as they will be brief, and may have a tendency to check the publication of loose and detached conjectures in future, I trust they will be deemed worthy of insertion. At the time that your Correspondents were bringing forward some insulated and imaginary claims in favour of the Duke of Portland, Mr. Greatrakes, Sir Wm. Jones, and others, a Work appeared anonymously, entitled " Junius identified with a distinguished Living Character," and a Supplement by the same Author, containing Fac-similes of the hand-writing, and other important proofs. This publication, whoever was the Writer, has the merit of great diligence and acuteness of research, and contains, in fact, such a close connected chain of evidence and reasonon the ing as has never yet appeared subject. It has been favourably noticed, Sir, I have observed, in your article of Review, as well as by other Reviewers; and the whole of the evidence is borne out by a striking similarity (on a close examination) of the hand-writing. I would therefore invite such of your Correspondents as appear most interested in the question to an attentive and candid perusal of the Work; and if they should find the they Author incorrect in his reasoning, or hasty in his conclusions, I have no doubt the publick will be gratified by their reply. The advocates for new claimants, having cleared the way before them, will then stand a fairer chance of success; especially if they can produce some stronger arguments than the one which in the case of Sir William Jones and others is chiefly insisted on-I mean the test of abilities. This, in an age inferior to none for men of the highest literary and political qualifications, is an argument by far too vague and indeterminate, without other evidence of a more precise nature. This precision of evidence (as far indeed as the nature of the case will admit) is very remarkable in the production alluded to, and on that ground, though the Author may possibly be mistaken, yet it still appears to me that he well deserves an answer. A LOOKER-ON. Police Office in Marlborough-street, is the following paragraph: "Soon after appeared his description of a Residence in France during the years 1792 and 1795, described in a Series of Letters from a Lady." If the Writer of the article in question means by this that Mr. Gifford was the author of those Letters, he is certainly mistaken. See Mr. G's declaration to the contrary in the preliminary remarks, p. xxvi. third edition, of "A Residence in France during the years 1792, 1793, 1794, and 1795, in a Series of Letters by an English Lady." Mr. G's veracity was unquestionable. I was for many years in habits of the greatest intimacy with him; and am satisfied, as well from his private as from his public declarations, that these Letters are, strictly, what they purport to be. The Letters are some of the best in the English language. The style is lively, unaffected, chaste, and often elegant; the moral pure, the reflections just, and evidently the result of no common penetration; the narrative extremely interesting, and the delineation of the French character throughout most masterly. Of a Work of so much merit I am anxious to know the author, and should be much obliged to any of your Correspondents for information on the subject. During the period of my intimacy with Mr. G. he was not at liberty to mention the lady's name; but the objections to its being divulged have, I suppose, long ceased. The Writer of the article in your Obituary is not quite accurate with regard to some other particulars. Mr. G. was never in the suite of the British Embassador in France, nor was he compelled to leave that country by the violence of the Revolution. Mr. G. was twice abroad: the first time he resided at Lisle, the second time at or near Rouen; which latter place he left before the Revolution. I know that he was in England early in 1788, at which period he resided in the parish of Stepney; nor do I believe that he was ever afterwards in France. I am certain that he was not there for at least ten years subsequent to that period. Mr. G. was admitted a Gentleman Commoner of St. John's College, Oxford, in 1774, or early in 1775: he did not reside long at College, nor did he take any degree. It ought not to be omitted, that Religion in general, and the Church of England in particular, had in Mr. Gifford a most zealous, vigilant, and able defender, from whatever quarter the attack was made. He was ever a man of truly loyal principles, and warmly attached to the best interests of his Α. Β. country. Mr. URBAN, April 7. HAVE lately experienced much of a kind very unusual. It would be superfluous to expatiate on the wellknown adulatory character which prevails among these votive compositions. I fear, from their customary strain, that they are too often produced by the pen