ment in selection, and in performance, as have hitherto placed this series in the very first rank of eminence.

Mr. Griesbach, the delightful Oboe player, announces his benefit Concert for March 22d, at Hanover-square; when Miss Griesbach will play a pianoforte Concerto for the first time in public.

Amongst the most recent inventions of our age, so fertile in mechanism, is a contrivance for forming the hands in playing the piano-forte, by Major Hawker, an amateur of considerable celebrity. The Hand Moulds admit of changes of position, passing the thumb, and playing all the scales, under their pressure and direction. Mr. Clementi and Mr. Cramer have both given unequivocal testimony to the utility of the invention, which appears to be an improvement of Mr. Logier's Chiroplast. That professor, Major Hawker states very candidly, does not approve of the invention as a sequel to his own; but Mr. D'Aubertin, his first pupil, and now a teacher at Southampton, considers it as an invaluable acquisition to the system of Mr. Logier. The apparatus may, if required, he had at as low a sum as 17. but those of the general construction are sold at 37. 10s.

Mr. Bochsa has published his second book of Duets for the harp and piano-forte, with an accompaniment for the flute and violincello, consisting of selections from Tancredi. They are adapted to the powers of performers of moderate acquirements, and the delightful airs of Rossini thus arranged, promise much amuse

certainly not diminished its excellence. His style is peculiar, and he has the fault of early writers of active imagination. From the specimen before us, he appears scarcely to study simplicity with sufficient devotion.

Messrs. Clementi and Co. have published the last Sonata Haydn ever wrote, accompanied by a fac simile of his letter to Madame Moreau, for whom it was composed, with a violin accompaniment. It is a curious monument of his genius, a little in decay.

Three Romances for the Piano-forte, by F. Kalkbrenner. These lessons are composed in a peculiar style, and depend for their effect chiefly on the manner in which they require to be performed. They ask great powers of expression, yet but little execution: the reverse of Mr. Kalkbrenner's usual manner of writing.

No. 6 of the Operatic Airs is by the same composer. The subject is the duet Din Din from Figaro. It is not so masterly a performance as his Rule Britannia, (the first number of these airs,) the subject is well worked up, but the piece is on the whole rather heavy.

Two Waltzes and a Chasse, by Kiallmark, and a Spanish Fandango and Gavotte arranged by Klose, are of the easiest description of lessons for young performers.

Merch Megan, with variations by Knapton. From the specimens we have seen of Mr. Knapton's compositions he evidently excels most in ballad writing. The lesson before us has few claims to novelty, and may be ranked with the usual productions of this kind.

The Carnival de Venise, by Mr. R. Lacy, is of the same description.

The Second Number of the Quadrille Rondos is by F. A. Moralt. The introduction is bold, and leads well to an elegant subject from Musard's Quadrilles. The rondo is sprightly and well sustained.

Fra tante Angoscie arranged as a duet for the piano-forte, by A. Meves. We were disappointed on finding so little original matter in this duet, for we had anticipated another such composition as Mr. M.'s Lieti Fiori. Had it not been for this idea we might have received greater pleasure from the present publica

tion, which is certainly elegantly and agreeably adapted.

S. J. Rimbault has given us Winter's Overture to the Labyrinth, also arranged as a duet for the pianoforte, with ad libitum accompaniments for the flute and violincello. The almost constant addition of parts for these instruments prove the increased demand for such compositions, and also that the number of amateur performers is much more numerous than formerly. We generally find them so arranged as to fall within the compass of moderate powers.

The vocal compositions of the month are confined to an air by Mr. Pio Cianchettini, and another from La Pietra del Paragone, by Rossini. Mr. C. is certainly an elegant and imaginative composer. He has also, it is obvious, an intellectual disdain of trifling words. In

Among the circumstances attending the domestic economy of the agricultural la bourers, the want of employment for the women and children, who, at best, derive only partial assistance from working in the fields during a portion of the year, has hitherto been a matter of regret. An approach, at least, towards remedying this evil has been made at Holkham. Mr. Coke, last year, planted a sufficient quantity of hemp and flax, and by the aid of some patent land machines purchased of Mr. Bundy, of Fulham, the poor women and children have been set to work to break these articles, dress, and spin them into thread. The flax was delivered as threshed from the seed, without any kind of wrelting, and has been prepared in their own cottages. By boiling the flax in soap and water about an hour and a half, they have bleached a considerable quantity,-afterwards spun it, and a piece of cloth (about twenty yards, valued at 2s. per yard) has been woven, and is ready for use. They also twist two or three threads of the flax together with their spinning-wheels, and knit strong and useful stockings. One poor family has earned more than three pounds in ten weeks. The machines occupy the room of a table of ordinary size, and a small quantity of flax grown in every parish would suffice to furnish the poor VOL. III.

with employment. (Miss Coke kindly superintends the progress of this good work.) Mr. Coke has directed the same provision of seed to be sown this year as last, with a view to ascertain the ultimate utility of the practice; and a neighbouring parish is about to pursue the same course.

