brazilletto, 271. to 301. per ton. Cochineal (garbled), 21. to 21. 4s. Guatimala indigo, of different colours, from 6s. 3d. to 12s. 3d.; Caraccas ditto, from 6s. to 12s.; and Brazil ditto, from 2s. 6d. to 5s. per lb.

FRANCE. The importation of corn from France into London, during six months, has been such as to produce the vast sum of 1,382,550. sterling. Such a traffic as this must indubitably drain the country of its specie, and pour wealth into the lap of the com non enemy; but we must be content to continue it as long as we can, and to exchange gold against that which cannot be dispensed with, the first necessary of life. The following article explains the footing upon which the commerce with France stands, according to the latest determination of Buonaparte.

Extract of a Letter from the Minister of the Interior, to the Prefect of the Seine.

Paris, March 12, 1810.

1. The licences will contain, as before, an obligation to export three-fourths of the tonnage in agricultural produce, of the growth of France; half the cargo to consist of wine or brandy; the other fourth to be composed at pleasure of whatsoever articles are permitted to be exported by our custom laws.

2. Licensed vessels may import all such articles of produce and merchandise as are permitted by our laws; in which are not included tobacco, cotton wool, and yarn, cotton cloths, colonial and East and West India produce; excepting, nevertheless, dye-woods, guiacum, drugs used for the purpose of dying, shumac, Peruvian bark, and medical drugs. A list of the articles coming under the denomination of drugs for dying, will be contained in a special instruction to be given by the counsellor of state, the director-general of the customs.

3. The licenses shall be paid for at the rate of 20 francs per ton, and in proportion to the burthen of the vessel; but the maximum for any license is fixed at 600 francs; that is to say, there will be no additional charge for any burthen above 300 tons.

4. The outfitter on being informed that the license is in the hands of the prefect, will repair to the office of the receiver-general of the department, or that of the receiver for the district, where he will deposit the fee, payable at the rate of 20 francs per ton. The license will be delivered to hiin on producing the receipt.

HOLLAND. A treaty has been concluded between this country and France, one article of which is interesting to commercial men. It runs thus: "Until Great Britain shall rescind those orders in council of the year 1807, all commerce shall be prohibited between England and Holland."-All merchandise of English manufacture is prohibited in Holland. It is also decreed, that all merchandise imported by American vessels, that have arrived in the ports of Holland since the 1st of February, 1809, shall be put under sequestration.

BALTIC.-The holders of Baltic produce have become less anxious to sell, in consequence of the last accounts received from Gottenburgh, which give reason to apprehend, that our intercourse with the ports of the Baltic, during the ensuing season, will be more obstructed than formerly. Added to this, the government tontract for hemp has had the effect of raising the prices both at London and Hull; and the holders of course are daily in hopes of obtaining better prices. By a late royal ordinance it appears that colonial produce is to be excluded from all the Prussian harbours, except those of Stettin and Konigsberg.-The king of Sweden has, with the rest of the continental sycophants, who wear crowns, acceded to the non-importation system of the French emperor, and has consented to shut his ports against English goods and manufactures of whatever description, with the exception of salt, sufficient for the consumption of his kingdom. Swedish iron, in bars, fetches from 211. to 231. 10s. per ton; ditto pitch, from 21s. to 23s. per cwt. and ditto tar, from 47s. to 48s. per barrel. Stockholm deals, 671. to 701.; Memel ditto, 351. to 361. and Dantzic, 21. 12s. to zi. 16s. per last.

IRELAND. It is with pain we are obliged to state under this head, that the permission to distil spirits from grain, which was lately extended to Ireland, has proved lamentably detrimental to the interests of the principal West India houses at Dublin and Cork, several of whom, having speculated too deeply in sugars, have been necessitated to call meetings of their creditors. The provision-trade is flourishing, and the manufactures of the north are in a most prosperous state.

