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THE

Scots Magazine,

AND

EDINBURGH LITERARY MISCELLANY,

FOR MAY 1809.

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SINCE

in

Beccaria on crimes and punishments, Chap. xli.

INCE the period at which Scotland first boasted of Napier of Merchistoun, who gave to the world the astonishing discovery of the Logarithmic calculations, an agreeable and extensive progress has been made every art or accomplishment which can heighten civilization, or tend to the embellishment of the human mind. This opinion, so trite, and which does not require to be elicited by any profundity of remark, but is familiar to the most superficial observer, applies to a great part of the European continent, and to Scotland as a part of Great Britain in particular. By a necessary consequence flowing out of our unmon

with England, we have become a commercial people, and are participators in that great system which has procured for Britain the dominion of the sea. While the most powerful efforts of human industry have thus been called into action, our love of and success in learning, has suffered no abatement. If it does not at this moment exist in all its ancient strength, it stands elevated and refined by the freedom of modern government, and by the nicer taste of the times in which we exist. So far then we are on a level with the most celebrated of our contemporary nations. Our progress in navigation and commerce has been rapid, and when allowance is made for the unhappy state of the world, we will be found at this moment to advance with giant steps, If our contributions to the stock of inventions for aiding commercial enterprise have not been many or brilliant, they have, when matured and acted on, produced the most solid and material advantages. These remarks on the national advancement of this country have been suggested to my observation by a discovery which Mr James Archer, a native of Edinburgh, has, by dint of genius and industry, lately given to the world.

Every person who has had occassion to be engaged in extensive pecuniary transactions, is aware of the evil which may arise from the issue of forged paper money. Many instances

have

have occurred to shew the extent to which this species of fraud may be carried by dexterous and designing persons, the necessity of whose circumstances, or the irregularity of whose desires may prompt them to the commission of a crime for which hundreds of lives have been sacrificed to the justice of the country. These are facts perfectly notorious, and while the benevolent man deprecates the evils thus produced, he will surely at the same time wish that some means were discovered by which this source of moral evil and personal inconvenience might be eradicated.

Actuated, no doubt, by motives such as these, and guided by professional skill, Mr James Archer, Engraver in London, has lately produced a specimen of a bank note, which, from its peculiarity of composition, shall prevent the possibility of a forgery. It would be needless to enter into a description of this invention, because, from the want of technical language, by which to express myself, I should only perplex or distort the ideas of the public, upon a specimen of art at once beautiful and pleasingly simple. Technical terms (even if I could use them) would certainly be mysterious to a great portion of those who may read this statement, and I need only quote from one of our best literary Journals, the Monthly Magazine. That work announces the invention thus: "The note may be comprehended at one glance, consisting merely of straight and waved lines, curiously combined, and forming a variegated tint, at once simple in appearance, and inimitable in execution, reconciling two principles naturally in direct opposition to each other." In a letter addressed to myself, Mr Archer observes;

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"You would perceive from the advertisement that several of the most distinguished artists have been consulted, whose opinions are decidedly in its favour. I shall, as concisely as

possible, state a few explanatory observations. The work is done by an instrument invented by, and known only to myself. The mathematical accuracy of the execution so far excels that produced by the common mode of engraving, that a striking difference would be evident on a single glance of the eye to one familiarized to the original. But the impracticability of copying machine-ruling by the ordinary process of engraving, is so universally admitted that it requires little to be said on it. No artist in London would make the attempt. The variation of line from straight to waved, and from waved to straight, not only increases the difficulty of copying by the usual mode, but effectually secures it against all imitation whatever, by any other instrument at present known. In the construction, I have particularly studied simplicity, avoiding every thing of a complex or picturesque appearance, that the eye might comprehend the whole, that it might be generally understood, and the forger deprived of the advantage of crowded labour under which to hide his difficulty.”

Were not the evidence so strong, and also the most satisfactory which is produced by the organs of sight, nothing farther would be necessary to convey a favourable idea of the invention, than this modest explanation by the author, I consider it as very complete, so much so, as to preclude me from advancing any thing else on the direct merits of the specimen. In the spirit of this intention, I will use Mr Archer's expressions in a letter of a more recent date than that already. quoted. In one part of this letter Mr Archer observes, that he is sensible it is unnecessary to "point out the frivolity of any objections which can be brought against" his plan. He thinks, that to those who have any fears as to the probability of forging his note, the most pertinent answer would be made by a proposal that they should atempt it themselves. "The import

tance

7

ance of the object" (he says) "made me very cautious in offering it to the public, but confirmed by the opinion of many of the best judges in London, I have reason to believe I should not be disgraced by its adoption."

Simplicity, in short, is the chief feature of Mr Archer's invention, and on this feature alone, I am certain that prejudice will attack and decry his proposal. The general opinion upon works of art is, that, in order to prevent facility of imitation, they should be intricate, and hid under some scientific quibble. In certain cases, the want of such a requisite would go far to destroy the merit of a proposal such as the present, but it does not at all apply to writing or engraving, and the attempt to enforce it can only be made by prejudice or misconception. It is with much satisfaction I can produce, in support of this opinion, the testimony of Mr Edmond Butterworth, a gentleman, who, while he is amiable as a man, is so distinguished as an artist, being the first person in Scotland who has executed ornamental writing upon a scientifically elegant, and rational plan. In one of his works published some years ago, that gentleman assumes, that were the construction of our bank - notes simplified, forgery would be rendered much more uncommon. Were not modesty in Mr Butterworth a quality, as remarkable as his capability to judge on such a subject, he might have asserted, that by the preservation of a systematic simplicity, the recurrence of a felonious imitation might be altogether done away.

