Being afterwards tried and discharged, some philosophy and of a milder kind and having no possible means of ex- of government, and who nevertheistence, but in those courses in which less live in a kingdom where the he had been bred, he proceeded in wretched peasant is loaded with that which, in our country, is a regu- irons if he should dare to mow his lar occupation, and (like other pro- meadow, or to disturb his field, fessions) distinguished by a regular during the season of the coupling system and precise terminology. In and hatching of the partridges; where the course of many years of various success, he was at length had in pursuit for a capital offence by the whole pack, in full cry, of the blood-hounds of office. He now recollected the obligation to his old friend, saying, that the life which that friend had preserved was justly his due, and surrendering himself to that officer, and being in course condemned at the next sessions, he mounted the scaffold, and took the never-failing drop; happy, to his last moment, that his friend exclusively would reap the price of his blood!!

An Observer of the Signs
of the Times.

CHINESE CUSTOMS.

To the Editor of the Universal Mag.
SIR,

he is obliged to leave his vine to the mercy of rabbits, and suffer his harvest to become a prey to deers, stags, and boars; and where he would be sentenced to the galleys, if he had the boldness to strike, either with his whip, or with a stick, any of these voracious animals."

Such was the situation of the peasantry of France. The most abject submission and crouching servility were required of them. How different from those of England! From almost the first civilization of our country it was celebrated for freedom and justice. The peasant and the peer had an equal right to apply to the laws for redress of injuries. Nay, the king himself ventures not to exert undue influence in this land of liberty!While e'en the peasant boasts these rights

to

IN perusing the following, descrie-And let can venerate himself as man! lebrated French author, I was sensi- The English peasant could not bly struck with the superiority of our own highly-favoured isle.

boast, perhaps, the ruddy sparkling vine-juice in such great abundance as the French, but then he could boast of what was of infinitely more importance to his happiness. Wretched, indeed, must have been the lot of such men, who could tamely submit to have the dearest gift of life ravished from them by every proud titled knave, who chose to exercise his authority! Your constant reader,

AMATOR LIBERTATIS. London, Feb. 19, 1807.

"The king of Siam keeps a great number of elephants. Those of his palace are particularly taken care of, and have extraordinary honours paid to them. The meanest have fifteen slaves to attend them, who are constantly employed in cutting hay, and gathering bananas and sugar canes for them. The king takes so much pride in these creatures, which are of no real use, that he estimates his power rather by their number than by that of his provinces. Under pretence of feeding these animals well, their attendants will drive them into UT we can never get to the botgardens and cultivated lands, that they tom, because the empty space is may trample upon them, unless the infinite. But where did the atoms tirst owners will purchase an exemption come from? Why from infinite space from these vexations by continual above. But if they can never traverse presents. No man would dare to en- the infinite space below, 'tis impossiclose his field against the king's ele- ble they can have passed through the phants, many of whom are decorated with honourable titles, and advanced to the highest dignities in the state.

These things are revolting to our minds; and yet we have no right to discredit thein: we who boast of

PHILOSOPHICAL SPECULATIONS.

B

(Continued from page 120.)

infinite space above, therefore they never did pass through it. But supposing they did; they must naturally descend in parallel lines, as Polignac says, according to the nature of all bodies; especially as there could be

