curious subject of research, and might throw considerable light on the manners and institutions of our ancestors, to investigate thoroughly the history of this singular fashion, and to mark the different changes which an individual of talent and enterprise was allowed to make in taking up his position at table, according to the increase of his wealth and consequent utility, and the effects of such changes on his general habits, and on the behaviour of those who were formerly his companions in obscurity.

The passages quoted by J. M. from that most curious work, the Memorie of the Somervilles, clearly demonstrate the wide distinction of rank that exist ed in this country at comparatively a recent period, between noble and ignoble tenures between the Goodman, Rentaller or Yeoman, and the Laird or Baron. It would be an interesting inquiry, to trace the circumstances which contributed to break down the jealous barriers of feudal honours, and to point out the period and manner in which the nature of the holding came to be at last almost overlooked in augmenting or disparaging gentility.

On a more minute investigation, it would be equally curious to examine the specific distinctions which existed between the two men who were placed together, the one above and the other below the salt-vat, and to study that beautiful combination of character, by which they formed the links in the social chain which united the nobility of one end of the table, with the humble tenants of the other,-leading by an almost imperceptible transition from the meanest appendage of a feudal feast, to the mailed retainer and the plumed baron.

But I am unwilling to anticipate the observations of your correspondent, who will, I trust, make good his promise, of favouring the public with a continuation of his remarks.

In the meantime, to exercise the learning and ingenuity of your antiquarian friends, I beg leave to propose the following queries, the solution of which will tend greatly to facilitate the labours of future inquirers.

1st, Were the two great classes of society assembled at the same table, connected by means of two individuals on each side, seated together, the one as it were placed opposite to the upper or noble half of the salt-vat, the other to the lower or ignoble half, and com

bining, in their persons, the different characters of both parties? Or, 2dly, Did these opposite extremes unite in the person of an individual on either side of the table, placed immediately in front of the salt-vat? Or, 3dly, Was there no such "union of extremest things" permitted, but a vacant space or gap opposite the salt-vat on both sides, leaving a blank in the fair chain of gradation, similar to that which has been caused in the scale of nature's works by the extinction of the mighty Mastodon, which formerly inhabited the salt-licks of North America?

Hoping that the preceding quotations, observations, and queries, may meet with a favourable reception, if not on their own account, at least from the chance of their exciting the attention of others more able to communicate information on such curious topics, I remain, respectfully, your obedient servant, P. F.

Edinburgh, 1st May, 1817.

ON THE FALL OF VOLCANIC DUST IN THE ISLAND OF BARBADOES.

[The following excellent letter, containing an account of the fall of volcanic dust in Barbadoes, has been communicated to us by a friend.]

SIR,

IN compliance with your request, I have drawn up a detail of the circumstances (as far as I was an eye-witness) of the fall of volcanic dust in the island of Barbadoes, which occurred on May 1st, 1812, and which was produced by an eruption of the volcano in the neighbouring island of St Vincent, lying to leeward, or to the westward of Barbadoes.

I was at that time resident on the north-east coast of the island of Barbadoes, or in what is termed the windward part of that island, about eleven miles from the principal town. On the shore of this district, it may be proper to remark, there is almost constantly a heavy surf rolling, produced by the trade-wind impelling the sea on a coast completely iron-bound by rocks and rocky shoals.

During the night preceding May 1st, I was awakened by what I took to be signal-guns of distress from some ships wrecked at no great distance; in a very short time the explosions became so frequent, as to induce me rather to believe that they proceeded from two vessels engaging each other. In the town, these explosions, as I

understood afterwards, were regarded as the discharges of cannon; so much so, that the garrison of St Ann's castle was kept under arms for the remainder of the night.

