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country. I found there no intimation of fuch conduct, though Mallet du Pan, from the hatred he bears the French, would have dwelt with pleasure on this circumftance. I likewife examined Lavater's account of the fame event, but found no mention of, or allufion to any fuch thing. I may therefore, I think, without any want of candour, conclude that the charge is felfe, and refts upon no foundation whatever.

I lament much, that a member of the

Houfe of Commons fhould print a fpeech containing a charge of fuch a horrid nature; for which, hitherto, there have appeared no grounds, and which I believe, is not to be found any where but in this fpeech. Befides, Mr. Canning, at the time of making this fpeech, was Under Secretary of State for the foreign department; fo that the charge was brought, in fome degree, by the government of this country against the French. Charges of this kind, unfupported by evidence, are of fervice to the French, as it affords them an opportunity of infinuating that other charges, as well as thefe, are not founded in truth, but have their origin in the malice and ingenuity of the British cabinet, Befides, the time muft come, when the two nations will be at peace with each other, and it is not becoming in any man, much lefs in those who have offices under government, and are paid by the people for far different purposes, to circulate tales of barbarities never committed, merely for the purpose of keeping alive and increafing the animofity that unhappily prevails between the two countries. I flatter myfelf that every friend to humanity will join me in this opinion.

I am Sir, your humble fervant, Bradford, Yorkshire, PHILO-VERITAS, April 20, 1799.

To the Editor of the Monthly Magazine.

SIR,

N anfwer to the enquiries of A. B. C.

The horfe chefnut has thus been appropriated by the inventive genius of the French republic, towards forming another and never failing refource for the compofition of gunpowder. Yours, &c. W. A. SCRIPPS. April 18,

To the Editor of the Monthly Magazine.

SIR,

MIDST the improvements of fociety,

and the efforts of humanity, fo try in which we live, which must be acmuch to the honour of the age and counknowledged with admiration, there is yet

room for the united efforts of mankind, That much has been done for the benefit of Society will never be urged as an argument for a ceffation of effort, whilft fo

much more remains both requifite and poffible: nor fhould any one be difcouraged in the attempts he would make in the caufe of benevolence from their comparative feebleness.

candour of your readers whilft he states to The writer of this paper relies on the of the firft importance to the welfare of them what has impreffed him as an object fociety, which is fo united as to be involVed in the good order and happiness of its feveral conftituent parts. It is that of who are deftitute of it, whether through finding fuitable employment for all thofe the want of friends, of recommendation, or of character. The number of thefe, particularly among pitiable and unfortunate females is very great, who, in the and injurious to it; but who might be prefent ftate of things, are loft to fociety

refcued from the wretchednefs into which

either misfortune or vice has plunged them, if fome fecure avenue were opened ed with the means of fubfiftence as the to them, by which they might be furnishfruit of their own induftry. For want of fome inftitution of this kind, many hundreds, having loft their character by their folly, are, though convinced by fad expe

In your Magazine of Auguft laft, rience of their error, forbid to return to

concerning the ufes to which horfe chefnuts may be applied, I beg leave to refer him to the report of the proceedings of a body of learned men at Paris, which he will find in the French papers of Auguft or September, 1794, (I am not exact, as I fpeak only from recollection) who dif covered a method of producing a fixed alkali from the horfe chefnut: A decree of the legislature in confequence paffed on September 12th, that year, commanding all the citizens throughout the republic who had horfe chefnut trees, to ftore the fruit for the fervice of the nation.

