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MONTHLY AGRICULTURAL REPORT.

UCH has been the prevalence of wet weather during the laft and prefent months, that we believe but little good hay has been made in any part of the kingdom, but especially in the more Northern Counties. In thefe indeed the rivers have been fo much fwelled by the late heavy rains, that much hay has been carried away and completely loft. And in regard to the corn crops, it has been probably ftill more prejudicial; in moft low fituations, the grain being either completely beaten down by the continued wetness of the feason, or covered by the rifing of waters. Much of the wheat and other grains that have been already cut in the midland and more fouthern diftricts, has been got in with great difficulty, and by no means in the beft ftate. It is indeed apprehended that a confiderable part must have been greatly injured, and fome in all probability totally spoiled.

In the Northern Counties very little grain is yet in a state fit for the fickle, much being quite green for want of fun. In the districts to the North of Northumberland we are told, that fuch a feason, so far, has not appeared perhaps in the memory of man; at any rate not fince the year 1782. Very little grain is yet cut in those parts; and what is cut, confifts almoft wholly of Dutch and Poland oats. The wheats are totally beaten down; and, being ripe, are beginning to spring in the ear: the lodged grain being kept conftantly wet from the almost inceflant rains, must be completely destroyed, and rendered unfit for the ufe of man, unless a very speedy alteration of the weather should take place. In the higher parts of Scotland, a very fmall portion of the grain is in a state fo forward as to warrant a hope that it can ripen let the future feafon be what it may."

All the corn crops are, however, in general full on the ground; but the great want of fun and fine clear weather has prevented the grain in many inftances from being fo plump and full in the ear as it ought to be. This was the cafe with feveral famples of wheat and other forts of grain which we have examined in very different parts of the Island. In a few favourable fituations we have however met with very good and full famples of both wheat, barley, and oats, and we have little doubt, from what we have actually observed in the course of a journey of nearly three hundred miles, but that had the weather been fuitably fine, there would have been more than a middling crop in most parts of the kingdom. The state of the grain is at prefent fuch, that without immediate fine weather, great quantities must be inevitably loft.

Turnips. Thefe are for the most part but an indifferent and unpromifing crop. They are not only late but appear extremely thin on the ground and puny. This has probably been caufed by the foil being rendered too dry by the warm weather in June and the beginning of July, and the coldnefs caufed by the deluges of rain which have fince fallen. In particular fituations both in Lincolnshire and Yorkshire, we have notwithstanding observed full and good crops: but the exceflive wetness of the feafon does not seem in any fituation to have admitted of their being properly hoed and kept clean from weeds.

Potatoes. This important crop is not by any means fo favourable as we had reafon fometime ago to fuppofe. The heavy rains have in general rendered them clayey, and not well tafted, and in low fituations made it neceffary for them to be immediately taken up. In fome parts of Lancashire this has been particularly the cafe ; and they have been fold in the markets for any price the owners could get for them. This root, after being covered with water, goes bad, and cannot be kept for any length of time.

Hops. The great degree of wetnefs has likewife operated very unfavourably for this crop. On the North Clays, we find there is not even half a common crop; and from other hop districts our reports are not much more favourable. Yearling bags fetch from 10 to ril. and Pockets from 11 to 121. New bags fetch from 91. gs. to rol. 10s. and pockets from rol. Ics. to 121.

Some of the neceffary operations of husbandry have also been confiderably retarded by the uncommon wetnefs of the feafon. In many fituations, fummer fallows have remained in the ftate they were left in July, and in fcarcely any have they been properly cleaned, not even in the dryeft foils. In fome places we obferved them quite green, being completely over-run with weeds. Much is therefore to be done before the feed for the next year's crop can be committed to the ground. Some grounds can hardly, we fuppofe, be rendered fufficiently clear in time for fowing.

Grain. Is every where on the advance. Wheat averages throughout England and Wales 74s. 3d.; barley, 39s. 3d.; oats, 31s. 2d.

Apples. Thefe are for the most part an abundant crop.