of servility or venality; and are, I suppose, where the Author is unknown, and not taken under avowed and peculiar patronage, in general treated with little respect by the "noble" person addressed. The Dedication concerning which I write is prefixed to the Introductory Volume of the Work termed "The Beauties of England," and is directed to no living man, but is comprized in an inscription to the "wemory" of a distinguished Nobleman, who died before the completion of the undertakingthe late Duke of Northumberland. It may be remarked as being rather curious, that another similar inscription to the manes of a patronizing personage should occur in regard to the same noble family. The fifth edition of Percy's "Reliques of Ancient English Poetry" is inscribed to "the memory" of the Duchess of Northumberland, mother of the late Duke. As the Dedication to which I more particularly allude contains, as I believe, a judicious, as well as generous, estimate of the character of a Noblemau who acted an important part on several public occasions, I cannot avoid presuming that it is worthy of insertion in a Miscellany calculated, like yours, to preserve, and hold to general notice, every particular that is likely to be interesting in future biographical detail. I accordingly make a copy of this unusual dedicatory inscription; and, if your opinion agree with mine, shall be happy to see it inserted in your Work. S. M. L. "To the Memory of His Grace, Hugh, Second Duke of Northumberland, This Introductory Volume Beauties of England and Wales, glory. Alas! the page of inscription is woefully emphatic. Between the intention and the act, the noblest work of God, a good man, passed from the earth! "Praise cannot now be deemed adulation! The writer, therefore, indulges in freedom of expression; and inscribes this Work to the Memory of a Nobleman who sustained the true dignity of his rank by the courtesy of the complete Gentleman; whose Virtues were superior to the trials of every age; who presented in Youth a model for the affluent and ennobled, by the disdain of enervating pleasures, and the dedication of his talents to the most arduous field in which his country required exertion; whose Prime of Manhood was equally useful in the Senate, and admirable in the exemplary practice of social duties; and who, in the retirement of advanced and declining life, inspirited patriotic effort by precept, as before by example, solacing the pains of decrepit seclusion by the exercise of benevolence, and the encouragement of the Literature and the Arts of that Country which his whole personal career was calculated to adorn. "To the Memory of such a Nobleman, Hugh, Duke of Northumberland, this Work, a humble Tribute to his lamented Funeral-Monument, is inscribed by J. NORRIS BREWER." (Continued from p. 214.) Mr. URBAN, B April 10. EFORE Capt. Parr re-appears, mark how in an evil hour the Chaser became one of his Majesty's fighting ships. Towards the end of 1780 Admiral Sir Edward Hughes, K. B. sailed from Madras to refit the fleet in Bombay Harbour, and was met upon the Malabar coast by cona little short of trary winds; here, Anjengo, we fetched into anchoring ground. Next day came tumblingin heavy swells from the West; the York store-ship was in great jeopardy; Commodore King's ship, the Exeter, Exeter, lost a lower mast, and all the ships rode very hard. Availing ourselves of a short lull in the wind, we purchased our anchors as we could, ima sail, and gained an offing, but separately, never joining company until the Admiral, in the Superbe, reached Tillicherry. Commodore King had in the interim, with other ships, closed upon the coast lower down; and off Calicut Bay, the Sartine, Capt. Simonton, was sent in to bring out a strange sail. Both vessels grounded on a shoal, where our frigate was ultimately lost. The Stranger was taken, lightened, and got off-her people escaped by swimming ashore. This bundle of boards, to be called The Chaser, thus cost his Majesty, in the first instance, a fine frigate, captured from the French by the Coventry, Capt. Marlow, and Seahorse, Capt. Panton, off Pondicherry two years before. Unfit as such a thing was for a sloop of war, the Admiral had soon after, at Bombay, no second choice. Tillicherry was at this time close blockaded by Hyder's troops; our stay could only be short. In the night heavy guns were heard from the sea, and about noon following the Resolution, a a s ship in the honourable Company's service, came and let go her anchor. Sir Thomas Poyntin was Captain. I trust we may say Sir Thomas, whilst on details concerning the East Indies, where a Sovereign Prince had conferred the title. The Resolution, although attacked by a cluster of Hyder's vessels, had beat them all off. Sir Thomas behaved nobly, kept the quarter deck without owning that