Arundel CHIEF TOWNS. Dorchester. Oxford. Queen's-town. Chester. St. Mary's. Masterkout. Baltimore The country is inducted with a great number of navigable rivers and creeks, the chief of which are Potomac, Pocomoac, Patuxent, Cheeptonk, Severn, and Saffafras. Abingdon. Annapolis N. L. 39° and though oily and rank, make a confi- They raife in the uplands quantities of hemp and flax. In October 1751, there came from the back fettlements of Maryland into Baltimore-town above fixty waggon loads of flax-feed. In foine counties of Maryland, the flax is worked up in charity-fchools. Maryland and Virginia are flat countries to the Apalachian mountains weftward, which begin in Pensylvania, and run 900 miles fouth-weft, at about 150 or 200 miles distance from the eastern shore; and terminate in the bay of Apalachia river near Pensacola, in the gulph of Mexico. Colonel Spotfwood, Lieutenant-governor of Virginia, was the first who paffed the Apalachian mountains, or Blue-hills; and his attendants were called Knights of the Horfefhoe, for having difcovered a horfe pafs. There are two paffes across thefe mountains; the north pafs is in Spotfylvania, and the fouth pass near Brunfwic. Their oak is of a straight grain, and The produce and manufactures of Ma-eafily fplits into staves; but is not durable ryland are much the fame with thofe of in hip-building. They build only small Virginia; of which tobacco is the princi- craft in general, but fome years fince they pal and to prevent this article from be- produced a large veffel, called the British coming a drug, no taxable is to cultivate Merchant, of 1000 hogsheads burden, above 6000 plants. which with many repairs kept in the Virginia trade thirty-fix years. The plantation duty is one penny a pound upon tabacco exported to the other colonies, toward the revenue of the college at Williamsburgh in Virginia. Tobacco is not only the chief article of trade, but may also be called their chief medium or currency; as it is received in taxes or debts, and the infpector's notes for tobacco received by him may be transferred. Many wine run wild in the woods of Maryland, Virginia, and North-Carolina; which are generally fall, and are falted and barrelled. They feed molly on maite, Toward the mountains there are fome furnaces for running iron ore into pigs and hollow caft ware; as alio forges to refine pig iron into bars. About 4000 negroes used to be .imported into Maryland and Virginia annnally; where fome of the planters keep 500 faves. A peck of Indian corn, with fome falt, is the weekly allowance of provision for each negro: they are computed to raise 1000lb. weight of tobacco, befide fome barrels of coin, per head: 6000 plants are reckoned to yield 1000lb. weight of tobacco; which, as before obferved, is the utmoft quantity allowed. SHERIFFS B SHERIFFS appointed by his Majesty in Council for 1780. Erkshire. John Grant, of White Buckinghamshire. Ifaac Eeles, of Amer- Cumberland. Henry Aglionby, of Nunnery, Efq. Chefhire. Samuel Barrow, of Shippen- Camb. and Hunt. Thomas Rumbold Devonshire. Thomas Winfloe, of Colle- Dorfetfhire. Peter Beckford, of Steeple- Derbyshire. Nigell Bowyer Grefley, of Effex. Henry Hinde Pelley, of Upton, Efq. Rutland hire. Nedham Chefelden, of Shropshire. Edward Horne, of Hales Somerfetthire. Edward Elton, of Long Staffordshire. Ralph Floyer, of Hints, Suffolk. Samuel Ruh, of Benhall, Efq. Surry. Charles Eyre, of Clapham, Efq. Warwickshire. Henry Wife, of the Pri- Yorkshire. William Bethell, of Rife, Charles Vere Dah- Caermarthen. wood, of Stanford, Efq. Cardigan. Poftponed. Oxfordshire. Robert Langford, of En- Pembroke. fham, Efq. DESCRIPTION of GENEVA, with the Character and Manners of the Inhabitants: By Dr. Moore, continued from Page 30 of our laft Magazine. ALTHOUGH this Republic has long continued in a profound peace, the citizens of Geneva are not the lefs fond of the pomp of war; as appears in what they call their military featts, which are their most favourite amusements, and which they take every opportunity of enjoying. I was prefent lately at a very grand en tertainment of this kind, given by the King of the Arquebufiers upon his acceffron to the royal dignity; an envied rank neither tranfmitted by hereditary right, ner obt.ined by election; but gained by ik and real merit. A war with this State, like the war of Troy, must necellarily confiit of a fie H 2 The The skilful ufe of the cannon and arquebufe is therefore thought to be of the greateft importance. During