was manifeftly the object of all his ac

tions.

From Mr. Wiche's intercourfe with perfons in mercantile life, it became his fixed perfuafion, that till extenfive commerce and great capitalists are unknown, man can make no progrefs in virtue and happinefs. His fpeculations, however, upon human improvement were more fhaken by a late " Efay on Population," than by any production or event of modern times; and he was accustomed to fay, that he knew not in what manner to anfwer that truly elegant and ingenious publication. Though he had ceafed to be a chriftian minifter, in the ufual meaning of that expreffion, yet he ceased not to be a Chriftian*. On the contrary, he ftill gave his countenance to Chriftian worship; and, perhaps with fomewhat of inconfiftency, attended upon the preaching of hired teachers. In the truth of the gofpel revelation, he often expreffed his full and joyful confidence; yet he feemed to imagine, that it was too pure, too facred, to be diffused by men acting profeffionally, and appearing to earn a temporal fupport from their employment. Let it be admitted, that his opinion was a mistaken one, it is impoffible, nevertheless, not to admire his exalted views of Chriftian truth and duty; and happy were it, did every diffenting teacher in particular poffefs a greater freedom from those worldly and selfish regards, the predominance of fome amongst the number, Mr. Wiche was in the habit of deeply lamenting, and pointedly condemning. Too wife and good to call any man mafter upon earth, Mr. Wiche had examined the fcriptures for himfelf. The refult was, a hearty attachment to the religious fentiments maintained by Unitarian Chriftians. But upon opinions and names, as fuch, he laid no ftrefs. To mould his life in ftrict conformity with the Chriftian law, as a fovereign rule of manners, was the habitual object of Mr. Wiche's thoughts, wifhes, and exertions. No man more clearly faw, or more fincerely mourned, the degeneracy of what is properly called the Chriftian world; and it was his fettled conviction, that the awful events of modern days and recent experience, are defigned by the Almighty Governor of the Univerfe, to roufe individuals and communities from their moral flumbers, and bring them to a practical reception of the pure and undefiled gofpel. "Such events (would he fay) are the only effectual preach ers of righteoufness to mankind Upon this fubject, indeed, he would often enlarge before his friends, with peculiar energy and animation; and his eloquence here was evidently heightened by his firm and zealous be. lief in the doctrine of philofophical neceffity.

* See the concluding paragraph of Dr. J. Jebb's Letter of Refignation to the Bishop of Norwich.

Enamoured with the pure and lofty precepts, and infpired by the fublime hopes of the Chriftian revelation, Mr. Wiche oppofed himself, in his moral feelings and practice, to a vitiated state of human fociety, and a corrupt and noxious fyftem of opinions. So far as bis bigbeft perfonal interefts were concerned, he oppofed them with fuccefs. The struggle was not unattended by difficulties; but the victory was complete. Mr. Wiche's Chriftianity confifted in an imitation of the character of Chrift: it was in direct contradiction to the Chriftianity of the schools, and the Christianity of the world. Reader! admire and emulate one of whom that world was not worthy. "Many have I feen more famous, fome more knowing, few fo innocent and honeft

Lately at Annonai, his native place, aged 52, Etienne Montgolfier, Member of the National Institute of France; and, con. jointly with his brother Jofeph, inventor of the Air Balloon.-Defcended from a family in which genius and learning were heredi. tary, Montgolfier, at a very early period, devoted himself to the practical frudy of mechanics and chemistry, and applied his knowledge to the most useful purposes, in an art which he brought to the highest ftate of perfection,-the manufacturing of paper. He was proprietor of a very extenfive manufactory, which he himself superintended. His ftudies and experiments gave birth to a variety of new and improved machines, and new proceffes, to which France is indebted, among other things, for her first manufactory of velum paper, which till his time, was only to be obtained from the mills of Holland. The fuperiority of French typography, fo univerfally admitted, is doubtless attributable to this difcovery of Montgolfier. In more infiances than one, his genius difcovered the inventions of thofe induftrious rivals of the