The explosions having ceased, nothing occurred to excite my attention during the remainder of the night; but when I arose, on the light of morn ing beginning very faintly to appear, I was struck with surprise on approaching the window, by seeing what I took to be a very dense black cloud threatening rain, as a thunder storm was not to be expected at that period of the year: the horizon, along the edge of the sea, was clearly defined by the morning light; but, immediately above it, the black cloud seemed to fringe the surface of the sea, and to cover the whole atmosphere. At this time I had not observed any fall of dust; but I was afterwards informed by my servants, that particles of dust had been falling for the greater part of the night, though in small quantity! On returning to the other part of the room, and fixing my eyes steadily on the window, I was greatly astonished by the gradual disappearance of the faint light which had been visible before, and in a few minutes afterwards, by finding that I had totally lost sight of the sash of the window- -an occurrence which I well knew never takes place in the most stormy or in the darkest night of the West Indies. I groped my way to the window, and touched the glass without seeing it; and on opening the sash, I first perceived that particles of dust were flying about; but the darkness was so profound, that I could not discover the outline of the neighbouring hills, the trees around the house, or, in short, any one object. I soon after quitted the house, and found that the earth was covered with dust; that it fell 1n a constant thick shower, occasionally with considerable force; and that the windows, on the windward side of the house, were incrusted with it: but the darkness was so great, that a white handkerchief held close to the face could not be seen, and it was impos sible for me to walk in the garden wit hout the risk of striking against the trees or other large objects. I then first remarked a smell of some burnt matter, and I fancied I saw, or I really saw, on, looking upwards attentively, a lur id red appearance of the clouds, over head, through the profound darkness.

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At this time, a perfect calm, and the most remarkable stillness, uninterrupted by the usual noise of the surf of the sea, was observable, and was rendered more evident by the crash of the limbs of the trees of a very large wood which was adjacent to the house, and which formed an awful contrast to the extreme stillness of the atmosphere. On holding a lantern to some of the trees, I found that the limbs of the more flexible ones were bent almost to the ground by the weight of the dust which adhered to them. The fall of dust during the period of darkness was incessant, but at some times it was harder and thicker than at others. It ceased between twelve and one o'clock. I first began to discover the sashes of the windows, and the outlines of the trees, soon after twelve; and at one I could plainly distinguish the lurid red clouds of a fiery aspect which hung low, and swept past the island; it was at this time that I was first struck by the noise of a tremendous surf, and on looking to the sea I evidently saw it lashing the shore, having, as it would appear, risen to its utmost height and fury from a state of perfect quiescence in the shortest possible space of time; as during the period of darkness not the slightest murmur of the sea could be heard.

The aspect of the country around was now become wintry and dreary; the sugar canes were level with the earth; the smaller plants were laid prostrate: and the limbs of the trees were either broken off or bent downwards, as the wood was flexible or brittle,-and the whole surface of the soil was covered with grayish ashes to the depth of an inch.

The next morning I rode to the beach, and could easily perceive, by the mark which the sea had left on the dust lying on the green sward, that it had risen to a height which had covered the whole of the sands, and reached the adjacent shrubs and grass. The perpendicular height which, to have effected this, it must have risen, I then measured, and I perfectly recollect that it was very great; as, however, I have left the memoranda, (which I penned at the time) of all the circumstances of this event in Barbadoes, I will not venture to state from memory that measurement.

If regard be had to the relative situation of the island of Barbadoes, it

is evidently a most singular circumstance attendant on the fall of volcanic dust, that the eruption of a volcano taking place in the island of St Vincent, twenty leagues to leeward of Barbadoes, should have projected that immense mass of heavy matter to a height above the influence of the northeastern trade-wind, so that it should have been carried in a contrary direction to it, and then have been precipitated by its gravity on the island of Barbadoes and beyond it; for in this way only can we account for the volcanic dust having made its way seemingly against the trade-wind, which, at that period of the year especially, is steady and uniform.

It is also worthy of remark, that the explosions of the volcano should have been heard at the distance of twenty leagues, though the wind was against the progress of the sound.

A long period of drought succeeded to the fall of dust, and during that period the columns of the lighter parts of the dust, which were raised and driven by the wind, proved a most unpleasant annoyance to those who were exposed to them, and exhibited a very singular appearance when viewed from any distance.

I may now notice an occurrence which took place subsequently to the fall of dust, and which I am inclined to believe was in some degree connected with that event.

As soon as the crop of corn (zea maize and holcus sorsum), and of potatoes, (sweet potato, or convolvulus batatas, of the West Indies) the planting of which had been long retarded by the preceding drought, and took place shortly after the fall of the dust, were established, swarms of caterpillars, of a variety of species, suddenly made their appearance, and destroyed the growing corn and the foliage of the potatoes. The sudden production of these animals, and their immense quantities, scarcely can be conceived. It will be sufficient to mention, that, in one instance, in a field of potatoes, not a single caterpillar was observable early in the morning, and before noon of the same day, they were discovered in such abundance as to require to be swept up and carried off in the earthen vessels used in the sugar manufactory to contain molasses, and which hold about five gallons each. The caterpillars, however, which destroyed the

growing crops of corn, were neither so suddenly produced, nor in such vast numbers, as those which fed on the foliage of the potato; but successive generations of them continued to follow each other, so that scarcely any corn was reaped, and the island of Barbadoes suffered a sort of famine for many months.

