Abbildungen der Seite
PDF
EPUB

portions of labour and of perseverance, both in the tutor and the pupil; but these preliminaries admitted, all impediments are curable. I have happily demonstrated, beyond my own most sanguine anticipations, that, by the diligent application of my principles, even those persons who have fissures and deficiencies of the palate, may nevertheless be taught to speak with a perfect enun

[blocks in formation]

SIR,

Tappears to me that many writers

ciation, and an agreeable tone of voice, I make use of the particle as impro

without the troublesome and dangerous application of artificial organs.

J. THELWALL.

To the Editor of the Monthly Magazine.

I

SIR,

AM a freeman of the city of London, but through unavoidable misfortunes, have been compelled with my wife and family to seek refuge in St. Luke's Workhouse, where my wife lately lay-in. Du ring that time, the parish-officers took away our only girl, little more than eleven years of age, and against our consent bound her apprentice to a cotton manu. factory, upwards of two hundred miles from London. A respectable friend made application to the overseers, and offered to take her, but they would not let him have her, nor would they let me out of the gate from the time they took her out and bound her, till after she had been sent into the country. My wife, at the time, had not lain-in more than a week; and thus to lose her daughter, nearly deprived her of her reason.

I wish some of your correspondents, learned in the laws, would condescend to inform a poor man, whether it is legal for a child of her tender age, to be thus bound and sent away without the consent of her parents; if such binding can stand good; and if not, whether, and by what means, I can compel them, to return her to her distressed and unhappy parents. July 20, 1810. J. W. GASCOIGNE.

To the Editor of the Monthly Magazine.

[blocks in formation]

perly, as in the following sentence: “A woman must know, that her person cannot be as pleasing to her husband as it was to her lover; and if she be offended with him for being a human creature, she may as well whine about the loss of his heart as about any other foolish thing.” -M. Wollstonecroft. Every reader, I think, will say that so should take the place of as, before the word pleasing, in the quoted sentence. I remember no rule in any English grammar for this preference of so to as; but I think the following would be correct: So, should not be used within any comparatives, but the comparative of inferiority. Examples: That rule is not so good as this: this rule is as good as that: Comp. equality. It is thrice as far from London to C. as from C. to R., &c. Comp. superiorily.

August, 1810.

M.

To the Editor of the Monthly Magazine.

I

SIR,

WISH to inquire of some of your

philological readers, the authority for a mode of expression very frequently made use of by the writers in the Edin burgh Review, and by some other Scotch authors, which differs from the custom of English writers. I allude to the use of the word that, after a comparative adjective, in cases where, in this county, we usually employ because. Thus the writers above-mentioned would say "This is the more extraordinary, that, &c.-We have dwelt the more on this point, that, &c." The same mode of expression is frequently used by professor D. Stewart, in his "Philosophy of the Human Mind." I have some faint recollection of having seen this expression enumerated in a list of Scotticisins; yet one would hardly think such a writer as professor Stewart, would be guilty of a Scotticism so obviously such, as to have been mentioned long ago, as one of the more glaring in stances of impropriety in language.

H. Y. Z.

Το

To the Editor of the Monthly Magazine,

SIR,

LTHOUGH it is difficult for us to

A view our own situation at a proper

focal distance, yet it is too obvious that we are actually entangled at this time in the destructive vortex of an assignat system! The recent failure of various London and country bankers, seems however to have opened the eyes of the nation, in regard to the delusive character of some of those factitious establishments; and for some years to come, it may be presumed, that most prudent men will be induced to be come their own bankers.

The trade of speculative banking must, as to all creditable and profitable pursuit, be for awhile suspended; and this class of traders, many of whom have for years fattened on public credulity, and lorded it over honest and respectable industry, will probably for a time, at least, be added to the useful members of society, and be obliged, as working bees, rather than as drones, to raise their subsistance.

One might fill a volume of anecdotes, relative to the impertinencies and extravagancies of these dealers in paper. Industry has often been disconcerted by their combinations, in which proscription has been founded on a system of espionage, and secret lists of persons have been made out and circulated, whom some of the banking body, from wantonness or maLice, have denounced! To quarrel with a banker to contest a point with him not to submit abjectly to his fiat-has often proved the ruin of an industrious and respectable trader. This is emi nently the case in a provincial district; while in London such a victim finds hunself on a sudden under the interdict of a secret tribunal; among persons in credit he has, from some unknown cause, become excommunicated; his exertions prove vain; his struggles only make his destruction the more rapid; and a mandate of the free knights was not more terrible, than proves that of a central committee of bankers against an honest tradesinan, who may have offended one of their body!

