the moon in his colours, revolted from King Richard, whereby he lost that day, his life, crown, and kingdom, which verified the presages of the poor old blind man." I Mr. URBAN, Temple, Dec. 8. HOPE the present Parliament will bestow a further sum for the Emigration of the surplus Population of this Country; and not confine it to a part of the Cape of Good Hope, but encourage Emigration to several parts of that valuable Colony, particularly the Orange River, and to the Canadas, New South Wales, aud even to our possessions in other parts of Africa; industrious persons will do well in any of those countries. I should waste the time of your loyal Readers by proving the value of the Laws of England; not only are they valuable in themselves, but they promote the best interests of Religion and Morality wheresoever they are established; it is, therefore, maiter of great regret that the Cape is at this day governed by the Dutch Law, or the old Civil Law, formerly in use (with all its faults) in Holland, till it was superseded by the Code Napoleon, and the Code of the Netherlands. The knowledge of the Dutch Law has latterly gone very much back. Students get a Dutch education, and a few years study of the Code Napoleon at a Dutch University (by which they are not likely to obtain English feelings) to fit them for Cape practice; it would be well if the matter ended here; but I am informed that the Dutch Criminal Law, as practised at the Cape, is very faulty, and not at all agreeable to our English notions of justice. There may be some difficulty in at once making an entire change of the Law in Civil cases, in the Cape, to the English Law-but little difficulty would arise in changing the Criminal Law, and giving to the Settlers the rights and liberties enjoyed by their fellow-subjects in England. Several other important British Colonies are governed by the old French, Spanish, and Dutch Laws. *** country, and "that thousands of rich are obliged to maintain millions of poor," as an eminent writer observes; and when such consequences must produce evils of such magnitude as to destroy the mauly independent feeling in the human mind, which the dependence on the benevolence of others must ever produce,—we may surely set aside the opinion of Soame Jennings, and not admit "that the East and West Indies would be two great wings to fly away with Britain," because the alternative must be with a redundant population-colonization. The pressure of inhabitants to all our great towns is continual; and whether it is because the profits of agriculture are not found compatible to employ more in it, or it is the fond expectation that ships, colonies, and commerce," continue an inexhaustible source of employment, I will not pretend to say; it is, however, a fact, and a distressing one, that daily occurrences prove the necessity of ameliorating the condition of many-very many, who find the want of support, by the laudabie means of industry. Such an influx as is here stated, serve to increase pauperism and distress; and whilst our Northern neighbours are without Poor's Rates, we who are situated South of the Tweed, are not only loaded with them, but in almost every direction we may walk, our feelings are wounded with squalid appearances, and extreme distress. To encourage pauperism by benevolence, seems but to increase the evil;-it becomes the duty as well as the inclination of every reflecting man, to obviate such evils, by pointing out benefits by way of prevention. Nothing seems so capable of removing such evils as Colonization;-a Colonization that should be favourable to our agricultural pursuits, as well as commercial. It seems to be the genius of the Russian Government, to give a free scope to this idea of Colonization; and whether they are travelling over the various States of Europe or in these Islands, the most attentive observations are made to further the amelioration of the subjects of that vast empire, to increase its settlements, and to enlarge its manufactures and its commerce. In our time the coast of the Black Sea, and the intervening coun try try between it and the Caspian, was a desert; and when Hanway's " Travels from the Russian Capital to the Persian Empire" was written, we have nothing said about its population, circulation, or trade; yet in these our times, it is truly astonishing to hear of vast improvements made in these; and the considerable trade carried on in the Black Sea, even last year, to the amount of 1600 vessels, and all corn, loaded. If the Grand Duke Nicholas, after traversing this country, is seen at Odessa, paying the most minute attention to the circumstances attending the place, is he not guided by the purest patriotism, whilst he colonizes without trenching on his neighbours, and increases his commerce without prejudice to other nations? Here then is an example not unworthy our imitation, and a pursuit that, if followed up with the same attention, will produce incalculable benefits. Russia is of herself an immense continent; she can enlarge, improve, increase her benefits, without trenching on others, without giving rise to jealousy, suspicion, and enmity. As Islanders, we are cramped at home, circumscribed by the ocean,a glorious circumstance for us that it is so, for we are free, and the wooden walls