Cattle. Thofe that are fat or in the way of being readily made fo, fell at high prices; but lean ftock of all forts has but a very indifferent fale. Good milch-cows are falling much in price. Sheep. Good fat fheep for mutton, and lambs, ftill fell high; but lean fheep are confiderably cheaper. In Smithfield-market, Beef fells for 3s. to 49. per ftone.-Mutton from 35. to 3s. 8d.-and Veal from 3s. 8d. to 5s.

Horfet. Good faddle-horses, and thofe for the army, are ftill high; but carriage and cart horfes are lower.

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To the Editor of the Monthly Magazine.

SIR,

DURIN
URING the course of last year, a

fhort account was given in your valuable Magazine, of the Academical Inftitution founded here in 1796, purfuant to the will of the late Profeffor Anderfon. Since that time I have received feveral letters, requesting particular information with regard to the nature of the lectures delivered in that inftitution. For the fake of those gentlemen, and others who may with for fuch information, I will thank you to infert the following account of my Lectures. I am, Sir,

Your very obedient fervant,
THOMAS GARNETT.

Glasgow, Sept. 4, 1799.

THE firit is a complete fcientific courfe on phyfics and chemistry, with their application to the arts and manufactures. One lecture of this courfe is delivered every morning, and the following are the branches comprehended in it.

The properties of matter are first ex plained, with a view of the theory of Bofcovich; after which come the laws of motion, and the principles of mechanics. The principles are first demonftrated mathematically, and afterwards illustrated by experiments; and then the application of each part to the arts and manufactures pointed out, and, where it can be done, illuftrated by models of machinery. After this comes the doctrine of heat, which occupies a confiderable number of lectures. After illuftrating the general effects of heat, and Dr. Black's Theory of Fluidity and Evaporation, I proceed to point out the difcoveries made by Count Rumford.

view of its chemical properties; and, in about forty lectures, the principles of chemistry are pointed out, and illuftrated by experiments: then follows the application of chemistry to the different arts and manufactures, particularly etching, and the different modes of aquatinting, dying, bleaching, and calico-printing; in which the different processes are performed before the ftudents: this part of the courfe concludes with the application of chemitry to agriculture, and to the analysis of mineral waters.

After this follows a comprehenfive view of mineralogy, in which all the specimens are exhibited, and their nature and formation explained, with geological obfer

vations.

We next proceed to the principles of electricity and magnetifin; and after having confidered thefe two branches, and particularly the former, at confiderable length, we proceed to optics. In this part the principles of the fcience are pointed out; afterwards the ftructure of the eye, and the phenomena of vision, are confidered, and an account of optical inftruments given: the subject is finished by a view of the theory and practice of perfpective.

The last part of the course confifts of phyfical aftronomy, which is comprised in ten or twelve lectures only, becaufe a more particular confideration of it would exclude fome more ufeful parts of the courfe; and the completion of this part is left to the lecturer on aftronomy and geography.

I truft I may be allowed to fay, that there is no courfe in Britain which comprehends fo much, and is, at the fame time, fo full on each fubject; and this arifes from a particular attention to economy with refpect to time. The lecture begins precifely at the hour, all recapitulation is avoided, and, what is ufually introduced to fpin out lefs comprehensive courfes, carefully excluded.

Having explained the caufe of fluidity, we proceed to the principles of hydroftaties and hydraulics, rivers, lakes, inland navigation, &c. The mechanical properties of the air are next examined, which conftitutes pneumatics; after which come acoustics, the theory of the winds, and. Befides this courie, I give a popular mufic: the method of curing chimnies, one on experimental philofophy. This according to Count Rumford's plan; meteorology, and aërostation..

Being thus acquainted with the mechanical properties of the air, we next take a MONTHLY MAG, NO, LI,

courfe only occupies one lecture a week, which is in the evening. Here all mathematical and abstract reafoning is as much as poffible avoided, the most pleafing and 5 F

interesting

interefting experiments introduced, and the whole calculated to give an idea of those subjects to those who have not had leifure or opportunity for inveftigating them, and to refresh the memories of those who have. It is intended likewife as introductory to the scientific course.