Prices of Canal, Dock, Fire-office, and Water Works, Shares, &c. 21st April, 1810.-Grand Junction Canal, 2501. per share.-Wilts and Berks ditto, 591. ditto.-Kennet and Avon ditto, 461. ditto -Huddersneld ditto, 401. ditto.-Lancaster ditto, 251. 10s. ditto.-Grand Surry ditto, 801. ditto.-Croydon ditto, 501. ditto.-Globe Fire and Life Insurance, 1281. per share. Albion ditto, 601. ditto.-Imperial Fire ditto, 751. ditto.-Rock Life Assurance, 6s. per share, premium.-London Dock Stock, 1301. per cent.-West India ditto, 1751. ditto.-East India ditto, 1341. ditto.-Commercial ditto, 921. per share premium-East London Water Works,

* 16s. 8d. sterling. † 251.

Monthly Mag. No. 198.

2 F

2321.

2321. per share.-West Middlesex ditto, 1801. ditto.-Kent ditto, 431. per share premium. At the Office of Messrs. Wolfe and Co. Canal, Dock, and Stock, Brokers, No. 9, 'Change Alley, Cornhill.

The average prices of Navigable Canal Property, Dock Stock, Fire-office Shares, &c. in April 1810, (to the 25th) at the Office of Mr. Scott, 28, New Bridge-street, London.Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal, dividing 401. per share clear per annum, 7301. to 7351.-Grand Junction, 2501. to 2531.-Monmouthshire, 31. per share half-yearly, 1421.— Swansey, 1101.-Leeds and Liverpool, 1881.-Kennett and Avon, 481. to 451. 10s.-Wilts and Berks, 531. to 601.-Huddersfield, 411. 10s.-Dudley, 481. 10s.-Rochdale, 471.—Peak Forest, 661.-Ellesmere, 801.-Lancaster, 261.-Croydon, 481. 481. 10s.-Worcester and Birmingham New Shares, 51. 10s. premium.-East India Dock Stock, 1351.-London Dock, 1301-Commercial ditto, 901. premium, ex-dividend.-Globe Assurance, 1281, to 1301Thames and Medway, 421. to 441. premium.-Ashby-de-la-Zouch, 221. 10s.-Strand Bridge, 21. per cent. discount, to 41.

NATURALIST'S MONTHLY REPORT.

MARCH.

Neglected now the early daisy lies,

Nor thou, pale primrose, bloom'st the only prize.

DURING the greatest part of the present month the wind has been easterly. The unusual check which vegetation has sustained in consequence of this, is supposed to have been injurious to the wheat crops; and some of the farmers, in despair of their recovering the damage they have received, have been induced to plough them in. The 14th was a peculiarly cold and unpleasant day; the wind blowing very fresh. From the 17th to the 225, the weather was seasonable and fine; but from the 22d to the 25th, the wind was extremely piercing. On the 26th it changed from east to west; in which quarter it chiefly continued till the end of the month.

March 5. In warm and sheltered places the leaves of the bramble are beginning to appear. The pilewort (ranunculus ficaria) is in flower.

March 9. The evening of this day was unusually pleasant. Redbreasts, larks, and thrushes, were singing in almost every quarter. The partridges also were calling to each other in the fields in no inconsiderable number,

March 10. At a meeting of the inhabitants of the place from whence this report is written, the churchwardens have received an order not only to give rewards for the destruction of sparrows, but to extend these rewards to all species of small birds. How ignorant are the generality of mankind of their own good! This order includes no fewer than forty different kinds of birds which do not eat a single grain of corn, but which, in the course of the spring and summer, devour millions of insects, that would otherwise prove infinitely more injurious to the farmer than all the sparrows which haunt his fields, were they ten times more numerous than they are. And even with respect to sparrows, which are certainly in some measure injurious to the crops, were the farmer but seriously to reflect that the Almighty has not formed any race of beings whatever without giving to them an important destination, he would not probably be so anxious for their destruction. It has been satisfactorily ascertained that a single pair of common sparrows, while their young ones are in the nest, destroy on an average above three thousand caterpillars every week! At this rate, if all the species of small birds were to be extirpated, what would then become of the crops!