feveral months every year, a confiderable number of the citizens are almost conftantly employed in firing at a mark, placed at a proper diftance. Any citizen has a right, at a fmall expence, to make trial of his skill in this way; and after a due number of trials, the most expert markfinan is declared King. There has not been a coronation of this kind thefe ten years, his late Majefty having kept peaceable poffeffion of the Throne during that period. But this fummer, Mr. Mofes Maudrier was found to excel every competitor; and was raised to the Throne by the unanimous voice of the Judges. He was attended to his own houfe from the field of conteft by the Syndics, amidst the acclamations of the people. Some time after this, on the day of his feaft, a camp was formed on a plain, without the gates of the city. Here the whole forces of the Republic, both horfe and foot, were affembled, and divided into two distinct armies. They were to perform á battle in honour of his Majefty, all the combatants having previously ftudied their parts. This very ingenious, warlike drama had been compofed by one of the reverend Minifters, who is faid to poffefs a very extenfive inilitary genius. That the Ladies and people of diftinction, who were not to be actually engaged, might view the action with the greater eafe and fafety, a large amphitheatre of feats was prepared for them, at a convenient distance from the field of battle. Every thing being in readinefs, the Syndies, the Council, trangers of diftinction, and the relations and favourites of the King, aflembled at his Majefty's Palace, which is a little fnug houfe, fituated in a narrow lane in the lower part of the city. From the Palace, the proceflion fet out in the following order: His Majefty walked first, supported by the two oldest Syndics. In the next rank was the Duke of H-, with the youngett. After thefe, walked Lord St-pe, the Prince Gallitzen, -Mr. Cl-ve, fon to Lord Cl-ve; Mr. Gr-lle, fon to the late Minifter; Mr. St. L, and many other English Gentlemen, who had been invited to the feat. Next to them came the Council of twenty-five; and the proceilion was cloted by the King's particular fiends and relations. In this order they marched through the city, preceded by a band of mufic, playing martial tunes. When this company came to the field where the troops were drawn up, they were faluted by the Officers; and made a complete circuit of both armies, the King and all his attendants took their feats at the amphitheatre, which had been prepared for that purpose. The impatience of the troops had been very visible for fome time. When the King was feated, their ardour could be no longer reftrained. They called loudly to their Officers to lead them to glory.The fignal was given.-They advanced to the attack in the moft undaunted manner.- -Confcious that they fought under the eyes of their King, the Syndics, their wives, children, mothers and grand-mothers, they difdained the thoughts of retreat. They ftood undisturbed by the thickest fire. They smiled at the roaring of the cannon; and the ingenious author of the battle had taken care to diverfify it with feveral entertaining incidents. An ambuscade was placed by one of the armies, behind fome trees, to furprise the enemy.. This fucceeded to a miracle, although the ambuscade was posted in the fight of both armies, and all the spectators. A convoy with provitions, advanceing towards one of the armies, was attacked by a detachment from the other; and after a fmart fkirmish, one half of the waggons were carried away by the affailants: The other remained with the troops for whom they feemed to have been originally intended. A wooden bridge was brifkly attacked, and as refolutely defended; but at length was trod to pieces by both armies; for, in the fury of the fight, the combatants forgot whether this poor bridge was their friend or their foe. By what means it got into the midst of the battle I never could conceive; for there was neither river, brook, nor ditch in the whole field. The cavalry on both fides performed wonders. It was difficult to determine which of the Generals diftinguished himfeif moft. They were both dreffed in clothes exuberantly covered with lace; for the fumptuary laws were fufpended for this day, that the battle might be as mag nificent as poffible. As neither of thele gallant Commanders would confent to the being defeated, the reverend author of the engagement could not make the cata ftrophe While Victory with equipoifed wings hovered over both armies, a messenger arrived from the town-hall with intelligence that dinner was ready. This news quickly fpread among the combatants, and had an effect fimilar to that which the Sabine women produced when they rushed between their ravishers and their relations.