trading companies. To enumerate the, whole of these public testimonies of gratitude for eminent services performed, and of high respect for great abilities usefully employed, would extend far beyond the limits which can be allotted in a periodical magazine; it would, at the same time, be an act of injustice to the individual, as well as to the highly respectable characters who gave these testimonies, not to subjoin some of the most pre-eminent.

la September, 1798, four men were tried and convicted at the Old Bailey, for stealing coffee from a store-ship in the river Thames. The Lord Chief Baron, in summing up the evidence, made the following complimentary remarks-"That the late institution of the Marine Police had sprung from the exertions of one of the best magistrates that ever lived in this or any other country; and who has not confined his meritorious exertions to the carrying into execution such laws as are entrusted to his care, but who has also felt it his duty and made it his practice to suggest such others as have appeared to him likely to be salutary to the public."

The different ship-masters of the various trades gave full and ample testimony of the great utility and advantages derived from this institution; stating, that until its establishment, the cargoes and stores of their ships, while delivering and taking in, were constantly subject to plunder by various descriptions of plunderers on the river Thames, but that they have since experienced the greatest security in their property on the river; and also expressing an opinion, that great and extensive benefits have therefrom resulted to his Majesty's revenue. The West India merchants also transmitted to Mr. Colquhoun, at different meetings, through the hands of their chairmen, Lord Penrhyn and Beeston Long, Esq. their thanks and acknowledgments for his zeal, ability, and perseverance in forming and superintending the Marine Police Institution, and which was followed up by a more substantial proof of their regard in the following handsome testimony, voted at a meeting held 15th August, 1800.

"That the thanks of this meeting be presented to Patrick Colquhoun, Esq. for his constant and unremitted attention to the duties of the Marine Police Institution, which has been of material benefit in preventing the nu

merous depredations on the river. Thames; for his great assiduity in preparing a Bill for the establishment of a Thames Police Office, which has received the sanction of Parliament, and that he be requested to accept of a piece of plate value 5007. from the West India Fund, as a testimony of the seuse of the West India Body for his services on this occasion."

The same grateful feelings which pervaded the breasts of the West India Merchants, were also exhibited by the Court of Assistants of the Russia Company, who at a meeting held the 11th day of November, 1800,

"ORDERED,

"That the Governor be desired to communicate the thanks of this court to Patrick Colquhoun, Esq. for the unremitted attention he has given to the Police of the River Thames, and for the ability he has shewn in forming regulations for the prevention of a most extensive system of plunder and smuggling which has long prevailed, to the prejudice of the trade of the port of London.

"That Patrick Colquhoun, Esq. be desired to accept of a piece of plate of the value of one hundred guineas, as a testimony of the sentiments this court. entertains of the advantage the trade of this company, as well as the general trade of the Port of London, has de-: rived from the Bill for the establishment of the Marine Police."

And Mr. Secretary Dundas, in moving, for leave to bring in a bill for legalizing the above establishment, bestowed high encomiums on that excellent and intelligent magistrate, Mr. Colquhoun, with whom he had consulted, and from whom he had derived great information on the subject.

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To a person who reflects for a moment on the multifarious affairs of great national magnitude and impor-, tance, which, from the foregoing account, engaged Mr. Colquhoun's constant attention during the periods we have been sketching, it would seem, that such were their urgency and diffi culty, that he could not have afforded time for other occupations; but such was the incessant activity of his mind, which thrilled to nothing but uniform and useful employment, that he gave also his attention at this time to the means of relieving the wants and im proving the morals of the poor.

He therefore devoted a certain portion of his time for procuring accurate

idformation, not only in order to establish regulations which might gradually improve their morals, but to discover the more helpless and forlorn suffering under extreme poverty; that by relieving them with the bounty of the affluent, grateful feelings might superinduce better habits of morality. For the attainment, therefore, of these objects, Mr. Colquhoun raised a considerable subscription in 1795 and 1796; and as a great number of distressed families in every part of the metropolis, in consequence of want of food, from the great price of the necessaries of life at this period, had pawned their working tools, bed clothes, and wearing apparel, without possessing the means of redeeming them, the money subscribed was usefully applied in recovering those pledges; this mode of proceeding not only enabled these suffering creatures to get covered from the inclemency of the weather at a very moderate price, but again to procure their mechanical instruments of employ

ment.