March 14. The daffodil (narcissus pseudo-narcissus,) smaller periwinkle (vinca minor,) sweet violet, and dandelion, are in flower.

March 18. Several species of willows begin to put forth their catkins.

March 20. The seven-spotted lady-bugs (coccinella septem-punctata,) are seen on almost all the hedge-banks which are exposed to the sun.

As I was this day walking along the side of a hedge, my attention was called to a large bee which was humming about a particular spot. I soon heard a rustling in the bottom of the hedge, at a little distance, which at first I supposed might be occasioned by a lizard. Standing perfectly still, a stoat ran along before me. For a moment it was startled by my presence, but heedless of that, it immediately afterwards made a dart towards the bee, Whether the animal mistook the noise made by the bee for that of a bird, or whether these quadrupeds (although they are known to dislike honey) may occasionally devour bees, as well as other insects, 1 am ignorant.

March 21. The corn horse-rail (equisetum arpense,) butter cups (ranunculus acris,) marsh marygold (caltha palustris,) water purslane (mentia fontana,) rue-leaved saxifrage (saxifraga tridactylites,) and primroses, are in flower.

March 25. We had, this day, a remarkably high tide, without any apparent cause; and Consequently expected a storm from the south or south west to follow. (See the Report for

3

November

November, 1807.) The wind indeed on the next day changed from east to west, and blew somewhat fresh, but we have escaped the storm.

March 29. Bees are now flying in considerable numbers about the catkins of some species of willows.

March 30. Swallows and martins were this day seen in flight. The arrival of these birds is earlier by several days than usual. The rev. Mr. White; in his Natural History of Selborne, states that of the swallow to be generally about the 13th, and that of the martia the 16th of April.

Hampshire.

MONTHLY AGRICULTURAL REPORT.

THE fine weather towards the close of the month has been very favourable to the young wheats in most places, having tended much to recover those of the late sown kinds in different situations, but the great destruction of plants in many cases render them thin upon the ground, and backward in growth. Vegetation in general has been greatly pushed forward within the two last weeks, as is constantly the case after such cold wet late seasons.

The putting in of the seed was perhaps scarcely ever more retarded, from the constant wetness and general unfavourableness of the whole of the last, and the beginning of the present, month. Much work of this sort is in consequence still to be per.ormed, especially in the more low districts.

Green crops, as we long since suggested, have almost wholly failed, especially turnips of the common kind; this has been particularly the case in many parts of Norfolk, and the neighbouring counties, from which great losses, and vast expenses have been sustained in the sheep-stock for the purchase of other necessary articles. This must of course inhance the price of mutton and lamb, unless the season becomes very fine and warm.

The supplies of wheat have lately been much on the decline at the market in Mark Lane, but the further importations that may now be expected from Holland, will most probably obviate the inconvenience, and keep down the price, which must otherwise have advanced.— Wheat fetches from 64s. to 86s. per quarter; Rye, 40s. to 48s.; Barley, 34s. to 46s.; Oats,

22s. to 28s.

The backwardness of the season has, in some degree, rendered the supplies of fat stock, particularly sheep and lambs, less abundant than is mostly the case at this period of the year. -Beef fetches from 5s. to 6s. per stone of 81b.; Mutton, 3s. 4d. to 6s. 4d.; Veal, 5s. to 6 3d.; Pork, 6s. to 6s 8d; Lamb, 7s. to 8s. 4d.

The price of hay has lately been somewhat higher in the different London markets. Hay fetches from 51. 10s. to 71.; Straw, 31. to 31. 14s.

METEOROLOGICAL REPORT.

Observations on the State of the Weather, from the 24th of March 1810, to the 24th of April 1810, inclusive, Four Miles N.N.W. of St. Paul's.

The quantity of rain fallen this month is equal to rather more than two inches in depth. On more than half the days since the last report, rain has fallen in greater or less quantities; but since the 15th the weather has been remarkably fair and brilliant.

