THE detention of the Hamburgh Mails by the frost, till no less than ten were due at one time, produced much inconvenience to the merchants during the greater part of the month as the principal part of the commerce of this country with Europe is now carried on through that channel. It was particularly felt by many concerned in the great export of sugars previous to the discontinuance of the drawback, who were in daily expectation of remittances thereon; and though it is a circumstance which from the advance of the season, is not likely to occur again to the fame extent for fome time at least, it strongly shews the impediments to which commerce is liable, when a very confiderable part of it is confined to a particular channel. Raw sugars, notwithstanding the small quantity exported of late, continue very high; the average price for the week, ending the 16th, was 69s. ed. exclufive of duty. The Nottingham and Leicester manufactory, feels the preffure of the present war, perhaps less than any other, which arifes principally from the late improvements, in twilled, knotted, vandyke, and elastic stockings, both in the filk, and the worsted and cotton fabricks; there is however still room for improvements, and if the exertions of individuals are not damped by injudicious imposts, it is impossible to say to what purposes mechanick genius may not turn the invention of the stocking-frame. Whenever a general peace takes place, this will become one of the most certain trades with respect to demand, and probably more flourishing than any manufacture of the fame extent. 4 The article of filk, almost immediately subsequent to the time to which our notice of it in the last report extends, became, upon the conjectures we then mentioned, the subject of one of the greatest speculations (for the short time it continued) that has taken place in this conmmodity for fome years; but being founded chiefly on mere opinion, and incorrect information respecting the real quantity in hand, the expectations of those concerned in it have been greatly checked by a more certain knowledge of a large quantity now coming by way of Hamburgh, and the daily expectation of the Bengal fleet, of the failing of which from St. Helena on the 6th of December advice has been received. Though the specula ion has in general turned out in the manner in which it is to be wished every scheme that tends to the injury of our manufactures may terminate; it has caused a trifling advance in the price of thrown-filk, which, however, will probably be of very short duration, as the quantity in the market, with the expected import, are more than adequate to the present demand for that article. Italian now, in -consequence of the quantity that has arrived during the two last months, has confiderably de- creased in value, and is likely to continue so for the prefent, particularly as a fale of Bengal and China raw is expected towards the end of February. White Novi, or Perfian filk, is very scarce and dear. The import of filk during the prefent month has been about 96 bales of thrown, and 189 of raw: total 285 bales. The tea trade has not lately experienced any fluctuation, except in common greens, which have fallen from 6d. to 8d. per lb. No alteration of much confequence can be expected till the next fale in March. Coffee has risen from 3d. to 4d. a pound, on account of the small importations, and the demand for the continent. Moist and ground sugars continue nearly the same; lumps and loaves are confiderably lower, not less than 18s. With respect to fruit, Malagas are at present from 38s. to 44s. Sun raisins 64s. Currants 68s. to 74s.-Spices are falling, which is supposed to be consequence of the produce of the captured islands being brought to market. MONTHLY AGRICULTURAL REPORT. THE feverity of the frosts and the fuddenness of the thaws during this month, have, in many respects, been unfavourable to the young wheats, especially those which were sown early: in fome districts we are informed that they have produced a pale and fickly appearance in the young blades; we believe, however, that no great injury has yet been done. The above caufes have likewise prevented the operations of the plough in preparing turnip and other grounds for wheat, rye, &c. as well as for the making fummer fallows. In the more western parts of the island our reporters also observe, that less wheat than ufual has been fown, on account of the frosts and some other impediments. But notwithstanding these circumstances, wheat, rye, and barley, continue to have but a dull fale, particularly in the northern markets: oats, however, keep up confiderably in price. For the hay districts, especially such as were low and wet, the frost has been advantageous, by enabling the farm 'r to put on his manures with ease and convenience. GRAIN. Wheat averages throughout England and Wales 49s. 6d.; Rye 3rs. IId.; barley 29s. 4d.; oats Igs. Iod. CATTLE. The prices much as before. Beef fetches in Smithfield Market from 3s. to 4s. 4d. per ftone of Slb. SHEEP. Mutton in Smithfield-market, 3s. to 4s. 2d. Hogs. Pork, ditto, 2s. 8d. to 3s. 8d. HORSES.-The prices of those for the faddle rather higher, but the farming fort nearly the fame as they have been for fome time. HAY.-Average in St. James's-market, 21. 