November 8, 1817. Journal of an Excursion to Loch Katrine. of the grandest phenomena of nature. Precipices began to darken our way, and frowned over our heads: in the midst of the lake reared the ferny Trosachs," dropped in Nature's careless haste," of a thoushapes, and diverse dimensions : as a commentator of Johnson remarks, every thing that has an end, comes to a conclusion*,"--and so did our insupportable walk. When about two miles distant, we had a transient glimpse, from the height where we were, of the princi-sand pal object of our journey: but, as we descended, this was again lost; the tops of the Trosachs alone remaining in view. Fatigue and inanition, we knew enough of the animal machine to be aware, "leave the flagging spirits doubly weak ;" so, that we might begin with better humour, and more ability, to examine scenery, of which so much is promised-that we might enter on our task in full possession of our moral and physical powers, we" looked around for refreshment ; and “ by the smoke, that a cottage was near." We found indeed but sorry cheer; and, it was with difficulty we could repress the rebellious spirit of one of our companions, who had been prevailed on to summon up the remains of his flagging strength, in crossing the Grampians, by the often repeated assurance of his hav ing some roast beef on the banks of the loch. From the mention of this favourite dietetic, it may be guessed to what part of the island he belonged +. saw, We here paid, and parted with our guide it is worthy of remark, that he spoke to one of his dogs in English, and to the other in Gaelic, as they individually understood but one language. During our tedious march over the bills, which could not be less than ten miles, we only saw a solitary cottage, where we were kindly offered some warm milk. "Round many an insulated mass, The native bulwarks of the pass, The rocky summits, split and rent, Form'd turret, dome, or battlement, Or seem'd fantastically set With cupola or minaret, Wild crests as pagod ever deck'd, Or mosque of eastern architect." Lady of the Lake, Canto 1st. We were now on classic ground: we ascended the promontory on which the mighty minstrel" places Fitz James when he first saw Helen Douglas; and we beheld the place where her shallop was said to be moored, just opposite. We had the curiosity to descend, and seat ourselves where Mr Scott places the heroine of his romance. Nothing can be conceived more accurate than the description which he has given; so a repetition on my part, as it would be worse, would therefore be more than useless. We again proceeded onward, at every ten yards a new prospect opening before us. In more places than one, stupendous rocks, overhung with trees, and overhanging our heads, darkened the rugged pathway over which we trode; the very lake below seeming to frown in the shadow of the "umbrageous foliage." On the dark rock, here we observed the names of a great many visitors scratched; we accordingly set to work, and left each of us a rude memorial of our presence. We were now fairly placed on the "Beautiful-how beautiful," as the banks of Loch Katrine; the majestic noble, but ruined Manfred is made to exand rugged Benevenue before us; the claim," is all the visible world!" and clouded summit of Benlomond on the how puny, and insignificant, must we all right; and, on the left, the wooded and exclaim, are the works of art, when put fantastic Trosachs. I cannot but con-in comparison! We often, in a manfess, that my chagrin and disappointment ner, involuntarily stopped to admire the were great, on our arriving at the loch; wild and wondrous scene around us: the "like shadows at the dawn of day," all lake forming itself into a thousand bays; my splendid ideas, and highly-wrought straitening, and widening, and winding conceptions instantly vanished; the pro-around the Trosachs; now snatched from spect around us scarcely excelling that of the view, and now glittering at intervals Loch Viol, and certainly inferior to that of Leven. We proceeded along through very uninteresting scenery for the space of two miles, and over a very bad pathway; when the road suddenly assumed a different appearance, preparing, as it were, our eyes to behold some of the boldest and most brilliant outlines-one • Vide Rejected Addresses. + The anthor of the poem entitled "Early Recollections," in your third Number. between them. Passing through the narrow defile, called " Beallach an Duine," from one of Cromwell's soldiers being there killed and buried, by some of the country people +, the lake becomes narrower, and the Trosachs more magnificent: the beeches, birches, and oaks, outspreading Vide Manfred's sublime soliloquy on the summit of the Tunfrau. + Vide Sketch of the scenery near Callander page 24, 1815. 