public affairs has hitherto delayed the carrying of this resolution into effect.

With regard to the fifth objection, it may be necessary to explain to some of my readers, wherein the split straw differs from the Leghorn platt. In the first, the straw is split by a machine into five or six strips, each of which is applied separately in the platting. In the latter, the whole straw is. used; but it is the produce of a species of small wheat, sown on poor ground, for that express purpose, and with very little, if any, reference to the production of grain. The stems are very thin, fine, and short, being hardly more than ten inches high; the whole presenting rather the appearance of a crop of hay, on an arid soil, than bearing any resemblance to a field of English wheat.

The experiment of producing this species of straw in England, has been lately tried on an acre and a half of small rye, in a thin

*

sandy soil; the produce of which will vie with the best Leghorn straw, except as to a shade of colour, which is chiefly imputable to some wet to which the straw was exposed, just after it was gathered. One specimen which I have of the Leghorn platt from this English straw, is far superior in fineness to any that has been imported from Leghorn. The experiment is trying on a larger scale of five acres more this year; so that it may be ascertained, whether those, who are not satisfied with the beauty of the English split straw, cannot be supplied with

* The gentleman who tried this experiment, has lately established at Fincham in Norfolk, under the superintending care of his three nieces, a school, wherein fifty-nine children are employed in the straw platt, and are also taught writing and reading, and the girls sewing work. I will not anticipate the account of it, which is intended to be inserted in our reports.

† I estimate only on the fine platt; as it seems pretty clear that the coarser sort will not answer; the platting not bearing more than a price of twenty pence a score, which would not pay for the labour.

The agriculturist need not be apprehensive of the waste of corn-land, by the introduction of this manufacture; as the peculiar soil for it should be so poor and thin, as not to be adapted to the growth of wheat corn.

the genuine Leghorn, from the produce of their own country.-The whole amount of the Leghorn platt imported* has been estimated at half a million sterling. Probably this has been over-rated; and it appears that the importation, at present, is gradually diminished by the competition of the manufactory of the English split straw; the sale of which in the preceding year is calculated, in London only, to have amounted to Two

HUNDRED THOUSAND POUNDS.

Upon the whole, I beg leave to submit to the reader, that this manufacture, so friendly to the health, cleanliness, and education, of the poor, is intitled to his encouragement and attention;-whether he considers it politically, as giving increase to the productive labour and wealth of the country,individually, as supplying a useful charity

*I congratulate the English cottager that the duty on Leghorn chip and straw, which is more a matter of regulation than of finance, has been lately doubled, with a view to give some additional advantage in favour of the English platt.

for the cottager and his family,-parochially, as providing employment and subsistence for the helpless and unoccupied part of the parishioners, or remedially, as affording relief to parishes and individuals who have suffered by the introduction of spinning mills. The inconveniences attending the prevalence of the straw platt, are of little moment; and, for their correction, require only a moderate degree of care and attention, on the part of the other classes of the community. It is calculated to supply occupation for the recesses of the most sequestered cottage, and is exempt from all those dreadful and disastrous evils, which have too fatally accompanied the rapid and alarming increase of our extensive and populous manufactories.

17th Dec. 1803.

No. CVII.

Extract from an account of the Ladies Schools, and some other Charities at Leeds. By THOMAS BERNARD, Esq.

In the different parts of the corporate town of Leeds, there have been lately established, under the direction and care, and at the expense, of the ladies of that place, five schools of industry, containing each fifty poor girls, who are instructed in reading, knitting, and sewing. The schools begin and close each day with prayer; and two hours, every week, are devoted to religious instruction, and to the catechising of the children.

In giving the regulations of one of these schools, that near St. Peter's-square, we shall give pretty correctly those of the others. The schools are equally open to all