pound of quickfilver, half a pound of Ve- Transactions, continues his researches in

nice turpentine, half a pint of oil of turpentine. Let them be rubbed in a mortar till the quickfilver is thoroughly incorporated with the other ingredients. This mixture, Sir Joseph juftly obferves, is the fame with the unguentum cæruleum of the fhops.-It is applied to the skin by means of the finger, after dividing the wool in two or three places on the body -usually about Michaelmas. There are people who contract to do this bufinefs at the rate of 58. per score for these large fheep. The fame diforder may be effec tually removed by a cheaper and lefs troublesome operation-meerly by foaking the fkin with a strong decoction of tobacco ftalks or leaves.

A fingle paper only occurs under the divifion of Polite Arts. It is a defcription of a portable machine, called a pocket memorandum book for those who want their eye fight: by Mr Robert Broomley. This is a very ingenious contrivance, and does honour to the inventor:-though it is easy to perceive that the contrivance for arithmetical notation especially, is more complicated than that of Dr Moyes, which he has communicated to the public under the article BLIND, in the Encyclopedia Britannica (the edition now publithing); who by means of four pins only, diftinctly marks all poffible variations of numbers, as well as every musical note that it is neceffary, in practice, to exprefs. Under the article Manufactures there is a paper of Mr Greaves's, by which it appears that he has attained to ftill greater perfection in the manufacture of coarfe paper from withen (ozier) bark, than he did Jaft year. The difference in the price of paper of the fame fize and thickness made from ropes or withen bark, he finds to be-From ropes 8 s. 6 d. per ream-from withen bark 5 s. 8d. per ream; which is a faving in the laft cafe of more than 30 per cent. Probably, when this manufacture comes to be fully established, the faving will be ftill greater in proportion. Mr Davis, of Salisbury-court, Fleet ftreet, obtained the filver medal for ma king paper in imitation of marble, more elegant than what used to be imported from abroad: fo that this, as well as paper for taking impreffions from prints, may be confidered as an acquifition to the manufactures of this nation.

Mr Swaine, who communicated fome ufeful obfervations on the management of filk-worms in a former volume of these

the prefent; and conveys many useful remarks on that fubject, to the public. He thinks filk-worms may be kept in the open air in this country; and gives a drawing and description of a very neat and commodious apparatus for feeding these infects, that may be occafionally moved into the open air, when circumstances are favourable for them. He concurs with all the perfons who have lately written on this fubject, in thinking the climate of England more, favourable for the rearing of filk-worms than the warmer regions of Europe or Afia; and that nothing is wanting for this purpose but a greater number of mulberry trees than we at prefent poffefs. To remedy this evil, he propofes to try to rear the black mulberry from feeds; and we have no doubt of his fucceeding in this attempt, as it is certain that mulberry trees are every year thus reared in fome of the fouthern provinces of Spain. He thinks the black mulberry leaf promises to be, on the whole, the beft food for filk-worms, though he thinks the white might be preferable to it, on some occafions, particularly for young worms. He finds, as Mifs Rhodes has already experienced, that lettuce leaves may be used occafionally, with fuccefs, as a fuccedaneum for the mulberry leaf.

Mr Gates, of Spalding, in a series of letters to Ld Romney, communicates an account of the furprising efforts of Mifs Ann Ives of Spalding, in fpinning fine woollen yarn, which the has brought to a degree of perfection hitherto unknown in this part of the world. One pound weight of English wool was fpun by Mifs Ives into 256 fkains of yarn, each fkain being 560 yards long, making 143,360 yards, amounting to 81 miles and 80 yards in length; a furprising degree of finenefs. Mr Harvey of Norwich proposed to work this yarn into a fhawl, a yard and a half square, the warp doubled and twifted, and the woof fingle, which is expected to weigh all together lefs than two ounces. We are forry, however, to obferve, that Mr Harvey is inclined to think that such a degree of fineness of yarn from English wool, muft rather be a matter of curiofity than utility, as it wants the filky foftnefs for which the wool of Tibet and Cathemire is fo peculiarly remarkable. Why do we not attempt to obtain fome of the breed of that particular race of theep? Is it impoffible to pre

vent their wool from degenerating in this Country-We wish to fee this question, fairly inveftigated.-It ought to be remarked, that this fine yarn was fpun by means of the fpindle and diftaff.

