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I HAVE just been the calm, observer

of a dispute, carried on with much acrimony, about the actual acreal measure of an estate, which has lately changed bands; which dispute originated from the following circumstances :

The recent purchaser, with a view of

satisfying himself that the purchase really included the number of acres in dicated in the deed, caused the whole to be re surveyed by a gentleman, whom he considered eminently qualified. The result of whose survey varied so materially from that of the person who had preceded him, as to occasion a very considerable difference in the estimated pur. chase-money. When the period arrived for the payment of the final instalment, the purchaser claimed an allowance to the amount of this difference. To sup port this claim he produced his own sur veyor's map; to which was opposed the map of the surveyor on the other side. Map thus opposed to map, and both being executed with neatness almost inimitable, left the parties so little to say, that, each relying on the accuracy of his own, and the ability and integrity of his own surveyor, it was mutually deter mined to leave the final decision to the surveyors themselves. The surveyors met; and it was soon made to appear that all this difference had arisen from one having given what he called the horizontal, and the other the hypothe nusal, or superficial, measure. It is alfpost unnecessary to remark, that each defended his own as the true method, and condemned that of his opponent as altogether erroneous-it was e converso, right and wrong, and an adjustment in this way became impossible.

The confession of my own incompetency, must be my apology for present ing you with this detail. If deemed eligible, its insertion in your invaluable Magazine is earnestly requested, as well as the following queries:→→→

1. Whether is the horizontal, or the hypothenusal, the right or saleable measure of lands?

2. Are there any circumstances under which one mode of mensuration is to be preferred to the other; and, if there are, What are they?

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Though many of your intelligent and professional readers may smile at these questions, it is hoped they will receive such a reply as will render it unnecessary to repeat them; it being obvious, that something is to be done to emancipate science from error, and to correct innoVIATOR.

vation.

Chapel-en-le-Frith,
Dec. 26, 1814.

To the Editor of the Monthly Magazine.

SIR,

read with great pleasure, in

your Magazine for December, Mr. W. Deacon's letter respecting coffee, and I take the liberty to point out to him, and to your readers, what I take to be an error, taken (if I understand rightly) from Le Spectacle de la Nature, and this respects the introduction of the coffee-trees from Java into Martinica, In the eighth volume of Labat's Voyage aux Antilles, is a certificate from the captain of the quarter, and some other public functionaries, with respect to the state of the coffee tree, then just introduced into Martinico from the Jardin du Roi, at Paris. I quote from memory, not having this or any books, on this side of the Atlantic. This, I think, was dated about the year 1720 or 1721. Lalat hopes, that the introduction of the coffee-tree may, in time, compensate for the loss of the cocoa-trees, which, from some unknown cause, had then recently perished. I have no means of getting at Labat here, but the book is not, believe, very scarce; and a copy of this certificate might interest such of your readers as have any curiosity on this question.

It would be desirable to learn from what part of the world the tree was procured that was presented by the magistrates of Amsterdam to Louis the XIVth, in 1714;—it is probable from the Levant.

A very respectable proprietor, at Demerary, is interesting himself in procuring for that colony, the Mocha coffee-tree, thinking that it will greatly improve the quality of coffee there. I am of opinion, however, that the differ ence arises more from diversity of soil, and, perhaps, difference of cultivation and curing, than from any difference in the seed; for I conceive it very likely that the origin of all our trees is from that quarter of the East. A few ripe berries of the coffee, taken out there, would, I have no doubt, easily germinate,

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and determine the question of superiority. To the Editor of the Monthly Magazine. Twenty-five years ago, or thereabout, I remember the Society of Arts advertized a gold medal for bringing home a certain quantity of coffee in the Cherry. I never heard if it was attempted.

1 observe that your correspondent states, on the authority of the House of Assembly of Jamaica, that, in 1808, the quantity of coffee there had increased to 28,000,000 lbs. I had been taught to believe it was much more. By the return for taxes of the United Colony of Demerary and Essequibo, it appears that the quantity of coffee, in the year 1810, was 21,139,920 Dutch lbs. to which adding 9 per cent. for difference of weight, it will make 25,000,000 lbs. and, if to this Berbice be added, for which I have no data, I apprehend the quantity stated, as produced by Jamaica, will be exceeded. It is true that this was a very productive year; it must, therefore, not be taken as an average: it is also true that it was a most roinous year to the planter-heavy expence was incurred to get in and prepare a large crop, and taxes were paid on a commodity which, when it came to market, was wholly unsaleable. The long dete riorated state of the coffee market, and the annihilation of the African trade, having put a stop to the cultivation of new lands in this colony, many coffee estates have, of late, been converted into sugar ones; and, it is probable, that the quantity of coffee produced in it will be considerably diminished. The torrent of prejudice that has been swelled, by every art in Europe, against the colonists on the subject of the slave trade, has borne down all before it, and it is vain for us to attempt to oppose it. Too many inducements yet exist to that cheap humanity that economical phi. lanthropy, which, exercised wholly at the expence of the fortaues and lives of ethers, brings home such ample and liberal returns of self-applause, and of mutual gratulation to its authors, for my feeble pen to oppose it; but the time is coming when it will be found that, in spite of all abstract reasoning, in the exact proportion to the facility or difficulty of procuring negro labourers, the colonies of all nations will flourish or decline; and neither kidnapping Chinese, or any other Eutopian substitute that has fallen within the scope of my observation, will supply their place.

