31 42 April State of the BAROMETER, in inches and decimals, High Water at LEITU and of Farenheit's THERMOMETER, in the For MAY 1809. open air, taken in the morning before sun-rise, Morn. Even. and at noon; and the quantity of rain-water Days. H. M. H. M. fallen, in inches and decimals, from March M. 1 3 8 3 30 26. to April 25. 1809, in the vicinity of Tu. 2 3 55 4 19 Edinburgh. W. 3 4 43 5 7 Th. 4 5 31 5 57 Barom. Thermom. Rain. Weather. Fr. 5 6 24 6 52 March M. N. In. Pts. Sa. 6 7 25 7 55 26 29.45 35 45 0.05 Rain Su. 7 8 29 9 2 27 29.5 39 43 Cloudy M. 8 9 40 10 12 28 29.7 37 38 Ditto Tu. 9 10 45 11 13 29 30, 36 Snow W. 10 11 43 30 30.1 36 38 Cloudy Th.11 0 6 0 29 30.1 36 45 Ditto Fr. 12 049 1- 9 29.85 37 Ditto Sa. 13 1 28 1 45 30. 31 38 0.02 Showers Su. 14 2 3 2 20 30.05 29 45 0.01 Ditto M. 15 2 38 2 55 30.2 31 45 0.03 Snow Tu. 16 3 10 3 28 5 30.2 24 42 0.31 Ditto W, 17 3 45 4 3 6 30.1 49 52 Clear Th. 18 4 39 Fr. 19 4 59 5 21 8 30.2 45 58 Ditto Sa. 20. 5.40 6 3 9 29.95 46 54 Cloudy Su. 21 6 29 6 56 10° 29.8 43 59 0.01 Showers M. 22 7 24 7 57 11 29.62 38 45 0.05 Snow Tu, 23 8 29 9 2 12 29.8 28 45 0.01 Ditto W. 24 9 38 10 14 13 29.21 38 49 0.01 Ditto Th.25 10 48 11 19 14 29.15 33 0.05 Rain Fr. 26 11 50 15 29.61 34 47 0.011 Hail Sa. 27 0 19 O 47 16 29.55 32 Su. 28 1 14 1 40 17. 29.6.1.32 43 Clear M. 29 2 6 2 31 18 29.9 30 41 Ditto Tu. 30 2 57 3 21 19 29.8 31 46 0.2 Snow W. 31 3 45 4 9 9.8 29 48 0.04 Ditto 21 29.95 30 50 Ditto MOON's PHASES 22 30. 31 51 Cloudy For MAY 1809. 23 30.3 36 59 Clear Apparent time at Edinburgh. 24 30.49 37 61 Ditto 25 30.25 Last Quar. 6. S. 9. even. 43 45 0.02 Showers New Moon, 14. 11.47. mora. First Quart. 22. 1. 38. even. Quantity of Rain 1.381 Full Moon, 29. 8. 2. mora. 33 45 May 5. Duchess of York born, (1767.) 17. Princess of Wales born, (1768.) THE Scots Magazine, AND EDINBURGH LITERARY MISCELLANY, FOR APRIL 1809. Description of MELGUND CASTIE. the bed of the river Forth to the base THI 'HE remains of this ancient edifice of the Ochils, illustrated by a volu minous and very distinct Plan or Secare situated in the parish of Aberlemno, in Forfarshire, a little to the tion of those strata, done from actual south of the Esk. It is noted as ha. survey, and from the register of the ving been the property and ocasion: borings and workings for coal in Me al residence of Cardinal Beaton, who trict; communicated by Mr Robert Erskine of Mar's estate in that dis. makes so distinguished a figure in Scottish history. It afterwards be- Bald, civil engineer, Alloa. In this came the property of the family of the alluvial strata. In continuing the first part, Mr Bald treated only of Murray of Melgund and Kinninmouth, from whom it passed by marriage to subject, he is to illustrate it still furLord Minto, its present proprietor. rocks themselves. ther, by exhibiting specimens of the It has evidently been an edifice of very Mr Charles Stewart laid before the considerable extent and strength, tho' now in a state of ruin. The present in the neighbourhood of Edinburgh, Society, a list of Insects found by him is the first representation of it which with introductory remarks on the study has ever been given ; unor can belp being surprised at finding no that the neighbourhood of Edinburgh . mention of it in the Statistical account has no very peculiar insects, and but and other works relating to the to- few rare ones. The list contained apography of Scotland. We shall be bout 400 species ; which, Mr Stewart happy if any of our correspondents stated, must be considered as the most can more fully supply this want, by communicating to us any interesting common, as they were collected in the course of two seasons only, and with historical particulars respecting it. out very favourable opportunities. It wao produced (he added) merely as Proceedings of the Wernerian Natural zealous entymologists an incitement to younger and more History Society. At this meeting there were laid on AT T the meeting of this Society on the Society's table the first two vo 8th April, there was read the lumes 4to, with a volume of figures, of first part of a description of the Mine- Comte de Bournon's System of Mines ra Strata of Clackmananshire, from ralogy; presented by the author. Monthly we of entymology It would appear Monthly Memoranda in Natural His- tion a fact which may perhaps prove tory. useful to cultivators. In a garden at Lauriston I had several rows of very March 30. THE leaf-buds of the fine strong plants , which were earthed hawthorn hedges are up in Oct. last, in the usual way. I had in general bursting : in sheltered pla- likewise some rows of slips or young ces the leaves are expanded. plants, which were not in any way April 3—5. Sharp frosts on these prepared for resisting the frost. It days have put a stop to the progress now turns out that the strong plants of vegetation. which were carefully ridged up have 11. The cold still continues, all