Under the head of Mechanics, are communicated feveral attefted accounts of the fuccefs of ftriking whales by means of the gun barpoon:-an account of a machine (accompanied with a plate) for twitching wool (a particular operation neceffary in the baize manufacture, hi therto always done by hand), invented by Mr Hughes, which has obtained the approbation of feveral baize manufacturers in Effex.-A road harrow (with a figure allo) for filling up the ruts in roads that are covered with gravel, invented by Mr Hariot :-and an explanation (with a plate) of a method of fupplying the lofs of a fhip's rudder at fea, by Capt. Pakenham of the navy. This fubftitute for a rud. der was tried at feaby Capt. Cornwallis, in his Majefty's fhip Crown, who found it anfwer extremely well; and, in his opinion, and in that of all his officers, would conduct a fhip to any part of the world. A difcovery of this importance to feafaring men, thould certainly be published, by itself, in a low-priced pamphlet, with a plate, and a very full defcription, that it might fall in the way of captains of veffels of every denomination.

In the clafs of olonies, there is a farther account of the profperous state of the true cinnamon tree in Jamaica, which promifes foon to fupply this nation with abundance of spiceries. The leaves of this tree are faid to be highly impregna ted with the flavour of cloves. M.

LONDO N. Religion, Controversy, &c. Primitive Chriftianity; or, Teftimonies from the writers of the first four centuries; to prove that Jefus Chrift was worshipped as God, from the beginning of the Chriftian church. By Thomas Knowles, D. D. Prebendary of Ely. 8vo. 2 s. 6 d. fewed. Davis.

Obfervations on the first part of Dr Knowles's Teftimonies from the writers of the first four centuries. In a letter to a friend. By Capel Lofft. 8vo. 2 s. 6 d. fewed. Jabefan

Chrift crucified, or the fcripture-doctrine of the atonement briefly illuftrated and defended, in four difcourfes, by Caleb Evans, M. A. 12mo. 2 s. fewed. Buckland, &c. A letter to Dr Priestley, or a volley of random-hot discharged at him from the old

fortrefs called the Church of England, which he is attempting to take by ftorm, by a volunteer. I s. 6d. Parfons.Inftead of the dignity of a ferious engagement, we meet with nothing but the ridiculous pertness of a city-gunner, who, like the pirate, does not confine himself to a particular enemy, but fires his random-fhot on all who come in his way. M.

Scripture-characters, or a practical imOld Teftament, from Adam to Joshua inprovement of the principal hiftories of the clufive. By Thomas Robinfon, M. A. vicar of St Mary's, Leicester. boards. Mattberus, &c.

Repeal of the Teft Aa.

12mo. 3 s.

[On this queftion the Monthly Reviewers and Gentleman's Magazine bave taken different fides, and their opinions of the publications on this fubjet do not always agree: we fall occasionally infert both, M. fanding for Monthly Review, and G. for Gentleman's Magazine.]

Obfervations on the conduct of the Proteflant diffenters. 8vo. 6d. Pridden. Contains more invective than argument. The the diffenting fathers upon the children, not author feems defirous of vifiting the fins of only to the third and fourth, but to the remoteft generations. M.

of the teft, as objected to in a pamphlet reA letter to Earl Stanhope, on the subject commended by his Lordship. 8vo. Is. Rivingtans.The pamphlet referred to is intitled "The right of Proteftant diffenters to a complete toleration afferted." The letterwriter has taken the weakest side of the question, and his mode of defence does not tend to make the worfe appear the better reason. Against the repeal, he urges the ftale objection, the danger of innovation M.The feen on the fubject: the writer follows the letter is one of the clearest things we have point closely, but with temper. G.

Hiftory, Larv,

c.

Original precedents in conveyancing, pubThomas Walter Williams, of the Inner Temlished under the direction and inspection of ple, barrister at law. 4 vols. 8vo. Il. 4 s. boards. Kearsley -There is no reason to this collection. M. doubt the authenticity of the precedents in

Cafes in crown law, determined by the and by commiffioners of Oyer and TermiTwelve Judges, by the Court of King's Bench, year of Geo. II. to the 29th year of Geo. ner, and general goal delivery, from the 4th III. By Thomas Leach, Efq; of the Mid6d. boards. dle Temple, barrister at law. 8vo. 95. Whieldon.

