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trifling to render its properties either known or valued by the inhabitants. "In point of endurance," fays Dr. Stewart, "it is, generally fpeaking, inferior to the English; but for inflammability or cheerfulness, it greatly exceeds the latter; and, or that account, would foon be preferred in the drawing-rooms of the great." This we know to be true, and fo must all fuch of our readers as have travelled through Scotland, and paid any tolerable attention to their accommodation on the road. Our author had reason therefore to fay, that were Leith and Edinburgh to turn their attention to the coaltrade," he knows of no fcheme, independent of its national importance, that is better calculated to prove advantageous to either," or, he might have added, to London and other places on the South-eaft coaft of England.

In addition to thefe objects, he points out others of great impor tance which would refult from this canal, if carried, as is propofed, between Leith and Glasgow; fuch as the coal-trade to Ireland, to the Isle of Man, and to the fhores of Scotland, ftretching from the Mull of Galloway to the Solway Firth. At prefent, thefe countries procure their coal from various quarters, viz. from Cumberland, Lancashire, and Wales; and likewife from the Ayrshire coaft. He admits, that, "with the Cumberland mines, owing to their felicity of fituation, no part of the island could attempt to contend: but the advantageous trade from Ayrshire fully evinces both the inadequacy of the former to the fupply of Ireland, and the fuccefsful competition that might be established with the latter, from the Lancashire mines. The cargoes, which were fuperfluous at Glafgow, might, by an eafy navigation, either on the great canal or the river Clyde, defcend to Grenock, and then be delivered, from the canal-boats to the sea-veffels, at less than 9s. while they could be fold in Ireland at 35s. and even 40s. per

ton."

Our author having established the importance of the canal proceeds to examine the merits of the two principal lines pointed out for it. Our readers could not eafily follow any abftra&t of his reafonings on this part of his subject without Mr. Rennie's map of the ground, to which he constantly refers. We can affure them, however, that he has fully convinced us, and feems to have convinced Mr. Rennie, that the preference is due to what he calls the Batten-mofs line. The general character of the two rival lines is fummed up in the following beautiful paragraph:

Suppofing both to hold forth a fund, in which prudence or speculation would willingly adventure, like most rivals, they would certainly attract by very oppofite qualities. In the Batten-mofs line, coal conftitutes the primary object; in the Northern track, it is enumerated at beft among the fecondary articles of trade. The firft enriches an - uncultivated region; the laft traverses a popular diftrict: thus, while manufactures are improved by the one, by the other population and manufactures are produced. The merit of the first lies in directness, though attended with lockage; that of the laft in expedition, though retarded by circuity. The one vifits only the fkirts of the coal-dif

NO. XXX, VOL. VII.

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tricts; the other penetrates into the heart of the country. The utility of the Northern tract terminates in itself; the Batten-moss line would give birth to future generations."

He has yet one argument against the Northern tract, which every reader must understand, and which moft readers will deem unanfwerable. "The North line, from its immediate vicinity to the Forth and Clyde navigation, would, probably, interfere with the rights and immunities of the latter, and eventually also with its trade. In regard to the trade we have a plain alternative; because the new line would either interfere with it, or it would not. On the latter fuppofition, the likelihood is, that the North line would fail in becoming fo productive as is abfolutely neceffary for the indemnification of the fubfcribers: and, on the former, is it probable, or even, would it be juft, that parliament, after folemnly fanctioning, to one company, a fund in which they have funk an immenfe capital, fhould, without fcruple, authorise another to deteriorate it, or rife upon its ruins ?" We hear that an answer has been published to this elegant little work; but we have not feen it. The fubject is certainly of high importance; and we shall endeavour to do justice to the arguments of both parties, though we are unable to conceive arguments which can be employed against Dr. Stewart, if the facts from which he reafons be admitted.

ART. XXXI. A Word for the Poor; or, General Thoughts candidly submitted to the good Sense, Discernment, and particular Consideration, of the British Public, on the late scanty Harvest, and the dreary Prospect of a hard Winter. Interspersed, are a ferv homely, but wholesome, Hints (if rightly taken) to all deep Speculators, and greedy Monopolists, whether Farmers or Cornfactors, Usurious Contractors, Forestallers, Engrossers, or Regraters or Regraters With a Glance at Levellers, and a parting Word of Admonition to the Poor. 8vo. PP. 34. Hurst. 1799.