15s. 6d. STRAW. Ditto ditto, il. IIS. THE MONTHLY MAGAZINE. No. XLII.] MARCH 1, 1799. [No. 2. of VOL. VII. ORIGINAL COMMUNICATIONS. To the Editor of the Monthly Magazine. I SIR, Have been agreeably entertained with fome of the poetical imitations or coincidences which have been pointed out occafionally by your correspondents. Per mit me to add one to the number. A line in the " Phedre" of Racine has been the fubject of a good deal of criti cism among his countrymen, some of whom have applauded it as a fine thought, others condemned it as a conceit. It is contained in the very poetical narrative of the death of Hippolitus made by a mef. fenger to his father Theseus. After a highly-wrought defcription of the feamonster's approach from the deep, he says, "Le flot, qui l'apporta, recule épouvanté," The wave which brought him recoiled terrified. Our Spenfer, in his "Faery Queen," defcribing the voyage of Sir Guyon and the Palmer to the island of Acrafia, (Book ii. Canto xii.) among other perils, makes them encounter a vast shoal of fea-monsters, the different species of which he enumerates, and then adds, All these, and thousand thousands many more, And more deformed monsters thousand fold, With dreadful noise and hollow rombling rore, Came rushing in the fomy waves enrol'd, Which feem'd to fly for feare them to behold. The resemblance of the last line to that of Racine is very striking; yet I think it improbable that the French poet could have known any thing of the English one, or, at least, could have been fo acquainted with his works as to borrow a line from him. Nothing, in fact, can be more diffimilar than their subjects and characters. If they were not both original in this thought, I should rather suspect that both copied it from some Italian poet, to the style of which nation it bears a great affinity. Your's, &c. J. A. which, in all its distresses, has ever experienced that the consumption of fpirits forms one of the chief articles of revenue, and that the sum arifing thence feldom is decreased by any additional impost. Again and again has it been faid, why encourage distilleries, that fatal bane of industry and morality among the lower claffes of people? Why pamper the head of the state at the expence of the body and members? Why fell all the virtue and all the morals, and all the industry, and all the health of the nation for money? In these cries, so loudly raised by speculative politicians, the grave men of Warwick-lane join heartily, and take every means to that spirituous liquors kill more than plague, war, famine, or even their own prescriptions. Indeed all perfons who have spoken or written on the fubject, have so completely proved the truth of the above positions, that a glass of gin ought long ere now to have been as scarce as a bulse of diamonds, and in as few hands, did we not recollect that in all great political questions to be determined by pounds, shillings, and pence, there is an impafiable gulph gulph placed between argument and conviction. Nor, Sir, am I quite certain that the universal censure bestowed upon the encouragement given to the distilleries may not admit of fomething like an answer. When we confider the difference between the rich and the poor in this and all other countries, that the rich can do almost every thing for their country's caufe, and the poor little or nothing, we ought not to deprive the latter of any humble means by which they can demonstrate their zeal. It has lately been the fashion, and undoubtedly a very patriotic fashion, for the rich to " devote their lives and fortunes" in the nation's caufe. Now, as the poor have only one of those bleffings at their disposal, namely, their lives, do they not shew a proper and becoming sense of patriotism when they consent to go to their eir long homes to promote the revenue. and furnish the finews of war while they allow their own to shrink. But far, às I perceive, I have advanced in considering the question with regard to foreign M foreign or English spirits, I am aware that they are not the Tubjects I intended to handle. It was my purpose to offer forme remarks on a few other species of Spirits which are very common in this country, but which, I am of opinion, have not been treated with due regularity either by chemists or medical writers. Not that I would have you suppose that I am to fupply this deficiency; I have no leifure to compose a system, and the remarks I have to offer are intended only to assist those who may wish to take up the subject on a regular scale. It is only for want of better, that I would say to you his utere mесит. First, then, Mr. Editor, there is the SPIRIT of CONTRADICTION. This I reckon a compound spirit, requiring at least two ingredients, especially when made for family use. It is of a very warm nature, and if indulged in to excess, as I have seen in some very reputable families, produces very pernicious effects. It is not only accompanied with a violent flushing of the fac face, as most other ardent spirits, but I have even obferved that the children of parents who use it have been affected by it, even after they have grown up. That which is made for public use is compounded of various ingredients, and is supposed, I know not why, to be good for the lungs, as it is frequently taken in large doses by the speakers of public assemblies, from the fenate of the nation down to the veftry of a parish. Not having an opportunity of analyzing it by chemical process, I can only say, from observation, that it expands by heat, and frequently sends out effluvia not of the most agreeable nature. I have fometimes reduced it to a mild state by dropping an argument or two into the glass, but those who are addicted to this kind of spirit will seldom allow of that. 2. The SPIRIT OF INNOVATION. The remark that we eat and drink as much by fashion as by taste is very just, when applied to this spirlt, which has been cried up, or prohibited, according to caprice at various periods. It became very fashionable first in the time of Henry VIII. and continued in the short reign of Ed ward VI. Queen Mary prohibited it under the severest penalties, ordering various perfons employed in the distilling it to be burnt alive. Queen Elizabeth, however, being a fingle woman, and probably lov ing a drop, revived the use of it. What had been manufactured at this time is yet in high estimation by those who understand the true nature of such a spirit, but it would appear that the original receipt was loft about the time of Charles I. when the people heing still