Fishery at John-o'Groat's House. But by far the most curious and interesting paper is entitled, "An Essay on the Utility of soft Paper, and a Project for extending its Use to all the Necessaries of Life." This Essay being fairly and carefully written out, apparently for the press, the singularity of the title induced me to give it an attentive perusal, and I was much gratified by finding it contained matter equally new, curious, and important. After expatiating at some length on the great advantages which the nation has experienced by the substitution of paper for coin, the unknown author proceeds to develope a plan for substituting this valuable substance in the room of all, or the greater part of those bulky and expensive articles called necessaries of life; for, as he says, bread, beef, pork, and mutton, being very costly, not only in the production, but in the transit from place to place, by substituting paper, under proper regulations, which is cheaper, and easily circulates from hand to hand, or from hand to mouth, not only a prodigious saving of labour will be the result, but the whole of our parochial taxes may be saved, except such as are levied for the repair of roads (for which, says the author, see my Bill). Now, Sir, although such a scheme may appear a little visionary to those who still obstinately reject the ideal or immaterial hypothesis of Berkeley; yet to me it appears perfectly satisfactory, being con vinced that all those substances are merely impressions upon the mind; that paper representing them, may produce the same impressions; and that a note issued by the Treasury, bearing the inscription," I promise to give the bearer a pound of bread," may, to those who are not prejudiced, answer all the purposes of satisfying hunger. Nor can any thing be more reasonable, seeing that I pay my butcher with paper, purporting to be convertible into so many pounds sterling, but which pounds no one will give him for the paper, if 19 if he in return furnishes me with paper bearing the inscription of so many pounds of meat; for as the paper, not convertible into money, by the confidence which it bears, circulates with all the freedom of money through the body politic, why should not paper, the representative of beef, circulate in like manner through the body natural? for it would be extraordinary indeed, should the body or belly refuse to the mind of the same men, that confidence which every man places in the merest stranger to him. I regret much that I cannot, within the limits of a letter, more fully explain the system; I shall, however, unless this should bring me acquainted with the author, give his lucubrations at length to the world. I cannol, however, close this account, without just hinting at one or two other features of the system. One is a proposal to save brick and mortar by building houses of paper, of which several successful experiments are said to have been made in the city. Thus, Sir, it is interesting to a philosophic mind to observė, that the amusements of childhood often become the serious occupations of advanced life; but the most pleasing part of the plan is an admirable scheme for a paper war, and an infallible method of subduing all our foes by means of paper bullets. Enough has been said, I flatter myself, to show that I am in possession of a very valuable secret. My only fear at present is, that the French in this, as in some other projects, are beforehand with us; and, indeed, I strongly suspect they have already reduced it to practice, and that their army in Portugal has, for some months past, been fed and clothed with paper. I am, Sir, your most obedient servant, PAPIRIUS. Threadneedle Street, July 15. JEU CRIES RIES Tag to his friend, Bob, were you at Old Drury, Last night, when my Richard so charm'd all the crowd? I hope you were there; but, if not, I assure ye, Nor Kemble nor Cooke e'er got plaudits so loud: You may smile-but 't is true-I had peal upon peal; Such a flatt'ring reception was sure never seen." "No doubt," replied Bob, as he turn'd on his heel, "But the peals must be orange peels, Tag, that you mean." "Some years are gone and And let a Placeman rest; No naval news indite- All melancholy lying, Thus wail'd he for his seat, And scarce a meal to eat. Swan Tavern, near St. Martin's Lane, ,,!, THE A GOOD LIAR. [From the same, Aug. 12,] HE minions of Ministers, foreseeing the fall of their patrons, and anxious to put off the evil day, wish to revive the old scheme of a combined and extended Administration."-The scheme, as originally suggested by Mr. Perceval, they do not like to follow implicitly. From the popularity of the Regent, they think the addition of the Foxites will make them strong enough for any emergency, and therefore it is thought advisable to reject the Grenvilles. That point being settled among the minions of Ministers, that all just and honourable means shall be employed to ensure its attainment, It is, in the prosecution of this plan, necessary to show, that the Regent hates Lord Grenville mortally; and that no man bearing the name of Grenville, or directly or indirectly connected with that House, shall ever be honoured with the countenance of His Royal Highness. A good, clever, plausible Liar, hard-mouthed, and gifted with a pleasant fancy, who has no objection to forward this loyal and patriotic object, is therefore wanted. The following is a sample of the lies that will be required of any literary gentleman undertaking this office: "The Regent dined lately with Lord Grey, and His Lordship rebuked His Royal Highness pretty sharply for not having invited his friend Lord Grenville.-N. B. The Regent, whenever he accepts an invitation, always invites his own company." "It is a curious fact, that at a late interview at Carleton House, Lord, Grenville proposed to the Regent, as a sine quá non of his acceptance of office, *Numberless articles in our volumes will show that wits are not always prophets. EDIT. 06 1 that |