To the Editor of the COUNTY MAGAZINE. SIR, Of that no more-The subject of my speech, AMONGST the causes of included is rival woman's fuper-eminence price of provifions, may be the influx of money, which makes it more plenty, and of lefs value than heretofore.Alfo The encreased population of these kingdoms, which, of course, makes the confumption of the neceffaries of life greater. The reigning luxuries deftroy more food than what is needful. There is not the least doubt but the monopoly, and the fpirit of dealing in every article of eatables, do rife them upon the public. But, above all, the aftonishing number of borfes kept in this country, by leffening that of cattle, which it beyond refutation does, creates a fcarcity of butcher's-meat, which can never be removed, unless the breed and ufe of horfes be reftrained, and, on the other hand, that of cattle encouraged and cherished. "Yes, we have proofs where wit, where tafte " combin'd "To deck, with blended charms, the female mind. "Say, shall not we, with conscious pride, pro" claim « A female critic rais'd—ev'n Shakespear's fame! "Yes, lordly man-look furly if you please, "But women beat you out and out, with ease! "In tales of fancy, tenderness, distress, "If you dare doubt us-study The Recefs. "And oft let foft Cecilia win your praife, "While reafon guides the clue in Fancy's maze. "In tragedy our triumph all atteft; "Your tears the genuine proof who acts the best"In comedy-But hold-I dread to say "How much, of late, ev'n there you've loft the "How much, of late, ev'n there you've loft the « day." No, I'll not humble your proud sex so far, place one gun; on the two o'clock line two guns, and fo of the reft. The guns muft all be charged with powder, but ball is unneceffary. Your gnomon, or style, must have twelve burning-glafles annexed to it, and be fo placed, as that the fun fhining through the glaffes, one after another, fhall caufe the focus, or burning fpot, to fall on the hour-line of one, for example, at one o'clock; and fhall fire one gun at two o'clock a focus there kindle a train of gunpowder that fhall fall on the hour-line of two, and kindle another train that fhall discharge two guns fucceffively; and fo of the reft. Note, There must be feventy-eight guns in all thirty-two-pounders will be beft for this ufe; but eighteen-pounders may do, and will coft lefs, as well as use lefs powder; for nine pounds of powder will do for one charge of each eighteenpounder, whereas the thirty-two-pounders will require for each gun fixteen pounds. Note alfo, That the chief expence will An intelligent man has afferted, that Till you no more remember-SUCH THINGS ARE. be the powder; for the cannon more ground is appropriated for the maintenance of horses than that of men. N. B. In Switzerland, they make ufe of oxen in agriculture; why could not they do the fame in this country? To be fure, the Swifs know how to yoke or collar that most useful animal. The English do not know the right method. EPILOGUE TO THE LAST A. B. NEW COMEDY, called SEDUCTION. Spoken by Mifs FARREN. N former times-'tis long ago, I ownMan, feated on the haughty husband's throne, The wife by fuch abfurd restraints enclos'd, Not one gallant had the-as he fuppos'd: But modeft, meek, his jealous doubts appeas'd, And footh'd her lord and mafter-when the pleas'd. Then, women led fuch exemplary lives, Daughters, almoft, as humble were-as wives! "A favage Salique law the men maintain'd : "O monstrous! we were flaves! and husbands "reign'd."— Strange were thefe cuftoms, obfolete; but we As for this Lady Morden's motley merit, Gladly our Author owns all this is true; And fhould that wreath his anxious brow entwine, * The verses between inverted commas were requested from, and written by, a gentleman, whose literary abilities are great, and well known; and the following were, confequently, omitted: Is rival woman's fuper-eminence In wi, as well as beauty. Proofs I could, No, I'll not humble, &c. once bought, will, with care, laft a hundred years. Note moreover, That there will be a great faving of powder in cloudy days. Kind Reader, methinks I hear thee fay, "That it is a good thing to know how "the time paffes; but this kind of dial, notwithstanding the mentioned favings, "would be very expenfive, and the coft greater than the advantage."Thou art wife, my friend, to be fo confiderate beforehand: fome fools would not have found out fo much till they had made the dial and tried it.