How far the production of these caterpillars was connected with the presence of the volcanic dust, may be a question difficult of solution; but it may not be irrelevant to mention, that the dust had the property, from the large quantity of iron it contained, of absorbing and retaining the solar heat, so as to be painfully hot to the touch: this heated state was probably favourable to the evolution of larvæ.

As soon as the dust was mixed with the soil, or was washed from it, so as to lie in less abundance on the surface, the caterpillars gradually disappeared.

It may not be unworthy of mention, that the destruction of the foliage of the potatoes by the caterpillars did not in any degree diminish the crop: on the contrary, the return was unusually abundant, and ultimately saved Barbadoes from a continuance of the famine which the loss of the crops of corn exposed it to. From this circumstance I am induced to infer, that the dust, though it never seemed to unite intimately with the soil, had a fertilizing property. The chemical analysis of this dust is already before the public.-I have the honour to be, sir, &c.

ANECDOTES OF ANTIQUARIES.

MR EDITOR,

you are not " bronzed;" and take care you have reasonable proofs, that what you publish is authentic.

Now, in point, Mr Editor, I will tell you a story,-a story well-known, though, of course, not to nine-tenths of your readers.

A venerable, learned, and worthy country gentleman, who, had he been in life, would have found a pleasure in contributing to your "Repertory," happened, in the course of a forenoon walk, to come upon some industrious people who were engaged in clearing away the extensive moss of In the course of their operations, one of them met with a substance which resisted his spade. The spade was thrown aside, and the pick-axe grasped to" split in flinders" this resisting substance. 66 Softly, my friend,” said the antiquary; " continue with your spade, and trench round; perhaps you may raise, entire, a Roman urn. -For I have always been of opinion," said he to himself, "that this was the line of march of the Romans." The illiterate peasant knew as much about an 66 urn," as, mayhap, he did about "Roman." But his respect for the "venerable" was too great not to obey his orders. Well, then, he trenched, till at last IT made its appearance. "A Roman camp-kettle," with enthusiastic pleasure, said the antiquary to himself. "Carry it to the HOUSE, Duncan, and I shall amply reward you.' He did so, and was amply rewarded, befitting so inestimable a treasure. For in all his actings he dealt justly,-succoured the needy -was a repressor of vice-a promoter of industrious virtue. Such was our venerable antiquary.

"

It was placed on a table in his study. He viewed it with admiration and delight, it confirmed him in his opinion,-its goblet form,-its moveable semi-circular handle;-all conspired. "Unquestionably," said he, " the Romans must have made this their line of march, and not that, as some ignorant writers have asserted.

Pursuing these ideas, it has been insinuated that he wrote a learned dissertation about this kettle, preparatory to its being presented elsewhere. It is further said, that it was presented and received with equal veneration and thanks.

However, to make " a long tale short," Mr Editor, I shall not at full VOL. I.

length detail the amusing colloquy which took place, upon an after occasion, between the venerable and the real owner of the kettle. Suffice it to say, he was no Roman,-but a sturdy Highlander, who would have given hard blows to any Roman who dared to invade his kettle, or any thing else belonging to him. In a word, then, his story was this;-that his wife "Shanet" had, twelve months ago, bought this identical kettle in the town ofand in her way home, having indulged too freely to cure a cholic, mistook her path through the moss, plumped into what is called a peat-bog, and was glad to quit her kettle and save herself; that Duncan's description of the size, shape, &c. of the kettle, and Janet's, exactly agreed; and that there was no doubt but it was their "nown"

kettle. "If your honour will only gie me back the kettle, I'll hing it in the very middle kaiber o' the pothie, to be a warning to Shanet to get trunk no more." "That is impossible Donald," said the venerable; "but there is as much money for you as will buy two such kettles; and in order to correct Janet's colics, there is, beside, a copy of Macniel's History of Will and Jean, which you may cause your son, Peter, read to his mother again and again,-and you yourself will not be the worse for listening to the moral tale." Donald accepted of the boon, and, having repeatedly said "Got pless and thank your honour," withdrew.

Now, Mr Editor, this is not a "bronze"-no story of fancy;-some of your readers will at once recognize it, and will blame me for telling it so clumsily.

