320

standing to find nothing laudable in rior stability of the extreme stanthe world we live in and those who cheons, on the construction of which are most clamorous in depreciating and the mechanism of the base-work, their own times, do it from inability the whole, as a barrier against heavy to talk better, or from habitual cattle, depends. When the extent of casts a gloom the fence is great, the main-stancheons peevishness which are relieved, at expedient distances, round all the events of life. Yet, perhaps, a moralist might find by other principal stancheons. An just cause for complaint in the pre- improvement in the mode of joining sent day. We have lived, Mr. Editor, horizontal wires, qualifies every part to see prostitutes pensioned, and the of the length equally to bear the friends of prostitutes supported by highest degree of tension. subscription. We have lived to see a shameless demagogue insult the throne and the virtues of the people, by opening a subscription for a woman whose morals are destroyed and whose conduct has been flagitious. Let us expect that we may next be called upon to subscribe for the relief of convicted felous who have had the misfortune to be tried at the Old Bailey.

April 14, 1809.

No CROAKER.

NEW INVISIBLE
DESCRIPTION of a
FENCE for PLEASURE GROUNDS:
(with a Plate).
Sir,

BEG leave to submit the enclosed for insertion in the Universal Magazine, should you consider it at all interesting to your readers.

Description of a New Fence for en-
closing Pleasure Grounds, invented
by Mr. Jas. Pilton, King's Road,
Chelsea.

The invisible fence in this simple form of the height of three feet six inches, has, in the Royal Pleasure Grounds at Frogmore, and in various parks of the nobility and gentry, been invariably found adequate to Increased exclude the largest and strongest kinds of grazing stock. in height two feet, the fence becomes applicable to deer parks. Deer have never been found to injure it, or attempt to leap it, and appear to avoid it as a snare, probably deterred by its transparent appearance. When it is 'intended to keep lambs out of plantations, perpendicular wires, comparatively small, are interwoven upon the lower horizontal wires: and to protect flowers and exotics from hares and rabbits, it is only necessary to narrow the interstices, by minute additions to the upright wires. On substances so small, presenting a round surface, neither rain nor snow can lodge; independent of which, by a coating of paint, they are preserved from the effects of the weather.

The strength attained by the principles on which the materials are manufactured, and the erection of the fence is conducted, cannot be justly conceived but by a person who has witnessed the effect of a considerable force impressed or weight lodged on a single wire of a fence erected.

THE basis of the invisible fence is
elastic iron wire, manufactured, pre-
pared, and applied by a process dis-
covered and matured by the under-
signed. Of this infrangible material,
which, for the main-wires, must be
drawn out to the thickness of a small
reed, continuous strings are inserted
horizontally through upright iron
stancheons; the interval between
the strings is about nine inches; be-
tween the stancheons about seven
feet. The horizontal wires, in a state
of tension, are fastened to two main-
stancheons at the extremities of the
fence, passing at freedom through
holes drilled in the intermediate stan-
cheons. The tension of each hori-
zontal wire is preserved by the supe- April 14, 1809.

The tempered elasticity of the tort string allows it to bend, and, on the removal of the oppressing force, the vigorous recoil of the wire, vibrating till it reassumes a perfectly strait line, shews that a violent shock cannot it. warp

I am, Sir,

Your most obedient servant,
J. PILTON

CRITICISM.

"Nulli negabimus, nulli differemus justitiam."

A MONUMENT of PARENTAL AFFEC- the companion, the scholar, and the
TION to a DEAR and ONLY SON.-
Second Edition, 1809. 1 vol. pp.
176.

E do not recollect ever to have

man. We feel our loss on a thousand occasions. Every object of daily concern recals it to us. There is nothing we do which does not remind its image is not mingled. But let us of it: nothing we think of whereus return to Mr. Gilpin.

in

His son appears to have been a

W read any narrative which affected us more than the simple, unadorned one which we are now about to notice. It is written by the Rev. Joshua Gilpin, of Wrockwardine, in young man of considerable acquirethe county of Salop; it is inscribed he ever attempted composition. His ments; but it does not appear that. to his parishioners; and it comme- father, indeed, has preserved a transmorates, in a pathetic manner, the lation by himself, of some Latin verses acquirements, the virtues, the chris- written by his son; but it would have tian piety, and the death of his only been more acceptable had he submitted the original to his readers.

son.

