbury, called, in the dialect of the common people of the county, Duke's vant, who allo pronounce font in the fame manner. Yet, after the moft diligent enquiry, 1 find no teftimony to corroborate fuch etymology; but rather fuppofe it a corruption of vaunt, i. e. the boat, or glory of the duke. It probably received this denomination about the beginning of the reign of Edward VI. when it belonged to the great Sir Edward Seymour, firft duke of Somerfet, whofe vaunt and glory it might well be, as, from its ftupendous bulk, it muft long have been the admiration and wonder of the neighbourhood.

The dimenfions of this vaft tree are 30 feet in circumference on the outfide, and 20 feet round the hollow within, where a young tree was once planted which grew for fome time, but is now gone.

This long-time pride of the foreft ftands near the highway leading from Marlborough to Great Bedwin, about half a mile from the great London and Bath road, on the Northern boundary of the parish of Burbage; and I remember, on a perambulation round the boundaries of that parith about 40 years ago, being one of twenty boys who were fhut up together in the concavity; and alto that a band of mufic, confifting of a violin, hautboy, and baffoon, played feveral tunes in it. There was then a door hang to it, which fhut or locked occafionally. At that time fome of the oldeft men prefent obferved, that it had been in the fame decayed ftate time immemo rial; a cogent argument, if any were wanting, of the extreme great age of this verdant ruin; which having remained in the fame condition upwards of a hundred years, thus certainly proved, may reasonably be conjectured to have been much longer in its gradual decline. And if, according to the commonly received opinion, the periods of the growth, perfection, and decline, of the oak are equal, we fall look into very remote antiquity for the acorn that produced this venerable fovereign of the woods. And though long fince deprived of its towering head and wide-extending arms, yet the GENT. MAG. June, 1802.

enormous trunk will poffibly exift in a
vegetative ftate for many ages to come,
as its verdure at prefent appears quite
luxuriant. So that without an hyperbole,
we may align him a date, perhaps lit-'
the fhort of a thousand years! which
will ferve to thew that it was no poetie
fietion when Mr. Dryden aflerted,
«The monarch oak, the patriarch of the
trees,
[grees;
Shoots rising up; and (preads by flow de-
Three centuries he grows, and three he
stays
[cays."

Supreme in ftate, and in three more de
Yours, &c.
J. STONE.

CONTINUATION OF THE JOURNAL KEPT AT MOCHA. (See p. 395.) Mocha 5 Aug. Therm. 85°

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86°

87°

87°

87° light rain. IN the afternoon went to the Minzalah, or place of entertainment for ftrangers, near the Eaftern gate. After vifiting the different apartments I found they were neither proof against wind or rain. There was no furniture of any kind, except fome old couches, or cradles, fuch as are commonly used by the Arabs for fleeping on. On thefe they ufually fpread the cloth which they carry over their fhoulders; and it aniwers the purpose of fheet and coverlet. They have no bedding of any kind. I obferved feve-. ral camels laying in the yard, or inclofure near the houfe. They were from Moufah, and a dark brown colour; they had brought Taam, or Ifary, a finall grain refembling millet, for fale. The Arabs were laying on the couches in a reclining poftere, fmoaking their hooka's and drinking kahwa. I enquired for the mafter of the house, but found it was kept by an old woman. On being introduced to her, I explained that I was hungry, and wished to procure fome refrefliment. It not being the ufual hour, I found they had nothing in the minzilah but kahwa and couches. Indeed, I fancy the fare is but indifferent; however, the expences are very moderate, being as follows: for one night's lodging, one comafh; for a camel for one night, half a comafh; for dinner of mutton, or goat's flesh, with bread made from Taam, or Ifary, with Ghee and coffee, four comafhes; for breakfast of bread

and

and milk, Ghee* and coffee,' four comathes; daily expence of a man and his camel, about twelve comalhes.

From the Minzilah I went to the Well, about three quarters of a mile to the Ealiward of the Grand Molque, to procure fome plants, particularly the Mecca ballam, and the tree which produces the gum myrrh, neither of which were to be met with there, or in the botanic gardens contiguous. I only met with the Batban, which produces a fruit about the fize of a peach, containing a finall kernel, the leaf of a deep green colour, not unlike the Mango leaf, but more oblong. There was the Mango tree likewife, and the Sifaban, which, refembles the Laburnam; it bears no fruit, but is cultivated for ornament only. I faw cotton plants with a much fmaller leaf, than thofe of the Wei Indies; the Capficum, or red pepper, which feems well adapted to the foil, as it thrives remarkably well; the Hybak, or Myrtle, the Palm-three and Palmyra, Wormwood, Mint, Sage. There is likewife a plant, called Afkar,, the leaves of which contain a milky juice extremely acid, which is applied by the Arabs to remove local pains; it occafions irritation and inflammation of the cutis, and is employed on the fame principle we apply blifters, to produce a counter irritation. There are two or three flirubs from India, with the names and properties of which the gardeners are unacquainted. There is likewife a tree called by the natives Henah, which is ufed for tinging the fkin of a yellow or reddish colour; they bruife the leaves and finaller branches, which they infute in warm water, and wash with this frequently.