(To be continued.)

HISTORY OF PETER PLIANT. (Continued from page 205.) HOW swift are the revolutions of by love and friendship. The transitory image of a day lives but in remembrance, and the future steals so quick upon the past when blest with the society of our dearest friends, that the present seems scarcely to exist. This was truly the case with me; for when a month had expired, Farmer Heartly reported the new purchase ready for its innates, and preparations were ac cordingly made for departure. It had been to me a short dream of happiness, wherein fancy had painted so agreeable a picture that I was unwilling to relinquish it, and could scarcely bring myself to believe they had staid so long a time; but the rattling of the carriage wheels dispelled my reverie, and mounting my horse to accompany them, they bid adieu, for a time, to my rusticated mansion, and rode off to Manning Hall. Here we soon arrived, and the morn ing was spent in a general survey of the house and its appendages; the alterations and management of the whole gave universal satisfaction, and nothing remained to wish for. But the joy which extended to the countenances of the rest, imparted not one ray to

warm the disconsolate Peter; my want of spirits, indeed, attracted observation, nor did it escape the penetrating eye of my cousin, who took care to notice it in a manner I could not fail of understanding. I resisted, however, all solicitations to stop the day out, and took advantage of some business which I had to transact with Mr. Somers to leave them before dinner, promising however to ride over in a day or two when they were more comfortably settled.

The first sentence I uttered on turning my horse's head and glancing at the roof which held the better part of me was, "what a strange compound of folly and absurdity is the mighty pas sion of love," that I am flying voluntarily away from the object that gives me most pleasure, from her-but why these rhapsodies which should only exist in imagination-I endeavoured to drive them from my thoughts, but they still pursued me, and every step my horse took, sunk deeper in the labyrinth which had involved my reason.

It now however became a matter of serious consideration, and I resolved no longer to postpone the declaration of my attachment. Hitherto, circumstances

had prevented my addressing Mr. Manlength settled, and it was time to decide one way or the other, I determined to enter the house the second time as his accepted son-in law, or leave it as a rejected suitor.

But naturally sanguine, I indulged no particular fears, and was indeed feasting my imagination with a pers pective view of future joys, when the' shrill accents of a well known voice broke upon my meditations, and Sir Edward Courtly rode up.

This unexpected meeting turned my thoughts into another channel, and the remainder of my ride passed over a little more lively. The loquacious Baronet, as usual, gave me no quarter," for before we arrived home, I was in possession of more London news than a week's reading would have enabled me to collect, though it was of a particular nature, and not very interesting to me; for after patiently submitting to the various details of the gambling table and his horse races, he began a scientific treatise on the polite sciences, among which be reckoned boxing, or (I beg the fancy's pardon) the art of milling as the first. The merits of

various pugilistic heroes were descanted upon with as much earnestness as if the freedom of a nation depended upon the decision. Fortunately for him I was not in a very talkative humour, and he went on uninterrupted, till having completed the whole range of his intelligence, observed, as if it was merely a secondary consideration-"I suppose you know I am going to be married-in a month I am to be made the happiest of men."

"Some Venus then, I suppose, in whom all the Graces have centered their perfections."

"No, Sir, I am a philosopher-despise beauty when unaccompanied by worth; and only make the latter an article of consideration."

"A proof of your sense. But who is she?"

"Sister to your neighbour, Sir Lionel. I'll introduce her to you, whenever you'll pay me a visit at the mansion of my brother-in-law, that is to be."

"If Sir Lionel is returned, and your appearance in this quarter sanctions the idea, I shall be found at the manorhouse to-morrow morning. Till then I'll bid adieu, nor keep you from the society that possesses so many more attractions than I can boast."

He laughed at my observation; and, with a leering smile, seemed to dive into the real meaning of the expression. "To-morrow, then, at twelve." bowed assent, and he rode on.

