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AND

LONDON REVIEW;
For FEBRUARY, 1786.

To the PHILOLOGICAL SOCIETY of LONDON.

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now fought after with fuch avidity, that I am fenfible you will efteem it an obligation to have the opportunity of extending the Knowledge and circulation of a few of them beyond the narrow limits to which they have hitherto been confined. The THEATRE at WYNNSTAY, which is one 1 now fend, is bowever by another hand, but is fo connected with the reft, that I think it ought to accompany them.

The hofpitality of this ancient family, and the unaffected generofity of the present reprefentative of it, afford the most pleafing picture to the contemplation of an Englishman. Here at certain feftivals, men whofe The POLITICAL STATE of the NATION F our lucubrations for January we had barely time and room to glance at the Royal Speech, concluding on that fubject, "that we must leave the minifter to develope his fecret meaning by his future actions." We did well thus to refer ourselves to the Minifter's actions, rather than his words, for the explanation of his intentions; otherwife, who could have fo much as fufpected that in the funwing words, "and you will, I am perLaled, be equally ready to make fuch provifion as may be neceffary for the public fervce, and particularly for maintaining our naval frength on the most fecure and respectable fa" was comprehended that vaft fcheme of traping fortifications upon fortifications and our naval aríenals, bred in the peritrium of a great officer of ordnance? a kheme to make our fea coafts in the Channel the great chain of forts, or a general impregsable fortrefs! a fcheme pregnant with an im feexpence-a war expence, or nearly fo, the midst of what Minifters themselves call a time of profound peace! a great certain expence known! a much greater expence known, undefined, and almost indefinite! Again, who would have thought, that the above article thus explained by deeds of enormous expenditure, would be immediately followed by thefe emphatic words, "above all, let me recommend to you the establishment of a fixed plan for the reduction of the national debt?"—A strange transition, from building caftles on the water, to building cafties in the air!!!-What, in the name

genius will hereafter contribute to adorn the age now paffing, and women whofe accomplishments grace the prefent times, are fre quently affembled,

Prefenting oft fair Virtue's shining task In myftic pageantries and moral mask. The dramatic entertainments exhibited at this place, in my opinion, deserve to be refcued from oblivion: I fhall therefore probably at a future opportunity give your readers a hiftory of this elegant Theatre, and an account of the performances and performers exhibited in it. I believe the materials I am poffeffed of are authentic; but I fhall hold it incumbent upon me to have them confirmed by good authority, before I venture to trouble you again (which I mean to do) on this fubject. I am, &c. R. W. and of EUROPE for Feb. 1786. [No. XXIV.] of wonder, does the Minifter mean, by paying the national debt at the moment he is throwing infurmountable obitacles in the way?-Pay the national debt, but spend the money first!!! Incomprehenfible are the ways of Minifters!

For a confiderable time little feemed to be doing, late as the feflion had commenced ; but all of a fudden, the Minifter pushed forward the money bufinefs with amazing rapidity. A vaft fum voted in Exchequer-bills ; the land-tax and malt-tax bills, and other money matters proceeded upon with celerity, until the Minifter met with fome interruption on the fcore of the above fortifying plan, which may be productive of very warm and interefting debates, more than the Minifter expected, yet not more than may be neceffary; fo much fo, that the protraction of the conteft may afford us an opportunity of going deeper into the fubject than we can with propriety at prefent.

A famous orator has attacked a great man lately returned from an elevated itation in the East Indies, in a tile and manner that bids fair to take up a great part of the attention of both Houfes of Parliament for a confiderable time. As an appeal is proposed to be made to the laws of the land before the highest tribunal of the nation, where, if it once arrives, it will, no doubt, meet with ftrict impartial juftice, we chufe to be filent on the merits of it; and fhall, therefore, leave it with this obfervation, that the accufer ought to have good grounds for what he has already published

published to the world: this we leave him to elucidate in due time and place.