-The warriors of Geneva relented at once; and both armies fufpended their animofity, in the contemplation of that which they both loved. They threw down their arms, fhook hands, and were friends. The fame company which had attended the King to the field of battle, marched with him in proceffion from that to the Maifon de Ville, where a fumptuous entertainment was prepared, This was exactly the reverfe of a fête champetre, being held in the town-house, and in the middle of the treets adjacent; where tables were covered, and dinner provided, for feveral hundreds of the Officers and foldiers. The King, the Syndics, moft of the members of the Council, and all the ftrangers dined in the town-hall. The other 1ooms, as well as the outer court, were likewife full of company. There was much greater havoc at dinner than had been at the battle, and the entertainment in other refpects was nearly as warlike. A kettle-drum was placed in the middle of the hall, upon which a martial flourish was performed at every toaft. This was immediately anfwered by the drums and trumpets without the hall, and the cannon of the baftion. Profperity to the Republic is a favourite toaft :-When this was announced by the firft Syndic, all the company ftood up with their fwords drawn in one hand and glasses filled with wine in the other. Having drank the toast, they clashed their words, a ceremony always performed in every circle or club where there is a public dinner, as often as this particular toaft is named.It is an old cuttom, and implies that every man is ready to fight in defence of the Republic. After we had been about two hours at table a new ceremony took place, which I expected as little in the middle of a fealt. An hundred grenadiers, with their swords drawn, marched with great folemnity into the middle of the hall, for the tables being placed in the form of a horfe- fhoe, there was vacant space in the middle fufficient to adinit then. They defired permiffion to give a toaft: this being granted, each of the grenadiers, by a well-timed movement, like a motion in the exercife, pulled from his pocket a large water-glafs, which being immediately filled with wine, one of the foldiers, in the name of all, drank a health to King Mofes the Firit. His example was followed by his companions and all the company, and was inftantly honoured by the found of the drums, trumpets, and artillery. When the grenadiers had drank this, and a toast or two more, they wheeled about, and marched out of the hall with the fame folemnity with which they had entered, refuming their places at the tables in the ftrect. Soon after this a man fantastically dreffed entered the hall, and diftributed among the company fome printed fheets which feemed to have come directly from the prefs. This proved to be a fong made for the occafion, replete with gaiety, wit, and good fenfe, pointing out, in a humorous train, the advantages which the citizens of Geneva poffefied, and exhorting them to unanimity, industry, and public fpirit.--This ditty was sung by the man who brought it, while many of the company joined in the chorus. When we defcended from the townhall, we found the foldiers intermingled with their Officers, ftill feated at the tables in the streets, and encircled by their wives and children. They all rofe foon after, and dividing into different companies, repaired to the ramparts, the fields, and the gardens, where, with mufic and dancing, they continued in high glee during the reit of the evening. The whole exhibition of the day, tho no very just representation of the manœuvres of war, or the elegance of a Court entertainment, formed the molt lively picture of jollity, mirth, good-humour, and cordiality, that I had ever feen. The inhabitants of a whole city,-of a whole state if you pleafe, united in one scene of good fellowship, like a fingle family, is furely no common fight. There are fome of the citizens of Geneva themselves who deride the little military eftablishment of the Republic, and declare it to be highly ridiculous in fuch a feeble State to prefume that they could defend themselves. The very idea of refiftance againft Savoy or France they hold as abfurd. They feem to take pleasure in mortifying