French, the Dutch; and long before the prefent alliance of thofe nations, which rendered their arts and manufactures one common property, Montgolfier had himself discovered the most effential parts of the process of the Dutch paper manufactories. He has been heard to lay," that nothing had ever given him more pleasure, than the discovery, that many very important experiments, which he had conceived to be folely his own, formed part of the most fecret arts of the Dutch manufacturer. It does not appear that Etienne Montgolfier, or his brother Jofeph, ever received any fubftantial recompence for their inventions, either from the ancient or new government of France; on the contrary, after having expended a confiderable part of their fortune in expenfive experiments, they were compelled to abandon them incomplete from a want of the neceffary means of continuing them. Etienne Montgolfier, however, derived from his fame an advantage of which he well knew the value: he was fought after with avidity,

at

at first on account of his fame, and foon afterwards on his own account, by every man of eminence or merit, which France at that period poffeffed. From feveral among these he obtained that friendship, which was the only fit recompence of his ftudies, and the best reward of his great genius. The venerable Malefherbes and his unfortunate family, the excellent La Rochefaucault, the learned and unfortunate Lavoifier, &c. honoured him with the title of their friend, with the tendereft offices of friendship, and with profeffions of esteem, which Montgolfier never ceafed to

merit. It is, in fact, impoffible for any man to poffefs a better character; to be more unaffectedly modeft, to poffefs a better heart, or to be more truly virtuous than was Etienne Montgolfier.

At New York, of that deftructive malady the yellow fever, Dr. PERKINS of Connec ticut, the inventor of the metallic tractors. Hearing that the yellow fever had again made its appearance at New York, he left the place of his refidence to lend his aid as a physician, and unfortunately became the victim of his own humanity.

MONTHLY COMMERCIAL REPORT.

THE check which the foreign commerce of this country has lately experienced, will, we hope, be attended with the beneficial effect of rendering those who furmount the present difficulties, more cautious in forming new connections, and lefs adventurous in hazardous and unlimited fpeculations; for there feems to be little reafon to doubt that it originated chiefly from the late general eagerness to get into the Hamburgh trade, which made many of our merchants more anxious to obtain correfpondents, in that city, than to inquire fufficiently into their credit and ftability, and confequently encouraged many perfons there to engage in mercantile concerns without adequate capital or connections, while the profits that had been recently made in this trade, increased both the orders from thence, and the adventures from this country, till the market was glutted, and the want of fale precluded the means of pay ment. We are happy to find that the commercial distress, both on the continent and in this country, begins to fubfide, though it is ftill far from being got over. It has lately been in contemplation to adopt fome regulations for a more direct trade with Holland, a measure, which, if it could be carried into effect, would be attended with much mutual advantage; and it will certainly be a very beneficial refinement of "civilized war," if any mode can be devifed of avoiding the punishment which in many cafes a country inflicts upon itself in prohibiting all means of commercial intercourfe with the ftates involved in its political contentions.

The BIRMINGHAM manufacturers in copper and brafs have for fome time past been working at little or no profit, from not having made any alteration in the prices of their goods, notwithstanding the advanced price of the raw material; this we believe the manufacturers do under the expectation of copper getting lower, in which however they are still disappointed; for though it had fallen a little, it has fince been raifed again, except by the Birmingham companies, who ftill continue to fell upon the fame terms. This feems to prove, either, that there exists a monopolizing influence in the copper trade, which has the power of materially affecting the price, or that the demand for copper is much greater than formerly, both of which appear to be strong reafons for the adoption of the measure that has been proposed of admitting foreign copper into this country, duty free, and prohibiting the exportation whenever the price is fo extravagantly high as it is at prefent. Under this disadvantage it would be fome confolation if the state of the foreign markets, which are the principal fupport of the Birmingham manufactures, afforded an encouraging profpect, but the hopes of recovering fome of the branches of trade, of which we have been deprived by the war, feem to vanish almost as foon as they appear; all expectations refpecting Holland, fo far as they depended on the late enterprife, are intirely blafted; and as to Italy, fpeculation itself fhrinks from the precarious state of affairs in a country where the reverses of fortune have been fo fudden and frequent.

