figure in the plate, which has never before been given to the public, will serve to correct the errors by comparison with the description of figures of other tipulæ published in books of entomology. ral years, and the insect disappeared. Some sowed the bearded wheat, which the tipula did not injure, but this kind of grain does not wholly escape, unless it is sown late in the autumn, so that the tipula has not the green plant upon which to lay its eggs. The crops of wheat sown early in the fall receive the most damage by it. German troops were quartered in several places on Long-Island, during the American revolution, and a year or two after peace, when agriculture commenced its In this part of the country, the tipula operations uninterrupted by war, the passes through two generations in a season, wheat tipula first excited notice in that and consequently annoys the young grain part of our state, by the injury done to the both in the spring and autumn. After wheat. It was easy to attribute this plague hybernation, or lying in a state of chrysalis to our enemies, and accordingly it was all winter, in the culm, or stalk of the saddled upon the poor Hessians, who are grain sown in the autumn, it resuscitates innocent of the charge, and hence it is im- between the middle of April and first of proper to call the wheat insect, the Hes- May. The imago, or perfect insect, has sian Fly. It is besides quite different from no other duty to perform than to deposit a fly, whose figure and habits are very its eggs in a situation where sufficient food unlike those of a tipula, and the former will be found to nourish its young. Acbelongs to a genus of insects called musca, cordingly, the place selected is between which most generally feed upon animal substances. the first leaf and the stalk near the root. The season, if warm, soon hatches the eggs The tipula vaginalis tritici of America, into small white maggots, which feed upon most generally delights to feed upon the the sap and tender fibres of the plant, by tender plants of green wheat, but it has which it is deprived of its circulating been known to attack rye, and even barley, juices, withers and dies; or if not, it is (Havens. Agricult. Trans. vol. i. p. 91.) stunted in its growth, appears sickly, and though the two latter rarely and without does not bring its seed to perfection. Du injury, except that in one case on Long- ring the months of May and June it exists Island, in 1788, a field of summer barley in the egg and larva, or maggot state, in was entirely destroyed, as was supposed, by which latter the damage is effected. It this insect. It first appeared to attract becomes torpid, or is converted into the notice by its ravages on the east end of chrysalis before harvest, and is found in Long-Island, about thirty-one years ago, that state in the stubble after harvest, and (viz) in 1786. The crops of wheat were during the months of July and August, and almost entirely cut off in that part of the sometimes longer, and may be found as country in 1787 and 1788. The inhabitants, discouraged by such destruction, cultivated rye almost exclusively for seve long as the stubble is suffered to stand, till in September, when it again issues into its perfect state of existence, and the same progress is repeated, though the period of so different a creature, that it could not be mista. its several changes differs; the dormant ken for the American wheat tipula, as the one in state particularly, which, in summer, is Europe feeds upon wheat in the car, and ours only about two months, but in the winter upon the juices of the young plant, and deposits five or six. Thus two generations sucits eggs and chrysalis on the stalk, where it is ceed each other in a year. The one comcovered like a sheath by the first or outer leaf. mences in April and terminates its existHence, not to confound the two insects together, ence in August: The other springs into he has called the American wheat tipula, the tipula vaginalis tritici. That they are not the life in September and October, and finishes same, will be easily seen by comparing the de- its period by the ensuing spring. Thus scription and figure of the American tipula, with nature seems to have adapted its coming the tipula trilici of Europe, which is as follows: to the spring and autumn, when the tender "Dull rufous: wings byaline with a fringed sprouting grain affords the best nourishmargin: eyes black. Inhabits Europe; very ment iminute, (Lin. Trans. vol. iv. p. 280.) Antennæ It has been supposed that the damage moniliform, longer than the thorax: legs very done to grain was effected by the chrysalis long. Larva citron with foliated papilla at the of the tipula, by its mechanical effect of margin, a sharp head and truncate tail; skips, and is found in great numbers in