When we first sat down to read this interesting little volume, we were impressed with the belief that the excellencies of the subject delineated, were somewhat exaggerated, for, he was uniformly pre-eminent from his cradle upwards. But our rebukes, upon this point, were soon silenced, when the father appealed to the feelings of the reader in the following

words:

"I here entreat him, once for all, to shew me the indulgence due to a bereaved parent, who speaks from the fullness of his heart, and whose feelings, on such a subject, will submit to no control," p. 59.

cise a work which appeals so strongly We cannot coldly sit down to critito our feelings: we pass over, therefore, two or three passages in which our opinion differs from that of Mr. sents the motives to his son's acquisiGilpin, in particular, where he repretions to have no reference to human distinctions or applause. We fear it would require the most acute sophisshew that any other principle than try (and even that would be vain) to worldly distinction and worldly applause can operate to the attainment of mathematics, languages, &c. We have no reason to believe that they will be of any avail in a future state, and they are not enjoined by scripture. To pursue them, therefore, as a religious duty, or merely from religious motives, is not only inconsistent but impossible. Their incentive and

Yes, most willingly shall that indulgence be conceded. Sacred be the sorrows of a parent who mourns for the loss of a pious, an affectionate, an accomplished, an only child! Probe not the mind that bleeds from God's their end are human. visitation; and, let human pity allow As a specimen of Mr. Gilpin's comfor human frailty, if tenderness, in position, the following may be read such a task, hold the pen of truth, with pleasure: and delineates what she fondly be-, lieved, rather than what, perhaps still making his passage through the "Wherever we journeyed, he was really was. How severe must be the valley of the shadow of death. Through affliction of a father who sorrows for this dark and solitary region every a child so early conspicuous in all man must necessarily pass: but the that could ingraft the pride of man passage admits of a wonderful variety. upon the feelings of nature! How Some men are hurried down this valmany passions, deprived of their ley with a rapidity which will not alwonted object, must thus be turned low them to mark the terrific furniinwards to prey upon the heart with ture of the place; while others are unavailing torture! We mourn, not led through it with slow and solemn only for the son, but for the friend, steps-Multitudes tread this road unUNIVERSAL MAG. VOL. XI.

2 S

der the torpors of a stupid insensi- fantine state, and exhibited him with bility; and many rush along it amid glee when the operation was over-she the turbulence of a raving delirium- now undertook that office for the last some few favoured individuals are al- time, and performed it with such lowed to pass this way in a state of marks of tender concern as must ever complete recollection and composure; recommend her to our esteein. Durand sometimes an extraordinary per- ing this familiar interval, he confessed sonage is carried through it in a kind to his faithful attendant, that, through ¡ of holy triumph. Our dear son went a night of more than ordinary restlessdown into this desolate valley without ness, he had been exposed to almost disquietude, and walked deliberately insurmountable difficulties. And it through it without apprehension. We was agreed between them, in order to attended his steps from the beginning avoid a recurrence of the same inconto the end of this painful journey, veniencies, that another chamber without ever withdrawing ourselves should be immediately prepared for from his side. We observed the him, which would allow her to sleep changes that took place at every stage, in a contiguous closet. Such an arwe marked every turn of his counte- rangement had been often proposed nance, and caught every expression by us, and not without considerable that fell from his lips. But while we were solicitous to sustain his weakness and to smooth his path, we found him in circumstances rather to afford, than to require, support. An invisible arm sustained his soul, and supplied his wants. He neither felt any distress, nor feared any evil; for God was with him, even He who giveth songs in the night, and who turneth the shadow of death into the morning."

"At length the day arrived, which we had so long dreaded, and for the approach of which we were still so little prepared. About seven in the morning of Tuesday, September the 9th, we walked into his chamber, and found him sitting on the side of his bed in the act of dressing. He received us with an affectionate smile, and answered our enquiries with all the calmness and caution imaginable: but there was an appearance of languor and debility about him which could not be concealed. At our pressing intreaties, he admitted the assistance of his watchful nurse, who has been already mentioned in this memoir, and whose ready attentions at the Wells added greatly to his gratifications there. Many a time had she dressed him with accuracy in his in

anxiety: but, till this time, he had resolutely refused all attendance in the night, and would not even permit a light to be left in his room. He presented himself at breakfast with an air of satisfaction, and joined in our moruing devotions with all his usual composure. Had the weather allowed it, he was to have spent an hour abroad. This, however, being prevented by an unfavourable forenoon, he sweetly applied himself to that little volumé, which was always within his reach, and seldom out of his hand. His ordinary gentleness was exemplary; but through the whole of his deportment ou this day, there was a lamb-like patience, which filled us with admiration; though it was observed, that his respiration was surprisingly quickened by the slightest exertions, and that he was unable to converse without frequent pauses.

"He sat down to our dinner with a tolerable degree of appetite, and appeared at the close of it to be somewhat refreshed. After this meal, it was customary with him to doze for an hour in his chair, while we silently guarded his repose, and sent up our supplications to heaven in his behalf. We were thus watching near him, when he suddenly turned upon us an expressive look, which seemed intended to bespeak our attention. He had long desired to make us acquainted with several interesting particulars concerning the state of his mind; but perceiving our inability to bear any such communications, he had reluctantly forborne to open his heart.