HIS pamphlet was written at the close of the year 1799, and

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and several others, we have long suffered to lay on our table; unwilling to agitate a question, at once so delicate and so important, until it had been properly submitted to the discussion of Parliament. The author proceeds, we think, upon a false principle, viz. that the scarcity of the year 1799 was more artificial than real; or, rather that he has drawn a general inference from partial premises, by infering from the quantity of corn then on hand in his own neighbourhood, that there was a proportionate quantity in every other part of the kingdom. Impressed with this conviction, he inveighs with considerable energy and talent, against the whole race of monopolizers, forestallers, regraters, and ingrossers; and to all that he says, on this head, taken abstractedly, without any reference to the justice of its application to the case in question, we heartily subscribe. In pleading, however, the cause of the poor (and most

earnestly

earnestly and eloquently he does plead it) he does not suffer the zeal of the advocate to overpower the spirit of the Christian; as his just observations on the necessity of implicit acquiescence in the dispensations of Providence will fully demonstrate.

"To the inflictions of God's punishments on a voluptuous and sinful nation, it behoves us to submit without murmurings or repinings; and we are, or ought to be, duly affected with a deep sense of our unworthiness, and those manifold transgressions, because of which we have greatly incurred the tokens of divine displeasure. Amid that profusion of blessings which he showers down upon his creatures, shall man receive good at the hand of God, and shall he not receive evil? God is alike good and kind to all. He is still the same merciful and beneficent being, whether we trace the footsteps of his omnipotence in the milder blessings of creation and providence, or in the arduous paths of his more mysterious and awful dispensations. Him we bless and adore, him we recognize, as in the still small voice of his benign and bounteous communications, so also in the storm that tends the mountains, in the hideous yawnings of the earthquake, and in the sorrowful wastings of the raging fire. In the brightness of his invigorating and ripening sun-beam we behold him. When on the parched places, and the thirsty soil, his clouds drop fatness, we laud and magnify his glorious name: and, though he smite with the drought, with blasting, and with mildue; though he turn a fruitful land into barrenness for the wickedness of them that dwell therein,' still he is the same almighty and providential Father, before whom we tremble; whose tender mercies are always over all his works. The wind and storm fulfil his word. By him all things were made, and continue to be upheld; the events of all things are by his divine direction, or come to pass in conformity to his will. But, at all times, more sensible of his frowns than of his favours, then most of all do we feel his judgements, when, by the agency of man, he thinks fit to intercept the natural and fructifying course of blessings intended for the immediate service and happiness of man. And it is an alarming circumstance to reflect upon, but the frequency of its occurrence too often prevents reflection, that man should, by his crimes, subject himself to a curse, that, as the punishment of his disobedience, constitutes him the willing instrument of divine chastisements on his fellow-man, at the very instant that it dreadfully operates to his own perpetual shame and everlasting condemnation."

There are many forcible remarks in the latter part of the tract that have a strong claim to the attention even of those who may be least disposed to admit their validity.

The letter, which we have received from the author, contains some comments upon the review of his tract, by some of our contemporaries. Our sentiments on this subject have been already so fully explained that our readers will not suspect us of acquiescing in the justice of all these animadversions; but we cannot refuse to allow so respectable a writer, who has pleaded the cause of his fellow creatures, with so much ability, the privilege of pleading his own.

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CIRCUM

SIR,

CIRCUMSPECTION AND PERSEVERANCE.

TO THE EDITOR.

Wakefield, Feb. 16, 1800.