The flave girls, brought from the oppofite coaft, on their arrival at Mocha are extremely black; but in the pace of three weeks or a month, by the ufe of this lotion, they become brown, fo as hardly to be diftinguifhed from the Arabs. They likewife have a process for making their hair firaight, by tying it very tight with a piece of lead fufpended behind, which keeps it conftantly on the firetch. In the morning when combed out it covers the upper part of the fhoulders; and, except the difference of colour, exhibits nearly the fame appearance as the bishops wigs. Both last year and this, I have had an opportunity of oblerving from my window the different manoeuvres

A kind of batter.

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employed in the manufactory of male and feinale daves. One of thefe girls, flanding on the terrace of the houfe where they are kept, obterved I was looking at her, and feemed much of fended at my prefumption. The mode of expreffing her difpleature was fomewhat fimilar to the ladies on the po nt at Portfinouth, by turning the back of her hand towards me and clapping it with the other. Whether this is the refult of education, or proceeds from inftinct, I fhall not pretend to deter mine. In returning from the gardens, I came through the village where the Jews refide. A young lad, the fon of one of the Rabbes, met me, and informing me there was a wedding in the Jew town, he propofed to introduce me. I willingly accepted the offer, but on coming to the house we were refufed admittance. The alarm having been given, that a Sharangee, or European, was coming, we were met at the door by three men, who oppofed. our entry, and were much difpleafed with the boy for attempting to intrude on their feftivity; however, parily by perfuafion and partly by force, I got in, andtook a feat. The women had all dif appeared, ou feeing the ftruggle to force our way in; but, after the commotion was over and all quiet, they came back. again, but kept at a refpectable diftance. The boys, however, eager to look at my watch, crowded round me; and on my indulging them, the very men who had oppoled my coming in with fo much violence became extremely civil, and requefted that Iwould open the watch, to thew the internal ftructure, with which they were highly pleated. This excited the curi ofity of the females, who had hitherto kept aloof, excepting an old woman, on whom I prevailed to bring fomething to drink, telling her "Sherab jotee," Iwant fome liquor. She brought fome of the Kalfa, or fpirit distilled from dates; which I taffed, and told her [-wanted water, it was too firong; the brought a filver cup and fome water which I mixed with the fpirit, and prefented it to the old lady; but the declined drinking. I tafted the grog, and, in my opinion, it is a more palatable liquor than the arrack, though not near to ftrong; it is below proof. I then gave the cup to the bridegroom and to two other men, who drank a liule. a number of the boys feemed eager to get ho, a of the cup, but, as I

could

could not indulge them all, I took care of my young friend who had introduced me; I gave him the cup, and he drank off the whole with avidity. I ought to have mentioned my first introduction to the bridegroom, which took place during the circulation of the filver cup. He was a tall good-looking young nian. After withing him every happinels the marriage ftato affords, I begged to be introduced to the bride, but could not prevail; they promited, however, that I thould fee her to morrow. The young ladies now collected round nie, to the number of twelve or fourteen, and begged I would permit them to look at my watch. I could not refute them of courle; I fhook hands with feveral of them, one in particular truck my fancy as remarkably handtone. I enquired her name, which was Mariam; and her age, I was told, was fourteen. I faid to my young friend, Nada Mara Maleka," this is a very pretty girl: the turned, and went away; I could obferve a fimile on her countenance, and that the was not difpleated at the compliment. She was rather tall, a fine figure, with lively eyes and very expreilive features. I dare fay, in Spain fe would have patted for a first-rate beauty. I again requefied to be introduced to the bride, explaining to them that, among the Englith, it was cufionary on thefe occafions, but could not prevail; on which I took any leave.

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(To be continued.)

Mr. URBAN,

May 14. I KNOW no channel through which

information is conveyed in fo clear a ftream as your valuable Mifcellany; and if you will permit the following lines to appear before your numerons and judicious correfpondents, you will thereby not only oblige an old and confiant reader, but alfo revive his hopes that the fubject will engage the - attention of fome able hand, that will adminifter that jutiice to it which its importance feems to require.

For feveral years pait, it has been my lot to be fettled in a market-town, where I lived in the greatest intimacy and amity with my parishioners, whole whole deineanour towards me evinced that my conduct was fuch as gained their approbation; and, were proofs neceflary in fapport my aflertion, they might without vanity be adduced from