99 their giant canopies, and stretching their arms to heaven; around us, the barkless stumps of an old oak plantation, overshaded by the branches of their more flourishing offspring, many of which grew from the bare crevices of the rocks, where not a particle of soil could be discovered. The lake was now only to be seen by snatches, and in a short time altogether disappeared. The scene immediately at its head is indescribably grand; the hills receding in awful precipices, covered with brushwood and trees. We here saw two mountain eagles descending from their "pride of place," yet still at an amazing height: their screams became at length distinct, and "echo answered from her cave," till they passed over us towards Ben-an. About half a mile onward, the waveless mirror of Loch Achray glittered before us the contrast was striking it seemed as if Nature bad exhausted berself by her efforts, in the formation of the grand work we had just seen; and instead of lofty mountains, and precipices, and forests, we saw plain level banks almost destitute of wood. Yet it must be confessed, that had we been proceeding westward, the Trosachs, terminating the scene, would have given it a more picturesque appearance. After having proceeded four or fivemiles eastward, in lieu of Achray we had a view of Loch Venachar, which is very beautiful; and, without any of the rugged sublimity of Loch Katrine, forms an object at once majestic and grand, yet coinciding with our ideas of lowland beauty. On the south side, the banks look rather tame and low; the hills being at a great distance; but, on the north, they rise gradually from the margin of the lake to a considerable height, and are covered by fine young oak plantations, over the tops of which appeared the stupendous rocky frontlet of Benledi-the hill of God-where the Druids of yore held a sacred festival, during three days and nights, at the summer solstice, at which the inhabitants of a large district of the country attended. The road to Callander, though very pleasant in itself, appeared very tedious to us; more especially after a thirty miles walk, exclusive of our saunterings and delays in examining the scenery; and nine or ten miles of that long way up the sides and over the summits of difficultmountains ;—a task which we more than once almost despaired of finishing, and ultimately accomplished, “non sine magno labore," not without infinite fatigue, [25th October 1817. 9th William Bett and his two sons were found guilty at Cupar, by a Jury, before the Sheriff. depute, of stealing a quantity of flour and eatmeal from Auchtermairney mills, and were sen nineteen members-fifteen for the Guildry, and four for the Trades. In the first year, the whole nineteen are to be elected by a poll of these two orders of Burgesses; and then the nineteen so elected, to choose a Provost, three Bailies, a Trea-tenced to a short imprisonment, and banishment suser, and a Master of the Hospital. In subsequent years, the Burgesses are to elect but ten Councillors-six for the Guildry, and four for the Trades; an equal number retiring annually, though they may be re-elected if their constituents shall think proper. Paisley. On Monday the 29th ult. at a meeting of the burgesses of Paisley, it was resolved, by a considerable majority, that their rights had been infringed by the recent charter, and that, as the inhabitants were lawfully entitled to choose their Magistrates, and to audit their accounts, measures should forthwith be adopted for regaining their authority.-A regular protest has since been taken by the committee in behalf of the burgesses and feuars of Paisley, against the election of their Magistrates and Council by the old Council, on the 6th instant, in the view of bringing the matter before the Supreme Court. Perth. On Saturday the 4th instant, at a general meeting of the Guildry Incorporation of Perth, a protest was taken against the legality of the late election of Magistrates and Town Coun cil, to which a great majority of the meeting adhered, and appointed a committee to take the opinion of Counsel upon the subject. Dundee.-After the long and severe conflicts which have torn and agitated this town, there is now a prospect of a speedy return of peace, order, and harmony. Provost Riddoch has ex. pressed his readiness to concur with the bur gesses of Dundee in applying to the King in Council for an alteration of the present set of the opinions in reference to some of the various to pics arising out of the embarrassments of the city treasury. This has become the more necessary, from their having discovered, that, in their efforts for the restoration of the public confidence, their motions have been misconstructed and perverted, and their proposals and plans received with a degree of prejudice and distrust, which they will be bold enough to say, their personal and private characters were sufficient to invalidate and disprove. Be this as it may, they are aware that the sincerity of their intentions can be known but by few, and may be doubted of by many; and, therefore, they here reiterate their decided opinion, that the present mode of election of Town Council, and management of the town's affairs, are radically defective and improvident; tending to give to any individual or party, who may be so inclined, an excessive and unnatural preponderence, and to foster and encourage a system of secrecy and concealment, under which the most upright and best-intentioned magistrates may not be able to acquire that thorough knowledge