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If it be true that at the commencement of the last harvest there was not a surplus of wheat sufficient to supply us for more than a month; that the produce of the last year was below the average of twelve months' consumption; that, unless the next harvest happens as early as the last, thirteen months' consumption will be requisite; that from the distress of the farmers the markets early became overloaded, and were depressed to a price that created profusion in the use of wheat; that the cultivation of potatoes, that useful substitute for wheat, has, from the losses sustained, nearly ceased, except in the vicinity of large towns or populous districts; and if we consider that the price of wheat is in most parts of Europe so high as to indicate a scarcity rather than a surplus, we may conclude that a considerable degree of want will prevail before any new wheat is produced. If such scarcity should happen, and a probability appear of such a price being maintained as will repay the expense of cultivation, those who have not quite exhausted their powers may continue the growth of corn to a moderate extent; but, should it happen that the present depression continues, the prospect will be gloomy indeed; the great number of cultivators who will have been driven from the occupation, the increased quantity of land without culture, and the slovenly manner in which what is cultivated will be managed, must produce scarcity, famine, and depopulation.

These observations may be thought a little antiquated, but we conceive most of the reasoning applicable to the present state of agricultural affairs and cannot better conclude than by the following brief statement of the drawbacks and improvements in agriculture, suggested by another able writer, Mr. Cleghorn, in the article we have already been much indebted to, Agriculture, Supplement to the Encyclopædia Britannica. To the class of drawbacks upon agriculture,' says this writer, and impediments to its improvement, belong tithes,-poor-rates,-payments in the shape of fines, and services exacted by the lords of manors-entails-tenancy at will, or on very short leases-unfair restrictions on the tenant as to the disposal of his lease, and as to the management of the lands during its currency the game laws-and the complicated regulations under which commons and common fields are

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RUSCUS, knee-holm, knee-holly, or butcher's broom, a genus of the syngenesia, and diœcia class of plants; natural order eleventh, sarmentacea: MALE CAL. hexaphyllous: COR. none, nectarium central, ovate, and perforated at the top: FEMALE CAL. COR. and nectarium are the same as in the male; there is one style, with a trilocular two seeded berry. The most remarkable species is the

R. aculeatus, or common butcher's broom, common in the woods in many parts of England. It has roots composed of many thick fibres which twine about each other; from which arise several stiff green stalks about three feet high, sending out from their sides several short branches, garnished with stiff, oval, heartshaped leaves, placed alternately on every part

cultivated, and the great expense required to place them in a state of severalty. It appears that nearly three-fourths of the land of England and Wales are exposed to claims which wrest from the husbandman one-tenth of the gross produce of his labor and capital, and this whether the remainder of the produce be or be not sufficient for his remuneration. Though no rent were paid for poor soils, this burden alone would effectually prohibit their correct cultivation; and, even in the case of rich soils, tithes diminish the rent so considerably, as to make it the interest of landholders, in many parts of England, to restrain their tenants from converting grass lands into tillage; that is, from placing them under the most productive management for the community, both in regard to the supply of food and of employment.

To the enlightened enquirer it must appear abundantly clear that all plans for the extension and improvement of British agriculture must prove ineffectual, so long as these capital obstacles are left untouched; and that their removal is all that need be done, and all that ought to be done by a wise government, for securing an abundant supply of the first necessaries of life. Let all land be held and occupied in severalty-let it be exempted from all indefinite exactions, particularly such as diminish, or altogether absorb the just returns of capital and industry-let the connexion between the land proprietor and the farmer be every where formed upon equitable principles to the exclusion of all remnants of feudal ideas, all notions of favor and dependence, and all obligations that do not appear within the four corners of the lease itself, or are not imposed by the general principles of law-let the rights of a tenant be so far enlarged as that he may be enabled at pleasure to withdraw his capital by a transference of his lease, and to regulate the succession to it after his death-then there can be little doubt that a large part of the disposable capital of the nation, now embarked in much less profitable pursuits, would, of its own accord, turn towards the improvement of our lands; and thus furnish employment and subsistence for our population, secure from the caprice of fashion, and the rivalship and jealousy of other countries.'