of old Eugland, and a happy Constitution, will, I trust, ever keep us so. Let us see then, for the good of us all, if something may not be said that shall leave us as irreproach able in promoting no jealousies, doing no injuries, and provoking no suspicions amongst our neighbours. At the Peace of 1762, Government considered Colonization in the Floridas as desirable, and granted lands to those officers who were at the taking of Louisbourg, &c. as an encouragement of a twofold nature. It appears now, that Florida (very well known to the writer) is become a bone of contention between two powers who cannot possess any esteem for each other. To us it is now, perhaps, of no consequence, except as the harbour of Pensacola may be a kind of rendezvous for enemy's shipping in war, but as a settlement it cannot be of advantage to Great Britain. If your Readers will refer to a map of Anson's Voyage round the World, and compare it with a modern map of the Southern hemisphere, they will be struck with the astonishing discoveries made since by our indefatigable countrymen ; the pleasure arising from this sensation will be instantly damped when he reads the words Botany Bay, and calculates on the number of human beings who bave left home in disgrace, and peopled a vast country with criminals; but again reverting to the state of society in our crowded towns, and particularly in the capital, the wish of a patriot heart is to remove the temptations, and remedy the evils.Thin your population by Colonization; nothing else can be done: and in order that so much good may be accomplished, and a guarded settlement formed for future contingencies, the Cape of Good Hope presses on the mind as the fittest spot; for it is, if I may be allowed the expression, the halfway house to India,-to India from Ispahan is nineteen days march,-to India from America, vessels can find their way. The situation of the Cape politically considered, is, therefore, good. Another important consideratien is, that the climate is calculated for the growth of wheat; and we have to pay millions a year for wheat imported, producing the par of exchange against us, which may be lessened, perhaps, if we consider that by having the exchange against us, and in favour of the foreign merchant, orders may be increased for our manufactures; this is, however, spinning the line to a very fine thread. Having to pay millions a year for wheat imported, would it not be desirable to grow it ourselves? Here is, then, a second strong consideration for colonizing the Cape; this is literally a ground work to form the conclusion on. Rivers, I confess, are wanting for inland navigation, which prevents those improvements that countries adopt who are in possession of rivers but land-carriage by draftoxen may be considered as the means of producing a variety of benefits; and the climate is favourable for many articles-too many to be enumerated at this time. The next object is the harbours,-several of great importance, and admission for vessels of all descriptions; the outward-bound to India, as well as the homewardbound, find these comforts here; the Southern whaler could deposit his cargo cargo for transshipping to England or elsewhere, and pursue her object instantaneously again; whilst the numerous islands in the Southern Archepelago would find an easy and constant intercourse to and from, with their various commodities; for the time seems fast approaching that will send them from their Spanish connexions. The field for commerce opens prodigiously here. I would, however, still wish to be understood, that the first and firmest basis to colonize is Agriculture, and a proper encouragement to settlers, to persons of good character, but of small means; to persons of this description, grants of land should be made, subscriptions raised; whilst in return they should pay a proper acknowledgment balf-yearly, after a certain period. We read daily of the emigration of persons to America and to Canada; to us, as a nation, the Cape would be better; and in proportion as valuable settlers were encouraged, trade would be wanted, shipping required. I do not mean to encourage the wild speculations that, unfortunately for us, have so much taken place of late; nor merely the settlement of persons on the coast and in towns; but as the country is gradually covered with agriculturists, so their wants would require supplies, and the inhabitants of the towns increase. We are too forward in the present day to rush onward in undertakings of every description; if of a Religious nature, we almost expect conversion by holding up a Bible, the same as the Monks who preceded the Spanish troops in America, in early days of its discovery, held up a Cross. In Civil matters we are equally ardent; the crowding of goods into distant parts, and its fatal consequences, have afforded glaring proofs. I do not want (to use the beautiful metaphor of a venerable character of our Church) the "lava of the times" to overflow, and crowd objects of all descriptions to the Cape, load ships on speculation to its ports; but I would earnestly entreat a cool, dispassionate consideration of the idea suggested, and a cool steady encou ragement given towards the settlement of a Colony, whose capacities are so great as to produce a means of existence for millions, when peopled, -employment for hundreds of ships, and thousands of manufacturers at home; and save an advance of capital in the purchase of the first article of necessity, of millions of pounds sterling yearly. -Permit me, Sir, to entreat your Readers to consider the bearing of the business in every way, politically as well as beneficially, for the support of multitudes; and for such high and manifest advantages to our country and members of Parliament, I trust, will investigate the subject fully, and recommend it powerfully. T. W. ***We have to apologize to T. W. for our having accidentally delayed the insertion of this Communication. Since it was received, some part of his suggestions have been adopted. See p. 357.