ftrike on this hidden_rock.-In this defperate fituation, the crew probably had recourfe to the long-boat, as the only means of faving at least a few of them: but while they were hoisting it overboard, it is likely that the fhip foundered, and every foul on board perished, as no intelligence was ever received concerning them.

During my expedition to Iceland in the year 1785, it became an object of my particular attention, to make inquiries concerning this volcanic island, although no one then fufpected that the above-mentioned fhip of war had been wrecked at that place; for this is only a conclufion which I have drawn from what I learned during my investigation of the fubject.

When I arrived in Iceland, where, on account of the obfervations for the maps, and of other affairs committed to my care, I found myself under the neceffity of remaining with my flip a confiderable time in Holmens-Hafen, and had at my difpofal a fmall ship lying in that harbour; I ordered Lieutenant, now Captain, Grove, to proceed on a cruise about the place where the volcanic island had been feen. He continued there feveral days, and while under fail frequently caft the foundinglead, but could find no bottom, with a line of hundred or more fathoms, and had given up all hopes of making the defired difco very. When he was on the point of returning, he, contrary to all expectation, obferved the waves breaking on a rock, whofe top was nearly on a level with the furface of the water and now, no longer doubting that he had found what he had been in fearch of, he obferved its direction and diftance from the nearest coast of Iceland.

:

When the object of my expedition was accomplished, and I, at the conclufion of fummer, was preparing to commence my voyage homewards; I determined before my departure to vifit this remarkable spot myfelf, and to correct or confirm its true geographical fituation, as far as it can be afcertained by obfervations made at fea.I therefore took my point of departure from fome fmall iflands or rocks, which lie in front of Cape Reikianos, the moft fouth-weft promontory of Iceland, and of which the outermoft, called the Grenadier's Cap, is 3 miles diftant from the promontory, in the direction from fouthweft to weft. The weather proving favourable, I was able to make a meridian obfervation for determining the latitude, as likewife obfervations of the longitude by means of time-keepers. Although

the time-keepers I had with me were none of the beft; yet, as I had failed on the fame day from an Icelandic harbour, where I had observed the longitude the relative error could not be very confiderable: I therefore determined the situation of the rock called the Grenadier's-Cap, to be in 63° 43′ 40′′ N. latitude, and 25° 35′ 40′′ longitude, weft from Paris. This likewife tolerably well coincides with the obfervations of the French navigators, Verdun, De la Crenne Borda, and Pingré *; the more, as I have good reafons for believing, that, from want of a fufficient knowledge of the coafts of Iceland, they made the latitude of Cape Reikiano's three minutes too far north; for they stated it to be 63° 55'- And as, from the most accurate obfervations, I found that the rock lies in a direction from fouth to weft, according to the true meridian, and just four miles from the above-mentioned Gre nadier's-Cap, it follows, that the fituation of this most dangerous rock is in 63° 32′ 45′′ of N. latitude, and 26, 2′ 50′′ Weft longitude from París.

While I was continuing my courfe in order to get a view of the rock, and Captain Grove, who was on board with me, concluded from his former observations, that we must be near it, as the coast of Iceland had totally vanished from our fight, and the outermost of the abovenamed visible rocks, which lie fouth-west from Iceland, was, notwithstanding the clearness of the weather, fcarcely any longer perceivable; he faid, "Is it advifa ble to fail fo directly towards it?""Yes, my friend," was my answer; "for, on whichever fide we turn, we fhall have as great a chance of ftriking upon it, as of escaping the danger: it is like looking for a needle in a load of hay."