The third is a popular courfe on chemistry; which takes up, for the first part of the feffion, one evening; and in the latter part, two evenings every week. In this courfe, the principles of chemistry, with its application to the arts and domeftic economy, are pointed out, and illuftrated by experiments*.

Befides thefe courfes, during the fummer, I give a fhort courfe on botany, and the theory of agriculture; and the next winter, I propofe a courfe on the philofophy of natural hiftory: the following outline of which has been laid before the ma

nagers.

The courfe is to begin with a general view of the univerfe, in which I fhall defcribe the different nebulæ, or fyftems of fixed ftars, and point out the probability of their being funs, round which different worlds revolve. We shall next fix our attention on one of them, our fun, and thall examine the different planets which revolve round it, with the various phenomena which they exhibit; and fhall then confine ourselves, through the remainder of the course, to the planet on which we are placed, and in which we are most interefted. We fhall firft examine the different theories concerning its formation, the changes which it appears to have undergone from volcanic fires, and the waters of the ocean: this will give an opportu. nity of introducing fome interefting facts on mineralogy, on exifting and extinct volcanos, and collections of bafaltic pillars. After this we fhall examine the atmofphere which furrounds the earth, and point out its molt ftriking properties, both chemical and mechanical; and fhall then defcribe the feveral changes this fluid undergoes from winds, thunder, &c. and give an account of the formation of mifts, clouds, rivers, and lakes.

We shall next take a view of the different living beings on the furface of the earth; and firft, of man, in which we fhall trace his progrefs from infancy to old age, the unfolding of reafon, the faculty called instinct, &c. Next will follow a

*I have printed a text-book for this courfe,

under the title of "Outlines of a Course of Lectures on Chemistry;" which is fold by Cadell and Davies, London.

view of the philofophy of living matter, with a general outline of phyfiology; the effects of different climates on the colour of the human fpecies; the progrefs of man in fociety from rudeness to refinement. After this, will be pointed out the moft remarkable particulars with refpect to other animals, fuch as their modes of life, migration, &c. The course will be concluded with a view of the vegetable kingdom, or the philofophy of botany, with the theory of agriculture and gardening.

To the Editor of the Monthly Magazine.

SIR,

N anfwer to the question of your corre

IN

fpondent M. J. whofe cafe I lament, as he ftates that he has been obliged, by the Commiffioners of the (Surry, I prefume) Court of Requests, to pay the extravagant demand of an impertinent fervant-His faid cafe I contider as a defperate one; for, being well acquainted with those tribunals, I can affure him, that the judgment of the commiffioners is final; and confequently it is impoffible for him to appeal to one that is fuperior. At the fame time I must observe, that the commiffioners are, as all magistrates ought to be, liable to perfonal actions, fhould they have fo far forgotten the folemn obligation of their oaths, as to have stepped beyond the correct line of their duty, and, either wilfully or maliciously, acted illegally or corruptly.

Of all the petty litigation that comes before the commiffioners, there is, perhaps, none that gives them fo much trouble as the continual difputes arifing betwixt mafters, miftreffes, male and female fervants; and, it is but fair to ftate, that there is generally in the two former grounds to complain against the two latter claffes of fociety. Moralifts must attribute their behaviour to the licentiousness of the times; but I have never obferved that the commiffioners have made any al. lowance for the depravity of the age, and the effect which bad example may have upon the mind, and confequently manners of those fervants that have appealed to them; on the contrary, they have always taken the character and behaviour of fuch perfons into confideration, and have never fuffered them to have the advantage of their own wrong, or to make impertinence and irregularity of conduct the inftruments of litigious extortion.

With refpect to the original of the Courts of Confcience, now fo numerous in this kingdom, they unquestionably had

their rife from that great tribunal for civil caufes, known among the Saxons, and by us, under the appellation of County Court.

