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their health so strongly indicates,) or better taste in the general system. In gardening, every lively exhibition of what is beautiful in nature has a fine effect: winding walks, where the line of beauty is observed, are peculiarly pleasing; at every turn we experience increased pleasure, from the combined beauties of art and nature; and in this particular we remark the walks lately laid out, in this garden, which certainly do honour to the good taste of the projector.

ARNOT, in his History of Edinburgh, informs us, that when Dr Hope was Professor, he "represented "to the Lords of the Treasury, that "it would be much for the interest of "the country in general, and of the "city of Edinburgh in particular, that "a garden, of proper extent and soil, "should be made. His Majesty thereupon was graciously pleased to grant "the sum of L. 1330 1 2 for ma"king it; and, for its annual support, "the sum of L.69 3s. At the same "time, the Magistrates and town"council of Edinburgh granted the sum of L. 25 annually, for paying "the rent of the ground.

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"These funds, for the support of "the garden, being found insufficient, "and some improvements being necessary, application was made to the "Lords of the Treasury; and thereupon his Majesty was pleased to grant a sum of money for making "the requisite improvements, and an "addition of L.50 annually, for de "fraying the expense."

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Thus we learn, that in times that are past, it was only necessary to state these, our reasonable wants, at the proper source of supply, and that the boon was twice granted.

This garden, therefore, has an endowment of L.119. 3s. per ann.; no great allowance, it must be admitted, for such an establishment; but we cannot entertain "the shadow of a shade "of doubt," that in this liberal age, on a proper representation being pre

ferred to the Lords of the Treasury, or the proper source, that the income would be encreased, and that a suffi cient sum of money would be granted to carry into effect the improvements we are now about to suggest.

The Green-House is built on the old-fashioned, and now justly-exploded plan, covered with a slated roof; which of course excludes both air and light from the plants, and so becomes extremely prejudicial to their health. As light is admitted but on one side, the plants are drawn, or incline towards it, which materially spoils their shape, one of the most essential beauties. To remedy this radical defect, a glass roof alone is necessary.

·

To afford the requisite means also of keeping up a supply of Green house plants, a new green-house, (perhaps on a smaller scale,) is doubtless necessary: the shabby substitute on the south-side, placed amidst the rubbish of the garden, is certainly very bad, and endangers the safety of the plants kept within this miserable hut.

To produce an effect, Ruins are occasionally introduced in gardens: but as these are calculated to afford melancholy pleasures only, it is generally understood that they should not be seen from a flower-parterre, which is gay and cheerful. Contiguous to the green-house, to the westward, we discover a Ruin. If this is retained in its present situation to give effect to the garden, we certainly consider it a proof of extremely bad taste: if it is suffered to remain from sloth and indolence, we here strongly wish to shake off the lethargy from the manager, and to spur him on to action, and to have it repaired without loss of time; as it now stands, it is, indeed, both shocking and disgraceful. We recollect well, not above three years since, to have seen in a house, which is now transformed into this Ruin, a very fine plant of the Ficus Stipularis of Linnaeus, perhaps the largest in Britain; and with considerable

regret

regret we have been informed, that it actually died in consequence of the house not being repaired! Now that we are on this subject, we must to the above misfortune add, as our opinion, that an extremely fine specimen of the Laurus Camphora, a plant which we have not seen in this island, of such magnitude, will, in all likelihood, in the course of the ensuing winter, experience the hard fate of its old companion the Ficus Stipularis, unless the means are speedily employed to repair the very frail abode in which it at present vegetates.

Adjoining to the green-house, eastward, is situated the largest stovehouse in this garden; a portion of which contains a specimen of the Dracinea Arborea of Wildenow, nearly 40 feet in height, unrivalled for its excellence and beauty in Britain. That part of the stove which is occupied by this plant has been two or three times partially heightened, and attention to it is again demanded; else in the course of another year, or two at farthest, the beautiful top of the plant, pressing against the glass, being first injured, will in the next place destroy the glass, which a little necessary repair at present would completely prevent: Let the roof be raised while the weather is warm.

The stove towards the northern boundary of the garden, is constructed with a double bark-bed, and is certainly well adapted for the culture and preservation of young stove-plants, but it would be much improved by a new roof: here we remarked the Nymphea Cerulea, in flower, Brucea ferruginea, and some other equally rare and good specimens of thriving young plants.

We must observe the very injudicious manner in which the glass is fitted in the frames: each pane ought to cover the next one, perhaps, about one-eight part of an inch, not more : now, in this garden we observe onehalf, and in many places three-fourths

of an inch covered; and as that part is always filled up with dust, a considerable portion of light is thus excluded, and the health of the plants consequently affected.

On a late examination of the Botanic garden we observed some acquisitions of exotics, which appear to be thriving well; in particular excellent specimens of some of the PALMÆ; Chamarops humilis, Corypha umbraculifera, Phanix dactylifera, Cycas circinalis, and some fine plants of the Mimosa nilotica, or gum-arabic tree, most of which we have noticed in flower.Artists who teach drawing of flowers ought to avail themselves industriously of such a favourable opportunity of making drawings from nature of these rare plants.

