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Mr. URBAN,

July 9.

I'Laws of England, and almost every

T is rather remarkable, that the

civilized nation, should be averse to Duelling; and it is still more remarkable, that amongst civilized nations alone this absurd practice should exist. Those who adopt this mode of settling differences in defiance of the law, I well know, have too little sense remaining to be dissuaded from the custom, by any arguments against its impiety; but I am surprized that gentlemen do not banish such a practice, when they see it so frequently resorted to by the vulgar; for it is a well-known though ludicrous circumstance, that many shopkeepers have lately given and received challenges in imitation of gentlemen!

It becomes an imperious duty for the Legislature to enact a law to check this vice, as the existing acts are by no means calculated' to do this effectually. The growing evil will never cease to be a torment to society, till we have some such summary mode of punishment as the following: viz. That if two persons escape from a duel with their lives, they should both be confined in a mad-house, since the motive which they fought from is to be considered as nothing but temporary madness; and, lest their paroxysm should again break out, this confinement should extend during the term of their lives: and in the event of one of the combatants falling in the field, the murderer should in every case, and under every circumstance, be hanged.

Yours, &c.

Mr. URBAN,

H

S. H. C.

UMANITAS, who in Vol. LXXX. p. 508, manifested his philanthropic anxieties in behalf of the opulent Blind in this country, will be highly gratified to know that those so long-neglected sufferers will very soon be enabled to avail themselves of the full extent of the benefits derivable from the ingenious and successful inventions of M. Haüy, by whose arrangements at Paris, almost thirty years ago, the blind were taught to read, write, correspond with their distant friends, and by those means acquire a familiar acquaintance with arithmetic, algebra, mathematics, music, geography, and the rudiments of

science generally; whence any blind subject, who happens to be gifted with such a mind and such genius as a Sanderson or a Blacklock, may be enabled, like them, to arrive at the greatest academic honours.

The Publick will soon be in possession of the particulars of an Institution which is preparing for this hu mane purpose under the patronage of a Prince of the Blood Royal, in the vicinity of the Metropolis, where blind pupils of both sexes are to be instructed, not only in the beforementioned branches of learning, but in such other acquirements as are calculated to qualify them for partak ing of and contributing to the general enjoyment of a polite circle. Cards, chess, draughts, back-gammon, and even dancing, both minuets and country dances, they are represented to be capable of acquiring a profici ency in, under a well-digested system of education, applicable to their several cases, and the variety of circumstances by which the mode of treating them must necessarily be governed.

In addition to the means of acquir ing learning with which it is intended to possess them, and the various accomplishments by which they may be enabled to enjoy life in many of the varieties with which it abounds, the pious part of the community will exult and be glad that considerations of far greater importance than either are not to be unheeded; but that, through the medium of the Gospel, they are to be made sensible of the way which is open to them for enjoying in a future life an ample reparation for the want of every blessing which they may not have been made partakers of in this. Yours, &c.

Mr. URBAN,

STANLEY.

T is remarkable this year, that

different parts of the kingdom, particularly in the county of Norfolk; where it is observed that almost all the Planes are destroyed. Can any of your Correspondents inform us, through your valuable Magazine, the real cause of the decay of the Plane Trees?

Yours, &c.

I. A. R. LITERARY

LITERARY INTELLIGENCE.

We understand that Mr. RUDING'S History of the COINAGE of this Kingdom and its Dependencies is in such forwardness, as to afford reasonable expectations that it will be ready for the Press about the latter end of the present year. It will contain an Historical Account of our Coins, digested in the form of Annals, from the earliest period of authentic history, to the end of the fiftieth year of his present Majesty. In a copious Introduction will be given notices of at least 140 Mints, which have been worked under the authority of our Monarchs; together with the manner of working them, the methods used' to supply them with Bullion, the duties of their respective Officers, and various other matters necessary to be known for the better understanding of various facts which will be brought forward in the History. The Conclusion will point out the numberless errors with which our Nummary System has been clogged, and which have for some time entirely impeded its motion; and an attempt will be made to correct them, and a Proposal for a new Coinage, upon a plan which may possibly prevent that systematic destruction of the money which has so long prevailed, will be submitted to the judgment of the Publick. An Appendix of original papers will be added. This work will be illustrated by about 120 Plates of Coins, which will form a series extending, with but little interruption, through a space of nearly 1800 years. An Elevation and Plan of the newly erected Mint will also be given.