Thefe affemblies were inftituted in the time of King Edgar; but far more perfectly and firmly established by Alfred, at the time when he made the divifion of the counties that has defcended to us. Here the sheriff fat as judge, and the fuitors of the court, as they were, and are ftill termed, that is, the freemen and land-holders of the county, formed a jury.

From thefe courts was derived another, but of inferior jurifdiction, termed the Court Baron.

The great increase of frivolous fuits in the King's fuperior courts, in the time of Edward the Firft, occafioned a law to be made, that none fhould have a writ in thofe unless the matter to be litigated amounted to the value of forty fhillings; and this is the first veftige to be traced of that form of tribunal, now recognized as a Court of Confcience, the business of which was, about this time, a part of that of the County and Hundred Courts; and was, indeed, confidered as fo material a part, that we have, upon this account only,, frequently met with complaints, that great hardships and inconveniencies to the fubject arose from the irregularity and infrequency of thofe meetings, which complaints exifted until the 3d of Edward the Sixth, who enacted, that the meeting of all county courts fhould be monthly.

As the commerce of the city of London became extended, this inconvenience, it appears, was more feverely felt by its inhabitants than any other class of subjects; they confequently endeavoured to procure a remedy, There is in Stow (vide TitleIndex) an account of the first Court of Requests inftituted in the city of London, collected by Thomas Griffin, fome time a clerk of that court, the particulars of which are curious, but to quote at length would extend this fpeculation beyond the limits of your Magazine. Among other circumstances, it ftates that, "the 1ft of February, 9th of Henry the VIIIth, an act of Common Council was made, that the Lord Mayor and Aldermen should monthly affign and appoint two aldermen, and four difcreet commoners, to be commiflioners.

"This act, which was to continue a year, being found charitable and profitable for the relief of such poor debtors as were not able to make prelent payments, and to reftrain malicious perfons from

proceeding in their wilful fuits, and alfo to fuch perfons as had small debts owing to them, and were not able to prosecute them by actions at law, has fince been continued, the number of commiffioners increafed from four to twelve, and the authority of the faid court extended to the end of the reign of Elizabeth; when divers persons repining at the influence of the said court, and not regarding any expences or charges, how great foever they might be, fo that they might have their defires upon their poor debtors, and being alfo animated thereto by divers attornies and folicitors (for their own particular gain), did daily commence fuits against poor citizens and freemen, in the high courts of Westminster; whereby these poor men were obliged fometimes to pay fix times as much as their principal debt or damage did amount to: undoing by these means fuch poor men, their wives and children, and filling the prifons, when otherwise they might have got their debts with a small charge and little trouble.

"For remedy whereof, and for the ftrengthening and establishing the aforefaid court, an act was made by the legifla ture, anno primo Jacobi Regis, which enacted, that any citizen and freeman of London that had, or fhould have, any debts owing to him not amounting to forty fhillings, might caufe fuch debtors to be warned to appear before the commiffioners of the faid court; and they fhould make fuch orders between plaintiffs and defendants as they fhould find to ftand with equity and good conscience.

"But fince the making the faid act, divers perfons, intending to fubvert the meaning and good intent of the fame, have taken hold of some doubtful and ambiguous words therein, and wrested the fame for their own lucre and gain, contrary to the godly meaning of the faid act.

"For remedy whereof, another act of Parliament was made anno tertio Jacobi I. bywhich the power of the commiffioners was much enlarged; giving to them authority to adminifter an oath to the creditor or debtor, and to commit to one of the coun ters," &c.

"By this act (faith Mr. Thomas Griffin) the Court of Requests is established and continued to this day; and God grant that it may long continue to the relief of the poor!"

Having thus ftated the rife and progress of this branch of jurifprudence, with the opinion, or rather ejaculation, of one of its firft clerks, which probably will have but 5 F 2

little

little weight with your readers, as he must have been an interested perfon, it will be neceffary to contralt it with one in every refpect different, namely, that of the great luminary of the English law,

the late Sir William Blackstone.