The soil of this garden is by no means good: vast pains must have been bestowed on it to produce what has been done. The situation, which at one period may be admitted to have been favourable, is now indifferent, and is daily becoming worse, from the rapid encroachment of building, and the blasting effects of an Iron-foundry on the opposite side of Leith walk.We would also remark, that this garden is on far too contracted a scale; indeed from the manner in which it is already crammed with hardy shrubs and plants, it is utterly impossible, as it stands, to extend the collection. We would therefore suggest, that as the Meadows, or Hope-park, is now to be drained, application should be made to the Right Hon. the Lord Provost, Magistrates, and Council, for a grant of the western half of the meadows for the purpose of establishing the Botanic Garden. The variety and quality of soil, and the advantage of the adjoining common for the circulation of air, is very obvious, not to mention its proximity to the College.

As the argumentum ad judicium, it may be observed, that on the scheme now projected being carried into execution, the site of the present garden

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could be readily feued, for either streets or a square, at a very great price; indeed so much so, as in our opinion, even to warrant the Magistrates to carry forward the improvements, should it be found that "the powers that be” rejected an application to them for assistance, which we can hardly conceive likely to be the case.

Should this scheme however be considered as fraught with difficulty; or rather should no one be found disposed

to take some little trouble on the oc

casion, we would anxiously advise, as an improvement in the present garden, to grub up all the large trees on the west side, which would afford room for a collection of shrubs; and these we would recommend to be arranged agreeably to the Linnaean

system.

These hints we have presumed to submit to the notice of your readers, and we earnestly hope, that altho' they may not be productive of mach service directly, yet we trust that this discussion may stimulate abler individuals to prosecute the subject: and we may here add, that on enquiry we have been informed, that a sum not exceed ing L.1000, would accomplish all the improvements now suggested for the present garden.

"Other fine arts may be perverted, "to excite irregular, and even vicious "emotions; but gardening, which in "spires the purest and most refined pleasures, cannot fail to promote "every good intention.”

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Si quid novisti rectius istis Candidus imperti, si non his utere mecum.

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Edinburgh, Quoth, TIMON. 15 June 1809. T

6

Report by the Commissioners appointed under the Act, entitled, An Act concerning the Administration of Justice in Scotland, and concerning Appeals to the House of Lords, pursuant to

an address of the Hon. House of Commons, dated the second June, One thousand eight hundred and nine.

(Ordered by the House of Commons to be printed.)

THE

HE Commissioners, pursuant to an address of the 2d of June, presented to His Majesty by the directions of the Hon. House of Com

mons, do lay before the House an account of such proceedings as have been had by them under and in execution. tion of justice in Scotland, and conof the act concerning the administracerning appeals to the House of Lords. A warrant, under his Majesty's sign manual, dated the 2d day of Nov. 1808, appointing the Commissioners. under the Scots judicature act, was received in Scotland, by Sir Ilay Campbell, Bart. upon the 22d day of the same month. Immediately on its arrival, the Lord President of the Court of Session, the Lord Advocate, and Sir Ilay Campbell, being three of the lated a requisition, for assembling the Commissioners, subscribed and circupersons named in the commission upon the 30th of November.

missioners, held in consequence of this At the general meeting of the Comrequisition, which was fully attended by all the members then in Scotland, the Lord High Chancellor of Great Britain was appointed Preses of the Commissioners, and Sir Ilay Campbell, Bart. was named Vice-Preses, in order that he might preside at such meetings as should be held in Scotland. It was then further resolved, that, for methodising the business committed to their charge, the Commissioners resident in Scotland should divide themselves into three committees, to each of which should be referred a separate and peculiar department of the investigations prescribed by the commission, with instructions to report to a general meeting, so soon as they shall have collected the information necessary to en

able

able them so to report, a detail of the progress which each committee has made in the separate objects of its research and discussion, as hereinafter stated. It was thought proper to reserve the question concerning the introduction of the trial by jury in civil cases

neral meetings have also been occupied in receiving communications from their several committees, and giving directions for their procedure. (To be continued.)

into the law of Scotland, for the con- Monthly Memoranda in Natural His

sideration of general meetings only.And the Commissioners, on this important point of their duty, have held nine general meetings in Scotland, between the thirtieth of November One thousand eight hundred and eight, and the eighteenth of March One thousand eight hundred and nine. At each of these the introduction of the trial by jury in civil cases, its probable advantages or disadvantages, and the mode of engrafting it upon the Scottish form of law proceedings, have been considered. At the meetings of the twenty-eight of January and fourth of February One thousand eight hundred and nine, in particular, the Commissioners seriatim, and at great length, delivered their respective sentiments upon that matter; and Sir Ilay Campbell and the Lord Advocate having expressed their opinions in writing, lodged copies of the same in the hands of the clerk of the commission. But though the judgment of those Commissioners who reside in Scotland has been thus collected, it was determined that no resolution should be formed until the opinion of the English Com missioners should also be obtained.

