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Royal Institution,-Queries to Correspondents.

pleasant, takes off the edge of reproof, gives a sanction to its sentiments, reflects a lustre on the virtues of the persons who possess it, and makes them more accomplished as men, as Christians, and as philosophers."

The author's observations in this little work, do not enter deeply into the latent windings of the human heart. They are rather pleasing than profound, and are better calculated to be useful, than to excite wonder, or to command admiration. Many of his remarks, however, are not destitute of novelty, and these can hardly fail to recommend themselves to the friends of Christianity, because they blend the principles of politeness with moral excellence, and connect them with the fundamental doctrines of the Gospel.

NEW ROYAL INSTITUTION.

We learn with much pleasure, that it is in contemplation to establish a Royal Society of Literature, under the immediate auspices and patronage of his Majesty George IV. The following is an outline of the plan that has been published.

Royal Society of Literature, for the encouragement of indigent merit, and the promotion of general literature. To consist of Honorary Members, Subscribing Members, and Associates.

The Class of Honorary Members is intended to comprise some of the most eminent literary men in the three kingdoms, and the most distinguished female writers of the present day.

An annual subscription of Two Guineas, will constitute a Subscribing Member. Subscribers of Ten Guineas, and upwards, will be entitled to privileges hereafter mentioned, according to the date of their subscription.

The Class of Associates is to consist of twenty men of distinguished learning, authors of some creditable work of literature, and men of good

moral character; ten under the patronage of the King, and ten under the patronage of the Society.

His Majesty has been pleased to express, in the most favourable terms, his approbation of the proposed Society, and to honour it with his munificent patronage, by assigning the annual sum of One Hundred Guineas each, to ten of the Associates, payable out of the Privy Purse; and also an annual premium of One Hundred Guineas for the best dissertation on some interesting subject, to be chosen by a council belong ing to the Society.

Ten Associates will be placed under the patronage of the Society, as soon as the subscriptions (a large portion of which will be annually funded for the purpose) shall be sufficient, and in proportion as they become so. An annual Subscriber of Ten Guineas, continued for five years, ¡or a Life Subscription of one Hundred Guineas, will entitle such subscribers to nomi

nate an Associate under the Society's patronage, according to the date of their subscription,

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The Associates under the patronage of the King, will be elected by respected and competent judges. The Associates nominated by subscribers must have the same qualifications of learning, moral character, and public principle, as those who are elected, and must be approved by the same judges.

Every Associate, at his admission, will choose some subject, or subjects, of literature for discussion, and will engage to devote such discussions to the Society's Memoirs of Literature, of which a volume will be published by the Society, from time to time; in which Memoirs, will likewise be inserted the successive Prize Dissertations.

From the months of February to July, it is purposed that a weekly meeting of the Society shall be held; and a monthly meeting during the other six months of the year.

To foster and cherish the interests of Literature, is an action worthy of a British Monarch. This Institution will form a true monument of national greatness. Such displays of Royal munificence will tend more to crown the name of His Majesty in the eyes of Europe and posterity, with unfading laurels, than the conquest of provinces, or the most brilliant victories obtained by powerful fleets and armies.

QUERIES TO CORRESPONDENTS.

1.—Inquiry respecting Books. W. S. being desirous of a thorough acquaintance with the history and antiquities of his own country, and of the southern countries of Europe in the middle ages, would feel obliged by some correspondent favouring him with

1. A list of useful and necessary books.

2. An account of the languages necessary to be learnt, (besides French, Greek, and Latin,) with the method of obtaining an acquaintance with them— together with any such introductory information as may be deemed necessary.

2.-On Mutual Affection.

G. A. would be glad to know if it be probable, that mutual affections, particularly established between kindred spirits, in time, will be perpetuated in eternity, between the same individuals?

3.-On Witches.

P. J. would be obliged for any rational observations on the real or imaginary power ascribed to witches; on the source of their power, admitting its existence; or, if imaginary only, on the cause of an opinion so prevalent in former ages?

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Queries.-Literary Notices.-Commercial Report.

