which conducts to the doors of the factory the materials of their work. This navigation, however, extends not beyond Swalwell: where, therefore, is the foundery, the anchor manufactory, and others of a heavy kind, whilst the lighter articles are fabricated at Winlaton and Winlaton Mills. They have no furnaces here to separate the iron from the ore, and they cannot even forge sufficient from what is called pig-iron to supply the artificers, but import very large quantities in bars from the Baltic. The very sand employed to form the moulds at the foundery is brought froin no less a distance than Highgate.

From viewing the works we went to visit the warehouse, where was quantity suficient to astonish, and variety to amuse and inform. Here we were shown, many instruments, of which we before knew not the existence; and, among the rest, one which suggested to our minds a striking contrast with the benevolence we had just witnessed in the institutions of Crowley. This was the head of a hoe, weighing four pounds, and intended for the use of the negroes in the sultry climate of the West Indies; and this, too, we were told, was not the largest of its kind.

It is not very probable that they who thus impose on their fellowcreatures the yoke of real wretchedness, should show themselves indulgent to their imaginary scruples; or that they, who appear to have stifled the voice of conscience in their own bosoms, should attentively listen to its most fanciful dictates in another; yet were we assured, that the lamp-black and hard pitch with which we saw the old men employed, in besmearing the tools of the Europeans, to preserve them from rust, was never applied to those of the negroes, who would work only with polished instruments. Grindstones, we found, accompanied the implements exported to either Indies, for the tools were left unfinished in the edge, that less injury might

be apprehended from the accidents of package and conveyance.

Among these, the singular form of the logwood axes attracted our notice. They were made (except in the aperture for the handle) exactly to resemble a wedge, of which the edge and the back were equally tempered, that if one stuck in the wood, it was employed as a wedge, and, as they always work with two, a second was applied as a mallet. Cannon does not form an article of their stores or manufacture, except being employed as old metal, to be refluxed and converted into the more harmless implements of agriculture or culinary arts. Old anchors, too, we saw collected in great numbers, but these are more easily renewable into their old form (being entirely made by the hand and the hammer) than converted to any other purpose. The business of an anchor-smith seems to be one of the most important in the factory; we saw one, of which the number was marked 8,241, and the weight 8 cwt. 2 qrs. 20 hd., but learned that some were manufactured to the weight of 70 or 80 cwt., which might be easily credited from the specimens that lay around us.

Great as were the works which we had seen, we were yet surprised that we did not see more; for the quantity of waste iron must be so great, and the expence of its removal so considerable, that the erection of copperas-works seemed a measure of obvious emolument. The company, however, are contented to dispose of the materials, and leave to others the profit of the work.

whose returns did not amount to ten thousand roubles a year. At present, the number of shops is augmented to twenty, and their yearly return, altogether, is about 200,000 roubles. This striking increase of readers, in Russia, cannot fail of gratifying all who value the progress of human understanding; and, who know that a disposition for literary research is pre-eminently efficacious in facilitating that progress.

Mr. Novikow has been the principal promoter of the trade and circulation of books in Moscow. Having rented the printing-office of the university of that city, he augment ed the mechanical means of printing, procured translations of foreign books, established libraries in other towns, and endeavoured, to the utmost of his power, to make reading an object of desire to the public, by studying and anticipating the general, as well as the individual taste. He traded in books, as a rich English or Dutch merchant does in the produce of all countries: with intelligence, speculation, and foresight. Formerly, not above 600 copies of Moscow newspapers were sold: Mr Novikow enriched their contents; to their political information he added several other departments, and, at length, accompanied them, gratis, with a work, which he denominated the Juvenile Seminary (Dietskoe Utchilishtze): the novel ty of subjects, and variety of matters comprized in this appendage, notwithstanding the boyish translation of some pieces, greatly pleased the public. The number of subscribers increased yearly, and, in ten years, amounted to 4000. Since the year 1797, the gazettes be came important to Russia, by containing the imperial decrees and political intelligence; at present the sale of Moscow papers amounts to 8000 copies, which, though inconsiderable for so extensive a metropo lis, is ample when compared to what it was formerly. In fact there is scarcely any country where the number of the inquisitive has increased with such rapidity. It is true,

that there are still many gentlemen, in good circumstances, who do not take in the news-papers; but then a number of merchants and tradesmen delight in perusing them. The poorest among the people subscribe to a reading; and even those who can neither read nor write are desirous of knowing how matters go in foreign countries. An acquaintance of mine, seeing several pastry-cooks assembled together, and listening with great attention to the description of an engagement between the French and the Austrians, found, on enquiry, that five of them joined in subscribing for the paper, and that, four not being able to read, the remaining one made out the intelligence as well as he could, and the rest listened to him.

The Russian trade in books is certainly not equal to that of Germany, France, or England; but what may not time produce, if its progressive increase continues unimpeded? In most provincial towns there are now libraries established every fair exhibits with other goods the riches of literature; and on these occasions the Russian women generally furnish themselves with a good stock of books. Traders or pedlars formerly travelled from place to place with rings and ribbons; now they take an assortment of literature; and, though few of them can read, they relate, by way of recommendation, the contents of their romances and comedies, in a manner peculiar to themselves: simple, eccentric, and amusing. I know several country gentlemen whose incomes may not exceed 500 roubles per annum, who collect their little libraries, as they call them; and, while the luxurious carelessly throw aside, at random, the costly editions of Voltaire or Buffon, they suffer not the least particle of dust to rest on the adventures of Miramond* :

* A romance by Emon, in the Grecian hero style, which, notwithstanding the slight manner in which it is mentioned here, as a romance, does considerable credit to Russian lite rature.

nation romantic; but what harm ensues? so much the better for the inhabitants of the icy iron-north. The causes of those evils, of which we hear general complaints, certainly, are not romantic hearts; but those hardened ones which are directly opposite. A romantic heart afflicts itself more than others; doats on its own afflictions, and will not abandon them for all the sottish enjoy. ments of an egotist. On the whole, it is well that our public reads; although the subjects which it prefers be romances.