-Let all fuch learn, that many private, and many public projects, are like this ftriking dial-great coft for little profit. Braadhinton, March 19, 1787. For the COUNTY MAGAZINE. THOUGHTS ON ANGER. D. MAN tranfported with paffion re A jects the beft reafon, and retains the worst opinions; like a bolting-cloth, which lets the flour pafs, and retains nothing but the bran. Look upon an angry man in the fit of his rage, and you may fee all Africa and than the tygers there; blow him into a its prodigies in him: he is more favage fame, and you may fee volcanoes and hurricanes in him. When you are in the higheft fit of rage and anger, run to your looking-glafs, where you fhall fee your blood boiling with choler, your eyes fparkling with fire, your hair almoft ftanding on end, and your face diftorted, infom uch, as the fpectacle of your own deformity will render you frightful to yourself. Laftly, heap up gold, gather together filver, or raife pyFamids of honour; if you do not compofe the diforders of your own mind, tint your defires, and deliver yourself from fears and cares, you do but rack wine for a man in a fever. I am, Mr. Editor, to their paffions to confider the above (withing all gentlemen that give a loofe rules) your humble fervant and wellwifher, Ν ANECDOT E. produced 26 guineas. Three drawings the 12th century, that age of fuper- each. Cupid and Psyche, from the Duke TN of children in groups fold for 15 guineas ftition, when fearce one perfon ima- of Marlborough's gem, for 18. The Virape from the Vicegined that devotion and vice were incompatible with each other, Saint Hugh, gin and Child, a highly finished drawing Bishop of Lincoln, was diftinguished by a in colours, and one of the moft beautiful purity of fentiment and manners, then unefforts of Cipriani's mufe, was carried off by Mrs. Piozzi, late Thrale's entire, who common. One day he came to the nunnery of Goditowe, and entering the church, was the fortunate purchafer at 40l. A filk hangings, and furrounded by lamps knocked down to an amateur, fuppofed to beheld a magnificent tomb, covered with Venus and an Apollo, in all the naked luxuriance of nature, were expofed, and and wax tapers. Enquiring whofe it was, be the Duke of Q. by proxy. Bartolozzi he was answered, that it was the tomb of Rofamond, the miftrefs of King Henry II. drawings exquifitely finifhed, which fold too contributed to the catalogue in feveral who had been a great benefactor to that church." What! (exclaimed Saint at great prices. The greatest bargain Hugh) can money then obtain thofe howas a chamber organ by Snetzler, in a To the Editor of the COUNTY MAGAZINE. nours which are due to the virtuous only cafe painted by Cipriani and Rebecca, the figures by the former, and the flowers by the latter. This fine inftrument, with its inimitable decorations, was fold to a Mr. Angerftein for only 50 guineas. SIR, S J. MONTGOMERY. As you fome time ago gave the young Ladies of Andover a place in your valuable publication, I hope you will not refufe to grant the fame to a few Gentlemen, and you will greatly oblige Your Conftant Reader. Enigmatical Lift of YOUNG GENTLEMEN refiding at CHRISTCHURCH, HANTS. 1. The first of a foot, one-third of a This woman has enriched your houfe; but let us convince mankind, that it is not To the Editor of the COUNTY MAGAZINE. SIR, fish, and a man's Chriftian name, omit- BY inferting the following Solution to ting a letter. z. One-fifth of a title, a vowel, twothirds of a verb, one third of a number, two-fourths of a fly look, and a changeable letter. 3. Three-ninths of a man's Chriftian name, and an eatable, changing a letter. 4. One-fixth of a river in Europe, a liquid letter, and the initials of what we do every day. 5. Haif the name of a plant, and threefifths of a drug, changing a letter. 6. One- feventh of a town, four-fifths of a fign, and a ferpentine letter. 7. Half of a challenge, and two-fevenths of a fea fish. 8. Half of a weapon, and two-thirds of a measure reversed. 9. Two fevenths of a title of Hercules, a confonant, half of a puzzling question, and two-thirds of an eatable reverfed. 10. Half of a well-known animal, a liquid letter, and half a prepofition. 11. Half a place of refidence, the initial of the goddess of hunting, two-fifths of an acid fruit, an useful article, and onethird of the organ of fight. 