Upon the principles which are so beautifully demonstrated by the enlightened and benevolent Beccaria, much applause would be due to that man who, in Britain, should prevent, or even check the progress of a crime, by which so many lives are lost to the state. And surely we will all concur with the Italian philosopher in declaring, that he deserves praise who

prevents the commission of evil, far

more than he who punishes the act after it has been committed. In this view, Mr Archer has "been very politely requested by a gentleman of Lincoln's Inn, connected with a society of the first respectability, who are preparing certain publications on legislative justice, to have" a description of his note, "inserted in the work." If Mr Archer's plan shall be adopted to any extent, he will then have the praise of usefulness in a very important point;-that of serving the essential interests of commerce, by protecting it from the influence of forgery, an evil so obnoxious to them. His proposal has been submitted to the inspection of the public for some months; he courts investigation, and has procured the complete approbation of a number of the most celebrated names among the ar tists of Britain. His labours are not liable to be smothered by the frowns, nor his honours to be estranged from the rightful owner by the childish ma. lice of offended or misplaced power: No booby Admiral or General need to fear that they can suffer by a comparison with Mr Archer, because his merits are of a higher cast than those incidental to the profession of that class of men, though not so commanding, nor so obvious to vulgar admiration. He is thus secured from those attacks which are often so shamefully successful. His merits are at the tribunal of public opinion, as it may be influenced by the probable effect of his efforts on the individual and combined interests of the people at large. Their judgments are often wofully bewildered, when the considerations of power or wealth interfere; but when their own immediate interests are submitted to their deliberative powers, they commonly decide with vigorous discrimination. This statement and remarks have been hastily composed, from the pride which I feel when I am an instrument in promoting an useful object.

Edinburgh, 25th May 1809.} Alex. Henderson.

Criti

326

Criticism on EXHIBITION of PICTURES for 1808.

SIR,

To the Editor.

IN compliance with my promise, I take up the subject of last year's Exhibition; and in attempting a description of what has now been so long removed from public inspection, must beg your indulgence, as I can be guided only by recollection, and the help of the old catalogue.

No. 1. George Watson.-Portrait of a gentleman, (Sir John Dalrymple.) -A well painted portrait; a good likeness, and agreeably coloured.

83. Ditto. Portrait of Bishop Hay. An excellent picture; of forcible and striking expression; but the drawing and colouring of the hands not equal to the other parts.

91. Ditto.-- A full length portrait of Lieut. Col. Stuart of Allanbank,A picture of very considerable merit, tho' somewhat whimsically represented, and coloured in a greenish tone; reminding us in some measure of Mr Fuseli's conceits.

3. A. Nasmyth.-Landscape; view of Stirling Castle.-An excellent picture, of great effect; the distance managed in a very agreeable and able manner. This view has been painted by various artists, and by some of eminence from England; but we have little hesitation in preferring this, in point both of truth and effect, to any of these we have seen.

45. Ditto.-View of Windermere; another excellent landscape.--The only objection we have to this, as well as to the preceding, is a rather too gay and florid style of colouring.

132. Ditto. View in Glenshira, near Inverary; a capital landscape. The scenery extremely bold; the trees, rocks, and water, all represented in this able artist's best manner. Water, in all its states and aspects, we consider to be the forte of Mr N.

32. W. Douglas.-Full length miniature of Mrs Boswell of Auchinleck, A pretty and highly finished drawing.

40. Ditto. Another ditto, Mrs Anstruther Thomson, ditto.-Both of these miniatures shew a sort of finishing, and a degree of labour, which puts us in mind of engraver's copies, rather than original pictures; still they are extremely prettily executed.

61. A. Carse.-Tent Preaching.A composition of great merit; well drawn, and tolerably coloured; the costume of the whole admirable. We parcularly admired an old gentleman in black, placed near the centre of the picture, full of fanatical fervour and whiskey.

101. Ditto.-A brawl in an alehouse.--Another performance of much merit. The miller, (the hero of the piece,) lays down the law in great style, but shews rather too much of his teeth.

68. Ditto.-The Chapman.- Mr C's best picture in this exhibition.The self complacency and cajoling manner of the principal personage, are admirably depicted; and the effect produced on the bystanders, is finely and characteristically pourtrayed.

149. P. Nasmith.-A view in Inverary park. We may perhaps be excused of dogmatism, or undue partiality, in calling this, (all things considered,) the best Picture in last year's exhibition. The drawing and colouring are both excellent; and the whole landscape recals to us strongly the works of Jac. Ruysdael and Hobbima; partaking strongly of the excellencies of both these masters.

76. W. Lizars.--The Earl of Buchan crowning Master Gattie.-A much better picture, by a very young artist, than, we should have conceived, the subject admitted. It is indeed ably and excellently composed and drawn, tho' on a very large scale, and extremely well coloured.

J. Henning. Some excellent portraits in chalk; one of Dr Carlyle in

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