7.-On the Physical Effects of Sin. The same querist, G. B. asks, Whether sin has superinduced any new principles into the soul of man, or has only disorganized those which he originally possessed?—and if the latter, from what source sprang envy and malice?

8.—On Burying in Churches.

F. R. asks, Whence arose the custom of burying in churches? and, Whether the practice of thus mingling the dead with the living, is not contrary to the usage of nations, detrimental to the health of mankind, and offensive to God?

Literary Notices.

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Reasons for admitting the Divine Origin of Revelation, By Joseph Jones, M. M. 12mo. 2s. 6d.

A Prospectus has been circulated of a new Periodical Religious Magazine, conducted by Members of the United Secession Church of Scotland, entitled the Christian Recorder and British and Foreign Religious Intelligencer; the first number will appear in January.

miliar and Practical Essays, on Important and Interesting Subjects. By the Rev. William Sleigh, price 2s. 6d.

In the press, and speedily will be published, Twenty Fa

The Philosophy of Painting, in one volume, octavo, by Wolstenholme Parr, Esq. is in a state of forwardness, and will be published in a few weeks.

L. Towne has in the press, and speedily will be published, The Farmer and Grazier's Guide, containing a valuable collection of Recipes, for the most common and fatal disorders to which Horses, Horned Cattle, and Sheep, are

farmers of the land.

subject, both tried and approved of by most of the great Part Second of the Farmer's Directory, and Guide to the Farrier, Grazier, and Planter; with the Domestic In

structor; (by Mr. L. Towne,) has just been published. Tales, is now before the public.

No. 9, of the Bee, Fireside Companion, and Evening

COMMERCIAL REPORT, DECEMBER 21, 1820.

A GLANCE at the Prices Current annexed, will announce to those least conversant with mercantile affairs, that we are arrived at a most interesting crisis in Trade. Every article of foreign and domestic produce is obtainable at rates, which are discouraging to the importer, and bringing nothing but loss to the home grower. True it is, that the value of money is much altered and enhanced; yet not in the same ratio, to the depreciation in foreign or domestic produce. A re-action, in our opinion, must ere long be the consequence, and we look with some degree of confidence, for a decided improvement.-Still, our hopes for this desirable event, are directed to the Legislature, who we trust will take the state of our foreign affairs into serious consideration so that our intercourse with other Powers may be fixed upon a basis of reciprocity and mutual benefit. Hitherto, we have no commercial treaty with any of the European powers; (with the exception of Portugal) yet, on the examination of many eminent men before the Committees of Parliament, it did appear, that some concessions on the part of Great Britain to the other Powers, would be attended with many signal benefits to our commerce and manufactures. The following is a rapid, but a correct sketch of the proceeding in our market during the past month. The transactions in Cotton have been on an extended scale, and the market has closed with a trifling improvement in the price of Uplands. The chief part of the purchases have been made for consumption; except in Brazils, some business has been done on speculation. The depression in this article, during the last year, has been so constant and continual, that speculators have been deterred from investing their capitals therein. The demand for the home trade is both regular and extensive, so that an improvement may be looked for, unless the arrivals should prove larger than expectation.

The sales of Sugars have been rather inconsiderable, and no variation of price has occurred. In Coffee little has been offering; a large cargo of Java Coffee from Batavia direct, has been landed, and will be exposed to sale as soon as the shipping season commences. The Grocers supply themselves with the occasional small public sales which take place-the prices are about 5s. per cwt. lower than those noted in the last month.

In Molasses, Cocoa, Ginger, and Pimento, there is nothing to remark.
The Spirit Market is flat and heavy, and the dealers purchase very sparingly.

American Produce is generally in fair request. Little business is doing in Naval Stores, owing more to want of supply than demand. Turpentine sells at 10s. per cwt. Tar is scarce, and readily commands the extreme quotations. Carolina Rice of good quality is very saleable. Pot and Pearl Ashes are moving out of the market, at improving prices-the supplies, which are all arrived, fall short of those received last year. Quercitron Bark has no tendency to decline.