-As we were thus converfing about it, the people on the watch called out.-The attention and eyes of all were directed towards it, and we faw directly a-head of us the waves breaking against a rock: We inftantly tacked about, and, at the fame time, hove the lead, which had been kept in readinefs. We found the depth to be 26 fathoms; immediately after, 40 fathoms; and fhortly after we could not find the bottom with a line a hundred fathoms long. Tallow was, as ufual, ap. plied to the plummet, that we might be able to judge of the nature of the ground from the particles that thus adhere to it. We obtained small pieces of stone, which

* See Voyage, fait par Ordre du Roi en 1771, 1772.

either wholly confifted of lava, or at least were of the volcanic kind. The rock is not large, and, as appears from our foundings, furrounded by a steep abyfs. Its top is level with the furface of the fea, or only a little beneath it: hence it cannot be perceived till we are very near it, or only when the waves break against it.

The origin of the volcanic island which was feen at this place in the year 1783, may be explained in the following manner: The rock that still remains, formed the crater from which an eruption at that time happened; the great quantity of lava that was ejected accumulated at the bottom of the fea around the crater, till it rofe to a confiderable height above the furface of the water. But as this volcano is fituated in the wide ocean, where the largest and most violent waves arife, and tower one over another; it is probable that their force very foon deftroyed a ftructure that poffeffed yet fo little folidity and ftrength; efpecially as round about there is an ingulfing abyfs, into which it might eafily be precipitated. It is to be remembered likewife, that, in the fame year, a confiderable quantity of pumice, and the like volcanic productions, whofe fpecific gravity is lefs than that of water, was driven on fore in Iceland, and by navigators found fwimming in the ocean.

Had the eruption happened in a lefs tempeftuous fea, and the profundity around it been lefs fteep and unfathomable, the ejected mafs would have been confolidated by its own weight, and in time have become an island, of which we have feen feveral inftances in the Archipelago, in the Eaft Indies, and in other places of the ocean. Had this volcanic eruption taken place on the main land, or on an island, a mountain would have been formed by it.

was before an obscure tradition among the mariners who were wont to fail to Iceland, that hereabout there was a blind rock, which they called Blind Fugle-Skiör (birdrock). This name I have retained in the chart, though many navigators deny its exiftence, because they have often failed paft without obferving it. But in this cafe, and under fuch circunftances, the affertion of one man that he had feen it, deferves more credit than the reports of a hundred others, who deny its exiftente because they have not feen it. This confirms me in my opinion, that the crater was in the fame ftate long before the late eruption.

To conclude: it will not be deemed a fuperfluous obfervation, to ftrengthen this opinion, that in almoft the fame direction from the fouth-west point of Iceland, as has been remarked above, lie five small islands, or rocks, the outermost of which is 3 miles diftant from the promontory Reikianös. Between thefe islands is deep water; and fhips failing to or from the weft fide of Iceland commonly pass that way, if they be fufficiently acquainted with the fituation of the land and rocks. The latter are called by the Danish mariners, Vogel-Klippen (Bird-rocks), on account of the numbers of fea-fowl reforting to them: but the natives of the country give them the name of Eld-Eyarne, that is Fire Ilands. May we not thence infer, that, in ancient times, they had volcanic eruptions? And, indeed, the volcano feen in 1783, may likewife have raged long before that period.

To the Editor of the Monthly Magazine.

SIR,

from a mountain; they have been seen to burft, forth from the plain: but a neceffary confequence is, that the ejected volcanic productions, which are heaped up upon the land, at laft become a mountain. Now, as here the nighty waves of the ocean could easily wath away the loofe accumulations around the crater, it is not abfurd to fuppofe, that, as the fea raged over its mouth, the fire was at laft overpowered, and the volcano extinguished by the water gushing down the opening.

The crater, formed of rock, remained ftanding. It is an undoubted fact, that there exifted here a rock even before the eruption of the volcano; and later obfervations evince, that it fill exits.There

of every kind, I never feel averfe to the publication of opinions or reprefentations, however different from my own ideas, provided they are likely to lead the way to fair examination. This, I prefume, is your principle too; I have, therefore, frequently defended you for the infertion of articles obnoxious to cenfure, as I faw that you readily admitted obferyations defigned to obviate their effects. The account of the character, &c. of the Otaheiteans, given in your last number, as a tranflation from the letters of Commerfon, has probably difgufted many of your readers, by the extravagant and licentious caft of French philofophy which animates it; but if you permit it to be followed by fome remarks on the falfe and abfurd nature of that philofophy, perhaps the caule 452

of

of truth may, upon the whole, be a gainer by the difcuffion.