of the situation of the burgh which is requisite for the due administration of its affairs. The subscribers are therefore of opinion, that some change ought to be effected in the manner of electing the Council, and an effectual control given to the citizens over the expenditure of the town's office bearers. The extent of this change it is not for them to determine; they would only, at this time, urge, the necessity of it. In the history of every well. regulated government, they recognise the happy effects of those salutary checks, which can alone restrain public officers in the execution of their duties, whether holding political or local jurisdictions; and to the absence of such checks in the constitution of this burgh, do the subscribingburgh, and his wish that the constitution, which members of the Town Council ascribe the heavy calamity which has befallen it. To the system solely is it owing; for, with regard to the in dividuals who have preceded them in the ad. Accidents.-On Thursday se'ennight a young ministration of that system, they must aver, lady, who resided on the Terrace, was burnt to that they believe their hands to be clean, as their death. It is supposed that she had been reading motives have been pure and disinterested in bed, and having fallen asleep, the candle had With these sentiments the subscribers have been set fire to the clothes. On the same day two long impressed, and the experience of the last boys were drowned in the river at Montrose. few months has too fatally confirmed their truth-At an early hour on Thursday the 16th, the and justice. The time approaches when they mate of the Trusty London smack fell overare to retire from this board, and they therefore board off Flamborough-head, and was drowned. feel that they have but one other duty to per- A servant of Sir D. Wedderburn, at Ballendean, form-and that is, earnestly to recommend to was unfortunately killed on Saturday se'ennight their successors in office to direct their earliest by the sudden collision of two carts, on a narattention to a renovation of the system of row road.A boy was killed at Murrayshall, a government of this burgh, in all its various few days ago, in a similar manner.-Two childbearings, satisfied, that if such a salutary and ren have been burnt in the neighbourhood of this satisfactory change shall be effected therein, as is city, in consequence of their clothes having caught indispensable to the restoration of public con- fire in the absence of their parents; another fidence, there will not be wanting, among the child was drowned in Glasgow, by falling into enlightened and public-spirited inhabitants of a tub of water. Last week, a child, while in its this city, a disposition to go hand in-hand with nurse's arms in the Grassmarket, had one of its its municipal rulers, (whoever they may be,) in fingers bitten off by a horse. carrying bon accord⚫ through all its difficulties. Robberies, &c.—A spirit shop in the Calton ** (Signed) Alexander Fraser, Alexander Dun- was some nights ago broke into, in the absence can, Alexander Brown, James Milne, Charles of the proprietor, and a considerable quantity of Hacket, William Reid, Gavin Hadden, James spirits carried off, with a sum of money, and vaHadden, C. P. Taylor, A. Simpson, G. Thom-rious other articles, to the value in all, of nearly son, A. Gillan, D. Chalmers, J. Cunsiey, R. Walker, H. Gordon." Montrose.His Royal Highness the Prince Regent in Council, has issued a warrant for the poll election of Magistrates and Council for the burgh of Montrose, which took place on the 13th instant. The Council, as before, is to consist of The town's motto. has just been obtained for Montrose, should form the ground-work for that of Dundee. from the county; one of the sons for seven years, and the father for life: the other son was li berated on account of his youth.-A Highland poney has been detected in the Upper Ward of Lanarkshire, in mangling some sheep, and afterwards tossing them "out of wantonness!" man. Executions.-Friday the 10th instant, William Robertson and Joseph Cairns, convicted of robbery and theft, aggravated by assault and housebreaking, and Margaret Crosan, found guilty of a malicious and cruel act of wilful fire-raising in the same county, were executed at Ayr. Robertson was so weak that he leaned, in coming out, against the wall, and appeared to be sup ported by the rope, even before he was suspend. ed. He was a Scotsman, and about twentyseven years of age: on the scaffold he address. ed the guard, consisting of small detachments of foot and cavalry, and cautioned them against desertion, as he attributed his own untimely end to his having commenced a career of wickedness, by committing that crime. Cairns was about twenty-four years old, and was an IrishThe woman was also born in Ireland; she appeared to be thirty years of age, and, as well as Cairns, was a Roman catholic. The woman was dressed in white, which, with the dark-coloured clothes of the men, formed a striking and melancholy contrast.