the ears of pressure, as from one to six have been whea, to which it is very injurious; is destroyed found on one plant: but this cannot be the by the ichneumon tipula: pupa narrow, reddish case, since we have shown that the insect and pointed at each end." Turton's Liimaus. is not converted into a chrysalis till near the ripening of the grain, and the injury is manifested while the wheat is young and before it begins to head. It can only be a number of the larvæ or young maggots sucking the juices of the plant, which prevents its increase and vigour. It is a mistake that the wheat tipula is to be found on salad. The insect is too small to be positively distinguished by the naked eye; though another species may infest salad, it is certainly not this insect, for although it sometimes leaves its favourite food, this happens but rarely, and then it attacks its congeners, and does not shift to the salad. This insect travels about thirty miles in a season, going apparently in swarms, and alighting in a body upon a piece of grain, which will most frequently be injured in patches, as if attacked by different swarms. The periods of its existence in the different states of maggot, chrysalis, &c. must vary according to circumstances in different parts of the country, theretore the months in which the changes take place in the southern parts of New-York, will not be the same as where the seed time and harvest are different. The insect will be found, however, in the egg and maggot, on the young grain in the spring and autumn, and in the state of chrysalis just before harvest, and on the stubble. Several remedies may be proposed for the destruction of these insects. Very hot weather, attended by a dry state of the atmosphere, will either bring forward the insect prematurely from its chrysaline state, or dry up the moisture, by which it is destroyed. This has been observed with some of them, kept in a dry vessel in June. Some came out feeble and others withered. A cold season, with much moisture, will also destroy them, though these remedies are not at our will and dis so easily injured as some other varieties of wheat, and this arises from the strength of its stalk and abundance of juices, which are not as delicate as some other kinds, and hence these small creatures cannot devour sufficient of its substance before it begins to harden into straw. This and any other variety of wheat, whose stalk is stout and has a stiff straw, will answer the same purpose. But if from any cause the insect has become very numerous, the same precautions of late sowing in the fall must be resorted to. 3. Manuring high. In so doing the farmer produces a strong and rapid growth, which progresses faster than the maggot of the insect can devour, and as the stalk grows hard the feeding of the larva ceases to have effect. 4. Making use of a roller. By using a heavy wooden or stone roller on the young grain, in the autumn, after the chrysalis is formed, or in the spring before it is hatched, or on the stubble after harvest, the chrysalis will be crushed, and future progeny destroyed In this state it is very tender and delicate, and the smallest pressure will burst it and the insect must die. 5. Ploughing up the stubble. If this is done immediately after harvest, the chrysalis will be buried in the earth, and not being in a place congenial to its nature, it will die. Unless the stubble is completely buried, the experiment will not succeed,-the deeper the ploughing the better. 6. Burning the stubble. If the stubble is entirely burnt the chrysalis must be destroyed, but as it lays near the root, the fire must be well applied, or the insect escapes. I am, &c. posal; but some one of the following may MESSRS. EDITORS, be practicable in any part of the country. 1. Sowing late. If the grain is scattered early in autumn, the insect has full time and opportunity to deposit its eggs on the tender plant, and have them undergo the changes into maggot and chrysalis before winter; but by delaying, as long as the season for sowing winter grain will admit, the time for these changes is shortened, and the eggs or maggots are destroyed by the frost. 