In remarking upon this article, I would begin by obferving, that the very idea of a numerous fociety of men without vices, prejudices, wants, and diffentions," is wholly unphilofophical. Man, as a fpecies, muft always poffefs the characteristics of the human nature; and that is, of a creature in whom the felfifh principle takes the lead of the focial, made up of appetite and paffion, liable to innumerable caufes of error and delufion; and though endowed with reafon, incapable of duly exercifing it without much effort and difcipline. In no ftate, therefore, will a great majority of human beings be free from what, independently of all artificial inftitutions, deferves the name of vice; that is, an inordinate gratification of their defires, at the expence of the rights and happiness of others, and to the difregard of their own greater and permanent advantage. Leaft of all will that flate of mankind called the favage or uncivilifed produce this immunity from vice; fince the abfence of controul, and the want of reflection, must render individuals the flaves of their immediate proper ities, which, in many inftances, cannot but in terfere with their own good, and that of their neighbours.

To apply thefe obfervations to the inhabitants of Otaheite:-We may affirm, from the certain information of many veyagers of our own country, much more to be trufted than a hafty, frivolous French theorist, that they have juft thofe vices and defects which might be expected in a people fo circumftanced. A benignant climate and fertile foil have beftowed on them a happy temperament, and an eafy fupply of their most preffing wants; whence they are a kind, friendly, cheerful, and hofpitable race. But war, that fcourge of mankind in every ftate, is far from being banifhed from them; and motives of cupidity or revenge frequently engage them in murderous and predatory expeditions against the neighbouring iflanders. Their difpofition to make free with the property of others is acknowledged by Commerfon; but he thinks it exculpated by an equal readiness to part with what they poffefs. It plainly appears, however, from the most authentic narrations, that they are well enough apprized of the criminality of ftealing, and that they practife it with the very fame purpofe of making a perfonal advantage at another's, expence, that is done by an European thief. The laxity of their mo

rals with refpect to fexual indulgencies (which probably was the charm that chiefly ingratiated them with their French eulogift), though undoubtedly not to be eftimated exactly according to our notions of virtue and decorum, yet cannot be denied to produce many of the effects of real vice. The fhameless proftitution of the females to all ftrangers for gain furely exhibits the worst feature of licentious intercourfe, and has been feverely punished by the introduction of a dreadful difeafe; and the polite focieties of arreouy, which muft prove equally injurious to the domeftic felicity of the fexes with the most profligate cotéries of an European metropolis, have the additional ftain of deliberate cruelty in the deftruction of the innocent offfpring. To refufe the title of vice to thefe deviations from the universal principles of morality, because they are practifed with a fort of unconscious fimplicity, and partly wear the mafk of pleasure, is to fofter a moft mifchievous delufion with respect to the nature of things, by means of a very unphilofophical abufe of words.

I pafs over the fuperftitions of thefe people, their abfolute and fervile diftinction of ranks, and other inftances of prejudice and falfe opinion, which it is furprifing a French observer should overlook or pardon.

I would not, Mr. Editor, from the preceding remarks, have it fuppofed, that I am an approver of the ftrange miffion lately fent from this country, in order to inftru&t the Otaheiteans in a fet of com. plex and myfterious tenets, which it is utterly impoffible that they fhould comprehend, and which, therefore, can afford no rational ground for an amendment of their morals. Perhaps the kindest thing that could be done for them, would be to leave them entirely to themselves; for though I am far from thinking them models of virtue, their original character appears to me, on the whole, better than that of a majority of the fpecies; and little likely to be improved by fuch an intercourfe with Europeans as can be kept up by our navigators. Yours, &c. August 12.