-On the same day, Bernard and Hugh M'Ilvogue, and Patrick M'Crystal, found guilty of stouthrief, rape, and robbery, were accordingly brought forth from the jail to the front of the new church, Greenock, at half past two o'clock, where a platform and gallows were previously erected. The unfortunate men appeared deeply impressed with their unhappy situation, and have left a confession and exhortation behind them. They advanced to the front of the platform with a bold and firm step, and after the executioner had adjusted the ropes round their necks, they cordially shook hands with each other, and were immediately afterwards launched into eternity. The Prince Regent has reprieved Janet Douglas, under sentence of death in this city for child-stealing, on condition of transportation for life. William Hamilton, who was capitally convicted at Ayr, last circuit, for stealing some watches, has also been respited. A petition having been forwarded to the secretary for the home department in favour of M'Kechnie and M Cormick, in Glasgow jail, under sentence of death, his Lordship has declared that he cannot, consistently with his public duty, recommend their case to the Prince Regent. The royal clemency has likewise been refused to Freebairn Whitehill. NAVAL AND MILITARY INTELLIGENCE. Cruisers under the several flags of the SouthAmerican Republics sadly annoy the coasting trade of the mother country, even in the Mediterranean. Within the space of eight days ten Spanish vessels were captured on their way from Valencia and Barcelona to other ports on the coast of Spain. fifty pounds. The bolts and doors were so strong, that several hours must have been employed in forcing them. One of the street lamps, which the thieves had removed, served to guide them in their operations.-A boy of the name of Torrance succeeded last week in abstracting the till The Algerines are as active as ever in their of a baker's shop in Dalkeith, with £.3, in sil-making of slaves; nor can there be hope of their ver, which he divided among his companions: reformation in this particular, except in their he has been committed to bridewell. On the complete extirpation. In the course of eight October 25, 1817.] days they have captured, between Cape Palos and Cape Creus, eight Spanish vessels from VaHence, Barcelona, and other ports on that part of the coast.. The American schooner Antelope, from Savannah, has arrived at St Pierre's. Previous to her arrival, the crew had agreed to murder the captain, mate, and supercargo, and one of the mutineers had his hand uplifted for the purpose of plunging a long knife into the bosom of the captain, when the man at the helm relented, seized, and disarmed him. A parley ensued, when they were induced by promises to relinquish their purpose. They were committed to gaol on their arrival. suasion. The Norwegian brig Bergetta, Captain Peterson, was on Friday se'ennight wrecked on Cefn-Sidan Sands, in Carmarthen Bay. She was bound from Barcelona for Stettin, with a cargo of wine, spirits, &c. when the master losing his reckoning, owing to a thick fog. fell into the fatal error of taking the coast of Devon for that of France, and acted under that perSo circumstanced, a violent gale, together with the tide, drove the vessel into the Bristol Channel, and she struck upon the above sands, and, in the space of two or three hours, went to pieces. The master and crew, with great difficulty, got into the boat, and were all happily saved. Notwithstanding the greatest exertions on the part of the officers of the customs, supported by several gentlemen and others, acts of plunder were committed to a consider able extent. Of 266 pipes and casks of wine, &c. not above 100 have been saved! Hundreds of men and women were reduced to nearly a state of insensibility through intoxication. Naval and Military Intelligence. mination in a fortnight or three weeks, at which period three of the leaders are expected to arrive from America. It was stated some time since that a mutiny had broke out in the Chapman Convict ship, from Cork, which was put down by force, and that several of the convicts in consequence were shot, and others dangerously wounded. It appears in the evidence of one convict, which was taken in the presence of the officers of the ship, that arrangements had been made for this dar ing attempt before the vessel sailed, and although it was happily frustrated on board the Chap. man, yet, from what was disclosed in this evidence, another mutiny must have broken out in the Pilot, which sailed at the same time, and in which it is to be feared the mutineers were more successful. The mutineers on board the Chap. man had taken an oath to take the ship, and to murder every person on board that did not join them. Upon the fortunate discovery of the plot, nine of the mutineers were shot dead upon the spot, and twenty-four have since died of their wounds. There is no longer any concealment attempt. ed respecting assistance being given by British subjects to the South American Independents. Thursday, notices were posted up in several cof. fee-houses in the city, inviting passengers to go on board vessels waiting to sail direct for South America; thus the circuitous route formerly taken is now dispensed with, by which means