Well-I have just another story to tell you, by way of introduction to our future acquaintance, and then, for the present, I have done.

A select knot of antiquaries set out to explore classic ground. "Here, here!" exclaimed one." Now we have it-look here! look at this stone; perfectly distinct and plain !— mark the letters! R. I. L.-as clear as day, although our researches may sometimes be covered in obscurity. Quite plain and intelligible-R. I. L. Thus far, and no farther," he exultingly exclaimed; "Romani Imperii Limes!" The antiquaries gathered around, and were struck with wonder: "We shall," said one of them, "find, to a certainty, an urn, containing the bones

S

of some valorous Roman general." Let us to work, said they, with one concurring voice, and with their mattocks they set furiously to the business. Before they had proceeded far, their attention was attracted by the hallooing and bellowing of a sturdy peasant, who was hastening towards the spot. When he had approached them, and stopping till he had gathered wind, he exclaimed, "Hoot, hoot, lads! what's that you're about? mind what the Bible says,-Cursed be he who removes a landmark."-" Peace, clown," said the junior antiquary,

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you are ignorant of the matter; R. I. L. that is, Romani Imperii Limes.""Hoot, toot, lads!" said the countryman, "I ken Latin as weel as you do yoursel'-Do ye think I was na bred wi' Mr Doig, at Falklan school, wha could hae learned the very kaes that biggit in the auld palace to speak Latin, as my auld granny said, gin they had only leeted till him. And you say, too, I am ignorant o' the matter. But faith, birky, let me tell you, I should ken mair of the matter than you, for was na I present whan auld Rab Roughcast, the mason, hewed and pat in that very stane, in my gutcher Robin Rantletree's time. Romani Imperii Limes, wi' a ban to ye! I believe ye are nae better than a band o' tinklers, wha wad claim Rab_Innes' Lands as the property of ony Roman. But there's auld Rab Innes himsel', poor feckless body, coming-we're no owre thrang neebours, yet I wadna like to see him wranged for a' that. But I'se gae my ways, and gif he lets you remove the landmark, I say again, accursed be he wha does sae."

This onset gave the antiquaries no stomach to encounter Rab Innes, and they precipitately took a direction which separated them equally from Rab Innes and young Rantletrees, leaving the R. I. L. in quiet possession of the field.

Now, Mr Editor, you must not suppose that I intend to throw any discredit upon your Antiquarian Repertory. Quite the reverse. All that I mean to deduce from what I have said is, a caution to you against being taken in by a gudewife's "kail pat" for a "Roman camp-kettle," or by the landmark betwixt two decent cock lairds for a Romani Imperii Limes.

In proof of my sincerity, I shall, D. V., before your June Number goes

to press, furnish you with some very curious matter connected with the ancient manners and history of our country; and I think, that out of the great materials I am possessed of, the article will be upon "Border Bonds of Manrent."-I am, &c. STRILA. Edinburgh, 23d April 1817.

CHEMICAL PROCESS OF COMBUSTION.

It appears, from the notices inserted in the scientific journals, that the attention of Sir Humphry Davy is at present particularly directed to the consideration of the chemical process of combustion; and though we do not consider ourselves entitled to suppose that all our readers can possess that minute acquaintance with this subject, which might justify us in presenting it to them in considerable detail, we yet think, that on so very interesting a topic it is possible to convey such general information as may be sufficiently understood by every description of readers. No phenomenon, it is evident, presents a subject of more interesting speculation to a mind of just philosophical taste. The instantaneous transition from a state of darkness to that of clear and useful illumination, which is produced by the presence of a lighted taper-the beautiful form which the flame itself is disposed to assume-the varied tints which characterize this appearance from the mild blue of its base to the white or orange of its waving summit-and the unfailing steadiness with which it maintains its place, so long as the materials of its nourishment are afforded, present an assemblage of striking appearances, which, but for the inattention induced by its almost-habitual presence, is better fitted, perhaps, to awaken the interest of a thinking mind than any other phenomenon of daily occurrence. It is a fact, however, that the researches and theories of modern chemistry have as yet been able to advance but a very little way towards a satisfactory explanation of these appearances.-The most obvious supposition unquestionably is, that the light and heat which are essential to the phenomenon, are derived from the burning body itself-and this, accordingly, it is universally known, was the opinion entertained by the followers of Stahl, whose doctrines exercised an unlimited influence before the introduction of