The experiment concerning the leaves of mangel wurzel tried by Admiral Coffin, which we related in our last, has, it seems, been made by other cultivators so long since as the year 1815, when John Heaton, Esq. of Bedfords. near Rumford, Essex, found that plucking the leaves injured his crop; a result directly the reverse of that related by Admiral Coffin. To caution agriculturists against the injurious effects of this discrepancy, Mr. Herod, of Creak, in Norfolk, has satisfactorily explained the cause, by date and season. Mr. Heaton's experiment was made in July; and Mr. Herod states, that a great drought prevailed at the time, and that, by the cutting off the leaves, the roots were deprived of their shade and shelter during the heat of the day, and the support they received from the dews during the night, to which the leaves served as conductors. This is very philosophical and true. Mr. Heaton further recommends, that when the leaves (which are obviously so formed as to fit them for the offices he at

2 D

tributes to them) fall with their own weight, they should be rifted off, as young sets then start, and are ready to replace them. Mr. Herod says he kept two milch cows and ten head of neat stock this season, in his yard, upon about six acres of mangel wurzel tops, from the middle of August till December, full four months. This information is very necessary to reconcile the opposite accounts of the produce of this very useful root, which has been so earnestly recommended by Dr. Rigby (the author of "Holkham and its Agriculture," and "Framingham," in his pamphlet on its cultivation.

Ministers have at length yielded their assent to the formation of a committee to inquire into the causes of the agricultural distresses; and it will probably be yielded to Mr. Gooch's (the Member for Suffolk) motion, which is to come on shortly. Lord Liverpool has, however, declared his conviction that the cause of low price resides in the domestic growth being greater than the demand. There is, however, strong reason to doubt the accuracy of his Lordship's information, because there has been, for twenty-eight years preceding 1820, an average annual importation of about 500,000 quarters of wheat, besides flour and other grain. We apprehend the present stocks of the home-growth on hand are to be rationally accounted for by the pertinacity with which the farmer held, while the importer possessed himself of the market at the end of 1818 and the beginning of 1819, before the ports closed. Thus the foreign produce was consumed (as is proved by the fact of the insignificant quantity of 927 quarters, which remained in warehouse) while the homegrowth was retained. Mr. Ellman, jun. who has addressed a letter to Lord Liverpool, also considers that the noble Earl's conclusion is against the reason of the case, because, says Mr. Ellman, "unless it can be supposed that farmers would lay out their capital in raising corn, with a conviction on their own minds, that it must be sold at less than it cost them, the present agricultural distress cannot be ascribed to excess of production." We esteem Mr. Ellman's argument, however, to be totally contradicted by facts, though it should seem Lord Liverpool is not less in error. The truth, probably, is, that demand and supply are now very nearly approximated. It is, therefore, particularly incumbent upon us again to warn the agriculturist against indulging any hope from the immediate effects of legislation on his behalf.

By far the most probable chance for his relief resides in the natural reduction of rents, tithes, and labour, to the level that will follow from the diminished price of agricultural produce. There is, also, this capital consideration; if, at any

time, the growth of the Continent is necessary to the maintenance of England, and the ports are opened, the influx of corn would be so immense, as to deluge the country, and reduce the price for some permanency: the fluctuations in the price of subsistence would therefore be terrible. Nor would a duty on wheat, even though set so high as 23s. 6d. per quarter, elevate the price to a height sufficient (according to the farmer's estimate) to pay a remunerating price. For the price of 56s. 6d. and a duty of 238. 6d. would open the ports at 80s. The best wheat is to be bought and imported for about 32s. 6d. Add to this cost, the duty of 23s. 6d., the whole price would therefore be 56s., by which the importer would be re-paid, and have the profit on his freight and cargo outwards, and his freight inwards to satisfy his adventure. If, on the other hand, we accept Lord Liverpool's explanation, and admit that the domestic supply exceeds demand, there is no saying how low the price may come down. These considerations appear to nullify all the propositions yet made to protect, as it is called, agriculture, by legislative provisions, through consequences deducible from the very nature of those propositions, independently of the dangers and difficulties which would infallibly arise from the effects of restrictive measures upon manufacturing industry, and upon public opinion.

The weather has been remarkably favourable to such agricultural processes as befit the season; such as ploughing, harrowing, and turning and carting heaps of manure. In the midland counties they have even rolled the wheats, so forward is the time. In the north the prices of fat stock are a little improving; store cattle and wool are somewhat lower. At the Welch fairs there have also been brisk sales. Good horses are called for at rather high prices; but ordinary ones a rein very slack demand.