12. Half of a negative, two-thirds of an animal, and a measure. Christchurch, March 17, 1787. the Enigmatical Lift of Young Ladies of Wimborne, Dorfet, in your next entertaining Mifcellany, you will greatly oblige, SALISBURY: For the COUNTY MAGAZINE. THE CONFESSION. TO MISS N vain I ftrive my heart to shield, IN Spite of myself that heart will yield; The jeft affum'd, th' averted eye, Yet not Eliza's charms alone, Could ruling reason thus dethrone; But arm'd with that enchanting mien, Yet not for me the tear will start, Loft in the whirl of fashion'd life, Lur'd by the hope of gaudier days, Printed by B. C. COLLINS; For M A Y, 1787. No. XVII. Vol. I. SIR, To be continued Monthly. To the Editor of the COUNTY MAGAZINE. | Roman government. * In defpotic governments, the people are infinitely happier where this administration is established -witness Perfia and China. † The unYOU would do well to infert the two follow-happiest of all are thofe where the Prince ing Chapters from Montefquieu, which how farms out his fea-ports and trading cities. the Opinion that great Politician enter- The hiftory of monarchies abounds with tained of FARMERS of the REVENUE, mifchiefs done by the farmers of the reveeven under defpotic Governments. By the adminiftration of the revenues, the Prince is at liberty to prefs or to retard the levy of the taxes, either according to his own wants or to thofe of his people. By this he faves to the ftate the immenfe profits of the farmers, who impoverish it a thoufand ways. By this he fpares the people the mortifying fight of fudden fortunes. By this the money collected paffes -through few hands, goes directly to the treasury, and confequently makes a quicker return to the people. By this the Prince avoids an infinite number of bad laws ex torted from him continually by the importunate avarice of the farmers, who pretend to offer a prefent advantage for regulations pernicious to pofterity. As the monied man is always the most nues. Nero, incensed at the oppreffive extortions of the publicans, formed a magnanimous but impoffible project of abolishing all kinds of impofts. He did not think of an administration of the revenues, but made four edicts, that the laws enacted againft publicans, which had hitherto been kept fecret, fhould be made public, that they fhould not pretend to any thing which they had omitted to demand in the term of a year; that there fhould be a prætor established to judge their pretenfions without any formality; and the merchants fhould pay no duty for their veflels. Thefe were the bright days of that Ein peror. Of the FARMERS of the REVENUES. All is loft when the lucrative profeffion of farmers becomes likewife, by means of the riches with which it is attended— a post of honour. This may do well enough in defpotic ftates, where their employments are oftentimes a part of the functions of the governors themfelves; but it is by no means proper in a Republic; fince a cuftom of a like nature deftroyed * Cæfar was obliged to remove the publicans from the province of Afia, and to establish there another kind of administration, as we learn from and Tacitus us, that Macedonia and Price Three-Pence. the Republic of Rome. Nor is it better. in Monarchies; nothing being more oppofite to the fpirit of this government. All the other orders of the state are diffatiffied: honour lofes its whole value; the flow and natural means of diftinction are no longer regarded; and the very principle of the government is fubverted." It is true, indeed, that fcandalous fortunes were raised in former times; but this was one of the calamities of the fifty years war. These riches were then confidered as ridiculous-now we admire them. Every profeffion has its particular lot. The lot of those who levy the taxes is wealth, and the recompence of wealth is wealth itself. Glory and honour fall to the fhare of that nobility, who neither know, fee, nor feel any other happinets than honour and glory. Refpect and efteem are for thofe minifters and magiftrates, whofe whole life is a continued fucceffion of labour, and who watch day and night over the happiness of the empire. ANECDOTE Of Dr. JOHNSON. ill-qualified either by the Thabits of his life, or the inclinations of his mind, to compliment the ladies, fome moments are known to have arifen în which he foared above his natural impolitenefs, and affuined the gallantry and good breeding of a profeffed admirer of the fex. Having one day clafped within bath his hands the hand of Mrs. Piozzi, remarkable for its fymmetry and its white powerful, the farmer renders himself arbi-Achaia, provinces left by Auguftus to the people nefs, he fimiled, and pointing at it as fhe. over the Prince not the legiflator, but he obliges the lator to give laws. legif-the ancient plan, obtained