AGRICOLA OCCIDENTALIS. Bath, December 19, 1814.

PERCEIVE in the last number of your Magazine, the notice of a new edition of Dr. Lettsom's Naturalist's and Traveller's Companion. I am not aware from what source your information has been derived, or from whom it has been obtained: I beg leave, however, as the subject has been brought before your readers, to state, that I have in preparation an edition of that valuable work, in which it is proposed to add an account of the recent discoveries in the several branches of science therein treated of, and this will be executed under the author's inspection. The publisher of any pirated copy will be immediately prosecuted. T. J. PETTIGREW.

Bolt-court, Fleet-st. Dec. 22, 1814.

To the Editor of the Monthly Magazine.

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N perusing the Latin classics, there are no synonyms which puzzle me more than the two verbs Invenire and Reperire. I have consulted the best authorities on the subject, I have exa mined Stephans, Faber, Facciolati, Ges. her, and other lexicographers, but with out success. Their distinctions are either vague, or proved by indisputable evidence to be false. I have also consulted Dusmenil, Hill, and Crombie, of whom the two first professedly treat of synonyms; but I have not received from them any clear and certain information on the subject. The last of these writers, in deed, in his excellent work the Symbola Critica, has shewn, that the explanation of these words, given by preceding au thors, is erroneous; notwithstanding, however, his extersive acquaintance with the Latin classies, and his acknowledged metaphysical acumen, he seems to me to have himself failed; for, though he has detected the errors of preceding writers, and evinced the probability that Invenire is the generic term, the specific difference between it and Reperire, he has not, in my judgment, clearly explained. If such Philologists have failed in investigating the real distinction between these two verbs, it will naturally be inferred, that their failure is owing, not to a deficiency in critical talent, but to the difficulty of the subject. If any of your classical readers can furnish a satisfactory solution of this difficulty, by doing so, he will confer a favour on

PHILOLOGOS.

Winchester, Dec. 24, 1814.

To

1815.1

Mr. Murray on the Detonating Balls.

To the Editor of the Monthly Magazine.

SIR,

81

iron, and exposed it to heat. The detonation of the ball was certainly accompanied with an inflammation of the gunrelate to next, on a thin deal

HE question respecting the Deto

the ignition of gunpowder, has not been satisfactorily answered. Mr. Banks' mis hap at Queen-square has been misrepresented, and made the ground-work of an attack against his good name.

There can be but one opinion as to the motive which induced Mr. Banks to come forward in the disinterested manner he did, as it does honour to his feelings: it was the defence "of an ingenious foreigner, then absent from the country." This speaks trumpet-tongued" in his favour. As to the mishap itself, one cannot but regret it. "Quem si non te nuit, magnis tamen excidit ausis ;" yet, the destructive canister held only three ⚫unces!

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The sarcasm contained in the paper to which I allude, is aimed against a teader point; it might have been spared. Is this the return? alas! that "a generous action should meet a base reward." The character of this respectable individual, as a tradesman, has nothing to fear from the puny assaults of a feeble mind. For myself, I can only say, that a finer electrical plate machine than that I have from Mr. Banks, cannot be desired, Its intensity and uniformity of action have been admired by numbers; nay, more, many have, on my suggestion, purchased electrical machines from Mr. B, who have uniformly expressed to me their approbation of, and satisfaction with them, tendering their acknowledg. ments for my recommendation.

From this digression, Lpass to assert that the experiments detailed in that author's paper are any thing but conclu. sive, and that he was not warranted to form the deduction he has done; we may collect even from his own account, that the results were equivocal, and being subject to variation, are incomplete and unsatisfactory; besides, the spark elicited from the collision of steel and glass, would alone be sufficient to in fame gunpowder; therefore the whole becomes nugatory. I have placed the detonating ball in contact with gunpow der, between two smooth boards: the gunpowder was uniformly dispersed, Dever ignited; merely crushing the ball will not inflame gunpowder; the collision obtaining between the glass ball and iron may.