Oils, with the exception of Olive Oil, are very dull. Fish Oils still give way. Sweet Oils vary little in value, but do not sell freely. Several parcels of Palm Oil, daily expected from Africa, have been sold to arrive at 351. a 361. per tun.

Dyewoods continue neglected. The demand for Tallow is somewhat better.

The crops of Flax in Ireland have this season been very abundant. Best Belfast, of fine quality, will obtain 55l. to 56l. per ton.

The supplies of Timber from British America this year, have been very large, yet the vessels having now nearly all arrived, the total supply is ascertained, and we should not be surprised at seeing this article take a sudden start.

Corn Market. The supplies of Irish Grain, though considerable, go off very freely, so that no stock accumulates here. Wheat brings the annexed quotations. Barley is rather scarce. Oats have given way a little. For Bonded Flour and Wheat, the stocks of which are abundant, there is no demand. Some new American Flaxseed, of excellent quality, has arrived, branded 1821; it is to be sold by auction, on the 26th instant. American Clover-Seed is expected to command about 70s. a 75s. per cwt. in the Spring, and is likely to find ready sale.

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Prices Current.-Exports.-Imports, &c. &c.

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RUM, gallon, 16 O. P. 28. 4d. a 2s. 7d
Leewards, common 1 7
BRANDY, Cognac.... 30

West India, ordinary.. 123 a 127

MAHOGANY, foot,

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St. Domingo ...... 1 5 Cuba (none at market)1

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HIDES, b. Bu. Ayres 0 8

List of Vessels Arrived. From West India & Bri-7

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-SUNDRIES.-Liverpool, Dec. 21. FLOUR, best, sk.240.388.0d.a428.0d seconds........34 0 36 0 OATMEAL,sack 2401.30 0 POTATOES, 90th..... 1 FRESH BUTTER, 160z 1 HAY, old, 20 lb....... 0

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Liverpool Imports, from 22d Nov. to 21st Dec. Sugar B. P. 1046 hhds. 4 tce. 4 bls:-Brazils, 136 cases, 326 bls.-East India, 250 bgs.-Coffee, B: P. 57 csks. 33 99 bgs.-Java, 4025 bgs.-Cotton, W.India, 346 bales.-American, 2315 bales. -Brazils, 8476 bags -Rum, 38 hhds. 265 punchs. 1 esk-Brandy, 8 punchs. -Geneva, 125 pipes.-Lemon Juice, 22 casks.-Wine, 112 hlids. 327 pipes.Mahogany, 257 logs.-Rice, 1500 bgs. 77 csks. Flour, 7725 bris.-Ashes, 2116 bris.-Tar, 1050 bls.-Turpentine, 2198 brls.-Tobacco, 682 hhds.-Quer. Bark, 58 casks.-Madders, 60 casks.-Madder Roots, 50 bales.-Hemp, 380 bandles.Flaxseed, 200 casks, 725 bags.-Cloverseed, 25 bags.-Hides, 767 bales, loose 3761.-Iron, 2475 bars.-Tallow, 1028 csks.-Sumac, 3379 bags-Brimstone, 162 tons.-Saltpetre, 3358 bags.-Olivé Oil, 32 pipes.-Raisins, 1183 brls.. 703 baskets, 4215 bxs. 456 frails.-Oranges and Lemons, 4177 chests and boxes.Cod and Seal Oil, 1019 csks. 38 brls. Corn, Wheat, 1795 qrs. 241 bags.Barley, 900 qrs.

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Ireland and Coastways. Corn, Wheat, 20930 qrs. 342 tons, scks.-Oats, 12238 qrs. 61 tons, 56 scks. -Barley, 44 qrs. 77 sacks.-Meslin, 62 qrs.-Beans, 1260 bls. 93 bags, 903 qrs. Rye, 28 qrs.-Malt, 897 qrs.-Peas, 134 qrs. 3 bls.-Vetches, 18 qrs.-Bran, 124 tons, 600 barrels.-Flour, 377 tons, 1161 bags, 887 scks.-Oatmeal, 94 tons, 42 scks. Butter, 19940 frks. 97 kegs. Pork, 1302 bls.-Beef, 1226 tcs. 540 bls. -Bacon, 218 bales, & csks.-Flax, 784 bales and bags.-Tow, 3 bales.-Linen Cloth. 212 bales, 470 boxes.--Whiskey, 100 punchs.-Cows, 832.-Pigs, 1422Sheep, 1040-Horses, 4.