Our commercial treaties all feem to stand ftill with France, with Germany, and with Ruffia; perhaps waiting for one another's approbation and concurrence, that there may be no incongruity or clathing of any of their interelts in their refpective treaties with us; for they all feem to hang together, and all to bear hard upon poor Old England. Indeed our fhallow politicians here at home aflift them to make their own terms with us, by telling them in our public prints how much they have the advantage over us, and how much we are dependent on them; particularly on the latter of thefe powers for our very existence as a naval or maritime power. We differ widely from thefe parricidal falfe politicians, and take upon us to alert, that the commercial intereft, the naval force, and imperial dominion of the Czarina is as much dependent on us as any of our interefts are dependent on her: and that if the deferts us, her beft, firmeft, and moft faithful friends, to throw her felf into the perfidious arms of France, the will commit an act of political fuicide, which will, fooner or later, overthrow her great and mighty newly accumulated empie, provided France continues to be what France has hitherto been, and Great Britain has not loft all its public fpirit, martial fire, and true national virtue. But the elucidation of this important fubject cannot be gone into here; will come in our way in the courfe of our thewing the radical defects and conftitutional imbecility of the triple or quadruple confederacy now forming by France, as promifed and begun in former Magazines, which we hope to perform to the fatisfaction and joy of all found rational politicians,friends of our beloved ifland. Our Minifters have afforded the United States of America a fresh opportunity of infulting the majefty, and trampling under foot the dignity of Great-Britain,' by fending a Conful to reprefent his Majesty among his revolted fubjects, who have not yet formed themfelves into any regular efficient government, confequently are incapable of making any folid commercial treaty; yet have upftart pride and infolence enough to manifest their ditdain of the Conful and his principals; to receive him with apparent reluctance as a Conful and as no Coniul at the fame time; not without a fevere farcafm upon Britith Minifters for this their premature, injudicious, and improper appointment. It was certainly a very improper meafure to fend a Conful to a people whom we were at the fame time excluding from our remaining colonies and dependencies: leaving every other confideration out of the question, this alone renders the mea rd.

Foreign Powers feem to stand still at prefent, watching attentively the motions of our Parliament: to see whether that body will take any decifive refolution refpecting the German league, and the conduct of Britifh and Hanoverian Minifters in that tranfaction. We do not yet fee that Parliament takes any cognizance of the matter either by way of approbation or cenfure, or that Minifters wifh to throw the fubject into the way of Parliament. So far as it has been glanced at in Parliament, Minifters have declined the fubject; and not one of them dared to avow their having taken any active part in that bufinefs, declaring themfelves merely paffive and unconcerned how far they will be justified in that line, the motions of foreign Powers will probably foon difcover. conduct of Oppofition on this fcore is not more commendable than that of their envied adverfaries: they never opened their mouths about it laft Setlion, though we remonftrated moft earnestly against it fo long ago as July laft, without any effect either on Miniiters or patriots.

The

The Dutch rulers have been calling their fubjects to fet apart a day of fafting and humiliation, or of thanksgiving and praise for their deliverance from paft troubles, we know not which; but fomething like deprecating threatened impending dangers appears upon the face of their circular letter. The performance of their preliminary articles with the Emperor flicks hard in their throats, and will not eafily be digefted in their ftomachs, strong as they are.

The Emperor and the French go on hand in hand in ftrengthening their alliance, and drawing the Emprefs of Ruffia, as well as other Powers, into their confederacy. France is always fure of Spain for one acceffary to any scheme the may bring forward: Spain, by fubmitting to the dominion of the Bourbon family, has defcended from her priftine dignity and rank among nations, and become a mere appendage to the French Monarchy. There feems, however, to be a fchifm breaking out in the Houte of Bourbon, by the threatened defection of the Court of Naples : what that will produce we leave to time to determine.

No doubt the French Court will endeavour to fmother it in its birth, and will not be very fqueamish as to the meas to be used to such an important end as keeping the Houfe of Bourbon united and compast in all its parts.

Venice ftill perfeveres in attacking Tunis, or bringing its government to liften to the dictates of reafon.

