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granaries of science. In this voyage he was accompanied by a Danish clergyman of considerable merit, who, profiting by the observations of his philosophical companion, communicated his information to the Danish government, of which they availed themselves, for the improvement of the island, and the condition of the inhabitants.

Sir Joseph Banks was received in his native country, with all that kindness and warmth of affection, with which indefatigable industry, manly fortitude, the encounter of perils, the liberal expenditure of wealth, and the privation of comforts, to promote the interests of science, ought always to be rewarded. The productions of nature which he had imported, were both rare and curious; and the invaluable information contained in his journals, continued to keep alive that admiration and respect, which his disinterest-sociating with men of letters, of rank ed conduct, and noble motives, had every where awakened. In private and in public, at court and among men of science, the name of Sir Joseph Banks was mentioned with profound veneration and esteem; and the science and literature of his country ho→ noured him with evidences of their approbation.

Ardent in the pursuit of knowledge, as a new expedition was about to be fitted out for making discoveries in the northern regions, Sir Joseph was one of the first to engage in the perilous enterprise. He was, however, afterwards induced to relinquish his intention; but his assistance and directions were not withheld; and his communications of that knowledge of savage manners which he had acquired, were far from being unimportant.

As Iceland, according to common report, was thought to contain many natural curiosities, Sir Joseph Banks hired a vessel, and, in company with Dr. Solander, once more ventured to brave the dangers of the ocean. The islands scattered along the north-west coast of Scotland, lying contiguous to their track, they were induced to land, to examine their productions, and the strata of the rocks. In this examination they discovered the columnar stratification of the rocks encircling the caves of Staffa; which, prior to this time, no naturalist had observed. Sir Joseph's report roused the attention of scientific men, and gave such a turn to their researches, that the subject soon became famous throughout Eu

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Returning from Iceland, Sir Joseph spent a few years occasionally in London, or at his seat in Lincolnshire, as

and fortune, and holding an extensive correspondence with the most eminent naturalists, and other philosophers, in Europe, and in the most distant parts of the earth, which science had enlightened with its beams.

Sir John Pringle, who had been President of the Royal Society, retired from that office, towards the end of the year 1777. Prior to this time, Sir Joseph Banks had assisted at their meetings; and to many of the members it was well known, that the ultimate object of his pursuit was to raise science to its true dignity, by rendering it subservient to the useful purposes of life. Knowledge, respectability, affluence, an inextinguishable love of science, and an affability of manners, concentrating in Sir Joseph, the friends of the institution, conceived that they could not more effectually promote its true design, than by procuring his election to fill the vacant chair. Success attended their endeavours; and Sir Joseph Banks entered on the duties of his office as President of the Royal Society in the year 1778.

Unwearied in his attention to the interests of the society, Sir Joseph, by extending its correspondence, procured communications that were in a high degree pleasing and important; and through his influence many persons of rank and ability were induced to consider it an honour to be elected as fellows. His example also operated to the advantage of the society, by stimulating to diligence some of its members; and there are few periods in its history, of equal duration, in which so many valuable papers have appeared, as during the first three or four years of his Presidency.

The title to this office is that of annual election; and for the first three or four years, Sir Joseph found his seat secure, But discord succeeding

tion of strangers. To these, men of enlightened minds, and liberal views, regularly resort; and conversations, at once elegant, profound, and interesting, employ their hours. On these occasions, his library and museum are open to inspection, and new specimens either of art or nature, generally lie on his tables to undergo examination. These exhibitions, which would be ad

to the harmony that had prevailed, a formidable opposition was raised against him, accompanied with a catalogue of charges, in which he was represented as totally unfit for the office he sustained;-as possessing no scientific merit!-and as concentrating in bodily labour, and an expenditure of money, nearly all his qualifications. His friends, however, rallied round him, and repelling the charges, retain-ditionally pleasing, if presented on ed him in office by the voice of a great majority: and no disposition has of late been manifested to deprive him of that honour, which all expect will accompany him through life.