My experiments with fulminating silver have not been many. I put one of the balls with gunpowder on a plate of

put about half a grain of fulminating silver and gunpowder together; the time elapsed prior to the fulmination was considerable, from the wood being a slow conductor of heat; but, when this did occur, as in the former instance, the gunpowder was ignited. I have considered it but justice to mention these particulars; but it does not follow from hence that without the aid of heat such effects would take place; all I contend for is this, that neither a detonating ball nor fulminating silver will, by mere compression, ignite gunpowder.

With regard to the definition of Fire, technically called the "igneous element," it is the product, according to the theory of Chrichton, of the union of calorie and light, therefore not an element. The electrical spark, whether produced by friction, or that modification of excitement the voltaic circle, is capable of exciting heat and flame, but it is questionable whether this element re sides in the agent acting on, or the material acted upon by it. Combustion is not the result of the union of substances with oxygen (according to the Lavoi sierian theory), for many bodies combine with it, not exhibiting this effect. It is the consequent of the rapid union of bodies in opposite states of electricity; and when their relations are changed, they become either supporters of combustion or inflammable bodies, as the relation may be. The two agents must be positive and negative with respect to each other: thus when sulphur combines with some of the metals, and potassium with arsenic; and chlorine, fluorine, and iodine, are entitled to the appellation of supporters of combustion," as well as oxygen.

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From the tenor of Mr. Banks' observations on that day, it is evident, that he embraced a philosophical definition of the term "fire," and did not regard the subject through the perverted medium of vulgar prejudice or popular error.

I would not be mistaken-I applaud the Interdict which the magistrates of the metropolis have passed on the sale of the detonating balls to incautious individuals. A child e. g. might put one of them into its mouth, the consequence would be dreadful; if swallowed, the issue would be fatal. The force of these remarks will be readily admitted by Mr. Banks; all that he contended for, (as I

presume)

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SIR,

IN

duty of persons in public offices to resist by every means, the introduction of that evil, which is for the present fortunately removed. So far P. P. is correct, but I am surprised that a writer in a public print should suffer himself to assert as a fact, without inquiry, or any foundation, a circumstance totally false, as that "When you take the good old copper to the Mint, you are given weight for weight in the last new coinage, so that you do not get above seven new half-pence for nine old;" the contrary is the fact.

I can assert from my own knowledge, and I appeal to the principal brewers of London, for a confirmation thereof, that when persons, possessing old Tower halfpence, carry them to the Mint; and after examination they are found free from counterfeits, the proprietors receive the full value in drafts on the Bank of Eng land.

N page 428, vol. xxxv, I find a Poem, translated from the Swedish, entitled "The Child of Sorrow;" may I request you to peruse it with attention, and then to say, whether there is no resemblance between that and the Poem of Parnell's "An Allegory on Man." In my humble opinion there is. I would wish to be understood that it is not my intention to insinuate that the learned translator has been guilty of plagiarism, as I am confident, from the original productions I have seen from his pen, that he stands in no need of borrowing from others. Would Mr. H. inform me the author's Dame ? I beg also to observe, Mr. Editor, that To the Editor of the Monthly Magazine. there appears no common similarity, between the following lines of Aaron Hill's, and a stanza from a hymn in use of the Romish church.

"When Christ, at Cana's feast, by pow'r divine,

Inspir'd cold water with the warmth of wine,

See, cried they, while in red'ning tide it gush'd,

The bashful stream hath seen its God and blush'd." Vide AARON HILL. Compare the above with the following.

"And since the harden'd Jews mistook Both Beth'lem's star, and Jordan's brook; The waters, to reproach their sin, At Cana blush, and turn to wine." The title of the above hymu is "Cru delis Herodes Deum;" it is to be found in a book called "A Manuel of Prayers and Devotions," printed 1705; one of which, bearing the autograph of Lord Langdale, is in my possession. Cambridgeshire.

H. G. R.

To the Editor of the Monthly Magazine.

STR,

CANNOT permit the misrepresen

Dec. 2, 1814.

SIR,

J. C.

FRIEND, under the signature of

AFM his remarks on the high

price and restrictions on the importation of grain, inserted in your last number, page 496, alluding to a small pamphlet

published about two months since, on the Effects of Lowering the Rent of Land, and on the Corn Laws, says, "that I have endeavoured to prove that lowering the rent of land would very little affect the price of grain: and that, if the rent were lowered ten shillings per acre, calculating the average produce of wheat at twenty-five bushels per acre, it would not be more than five pence per bushel." This I. K. grants, the tenant to grow wheat five-pence but adds, "if the land-owner enables per bushel lower, and the labourer, the wheelwright, the blacksmith, and every other artificer and tradesman, works for the farmer so much lower than he now can do, (by paying so high for provi sions,) as equals five-pence per bushel for each of them, how many five-pences per bushel may the farmer afford to sel his grain (wheat) lower?"