I

Not willing to indulge in the reflections which my empty mansion could not fail of communicating, I dismount ed, and, with no particular direction for my steps, wandered wherever my fancy led me. Sir Edward and his disquisitions were forgotten, and my mind reverted to the inhabitants of Manning Hall; but I was doomed, a second time, to be disturbed, though in a manner rather different from the first. The thread of my reflections were at first broken by two or three successive salutations of "My pretty angel !" "Adorable creature!" Enchanting maid!" expressions which struck me as rather too refined for the simple inhabitants of the village, and consequently made me anxious to know from whom they proceeded; a favourable opening at last presented to my view, Farmer Heartley's daughter, and Sir Edward Courtly!

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Very well," thought I, "if courtship is variegated with the flowers of coquetry, marriage will fare still worse,

and Hymen's chaplet of roses will contain more thorns than usual." Irritated, however, at his effrontery, I followed softly behind, to protect the girl from insult, and occasionally managed to hear some of his harmless nonsense,' as I knew he'd term it. He confined his protestations, however, within bounds, till, putting some money into her hands, told her if she was a good girl he'd be a friend to her.

Had he been Hercules, I could have crushed him, but waited to see what course Maria Heartley pursued. She threw the purse down with indignation, and, bursting into tears, attempted to get away. He detained her when I stepped between. Any one but a confirmed man of fashion would have felt my interference as a death-blow; but Sir Edward, with his accustomed levity, hesitated not a moment what course to pursue, and before I could venture one observation, burst out into a loud laugh. "A striking contrast," I thought, "the laugh of licentiousness with the tears of innocence;" but the latter spoke too forcibly to be appeased by the former, and though the usual apologies of an innocent frolic, and unmeaning nonsense, crowded out in peals from the crest-fallen baronet, I was too indignant to attend to any thing but the weeping girl, and, giving her my arm, left him without a word.

Farmer Heartly was still out; and, according to his daughter's request, I promised to conceal the baronet's insult fest it might create unpleasant words between them; though I was determined to make sir Edward feel the dastardly action he had committed.

Probably with an eye to his own interest, and fearing a disclosure on my part, he had followed us at a distance, and, watching his opportunity now addressed me.

"My friend Pliant will, I hope, bare more compassion on me than to turu this little nonsense to my disadvantage, I protest I meant no harm. Come come. -You'll take no notice of it→ eh ?"

"I am sorry, Sir Edward, that you should have condescended to trifle in this manner with the feelings of an amiable girl, and must openly tell you, that I can bind myself to no such pro mise. He who would insult an unpro tected female, is unworthy of any lepity."

"Nay, nay, my dear fellow, you are

· Gold !—eh ?—eh ?—you know I've plenty, and my disposition is such—” "Hold, Sir Edward, you are going too far; duplicity is but a bare covering for dishonest intentions. But let us cease argument My silence depends on your future behaviour to the girl, who, as a tenant on my estate, deserves my protection.”

Hypocrisy now completed the scene dishonesty had begun and the contemptible baronet loaded me with thanks, though I knew he was inwardly nettled at the humility he was forced to assume. To how low a pitch does vice sink the human mind, and how despicable do the riches, honors, and titles of this world appear, when they are rendered subservient to the purposes of vice!

The following morning I repaired to the manor-house, where, after an interview with Sir Lionel, who reprobated strongly the late design upon my fortune, and congratulated me upon the discovery of it, I was introduced to his sister. Sir Edward, little abashed by

the recollection of his humiliation, was in high spirits; talked in his usual strain, and pretended to be fervently attached to his wealthy mistress, whose merits and qualifications all answered to the name of Riches. It was an amusing scene; and but that my mind was too much occupied with a worthier subject, I could have highly relished their respective situations. The flat tering attention of the one, with the egregious vanity of the other, formed a whimsical contrast, and it was easy to see that love had no hand in the contract which appeared to confer such universal satisfaction.

Though under a promise to Sir Edward to be silent respecting the adventure of the preceding evening, I did not feel myself justified in abstaining from a rigid inspection into his conduct. His entire behaviour had displeased me,

and the opinion I at first entertained concerning his natural levity, as arising from thoughtlessness rather than design, gave way to a thorough convic tion of his want of principle. I took care occasionally to convey hints he only could interpret, to satisfy him of

DR. CHARLES HUTTON, in the 2d volume of his Mathematics, page 23, proposes a question by which the diameter of the earth is to be determined

by an observation from the top of the Peak of Teneriffe, whereof the altitude is supposed known by barometrical, or the altitude of the summit above the other observation. The only data are level of the sea, and the angle between the perpendicular and a tangent to the sea, meeting the eye of the observer. Now, Mr. Dowling, in his Key to Hutton's Course of Mathematics, asserts, as a preliminary, that the length of this tangent is equal to the sum of the secant and tangent of the given angle to radius the altitude. If this be the case, and of which I have no doubt, how comes it that other mathemati cians had never before showa so plait and easy a truth? Duke-street, Portman-square, Dec. 19, 1817.