of the stalk, ending with sharp prickly points. The flowers are produced in the middle, on the upper side of the leaves; they are small, and cut into six parts; of a purple color, sitting close to the midrib. They appear in June; and the female flowers are succeeded by berries as large as cherries, of a sweetish taste, which ripen in winter; when they are of a beautiful red color. As this plant grows wild in most parts of England, it is rarely admitted into gardens; but, if some, of the roots are planted under tall trees in large plantations, they will spread into large clumps; and, as they retain their leaves in winter, at that season they will have a good effect. The seeds of this plant generally lie a year in the ground before they vegetate; and the plants so raised are long before

they arrive at a size big enough to make any figure, and therefore it is much better to transplant the roots. The root is accounted aperient, and in this intention is sometimes made an ingredient in apozems and diet drinks, for opening slight obstructions of the viscera and promoting the fluid secretions. This plant is used by the butchers for besoms to sweep their blocks.

RUSE, n. s. Fr. ruse. Cunning; artifice; little stratagem; trick. A French word, says Johnson, neither elegant nor necessary.

selves.

I might here add much concerning the wiles and ruses, which these timid creatures use to save themRay. RUSH, n. s. Sax. nirc; Teut. rusch; RUSH-CANDLE, Goth. raus. A plant the RUSHY, adj. compound and adjective follow the noun-substantive in sense. He taught me how to know a man in love; in which cage of rushes I am sure you are not prisoner. Shakspeare.

Man but a rush against Othello's breast, And he retires.

Id. Othello.

Be it moon or sun or what you please; And if you please to call it a rush-candle, Henceforth it shall be so for me.

Shakspeare.

If your influence be quite dammed up With black usurping mists, some gentle taper, Though a rush-candle from the wicker hole Of some clay habitation, visit us.

Milton.

Your farm requites your pains; Though rushes overspread the neighbouring plains. Dryden.

Not a rush matter, whether apes go on four legs or L'Estrange. In rushy grounds, springs are found at the first

two.

Mortimer.

soit. John Bull's friendship is not worth a rush.

Arbuthnot.

What knight like him could toss the rushy lance? Tickel.

The timid hare to some lone seat Retired; the rushy fen or rugged furze. Thomson. A rush hath a flower composed of many leaves, which are placed orbicularly, and expand in form of a rose they are planted with great care on the banks of the sea in Holland, in order to prevent the water from washing away the earth; for the roots of these rushes fasten themselves very deep in the ground, and mat themselves near the surface, so as to hold the earth closely together.

Miller.

RUSH, v. n. & n. s. Sax. pɲeoran. To move with violence; go on with tumultuous rapidity; violent course or motion.

Their dam upstart out of her den afraide, And rushed forth, hurling her hideous taile.

Spenser. Faerie Queene. Gorgias removed out of the camp by night, to the end he might rush upon the camp of the Jews. 1 Mac. iv. 2.

A gentleman of his train spurred up his horse, and with a violent rush severed him from the duke.

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With a rushing sound the assembly bend Diverse their steps. Pope's Odyssey.

RUSH, in botany. See JUNCUS. RUSH, SWEET. See ACORUS. RUSHWORTH (John), was born in Northumberland about 1607. After attending the university of Oxford, he removed to Lincoln's Inn; and attended the meetings of parliament, where he wrote down the speeches of the king and members. During eleven years, from 1630 to 1640, when no parliament was held, he was an attentive observer of the great transactions of state in the star-chamber, the court of honor, and exchequer chamber. He also visited the camp at Berwick, was present at the battle of Newborn, at the treaty of Rippon, and at the great council of York. In 1640 he was appointed assistant to Henry Elsynge, clerk to the house of commons; and the commons trusted him to convey their overtures to the king, while he was at York. When the parliament created Fairfax their general, Rushworth was appointed his secretary; and, when Fairfax resigned his commission, Rushworth returned to Lincoln's Inn, and was soon after chosen one of the committee to consider the propriety and means of new-modelling the common law. He was elected a representative for Berwick-upon-Tweed to the parliament which Richard Cromwell assembled in 1658, and was reelected to that which restored Charles II. to the crown. After the restoration he delivered to the king several books of the privy council, which he had preserved during the commotions. Sir Orlando Bridgeman keeper of the great seal chose him his secretary in 1677, which office he held as long as Sir Orlando kept