2. Cultivating the bearded wheat. This has been considered as proof against the attack of the insect, but reliance on it alone has been found fallacious. It does not escape with impunity, though it is not SAMUEL AKERLY There was nothing more extraordinary in the eccentric life of Thomas, Lord Lyttleton, or as he is commonly called, Lord Lyttleton the younger, than the mysterious manner of his death. The event made a great noise, and excited much speculation at the time. Indeed the bruit has hardly subsided, and inquiry is scarcely at rest. If you think there are any of your readers who are not familiar with the facts, you will perhaps feel willing to admit a succinct account of his Lordship's character, and of the singula concomitants of his decease, into your useful Miscellany. This licentious nobleman was the son of the celebrated George, Lord Lyttleton, whe was equally celebrated as a scholar and a Christian He was the heir of his father's talents, but not of his virtues. He succeeded to the title and estates in 1773. The circum stances of his death, which occurred in 1779, were certainly very extraordinary, and excited the more attention on account of his Lordship's known profligacy and scepticism. In the Gentleman's Magazine, for Nov last, I met with the following article in relation to this event. 'MR. URBAN, 'Pit-place, Epsom, Jan. 6. Your correspondent, T. S. mentions *the marvellous account of Lord Lyttleton's death," and wishes to see it "authenticated." Having bought Pit-place, where he died, I can give the following copy of a document in writing, left in the house as a heirloom, which may be depended on. Having received much pleasure and instruction from your work for near forty years, I deem it my duty to assist, in however trifling a degree.' "Lord Lyttleton's dream and death" (see Admiral Wolseley's account.)-"I was at Pit-place, Epsom, when Lord Lyttleton died: Lord Fortescue, Lady Flood, and the two Miss Amphletts, were also present. Lord Lyttleton had not been long returned from Ireland, and frequently had been seized with suffocating fits. He was attacked several times by them in the course of the preceding month. While in his house in Hill-street, Berkley-square, he dreamt, three days before his death," he saw a bird fluttering, and afterwards a woman appeared in white apparel, and said, 'Prepare to die, you will not exist three days.' He was alarmed, and called his servant, who found him much agitated and in a profuse perspiration. This had a visible effect the next day on his spirits. On the third day, while at breakfast with the above-mentioned persons, he said. I have jockied the ghost, as this is the third day.' The whole party set off to Pit-place. They had not long arrived when he was seized with a usual fit. Soon recovered. Dined at five. To bed at eleven. His servant, about to give him rhubarb and mint water, stirred it with a tooth-pick; which Lord Lyttleton perceiving, called him a 'slovenly dog,' and bid him bring a spoon. On the ser vant's return, he was in a fit. The pillow be ing high, his chin bore hard on his neck. In stead of relieving him, he ran for help; and on his return found him dead." "In Boswell's "Life of Dr. Johnson," (vol. iv. p. 313,) he said, "It is the most extraordinary occurrence in my days. I heard it from Lord Westcote, his uncle-I am so glad to have evidence of the spiritual world, that I am willing to believe it." Dr. Adams replied, "You have evidence enough; good evidence, which needs no support.' In the same Miscellany, for Dec. 1799, a very interesting and candid account is given of this strange occurence, from which make the following extract. On Thursday morning, the 25th of Nov. last, his lordship mentioned at breakfast, to Mrs. Flood (a widow lady who lived with him as companion to the Miss Amphletts his nieces.) that he had passed a very restless night; that he thought he heard a fluttering noise in the room; and that immediately after he fancied he saw a beautiful lady, dressed in white, with a bird on her hand, who desired he would settle his affairs for that he had but a short time to live. On his inquiring how long, the vision answered, "Not three days." His lordship mentioned this dream frequently, but with an affected air of careless indifference, which only showed that it had made a stronger impression on his mind, than he chose to acknowledge. On Saturday evening he pulled out his watch, observed that it was half past ten, and that he had still an hour and an half longer to live, and jocosely chucking under the chin one of the young ladies (his nieces) danced about the room, and asked her if she did not think he would get over it, and live beyond the time predicted for his death. Soon afterwards, however, he went to bed, complained of an uneasiness in his stomach, and while bis servant was mixing a cup of rhubarb and pepper-mint-water, a medicine which he fre quently took, expired. It was remarkable, likewise, that his lordship endeavoured to account for his having dreamed of the bird, by saying that a few days before, being in his green-house, at Pit-place, with Mrs. D—, he had taken some pains to catch a robin, which had been shut up in it, and which he had set at liberty. His general complaint was a pain in bis stomach, and his usual medicine, a dose of rhubarb in mint water. His real disorder was a polypus on the heart, described to be a quantity of coagulated blood, contained in a cyst or bag, on the bursting