Portugal, impelled by the above fpirited example, is faid to take the lead in a confe deracy against the Barbary Stutos: a new phan menon in politics.

To the PHILOLOGICAL SOCIETY of LONDON. GENTLEMEN,

I think it will be admitted, as I believe it has already been obferved by one of your Correfpondents, that pictures of life and manners are always amufing and often use. ful. They will ferve either to correct the improper habits of the present times, or to point out the fuperiority of the age we live in over preceding periods. Comparisons generally difadvantageous to living modes and cuftoms, have frequently and at various times been made; and perhaps it may in fome measure promote good humour to learn, that there has always been a difpofition in mankind to exalt the age which has part above that in which we live. The following defcription was written in the year 1500 by John Evelyn, Efq. Author of Syiva, and many other excellent works, and is extracted from the Preface to a pamphlet published by him, entitled, "Mundus "Muliebris, or, the Lady's Dreffing-room "unlock'd, and her Toilette Spread. In "burlesque. Together with the Fop Diction"ary, compiled for the use of the Fair Sex." 410.

"The refined lady expects her fervants and humble admirers fhould court her in the forms and decencies of making love in fashion. In order to this you must often treat her at the play, the park and the mufick; present her at the raffle; follow her to Tunbridge at the season of drinking of waters, though you have no need of them yourself. You must improve all occafions of celebrating her shape, and how well the mode hecomes her, though it be ne'er fo fantastical and ridiculous; that the fings like an angel; dances like a goddefs; and that you are charmed with her wit and beauty. Above all, you must be fure to find fome fault or imperfection in all other ladies of the town, and to laugh at the Fops like yourself. With this a little practice will qualify you for the converfation and mystery of the Ruelle; and if the whole morning be spent between the ghs and the comb, that your perruque fit well and cravat ftrings be adjusted, as things of importance; with thefe and the like accomplishments you'll emerge a confummate beak, anglicè a coxcomb. But the dancing mafter will still be neceffary to preserve your good men, and fit you for the winter bail.

"Thus you fee, young Sparks, how the ftile and method of wooing is quite changed, as well as the language, fince the days of our forefathers (of unhappy memory fmple EUROP MAC.

and plain men as they were!) who courted and chose their wives for their modefty, frugality, keeping at home, good housewifery, and other œconomical virtues then in repu tation. And when the young damfels were taught all these in the country, and their parents houses, the portion they brought was more in virtue than money, and she was a richer match than one who could have brought a million, and nothing else to commend her. The presents which were made when all was concluded, were a ring, a necklace of pearl, and perhaps another fair jewel, the bona paraphernalia of her prudent mother, whofe nuptial kirtle gown and petticoat lafted as many anniversaries as the happy couple lived together, and were at laît bequeathed with a purse of old gold, rofe nobles, fpur royals and fpankers, as an heirloom to her grand-daughter.

"They had cupboards of ancient useful plate, whole chefts of damask for the table, and store of fine holland sheets (white as the driven fnow) and fragrant of rose and lavender for the bed, and the sturdy oaken bedftead and furniture of the houfe lafted one whole century; the fhovel-board and other long tables both in hall and parlour were as fixed as the freehold; nothing was move able fave joint ftools, the black-jacks, filver-tankards and bowls. And though many things fell out between the cup and the lip, when Nappy-ale, March-beer, Metheglin, Malmefey, and Old Sherry got the afcendant amongst the Blue-coats and Badges, they fung Old Symon and Cheviot Chafe, and danced Brave Arthur, and were able to draw a bow that made the proud Monsieur trem ble at the whizze of the grey-goose feather. 'Twas then ancient hofpitality was kept up in town and country, by which the tenants were enabled to pay their landlords at punctual day; the poor were relieved bountifully, and charity was as warm as the kitchen, where the fire was perpetual.

"In thofe happy days, Sure-foot, the grave and steady mare, carried the good Knight and his courteous Lady behind him to church, and to visit the neighbourhood, without fo many hell carts, rattling coaches and crew of Damme Lacqueys which a grave livery fervant or two fupplied, who rid before and made way for his worship.