Be

Courts, Dublin; with feled cafes in the Reports of cafes determined in the King's House of Lords of Ireland. Part I. ginning Trinity term 26 Geo Ill. A. D. 1786, and ending with the cafes in the House

of

According (fays he) to the knowledge which my employment has given me or hat kingdom (Spain), and the care I have taken to affure myfelf of the accuracy of this new work, I can certify that its contents are exactly true, and prefent a correct picture of the prefent fate of Spain. The critical ob fervations which it contains, are, befide, of

effays of M. Peyron. Tranflated from the French. Illuftrated with twelve copper-plates. 8vo. 3 vol. II. Is. boards. Robinfons. -The Chevalier affords very full information, among other particulars, refpecting the government and revenues of Spain, and to this part of his performance particular attention is due, as his means of information were good. After enumerating all the items offered with fo much modesty, that they can the revenue, he states, "that in 1776 the whole produced no more than 100 millions of livres, (upwards of four millions and a half Sterling), and not even that fum the following years; and it is faid, the national expence conftantly exceeds the receipt.”—The following anecdote is taken from the work of M. Peyron, and is not a little characteristic of the monarch, as well as of the times in which he lived. In the days of Peter the Third of Caftile," a canon of the cathedral of Seville, affected in his dress, and particularly in his fhoes, could not find a workman to his likeing. An unfortunate fhoemaker, to whom he applied after quitting many others, having brought him a pair of fhoes not made to pleafe his tafte, the canon became furious, and feizing one of the tools of the shoemaker, gave him with it fo many blows upon the head, as laid him dead upon the floor. The unhappy man left a widow, four daughters, and a fon fourteen years of age, the eldest of the indigent family. They made their complaints to the chapter: the canon was profecuted, and condemned not to appear in the chair for a year. The young fhoemaker having attained to man's eftate, was fcarcely able to get a livelihood, and, overwhelmed with wretchedness, fat down, on the day of a proceffion, at the door of the cathedral of Seville, in the moment the proceffion paffed by Amongst the other canons, he perceived the murderer of his father. At the fight of this man, filial affection, rage, and defpair, got fo far the better of his reafon, that he fell furiously upon the priest, and ftabbed him to the heart. The young man was seized, convicted of the crime, and immediately condemned to be quartered alive. Peter, whom we call the cruel, and whom the Spaniards, with more reafon, call the lover of juftice, was then at Seville. The affair came to his knowledge; and, after learning the par. ticulars, he determined to be himself the judge of the young fhoemaker. When he preceded to give judgement, he firft annulled the fentence juft pronounced by the cler gy; and after afking the young man what profeffion he was, "I forbid you, faid he, to make fhoes for a year to come.”

not bt be acceptable to every nation that is a friend to truth, and which would not be offended but by an exaggeration of its defects.. This work was wanting to the French [and to the English] to give them a just knowledge of Spain; and perhaps to the Spaniards themfelves, to enlighten them in the progress which they have ftill to make, before they arrive at that degree of improvement to which they tend." M.

A tour through Sweden, Swedish Lapland, Finland, and Denmark. In a feries of letters, illuftrated with engravings. By Mat thew Confett, Efq; who accompanied Sir H. G. Liddell, Bt, and Mr Bowes, in this tour. 4to.

10 s. 6 d. boards. Johnfon.If the readers of this tour expect much information relative to matters not already known, or concerning which it would be difficult for knowledge to be acquired, their expectations will not be entirely gratified. The travellers do not feem to have journeyed in pursuit of knowledge; and as that good lady is rather shy, fhe, on her part, does not appear to have been very anxious to intrude, where she was not invited. Mr Confett does not feem much

-As we

cannot better characterize the work of M. de Bourgoanne than M. Mentelle, the French ourfelves of his labour, by tranfcribing his eenfor of the prefs, has done; we fhall avail words,

VOL. LII. •

pleafed with the Swedish ladies: they poffefs, however, great equality of temper, and are particularly accomplished in mufic. Of the dowager queen, fifter to the late king of Pruffia, we are told, that "She partook of many of the ftrong mental qualities of her brother. She was not only well fkilled in all the parts of profound literature, but her unli mited knowledge extended through every fyftem of politics. Early in life, the took much delight in the cultivation of a strong natural understanding, which the continued to improve to her death. That the might have a retirement proper for this purpose, the built a fmall palace in the garden at Drodenholm, which is elegant, and of moft exquifite architecture. The Chinese tatte prevails moft; there are feveral apartments decorated with mandarins, china vafes, and various ornaments, which highly compliment

her tafte and judgement. In this retirement the dedicated her time to books, and by indefatigable study became a proficient in almoft every language, but particularly in the Latin tongue, which, it is faid, fhe thoroughly understood. The library, which is of her own collection, and extremely well chofen, is now a ftanding teftimony of her genius. Her private character, whatever may have been