the seals. In 1678 he was a third time chosen member for Berwick, and a fourth time in the parliament in 1679. He was imprisoned in the King's Bench for the last six years of his life. He died 12th of May, 1690. His Historical Collection of Private Passages in State, weighty Matters in Law, and Remarkable Proceedings in Parliament, was published in folio. The first part appeared in 1659; the second in 1680; the third in 1692; the fourth and last was published in 1701; and altogether made 7 vols. These underwent a second edition in 1721; and the trial of the earl of Strafford was added, which made the eighth. This work has of course been much applauded by those who condemr the conduct of Charles I., and accused of partiality by their opponents.

RUSK, n. s. Arm. ruzg.

stores.

Hard bread for

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bowels of the earth; but requires a preparation and alloy. Bellon, who first described at Cuta, in Galatia, the source of a mineral which they call rusma,' adds that this mineral alone cannot be used till it has been beaten into a very fine powder, putting half as much quicklime as rusma, which is then diluted in a vessel with water.' Thus the rusma of Bellon is not of itself a depilatory; but it contains some caustic matter, which being mixed with lime gives it that property. This presumption is confirmed by Velmont de Bomare, who, having received from Constantinople some small pieces of mineral rusma, perceived that, on throwing it upon hot coals, there immediately exhaled from it a vapor, which gives reason for suspecting that it is a 'colchitis' mineralised by sulphur and arsenic. This mixture is the true rusma of the Turks, and the nouret of the Arabs. Boyle tells us he made a fine powder of equal parts of rusma and quicklime, and, letting them soak a little time in water, they became a soft paste, which he spread on the part he would free from hair; and, after letting this paste lie on about three minutes, he wiped it off with a wet cloth, and found the hair taken away by the roots without any inconvenience.

RUSSEL (Alexander), M. D., was born and educated at Edinburgh. He became physician to the English Factory at Aleppo. In 1775 he published a History of Aleppo, which was much esteemed, and has since been reprinted, and translated into different languages. He returned to England in 1759, and became physician to St. Thomas's hospital. He died in 1770.

RUSSEL (Lord William), an illustrious British patriot, the third son of William, first duke of Bedford, was born in 1641. In 1667 he married Rachael, second daughter of Thomas Wriothesly, earl of Southampton, and widow of lord Vaughan, a lady of distinguished talents and piety. Having obtained a seat in the house of commons, he took part with the whigs, and opposed the succession of James duke of York, with great zeal. He afterwards entered into various schemes for excluding that prince, for which he was indicted and tried at the Old Bailey, by a venal court, and a packed jury who found him guilty; and he was beheaded at Lincoln's Inn Fields, July 31st, 1683. In 1689 the house of lords passed an act, reversing his attainder. His lady survived him several years, and a volume of her correspondence with some of the most eminent personages of that age has been published. See GREAT BRITAIN.

RUSSELIA, in botany, a genus of the digynia order, and pentandria class of plants: CAL. fiveleaved cor. two-lipped; petals five above : CAPS. one-celled and many seeded. Species one only, a climber of Havannah.