The average height of the barometer for the whole month is equal to 29-433, and that of the thermometer which marks the temperature is equal to 45° nearly. The wind has been chiefly in the easterly points, and the temperature is lower than usual for the month. The spring, as exhibited by vegetation and the verdure of the fields and gardens, is very backward, a circumstance by no means to be regretted in this changeable climate. The south-easterly winds have several mornings brought us thick fogs, which the sun has usually dispersed with great rapidity.

Highgate, April, 1810.

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MONTHLY MAGAZINE

No. 199.]

JUNE 1, 1810.

[6 of VOL. 29.

As long as thofe who write are ambitious of making Converts, and of giving their Opinions a Maximum of Influence and Celebrity, the most extenfively circulated Mifcellany will repay with the greated Effect the Curiofity of those who read either for Amufement or Inâruction.-JOHNSON.

ORIGINAL COMMUNICATIONS.

To the Editor of the Monthly Magazine.

SIR,

AVING at a very early age been

myself for commercial pursuits, in which my father was engaged with that country, and afterwards residing for several years in my destined capacity of a merchant at Marseilles, in the south of France, happy in vigorous health, and with a constitutional disposition of the most sanguine character, it was natural, nay it was almost inevitable, that I should fall in with the luxurious indulgences of that delicious climate.

Upon my subsequent return to England, I formed an intimacy scarcely less seductive, with some of the most hospitable and convivial gentlemen-sportsmen in the county of Berks; where I spent some of the happiest moments of iny life in social and high-spirited enjoy

ment.

time to place myself upright in a chair, where I sat resting myself upon my elbows, and with my feet upon the horizontal posture,) before I underwent a sense, as it were, of immediate suffoca tion. The fits generally continued, with short intermissions, from thirty-six hours to three days and nights successively; during which time I have often, in the seeming agonies of death, given myself over, and even wished for that termina tion of my miseries.

It was in a great measure in vain that I consulted the most eminent physicians of the metropolis; Dr. Baillie, sir Walter Farquhar, Dr. Reid, Dr. Blackburne, Dr. Bree, and latterly Mr. Brandish, who was reported to have cured the duke of Sussex; none of these gentlemen afforded me any thing more than a transient and tantalizing relief. But here I must not omit my obligations to Dr. Reid, whose rational practice, and friendly attendance, afforded me the only consolation to be obtained under such an accumulation of suffering; or to Dr. Blackburne, and Dr. Bree, for the most feeling and gentlemanly manners and attention. An amiable friend and most respectable surgeon at Hackney, first persuaded me to smoke the divine stramonium, to which I owe altogether my present freedom from pain, and renewed capacity of enjoyinent. It is the root only, and lower part of the stem of this plant, which seem to possess its anti-asthmatic virtue: these should be cut into small pieces, and put into a common tobacco-pipe, and the smoke must be swallowed, together with the saliva produced by the smoke; after which the sufferer will, in a few minutes, The asthmatic paroxysm usually be relieved from all the convulsive heav came on about two o'clock in the mornings, and probably drop into a comfortIng, when I was suddenly surprised from sleep with violent convulsive heavings of the chest; and I was scarcely allowed MONTHLY MAG. No. 199.

This career of pleasure was however Boon interrupted by the depredations it produced upon my constitution: the first signs of impaired strength, and clouded vivacity, were soon succeeded by the most severe and afflicting attacks of spasmodic asthma, which returned at intervals of eight or ten days with such cruel violence, that all the agreeable anticipations of life became in a manner extinguished; and during the course of several years, I was afraid to indulge in the hopes of recovery from my complaint. At last, by a most fortunate accident, I was induced to make trial of an herb called stramonium; from which auspicious moment I have been restored, not merely to a tolerable, but to a comfortable and reasonably happy, state of existence.

able sleep, from which he will awake refreshed; and, in general, perfectly recovered: at least, this is the invariable 3 G