nothing to hinder it in empty space, tonians equally wanted it for their atand so nothing could be forined from traction, which, unless space be infithem. Oh but they had a certain nite, yes, and the heavenly bodies bending or inclination towards each infinite too, would bring on, in some other; and so the sun, moon, &c. years, the most horrible confusion were formed. But from what efficient and catastrophe. And what could they cause, means, or instruments did this find to fill up so much room except inclination, and bending their course they took Epicurus's vacuum, which towards each other proceed? Why was exactly big enough for the pur from the same that the Newtonian pose? For, as I read, the Newto course of the planets in vacuo, and nians assert that all the heavenly attraction; viz. they are all effects bodies attract each other, therefore, without any cause. And indeed the those that are near are attracted by Newtonian attraction seems evident- those farther off; and those farther off ly borrowed from the inclination of are still attracted and attract those that Epicurus's atoms to each other. De- are still farther off, and so on through mocritus, the philosopher, is said to infinite suns and planets, and through be the first that invented these atoms infinite space, and they prove it thus: and vacuum; but in order to remove If there were any bounds, say they, all impediment to his atoms joining to the succession of heavenly bodies themselves to each other, gave great one beyond the other, those that are part of them understanding and rea- nearest those bounds would be atson, which I am sure is what he tracted by those within side, but wanted himself. would have none to retract them on It is certainly vain to bestow too the outside; it would therefore hapmuch time in perusing the ancients; pen that all would be attracted to the yet some insight into their physics inside, and would in a course of time and metaphysics may be of use; for be all heaped together in one immense though they contain little besides Jump without motion and without such truisms as every body thinks he light-Oh horrible! But it is some understands without them, yet as they thousands of years ago that the old treat the subject of common reason philosophers found out that there is and sense with some regularity, and no such thing existing as a process to clear up a number of mistakes people infinity; and since Newton's time the are apt to fall into, some acquaintance most noted mathematicians have rewith them I cannot think amiss. They jected the same in regard of their say when any thing is said to be done, science also, a great victory of metaseven questions may be asked about physics over its rebellious servant it included in the sentence below. Mathesis. Besides, I would ask how which except they can at least be pro- it is possible that our sun should atbably answered, the thing is impossi- tract, or be attracted by the nearest ble, viz. Who did it? What was done? fixed star, which the astronomers say Where? By what helps, machines, is more than fourteen millions of or instruments? Why was it done millions of miles distant, when both In what manner? When was it done? consist of the most brilliant fire and

Although the frequent circumnavi- flame, which, so far from being attracgation of the earth having proved that tive, are repulsive in a very high dewe have Antipodes, must necessa- gree. I shall not ask by what means rily have disturbed and destroyed the or instruments this attraction is per everlasting fall of Epicurus's atoms, formed, for it must be something and all other bodies downwards, yet equivalent to ropes and pullies, which his infinite vacuum has some way es- I never saw attempted to be assigned; caped the same destruction; for in but was alway forced to be contented my opinion, the destruction of the with the general concrete noun at one involves that of the other, as the traction, which signifies only an abvacuum was made only for the sake of the atoms. This would certainly {have been the case, but that the New

stract notion. But to come to the point, I can but be of the opinion of those who attribute the weight of bodies to the pressure of the incum bent air, and in no wise to a general Cic. attraction of one body to another, and

* Quis, Quid, Ubi, Per quæ, Cur, Quomodo, Quando?

VELLEIUS PROFUTURUS.

Lord SOMERVILLE'S or the SPRING CATTLE SHEW.-Monday March 2d, 1807.

HIS was, beyond all question,

Tthe most interesting and impor

in particular to the overbearing attrac- air, is also equally heavier or lighter; tion of a great body to a little one; what weighs a pound therefore at one and the truth of this opinion seems time, always weighs the same at anoto me to be fairly and sufficiently ther. It also confirms my argument, proved by the common barometer. that the barometer also proves the gra To elucidate this, I must premise dual diminution of the weight of air that it is a general received rule, when carried upward by the mercury founded on many experiments, that in the long tube sinking more and more the mean weight of the air is equal to as the barometer is carried higher, a column of water twenty-seven feet which it does in so regular a manner in height; of which even the com- that it is generally used by geometrimon pump-makers are convinced, cians to measure the exact height of as they find it impossible to raise mountains, by comparing the height water higher by suckage, and there- of the mercury at the top with that at fore always take care to fix the box their foot: and it is manifest that if it of their pumps considerably less than were possible to ascend to such height that distance above the water of the that the mercury in the long tube dewell. Now as the mercury in the scended to a level with that in the rebarometer is about fifteen times spe- servoir abovementioned, every thing cifically, according to its volume, would there entirely lose its weight. heavier than the water; and the long tube wherein the column of mercury is observed to rise and fall according to the different weight of the atmospherical air at different times, being about two feet long, and so closed at the top, as to be impervious to atmospherical air; the mercury is therefore tant exhibition of the kind which the always at the height that it can be public has ever witnessed, on the foldrawn up to by suckage according to lowing grounds.-Two grand objects the weight of the air at the time; of the noble Lord's patriotic solicitude and the little air at the top of the were definitively proved: his Spanish tube being no ways affected by the sheep and lambs, bred in this country, atmospherical without, to which the have arrived at a form and size, proglass is impervious but not so to the gressively, which fully evinces the etherial, is encreased or diminished certainty of their emulating, in these according as the heavier or lighter respects, the best breeds of this coun atmospherical air presses more or less try; and in the opinion of an Italian on the mercury, which is exposed gentleman, who has lately visited the to it in the open reservoir below, and finest Merino flocks of Spain, those which makes the mercury near the which Lord Somerville has bred in top of the tube rise or fall. The England have improved in fleece, and greater or less weight of the air, there- in all respects, upon their Spanish profore, makes the mercury in the reser- genitors ranging over their native voir heavier or lighter proportion- soil. As to size, several of the pure ably, which is indicated by the rise Anglo-Merino wedders slaughtered or fall of that in the tube; the whole for the dinner, weighed upwards of weight of the air, therefore, consti- eight stone the carcase, and it is obtutes the whole weight of the mer- vious from the improving nature of cury, and consequently every thing our soil, the breed will continue to else; and although every thing weighs increase in weight. These, it ought niore or less at one time than another, to be remarked, were the heavie t according to the different pressure of Merinos ever slaughtered, perhaps in the air at the time: yet that is no in- Europe; and were the breed never to convenience, or even perceivable; reach a larger size, it would be far because, though a pound weight, for enough from a disadvantageous cir example, weighs more when the air cumstance. The rams were highly is heavy than when it is lighter, yet improved in form, and of full size to. whatever is weighed with it being get stock for any possible purpose, equally affected by the weight of the whether upon upland or marsh soil. UNIVERSAL MAG. VOL. VII.