he was wounded. The old gentleman, we had the pleasure to hear afterwards at Bombay, recovered perfectly. A The Admiral lost no time-leaving Tillicherry, the ships steered along shore, and had not gained the length of Mangalore (Hyder's sea-port), when his fleet (only shorn of the future Chaser) was seen under clouds of sail pushing in from the offing. freshening breeze from the sea flattered them, but the ebb-tide had shoaled the water upon the Bar: not one could pass over, and the whole anchored confusedly, close to each other, some already touching the sands. Sir Edward saw the critical moment: our large ships brought up: two of the Company's cruizers were stationed nearer to the enemy as rallying points for the boats, which were all presently seen pulling in, manned and armed, to put down Hyder's naval power, at once and for Explosions followed to the very last keel, a sight horrid to us aloof; an achievement by our gallant fellows of benefit incalculable for the honourable East India Company, and for every owner of the matchless Argosies in their employ! ever. Attacks of such a sort are amongst the severest duties in war, and the crews underwent a loss of many of our very best men. Capt. Parr lives yet in the survivors' memory-he shone their intrepid leader; and his eulogy shall be left to the two junior Lieutenants (now Admirals Robert Montague and John Sutton) who shared in his glorous ardour. They can describe to grandsons more partiticularly their own work in the Superbe's boats on that day: these distinguished Officers can never forget Hyder's fleet at Mangalore. Shortly after the Admiral's arrival in Bombay Harbour, arrived also the Seahorse, a mere wreck, her crew pumping for life, and the ship wanting months of repair. Capt. Panton had breathed his last at Malacca; and Lieut. Charles Hughes, being idolized by the men, was enabled, through their vast exertions, to bring her into port. The French fleet was expected soon in India, to bleed us-such was their reported boast. Sir Edward Hughes had no small craft: the Sartine lostSeahorse hors du combat-a sorry remnant of Hyder's navy, Tub as she proved, was the Admiral's only resource, and put in commission as a sloop of war, the Chaser. Robert Montague, her first commander, being moved Post Captain into the Seahorse, Lieut. Parr received his first (and only) commission from his friend, Admiral Sir Edward Hughes, into this unfortunate bottom, to suffer, with all his crew, disappointment, both public and private, and loss of every thing, except, as a chivalrous French Monarch once said, "the loss of Honour." (To be continued.) Mr. Mr. URBAN, IN April 14. a late number of the Transactions of the Horticultural Society, Mr. Knight has given a plan for circulating hot water in hothouses instead of steam. I do not know whether this plan is deemed original by its author or not, but, if you will allow me, I shall mention three cases where it has been done before. The first is by Mr. Weston, in frames and pits for growing pines, melons, &c. See his "Tracts." The second is that of a distiller at Glasgow, whose name I unfortunately forget, though his place was at Anderton, a sort of suburb to that city. This gentleman, in 1790, had a leaden box about 6 inches deep, and the length and width of a hot bed, and the refuse hot water from the works was made to enter at one corner of this leaden box, and pass out at the other. Over the lead was laid 18 inches of earth, and the frame placed on that; and then the plants were inserted, &c. in the usual way. The next case is that of the famous winter garden of Potemkin, at the Taurida Palace at St. Petersburg. Storch, in his Picture of St. Petersburg (p. 50), mentions the fact; and Mr. Call, the present gardener, and successor to the late Mr. Gould (a pupil of the celebrated Mr. Brown, under whose direction it was executed, probably from the hints in Weston's Tracts), described to me, in 1814, the details of the construction; though I regret to say, that, not being so deeply interested in the thing at the time as I have since been by recent improvements in Horticulture, I have now almost forgot it. It was evidently, however, different from Mr. Knight's plan, since I well recollect a pump was made use of in returning the water when cold to the boiler. As near as I can recollect, the circulation was produced by the force of the steam pressing on the surface of the water, which, after various turns in leaden pipes, dropped in a well close to the boiler, from whence it was pumped up into the supply cistern. These facts will, I trust, give more confidence to such as may be disposed to try the plan of circulating hot water, which, if it could be done in hot houses as readily as steam, would certainly, in many respects, be preferable. HORTULANUS. Mr. URBAN, Y April 