"

faid by the tongue of flander, it is not my bufinefs to investigate.' M.--For an account of the two Lapland girls brought to England by Sir 4. G. Liddel, fee Scots Mag. vol. 51. p. 370.

ry, applied with more wit than truth to our courts of justice, is literally fulfilled : "And wretches bang, that jurymen may DINE." Capital punishments, however, are extremely rare; a circumftance arifing not from a Travels in Switzerland, by William Coxe, want of severity in the penal ftatutes, or M. A. F. R. S. &c. 8vo. 3 vols. Il. 4 5. from a propensity to mercy in the judges, boards. Cadell. This work is not fimply but because the latter draw more advantages a republication of Mr Coxe's sketches of the from fining than executing an offender. In natural, civil, and political state of Switzer- a word, to use the expreffion of Burnet, land. The favourable reception of these which is as true at present as it was in his feetches induced the ingenious author to make time, "Many crimes go unpunished, if the a journey, in 1779, through the country of perfons who commit them have either great the Grifons; a part of Switzerland which credit or much money." had been seldom vifited, and which was but imperfectly described. In 1785 and 1787, he enjoyed opportunities of revifiting the Cantons, which were the fubjects of his former work, of comparing his defcriptions with the originals, and of availing himself of the corrections of feveral perfons of political or literary eminence. The prefent work, therefore, deferves to be confidered as a very authentic and complete defcription of Switzerland; a description in which the author corrects his own errors, as well as thote of other travellers, and toward the improvement of which he feems not to have fpared any pains, or avoided any danger. M.-As a fpccimen, we fhall infert the author's ac count of the courts of justice, religion, revenues, and population of the Grifons.

During the course of my correspondence, I have occafionally mentioned the judicial procecdings in fome of the communities. I fhall here remark in general, that throughout the three leagues the Roman law prevails, modified by the municipal customs. The courts of justice in each community are compofed of the chief magiftrate, who prefides, and a certain number of jurymen, chofen by the people they have no regular falaries, but receive for their attendance a fmall fum, arifing in fome communities from the expences of the process, which are defrayed by the criminals; in others from a fhare of the fines. They enjoy the power of pardoning or diminishing the penalty, and of receiving a compofition in money. This mode of proceeding fuppofes, what is as abfurd in theory as it is contrary to experience, that judges will incline to mercy when it is their intereft to convict; or will impartially inflict punishment, even when injurious to their own private advantage.

The prifoners are examined in private; frequently tortured, for the purpose of forcing confeflion, when the judges either divide the fines, or remit the punishment for a compofition. In some districts a criminal trial is a kind of feftival to the judges, for whom a good rei aft1- provided at the expence of the prifoner if convicted; nd thus the following allufion, in Garth's Difpenfa

It is remarkable, that torture is more frequently applied, and for smaller delinquencies, in thefe independent republics, than in the fubject provinces. The infliction of it depends entirely upon the arbitrary will of the judges, a majority of whom may order it for an offence which is not capital, nor even pu nifhable by corporal penalties. Thus it is not uncommon, in thofe communities where fines are divided among the judges, to torture women of loofe conduct, for the purpofe of compelling them to confefs with whom they have been connected; for as fuch offences are punishable by fines, the more perfons are convicted, the larger share of money is diftributed among the judges, for the trouble of their attendance. Even in the districts where the fines are paid to the community, torture is often no less wantonly inflicted, because, when the prisoner is not found guilty, the expences of the procefs fall upon the public, and the judges receive little emolument.

Even in the civil courts most causes are decided by bribing the judges; and appeals in thofe communities wherein they are admitted, fcarcely ferve any other end than to enlarge the fphere of corruption. Coire and a few other places are excepted from this general reflection. This defcription comprehends the courte of jurifprudence throughout the Grifons; and how can it be expected, that the governors of the fubject provinces should impartially adminifter juftice, where their power is enlarged, and where they enjoy greater means of enriching themselves; when they have fuch continual examples of injuftice and venality in their own country?—

The religion of the Grifons is divided into Catholic and Reformed, the only two perfuafions which are tolerated in this country. By the Reformed is meant what we call Calvinifm, although it is not the fame as was established at Geneva. For, as the Reformation was introduced into this country by the difciples of Zuingle, the religion of the Proteftant Grifons bears a greater resemblance to that fettled at Zuric, than to the church of Geneva; although the difference between thefe two fects is fo trifling, that they may be confidéred as holding the fame tenets. A

mong