RUSSELL (Thomas Macnamara,) esq., admiral of the white, was descended, on both sides, from most respectable families. His father (an Englishman) went over to Ireland, where he married a lady of that country, and settled. Mr. Russell was born, we believe, about the year 1743, and his Christian name Macnamara was derived from his paternal grandmother. At the early age of five years, he had the misfortune of

losing his father; and, through either the fraud or mismanagement of his guardians, all the fortune which had been left him was dissipated by the time that he reached fourteen. Our officer entered the service at an early period; and, after serving fourteen years as midshipman, was promoted to the rank of lieutenant. During the war with the colonies he served on board the Albany, Diligent, and Raleigh, principally on the coast of America, and distinguished himself on several occasions. The pilot having once run the Albany upon a rock, at some distance from the land, to the westward of the bay of Fundy, lieutenant Russell requested and obtained from his commander the Albany's boats, armed with volunteers, to cruize for vessels to lighten and get her off; or, should that be impracticable, to save her stores, and to cover their own retreat to Halifax. In the course of seven or eight hours he returned, with no fewer than four fine sloops and schooners, some laden and some in ballast, which he had cut out from under a very heavy fire from the shore.

From the Albany Mr. Russell was removed to the command of the Diligent brig, of eight three-pounders. In this ship, whilst cruising off the Chesapeak, he engaged and took the Lady Washington, letter of marque, of sixteen sixpounders, richly laden, from France. Mr. Russell now became first lieutenant of the Raleigh, commanded by captain (afterwards admiral) Gambier. In this ship he was engaged in repelling the French attempt upon Jersey (under the command of captain Ford and Sir James Wallace) in 1779.

After this service lord Shuldham, then port admiral at Plymouth, honored lieutenant Russell with the command of Drake's Island, with 200 or 300 seamen and marines. His lordship flatteringly termed this the Post of Honor; it being, as he observed, the advanced post of Great Britain, whilst the combined fleets kept the channel. Lieutenant Russell next served in the Raleigh, at the siege of Charlestown; on the reduction of which (May the 11th, 1780) viceadmiral Arbuthnot, the naval commander-inchief, promoted him to the rank of master and commander in the Beaumont sloop.

From the Beaumont sloop, captain Russell was made post in the Bedford, of seventy-four guns, then bearing the broad pendant of commodore Affleck. He soon after removed into the Hussar, of twenty guns; in which ship he cruised successfully against the enemy, by taking and destroying a large frigate near Boston, laden with masts and naval stores, for the French fleet; a large brig privateer, of eighteen guns; a letter of marque, of nearly the same force; and several smaller prizes, beside the Sybille frigate, the capture of which demands more particular notice.-The Hussar had only twenty guns, and 116 men, thirteen of whom were on the sick list; but La Sybille had thirty-eight guns, and 350 men; circumstances which rendered the odds far greater in favor of the Frenchman.

Captain Russell's official letter says, 'On my approach, she displayed an English ensign reversed in her main shrouds, and English colors over French at the ensign-staff. Having like

wise discovered that she was under very good jury-masts, had some shot-holes in her quarter, and not supposing that French tactics contained a ruse de guerre of so black a tint, I took her to be what her colors intimated—a distressed prize to some of his majesty's ships; every hostile idea vanished; my mind was employed in devising means to succor and protect her; I declined the privilege of my supposed rank, and stood under his lee to hail. At that moment, by a pre-concerted and rapid movement, he put up his helm, aimed at laying me athwart hawse, carrying away my bowsprit, raking, and then boarding me. I felt the error of my credulity; ordered our helm hard-a-weather, shivered, and shortened the after-sails. The Hussar obeyed it -saved me from the murdering reflection of a surprise-baffled in part the enemies' attention, and received only a half-raking fire; which, however, tore me to pieces forward, and killed two of my men. By this time both ships were by the lee forward, and almost aboard each other. I called aloud, to stand by to board him. It had the desired effect; he put up his helmwore off-the Hussar closed with him-and a fair engagement commenced before the wind. After about two hours' chase, the Hussar got up abreast of the enemy, gave him one broadside, which he returned with two guns, and struck his colors; the Centurion, then about long random shot astern, and the Terrier sloop about four or five miles to leeward, under a pressure of sail. The French officers, when prisoners, confessed that it was their intention to put the crew of the Hussar to the sword for daring to chase them in so contemptible a ship.'