a considerable reduction in expense, and a great saving of time, will be effected. Ships continue to be equipped in the River for the purpose of conveying officers, non-commissioned officers, and privates, to aid the patriots in South Ame rica. At present, one vessel is quite ready to sail, having on board officers fully equipped and 200 privates, to form a rifle corps. Another is in a forward state of preparation, and has appointments for a cavalry regiment 600 strong; Extract of a letter from the agent to Lloyd's a third is freighted with the equipments of a at Sierra Leone, dated 18th July:"The Por- lancers' corps. The officers are all men who tuguese ship Amelia arrived here on the 10th have seen service, and are of every rank, from inst. with the expedition that was intended for lieutenant-colonels to ensigns: the organization the interior of Africa. Its return has been is so complete, and the arrangements so happily owing to the deaths of Major Peddie and Cap-made, that they will be ready for immediate tain Campbell; but I understand that it is in-service on their arrival in America. The brig tended to proceed again, under the command of Lieutenant Thomas Stockoe, royal navy, when I trust, from some new plans, they will succeed. By intelligence from the settlements of Goree and Senegal, the slave-trade is again renewed by the French to no small extent." The Tyger revenue-cutter, Lieutenant_Jager, has carried into Grimsby, the Young Thomas, from Rotterdam for Hull, with apples, bark, and hoops, in consequence of a passenger having contraband goods found on his person. The following is from the New York Commercial Advertiser of the 3d September :-" The ship Fanny of New York sailed from Savannah for Greenock on the 25th February last, arrived out in 24 days; sailed again for New York, and arrived in 18 days; sailed again, in company with the ship Pacific, on the 27th June, and arrived in Greenock in 22. days, the same day on which the Pacific arrived in Liverpool, making three passages in 64 days from port to port." Friday week, J. Tatum, J. Cary, G. Cress, J. Gibson, and W. Davis, mariners on board the Sir Joseph Banks West Indiaman, were brought to the Shadwell police office, heavily ironed, charged by Mr A. Ford, Captain of the Sir Joseph Banks, with feloniously and piratically consulting and combining together to make a revolt and mutiny in the said ship on the high seas during their voyage from Jamaica, between the banks of Newfoundland and Great Britain. The prisoners were committed for further exa. 93 Newcastle, near Limerick, by Major-General O'Loghlin; its appearance and discipline met the highest commendation of the General. By General Orders, the furloughs granted to non-commissioned officers and soldiers are to commence from the 25th of the present month, and to terminate on the 10th of March next, when, in conformity to his Majesty's regulations, all officers and men are to be present with their respective regiments. No officer (except in the performance of duty, or for the purpose of joining his regiment) is to quit the United Kingdom, without having first received the Prince Regent's special commission. The 8th regiment of foot is ordered from Cork, and the 28th regiment from Portsmouth, to the Mediterranean, to relieve the 2d battalion of the 14th and the 31st regiments, ordered home. The 2d battalion 14th foot is to be immediately disbanded, on account of the peace. The 78th foot are ordered from Scotland to Ireland to replace the 8th regiment of foot. The transports with the 36th regiment on board for Malta, arrived at Gibraltar the 13th ult. Three transports, having on board the 32d regiment, sailed from Malta on the 24th August for Corfu. Tuesday morning, a company of the 88th regiment, or Connaught Rangers, under the com mand of Captain Robertson, marched for Aberdeen, and another company, commanded by Major Dansey, marched for Perth. Mr Dease, assistant to Sir W. Adams, is arrived at Glasgow, by an order from the Secretary at War, for the purpose of examining such blind pensioners of Chelsea as may be relieved by treatment. The cases selected will be sent to London to be placed under the immediate care of Sir W. Adams. Mr Dease is expected in this city on the like service. COMMERCE AND MANUFACTURES: The increased probability, if not the absolute certainty, of the speedy independence of all South America, has given a considerable impulse to our commercial and mercantile affairs. In Liverpool, particularly, the shipwrights are in full work, the demands are greater than were ever remembered, and this improvement has moreor less extended to every other sphere of em.. ployment. From the state of exchange, or some other cause not explained, the new sovereigns are bought up with avidity. Gladwin, and schooner Morgan Rattler, have been fitted out at Portsmouth, for the purpose of taking passengers to join the insurgents in South America, and will sail directly for St Thomas's. The Gladwin has 35 passengers, the Morgan Rattler 20. They are principally young men, who have heretofore filled the low-price of English manufactured goods had risen est offices