any useful ftation, and compelled to perpetuate vice, and to link deeper in infamy, because none can, with propriety and fafety, admit them into their employment. Many may be too fcrupulous and too fevere in the requifition of character; but it is obvious that there are inftances in which a loft character cannot meet with that opportunity for reformation to which innocent and ufeful occupation would highly conduce. But what cannot be done by individuals, or by fingle families, in their feparate capacities, may be readily accomplished by united effort, in a

public inftitution. Should it be objected, that the vicious part of fociety ought to fuffer the confequence of their vices, though the truth of the pofition should be granted, in cafes, where there is a difpofition to continue in vice, it cannot be admitted as a valid objection; for what is here propofed is to furnish the most effectual means of securing those from the neceffity of perpetuating their vices, who are at prefent compelled to perpetuate them by a too juft exclufion from fociety, as well as to provide means of subfiftence for the innocently unfortunate, and not fhelter any one in the continuance of vice. And certainly all the fufferings of the moft vicious fhould, as much as poffible, be used as a mean of correction of their errors, and not of perfonal extermination. Where it is in the power of fociety to do. it with sufficient safety, the door of penitence and effectual reformation fhould be opened. Should it be faid that there are houfes of industry provided in every parish, and that charitable inftitutions in abundance have met with public encouragement, it may obviously fuggeft itfelf as an answer, that most of the characters that are here pleaded for are not likely to recur to a parish poor-houfe till defpair has driven them there to breathe their laft and though the writer would be the laft to fpeak lightly of the charities of the prefent age, yet he may be allowed to fay, that the operations of charity in general want a method which fhall give them greater effect that were a proper œconomy introduced into the mode of difpenfing charities, more good might be done at less expense; and that unless we relieve the poor and unfortunate, by putting them in à method, and furnishing them with opportunities of relieving themselves by the natural operations of their own powers, our efforts of charity may become expenfive, but will be comparatively ineffectual. The writer of this paper has fome concern in the management of an inftitution where gratuities are difpenfed, which are of very great fervice; but he is perfuaded that, in this and all other cafes, except those which respect the fick and the aged, were the recipients provided with fuitable employment to fupport themfelves without gratuity, it would tend more to their morals and their happiness; becaufe, by keeping them properly employed it would prevent the vices of indolence; and, though it would not render them improperly independent, it would raife them to a degree of felf poffeffion, and felf refpect, which are neceffary to morality and hap

:

pinefs, and to the formation of a character and a neighbourhood on which fociety can place a dependance.

The writer is perfonally acquainted with cafes which would powerfully enforce the arguments that favour the purpose of this paper. He has known characters which have fallen into errors, in the moment of temptation, which threatened them with all the rigour of the world's frown, and, by exposure and exclufion, to all the horrors of perpetuating vice as a mean of support; who have, by the kind and prudent intervention of benevolent perfons, been furnished with an opportunity of obtaining a refpectable maintenance, who have afterwards regained their usefulness in society, and have amply repaid the care and kindness bestowed on them, by the most innocent deportment, and the most affiduous attention to the duties of their stations. And he has known inftances where young perfons, whofe manners and characters were, previously, amiable, have, by the lofs of reputation in the moment of temptation, without meeting any greater rigour than ufually, and with the general approbation of fociety, is exercifed towards luch perfons, been thrown out of all reputable means of fupport, overwhelmed with defpair of ever obtaining the forgiveness and regaining the confidence of society, have yielded to what feemed to them a neceffity, have plunged into vice and infamy, and died in wretchednefs and mifery; and thus terminated an existence which, as far as the influence of it extended, and who fhall fay how far it did not extend, has been an injury to fociety, when fuch a well timed and prudent exertion as is now pleaded for, might have preferved them, and made them ufeful and happy in life though, in point of prudence, it was out of the power of individual families to accomplish fo defirable a purpose. How bright a fun fhall enliven the evening of their days who may fave fuch characters from the disgrace and mifery of perpetuated vice.

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The writer of this paper has alfo known perfons of innocent and amiable characters, who, from unforeseen occurrences, from the mortality of friends, from bodily indifpofition, with a feries of calamities, have become deftitute of the means of fupport; and, from an incapacity to have recourfe to fuch employments as offered, and finding it impoffible to meet with, or not knowing where to apply for any suitable employment, have unavoidably funk into the most cheeriefs

wretch

wretchedness; and thus, by an accumulated weight of forrow, have been afflicted beyond expreffion, and funk, in deep defpair, into a state, both of body and mind, too pitiable to be defcribed; when the exertions of fociety, in only finding a fuitable occupation for them in the first preffure of their difficulties, might have rendered them happy and useful to the period of mortality.