SOBRIUS.

CANNOT account for it, why all the tranflations of Kotzebue's Das Kind der Liebe, or Natural Son, fhould have omitted the fhort, fimple and pathetic dedication which is prefixed to the Leipzig Edition of 1799. The application of one

of the best paffages of the play is fingularly happy; and the anecdotes it relates heighten its interest to the reader. It is proper to obferve, that the piece was first played by the author's friends in private.

TO MY DEAR HENRY ARVELIUS.

IT is the duty of a friend to participate in painful recollections; and this play will impofe it upon thee. Thou must recollect the happy evening when my Frederica played Amelia; and thou Frederic, befide her. Canft thou fee her before thee, as I now do, entering the dungeon with the flafk of wine? How fweetly, how affectionately, fhe fpake! She was then treading the boards of our private theatre for the last time. Who would have fuppofed it?

"Atlength, indeed, one of them lies down to fleep, and that one is happy: the other walks to and fro, and laments that he cannot Leep.”

Ah! who could imagine that the herself world fo foon lie down to fleep! She expected not the approaching night." She had not feen her young plants flourish" around her, she was removed early in the day—And I—it is I-who walk to and fro, and lament that I cannot fleep.

Excellent, beloved Arvelius! You were the play-fellow of my Frederica. You were the witnefs of our love, of our connubial fe

licity! how dear she was to me! During fix years you have fpent many happy hours with us; your heart is my pledge that you will alfo fpend with me the hours of affliction. Now, indeed, I envy you your fyftem of neceffity, your cold peaceful philofophy.

But ftay! or my Dedication will become a fong of complaint. Rather let me be filent; for of what can I fpeak to the dearest friend of my heart, but of the forrow of my foul.

If this Dedication be worth thy thanks, thou oweft them to thy excellent performance of

Frederic, a character which could be filled only by one who poffeffed the spirit and heart of my Arvelius.

Fare thee well, good kind foul, and accept the preffure of a hand which, no longer bound by the fweet tie of love, is more clofely cemented to thee by the bonds of friendship.

In the preface to this play, he relates an anecdote concerning his Menfchenhafs und Reue, which will gratify the admirers of

66

The Stranger," and. probably be thought by them to be a fufficient anfwer to the extremely fcrupulous objections made against this play by a faftidious and prudish critic. Instead of hardening the guilty in vice, it is a fact, that it was, the means of restoring a deluded woman to the arms of her husband. And it may fairly be inferred, that the dramatic reprefentation which could fo influence a mind

T must be a fatisfaction to many of

IT

of your readers, as well as to my elf, to hear that fo benevolent ar inftitution as that mentioned by your correfpondent W. R. in your Magazine for July, is at all likely to be carried into effect: nor would I urge any confiderations which, by propofing a lefs efficient icheme, should divert the attention of the public from that already propofed; which, if once eftablifhed, would probably lead to the adoption of all that my plan could devife for the benefit of the female part of the community. But it will be obvious to your readers, that the prevention of the evil which here excites attention, is of higher importance than the refcue of individuals from the preffure of it: though the latter the former fhould clofely and infeparably fhould not for a moment be neglected, yet accompany it. If the wishes I ventured to express in your Magazine for June, feem too extended, by including deftitute male as well as female characters; might not a plan be ftruck out, and meet the public encouragement, which fhould have for its fole object a provifion of employment, and confequent fupport, for females only? It is not perhaps enough confiderof unfortunate females is the fad confeed, in how many inftances the condition quence of either inadvertence, infidious folicitations, or treacherous promises; and fometimes even of mere pecuniary want,

in which the wrath of fome offended fuperiors, forgetful of the claims we all make upon mercy, have involved them. On this fubject your correfpondent A. E. has, in your laft Magazine, made fome juft and admonitory remarks; which, as they are probably founded in a knowledge of facts that would enforce his adm nition. and advice, I could have wifhed he had extended and fupported by fuch facts, the relation of which, avo ding names and every thing which might render them perfonal reflections, would do more than any thing elfe towards exciting the public attention to the fubject; fince mankind are too little difpofed to inquire into the grounds and origin of human mifery, and are too incredulous to the charitable apologies which a better acquaintance with thefe would furnish for many of the most culpable, as well as the most unfortunate

characters.