of Government, and are not entitled to half-pay; they pay 30 guineas for their passage to St Thomas's. The following regiments have been ordered to be disbanded:2d battalion 53d, 2d batta lion 66th, 5th and 6th West India, 3d Ceylon, and the Garrison Company in the West Indies. The 80th regiment was reduced in establishment 25th August. Major Morrison's company of the royal artillery, in Portsmouth, is to embark for Malta. That distinguished corps, the Royal Marine Artillery, were reviewed on the 17th inst. at Fort Monkton, by Major-General Sir Henry Bell, K. C. B. who expressed himself in terms of the highest admiration at the steadiness and precision with which the various evolutions, both of infantry and artillery, were performed.. Friday week, the 93d regiment (Sutherland Highlanders,) commanded by Colonel Creagh, were inspected, in grand Highland costume, at According to an article from Frankfort, the very considerably. Fine wool, as well as woollen cloths, are in great request. Colonial articles likewise maintain their prices, and are expected to rise still higher. The Swedish Go-vernment seems to have a very tender care of the sobriety of its subjects. At the end of the present year, the use of Champagne, Burgundy, Cape Tokay, Foreign Liqours, and Beer, is to be discontinued. Letters received from St Petersburgh state, that immense quantities of hemp, flax, and tallow, cannot be shipped on account of the scarcity of vessels. The Sound List, which is just received, mentions the sailing of from two to three hundred ships, mostly British, for the higher ports of the Baltic. They will, no doubt, be immediately loaded. We are sorry to find that the letters mention two or three failures to a considerable amount; they were all Russian houses. Respecting our manufactures, the accounts 100 Callander at length appeared, in a beautiful valley, surrounded by plantations of fir; but the road to it was circuitous, and we were by no means inclined to take a round-about. Mathematics informed us, that the diameter of a circle is somewhat less than the circumference; so we proceeded in a direct line towards the town. After passing through some clover and wheat fields, what was our chagrin, in beholding before us-the Teith, which we must cross, before we could enter the town; or retrace our steps, and pursue the road we had left! "This would never do." "Down, down, busy devil, and try it again!" The town was immediately opposite-we were too near the Hesperian fruit to think of retreating. There was but one alternative: lots were cast, and the cup was found in Benjamin's sack,”—and I immediately stripped off shoes and stockings to perform the part of a pack-horse, in the conveyance of my associates across the river. (To be continued. 21. Coal and Iron Mines of Scotland. IN Scotland a mighty noise has been raised about Geognosy and Geology, and a woful contention between Plutonists and Neptunists; the former deriving the origin of all things from fire, and the latter from water. The Plutonists, or fiery philosophers, are also accused of being rank whigs and democrats; whereas the watery gentlemen are the zealous supporters of arbitrary power and aristocratical government, and would send, to the inquisition, and to the fiery furnace of the Plutonists, all who hesitate to believe in the infallible doctrines of the late pontiff of their church, the excellent Werner, whose memory ought to be venerated by all who love the study of Nature in her most secret recesses. To him we owe the beautiful and excellent method of distinguishing the objects of mineralogical study by their external characters, which, although unfortunately disguised by the pedantry of some of his followers, will be admired by all the students of this branch of science for its admirable simplicity and Coal and Iron Mines of Scotland. menting, that the ingenious supporters of [November 8, 1817. At Cleland, belonging to Mr Dalrymple, it is found to be 22 feet 9 inches in thickness; at Fullarton, 244 feet; at Faskine, the property of the Messrs Stirling, 25 feet 8 inches; at Gariongil, belonging to the Earl of Hyndford, and Sir James Steuart Denham, it actually measures 39 feet; at Johnstone, near Paisley, it is upwards of 70 feet thick in one seam. Coal, iron, lead, copper, tin, and gold, are not worthy their attention or search. They are left to the industry of an infe rior class of beings, such as coal-viewers and iron men, Cornish tin-men coppersmiths, Watt and Bolton men, Wilkin- Nor can it be said that coal is the sons, Crawshaws, Williamses, Edingtons, only mineral found in these districts. Cadells, Bairds, Wedgewoods, and a Below the coal are found very rich beds thousand others, workers in iron and of lime and iron-stone intermingled, and clay, but who perhaps have done more also abundance of fire clay and potters' good, and employed more people, and clay. The iron-stone is sometimes found occasioned more trade, than all the geo-in bands alternately with the coal, somelogists and geognosists hitherto in exist- times with the lime-stone; but everyence, with all their discoveries of trap- where in such abundance are