"There is (faid this learned Judge) one fpecies of courts, conftituted by act of Parliament, in the city of London, and other populous diftricts, which in their proceedings fo vary from the courfe of the common law, that they may deserve a more particular confideration; I mean the Courts of Confcience, or Courts of Requeft. The first of thefe was established in London to early as the reign of Henry the Eighth, by an act of the Common Council; which, however, was certainly infufficient for the purpofe, and illegal, till confirmed by the ftatute 3d of James I. chap. xv. which has fince been explained and amended by the ftatute 14th Geo. II. chap. x. The constitution is this; the commiffioners are to decide in a fummary way in all caufes of debt which do not amount to forty fhillings," &c.

As the nature of the court has been before explained, it is unneceffary to repeat

it.

The learned Judge then proceeds: "The time and expence of obtaining this fummary redrefs are very inconfiderable, which make it a great benefit; and thereupon divers trading towns, and other districts, have obtained acts of Parliament for establishing in them Courts of Confcience, upon nearly the fame plan as that of London.

"The anxious defire that has been evinced to obtain thefe acts, proves clearly, that the nation in general is truly fenfible of the inconveniencies arifing from the difule of the County and Hundred Courts, wherein caufes of this fmall value were formerly decided, with very little trouble or expence to the parties: but it is to be feared, that the general remedy which has lately been applied to this inconvenience (the erecting thete new jurifdictions), may itfelf be attended, in time, with very ill confequences, as the method of proceed. ing therein is intirely in derogation of common law, as their large difcretionary powers create a petty tyranny in a fet of ftanding commiffioners; and as the difufe of the trial by Jury may tend to eftrange the minds of the people from that valuable prerogative of Englishmen, which has already been more than fufficiently excluded in many inftances. How much rather is it to be wifhed, that the powers of the County and Hundred Courts could

again be revived?". -Blackftone's Com-` mentaries, vol. iii. page 81.

Such is the opinion of this learned Judge refpecting Courts of Confcience: in which opinion I certainly concur, as far as relates to his apprehenfions with regard to the ill confequences that may arife from the example given of the difufe of Juries in thefe new tribunals; but I greatly fear that thefe ill confequences would not be avoided by the revival of the full powers of the County and Hundred Courts; for it is to be obferved, that they are ftill, in many parts of the kingdom, in pretty extenfive operation. In fact, the practice in these tribunals* demands legiflative inspection and regulation, even more than that of the Courts of Confcience; and I think it was once the idea of a gentleman of the firft legal abilities, and now in one of the higheft legal offices, to bring in a bill for that purpofe; which, I fhould conceive, would be a neceffary meafure, as, from obfervation, and all the information which I have been able to collect, the benefit to the public from the former is not greater than that derived from the latter; which are chiefly established in trading and manufacturing towns and districts: and experience has convinced us, that they certainly are, even in their prefent ftate, a confiderable relief to the inhabitants within their jurifdictions, though it is equally certain, that their fyftem is far from being perfect; indeed it is fuch, that to be made extenfively beneficial it fhould undergo a thorough revifal. As an inftance, there is in all the acts of Parliament for eftablishing Courts of Requeft, a claufe which prohibits the commiffioners from entertaining any actions upon leafe for lands, tenements, teftaments, trovert, &c. Yet, upon the difputes betwixt landlords and tenants, reprefentatives, perfons who have loft goods entrusted to carriers, laundreffes, &c. more than half the bufinefs of the

* In the fmall county of Cardigan the number of caufes tried in the Sheriffs Court in one year amounted to upwards of three thoubunals in the principality they have only a fand. It is to be obferved, that in these triJury of fix; and yet in these Courts, in confequence of a writ of jufticies, directed to the Sheriff, they have been known to take cognizance of actions where the matter in litigation has amounted to an hundred pounds and upwards.

+ Vide the Acts for establishing Courts for the recovery of fmall debts in Westminster, 23 Geo. II. c. xxvii. and 24 Geo. II. c. xlii.

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