perished; while the neglected slips and to-day snow fell copiously. It have survived. It seems evident, melted quickly in the vicinity of E- therefore, that the earthing up of artidinburgh, but it lies deep on Pentland chokes is a bad plan ; and, instead of Hills. proving a protection, is in reality cal. --16: Heavy showers of snow culated to enable severe frosts to pené. and hail, with strong easterly gales, trate to the remotest fibres of the roots. have destroyed much blossom of the A slight covering of litter, without apricot, peach, and plum trees. The any ridging, will probably be found Wheatear(MotacillaOenanthe, which the best preservative. had made its appearance in this neigh It may to some appear a coincidence bourhood in the end of March, seems worthy of remarking, that it is, this now to have again left us, on account year, exactly a century since the ocof the renewed inclemency of the currence of the most memorable frost weather. Not one is now to be seen, of modern times, - that of 1709; -20. Above a dozen of Eider- when innumerable birds were found ducks, here called Dunters, (a rare frozen to death in our fields; when species,) were brought to market, ha- the intense cold extended even to the ving been accidentally entangled in south of Europe, and blasted the nets set for catching padles or lump- orange and olive trees of Italy; and fish in the Frith of Forth. when some parts of the Mediterranean 21. Hard frosts, especially Sea were covered with ice. during the night, continued almost without intermission since the begin P.S. CANINE MADNESS. In last ing of the month, have not only sus- month's memoranda we hazarded some pended vegetation, but have produced remarks on the proclamations lately à shrivelled and burnt appearance on issued on this subject, and the conse, the young leaves of many shrubs and quent dread and anxiety which agitaflowers; which the previous warmth ted the public mind. The authorised had, unfolded. Towards the end of persecution of the dogs (for such did April last year, we had several great the proclamations virtually prove) terfalls of snow, but the cold was not minated on the 14th April, Great nearly so intense as this year. has been the slaughter. The environs The effects of the uncommon seve. of the principal tan-yards in the neighrity of the past winter are now becom- bourhood may still be seen strewed ing evident in the flower-borders and with carcases stripped of their skins. in the kitchen-garden. Many peren. In a warmer season, the eMuvia from nial flower-roots which generally sur these might have proved not very convive in ordinary winters, have been ducive to the health of the inhabitants. killed; and many beds of artichokes, We may possibly have been unfortuand similar plants, have perished. nate in not acquiring the best infor. In regard to artichokes, I may men. mation ; but we must still say, that every instance of supposed madness in had accidentally slipped out to the our dogs since the beginning of March street, might then hope to have them last, (for we have not learned of any restored on payment of a small fine, inreal instance *,) might, we think, bestead of trembling to hear of their bedistinctly traced to the orders them- ing massacred by curriers or black selves of the Magistrates and Sheriff, guards ; and a temptation to habits of as its unintentional origin and cause. cruelty and of theft would thus be While we are happy to be able to snatched from idle, thoughtless, and make a statement so consolotary to profligate boys, some of whom have the relations of those few children and been known to be so bold in this iniothers said to have been bitten, we quitous traffic as to entice away dogs certainly do not intend any reflections from their homes with the view of on our Magistrates; on the contrary, slaughtering and Playing them. we give them praise for their vigilance We observe with sincere pleasure, and alacrity. Nor should it be ac- that a medical gentleman of this city counted detracting from that praise, if is endeavouring to call the attention of we venture again to suggest to them, the public in general, and of medical in the event of any future alarm,) people in particular, to the subject the propriety of an accurate investiga- of hydrophobia, --à subject on which tion as to the foundation of such re- every one talks with fluency and conports, before issuing any proclamationsfidence, while every one seems to be on the subject ; and the great expe- equally in the dark. To promote so diency of entrusting the execution of important and interesting an inquiry, their orders, when issued, to police- might, we conceive, be worthy of our men or other authorized officers only, city and county rulers, especially as and of absolutely prohibiting the in- they, and their predecessors in office," terference of all tanners and curriers, have, on different occasions, shewn and their