their countrymen, affuring them, that in cafe of an attack all their efforts would be fruitless, and their gar rifon unable to ftand a fiege of ten days. These politicians declaim against the needlefs expence of keeping the fortifications in repair, and they calculate the money loft, by fo many manufacturers being employed in wielding ufelefs firelocks, instead of the tools of their respective profeffion. I am convinced that the garrifon, fmall as it is, aided by the zeal of the inhabitants, and regulated by that fhare of difcipline which their fituation admits, would be fufficient to fecure them from a coup-de-main, or any immediate infult, and might enable them to defend the town from the attempts of any one of the neighbouring States, till they thould receive fuccour from fome of the others. Independent of thefe confiderations, the ramparts are molt agreeable walks, convenient for the inhabitants, and ornamental to the city. The exercifing and reviewing the militia form an innocent and agreeable fpectacle to the women and children, contribute to the health and amusement of the troops themselves, infpire the inhabitants in general with the pleafing ideas of fecurity and of their own importance. Upon the whole, I am convinced that the fortifications, and the militia of Geneva, produce more happiness, in these various ways taken together, than could be purchafed by all the money they cost, expended in any other manner. [To be continued. ] To the EDITOR of the UNIVERSAL MAGAZINE. SIR, HE ERALDRY has often appeared to me a moft dry unmeaning tudy; bald and harth in the terms, and unmeaning, because I was never able fatisfactorily to expound the principles it is founded on, nor what they lead to Heraldry is indeed of ancient date, and extenfively adopted. I mult fuppofe arms to have been originally affumed on particular occafions; or beltowed on men of eminence on account of fignal atchievements.or peculiar merit, that intitled them to distinction, to which the bearings on their coats had an immediate reference. But merely to tell me that a man bears Gules, a Cross between 12 Cross Crofslets, fitchee, Or, is to utter the most incomprehenfible jargon, unlefs thefs terms convey fome information defcriptive of the perfon who first gained them, or of the occafion of their being granted, that may be now capable of interpretation. This interpretation of ancient coats of arms is what I have long withed to learn; for as to the prefent mode of allowing and furnishing arms at the College, I am taught to efterm it a mere farce; fince no one who brings the neceffary fees, will be denied a handfome escutcheon, or even a deicent from King Lud, if he has but a story ready for Ingenuity to work upon. I live, Sir, in a remote part of the country, which may perhaps account for my ignorance, if it requires fuch a plea; but the motive of my troubling you with this letter is to obtain from fome of your ingenious correfpondents a grammar of hara.dry beyond the mere terms; or in other words a brief intelligible key to the elements of the art, that may enable me to decypher the hieroglyphical bearings in an efcutcheon. Thus if I bear Quar. terly, in the firft, Gules, three Billets, Or; whether I may collect that the first of my ancestors intitled to arms was a confiderable woodmonger, brickinaker, or clothier, according as they are expounded: in fhort, is it decided what the billet reprefents? If I have In the fecond, Argent, three Efcallops, or Dolphins naiant, Or; whether he who gained this addition was a diftinguished fisherman? If I bear In the third, Ermin, three Boars heads couped, or a Bull's head erazed, Sable; whether I owe this acceffion to an opulent carcais butcher? If I find In the fourth, Argent, fix Horse-fboes, three, two, and one, Sable, pierced, Or; whether I do not derive them from a farrier? If I have any conception of heraldry, which may poffibly be denied me from this fpecimen, I understand Helmets, Spears, Pheons, Bows, and BatteringRams, to denote warriors; Garbs and Trefoils to relate to agriculture; Wolesheads erazed, Bucks heads cabefhed, and Greyhounds current, to belong to skilful hunters; Flagons and Cups to jolly topers and hearty fellows: and when I fee Maunches, Small-toothed Combs, Horsebits, Buckles, Gridirons, with other utenfils, in efcutcheons, I cannot help imagining they indicate an origin from the fabricators or workmen of fuch articles. Should I be right in thefe conjectures, I have partly refolved my own doubts; |