their confiant attendance on divine worship, and the very gicat increafe of the congregation: indeed, fuch in every refpect was their attention, fuch was the forwardness exprefled by every individual to adopt every measure that was recommended, as might well induce me to tay, that "the lines have fallen to me in goodly places." Lately, however, necellity has frequently compelled me not only to remind them of their duty to attend the fervice of the church, but also to lament the want of that Chriftian humility whofe praife is in the Golpel. A reflection on the change prompted me to enquire into the caufe. It occurred to me, that, among the abfentres (for fuch only I confidered them) the far greatest part confifted of people employed in buflnels: and upon any enquiring of Mrš. Grocer, whil fhe was replenishing my fnoff-box, after the welfare of her neighbour Tallow, as I had not feen her lately in church! O! fir," replied the, have you not heard of the new Excifeman?" He was dipped latt Sunday; and Mrs. Tallow fays, that he is the fiertelt man in the world, fings delightfully, always gives out the hymns at meeting, and prays before the fermon, and has converted feveral by his good advice when he comes to furvey them." Mrs. Boniface aftured me, that there was nothing loft by going to Meeting, as he would maintain it, that notwithstanding their late great increase of bufinefs, yet they paid not much more than half of that uitnatural and detetiable money which was extorted from them at the futing. Mr. Gange was fo good to them, and not near to particular as his predeceffor."

On the following day Mr. Scrupulous, vicar of the next market-town, paid me a vifit, and, in the courfe of converfanation, obferved his having about fix months before adminiftered the Sacranient to a young man, to qualify him for the Excife, who refided in his town, and was from his youth a rigid Anabaptift, and never was feen before or afer in that church. He added, that, fhould it fall again to his lot to qualify another, who was known to be of that defeription, he should never be able to quiet his own confcience on the occa, fion. "But," continued he, Mr. Meanwell, my worthy neighbour, has an Excifeman refiding in his parish, who not only prays with the fick after he has been lo vifit them, but preaches

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openly almost every Sunday, and attacks the doctrines of the Church with the greatest violence. Nay, he has proceeded fo far as to threaten an old rich maltfter, that he had better take care he was not put in the Exchequer, as he fufpected him to be not fo honeit as he ought to be, having never feen him in Meeting."

Now, Mr. Urhan, after the ftatement of fuch facts which exist in my neighbourhood (and I doubt not of many fuch inftances in other places), would it not be charity in Government (although it may apprehend that no danger can arife to the revenue from its being collected by fuch officers) to devife fome means to eafe the confciences of the clergy, who are obliged to profitute the fymbols of Redemption to a perjured wretch, whofe confcience will permit him to communicate to-day in the church for the emolument of 601. per ann and to-morrow will preach that the Church of EngJand and Ireland cannot be a church of Chrift, and its minifters do not underftand the Gofpel?

A Prefbyter of the united Church
of England and Ireland.

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IF the difficulties which attach to any important fcheme when firft fuggefted are fo vaft and complex that it requires unwearied perfeverance to furmount them, it is no wonder if at first view the forming of an inftitution for the purpose of changing the habits of depraved individuals (p. 422) fhould appear altogether impracticable: but if fuch men, while prifoners in county gaols, have been induced to labour for their own fupport, how much more may it be expected from thofe who voluntarily enter into an afylum for the exprefs purpofe of acquiring employment, retrieving their character, and regaining the eftcem of the worthy part of lociety!

The poffibility may therefore be admitted but to carry it into practice will require the united exertions and abilities of the well-difpofed, to plan and devife the means calculated to exeite and encourage labour, to regulate the health, and to form and guard the morals of thofe who are admitted.

ift. The first confideration will be how to provide a find for the infiitution; and, to merit the confidence of the public, the fubtcriptions procured

ought to be lodged in the Bank, or at a banker's, not to be called for till the amount is fuch as to infure a certainty of fuccefs, and until a committee of gentlemen of credit and character have determined to enter on the undertaking. 2d. The fecond is to fix on a fituation fitted to commence the plan: and as the number of the objects may at first be final!, it would be advifcable to make a trial on a proportional scale, to be enlarged as the funds and the applicants increafe.

It may be objected, that the place itfelf would be looked upon as a prifon, rather than as a houfe to be fought after for reform. This impreffion can only be effaced by having it clearly underfood, that as thofe who feek admillion are volunteers, fo they cannot be compelled to remain contrary to their inclinations; but, while they do continue, they muft ftrictly conform to the rules and regulations prefcribed by the governors; of which they must be previously informed, and their affent, before admillion, be explicitly demanded, and freely given.

The primary and grand object being to change the propenfities of thefe unfortunate perfons, from vice and idlenels to fobriety and induftry, every means mull be employed to avoid inflaming the paflious. Temperate regimen, mild treatment, productive labour, and directing their attention, when unemployed, to proper purfuits, feem to be the likelieft way to effect this reformation.

The diet must be well regulated; for its influence, primarily on the body and ultimately on the mind, is far more extentive than is generally known. It may be adapted and regirlated according to the degree of labour and exertion of the individual, and fhould confit of a due proportion of animal and vegetable food. The only beverage should be pure water, or good table-beer; the latter, for fear of abuse, thould be given in limited quantities. Spirits of every kind muti be totally prohibited, and fo muli porter, excepting medicinally. That this mot eflential part of the plan inay be properly managed, a total feparation from all intercourfe with thofe who are without the walls will be required, until the governors are convinced, by the good conduct of the objects, that greater indulgences may be allowed.

As air and exercifè are most eflen

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