It was at first intended to confine this addrefs to the ladies, in favour of thofe of their own fex, who might be in deítitute circumstances; wifhing, that however acceptable the pecuniary aid and protection of the men might be, females fhould have the privilege of appeal to females; and thinking it highly defirable that affairs of fo delicate and important a nature should be managed by a committee of females, and not referred to the other fex, as though women were not the moft fit and competent to the application of their own charities to their own fex. There is every reafon to believe that fuch an inftitution would flourish beft beneath the kind and foftering care of females; and that it would, without fubjecting them to any improprieties, fo acquaint them with the real condition of their fex, and fo call forth the tender affiduities congenial to their natures, as to produce, in the end, benefits to fociety that are at prefent incalculable.

The immediate intention of this paper is, through the medium of your valuable magazine, to excite the public attention to the fubject on which it is written, by engaging some of your readers in a correfpondence on it: by which means a plan may be ftruck out, that may be practicable for carrying the defign into effect. The writer has been intentionally very general in his propofal, left, immediately entering on the particulars of the plan, by which no individual in the kingdom, who wants fuitable employment, fhould be precluded from it, the great principle hould be loft fight of, in the first inftance, before the mind should be duly impreffed with it, and the attention be occupied in objections and difficulties which night arife about fome leffer queftions of particulars. The writer hopes he fhall not be difappointed in his expectation of engaging fome gentleman or lady in the propoied correspondence; and that no lady, who may acknowledge the importance of it, will be difcouraged from prefenting to the public her fentiments on the fubject. Nerveafile on Tyne,

April 4, 1799,

ΕΡ.

I

To the Editor of the Monthly Magazine.

SIR,

Have been always led to think, that local hiftories, comprehending topography, customs, manners, and commerce, might be made not only amusing, but beneficial to fociety. For this reafon I read, with much pleasure, the account that was given in your Magazine, of last month, of Norwich; and am encouraged to attempt fomething fimilar concerning Bristol.

The praife of fcience, whether it attaches to individuals or communities, ranks among their highest honours. To fay of any place, that its traders are rich; that fo many manufactures are established there; and that its ports are crowded with the fhips of various nations, founds indeed well on the Royal Exchange; but will not give lafting cele-. brity. Had it not been for the Academia of Plato, and the Lyceum of Aristotle, Athens, with its Piraeus, had long fince been configned to oblivion. like Athens, when the adventitious circumftances of trade fhall be forgotten, Bristol will be mentioned with refpect by the future hiftorians of literature and ge nius; and "Literis verbifque valuerunt,” be the juft encomium passed on its inhabitants.

So,

It has been remarked, that climate has great influence in the formation of the human mind. The region of Attica, we are told, was a rocky barren foil, remarkable for the extreme purity of its air-that of Boeotia, low and fertile, having an atmosphere laden with perpetual fogs: the Athenians, as might be expected, were fprightly, acute, and fcientific; while the Boeotians, like our Dutch neighbours, were fingular only for oppofite endowments. This feems, in part, to fanction the idea. And what is more natural to fuppofe, than that perfons, born amid wild and romantic fcenery, fhould poffefs grander conceptions, and be more alive to the fublime and beautiful, than those who have spent all their days on a level, monotonous, and uninterefting moor. If there is any truth in this remark, few places are better calculated ingenuoufly to affect the mind, and become the cunabulum of genius, than Bristol. The rocks and woods in its neighbourhood exceed, in magnificence, almoft every thing of the kind in this country; while the lofty and extenfive downs of Leigh and Durdham, the diftant profpect of the Severn and Wales beyond, with the nearer view of Weston,

Henbury,

Henbury, Clevedon, and Stoke, conftellated with villas, fill the mind with the, molt ferene fenfation of pleasure.