Foreign Gold, in Bars......£3 17 104 Portugal Gold, in Coin........3 17 6 New Doubloons

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...3 15 0

Silver, in Bars, Standard......0 4 114

Rates of Insurance.-Liverpool.

To Africa and back.. cent. 6 guineas. Brazils...... 30s a-s.

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IRISH FUNDS.-Dec. 16. Government Debent. 34 cent,

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Ditto at sight, 12: 4. Antwerp, Course of Exchange, in London, Dec. 15. 12: 8. Ex. M. Hamburg, 37: 8: 2 U. Altona, 37: 9:0 U. fort on the Main, 1544. Ex. M. Madrid, 364. effect. Cadiz, 36 effect. Barcelona, 35. Gibraltar, 30. Leghorn, 47. Genoa, 44. Venice, Italian Liv. 27. 60. Malta, 45. Naples, 381. Palermo, 115. Lisbon, 49. Oporto, 49. Rio Janeiro, 53. Dublin, 74. Paris, 3 days' sight, 25: 70. Bourdeaux, 26: 0. Amsterdam, 127 C. F.

PRINTED BY H. FISHER, LIVERPOOL, PRINTER IN ORDINARY TO HIS MAJESTY.

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MONTHLY OBSERVATIONS, With a Catalogue of all really British Plants, as they come into flower.

FEBRUARY.

THE general character of the weather in this Month, is much more variable than that of January; for though at times the thermometer may mark as great a degree of cold, it is of shorter continuance, and with more considerable intervals; whilst thick mists, rain, and high winds, render it unpleasant to such as, from business, are compelled to expose themselves to the air. Animals, however, and particularly the inhabitants of the air, find the benefit of the change; no longer pinched with cold, they are able to search with vigour after the worms, slugs, and insects, which now begin to ereep from their hiding places; and hence, they derive so much strength and spirits, as, before the end of the month, to resume all the alacrity of Spring; and their joy is expressed by commencing their long-forgotten song. The music of birds, it is well known, is an acquired language, for though each species has a song peculiar to itself, it is only because each succeeding race has been carefully instructed by its progenitors; and if the young of one kind be brought up by another, they acquire the song of their foster parent, without any mixture of the notes of their own species. What ideas we may suppose the feathered race to affix to the notes they so profusely utter, is a curious subject, of which, perhaps, by attentive research, more might be discovered than philosophers have suspected. It appears that the largest bird that is known to sing, is the Holly Thrush, (Turdus Viscivorus.) About the same time also, birds commence the work of raising an offspring; and in this country the crow kind commence this labour the most early. The Raven seeks a re tired place, and fixes its solitary nest No. 24.-VOL. III,

[1821.

either in a lofty tree, or in a craggy cliff, inaccessible to men; the Rook, on the contrary, comes near our habitations, and, colonizing the grove, associates itself with our ideas of rural happiness. It is pleasing to observe their industry and skill in carrying on this necessary labour; how busily they are employed in breaking off the twigs from the summits of the trees, and conveying them in their bills to their aerial edifice; where the partner at the same time continues on the watch, lest any of its sharp-sighted neighbours should make free with the materials, and appropriate them to their own purposes. But, though the nest of the Rook be perhaps the most familiarly known, that of the Magpie may be regarded as more curious. Building in trees of no great elevation, and commencing its labour when no leaves have appeared to afford concealment, it has recourse to the formidable arrangement of its materials to ensure its safety. The twigs selected are usually those of thorn; which are formed into the body of the nest, and also into a close covering, so that the bird is obliged to creep between the projecting spines to enter its habitation. The school-boy, after bathing his hands in blood, is often obliged to leave the eggs, or young ones, as he found them.