fond of spirits, a great number of quacks set about preparing it in various ways: scarce a drop was genuine, yet the pleasure of intoxication was fuch, that the people peop drank huge draughts of it, pure or impure, and public business was for a time shamefully neglected. Robberies, confiscations, and even murder became common. The effects which it produced of a more ludicrous nature were, that the lowest of the people, after they had indulged themselves in copious libations of this spirit, took it in their heads to preach, and even common foldiers often mounted the pulpit when they should have mounted guard. Some pretended to be inspired, and uttered prophecies. At length, however, whether from being fenfible of the bad effects of this spirit upon the conftitution, or from its being prohibited, it got gradually into disgrace, and a purer fort of it was made, which being confined to the better fort of people was a favourite liquor at the Revolution; and had the receipt been carefully preferved, and none of the articles omitted, or worse ingredients fubstituted in their room, this would have been at this time the standard spirit of the nation. A few years ago a quantity of it was smuggled from France, and having been a fashionable liquor there, of course became a fashionable liquor here, according to the usual course of all fashions, which always originated with that gay and lively people. This spirit, however, was foon difcovered to be of a very ardent and heating nature, and unfit for the conflitution of the people of this country. For a time its effects could not be prevented, although every poffible, means were taken, because it was confined to private drinkers. Some, not. withstanding, who had taken too great a defe, betrayed it in public, and very fevere laws were enacted against it. Indeed it was fuppofed the legislature took the best possible method to strike at the root of the evil, by fewing up the mouths of those who were addicted to this spirit. Having had fome few opportunities to examine it, it appears to me to be very pernicious, and highly inflammatory, unless taken in very small quantities, and that at regular times. The body too must be duly prepared for a course of it, for it will not fuit every constitution, particularly those which are either very good or very bad. To the former it is ufeless or liable to create uneasiness in the head, and to the latter it our 1799.] Effay, Medical, Moral, Political & Miscellaneous, on Spirits. 91 is dangerous from want of strength to carry it off gently. In the latter, also, it rises to a flame, the moment it is used. I am of opinion that if it were rectified it might be frequently used with advantage as an alterative; but there is at present a pre judice againft it, and for no reason that I can find out except one, certainly a fubstantial one, namely, that it has been used as a common liquor for every day, whereas it ought to be referved as a medicine for particular cases, and to be prescribed only by the most judicious physicians. fo finall, 3. The SPIRIT OF REFORM. This has been frequently confounded with the former, which in some respects, such as colour, it resembles, but it is certainly a very different spirit, because, when pure, it never is or can be applied, unless for beneficial purposes, and if applied in time, never fails to produce the best effects in the case of conflitutions that have been injured by extravagant living, or of persons that have lost strength by ferving often in war. There is, however, fuch a difference of opinion respecting this spirit, that it has not of late years been much in use, Those who have written on the subject are extremely numerous, and may be divided into two classes. The one confidered it as a pernicious, inflammatory spirit, which will not bear agitation, which rifes to a flame on the smallest application of heat, and which has this peculiar to it, that whoever begins to drink it, in quantities ever knows not where to stop: that it has deftroyed many trong constitutions, and that so far from being useful to any, the use of it is a mere apology for the indul gence of a perverted taste. The other party contend, in answer to this, that all the pernicious effects attributed to this spirit may be traced, not to the spirit itself, but the improper use made of it, that when used in moderation, it is the mode grand restorative for decaying conftitutions, and that there is no constitution so ftrong as that it would not be bettered by an occafional dose: that it is perfectly easy to use it in moderation, if people so incline, as there is no neceffity why every man that drinks should get drunk; and that more mischief has been done by those who knew not where to begin, than by those who knew not where to stop: that if properly ufed, and applied to a specific diforder, it is tonic, emollient, sedative, refrigerant, and antispasmodic; effects which in the case of any other than diforders of certain constitutions, would interfere with one another; but, that, if not applied in a moderate degree until the diforder has got to a height, the conftitution will exhibit all the symptoms of a complication, and then it may happen that the medicine will be stimulant and corrofive in a high degree, produce violent hæmorrhages, and lose all its healing powers. I shall not venture to decide which of these opinions is right. I have had but few opportunities of knowing the effects of this spirit in its genuine state. Very much of that which is bought and fold is a vile adulteration, and it is impoffible to judge of any production of art or nature, unless we have a specimen of the best of its kind exhibited. I would not paint the human body from a deformed man, nor would I venture to say what good the spirit of reform might produce, if I faw only the battard kind which the French quacks are hawking about on the continent. 