A Word for the Poor not having fallen under your observation in your Review of last month, should not a compliance with my request interfere with more weighty engagements, you will confer a favour upon me by giving it a place in the present Month's Review. It has already, I am told, been noticed by the Monthly, which I have not seen, and for whose good opinion the author is not, I believe, over solicitous. The British Critic observes, that the application and use of much of the reasoning in this pamphlet (which is directed against monopolists) depend upon a very dubious question, "whether, for instance, the present scarcity of bread-corn is real, or artificial;" intimating thereby, as the author supposes, that if the former supposition be true, the arguments against monopolists are ill-timed. But the author of this tract is inclined to think differently. Scarcity is so far from precluding monopolies, that they are carried on with greater ease, and are attended with more destructive consequences during times of deficiency, than in times of abundance. This he maintains on the same principle that a popular pleader reprobated the other day, in the Court of King's Bench, the monopoly of an article of less general growth and consumption than bread-corn; namely, hops. For whether the growth of an article be of a limited or enlarged extent, in proportion as the usual produce is (from natural or incidental causes) reduced in quantity, in the same proportion it falls within the reach of monopolists, and the public at large becomes thereby endangered.

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By the way, no article of universal consumption, however great and general, precludes the evil influence of the monoplist. man, it is said, could attempt to buy all the corn in England." True Nor is there any man who would attempt to buy all the hops in England. But we know, from sad experience, that the operations of a set of men, combined for the purpose of monopolizing even corn, may prove highly injurious to the body of the peo. ple. Every monopolist, according to the extent of his engage ments, injures the public to a greater or less degree.

After allowing, with much liberality, the force of the writer's arguments where they may be found to apply, the British Critic concludes with expressing his belief that "there is a check to monopoly, more powerful than any arguments; namely, that corn kept back toolong will infallibly be spoiled; and therefore must be brought to market in time, under penalty of confiscation to the damp, the Weevil, and other natural ministers of vengeance."

In answer to this, Mr. Editor, the author requests your attention to the note, page 21, where this position is controverted. The loss of a part, in this case, is unhappily made good to.the monopolist by

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the inhanced price set upon the remainder; and that this abuse is of no infrequent occurrence, he asserts upon good authority.

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To the British Critic the author feels grateful for his remarks: Not so for the strictures which appear in the London Review, which, from their peevishness, one would suppose to have been written under the pressure of some irritable infirmity. The title the first place, gives offence, because of its prolixity; and, we will allow, that it requires some exertion to get through it, the idea of which is happily conveyed by the term wading. Then, says the Critic, we arrive at "three and thirty pages of declamation against monopolists." This is not very accurate, as any one who casts his eye over the pamphlet will soon perceive. Happily," he continues, "these characters have no advocates, few, therefore, will be disposed to cavil with this author's sentiments." This is so far in the author's favour; a concession, indeed, not very graciously made, but we will let it pass with an observation, by the way, that most of the obnoxious members of the community are without advccates, unless they exist among themselves: they certainly countenance one another, and often conspire together to do mischief; and whatever has a tendency openly to expose their crimes, and to dis concert their projects, is not, we apprehend, without its use. "The writer (proceeds our critic) expresses some doubt whether Christians may fulfil the denunciation in Proverbs" He that withholdeth corn the people shall curse him"-by cursing their oppressors; "but he seems to be desirous that they should have curses in their hearts, at least, if not upon their lips." This, Mr. Editor, is ingeni ous, if not liberal; indeed it may be pronounced enlightened criticism, from the bold spirit of conjecture that accompanies it, and the promptitude with which it would decide upon what to others must, at best, be extremely problematical, by attributing to the author a disposition, which he himself is not conscious of harbouring in his breast. On the contrary, so far from entertaining any doubt in his own mind, whether Christians may fulfil this denunciation, as the critic is pleased to assert, the writer says (pages 9, 10) that Christ peremptorily restrains his disciples from cursing their fellow-creatures; and, well knowing the depravity, weakness, and irritability of human nature, he expresses a wish that the conduct of his disciples may always be obedient to the Saviour's commands. If elsewhere he betray any symptoms of uncharitableness, (of which he himself is not aware) a little more charity on the part of this Reviewer would have covered the sin. The Reviewer adds, that he makes this observation, "because the title of the pamphlet may lead some persons to expect a recommendation to patience under real evil." The author is willing to give up his title page to all the chastisement it may have fairly incurred; but he is not disposed to plead guilty to a false and unjust allegation. It does not appear to him that the title page avowedly holds out any grounds for such an expectation. However, admitting that it does, the body of the pamphlet will not totally disappoint it. The sentence, &c. (page 16) commencing with "To the inflictions of God's punishments on a voluptuous and

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