of which, immediate death, the uatural consequence, ensued.' His Lordship died at the age of thirty-five. There was certainly in the above case a striking coincidence of the event with the prediction. But that such presentiments are not infa'lible I imagine many of your readers can attest. An anecdote I lately met with in some biographical sketches, by the late John Courtenay, Esq., of the principal men of his day, will go to show this. Mr. Courtenay thus relates it: My acquaintance with the late General Dalrymple, uncle to the present Earl of Stair, commenced about the year 1763. His manner and address were pompous, and he did not express himself with facility and con ciseness, which induced many to depreciate his parts. His understanding was excellent, clear and comprehensive, wholly employed on military subjects; his judgment and pre cision on every point of his profession were unquestionable. "I lived in great intimacy with General Dalrymple above forty years, and always found him a generous and attached friend His table was elegant. and his great delight was to entertain a convivial select party; for he hated to have a crowded dinner, which obliges the company to split into sets, and substitutes a confused noise instead of general agreeable conversation. boy's likeness portrayed and sent to him. This was done, and some time after the friend received a letter expressing the faher's approbation of the portrait, and reating a singular occurrence evincing the truth of the resemblance. If the following anecdote of the power of strike you as forcibly as it did me, I am painting, in deceiving canine sagacity, The last time he sailed to America, he confident you will give it a place in your earnestly pressed me to go and dine with Miscellany. I confess I do not recollect him at Hounslow on his way to Porstmouth. to have heard of an analogous case. I observed that be was unusually grave and In the year 1815, Doctor Buchanan, of dispirited; after a cheerful bottle he began the United States' Navy, stationed at Sacto talk of presentiments, and at last owned kett's Harbour, having sent his son to that he had conceived an idea that he should New-York, for the purpose of taking pasdie in America, and never see England again. sage for Europe, wrote to a friend in this I was surprised at this, as he was of a firm, city to select a portrait painter, and have the high, cheerful temper, and as little tinctured by superstition as any man I ever knew. To dissipate this mental gloom, I related an anecdote which happened to myself not many months before. I dreamed that Moses had appeared and acquainted me that on such a day of the month and day of the week I "My friend, Captain Heilman, has a fine should surely die. I told this dream the next day at dinner at Mr. Blair's in Portland place; being an excellent shot, and fond of sportpointer dog, named Pero My dear James but it made so little impression on me that I had forgotten both the dream and the Mong, an intimacy was consequently formed saic dates. Mrs. Sharp, a Scotch lady, who between him and Mr. Pero-who would was present, privately made a memorandum of the fact; and as I accidentally called on her at her mother's, Lady Sharp, in Tichfield street, she reminded me that the fatal day was come to verify Moses's denunciation. The surprise and suddenness of recalling this singular dream to my recollection, in defi ance of all my efforts, depressed my spirits so much, that I was obliged to step into Devaynes's shop, in Spring Gardens, in my way to the Ordnance Office, and take forty or fifty drops of Lavender Drops to revive me; nor did I recover from the gloomy impression till the day was past. I assured the ge; neral on my honour that I had not invented the anecdote for the occasion. I appealed to Mr. and Mrs Blair and Mrs. Sharp for the truth and accuracy of my relation. The singularity of this dream, its accidental impression upon me, with the enlivening aid of another bottle, had a most propitious influence on the general. He pursued his journey to Portsmouth in the evening, and was no longer disturbed by his presentiment. I have often reflected since, that if my dream had been accidentally verified, it would have had more effect to prove the divine legislation of Moses, than Warburton's Treatise." Yours, &c. J. S. equently call (as it were) for James to go & hunting. After James's absence he repeated his visit about once a week, as if seeking his former friend. The first visit he paid after the arrival of Dunlap's semblance cf his sporting companion was truly affecting. The moment he came into the door the picture struck his eye, he stood motionless, one leg raised and his tail wagging for a few moments,-he then seemed to have identified the truth of his own sight; le rapidly approached it, whining