-neque enim pecori gratior ullo Herba loco eft: aptamque vides paftoribus

umbram,

To have fuch scenes prefented to the eye, is to read the fairest pages of the Book of Nature, and to experience the mind infenfibly opened to every thing refined and elevated. Such, at leaft, is their effect on fouls of fine fenfibility.The croud, immerfed in fenfuality, and blinded with the purfuits of avarice, fee these things with the fame indifference as the oxen that ruminate in their meadows. It was not with fuch difcrimination they were viewed by a Chatterton, a Mure, a Yearsley, or a Southey; names fufficient of themselves to refcue Bristol from the charge of dullness and infipidity; which character, fince the days of Savage, it has been too much the custom to attribute to this city.

poem on Alfred; in which Blackmore failed. The pen of the Poet Laureat is allo employed on the fame fubject. I hope one, at leaft, will be found to twine a wreath worthy the brow of that immortal prince and fcholar.

In the ftricter walk of fcience, the names of BowLES and SMITH, two promifing young furgeons of Briftol, deserve richly to be mentioned. Phyficians, like the wife politician with refpect to diforders of state, should bestow as much pains on the prefervation, as on the cure of difcafes. It is their duty to enlighten mankind, and guard the avenues of life from the encroachments of every morbid foe. This point, however, has not been much laboured by them; and the art of living judicioufly and well, has been locked up among the arcana of medical science. Dr. BUCHAN was the first person of any refpectability, who adopted a work of medical inftruction, to the comprehenfion of the world at large. It has proved more particularly beneficial, in having exploded the mischievous errors of nurfes in the management of young children; but has a tendency to make perfons too much their own phyficians. Dr. WILLICH, in his lectures lately published, has trodden fomewhat in the fteps of BUCHAN; but his work poffeffes this fuperior excellence, that it is calculated more to teach the prevention, than cure of difeafes. Every one who can read does himself injuftice not to perufe this work. Still, however, local and viva voce inftruction was wanting to further the fpread of medical knowledge and practitioners in every town in England would do well to follow the example of the aforementioned gentlemen, BOWLES and SMITH. They have inftituted anatomical, dietetic, and phyfiological lectures, to which they publicly invite perfons of either fex to attend. The most refpectable ladies of the city, waving every objection of falfe delicacy and take, have regularly vifited their lecture room; where they learnt the ftructure of the human form; the various caufes of infantine difeafes, arifing from the mifinanagement of nurses; and the rational way to adapt food to their tender organs of digeftion. To the intemperate they pointed out, with more than pulpit eloquence, the fatal effects of their indulgences, by prefenting to their view the fcirrhous and difabled organs of the drunkard. They accurately defcribed the process of its effects from the gutta rofea, to gout, atafarca, dropfy, and death: and, in many inftances, by this ftriking elo

Though I have mentioned a few names who have done honour to the place of their nativity, I would not wish to do this to the exclufion of others. The humble name of Bryant fhould not be forgotten; who, from a pipe-maker, became a poet; and has written, if not in the firft ftyle of excellence, yet more meritoriously than could have been expected from a person of his birth and education. A young man, that is now no more, of the name of Lovel, who, in conjunction with Mr. Southey, published a volume of poems, betrayed evident marks of a poetical genius. Briftol, perhaps, can boaft of one of the first Perfic fcholars in the kingdom, in Mr. CHARLES Fox, who is likewife an artift of confiderable eminence. An ardent defire of improvement in his profeffion of landfcape-painting led him, in the early part of life, to vifit the romantic fcenes of Norway and Denmark; through which countries he travelled alone and on foot, enriching his mind with every thing worthy of notice. This gentleman tranflated the poems of Achmed Arbideili; a work which has experienced a favourable reception from the public. In this enumeration it would not be proper to omit mentioning the name of a printer of this city, whofe name is COTTLE. He has not only, by the many valuable works he has published, raifed the reputation of the Bristol prefs, but is himself a poet, and a confiderable patron of men of genius. He is now engaged in writing an epic

quence,

quence-this argumentum ad hominem— effected a reformation which nothing elfe would have been able to produce.