For the Literary Magazine.

THE OLIO.

NO. VII.

Gentleness of Manners.

GENTLENESS corrects whatever is offensive in our manners; and, by a constant train of humane attentions, studies to alleviate the burden of common misery. Its of fice, therefore, is extensive. It is not, like some other virtues, called forth only on particular occasions or emergencies, but is continually in action, when we are engaged in intercourse with men.

It will be well, however, not to confound this gentle wisdom, which is from above, with that artificial courtesy, that studied smoothness of manners, which is taught by the world. Such accomplishments, the most empty and frivolous may pos

sess.

That gentleness which is the characteristic of every good man has, like every other virtue, its seat in the heart: and, it may be added, nothing except what flows from the heart can render even external manners truly pleasing; for no assumed behaviour can at all times hide the real character. In that unaffected civility which springs from a gentle mind, there is a charm infinitely more powerful than in all

the studied manners of the most finished courtier.

Attacked by great injuries, the man of mild and gentle spirit will feel what human nature feels, and will defend and resent, as his duty allows him. But to slight provocations, and offences from frivolous persons, which are the most common causes of disquiet, he is happily superior. Inspired with higher sentiments; taught to regard with an indulgent eye the frailties of men, the omissions of the careless, the follies of the imprudent, and the levity of the greater number, he retreats into the calmness of his spirit, as into an undisturbed sanctuary; and quietly allows the usual current of life to hold its course.

The Obstructions of Learning.

So many hindrances may obstruct the acquisition of knowledge, that there is little reason for wondering it remains possessed by so few. To the greater part of mankind, the duties of life are inconsistent with much study, and the hours they would give to letters must be stolen from their occupations and families. Yet, it is the great excellence of learning, that it borrows very little from time or place; for it is not confined to season or climate, to cities or the country, but may be cultivated and enjoyed where no other pleasure can be obtained. But this quality, which constitutes much of its value, is one occasion of its neglect; what may be done at all times with equal propriety, is deferred from day to day, till the mind is gradually reconciled to the omission, and the attention is turned to other objects. Thus habitual idleness gains too much power to be conquered; and the mind shrinks from the idea of intellectual labour and intenseness of meditation.

Let not the youthful imagine that the time and valuable opportunities lost in youth can be easily recalled at will. The only sure way to make

any proficiency in a useful and virtuous life is to set out early, nor weary on the way.

It may be considered as a sure indication of good sense, to be diffident of posessing it. We then, and not till then, are growing wise, when we begin to discern how weak and unwise we are. An absolute perfection of understanding is impossi ble: he makes the nearest ap proaches to it, who has the sense to discern, and the humility to acknowledge its imperfections. Some are fond of attaining, and apt to value themselves for, any proficiency in the sciences; one science there is, however, of more worth than all the rest: the science of living in such a manner as not to be afraid to die,

Gratitude.

In a letter from a gentleman to a lady. Written in the sixteenth

century.

There is a French saying, madam, that courtesies and favours are like flowers, which are sweet only while they are fresh, but afterwards quickly fade and wither. I cannot deny but your favours to me might be compared to some sort of flowers, and surely the posie would be far from a small one; and I will suppose them of the flower called life everlasting; or of that pretty vermillion flower which grows at the foot of the mountain Etna, which never loses any thing of its first colour and perfume. For, believe me, madam, those favours you did me thirty years ago are as fresh to the eye of my mind, as if done yesterday. Nor would it be wrong to compare the courtesies done me to other Howers, as I use them: for I distil them in the limbec of my memory,

and so turn them to essences.

On Peace.

Peace is the ultimate wish of all

good men; for, however we wish to exercise our faculties in acquir ing knowledge, riches, or honour, we all look forward to a state of peace and tranquillity, in which alone, we think, we can enjoy them. In this happy state it is, that the mechanic hopes to rest from his incessant labours, the merchant expects to enjoy his riches, the soldier and the statesman to lay aside his to be secure from toils and dangers, anxious cares. So agreeable to the mind of man is a state of tranquillity, have supposed this state existed, that most of the poets of antiquity ed; and was insensibly changed to originally, when man was first creatHence the poetical descriptions of a worse, as men grew depraved. the golden age, the silver age, the brazen age, and the iron age; which last is always supposed to be the present age. Peace gives the human faculties liberty to expand themselves, and has been generally term. ed the nurse of arts. For when a nation enjoys a state of peace, it ge nerally rises to improvements of every kind.

But, however, desirable peace may be, if accompanied by virtue, it is very often productive of almost as many evils as war. The riches acquired in a time of peace are apt to give a taste for luxury and prodigality,and to lead to profligacy. The quiet and ease men enjoy by peace have a tendency to make them which put them off their guard, careless and indolent; dispositions and render them liable to every vice. Nay, peace may be said naturally to generate war. Security is the parent of self-sufficiency, self-sufficiency of insolence, and insolence of sirable thing on earth, by the delitigation; thus peace, the most depravity of man, who is not sufficiently virtuous to bear it, becomes, dreadful scourge of human nature, in the end, productive of the most a state of war. Therefore it may be concluded, that without religion and virtue, no state can afford true enjoyment; and that the best things on earth, if not properly enjoyed,