At a meeting of the Commissioners, held at Westminster on the eighth of this month, it was determined, that the written opinions of the Lord Advocate and Sir Ilay Campbell should be printed and circulated (as they have since been) among the English Commissioners, for their consideration, previous to a subsequent meeting to be held pursuant to adjournment, and means were agreed upon for procuring for the English Commissioners, the sentiments, in writing, of the other Commissioners in Scotland. The ge

tory.

May 28. IN the afternoon it suddenly became very cold; the wind easterly, with rain. This change was rendered exceedingly striking to the senses, owing to the previous warmth.

29. A heavy fall of snow and hail has rendered the whole country around Edinburgh quite white.— The snow and hail continuing at intervals on the 30th and 31st, in some places, to the south of this, they lay on the ground a foot and a half deep.

June 1. The snow has been succeeded by violent rains, with strong easterly breezes. Such severe and ungenial weather has produced, at this period of the season, much havock in gardens, frustrating the expectations raised by many a fine shew of blossom.

12. Notwithstanding the unfavourable weather, strawberries were brought to market this day.— They sold at 8s. a-pint. The cultivation of this fruit is perhaps nowhere so well understood, or so extensively practised as in this neighbourhood.Some of our strawberry farmers have from twelve to twenty acres under crop. They water the crop regularly, especially when ripening off, by means of water-carts; and they send them to market on small waggons hung on springs.

15. Pease appeared on the stalls of the green-market, and were sold at 12s. per pint. After much rain, excellent dry weather seems to have set in.

17. New potatoes were exposed at the rate of L. 1. 4s. a-peck. Edinburgh, 22d June 1809.

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N.

Account

Account of FORFar Garden.

THE existence of a garden and flower-nurseries at Forfar, which, for the number, diversity, and rarity of the hardy plants cultivated in it, are perhaps scarcely to be surpassed in Britain, is a fact we believe, not generally known. We think it right to give it what publicity is in our power, both as a piece of interesting information to botanical amateurs, and of justice to the indefatigable exertions of the eminent practical botanist (Mr Geo. Don,) who, we understand, has surmounted many difficulties in following out his favourite pursuit, and in forming so extensive and curious a collection of living plants. The whole of the plants are of the hardy sort, Mr Don not possessing either green-house or stove for the protection of such as are tendef. It is in alpine plants, and in hardy perennials and annuals, that the Forfar garden excels. The garden is situated on a bank which slopes down to the Lake of Forfar, not far from the town; and it fortunately includes a great variety of soils, from dry sand to peat-bog. No place could be found more favourable for alpines and aquatics, which are in general found to be of rather difficult cultivation, but which flourish here as in their native habitats. For hardy herbaceous plants in general, the middle parts of the garden are well adapted. To give some idea of the extent of the collection, I shall mention the number of species of several genera which are at present actually growing in this garden. Of the genus Veronica, there are 55 species; of Salvia 50 species; Campanula 44; Allium 40; Saxifraga 46, including some of the rarest ones, as S. cæsia, petræa, rivularis, &c.; Dianthus, about 20 species; Cucubalus 13, being the whole ever cultivated in Britain; Silene nearly 50; Fumaria 14; the genera Ononis, Lathyrus, and Vicia, almost complete; Astragalus 40 June 1809.

species; Trifolium, no fewer than 60; Hieracium 44. It were needless to enumerate more. The botanist will form a due estimate of this collection on being only told, that he may here see upwards of 60 species of Carex flourishing in great perfection. The agriculturist may here find the whole of the hardy Gramina, carefully distinguished and arranged, amounting to above 100 kinds. This season Mr Don has introduced several hundred species of hardy plants, most of which, we are told, have never before been cultivated in Scotland. Among the rare British plants at present in flower in this garden may be mentioned the elegant little grass called Knappia agrostidea (Agrostus minima of Dr Smith); and the Holosteum umbellatum. Among the hardy exotics now in flower, the Panax quinquefolia (the root of which constitutes the famous panacea of China called ginseng,) is the most remarkable. There are certainly very few living specimens of this plant in Scotland; and we have not before heard of its flowering in this country. The Dalebarda fragarioides, brought from North America to France by Michaux, and only lately imported into Britain, has already found its way into Mr Don's collection. It is entirely a new plant, belonging to Icosandria Polygynia, and naturally allied to the Geums.-The Forfar Garden it must, however, in conclusion, be confessed makes very little external shew, being in a great measure destitute of the ornament which arises from neat alleys, with hedges or edgings, or well laid out and well kept gravelwalks. It is, in fact, merely an uncommonly excellent collection of hardy plants; and while it would doubtless fail to please the lover of tasteful gardening, it would as certainly prove highly interesting to the botanist and to the curious cultivator. Mr Don, we have been told, has an ample nursery of rare hardy plants, for which

he

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