to be of the number of of Rome, and confequently governed purfuant to those which the Emperor governed by his officers, + See Sir John Chardin's Travels through Perfia, In Republics, the revenues of the state are generally under administration. The contrary practice was a great defect in the tom. 6. reproached me with the vanity of giving withdrew it, faid, "You have fometimes the preference to my gun works; is it not a full confutation of the charge to declare, that this is the finest work that ever came out of my hands?" L1 4 For the COUNTY MAGAZINE. RUSTIC CHARM S. N°, fo, no, 'tis in vain, in this turbulent town From hence to the country efcaping away, A thousand delights to mankind. The change of the season, the sports of the field, There, free from ambition, from avarice free, No, thank 'ein, I'll never, to add to my store, A CURIOUS CASE. C. Efq. ON or about the year 1741. C. Cfg Ο a doctor of died at a village not ten miles from London, and left eftates to the amount of 150,000l. all of which he bequeathed to his wife (much younger than himself) and her heirs for ever. This amiable lady died with grief only a few days after the death of her husband. The heir to thofe eftates lived at an obfcure village in Northamptonshire, and heard nothing of their deaths, on which a Mr. R. R. came forward as a (pretended) relation of the lady's, adminiftered, and took poffeffion; but he dying without iffue, left them by will to his nephew, Mr. J. R. This Mr. J. R. was a man of exceeding good character, and well knowing the eftates neither belonged to his uncle, or himself, advertised for the heirs, or next of kin, to C. C. to come forward and prove their claim, and he offered to refign them up. The real heir in Northamptonshire' heard nothing of this advertisement. However, there was one Captain M. G You 1 YOU muft know, I have been fixteen years at variance with that fwindler, and I have endeavoured to treat with feor hydra, commonly called the Stocks; veral of his general officers, but, 1 muft confefs to you, without fuccefs; for they confider their own intereft, as they find they can get more by him than by my for fome time, feverely fuffered by him, I propofals; and as you do now, and have hope you will aflift me, and do your beft; for this day I folemnly declare war with him, and, like little David of old, I will pledge myself to cut off the Hydra's head. NOVERNMENT will not perhaps foon arrive at fuch purity and excellence, but that fome connivance at leaft will be indulged to the triumphant robber and fuccessful cheat. He that brings outlines: for I flatter myself, my readers At prefent, I fhall give you only the wealth home is feldom interrogated by will find it take fome trouble to reconcile what means it was obtained. This, how- thofe difficulties I have met with in eluciever, is one of those modes of corruption, dating this bufinefs; and in order to make with which mankind ought always to it more compleat, I muft beg they would ftruggle, and which they may in time take the trouble to reflect fairly on the hope to overcome. There is reafon to following questions and answers, and give expect, that as the world is more enlight-me credit for what are praife-worthy, and ened, policy and morality will at laft be mark with contempt and difdain any reconciled, and that nations will learn not part that ought to be buried in oblivion. to do, what they would not fuffer. But this filent toleration of fufpected guilt is a degree of depravity far below that, which openly incites and manifeftly protects it. Thofe who honeftly refufe his traffic, he hates as obftructors of his profit; and thofe, with whom he deals, he cheats, because he knows that they dare not complain. He being with a heart full of that malignity, which fear of detection always generates in thofe, who are to defend a juft acquifition against lawful authority; and when he comes home with riches thus acquired, he brings a mind hardened in evil, too proud for reproof, and too ftupid for reflection; he offends the high by his infolence, and corrupts the low by his example. QUERIES.. ་ who was supposed to be heir at law in the W Whether it is impoffible to fix on two different objects, at one time, the utmost regard, and moft ardent love, as equally to deem the honourably obtaining either the only certain road to happiness? What I am going to write, I fhall give it by way of Catechifm, as it ought to be taught and repeated in all the fchools in the kingdom, as well as all private families. Q. When was the