From the circumstance of peace taking place just at that period, the above letter was never published. Perhaps, also, from motives of conciliation on the part of Great Britain, it was thought politic not to give it to the world, as it certainly bore extremely hard upon the French commander. But, as it was intended that this letter should appear at the court of France against count Krergarou, it became necessary to have it legally authenticated, which was accordingly done.

When the captain of la Sybille delivered his sword to captain Russell on the Hussar's quarter-deck, he commenced a speech, with much pomposity of style and manner, saying, 'Accept, Sir, of a sword, which was never before surrendered. Conceive my feeling, on being reduced to it by a ship of less than half my force but such a ship! such a constant and continued tremendous fire!'-Captain Russell answered, Sir, I must humbly beg leave to decline any compliments to this ship, her officers, or company, as I cannot return them. She is indeed no more than a British ship of her class should be. She had not fair play: but Almighty God has saved her from a most foul snare of a most perfidious enemy.' 'I receive your sword with the most inexpressible contempt; and, sir, you will please to observe, that lest it should ever defile the hand of any honest French or English officer, I here, in the most formal and public manner, break it.' At this moment a strong box, containing about £500, was brought on board the

Hussar, and another filled with plate, &c. The French officers in a body declared that the money was their private property, and that the plate belonged to their captain. 'Gentlemen,' said captain Russell, it shall continue yours; whatever your captain may think, British officers do not fight for money. Attempts were made to bribe captain Russell to release the count; the English commander, of course, revolted at the offer, and severely reproved the bearer.

On his return to England, captain Russell, for his various services, was offered the honor of knighthood; an honor which he modestly declined, as not possessing a sufficient fortune. Some of his friends thought that this refusal might disoblige lord Keppel; but that it did not was evident from his lordship's continued friendship towards him whilst he lived.

During the peace, in the course of the year 1791, captain Russell was appointed to command the Diana, on the Jamaica station; where, for his conduct during the apprehension of a rising among the negroes, he was twice honored with the public thanks of the inhabitants. It was during this time that he was sent by admiral Affleck, to convoy a cargo of provisions, as an act of charity, from the government and principal inhabitants of Jamaica, to the white people of St. Domingo, who were then severely suffering from the depredations of the people of color. He was received with joy and gratitude; and was invited to a public dinner given by the colonial assembly at Aux Cayes. At this repast our officer represented to the assembly that there was a lieutenant Perkins, of the British navy, cruelly confined in a dungeon at Jeremie, on the other side of the island, under the pretext of having supplied the blacks with arms; but, in fact, through malice for his activity against the trade of that part of St. Domingo in the American war. Captain Russell stated that, before he had ventured to plead his cause, he had satisfied himself of his absolute innocence; that he had undergone nothing like a legal process, a thing impossible from the suspension of their ordinary courts of justice, owing to the divided and distracted state of the colony; and yet, horrible to relate, he lay under sentence of death! Grant me,' said captain Russell, his life! Do not suffer these people to be guilty of the murder of an innocent man, by which they would drag British vengeance upon the whole island.' So forcible was this appeal that the assembly, in the most hearty and unequivocal manner, promised that an order should be instantly transmitted for him to be delivered up. On the following day, however, on captain Russell sending an officer to receive the order for lieutenant Perkins's liberation, he returned with a refusal from the assembly; for, as it was a promise made after dinner, they did not think it binding."

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Almost at the moment of the officer's return, the Ferret sloop, captain Nowell (afterwards admiral Nowell), hove in sight. She had been at Jeremie, with despatches containing the requests of lord Effingham and admiral Affleck, that lieutenant Perkins might be delivered up, which the council of commons there absolutely refused. No sooner was captain Russell apprised of this state of the