IRISH EXTRACTS.

CONTAINING A CONCISE Description of SOME OF THE PRINCIPAL PLACES IN IRELAND: WITH THE ANTIQUITIES, CUSTOMS, CHARACTER, AND MANNERS OF THAT COUNTRY.

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BY THOMAS STRINGER, M.D.

(Continued from page 212.)

THE IRISH CHARACTER.

NO this present moment the genuine character of the Irish is but little known to their brethren on this side of the water.

I know not how to make my reader better acquainted with the Irish gentry, than by the following description of Mr. Grattan:

"I think," said he, "I know my country; I think I have a right to know her. She has her weaknesses: were she perfect, one would admire her more, but love her less. The gentlemen of Ireland act on sudden impulse, but that impulse is the result of a warm heart, a strong head, and great personal determination. The errors incident to such a principle of action, must be their errors, but then the virtues belonging to that principle of action must be their virtues also; such errors may give a pretence to their enemies, but such virtues afford safely to their country."

The emigrations from Ireland are too frequently composed of a set of men, who do not offer to the world at large any very seducing picture of the country that gave them birth; but let the traveller, who is inquisitive into the national character, visit the Irishman of birth on his domain; and he will find the accomplished scholar united with the polished gentleman and the hospitable landlord. Among their faults -for none are perfect-are the love of wine, produced by the natural conviviality of their dispositions; and gallantry, emanating from habit and con

stitution.

Irish hospitality is perfectly free from ostentation, it proceeds from a cordial wish to communicate pleasure; the guest therefore, instead of being harassed with ceremony, and fatigued with compliment, finds all the freedom of an hotel within a gentleman's town or country house: in short, every one does as he pleases. The higher circles of society are, I believe, equally dissolute throughout the polished world. I therefore describe them with all their Europ. Mag. Vol. LXXIII. April 1818.

imperfections on their heads, when I speak of them generally; but when I speak or touch on the national character of the Irish, I take infinite pleasure in doing justice to a people, who are proverbially hospitable, generous, and brave; eager in conferring favours -grateful on receiving them: lively, affable, courteous; but gifted with a sensibility which-though honest-hearted and unsuspicious-occasions them to be quick in their resentment, and decided in their revenge.

The genteel sort of inhabitants in Dublin are polite, generous, and hos pitable to strangers, and much more agreeable than those of the same rank in London. They possess every ele gant refinement of life and manners; the only difference perceptible between a London and a Dublin rout is, that here, even amongst the first class, there is a warmth and cordiality of address which, though not perhaps more sincere than the cold formality of British ceremony, is infinitely more fascinating.

It is certain that the Irish ladies possess a certain affability of manners, tempered with unaffected modesty of deportment, that gifts them with peculiar powers to please. They are generally elegantly and highly educated, frank in manners and conversation, great vivacity-yet their modesty is a subject of remark and eulogy.

The vulgar English are persuaded that the Irish are a stupid misconceiving people, and many degrees below themselves in every mental faculty. This prejudice, which is chiefly owing to the poverty and depression of the latter (for persons of superior fortune natu. rally suppose themselves of superior understanding) is confirmed by the mistakes the illiterate Irish are apt to make, as other nations make when they express themselves in a language not their own; by the buffoonery of the stage, and the peculiar pride of a people who think all the rest of Adam's children throughout the world are vastly inferior to themselves in every valuable endowment. It is agreed, however, amongst intelligent and liberal observers, that the Irish are both remarkably quick and remarkably clear in their conception, and that they acquire sciences and arts in less time than the English do. But they are probably behind our countrymen in intense application, to gain a perfect knowledge and mastery of the science or art that is to be

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