The commercial part of this nation, will learn with horror, that a selfelected secret committee, composed of certain London bankers, (some of them probably without any tangible property,) has presumed, for a considerable time past, to form lists of industrious merchants and tradesmen, whom on light and impertinent grounds, they have chosen to stigmatize, and to circulate the MONTHLY MAG. No, 205,

same among the initiated of their own body, under the title of "the NEW DIRECTORY!"

With regard to the immaculate practices of these guardians of credit, it is pro per the country should know, that in some of the late failures of London bankers, it turned out, on looking into their affairs, that they had been employed by country correspondents to make in vestments in the funds, that they had affected to do this, and had actually paid periodical sums as proceeds of interest; whereas it appeared that the investments had never been made, and that the parties were defrauded of the principal; and many of them reduced from supposed affluence to beggary. And as a syste matic money-raising practice, it seems that many London bankers are in the habit of paying a commission to country bankers to draw bills upon them-for enormous amounts; that these bills are remitted by the country bankers, who drew them to the London banker, who having accepted them, gives them to a bill-broker, set up and supported by the same London banker, and it then becomes the daily business of such broker to convert such bills into Bank notes, for the use of his principal. Hence the enormous quantity of banker's paper, which is always in the money market, and which, among credulous capitalists, and even in the Bank of England, is preferred on the mere publicity of name, to the small, but bona fida, acceptance of the honest shopkeeper or trader, whose bill is nevertheless represented in his warehouse perhaps by a thousand times its valuè.

Were volumes to be written on these subjects, the result would simply bethat mischief and ruin must follow in every country any attempt to substitute an arbitrary paper currency for that of the precious metals. These latter ate universal and natural mediums; they can be obtained only in limited quanti ties at great expence of labour; and they find their value in every transfer; whereas, a paper currency, created at will, by the fallible discretion of man, is circulated capriciously, and is generally to be obtained by favour, intrigue, or artifice. Speculation and monopoly are thus fostered, while modest industry is put out of countenance, and finds its exertions baffled and over-reached by impudence and cunning!

SUCH A STATE IS OBVIOUSLY PREGNANT WITH EVILS; IT IS ALTOGETHER UNNATURAL, AND IT CANNOT LAST!

י

One

One means, however, of alleviating its ultimate evils, will be to diminish a false confidence in artificial esta. blishments, which cannot fail to be come its first victims, and which, possessing no parliamentary security, must, in the possible event of their downfall, involve in their fate the greater part of the industrious population of the empire. The notes of the Bank of Eng. land possess at least the countenance, if not the pledge, (query?) of parliament; but the adventurers in many private banking-establishments, have often no claim to confidence beyond an imposing appearance, and the fears, hopes, and credulity, of those who deal with them.

In a former paper, I pointed out a palliative for the evils with which the bank ing and paper-money system threatens the nation. I proposed that the whole should be the object of legislative regulation, and that the bankers should be obliged to give security for average ba 'lances, and for their issues of notes and acceptances. Such a system would reinvigorate commercial credit, and place the banking trade on a respectable and solid foundation. It might mor tify the arrogance of the self-constituted committee, or pique the pride of coxcombs in the banking trade, bút it would check adventurers, and be hailed by respectable and truly wealthy bank ers, as a salutary measure and an 'honourable distinction. Let London bankers give securities, at the time they take out their licences, for not Jess than 50,000l. and provincial bankers, who issue notes, for not less than 20,000l. and those who do not issue notes, for not 'less than 10,000!.

The confidence of the country, in these establishments, would then be restored and well-founded, and the paper system might perhaps go on some years longer, without producing general bankruptcy.

August 6, 1810. COMMON SENSE.

To the Editor of the Monthly Magazine.

SIRS

HE animadversions of "Common T Sense," on the calamities of the commercial world, are too partial to escape reprehension; and their tendency too dangerous to be indulged with inpunity. Universal condemnation of a whole body, for the crimes of individual members, will ever be repelled with indignation; and accusations of insolvency, directed against any respectable class of tradesmen, deserve the contempt of those they are intended to injure.

A large portion of your correspondent's

1

error has arisen from his ignorance of the banking business. It is not only "the professed object of a banker to become the depositary of other persons' spare cash," but also to lend money on bills of exchange, or on the credit of his cus tomers; and if the latter become insolvent, or the former are not paid, he incurs bad debts, and suffers loss of property. This proposition is so plain, that it is wonderful "Common Sense" could not discern it. West-India merchants, for instance, obtain large advances from a banker, under the conviction of being enabled punctually to repay them: WestIndia produce however will not sell, foreign ports being shut against the English flag.