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business, than he declared that he would sacrifice as many Frenchmen as there were hairs on Perkins's head, if they murdered him. His determination was soon known amongst the Diana's crew; the anchor was up, sail crowded, and the wind favoring them in an uncommon manner, the frigate and sloop quickly appeared off JereBoth of the vessels hove to close to the harbor, and prepared for battle; every soul on board of them panting for vengeance, should Perkins be murdered. Captain Nowell, on landing, was surrounded by a mob of at least 300 villains, armed with sabres; and, together with lieutenant Godby, who accompanied him, had occasion to keep his hand on his sword during the whole of the conference which took place. The president read the letter, and said,Sir, suppose I do not?' In that case,' replied the British officer, you draw down a destruction which you are little aware of. I know captain Russell; beware, if you value your town, and the lives of thousands; he has given me sixty minutes to decide; you see, sir, that thirty of them are elapsed.' The mob now grew outrageous. 'You shall have him,' exclaimed one of them, but it shall be in quarters!' Captain Nowell instantly drew his sword, and, looking at the president, said, Sir, order that fellow out of my sight, or he dies!' The president did so; and, after a few more threats from captain Nowell, that he would return without him, poor Perkins was led from the brig of war lying off the town in which he had been kept a close prisoner, into the Ferret's boat.

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Having remained the usual time on the Jamaica station, the Diana returned to England, and was paid off; after which captain Russell was appointed to command the St. Albans of sixty-four guns, and brought home four or five East Indiamen from St. Helena. On the 11th of January, 1796, he was appointed to the Vengeance, of seventy-four guns; in which he served in the West Indies, under rear-admiral Harvey, at the captures of St. Lucia and Trinadad, and at the subsequent unsuccessful siege of Porto Rico; and on this station captain Russell had the satisfaction of making, the second time in his life, an ample fortune; but, by an unlimited confidence in the integrity of others, his golden treasures soon vanished.

In the spring of 1799 he returned to England, and joined the Channel fleet, then under the orders of earl St. Vincent. Having remained for some time in that service, the Vengeance, being much out of repair, was paid off; and, on the 23d of April, 1800, captain Russell was appointed to the Princess Royal, a second rate, in which ship he remained until advanced to the rank of rear admiral of the white, Jan. 1st., 1801; and on

the 23d of April, 1804, rear-admiral of the red. Soon after the commencement of the late war, we find our officer serving under lord Keith. About the year 1807 he was appointed to the chief command of the North Sea fleet; but, from the rigid caution which the Dutch squadrons observed, no opportunity occurred for him to display the determined spirit which he was well known to possess. His promotion to the rank of vice-admiral took place Nov. 9th, 1805; and on the 12th of August, 1812, he became a full admiral. Mrs. Russell, to whom he was united about the year 1793, died March 9th, 1818, leaving an only child, a daughter, married in 1817 to George Edward Patey, esq., lieut. R. N.

Admiral Russell's blockade of the Texel, during the period of the threatened invasion of our shores, has been considered admirable, and was planned and executed by himself. His system of anchoring during the strongest gales, with sometimes three cables on end, was rewarded by the most complete success. During the neap tides, the line-of-battle ships for the most part rendezvoused at North Yarmouth, by which a saving to his country in wear and tear, and probable loss of ships, was effected to an immense amount. Indeed, while this blockade of the Texel was the most efficient ever known, and was conducted with all the rigidness of a state of bitter warfare, it was marked by instances refined humanity which procured the respect and esteem of the Dutch admiral Kictchurt, his officers, and men.

RUSSET, adj. & n. s. Fr. rousset; Lat. russus. Reddishly brown: such is the color of apples called russetings, and of coarse country dresses.

Walks o'er the dew of yon high eastern hill.
The morn, in russet mantle clad,

Shakspeare.

Taffata phrases, silken terms precise, Figures pedantical: these summer flies Have blown me full of maggot ostentation : Henceforth my wooing mind shall be exprest In russet yeas, and honest kersey noes.

Our summer such a russet livery wears, As in a garment often dyed appears.

Id.

Dryden.

The Dorick dialect has a sweetness in its clownishness, like a fair shepherdess in her country russet.

Id.

with a dark gray or russet, and that dark gray with This white spot was immediately encompassed the colors of the first iris. Newton's Opticks.

The russet pearmain is a very pleasant fruit, continuing long on the tree, and in the conservatory partakes both of the russeting and pearmain in colour and taste; the one side being generally russet, and the other streaked like a pearmain. Mortimer.

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