A Translation of HUMBOLDT'S "ACcount of New Spain" has been announced as in the Press, and nearly ready for publication. This valuable Work comprises researches into the Geography of Mexico, the extent of its surface, and its political division into Intencancies; the physical aspect of the Soil; the actual Population, state of Agriculture, manufacturing Industry, and Commerce; the Canals which might be carried from the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean; the Revenues of the Crown; the quantity of Metals which has flowed from Mexico into Europe and Asia since the discovery of the New Continent; and the Military Defence of New Spain and will be accompanied by Physical and Geographical Maps,

:

founded on Astronomical Observations and Trigonometrical and Barometrical Measurements.

The Rev. THOMAS REES being prevented by numerous and urgent avocations from proceeding with the "Familiar Introduction to the Arts and Sciences," some time ago announced by him as in preparation; the Rev. J. JOYCE has, at his particular request, taken up the plan, and has already made considerable progress in the work. It will form OneVolume duodecimo, and will be illustrated by numerous Wood Cuts and Engravings.

A Third Edition is announced, in One large Volume in twelves, of LONDON; being a complete Guide to the British Capital; containing, in addition to the Antiquities of this Metropolis, an account of all the new Establishments and Institutions, Commercial, Literary, and Scientific; Charitable Foundations, &c. &c. Interspersed with a variety of original Anecdotes, Eccentric Biography, Critical Remarks, &c. &c. Faithfully abridged and improved from Mr. Pennant's London, and brought down to the present year, 1810. By JOHN WALLIS.

Mr. RUSHER of Reading having, since the publishing of his Catalogue for the present year, purchased the Library of the late Dr. CURTEIS and Mrs. CALVERLEY, and some smaller Collections of curious Books; he intends offering them to the Publick in a Second Part of his Catalogue, which will appear about the beginning of September.

The Publick will soon be favoured with "The Value of Annuities, from £1 to £1000 per annum, on single lives, from the age of one to ninety years, with the number of years' purchase each Annuity is worth, and the rate of Interest the Purchaser receives for his money; and also, for the inform ation and convenience of the profession, and of executors and administrators, the amount of the several rates of Legacy Duty payable on the value of each Annuity: under the authority of WM. CAMPBELL, Esq. Comptroller of the Legacy Duty.

At the Sale of Mr. WINDHAM's effects, the matchless copy of HOGARTH'S Works (bequeathed to him by Mr. GEORGE STEEVENS) was knocked down to Mrs. WINDHAM at 292 guineas.

1.

A Fortnight's Ramble to the Lakes in Westmoreland, Lancashire, and Cumberland. By Joseph Budworth, Esq. F. S. A. Author of "The Siege of Gibraltar" and "Windermere," Poems. Third Edition. Embellished with a Portrait of William Noble, Esq. 8vo. pp.

one chapter (which was no credit to it), is nearly the same; only parts of it have notes branching from them, in which there is much extraneous matter, such may come under the head of Miscellaneous, or Drossiana. But, in whatever shape it is received, it will be found built upon Truth. There are but 250 copies struck DEDICATION, prefixed to this off; as it is only published to be kept entertaining Volume, accounts alive; and emolument is so far from a for the Portrait in the front, of " the consideration, that the sole expence rests Friend of Man." The "Ramble" with the Author, which is already settled originated in a wish expressed by for; and the entire sale shall go to a chaMr. Noble to visit his Native Coun-rity [the Manchester Infirmary] in his na

413.

A

try; and he was most willingly accompanied by an excellent Friend, who expresses his obligations with a delicacy equal to its energy:

"It will be seen," says Mr. Budworth, "that it is not one of those catchpenny conveniences in which Editions are multiplied, at the expence of one conspicuous leaf; and likewise, that it hath experienced a sufficient sale to authorise a resurrection.-Having closed the Tour in August 1792, as many copies were sold, in less than six months from the making of it, as cleared me of every expence whatever; and many inaccuracies staring me in the face, I stopped the sale, had the remaining copies disfigured, and made an exchange of them at a celebrated Literary Repository in Cockspur-street; by which I had the satisfaction of balancing a famous military trunk for my labours, and of thinking they are still useful, and rambling over the four quarters of the globe. "A Second Edition came out in 1795, revised and improved, as expressed in the Preface to it. The sale was slow, but progressive; and most probably it would never have gone afresh to the press, if a dreadful Fire had not consumed the extensive premises of the Printers; when, out of an impression of 1000 copies, more than 500 perished.

"After such a visitation, when the Fire had scarcely left a wreck, I considered my Ramble to have been extinguished; but, understanding from some Booksellers (and other channels) that it was in request; and having a life of leisure, and not being able to make those manly excursions, which were my delight, but never fatigued-the Influenza of 1803 having so humbled me, that the least exercise wearies more than the severest used to do;-I have been consequently forced upon mental resources; and I thank my God that past rambles, and military reflections, can furnish materials, which tend to lessen the calamity, and foster resignation under it.-Considerable additions are introduced into this Book; though the Ramble, with the exchange of GENT. MAG. July, 1810.

tive town, the funds whereof, it is an imperious duty to remark, are not commensurate to its boundless and healing utility. J.B."