-EDIT. · ERMIT me to advert to your Piast Obituary, p. 459; where that admirable man, whom I always reverenced, Dean Jackson, has greater credit given him for reducing Christ Church under salutary discipline, than he merited. Dr. Bagot, Dean in my time, and just raised to the Episcopacy when I was leaving college, was himself an excellent disciplinarian. Collections at the end of every Term, when we were all most strictly examined, precisely as your Correspondent describes, existed before I became a member of Christ Church, and I believe long before;-and the regular themes and declamations every Saturday, and the prize exercises,— and the public and private lectures, in Mathematicks, Logick, Rhetorick, and Poeticks, &c. &c. all existed long before Jackson! To Dean Bagot (whom our King thanked more than once for his exemplary conduct as head of a College) all the rules and regulations, ascribed to Jackson, are attributable. Yet Jackson (then Canon of Christ Church), having the way paved before him, entered on that road, and pursued his route con amore. Little inferior to his predecessor, they were both estimable characters;-Bagot the most amiable. Bagot was noble in family, and noble in deportment; generous, affable, and courteous; and in the true sense of the word, a Christian. I could tell many anecdotes of Bagot, with eyes overflowing with tears! But time presses, and I must drop my pen.Apropos, Apropos, however, when Jackson retired from the world, some beautiful lines (Latin) were in circulation among his friends, which he had written some years before, in prospect of such a seclusion. I recollect one or two only, and should be much obliged to any one in possession of them, for the communication of them to you, as they would embellish your pages. Yours, &c. Mr. URBAN, T ACADEMICUS. Dec. 9. HE great number of Beggars who still infest our streets, notwithstanding the labours of the Mendicity Society, and the great number that are daily apprehended and passed, is a proof either that the Vagrant Act is inefficient, or that it is not acted upon with sufficient vigour. The latter is the case, not owing to neglect on the part of the Magistrates, but to that increasing refinement in our manners, which renders any punishment savouring of cruelty repulsive to our feelings; and the provisions of our ancestors for inflicting such punishments, if not expressly repealed, have, from disuse, become a dead letter. The punishment directed by the Act for a Beggar is either whipping, or imprisonment for at least seven days, but not both. The application of the former to sturdy Beggars, who follow that way of life by choice, and not by necessity, would surely have an excellent effect; but how is it to be administered? The Law says by the hands of the constable, and in a public place in the parish; and here comes the difficulty; the constable is perhaps some spruce tradesman, who thinks he is doing a favour to his parish, by serv ing the office in his own person and not by deputy, and he would probably demur a little to the order of the Magistrate, if the ungracious task of whipping a dirty Beggar in the public street was imposed upon him. But where is he to find the proper place to inflict the punishment? In country villages we still see the stocks and the whipping-post kept up as a bugbear to the rustic tippler or wandering gipsey, as good mothers keep a rod for their children to look at, not to feel; but where shall we find these necessary conveniences in London? we are too polite even to bear the sight of them. Grant, however, that the constable was willing to undertake the task, and could find a proper place to perform it, would not his shoulders be in great danger of feeling the lash, instead of those of the Beggar, from. the humane interposition of Mr. John Bull, who seldom fails to take part with the sufferer, and would make no scruple to effect an exchange of situation between the vagrant and the minister of justice. I am told, indeed, that this punishment of whipping is inflicted by the City Magistrates, and with good effect. I have no doubt of the effect as to the City; that is, it drives the Beggars into Westminster and the out-parishes; but if the pu nishment is inflicted in prison, it is not according to law; and the worthy Alderman who orders it, and the worthy gaoler who inflicts it, subject themselves to an action, as the worthy Mayor of two years celebrity did, when he omitted to whip a man, and only imprisoned him, when the law required him to do both. The system of passing Beggars to their parishes is worse than useless; it has cost the county of Middlesex no less than 21227. 