4. The SPIRIT OF RELIGION. This is one of the most ancient spirits we have. It is nearly eighteen hundred years fince it first appeared, and for fome centuries was in high repute, and most admirable in its effects, whether taken in the way of diet, or medicine. I know not, indeed, any thing comparable to it in all diforders of the human frame, and it has this peculiar (exclusively so) to it, that its effects will last many years, some say, to all eternity. It keeps good in all weathers, rs, is adapted to all climates, although it has not been introduced yet into all countries. After saying so much in its favour, I am forry to be obliged to add, that there are two reasons why it is not so much in use as it ought to be. The one is, that it requires a degree of abstinence which many men will not fubmit to; and the second, that there is a false and adulterated mixture which goes under the fame name, and which is imposed upon the public as genuine, although it is a poor, tasteless, watery kind of liquor, which never affects the body sensibly, unless, what is very extraordinary, to produce the very evils which the other is intended to remedy. The genuine is a fimple spirit, within the compass of every man's ability to purchafe adulterated is composed of a number of heterogeneous ingredients, and is so expenfive that I have known fome give up every thing that ought to be dear to a man in order to purchase it. Hence it is confined to certain persons of great opulence, and who do not regard trifles. On the continent it was very fashionable ; the in in the courts of princes, but was never experienced to be of the least substantial ufe in preferving their constitutions, yet they were so attached to it, as scarcely to know that the genuine spirit existed. In this country, also, a great deal of the spurious kind is fold, but I am happy to add, there is also a great deal of the genuine, and I should hope it would gain ground in the popular opinion, as every day's experience must fatisfy us of its great efficacy in healing conftitutional fores, and procuring rest when every other medicine has failed. There are particular days appointed for retailing the genuine fpirit, and I think that if people would frequent the shops more on those days than they do, they would foon acquire the true relish. I grant that it is not retailed either in equal quantity or quality. I have tasted some a great deal below proof, and fome as much above it. Some likewise mix an acid with it which tends to fpoil the effect, as mildness is essential to its purity; and fome make it of a blooared colour, a miferable composition which foon gets into the head, and produces all the effects of the most brutal intoxication. These irregularities in the compofition, however, may be very easily avoided, by attending to the original receipt, which is published by authority, and may be had of his majesty's printer. It 5. I shall mention only one other spirit, the SPIRIT OF BIGOTRY. This is the moft ardent of all spirits, easily inflammable, expanding with heat, and, like the phosphorus, flames most in the dark. is so very pernicious in its tendency, that I am furprised it has not long ago been prohibited under the feverest penalties. It is, however, compounded in fo many various ways, as to have been mistaken for almost every one of the spirits I have already mentioned, particularly the last, to which, however, it is as opposite in cause and effect, as any two things that, can well be fuppofed. It has not always been a favourite in this country, yet the common people sometimes have indulged in it, primarily to the destruction of others, and ultimately to the deftruction of themselves. When taken in confiderable doses, it produces confirmed lunacy of the most extravagant, and yet I may add, whimsical kind. The poor creatures who are inebriated with it, take it in their heads that they can answer a pamphlet by burning a house, and convince a man of an error by cutting his throat. It was a very fashionable spirit in the days of Queen Mary, and has often been employed on the continent as a fubstitute for the SPIRIT OF RELIGION, and is at this day employed there by the names of SPIRIT of LIBERTY, SPIRIT of EQUALITY, REVOLUTIONARY SPIRIT, and various others; for I must do the parties who drink deepest of this spirit the justice to say, that they feem ashamed of its proper name, and always put a fine-looking label on the bottle to deceive their fervants, just as in this country, among certain persons, drams are fupposed to be as harmless as water, when called liqueurs, and a bumper of brandy is supposed to have no fpirit in it, to those who complain of a spafm! I have thus, Mr. Editor, endeavoured to sketch the properties and effects of the most fashionable spirits now in ufe. There are others, undoubtedly, which might have been included, but which I omit for want of fufficient data. There is, for example, the SPIRIT OF LIBERTY, which I once flattered myself I understood a little of, but it has lately been mixed with so many strange ingredients, of opposite natures, one aftringent, another opening, one tonic and another weakening, and this by all the great chemifts of Europe who have employed their alembics in manufacturing it, that I must candidly confefs I know not what to make of it. I am one of the old school, and have not had leifure, perhaps, indeed, I am too far advanced in life, to study the new nomenclature, for every thing is now called by a new name, and that name as little descriptive of its qualities as well can be supposed. I might say something too of PARTY SPIRIT, but I have fo frequently seen the miferable effects of that upon fome unhappy friends who have indulged in it, that I cannot now bear the taste of it; and therefore conclude with hoping that you will continue your Magazine with its usual SPIRIT, and accept the good wishes of, Yours, &c. GEOFFRY GAUGER. Excife-Office, Feb. 12, 1799. |