The merchant declares his insolvency, the banker is ruined, and the evil spreads as widely as your correspon dent describes. But on whom should the judgment fall? On the merchant who holds property which he cannot sell, or the banker whose confidence has caused his own downfall? Or rather should we not place it to the account of a war which is destroying the vitals of the country, and of a system of government which wastes and dissipates all that escapes the voraciousness of necessity.'

I do not know what description of traders your correspondent has asso ciated with. "Men who receive other peoples' money," but "who seldom or never lend money for any useful or be nevolent purpose. " Men who do not live in the same relation to society as traders in merchandize.” Men not "liable to bad debts," but whose occupation is in "tricks, manœuvres, and illiberal practices !!!"

Quis talia fando temperet a lacrymis ?

I have one other remark to notice': your correspondent seriously asks, If it is not to be feared that not one banker in ten would now prove solvent; that not one in four would pay ten shillings in the pound! Reader, there are seventy-nine London, and seven hundred and twentyone country banks. Shall we conclude, because twelve banks stopt payment last month, that seven hundred and twenty of the remainder are liable to be gazetted?

The banking system has been too long under legislative, or in another word, mi nisterial regulation. It has been con verted into a vast engine to stimulate, until it shall destroy the energies of the country. Under this regulation, gold has been wasted in foreign subsidies, the national debt has accumulated, exchange with foreign countries has become uni

formly

formly against us, and the circulating medium debased, until it has fallen to an alarming discount. The true remedy would be to diminish the issue of Bank of England notes, and oblige the Bank gradually to resume payments in gold, But this ill accords with the necessity of the moment, and the evil is continually aggravated by fresh issues of paper. Were the Bank of England to withhold discounting, what would become of their dependents? If they continue to inun. date the land with paper, what will be come of the country!

The scarcity of silver coins for change is very great, both in town and country. Government are far from affording sufficient relief by a new coinage, and they hang those unfurtunate wretches who attempt to supply the deficiency. August 7, 1810. PLAIN DEALING.

For the Monthly Magazine.

LETTERS OF A WANDERER.

LETTER I.-To a Friend.

AM seated to give you a brief account

other boarding and lodging-houses in the town, visitors of every class may be ac commodated with good apartments, and plentifully served tables, according to their ranks and inclinations; in each of these hotels, or inus, a commodious room being appropriated for the general use of all who assemble at the public table, or who do not chuse to engage private lodgings, and have their victuals served in their own rooms. Many there are who even have a parlour, or sitting room, who prefer joining the company at dinner and supper, where many agree able acquaintances have been forined, and intimacies contracted, which have ultimately produced connections of the closest nature, At these tables the utinost decorum prevails. The viands are excellent and well-served; the charges fixed at a certain rate, and very mode rate and every person at liberty tochuse their own liquor, and make use of what quantity may be agreeable, without being subject to the insolence of waiters, or the remarks of any of the other guests.

As there is no common market at Bux

I of Buxton, and its environs, where I ton, families never carry an establish

passed a month, in a more pleasurable manner than many of the preceding ones, and found my health and spirits considerably benefited by the use of the waters, the change of air and scene, and a less frequent recurrence to circumstances, that yet too often, for my peace of mind, steal o'er my memory, and proclaim that "such things were, and were most dear;" while they confirm the feeling "of joys departed never to return-how. painful the remembrance!" But "away with melancholy," and a subject I must not permit my pen to dwell upon, lest I should egotize too far, and in the recollection of my private sorrows, forget poor Buxton, the Peak, and all the celebrated wonders of Derbyshire.

To an admirer of mixed societies, such a place as Buxton cannot fail of being agreeable, and I own myself by no means an enemy to an occasional visit to places of a similar kind; though, in justice to that of which I am about to treat, it is one of the most agreeable of our watering places (that is to say, to a person not desirous of figuring as a first-rate dasher in the circles of extravagance and frivolity), being much less expensive than others, having the advantage of a nearer vicinity to the capital, and possessing many more comforts and conveniences than a number of the fashionable bathing and marine resorts.

ment of domestics beyond what are required for attendance on themselves, or horses. If they did, provisions could not be procured for them; every article: of living being supplied to their partie, cular customers by the different, venders, and generally brought from a considerable distance, as the adjacent country, affords little for the support of any ani. mals, bipeds or quadrupeds. Fruit and vegetables are, however, to be had in abundance, and in general good of their kinds; though very high-priced.