Now, from the manner in which the

Itation of P. P. of Newington, in your question is asked, many of your readers

last publication, on the subject of copper coinage, to pass uncorrected. I agree with him, that, unless the present opposition to receiving counterfeit copper money and tokens, is well followed up, base imitations of good copper money will be forced into circulation; and that it is the

will naturally conclude that a reduction of ten shillings an acre in the rent would enable the farmer to sell his wheat a considerable number of five

pences per bushel lower, and the public in general will be confirmed in their prejudices and erroneous opinions on the

subjec

1815.]

Mr. Booth on the High Price of Corn.

subject, and discontent excited, particularly among the lower orders; and, as the author has not stopped to give an answer himself to the question, I shall not scruple to do it, by answering that, instead of the farmer being enabled to sell his wheat at a considerable number of five-pences per bushel lower, in consequence of the lower rate of wages at which the labourer, wheelwright, blacksmith, &c. could afford to work for him, owing to such reduction in the rent of land, he will not be enabled to sell it at more than one-tenth part of one five-pence per bushel less; the truth of which will be shewn below.

It is demonstrated, in the pamphlet mentioned above, that lowering the rent of land ten shilings per acre, would only produce a saving of two farthings per day to the labourer, manufacturer, mechanic, artificer, &c. It is therefore evident, that it would not produce any reduction in the rate of wages, or in the price of the implements with which they supply the farmer; and, were he to inform them that he expect ed they should lower their wages, and charge him a less price for his carts, ploughs, &c. on account of their savings of two farthings per day, owing to the lowering the rent of land, it would only excite a laugh amongst them, and they would think him scarcely in his senses, that he should expect them to lower their wages on account of these contemptible savings. With respect to all his domestic servants, male and female, it has likewise been demonstrated, that the savings to them would be only about one shilling per annum to each servant, In fact, the farmer would not be bene fitted at all by his work people, &c. obtaining wheat at five-pence per bushel cheaper in consequence of the rent of Jand being lowered.

To ascertain, however, how much per bushel lower the farmer could afford to sell his wheat, (but which, surely, must be an idle task, after what has been shewn above,) supposing wages to lower in proportion to the savings to the labourer, &c. owing to the rent of land being lowered; and these paltry savings not to be divided between the workmen and the farmer, but all to go into the latter's pocket, though, in reason, they ought to be divided, if a workman would accept of a moiety so perfectly insignificant.

Suppose then a farmer grows 100 cres of wheat annually, and the wear MONTHLY MAG. No. 265.

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and tear of his implements employed in its culture, including fifteen per cent. per annum on the value of the labour in the first cost of them, be equal to 80%. per annum, and the expence of labourers. employed in the said culture, exclusive of the labour of all his domestic ser. vants, be 701. making 150l. an ample, allowance. Suppose then, the raw material, and the duty on it, be equal in value to the labour of the mechanism in forming the implements: then the half of 80%. added to 70l. makes 110l. which is the value of the labour. Now, sup pose the wages of a labourer, mechanie, &c. be equal, on an average, to 158, per week;-it has been proved that the savings per day to the labourer, &c. by procuring wheat five-pence per bushel cheaper, owing to the rent of land being lowered, is only one half-penny, orth part of his wages; therefore, 110%. divided by 30, gives 3l. 13s. 4d. the savings of the farmer, equal to nine. pence per acre, or one-third part of a penny per bushel, not one-tenth part of one five-pence, as stated above. Besides, the farmer, as well as every other pers son, would have additional taxes to pay, to make good a considerable deficiency in the public revenue, which would inevitably be produced by lowering the rent of land.

Those who are acquainted with agriculture know, with certainty, that, if a farmer were to pay no rent, his other. expenses being the same, he could not grow corn at the present prices.

The real and sole cause of the high price of provisions, and of all other articles, are the destructive wars that have been waged within these last forty years, and which have involved the country in an overwhelming debt, and a load of taxes scarcely supportable. Though nations will never profit by experience, individuals will. The next war will most assuredly teach stockholders, or those who lend money to carry on wars, the folly of such a prac tice. The invention of the funding system is one of the greatest curses that ever afflicted mankind. Its evils are incessant and eternal, while others are of a transitory nature. Raise the supplies within the year, and wars will be less frequent and shorter; while the funding system renders then more fre quent and of longer continuance.

To expect the prices of corn and other commodities to be low, while the country is struggling under a load of

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taxes

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