About this time those quadrupeds which have been lying in a half torpid state during the cold weather, shew signs of activity. The Mole, the miner of the soil, exerts itself in pursuit of earthworms, and throws up hillocks of fine earth as it passes under ground. Destitute as would appear the lot of this animal, its almighty Maker has admirably fitted its organization to its habits. It has no projecting parts to prevent or retard its progress beneath the earth; its fur is short and smooth, and dirt cannot attach itself to it; the bones of its body allow of its moving through narrow passages, for it has two ribs less than most animals; and that system of bones to which the H

107

Essays on Creation and Geology.

thighs are attached, and which together form what is called the pelvis, is much less than in other quadrupeds; whilst the anterior extremities are peculiarly adapted to the purpose of clearing its way. Eyes are not much wanted; and accordingly they are small, and well covered by the fur; but they suit every purpose of necessity, by warning the creature of too near an approach to light. The Badger now ventures more frequently from its hiding-place; and the Squirrel and Dormouse have recourse to the hoard of nuts and acorns which they had gathered together against such a time as this. This is the spawning time of the fish of the genus Gadus; of these, more particularly, the Ling approach within three or four leagues of land, and are taken in vast numbers. If the spawn of this fish were all to attain to maturity, the ocean would not contain them; but they are devoured by the numerous inhabitants of the deep, and even by those of their own genus. But few insects are added to those which we noticed in January: a few Flies are seen in the windows, and a Moth may be discovered here and there, as if born out of due time. The vegetable tribes, before the end of the month, have shewn unequivocal signs of life. Buds are everywhere swelling with the circulating fluid; and a few, as the Gooseberry, acquire a slight tint of green; the Oak and Beech, which through the winter bore their nut-brown leaves still hanging on them, are now quite naked, the leafstalk of the last year being thrust off by the swelling bud. In fact, these trees may be considered as half evergreen; for they differ from plants thus denominated only in the colour of the leaves, and not in their duration. The Laurel, Holly, and others of a similar nature, cast off their old foliage, for the purpose of acquiring new; and the Ivy, the beauty of which would attract admiration, if it were rare, is employed in ripening its berries. The catkins of the Willow are now added to the golden drapery of the Hazel that adorns every hedge.

Come into flower: Snowdrop, Galanthus nivalis; Common Chickweed, Stellaria media; Henbit Archangel, Lamium amplexicaulis; Bearsfoot, Helleborus foetidus; Spring Crocus, C. Vernus. Catkins of the Willow begin to appear.

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ESSAYS ON CREATION AND GEOLOGY.

ESSAY X.-The Creation of Man, on the latter part of the Sixth Day.

IN the course of this investigation, we have traced the Mosaic account of the Creation from its commencement to the formation of the animal kingdom; and have observed an admirable and intimate connection between its various parts. But there still appears

a chasm in the system, a want of something to crown it with the character of perfection. It has animation, but it wants intelligence,—which want is supplied by the creation of Man.

The hypothesis which supposes the inferior creatures to have existed for ages previous to the creation of man, is exceedingly preposterous. While the Mosaic account leads to no such conclusion, but the opposite, it must be insisted on, that such an important article can never be established on such a slender foundation as that of the situation in which some remains of human bodies have been found in the earth. Admitting that the remains of the human species in certain places, have been found to occupy the uppermost or very newest alluvial soil; does it follow that this is to be a criterion to determine the actual or relative period when they were first called into existence? So far from this, that it does not even prove it as a general fact, that remains of the human species, when the subject comes to be more fully investigated, shall not be found in a similar situation and state to that in which the various remains of animals have been discovered.

I believe it is acknowledged on all hands, that the subject of geological science is yet in its infancy; and therefore, it is time enough to draw conclusions when the subject has been more thoroughly investigated. To insist that fossil human remains do not exist at all, because in France, Cuvier, forsooth, did not discover any along with those of animals, would be something like insisting that there is no such place as America, because it cannot be discovered on the continent of Europe. Cross the Atlantic, and you will find the one; and examine the whole globe, and you shall perhaps find the other. No one can say with precision how far the human spe

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