The first Edition of this Work was reviewed in vol. LXII. p. 1114; as were the improvements in the second, in vol. LXVI. p. 134.

In our Review of the first edition, we foretold that it would go through others; suggesting at the same time that a few passages might with propriety be omitted. And it is pleasant to observe that these hints were received with very polite attention.

Of the third Edition, it will not be necessary to say more than that, by a careful revision of the Author, it is considerably improved; and to notice some of the new articles.

Most of the chapters are introduced by a few lines of original poetry, of which the first may serve as a specimen :

"More than a life of Errors mine hath

been:

Yet, if I write one thought the least obscene,
May my young oziers perish! and may I
Detested live, and unlamented die!
For works which fine-spun subtilties im-
part
[heart;

Fill with the wildest germs the trembling
Mislead the sense, deteriorate the mind;
Like serpents sting, and leave a slough
behind.
[shun:

Ye generous youths, such specious monsters
Who treads the flow'ry path is half un-
Fly their fallacious haunts while strength
done.
[remains,
And from thy bosom cast the magic
[to view,

strains,

Whose Cyprian shoals, so fair and soft Make wrecks of minds-and reputation too."

In many of the additions Mr. Budworth is very animated; and particularly when expressing his feelings on viewing some recent encroachments at Molesey, which was for a considerable time his favourite residence.

A most

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"So, often angling by the sullen Mole,' Have museful moments o'er my senses stole,

And, blest association, ever new,
Felt that my cottage home would hear it

too.

Thus midst enchantment pass'd the livelong day,

And I could listen half the night away.

"Dear, peaceful Molesey, ever in my mind Thou shalt a niche of Recollection find; Her showy meadows, and elastic air, Which, Thames, (in common) thy lov'd borders share.

While Philomela, with unrival'd song,
Pours from her swelling breast her stores

along;

And other nightingales responses join,
Filling th' enraptur'd ear with joys divine.
Or, when oft wand'ring on the downy
Hurst*,
I've heard the rich-the sweetly-thrilling

[burst

Her fields luxuriant in autumnal grain,
Bending beneath the plenty they contain;
Her stacks of riches, and the num'rous
sheep,

Which to the wether-bell due order keep;
While the Old Shepherd toddles to his
tree,

Attended by his cluster'd family:

Then

"The spirit of inclosure has reached this once beautiful Level, and a large slice of the Hurst is embraced within a pleasure-ground. An immense grove which towered over the country, and was the safe and sacred haunts of nightingales and turtle-doves, has fallen to the rude axe;' and if the natives do not lament the destruction of that venerable Aviary, the poor Fawns, scared from their antient home, may, as Dr. Dalton says, 'In twilight shade of (other) thickets mourn;' for there are few trees left in thatpart of the country, to receive either nightingales or imaginary deities, and nothing so soon drives them from a country as the axe; the nightingale is capriciously alive to innovations, and I know several situations they have entirely deserted. This reverse about Molesey was only heard of while this proof-sheet was under correction; and though they may wear the character of improvements, A Rambler could never be made to think them so."-[All the trees in the grove there, however, we may add, are not cut off. The landlord felled 20, which made so large an opening, that 20 more were blown down the first great wind; or fell for grief at losing the companions of their youth. EDIT.]

"The being so much alone undoubtedly gives a kindly tone to a shepherd's countenance. Old Nicholas Hill was forced, from violent rheumatism and age, to give in; and he was succeeded by Cann, who, in the prime of life, suffers heavily from the same complaint; and who, like the old man, has a face as placid as one of his flock. Hill was taken by my predecessor to milk and toddle,' as he called it, about the premises; and when past this little labour, the Author had the satisfaction of seeing him as comfortable as the aged poor can expect to be: and the poor fellow did not give up until prevailed upon to give rest to his weary bones. I frequently sat with him, and, questioning him about his religious principles, found an almost impenetrable deficiency. I felt it a Christian duty to talk with him, and open as easy a path as possible, without puzzling him his attention was salutary, his gratitude repaid me. In due time I went with him to the altar: he trembled violently; on replacing him at his seat, the agitation continued, his arms bendingly extended, and with such a look, he thanked me, that his face and figure appeared impressed with the comfortable banquet he had partaken, and he would have been an angelic subject to a Raphael; as he would an earthly one to Morland or Barker, could they have seen him when a shepherd under the Great Tree upon Molesey Hurst. I purposely kept a few days from him, in order that the mind might be gradually restored. I then called, and the following was his answer to my enquiries: Why, Sir, meonly well: I slept out Sunday night better an he have done a power of years; but my auld peans stick all over me as fast as ever; and yet, Measter, I bear um better, an I will bear um. I bin trying to think, and pull out of my head all the wicked things I ha said an done since I was a man. I never rightly thought on um before, or that um were half so many. I am meonly sorry an grift for um: I hope God will forgive me do you think he will, Measter?' As I only went to speak comfort, I had no difficulty in doing it; and as he scarcely afterwards ever left his room, except in a few years to go to his house of clay, let us hope he took his departure with the resignation of a good and faithful shepherd.-N. B. The farmers and their families are regular church-goers; but as divine service is only performed at one, and then only a short afternoon service with a sermon, and being their dinnerhour, it is worse attended by the poor than in any parish I was ever at; and though forcibly exhorted by the Clergyman, there seems to be an hereditary defalcation in