and vagging his tail,-jumped upon the chair over which it stood, and placing his fore-paws on the frame, licked the hands of his quondam young friend: and this visit he repeats frequently, standing, ere his departure, with his eyes fixed on tho picture and his tail wagging adieu. I presume this fact has taken place a dozen times, and in the presence of a dozen people.", Yours, &c. R. T. We certainly do consider the circum.. stances narrated by our correspondent, both extraordinary and interesting. It is, however, not the only instance we have met with of the triumph of the graphic art over brute instinct. Antiquity furnishes two remarkable incidents of the same class. Apelles had executed an equestrian painting of Alexander, with which the king was dissatisfied, but a horse passing at the instant, neighed at the steed represented in the picture. The story of the grapes, in the piece of Zeuxis, at which the birds pecked, is familiar, though the artist confessed that had the figure of the man who carried them, been equally well drawn, it must have frightened them away. A very recent illustration of the effect of the illusions of the pencil upon birds, is found in an humourous anecdote in Northcote's Memoirs of Sir Joshua Reynolds. Mr. Northcote thus introduces it, 6 his curiosity, left it, and walked again to a MESSRS. EDITORS, Your criticism on Mr. Cooper's pronunciation of the soliloquy in Macbeth, in your number for July, led me to consult Sir William Temple, in his Memoirs, re- he passage referred to. In turning to it, lates a surprising instance of sagacity in an Mrs. Inchbald's Edition of the British Macaw, one of the parrot genus of the largest Theatre, I found a reading of it materially kind, which occurred under his own obser- different from the one you have given, and, vation. His relation is, indeed, a very wonderful one; but I am the more apt to give it I own, quite new to myself. It is as follows: credit from being myself a witness of the fol- If it were done, when 'tis done, then 'twere well : lowing instance of apparent intellect in a It were done quickly, if the assassination bird of this species, and therefore can vouch Could trammel up the consequence, and catch, for its truth: at the same time I hope to be With his surcease, success. That but this blow excused for giving what I consider merely as Might be the be-all and the end-all here, a curious circumstance, and not to incur the But here, upon this bank and shoal of time!accusation of vanity, in this instance at least, We'd jump the life to come. by making a weak endeavour to extol my own poor work, for very poor it was. In the early part of the time that I passed with Sir Joshua as his scholar, I had. for the sake of practice, painted the portrait of one of the female servants but my performance had no other merit than that of being a strong likeness. I should like to this construction. at least ingenious. know your opinion of It appears to me to be Respectfully, &c. We possess Mrs. Inchbald's Edition, and Sir Joshua had a large macaw, which he were not ignorant of the reading there often introduced into his pictures, as may be given. She has made no remark on it, and seen from several prints. This bird was a we are ignorant whence she derived it. It great favourite, and was always kept in the appears to be wholly unsupported. As far dining parlour, where he became a nuisance as it goes to show the power of punctua to this same house-maid, whose department tion, her construction is certainly ingeni it was to clean the room after him; of course they were not upon very good terms of the sentence, and the sequence of the ous; but it very much weakens the force with each other. We have The portrait, when finished, was brought deductions, besides occasioning an unneinto the parlour, one day after dinner, to Cessary and painful ellipsis. be shown to the family, that they might judge three editions which concur in giving the of the progress I had made. It was placed text as follows,against a chair, while the macaw was in a If it were done, when 'tis done, then 'twere well distant part of the room, so that he did not It were done quickly: if the assassination immediately perceive the picture as he walked about the floor; but when he turned round and saw the features of his enemy, he quickly spread his wings, and in great fury ran to it, and stretched himself up to bite at the face. Finding, however, that it did not move, he then bit at the hand, but perceiving it remain inanimate, he proceeded to examine the pic ture behind, and then, as if he had satisfied Could trammel up the consequence, and catch, But here, upon this bank and shoal of time, On this passage Dr. Johnson makes the following remarks, which corroborate our strictures. Of this soliloquy the meaning is not |