these tuff, greenstone, and graystone. minerals, that hardly any thing equal to the extent of this field of coal, ironstone, lime-stone, and materials for all kinds of pottery, is anywhere to be found. We have been led to these reflections from attending a very experienced practical miner from the Principality, in a little excursion to view what we had heard called the Glasgow coal, from The highest elevation in which these which we supposed that the coal was con- minerals are deposited is nearly 800 feet fined to that city and its environs :- above the level of the sea, and it has but, gentle reader, you may well guess been found, by actual surveys, practicaour surprise and astonishment, when we ble to form communications to the sea by found, from indubitable evidence, that Glasgow on the west, and by Edinburgh this coal extends from the collieries of and Leith on the east, to all these fields Glasgow in the west, to the collieries of of minerals, either by navigable canals, Gariongil and Dalserf in the east-a or by rail-roads, by which these inexstretch of about twenty miles: and through haustible treasures would be rendered all this stretch the river Clyde is the accessible, and might employ many miltrough, or, in other words, the coal seams lions sterling of capital, and afford emon each side of the river are found dip-ployment to an immense number of peoping towards it. The breadth of this coal field is various. It is confined on the north by the Shotts hills; but to the south of these hills it extends to within twenty miles of the city of Edinburgh; and extends to the west through the county of Ayr to the sea coast, and is said even to be found in Ireland, at Bally. castle, in the county of Antrim. The immense extent of coal in these districts is not easily to be conceived. A survey of that between Edinburgh and Glasgow has been made by the late Messrs Grieve and Taylor, mineral surveyors of eminence, by which it is computed that the coal stretches, with little interruption, in one solid mass, from within twenty miles of Edinburgh, as before stated, over 55,000 acres, or about 110square miles, all the seams of which are computed at the average thickness of five yards. But although this might seein an exaggerated rate of average for all the seams, it will be found below the truth. Many noble veins are every where 7 and 8, many 9, and some 14 feet in thickness. ple.. Considering this subject of great national importance at the present moment, we shall perhaps take it up again, and lay before our readers some other interesting particulars. M. Remarks on Mr Owen's Plans of ameliorating the condition of Manufacturers. (Continued from No. 3, page 55.) The worth and benevolent character of the late Mr David Dale render the following account of his management of the cotton mills at New Lanark particularly interesting. Patriæ pietatis imago. Virg. Æn. v. 824. An image of paternal tenderness, In the year 1784, the late Mr Dale, of Glasgow, founded a manufactory for spinning cotton near the falls of the Clyde in the county of Lanark in Scotland; and about that period cotton mills were first introduced into the northern part of the kingdom. November 8, 1817.] Remarks on the Plans of ameliorating the condition of Manufacturers. 101 It was the power which could be ob- right in his own eyes, and vice and im- with impatience and anxiety to the ex tained from the falls of water, which in- morality prevailed to a monstrous ex-piration of their apprenticeship of seven, duced Mr Dale to erect his mills in this tent. The population lived in idleness, eight, or nine years; which generally exsituation, for in other respects it was not in poverty, in almost every kind of crime; pired when they were from thirteen to well chosen; the country around was un- consequently in debt, out of health, and in fifteen years old: at this period of life, cultivated, the inhabitants were poor and misery. Yet, to make matters still worse, unaccustomed to provide for themselves, few in number, and the roads in the neigh--although the cause proceeded from the and unacquainted with the world, they bourhood so bad, that the Falls, now so ce- best possible motive, a conscientious ad- usually went to Edinburgh, or Glasgow, lebrated, were then unknown to strangers. herence to principle-the whole was un- where boys and girls were soon assailed It was therefore necessary to collect a der a strong sectarian influence, which by the innumerable temptations which all new population, to supply the infant es- gave a marked and decided preference to large towns present, and to which many tablishment with labourers. This, how-one set of religious opinions over all others, of them fell sacrifices. ever, was no light task; for all the re- and the professors of the favourite opinions Thus Mr Dale's arrangements and gularly-trained Scotch peasantry dis- were the privileged of the community. kind solicitude for the comfort and hapdained the idea of working early and The-boarding house containing the piness of these children were rendered, late, day after day, within cotton mills. children presented a very different scene. in