2 T

The other object alluded to, is the est degree of handiness and docility. cloth manufactured from Spanish They certainly appeared too low in wool, the growth of this country: condition to be capable of that quanthis cloth, from the first, a beautiful tity of labour and exertion which they and durable fabric, and fit for any might otherwise be enabled to permarket, has progressively improved, form; and thereby hangs a question until the present exhibition, when of no little importance to the interests Lord Somerville's pattern was judged of husbandry. superior in fineness, and equal in sub- Amongst the English sheep, there stance, to the best which could be was nothing particularly noticeable, procured in the metropolis, manufac- except a very beautiful thorough tured from the highest priced import- shaped South-down belonging to Sir ed Spanish wool. Thus this great Thomas Carr. The Spanish crosses, question is finally at rest, and the Ryeland, and South-Down, were fine, Emperor Napoleon may, in future, the wedders slaughtered being full of issue as many edicts as shall please proof, and weighing from ten to him, against the importation of fine twelve stone upwards. Of the Mewool from the continent. The great rino rams sold and let by Lord SomerBritish staple will remain secure and unaffected thereby.

ville, five produced the sum of 830). three of them being sold for 500l. Of these, two were purchased by the Earl of Breadalbane for the use of his flocks in the Highlands of Scotland, and one by Mr. Duncombe, in York

The show was held at Sadler's Repository, Goswell-street, and the number of cattle, we think, larger than on any former occasion; the spectators, also, were very numerous, notwith- shire. standing the coldness of the weather; A printed paper was given out, and the place is extremely commo- containing the particular conditions dious; indeed, we think more so than on which Lord Somerville lets his the

other Repository where the rams; also an account exhibited of meeting was formerly held. The cat- the amount of his Lordship's clip tle in general were an excellent com- of Merino wool for the last year; modity for the butcher, none being being 3228lb. pure Merino, sold for excessively fattened, the pigs except- 4931. 13s. Od." The value of each ed, and held out a good grazing ex- Merino fleece being 11. 4s. Three ample; at the same time, it must be parts bred do. 17s. 10d. Half do. acknowledged, there was nothing to 14s. 21d. Ryland wool not included. attract particular attention, but the The pigs exhibited were, as usual, Merino sheep and another article or all of the squab species, and the gentwo. We flattered ourselves to have tlemen exhibitors, it is understood, discovered an improvement in the assume to themselves no small portion form of the Sussex oxen, which were of improving sagacity, in having disnot so flat and leggy as usual. The covered that this breed, so full of Yorkshire or Holderness cattle also meaning, is the handsomest, the best, made a good figure, and a heifer and and most productive of all possible cow of that superior breed belonging breeds, and that flesh, whether in to Lord Braybrook, were generally pork or mutton, is a mere expletive; admired. There was also a remark- and all this new light has been obably well-shaped Italian cow, small, tained cheaply, and without the troushort-horned, very fine in the bone, ble of one single experiment. Can and of great docility and temper, which fame and the best pork be enjoyed at had been fattened by Lord Somer- a cheaper rate?