In confequence of the propofed union, we have lately thought proper to extend our view to the present state of the trade and manufactures of Ireland, the principal branches of which we have already noticed, there are however fome others of lefs importance, which may deferve to be mentioned. Hofiery has never been an object of export from Ireland, this country poffefling fuch advantages with refpect to the materials, as well as fuch fuperior fkill in the manufacturing of them, as enables us greatly to underfell the Irish hofier in foreign, and fometimes in the home market, notwithstanding the heavy duty on the importation of British hofiery into Ireland: as an article of home confumption, however, the manufacture of stockings in Ireland is in a very improving state. The manufactures of Leather and of Paper are declining, which is attributed to the recent duties the legislature has imposed on them; but with refpect to that of leather, it may perhaps be in confequence of the large quantities of hides which are exported untanned; and of the very high price and bad quality of the bark ufed by the Irish tanners, which in general is the refuse of the British market. The decline of the paper manufactory is probably owing to the dearness and scarcity of foreign rags, the natural confequence of a war with thofe countries from which the market had been ufually fupplied.

The

The Court of Directors of the Eaft India Company have taken up the following fhips for

the feafon 1799.

The fhips Canton, Cirencester, Earl Talbot and Ganges, for Bombay and China, and the Arniston, were afloat the 28th October, fail to Gravefend 12th November, stay there 30 days, and be in the Downs 18th December.

We have received but few particulars refpecting the fate of the Woollen manufactory, a deficiency which we hope fome of our friends in the Weft will endeavour to fupply. We should also be glad to receive fome account of the Staffordshire manufactory, as well as further particulars of those of Manchefter, Sheffield, &c. Every intelligent manufacturer or trader has it in his power to give a rough sketch of the actual fate of the trade be is engaged in, and it is prefumed the communication would be attended with general advantage.

MONTHLY AGRICULTURAL REPORT.

THERE has been fo little of any advantageous change in the state of the feafon fince our laft, that the neceffary operations of the husbandman must have remained in pretty much the fame fituation. We fear, indeed, that but a small proportion of the ufual quantity of wheat has yet, even on the drier forts of foil, been put into the ground; and on fuch as are of the more wet and tenacious kinds it cannot most probably be fown until the spring. fame cause that has prevented the wheat crop from being committed to the earth, has alfo generally retarded, and, in many inftances, totally prevented, the farmers from getting their manures upon the lands.

The

In fome of the more northern counties much oats were ftill in the fields, and part uncut about the 17th; but the crops of both oats and barley are better than there was reason to apprehend.

Peas have in common been too luxuriant in their growth to be productive under the flail. Potatoes, on being taken up, prove rather a better crop than was expected on the drier forts of foil; but on the wet ones they are in many cafes rotten.

Turnips, from their not having been kept in a fufficiently clean ftate of cultivation, and from the coldness of the season, are small in the bulb; which, added to their great failure in many cafes, renders them extremely fcarce for the purposes of feeding.

Grain. We are fearful that fuch as is proper for the ufes of the baker, though uncommonly high in price at prefent, is ftill looking upwards. Wheat averages throughout England and Wales 89s. 2d.; from Westmoreland the returns are 1145. 2d.; from Worcester, 1018. 4d. ; and from Mark-lane, 89s. road. Barley averages 41s. 1od. and Oats 31s. 7d.

Cattle. The great number of half-fed cattle that have lately been hurried into the markets, have had the effect of giving a temporary cheapnefs to the article of butchers' meat; but from the state of the fales in the last week, it would feem to be on the rife. Beef fells in Smithfield market from 35. 4d. to 4s. 6d. per ftone of 8lb. finking the offal.

Sheep. In the price of mutton there has been alfo an advance within these few days. The Smithfield prices of mutton are from 3s. 6d. to 4s. 8d. per ftone.

Hogs, notwithstanding the high price of their food, keep up." Pork fetches in Smithfield from 3s. 8d. to 4s. 8d. per ftone.

After this statement of the advance of different articles that conftitute the food of mankind, it cannot be improper in us to point out fuch means as may appear calculated to lessen its effects. In doing this we muft, however, obferve, that whatever may not be the deficiency in the corn' produce of this kingdom, it has proceeded from caufes which no human wisdom could alter or controul; on which account we ought to be not only more contented and patient under the preffure of thofe inconveniences which it muft produce, but more eagerly difpofed to a proper economy and retrenchment in the fupplies, as well as the cookery, of our families, in order to have the folid and pleafing fatisfaction of contributing to relieve the fufferings and diftrefs of the poor, which, under the prefent circumstances, is unquestionably great.