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Then underneath its foliage recline,
Pull out his scrip, and with contentment
dine.

Her wealthy yeomen, an industrious race!
For cent'ries past, the heir-looms of the
place:

And husbandmen so wedded to their soil,
Who ne'er have chang'd their village or
their toil;
[abound,
Rough children on their humble hearths
And ripe old age with healthful wrinkles
crown'd.

:

"The Thames, majestic! flowing by her side, [glide Where num'rous swans in stately freedom Midst patience in a punt,' and barges gay,

And fill it with such salutary charms,
Old age but strengthens what reflection

warms.

"Oh, sweet Simplicity! thou gen'rous maid! [rural shade; That deck'st with matchless charms the Thine is the gift to live and laugh with

ease,

And, like thy Parent Nature, ever please."

Old BobPartridge, who acts as guide, as boots, postilion, and boatman, at Windermere, is a character worthy of being transmitted to posterity with fame,-perhaps not with so much as his namesake the Almanack-maker; but with this difference, John's immortality was per force—Robin's at his own naked desire.

[play;

Move when they move, or in meanders
The willow'd Aytes their annual nests
contain,
[main.

Where undisturb'd the mother-birds re-
The little Mole, which lingers through her
fields,

To many mills proverbial plenty yields;
So grieves to leave them, she forsakes her
bed,
[head t.
And in the Monarch's bosom hides her

"And when gay Clifton passes in re-
view,

With features rich as ever Nature drew;
Say, why should we our little Mole pre-

fer?

It is th' unfetter'd quiet reigning there;
And something more, which grooving in
the mind,

In home occurrences we always find.
The robins, blackbirds, and the very poor
That glean'd (when times were hard) around
[THY SOUP;
The pans and pitchers smoaking with
The grateful faces of the half-starv'd

the door;

group.

To see the urchins on THY steps await,
And run and struggle who should ope the

gate;

share,

While ev'ry tiny being held a bar,
Eager the copper'd wealth, or smiles, to
[night,'
Flinging their naked heads to wish good
And whisp'ring ev'ry answer with delight:
Then run a field a head to meet again,
Another nodding blessing to obtain:
Such, and the like, still clinging to the
heart,
[part;

(We shall take an early opportunity of re-
suming this agreeable RAMBLE.)

2. A Trip to Coatham, a Watering Place in the North Extremity of Yorkshire. By W. Hutton, F.A.SS. 8vo. pp. 317; Longman and Co.

THIS worthy Veteran intimates that "perhaps this may be the last time he shall appear before the world as an Author." We hope not; and the ground of our hope is, that we discover the same lively, intelligent, and cheerful powers in this work, which have so often amused us in Mr. Hutton's more juvenile volumes -if that phrase can be properly applied to one who began to be an author at the age of fifty-six, and now, at the age of eighty-five, has given so striking a proof of undecayed faculties, and undiminished curiosity

and information.

The Trip to Coatham, which our Author has twice performed, appears to have been suggested by his daughter, whose health, as well as his own, rendered something of the kind necessary; and he writes "because, being pleased with what he saw, he wished it might please others," which we have little doubt will be the case with all who prefer a simple, neatlyvaried, and lively narrative, to those more prolix and studied details, in

Can never-never-from my mind dethis material concern; and which, from some occasions that came under our notice (besides old Hill's) we had reason to deplore. A resident Pastor should, on the seventh day, be in every village in the kingdom; but, alas! such is not always the fashion; and secession from the Established Church is the frequent and melancholy consequence; besides the many points held out in a moral sense, and which are ignorantly broken, by being habitually accustomed to make a day of rest-a day to idle about and do as they please."

"Aytes are small islands formed from sand-banks."

+"The Mole rises in Surrey, and, after running two miles underground, most fantastically winds and figures about, never quitting the County, and enters the Thames just below Hampton Court Bridge."

Robin's Epitaph has been already printed, in our vol. LXXVIII. p. 1056. EDIT.

which

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