I fhould not forget to notice alfo a literary furgeon, who has lately published a work of acknowledged utility. It is a treatife on those phagedenic ulcers which are fo apt to affect the legs of aged perfons; particularly if they have been in temperate. The cure of these had, according to the old practice, been tedious and uncertain; but the method of treatment recommended in this work, is at once effectual and expeditious. Its author's name is BAYNTON.

The lectures of BowLES and SMITH received the countenance of the celebrated Dr. BEDDOES; who, though not indigenous to Bristol, ought to be mentioned as a refidentiary ornament, and a promoter of every laudable undertaking. It is cer. tainly no argument of the want of public fpirit in this place, that 1200l. have been fubfcribed to build a chymical fchool, over which this father of pneumatic medicine is to prefide. In this he is affifted by a very ingenious young man of the name of DAVY, who is already known to the public as an author in chymiftry. Dr. BEDDOES is engaged alfo in another confiderable plan, for erecting a kind of pneumatic hofpital for the cure of pulmonary and other complaints. Toward this fcheme eighteen hundred pounds have been fubfcribed. Three thousand are neceffary to bring it to completion; neither will it be entered upon till that fum is enfured. A work entitled, "Contributions to Physical and Medical Knowledge," is lately published by the Doctor; it is meant to be continued as often as fufficient materials can be collected; and bids fair to become a very useful repository of medical facts.

The literary taste of Bristol is not a little promoted by the establishment of a public library; conducted, perhaps, on as liberal a plan as any in the kingdom: books on either fide of every question, whether of religion or politics, being freely admitted. A fubfcriber, at firft, pays five guineas for a ticket, which is transferable, and a guinea a year afterwards. It confifts of two fpacious rooms. The firft is divided on each fide into compartments, by means of screens that project from the fides, leaving an open space in the middle, in the manner of the Bodlean at Oxford. This room contains a valuable collection of ancient authors, left by the original founder. Thefe are not suffered to be taken out by the fubfcribers. The interior room, which is

more modern, and built by a patriotic fubfcription of the inhabitants, is equally fpacious with the other; but the books are difpofed of in a different manner; there being no lateral projections. A gallery furrounds all the upper part of the room, except on the tide where the windows ftand. The books here, which are more modern than thofe in the first room, are suffered to be taken out by subfcribers. A committee meet once a month to regulate the business of the institution. The chief librarian, who is the Rev. Mr. JOHNS, has a falary of feventy pounds a year, and a good houfe for his refidence. The sub-librarian is the well known and eccentric Mr. GEORGE CATCOTT, who was remarkable in his younger days for riding over five inch bridges, clambering fteeples, and exploring fubterranean caverns; fince then his name has made a confpicuous figure in the diffentions that have taken place among the learned, refpecting the authenticity of Rowley's poems. Here, contrary to the practice of his early days, he has taken his ftand on the terra firma et lata of common sense; and, in oppofition to the high encomiaftic flights of poets, and deep researches of antiquaries, pronounces Chatterton not the author of these contested poems, but merely a tranfcriber of them. Yet, in fpite of his obtufe difcernment on this point, CATCOTT is a man of fingular talents. For local memory, and powers of fpeaking and acting, (wherein he difplays as ftrong a conception as Garrick perhaps could himself) he is justly admired among his friends. As a tribute of respect to this last-mentioned excellence of his, the manager of the Bristol theatre gives him free admiffion to the rehearsal and play, whenever he chooses.

Perhaps there is no place in England where public and focial amusements are fo little attended to as here. From this circumftance, the inhabitants have been ftigmatized with a want of taste, and defcribed as the fordid devotees of Plutus. Another, and more plaufible reason may be alledged for this fingularity: no place contains, in proportion to its inhabitants, fo many diffenters. These retain much of the puritanical way of thinking, which prevailed in the days of the firft Charles. To attend theatrical representations, balls, card or mufiè parties, is to them worse than vanity: it is a vice. These common centers of attraction deftroyed, others are wanting to fupply their place, and to converge the fcattered rays of fociety. Union in abstract ideas of religion, is too weak

a bond

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