Something

Something may be usefully fpared from the tables of the rich, as well as thofe of perfons in more humble fituations of life, by judicious and proper management, in which their attention fhould be particularly directed to the ufe of rice and millet in puddings, and that of Scotch barley; boiling peas, potatoes, carrots, and other nutritious vegetable fubftances, in the preparing of foups, due economy being likewife had in the animal matters, that may be employed for fuch wholesome articles of food.

Oat-meal may also be made ufe of, where it can be had at a reasonable rate, in the making of porridge, being equally palatable and wholesome. As a food for children, when boiled with milk, it is excellent. Apples, of which, in fome diftricts, there are large quantities, may be advantageously employed in various ways of cooking.

By thefe means, and by guarding as much as poffible against the idle and inconfiderate wafte of fervants, much may be done to prevent an advance in the price of grain; which, though it muft, in many fituations, have been, from the state of the weather, gotten in with difficulty, and in bad condition, is probably, on the whole, not fo greatly deficient as many may fuppofe. A middling, or even a lefs than middling, crop, with ftrict economy, will go a great way, provided that the mifchievous confequences of alarm, and the bad effects of laying in flores, in however fmall quantities it may be done, are cautiously guarded against. On these grounds the entering into any public regulations or ftipulations would be highly injurious and improper.

Thofe who are fo well informed on this fubject as to know the great effects that either an under or over proportion, even in the flightest degree, has on the markets, will readily perceive the vaft advantages that may be derived from the adoption of fuch means as are here recommended, every one having it, in fome measure, within his power to leffen the inconveniences of the fcarcity.

Mifcellaneous Hints relative to the Improvement of Agriculture, to be occafionally continued.

NOTHING is of greater importance in the management of arable land than the difcovery of fuch methods of cropping, as preclude the neceffity of having recourse to the system of fummer fallowing. In this view, experiment has amply fhewn that on ftrong tenacious foils, where there is a good deal of moisture, the cultivation of beans, as a preparation for wheat, may be practifed with the beft fuccefs. In alternating these crops it will be neceflary for the ground to have a flight dreiling of manure every two or three years; ten or fifteen loads to the acre will be fufficient for the purpofe. In fowing beans after this proportion of manure has been employed, it has not been found from experience that any inconvenience has arifen from the beans running too much into height, and thereby being rendered weak in the item, and not well podded. Facts likewife fhew that thefe crops may be cultivated alternately in this manner for any length of time, without the leaft deterioration of the quality of fuch lands.

In cropping with wheat after clover, or other green products, feveral circumstances should be more particularly attended to than they would feem to be at prefent. In the ploughing down of fuch green crops, care fhould not only be taken that the whole of the green matter be turned in, but that fuch a feafon be chofen for the bufinefs as may have a tendency by its dryness and warmth to promote the putrefactive fermentation of the green vegetables. The common practices of ploughing flightly, and in wet, damp, weather, are highly improper and difadvantageous. It is probable, likewife, that the putrefactive process might be confiderably accelerated by a flight application of time in fuch inftances.

Where corn is fown on poor light foils, fuch as blowing fands; it is an excellent practice, though but little attended to, to fold theep upon it fome days after the grain has been put into the ground, as, by this means the loofe particles of fuch foils are preffed to the roots, and the growth of the crop greatly promoted.

It has been fhewn by an ingenious agriculturist, that there are many varieties or fheep with which we are little acquainted, and that they are not invariably, wool-bearing animals. He has alfo difcovered a fact of confiderable practical utility, in regard to the cutting of their wool; which is, that the fhearing of wool-bearing fheep, is not a bufinefs that depends folely on the will of the owner, but which must be regulated by the condition or state of the fleece. For as the wool of thefe animals is found to loofen from the fkin nearly all at one time; and if not then fhorn, foon to fall off in large quantities, the young wool having previoufy grown up to fome length; if the operation of hearing be therefore had recourfe to, too foon before the young wool has begun to grow, it cannot be accomplished with facility; and the body of the animal is left too bare, and if it be too long protracted, the young wool is too much advanced, and the operation greatly retarded by the choaking of the fhears. Much injury is not only by this means alfo done to the wool, but great lois fuitained by the cutting of that which is young.

MONTHLY MAGAZINE.

JANUARY 1,, 1800. [No. 6. of VOL. VIII.

ORIGINAL COMMUNICATIONS.