Nearly all the voyages of discovery and arduous travels which have been undertaken by the natives of England, during the last twenty-five years, have been more or less encouraged and patronized by the patriotism of Sir Joseph Banks. Ledyard, Lucas, and Stoughton, were stimulated by him in their dangerous undertakings. The celebrated, but unfortunate Mungo Park, began his perilous enterprise under the auspices of Sir Joseph; and France is under obligations to his manly and philanthropic spirit. In no small degree, the African Association owes its origin to his fostering care; and the prosperity which now distinguishes the colony at New South Wales, may claim him as its friend and parent. It is through his exertions, that the Bread-fruit tree has been cultivated with so much success in our West India islands, and that our botanical gardens are enriched with so many foreign plants. Of his advice and encouragement, Sir John Sinclair availed himself, when compiling his Statistical account of Scotland; and the Board of Agriculture is indebted to his counsels for some branches of its utility. By his genius, the fens of Lincolnshire | have been drained; new implements in husbandry and gardening have been introduced by his application; and the improvements which have taken place in the breed of our sheep, and other domesticated animals, may in a great degree be ascribed to his attentions.

another day, discover a mind devoted to scientific pursuits. On almost every subject of importance, some information may be obtained in this assembly; and scarcely any discovery takes place, of which the earliest intelligence may not be procured at the house of Sir Joseph Banks.

If we view his person at present, enfeebled by age and emaciated with the gout, we shall form but an inadequate conception of what Sir Joseph Banks

was.

In the prime of life, his person was tall and robust, and his countenance expressed dignity and intelligence.

Rich in instructive information, his manners were vivacious without levity, dignified without affectation, and affable without mean familiarity. His conversation was easy and expressive, displaying a mind capable of entering on almost any subject with becoming gracefulness. But his race seems nearly run; and he now waits, on the margin of his mortal existence, that call from heaven, which shall usher his spirit into the regions of the disembodied.

A QUESTION MORE FULLY STATED.

In

IN our 10th number, column 994, we inserted the following question, proposed by Tyro, of Tetbury: "Does the Earth increase in magnitude?" stating this question, we introduced what we thought necessary in order to its being understood. Since that time we have received a letter from the author, in which he seems to think that we injured his query by suppressing what we deemed superfluous. To remove the cause of his complaint, we now insert the whole in his own words.

"Has the Earth, since the Creation, increased in magnitude, or not?

Possessed of an ample fortune, and blessed with a liberal spirit, his house is open to men of science and talents from all parts of the world. Every "In connection with this query, allow Sunday evening while Parliament is me to observe,-if the possibility of sitting, and during the ordinary meet- such increase cannot be admitted, ings of the Royal Society, his apart- | (which I have heard disputed) annihiments are always ready for the recep-lation, I conceive, must have taken place

in some shape; but as absolute or par- | us not, by refusing us thy grace,' to tial annihilation of any part of the enter into temptation."

creation, while time exists, is generally

believed to be impossible, the earth, it

temptation."

MR. EDITOR,

SIR,-In perusing the eighth Number of your valuable Miscellany, col. 768. I observe “ A Constant Reader" of Blackburn, is desirous of being able consistently to reconcile the apparent paradox of our Lord teaching his disciples to pray, viz. “Lead us not into temptation;" with what his apostle James says, when writing to the twelve tribes, that" God tempteth no man." If you should deem the following cursory remarks on the subject, worthy a place in your publication, you will by their insertion oblige, Sir,

appears to me, must have increased Reply to a Query on" Lead us not into considerably in weight, from the increase of population, &c., and if increased in weight, must have increased in bulk; but if this increase in bulk has taken place, there must consequently have been a gradual compression or expansion of the atmosphere, to admit, if it may be so termed, of the growth of the earth. Now, if the reduction of the atmosphere into a smaller compass had been effected by the increasing surface of the earth, the force of compression would, I conceive, have impeded vegetation in some degree, and have been attended with perceptible inconvenience to the animal creation. But if, on the other hand, our atmosphere has expanded, to give place to the growing earth, how has the atmosphere which exists above ours been effected? Simply, with regard to the increase of the earth's magnitude, I feel satisfied in my own mind; but cannot reconcile, what appears to me to be its attendant consequences."