English Hydra (or National Debt) created? A. In the year 1692. Q. Why is it not paid off? Q. When will it die of course? A. We hope and believe in the year 1792. Q. Why is it kept up and encouraged? A. That knaves might pilfer, grow rich, and fatten at the expence of the virtuous public. Q. Why is it fupported by connivances? A. As a delufion to take in the credulous people, by loading them with taxes, for making a few rich, and flaves and beggars of the reft, gars of the reft, Q. Why are the holders fo fond of it? A. To fhew their folly, by preferring fhadows to fubstances. Q. Why does the National Debt and the Conftitution of England go hand in hand? A. Because they are not worth half their original value. Q. Why is it like a fpendthrift? A. Because the debt is eternally creasing. plenty, and of lefs value than heretofore. en--Alfo Q. Why is it like an empty barrel?. A. Becaufe it is all found, and no fubftance. Q. Why is it like an evil fpirit? A. Because it haunts the whole kingdom, and frightens the people by its horrible appearance. Q. Why is it like a drowning man? A. Because it catches at every thing. Q. Why is it like a burning fever? A. Because the higher it rifes, it will be the more pernicious to the body politic? Q. Why is it like a vacuum? A. Because it is all space, and no fubftance. Q. Why is it condemned by all judicious people? A. Because they find it to be a common gambler, fwindler, and public cheat, and goes by various names under falfe colours and pretences, and not worth one fhilling. Q. Why is it encouraged at the Stock Exchange? A. To keep it from being annihilated. Q. Who keeps it up? A. The brokers and stock-jobbers. Q. Who are they? A. Ha! ha! ha! Who? Ha! ha! ha! Who? Q. Why do they keep it up? The increafed population of these kingdoms, which, of course, makes the confumption of the neceflaries of life greater. The reigning luxuries deftroy more food than is needful. There is not the least doubt, but the monopoly, and the fpirit of dealing in every article of eatables, do rise them upon the public. But above all, the aftonifhing number of horfes kept in this country, by leffening that of cattle, which it beyond refutation does, creates a scarcity of butcher's meat, which can never be removed, unless the breed and ufe of horses be restrained, and on the other hand, that of cattle encouraged and cherished. An intelligent perfon has afferted, that more ground is appropriated to the maintenance of horses than to that of men. N. B. In Switzerland, and in Wales, they make use of oxen in agriculture; why cannot they do the fame in this country? A. B. THE RETROSPECT. MID thefe frenes of noise and ftrife, A. For their own pleafure and proft, That fadly forrow human life, that many hundred jovial fellows may enjoy fine country feats, and all other indulgences, at the expence of the Public. Q. Where is the principal fum that was borrowed? A. Sent to Utopia in an air balloon. A. The day after the Refurrection. Ladies and Gentlemen: I am well convinced that he who works for the public, has no mafter, fo confequently has no pay, except our chofen Public Minifters, who, to be fure, fhould be well rewarded, as being fo competent to all their places.I flatter myself, after I have proved my capacity in the political line, that in fixteen years more I may expect a place, when, you may depend upon it, will do myfelf the honour to merit it. In the mean time, you fhall fee how I go on, and believe me to be, Ladies and Gentlemen, Your humble fervant, MARCUS MARCELLUS. To the Editor of the COUNTY MAGAZINE. SIR, MONG the Caufes of the high price of Provifions may be included the influx of money, which makes it more A And caufe continual woes; What foft fenfation fooths my breast, Bids every jarring passion rest, And tranfient blifs beftows! waves 'Tis faithful Memory's friendly hand, On Pleasure's pinions flew. Wafts me to S- -s fertile plains, There pleas'd I trace the flow'ry mead, The diftant view of N's hills, My breaft with exultation fills, Long time the bounded walk, There oft I've fhar'd the fweet regale, 'Partook th' allotted cakes and ale, And held the fprightly talk. The church, the yard, the neighb'ring yew, Nor fhall fair Learning's facred fpot, Hail happy state of infant years! To charm the tranquil breast. Theirs is the rofy bloom of health, Regardless of to-morrow's doom, Ah, ever to be envied hours! When no fad thought of future fours, No diftant fears annoy; No paft reflections intervene Affliction's load they feldom bear, ARLEY. |