6s. 10d. in the last year. If the settlement is in Middlesex, the Vagrant is conveyed thither by the passmaster; he is examined. by the overseer, whom he informs that he can get his own living, and wants nothing from him; and he is accordingly sent about his business, and directly returns to his lucrative occupation. If the Vagrant's parish is in a distant county, he is delivered by the Middlesex passmaster to the constable of the first parish of the next county, in the direct road to the place where he is to go, and he is to forward him through his county to the next, and so on till he arrives at his place of destination. But the county constable has other fish to fry than to travel 20, 30, or 40 miles with a lot of miserable Beggars in a cart; he therefore gives them their passes and a few pence, and tells them to proceed on their journey in their own custody; or he puts them into the first stage-waggon that passes, the driver of which has neither inte rest nor authority to prevent their leaving him as soon as they please. This they accordingly do (except a very few who may wish to get to their settlements); they return in a day day or two to their old begging stations; are again taken up, are maintained for seven days, and sent their usual airing to the confines of the county, at the expence of the publick, and the beadle gets another ten shillings as a reward for taking them; and so it goes on ad infinitum. Yours, &c. CORRECTOR. Mr. URBAN, Dec. 10. IATOR, in p. 413, 414, is too not quoting Baptista Porta and Lord Bacon, in his Process of rendering Sea-water fresh and fit for drinking. If he revived the experiment, and by making it public, rendered so essential a service to that class of his fellow-subjects to whom the kingdom is so deeply indebted for their patiently enduring the greatest hardships and privations, our Seamen; let us accept the good, and not too harshly censure the author of it, for merely omitting to quote antient authors who knew the fact, if he really had read them, but whose writings had not produced the practical effect which his was calculated to do, and probably has done. It would be satisfactory to hear from any of your nautical friends, whether ships in general are furnished with this apparatus. Mr. URBAN, THE A. Ottery St. Mary, Devon, July 24. plan of Saving Banks, now 80 universally prevailing in this country, are admirable institutions for the purpose of promoting habits of frugality and prudence in early life, and of obtaining, through their means, the enjoyment of consolation and respectability in sickness and old age. With a view to a reform in our Poor system, I think they will be found very instrumental; and I am sure that the honest feeling of pride and independence which induces so many to lay up their savings in them, cannot be sufficiently encouraged and recommended. It is partly with this intent, and partly that another reason may be held out to induce parents of the lower classes to avail themselves of the opportunities afforded of educating their children in the principles of the Established Church, that I proceed to recommend to your notice the humble (but not on that account less useful) establishments, called Penny Clubs." This Club is formed of children subscribers, of both sexes, belonging to the parish school, and of a corresponding number of subscribers of a higher class; every child who is admitted a member, pays one penny weekly, which sum is brought every Monday morning to the Treasurer of the Club; and in default thereof, a forfeit is incurred of one additional penny, to be paid on the following Monday. At the expiration of every six or twelve months, the sum which has been collected is allotted to the children; but is not given to them in money, but expended for them by the Treasurer, in the purchase of articles of cheap and useful clothing, which they have the privilege of choosing, provided the expense does not exceed the value of their respective share in the general stock. The subscribers of the higher class are particularly requested not to advance the weekly subscriptions for those to whose advantage such subscriptions are made, as one great object in the formation of the Club is to promote in the chil dren habits of economy and prudence. Regularity in the weekly payments is insisted on. The subscribers of the higher class are called on for their subscriptions (which are at the same rate with those of the children) halfyearly. The subscriptions thus af forded, together with any voluntary donations that may be made in aid of the Society, is the capital, to be ex ́pended as above mentioned. F.G.C. Mr. URBAN, Dec. 21. R. WATKINS (p.429), has forgot DR to record, or your Reviewer has omitted to notice, a circumstance which occurred in the late Queen's journey from Harwich to London. Her voyage to Harwich had been a stormy one, and it was thought necessary that she should rest one night on the road from thence to London. Wm. Mildmay, Esq. of Moulsham Hall near Chelmsford, had prepared his house for the reception of the Princess, but she was taken to the unprepared house of a Scotch nobleman at Witham. Some time after Mr. Mildmay was created a Baronet. L. G. |