Your's very obediently,

A. B. E.

The passages above alluded to, canimport; as to tempt, and to lead into not be considered synonymous in their though it must be confessed their sigtemptation, imply different actions, nifications apparently clash with the general tenor of Scripture. In our English Dictionaries, the meaning given to the word tempt, is to solicit or incite to do evil; but the scriptural In the 8th Number of the Imperial | meaning of the word temptation, has Magazine, col. 762, an inquiry was a very different import, and gives the made how the words Nothing, Non-Greek word, Iligaμos its original entity," &c. could be denominated substantives. To this question a correspondent of Saltash, who gives the initials S. T. has sent the following

Reply to a Query on Substantives.

answer.

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meaning, which is trial rather than temptation, or Пgaw, to try to explore; nor does the word sea in any degree tacitly imply, to tempt to do evil. The apostle James has it,

God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man.' Now if the apostle had merely said, God tempteth no man, &c. it would be a direct contradiction of other passages of Scripture; but I am led to infer that a person having the true scriptural meaning of the word temptation in view, may conscientiously pray, Lead us not into temptation: but if the Lord should, in his fatherly chastisements and dispensations toward us, suffer us to be tempted, tried, and afflicted, as we have an instance in the characters of Job and Peter, it is ours to pray, Deliver us from evil; and submissively say, Thy will be done, on earth, as in heaven;-knowing that the trial of our faith is precious,

COMMERCIAL REPORT, DECEMBER 22d, 1819.

In closing our labours for this most eventful Year, we beg leave to present our readers with an abstract of the principal Imports during the last twelve months; and in directing their attention to the material decline in many articles, we venture to anticipate a revival in our commerce; and which has already manifested itself in some degree.

The imports of Sugar do not much differ from the preceding year, but prices are greatly reduced; in low descriptions this amounts to 14s. per cwt. and to 5s. in finer qualities.

Coffee is at a reduction of 25s. per cwt.

In Dyewoods the depreciation has been great, being £3. per ton in Fustic.-In Logwood £1. 10s. per ton.-In Nicaragua Wood, £4. per ton.-In Camwood, £6. per ton.

Spirits have experienced a corresponding decline. Jamaica Rum is at a depression of 1s. per gallon. Leewards, 8d. per gallon.-Tobaccos generally, have fallen 3d. per lb.-Russian Candle Tallow is the most prominent article in the scale of depression, being 30s. per cwt. lower than at the prices of last year.

The difference in value in the various descriptions of Cotton is not less striking, being 3d. per lb. in Upland Georgia; In Brazils, 6d. ; and 1s. per lb. in Sea Islands. The deficiency in the comparative import cannot fail to be sensibly felt, when any improvement takes place in any branch of trade.

Upon a review of these striking facts, we are sanguine enough to believe, that a revival of commerce is not very distant, and we trust shortly to have the pleasing task of announcing the improvement to our readers.

IMPORTS of the principal Articles of East and West India, American, and other Produce, from Jan. 1st to Dec. 22d, 1819; with a comparative view of the Imports in 1818 for the same period.

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8 0

34 0 3 8 37 10 9 9 0

American, sweet 44 0 sour..32 0 Oats, Engl. 45.2 3 4 new..S Irish & Foreign 2 10 Wheat, Engl. 7016.10 0 Irish.... Dantzig.... 9 6 10 3 TALLOW, 112th. s. d. s. d. Russia Y. Candle 58 0 a 60 0 Brazil .58 0 61 O IRON, Eng. bar......£ 10 13 0 Foreign, in bond 17 0 QILS, tun, Olive....£79 0 a 81 0 Seal......36 0 38 0 Cod......37 0 38 0 Greenland Whale....38 0 Palm....40 0 gall... 3s. 6d. a os. Od.

Linseed, Rape..

3 9

Turpentine,cwt.62 0

17 10

4 2

Liverpool Exports of British Manufactures, from 22d Nov. to 21st Dec. Cotton Stuffs 244043 pcs. & 811412 yds. Woollen do... 17156

Baize

1110 387 pairs,

894 15927 2 4110

Blanketing
Hats, 2143 doz.-Hose, 7657 doz. pairs.
Hardware, 4713.-Nails, 1276 cwts.
Copper, 2513.-Glass, 1522 cwt. 463 crts
Bar and Bolt Iron, &c....... 1284 tons.
Steel, 295 cwts.--Tinplates, 1675 boxes.
Lead, 270.-Leadore, 5 tons.
Earthenware ..........1999 crates, &c.
Refined Sugar..
....11103 cwts.