apprentices, and of boys in themselves feelingly alive to apprehengeneral, under a penalty. Under such sions on this head, and laudably anregulations, the Magistrates? örder's xious to guard the public safety and might be equally well enforced, and health; and it is a subject equally dewould be as readily obeyed; while serving of attention and encouragethe inhabitants would be enabled to ment from the different literary and walk the streets without having their physical societies of this place. In feelings shocked by being compelled the mean time, Dr ROBERTON, disto witness the butchering of mastiffs playing no common zeal and liberality and pointers at every turn; the own- in behalf of the public weal, and of ers of harmless favourite dogs which medical science, has come forward as an indvidual, and through the medium of the newspapers, has offered an ho* If a single case of real canine mad. norary medal, in order to rouze attenness has appeared in this city, on this oc 6 I casion, and if real hydrophobia has, in tion and excite investigation : any one instance, or in any degree, been “shall (he says) till the 1st of July the result, may we not hope that, in next, at No. 12, Prince's Street, rethis seat of medical learning, such a case 6 ceive Essays or Observations on the will not be suffered to pass unheeded, * subject of Hydrophobia, marked with but will be minutely and accurately de “ the author's seal, accompanied by a tailed !--We expect, however, no such separate paper, sealed also with the elucidation, although physicians and sur * same seal, and inclosing the name of geons have attended the bitten; because we do not believe any real case has at 6 the author.. I shall then select a this time existed, or is likely yet to 'oc proper committee to examine these fur. eşsays, " after } " after the above period, and, accord According to tables recently publi ing to their decision, shall award a shed by the Prince of Lichtenstein, the “small honorary inedal, with an ap- population is estimated at 23,965,000. “ propriate inscription ; no paper in. We may suppose such an increase to 56 closing the name of the unsuccess to have taken place since 1792. “ ful candidate being examined, but The following is Mr Coxe's state“ remaining till called for."-Edinment of the army at different periods. burgh Star for 25th April 1809. Edinburgh, War establish N. 26th April, 1809. ment in 1673 60,000 1690 97,000 1735 150,000 Statistical and Military View of the 1745 270,000 AUSTRIAN Dominions. 1788 364,000 *НЕ , drawn Under the reign of Leopold the II. from various sources, may be in- it was composed as follows: Infantry, teresting at the present moment, when 39 German regiments, 9 Hungarian, a war, so deeply involving the interests 2 Transylvanian, 5 Walloon, 2 Itaof all Europe, has just broken out. lian, 3 Artillery, 2 Garrison, 17 The following list of the Austrian Frontier, in all 79, containing dominions and their population in 220,000 men. Cavalry, 11 regi. 1792, is given by Mr Coxe. ments Heavy Cavalry, 16 Dragoons Arcbduchy of Austria, divided and Hussars, and 1 Hulans, in all 28, into, 1, Austria below the containing 50,000 men. Ems, sometimes called The Prince of Lichtenstein esti. Lower Austria ; and, 2. mates the present regular army at Austria above the Ems, 271,800 infantry, 50,800 cavalry, and including the district of Burghausen, sometimes 14,840 artillery, in all 390,000. He called Upper Austria, reckons also an army of reserve of 1,550,000 Interior Austria, divided into 50,000 and a militia of 25,000, indethe Duchies of Styria, Ca. pendent of the Hungarian insurrection. rinthia, and Carniola ; the This last is very numerous. It has counties of Goritz and not been in the field since the wars of Gradisca, and the Littorale, or government of Triest, 1,600,000 saved the Austrian monarchy. Maria Theresa, when it repeatedly Kingdom of Bohemia, 2,700,000 Marquisate of Moravia, 1,100,000 The recruiting is supplied by the Austrian Silesia, 200,000 Military conscription, which was in Kingdom of Galicia and Lo. troduced under the auspices of Joseph domiria(dismembered from II. into all the Austrian dominions, Poland,) 3,000,000 except the Tyrol, the Netherlands, and Province of Bucovina (part of Moldavia,). the Hungarian territories. Each pro120,000 vince is divided into a certain numHungary, divided into Lower and Upper, 6,000,000 ber of circles, each circle into four Bannat of Temeswar, (now districts, every house is numbered, annexed to Hungary,) 700,000 and every family inscribed. Each Transylvania, 1,250,000 regiment is supplied by its peculiar cir. Sclavonia, 380,090 tle ; each of the four companies of the Croatia, .. 400,000 Military district on the Tur. regiment by its proper district, where kish frontier, 850,000 it is usually quartered in time of peace, No exemptions are granted, except to 29,750,000 the nobles, to families where there is only . |