their ultimate effects, almost nugatory. Two modes then only remained of obtain- The benevolent proprietor spared no ex- They were hired by him, and sent to be eming these labourers: the one, to procure pence to give comfort to the poor chil-ployed, and without their labour he could children from the various public charities dren. The rooms provided for them were not support them; but while under his of the country; and the other, to induce spacious, always clean and well ventila- care, he did all that any individual, cirfamilies to settle round the works. ted; the food was abundant, and of the cumstanced as he was, could do for his best quality; the clothes were neat and fellow-creatures. The error proceeded useful; a surgeon was kept in constant from the children being sent from the pay, to direct how to prevent or to cure work-houses at an age much too young disease; and the best instructors which for employment; they ought to have been the country afforded were appointed to detained four years longer, and educateach such branches of education as were ted; and then some of the evils which deemed likely to be useful to children in followed would have been prevented. their situation. Kind and well-disposed persons were appointed to superintend all their proceedings. Nothing, in short, at first sight seemed wanting to render it a most complete charity. To accommodate the first, a large house was erected, which ultimately contained about 500 children, who were procured chiefly from workhouses and charities in Edinburgh. These children were to be fed, clothed, and educated; and these duties Mr Dale performed with the unwearied benevolence which it is well known he possessed. To obtain the second, a village was built, and the houses were let at a low rent to such families as could be induced to accept employment in the mills: But to defray the expense of these but such was the general dislike to that well devised arrangements, and support occupation at the time, that, with a few ex- the establishment generally, it was absoceptions, only persons destitute of friends, lutely necessary that the children should employinent, and character, were found be employed within the mills, from six willing to try the experiment, and of these o'clock in the morning till seven o'clock a sufficient number, to supply a constant in the evening, summer and winter; and increase of the manufactory, could not after these hours their education combe obtained. It was therefore deemed a menced. The directors of the public favour on the part even of such indivi-charities, from mistaken economy, would duals to reside at the village, and when taught the business, they grew so valuable to the establishment, that they became agents, not to be governed contrary to their own inclinations. Mr Dale's principal avocations were at a distance from the works, which he seldom visited more than once, for a few hours in three or four months: he was therefore under the necessity of committing the management of the establishment to various servants, with more or less power. Those who have a practical knowledge of mankind, will readily anticipate the character which a population so collected and constituted would acquire; it is therefore scarcely necessary to state, that the community, by degrees, was formed under these circumstances into a very wretched society; every man did that which was not consent to send the children under 1 If such be a true picture, Mr Owen adds, and not overcharged, of parish apprentices to our manufacturing system, under the best and most humane regulations, in what colours must it be exhibited under the worst! Mr Dale was advancing in years; he had no son to succeed him and finding the consequences just described to be the result of all his strenuous exertions, for the improvement and happiness of his fellow-creatures, it is not surprising that he became disposed to retire from the cares of the establishment. He accordingly sold it to some English merchants and manufacturers, one of whom, Mr Owen, undertook the management of the concern, and fixed his residence in the midst of this population. We propose in a future number to give an account of Mr Owen's management, and the modification under which his sysIt is not to be supposed that children so tem, he thinks, may be extended throughyoung could remain, with the interval of out all the large manufactories of the meals only, from six in the morning un-kingdom, and even to agriculturing viltil seven in the evening, in constant em- lages, and to the employments of the poor ployment on their feet within cotton in general. mills, and afterwards acquire much proficiency in education and so it proved; for many of them became dwarfs in body and mind, and some of them were deformed. Their labour thro' the day, and their education at night, became so irksome, that numbers of them continually ran away, and almost all looked forward Remarks on the defective method of Instruction in Writing. It was observed by Lord Chesterfield, that he who possessed the use of his eyes, and right hand, had the formation of his handwriting entirely in his own power. |