ville; and a fine sized and well fed The judges appointed this year bullock, between the Indian and were, Sir John Sebright, Messrs. Devon breeds. A good cart stallion Frost, Walker, Norton, and Bond; was shewn from the hundreds of the two last, respectable butchers. It Essex, very likely to get useful, boney, is probable, that the patience and skill and well-shaped stock. A pair of of judges in this business were never full-sized Sussex oxen were exhibited before put to a severer test, not only in yoke,, and driven up and down the from the very numerous objects, but yard in the crowd, proving the high- the equal rights of so many; and far

ther, the various considerations to be dred guests, amongst whom were combined. According to the noble founder's instructions, due regard was to be had, in the award, to the quality, age, and food, of the animals, as well as to their size and weight; to the labour performed by the oxen, and to the fleece of the sheep. These gentlemen took a whole day for the performance of their task, nor did they conclude, until no light was left to direct their judgment.

many of high rank, both British and foreign. Prince Paul Esterhazy, Count Poniatowski, Baron Reventz, Count Reventz, Count Stahremberg, M. Cotenho, M. Smirnove, Duke of Argyle, Marquises of Sligo and Lansdowne; Earls of Bristol, Derby, Essex, Fortescue, Hardwicke, Macclesfield, Winchelsea, Selkirk, Cholmondley, Bridgewater, &c. Viscounts Sackville, Bulkeley, Palmerston, A considerable variety of agricul- Grimstone, Primrose; Lords Wm, tural implements was exhibited, Russell, Heathfield, Kinnaird, Crewe, which furnished a good deal of con- De Dunstanville, Grantley, King, versation. Gibbs and Co. had a very Braybroke, Elliott, Boringdon, St. fine collection of meadow grass seeds, John, Henry Petty, &c. Sirs John and also of those of the various win- Sinclair, Sebright, W. Curtis, R. ter cattle crops, yellow Swedish tur- Milbank, W. Leighton, D. Weddernip, Hungarian turnip cabbage, Man- burne, J. Carr, H. Cox, &c. The gel Wurzell, and thousand headed cab- Bishop of Landaff. Professors Warbage. This last is a new article from berg and Davy. Messrs. M. Burthe South of France, there called goyne, T. W. Coke, C. C. Westerne, choux a mille tetes; and from various R. Byng, Hon. S. Wortley, W. Lytexperiments, upon a considerable tleton, Hon. G. Elliott, S. Whitbread, scale, during the last year in Herts, H. B. Dudley, E. L. Loveden, A. Berks, Somerset, and the midland Young, G. Villiers, Col. Mitford, counties, promises to be a great acqui- Cullen Smith, Garrard, Wakefield, sition to the country. It has succeeded on poor hungry soils, both wet and dry, resisting the hardest frosts, and is very convenient to come at in deep snow, from its height above ground, proving also superior in point of quantity to the common cattle cabbage. Three gatherings are taken from it at different peroids, and it lasts until May.

Bridge and Parsons a variety of seeds, and a sample of successful spring wheat.

&c.

The toasts given were:-The King. The plough worked by good Oxeň. The illustrious strangers present. The fleece covering a good carcase with plenty of fat. The farming Societies of Ireland, and their worthy associate the Duke of Bedford. Husbandry and Commerce, and may their interests be inseparable! The judges, with thanks for the care and impartiality with which they had made their award. On which Sir John Pieces of the broad cloth manufac- Sebright arose, and in a very neat and tured from Lord Somerville's Anglo- handsome speech, on behalf of himSpanish wool were shewn, as has self and coadjutors, thanked the combeen stated, with a remarkably fine pany, assuring them that any errors sample of kersymere from ram fleeces: in their decision should be interpretalso a very strong and substantial ed rather to a defect in judgment, piece of cloth entirely from English than to a want of attention or imparSouth-Down wool. Mr. Tollet's tiality. Mr. Selby proposed the health broad cloth from Merino-Ryland and of Lord Somerville, which was given South-Down wool, obtained the ge- rapturously, and most sincerely on neral approbation of the trade: and all hands, with three times three! his sheep-skins dressed in various His Lordship, resuming the chair, glossy and beautiful colours, in imita- gave Professor Davy: Mr. Arthur tion of Spanish leather, were much admired. Mr. Tollet also exhibited an account of last year's clip of wool.

On the Tuesday, Lord Somerville gave his annual dinner at the Freemason's Tavern, to nearly three hun

Young: afterwards, the memory of those excellent husbandinen, the late Mr. Ducket and Mr. Culley.

Lord Somerville, on opening the award of the judges, adverted to the great difficulty which they had expe