28. a state OU were pleased to insert ment I sent you, (see vol. LXXXIV. i. p. 38) of an instance of mechanical movement, where the known mechanic axiom did not take place; namely, that " in using any mechanic power, what you gain in power, you lose in time." I had hoped its being so inserted would have engaged some observations, for or against the correctness of the exception stated; but none have appeared. The point has also been offered to consideration at some of our first literary tribunals: but hardly one, in either, has chosen to commit himself in the admission of an exception to an axiom of great importance, which has, through all time, been considered as necessarily taking place in every mechanic movement. Notwithstanding this silence of science, I will request you, Mг. Urban, to again present this singular and unique case (perhaps in a stronger shape) to the consideration of your Readers. If I draw along a heavy log of wood, say, 100 yards in five minutes on a gravel walk, I must exert a greater moving force, than if I draw it on ice. Here, an equal effect is produced in an equal time, though the moving forces differ. But this result has a cause merely natural; a cause altogether distinct from any artificial or mechanical cause; consequently, the mechanic axiom in question estion cannot, in this instance, come into view. It is otherwise in what I am about to offer; nothing, as I firmly think, but an artificial and mechanical cause producing, in the following instance, equal work in equal time, by differing requisite forces. vy, vx, vz, are the radii of three wheels NMK. Each wheel is supposed to be moved, in the direction of the arrow, along the smooth impalpable plane PL; cutting, as it goes, a rut through softish earth, of the (equal) depth indicated by the dots. A moving force, just sufficient for the work, is to be applied to each. This force consists of weights, t, s, r; depending always, from the breast of each wheel; as seen at y, x, z. In the time T, each weight descends by a space equaldg, drawing on its wheel, in the direction of the arrow, by a space equal the same dg. This gives us EQUAL WORK IN EQUAL TIME. If, now, it be found that the wheel of longer radius (and consequently of higher mechanic power) requires a less moving force than the wheel of shorter radius; and if this difference of mechanic power be admitted to enter as one cause (I deem it the sole cause) of the difference in the forces severally required for this equal work in equal time; if this be found and admitted, it is submitted for opinion, whether this earth cutting case does not amount to an instance of a full exception to the axiom which states, that "what you gain in power, you lose in time." In this peculiar work, the wheel leverage may be thus stated; ec, ac, qc, are the several arms of resistance; and vy, vx, vz, the several arms of power, severally belonging to the wheels N, M, K: and the higher wheel (K) is of higher mechanic power than the lower wheels (M&N), because, in wheel-leverage, the power-arms increase faster than the resistance arms. Sir Isaac Newton has given us a proposition, stating what is, in point of thrift, the most advantageous degree of power to be used: but this proposition (it is to be observed) has no application whatever to the wheelleverage case above given: for, however much the leverage power of K exceeds that of N, the time of their equal work, by differing requisite forces, will be equal. In a view of science, this unique escape, from the sentence of the axiom, will interest the mathematician: in a view of thrift and good husbaudry, it will make a strong motive for using, in our vehicles, higher wheels than at present: a circumstance, which will assuredly lessen the number of carriage-horses; the leverage employed being more potent without losing any thing in time, the friction less, and the line of traction much more direct and advantageous; the conveyance, also, on high wheels is smoother, and less noisy. In further illustration, imagine a loaded waggon, with two fore-wheels low and the two hind-wheels high, cutting four such ruts, as above; and that the load is equally divided between the fore-wheels and the hind. Call the moving force, requisite to draw this waggon along, call it x. In this case, it will be admitted that the hind-wheels will require, for their سم THE CANNON. This sign does not appear to be quite so prevalent in this kingdom as it was in the year 1738, when No. 638, of the Craftsman was published, in which it is said, "nothing is more common in England than the sign of a Cannon." The name is derived from the Italian cannone, an augmentation of canna, cane, because a cannon is is lo long, straight, and hollow, like a cane. The first cannons were called bombardæ from bombus, by reason of their noise. |