characters. It is perhaps too general an opinion, that the errors of females of the unfortunate character in quefti n are, in the origin and continuance of their practice, prompted by an infatiable defire of gratifying inordinate appetites; and hence no remedy for their errors is thought of but what fuppofes them irretrievable till debility and dire calamity make it impoffible for them to proceed. But I cannot help confidering this as a mistaken opinion; and that, as the origin of thefe errors has been accounted for rather on the ground of unfortunate circumstances than depravity of character, a continuance in them may alfo be attributed to a train of correfpondent circumftances and con nections, which render a retreat from the path of vice almoft impoffible, or, at leaft, hold out no inducements to return to that of innocence and virtue. Nor ought the indecent expreffions of feeming paflion, in fuch unhappy characters, to be rigidly interpreted as the confequence of illicit defire; but rather as the arts of that trade of mifery, in which they have little or no pleafure, but purfue only as a wretched means of fubfiftence to which their piti able fituation has doomed them; and from which, as no means of redemption offer themfelves to view, they are not inspired with any general and ardent defire to be fet free. It may appear, from thefe confiderations, that a plan for early reclamation of character, and prevention of the evils in queftion, is not, in the nature of things, impracticable, nor its fuccefs improbable: and, these things being granted, who will deny the importance and neceflity of fuch a plan, that wifhes at all to fee fuch unhappy characters relieved from their diftreffing fituation? I am happy in the notice which the fubject has obtained from the benevolence of your correfpondents W. R. and A. E.; but am earnestly folicitous that it may obtain further notice, both from them and others: and think I cannot be too folicitous in exciting the attention of the friends of humanity to fome plan for the prevention of female error and mifery, which may operate effectually by holding out the means of fubfiftence as the fruit of industry. In such ́a plan, there will be no occasion to characterize the clafs of individuals to whom the relief is offered, further than as deftitute females who wish to fupport themfelves by reputable employment. The innocently unfortunate will not then be precluded from, nor degraded by, an application to fuch an inftitution; ror will a confeffion of guilt be, by thefe

means, implied in the application of those whofe errors may have rendered them deftitute; which implied confeffion could be of no ufe to fociety, and only more humbling to the individual, and a greater bar to the fuccefs and usefulness of the inftitution.

I have lately been informed, that there is an excellent inftitution at Edinburgh, entitled the Philanthropic Society, lately established, for the reformation and inftruction of an unfortunate clafs of females; that the care of the objects of this charity is almoft entirely in the hands of ladies. I moft earnestly request, that the publie may be favoured with an early account of this inftitution, fo honourable to the country, and the individuals with whom it originated, and by whom it is fupported. In female hands, I should fuppofe, fuch an inftitution could not fail of fuccefs; nor do I think any defign of the kind will ever be conducted with equal delicacy and effect in any other." I still entertain an hope of exciting the attention of the ladies to the caule for which I plead, nor will I lightly relinquish that hope, the completion of which would fo greatly contribute to the fuccefs of a molt defirable inftitution. E. P.

Newcastle on Tyne, Aug. 17, 1799.

I have feen in a late publication, that two fpoonfuls of fresh yeaft (called in Lancafhire barm), adminiftered internally, is a certain cure in the cafe of Putrid Fever; fhould it be fo, I lament greatly that it is not more generally known; it was faid to have been administered to near fifty patients, by a very refpectable clergyman of Sunderland, with complete fuccefs. On this fubject I fhould be happy to meet the opinion of your medical friends.

I fhall alfo be obliged to any of your correfpondents