The principal part of Buxton is situ ated near the warm springs in a valley encircled by high bleak hills, and is built of a beautiful stone resembling in colour that at Bath, receiving as good a polish, and being also of a soft nature, till exposed some time in the open air, is easily cut into any form for ornament or use. The Crescent is a noble edifice, but placed too low to be seen to good advantage. It, was erected, as likewise the baths, the stables, and other buildings, by the proprietor of much of the surrounding country, the present duke of Devonshire, who is reported to have laid out upwards of an hundred and fifty thousand pounds in buildings and other improvements at Buxton, from which he draws but a very low interest for his money.

In the front of the Crescent, which is really a spacious and truly elegant piece As there are several large hotels, with of architecture, there is a free piazza

that

.

that affords convenience during rainy weather or intense heat, the invalids being able to walk there, secure from wet or heat; while they reap the additional benefit of the well and baths, which are both adjoining to the Crescent, and the Old-hali, a large boarding-house, formerly the only one of repute at Buxton, but now not more frequented than many others in the Crescent, and its vicinity. The Royal Hotel forms one corner of the building, and contains, besides a number of good apartments, a spacious ball-room, fitted up and finished in a style of peculiar taste, neatness, and elegance, and universally admired by all who enter it, either for dancing, or during the performance of divine service, on Sunday mornings; the parish-church being sinall, and at too great a distance to be conveniently attended by the greatest number of the invalids. The other corner house is called the St. Ann's Hotel, froin its proximity to the well, thus named in honour of its patron saint. It is also a commodious and spacious building, and usually resorted to by strangers of respectability and distinction. The inter'mediate houses are for lodgings and shops; a library, and news-room, to which both ladies and gentlemen sub. scribe, and where there is a plentiful supply of diurnal and provincial prints. The well, covered over by a neat stone edifice, is in front of the Crescent, and the water is served by several women appointed for that purpose, who are paid a trifle by those who drink at the fountain, previous to quitting Buxton.

The stables are built in the form of a circus, and are at a little distance from the Crescent, on the opposite bank of a small rivulet. They are likewise commodious aud extensive; collonaded round the inside, for the convenience of the grooms in wet weather, and in the centre there is a spacious ride. The pillars which support these arches, are about ten feet in height, and formed each of one solid stone. The coach-houses are on an extensive scale, a little detached from the stables, and are said to contain about three-score carriages. The whole building indeed is admirably planned and executed, and the public are greatly indebted to the taste of the architect, as to the munificence of the noble proprietor. There are several good inns and Judging-houses in the upper part of the town, with a number of inferior board. ing-houses, generally crouded with perSous in the less elegant walks of life, who resort thither for amusement and health, from the different populous manufactur

ing towns in Lancashire, and the west riding of the county of York. There are several shops in the place stocked with articles of dress of all descriptions. A small commodious theatre is usually well filled by a genteel audience, three evenings in every week during the season, and the performances are oftentimes by no means indifferently presented. Three evenings in the week there are also balls at the rooms, and in the mornings and afternoons the public walks and rides are thronged with carriages, persons on horse-back, and parties of gay pedestrians, whose appearance altogether must produce a striking effect upon a stranger, who, after travelling several hours, (as he must necessarily do, come which way he will) over moors and sterile heights, suddenly advances within view of this sequestered spot, rendered gay and lively in its appearance by its stately buildings, and its showy, dashing, temporary, inhabitants.

Buxton was famous for its baths, even in the time of the Romans; and it continues to be much frequented, on the score of both health and amusement. The water is sulphureous and saline, but extremely palatable; and if drank in moderation, is efficacious in bilious, gravelish, and gouty complaints; as the baths are likewise in cases of rheumatic, and paralytic affections. Of the Derbyshire wonders, as they are usually termed, you tell me in your last letter you have heard so much, that your curiosity is quite afloat to have my description of them. I fear, however, you will meet only disappointment, if you have raised your expectations of these wonders so very high, or have cherished the idea, that from me you will receive romantic flowery descriptions of places, such as were you afterwards to visit, you would find fall far short of what you had been led to imagine. The talent of embellishing does not fall to my share; nor should Î conceive myself justified in sending you accounts of scenes and objects widely differing from the reality, in order to adorn my narrative by high-sounding expressions, or romantic images. plain unvarnished detail of occurrences and of scenes, is all you must expect froin me; and as I cannot give a surer proof of my intentions, than by sending you a short account of my visit to Poole's Hole, a celebrated cavern in the vicinity of Buxton, I will conclude my letter by the few words I have to say on that sub. ject, and reserve for a future epistle my excursion to the Peak and other places in the neighbourhood.

A

Poole's

« ZurückWeiter »