The corn markets continue to be well supplied; the principal feature of the county reports is still, however, bitter complaint; and in the journal devoted to agriculture, correspondents are eagerly recommending extensive and well digested plans of emigration, amongst young yeomen of capital and enterprize, to be laid and acted upon. An agriculturist of high celebrity states that there are thousands of farmers who are merely waiting to observe the turn the discussion takes in parliament, to throw up their occupations, provided some especial measures of relief should not be determined upon. These are powerful symptoms, which, we trust, will be removed by the enquiry, which, there can be no doubt, will be set about in a committee of the House of Commons.

Feb. 20, 1821.

At a time when the great questions of foreign trade and internal distress are likely to undergo renewed discussion in both Houses of Parliament, and the Committee on Foreign Trade is about to proceed in collecting information on that complicated subject, it would be a vain speculation in us to discuss the alterations which it might be advantageous or practicable to make in our present system. On all hands, it appears at least to be acknowledged, that some change is desirable, though, amidst such a variety of conflicting interests, both foreign and domestic, it would be difficult to decide on its nature and extent. Happy should we be if we could flatter ourselves with the belief that the actual situation, or the immediate prospect of either our com

merce, our manufactures, or our agricul ture, were such as to render this change, though desirable, not a matter of urgent necessity. This is unfortunately not the case; for though it is allowed that an improvement in some branches of manufacture has really taken place, yet this is but a partial alleviation of a distress which is but too generally felt.

Coffee. The market has declined considerably in the first half of the present month. The large East India sale on the 31st January (10,000 bags, chiefly Cheribon) contributed to keep down the prices, till its result was known, and has continued to influence the market since. following are the particulars of that

sale.

.....

........

Sumatra Bourbon At the public sales in the week after this, East India coffee went about 2s. higher, but West India coffee in general declined 1s. to 1s. 6d. and was heavy at that reduction. In the second week, that is, up to the 13th, the public sales consisted of 527 casks and 671 bags; a reduction of 2s. a 3s. per cwt. took place in the Jamaica descriptions, and 3s. a 4s. in the Demerara and Berbice coffee; good ordinary Jamaica sold at 115s. a 117s.; fine ordinary, 118s. and 119s.: Demerara good middling, which previously sold at 133s. 6d. and 134s. went at 129s. 6d. and 130s.; middling, 125s. 6d. and 126s., which had previously been selling at 130s.: several parcels of St. Domingo, of good quality, pale, sold at 117s. 6d. and 1188. There were no public sales of

Bourbon, 10,000 bags, in mats

.......

.1058. .106s. 6d. a 107s. ills.

The

113s. 6d. coffee on the 13th, and we believe no private contracts whatever: the market was in consequence nominally the same as for some days preceding, but exceedingly heavy, and the offers made for coffee 28. a 38. lower than the nominal quotations.

Sugar. The demand has been rather limited, and prices low, though no considerable reduction has taken place in raw sugars, and good qualities have been scarce, and have obtained high prices. The hopes of a favourable alteration in the Russian tariff seem to have been disappointed. On the 31st January there was a very extensive sale of sugar at the India House, of which the following are the particulars.

Damp. s. d. s. a. .26 0 a 27 0 .21 0 a 25 0

.37 0 a 38 0

....26 6 a 27 0

.39 6 a 40 6

.29 0 a 32 6

.23 0 a 26 0

Cotton. The prices have remained pretty steady in the month that has elapsed since our last report. In the last week of January about 1000 bags were sold. It is now reported that the East India Company have purchased 1000 bags of Bengal cotton at 6d. to 6d. good second quality, to complete their shipments for the season to China.

Rum, Brandy, and Hollands.-Notwithstanding the advertisement of a government contract of 100,000 gallons of Rum, the market was not at all improved, and the contract was taken on the 13th Feb. at 11s. 10d. per gallon. Brandy and Geneva are dull of sale, and the demand for the former has not improved, though a reduction in the price has taken place.

Tobacco.-Tobacco has continued so exceedingly languid for some months, that

Last week the market for raw sugar was dull, with rather better prices for good qualities, and worse for inferior. The demand for lumps has recovered a little, but without materially affecting the prices.

Average prices of Raw Sugar by Gazette.

Jan. 27. Feb. 3.

...35s. 8d.

...36s. 44d.

10.

...35s. 4 d.

17.

..35s. 84d.

buyers could come to market at lower rates than the late nominal quotations.

Oils.-The prices of Greenland oil have receded to very low rates, which have attracted the attention of the buyers; several parcels have been taken for export; yet, notwithstanding this demand, and the prospect of an extensive spring trade, the prices are rather on the decline, on account of the extensive quantity at market. Seed oils are quoted at a small reduction.

Hemp, Flax, and Tallow.-The demand for Baltic produce continues exceedingly languid: tallow may again be quoted at a small decline, and the very reduced prices do not facilitate sales.-Hemp and flax may both be quoted lower. The last letters from Petersburgh state the exchange a shade lower, 91.

2d

3d

14s. 6d.