White Salt to Foreign Parts,..4116 tons.
Ireland.
.... 154

Liverpool Imports, from the 22d Nov to the 21st December.

Sugar, P. B.750 hhds. 74 bris. 38 tees. Foreign, 110 cases. E. India, 1100 bgs. Coffee, B. P. 479 casks, 8 bags.-Cotton, W. India, 142 bales. American, 4095 bales. Brazils, 11253 bage, 33 serons. E. India, 1332 bales.-Rum, 343 punchs. 43 hhds.-Geneva, 150 pipes.-Brandy, 180 punchs. 10 pipes.-Wine, 203 hhds. 32 pipes, 10 butts, 37 cases.-Melasses, 70 punchs.-Fustic, 11 tons.--Logwood, 59 tons.-Redwood, 76 tons-Mahogany, 500 logs.-Pepper, 2345 bags.-Ashes, 2204 brl.-Turpentine, 6844 brls.-Tar, 260 brls.-Rice, 86 qrs.-Quercit. Bark, 77 hhds.-Tobacco, 815 hhds.-36 bales. -Iron, 12205 bars.-Hemp, 246 bdles.Flax, 749 bobbins, 34 bundies, 130 bags. Tallow, 740 casks.-Hides, 15020.-Sarsaparilia, 9 cwt-Elephants' Teeth, 421. Sumac, 183 bags.-Madders, 108 csks.Indigo, 32 serons.-Wool, 216 bales.Flaxseed, 138 hids 250 brls. 195 bags, 100 ices. 5 sacks.-Corn, Wheat, 21999. B ckwheat, 550 qrs.-Barley, 7063 qrs 12 tons.-Oats, 30312.-Beans, 2005.Peas, 635.-Malt, 1821 qrs.-Flour, 61 tons, 2800 brls.-Oatmeal, 2148 bolls, 471 tons.-Oranges and Lemons, 4397 chests, 114 boxes, 20 baskets.-Plums, 62 boxes.-Raisins, 404 brls. 38 boxes, 224 druns. Figs, 476 boxes, 4 drums, 309 frails-Prunes, 397 boxes, 40 bris. Almonds, 10 bales, 17 bags.-Apples, 606 brls.-Oil, Cod, 1366; Train, 184; Seal, 64; Blubber, 36; Palm, 1091; Olive 22 casks.-Seal Skins, 2266, & 202 bdles. Timber, 74 cargoes. Ireland.

Butter, 41459 frks, 337 crocks. &c.Rapeseed, 920 bags, 2904 sacks, 856 qrs Cows, 563-Sheep, 730-Pigs, 1756Bacon, 339 bales Beef, 852 tces, 142 bls 100 tubs-Pork, 1362 bris-Linen Cloth, 312 bales, 619 boxes Flax, 592 bales, 35 bags, 3 trusses.

Foreign Gold, in Bars......£3 17 104 Portugal Gold, in Coin........3 17 10 New Doubloons .............3 16 0 New Dollars..

........0 50

Silver, in Bars, Standard......0 5 9

Rates of Insurance.

L.pool.. Lond.

To West Indies cent. 358 40s
U. States of America 40-
B. America.. season closed
Brazils
...... 30-
East Indies ........ 45
C. of Africa & back..126
Gibraltar ...

30

Mediterranean...... 40 France and Holland 40 80 Baltic...

.season closed.
23

Ireland West Coast 40
East Coast.. 30

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FrankBourdeaux, 25: 45. . Ex. M. Madrid, 351. effect. Cadiz, 354. Amsterdam, 11: 19 C. F. Ditto at sight, 11: 16. Antwerp, Course of Exchange, in London, December 17. Ports closed against all kinds of Grain for home consumption 12: 2. Ex. M. Hamburg, 36: 2: 2 U. Altona, 36: 3:20. fort on the Main, 1514 Gibraltar, 30. Leghorn, 48. Genoa, 444, Venice, Itailan Liv. 27. 30. Rio JaNaples, 381. Palermo, Paris, 3 days' sight, 25: 15. effect. Barcelona, 341.

117. Lisbon, 523. Oporta, 53.

46.

11.

858

27th

99

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

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