"Things of ule were natural, plain and wholesome; nothing was fuperfluous; no thing neceffary wanting; and men of eftate studied the public good, and gave example L

of true piety, loyalty, justice, fobriety, chafity, and the good neighbourhood compofed moft differences. Perjury, fuborning witneffes, alimony, avowed adulterys, and Miffes (publickly owned) were prodigies in those days, and laws were reason not craft, when men's titles were fecure, and they ferved their generation with honour; left their patrimonial estates improved to an hopeful heir, who paffing from the Freefchool to the College, and thence to the Inns of Court, acquainting himself with a competent tincture of the laws of his country, followed the example of his worthy anceftors; and if he travelled abroad, it was not to count fteeples, and bring home feather and ribbon, and the fins of other nations, but to gain fuch experience as rendered him ufeful to his Prince and country upon occafion, and confirmed him in the love of both of them above any other.

"The virgins and young ladies of that golden age quafiverunt lanam and linum; put their hands to the fpindle, nor difdained they the needle; were obfequious and helpful to their parents; inftructed in the managery of the family, and gave prefages of making excellent wives; nor then did they read fo many romances, fee fo many plays and fmutty farces, fet up for vifits, and have their days of audience and idle paftime. Honest Gleek Ruff and Honours diverted the ladies at Christmas, and they knew not fo much as the names of Ombre, Comet, and Baffet. Their retirements were devout and religious books, and their recreations in the diftillatory, the knowledge of plants and their virtues, for the comfort of their poor neighbours, and ufe of the family, which

wholesome plain diet and kitchen phyfic preferved in perfect health. In thofe days the fcurvy, fpleen, &c. were scarce heard of, till foreign drinks and mixtures were wantonly introduced. Nor were the young gentlewomen fo univerfally afflicted with hysterical fits, nor, though extremely modeft, at all melancholy, or lefs gay and in good humour; they could touch the Lute and Virginal, fing Like to the damajk rofe" and their breath was as fweet as their voices. They danced the Canarys, Spanish Pavan, and Sillengers Round upon fippets, with as much grace and lovelinefs as any Ifaac, Monfieur or Italian of them all can teach with his Fop call, and apish postures.

"To fhew you, then, how the world is altered among us, fince foreign manners, the luxury (more than Afiatick) which was the final ruin of the greatest, wifeft, and most noble Monarchy upon earth, has univerfally obtained among us, corrupting ancient fimplicity; and in what extravagant form the young gallant we defcribed is to court the fex, and make his addresses (whether his expedition be for marriage or mistress); it has been thought good by fome charitable hands, that have contributed to this catalogue, to prefent him with an enumeration of particulars, and computation of the charges of the adventure, as follows:"

But the remainder, which contains a poetical defcription of a Lady's Dreffing-room, and an explanation of the fashionable words ufed for the furniture of it, will I am afraid be too long for this Month's Magazine. I therefore fubfcribe myself for the prefent, Your well-wisher,

E. H

REMARKS on the DIFFERENT SUCCESS, with RESPECT to HEALTH, of SOME ATTEMPTS to pafs the WINTER in HIGH NORTHERN LATITUDES. By JOHN AIKIN, M. D.

[From the "Memoirs of the LITERARY and PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY of Manchester."] [Concluded from Page 23.]

IT is well enough known among fea-faring people, that fresh animal food is ferviceable to fcorbutic perfons; but whether the conftant use of it alone would prevent the fcurvy, they have no means of experiencing. As little can we learn from their experience, whether any other mode of preferving animal fleth than that of falting, will keep it in fuh a ftate as to be falubrious food. But the narrative of the eight Englishmen feems to deterthine both thefe important points; for their provifion was all of the animal kind, and the greatest part of it was fleth killed feveral months before, and kept from decaying, either by the coldness of the climate lone, or by the cooking it had undergone.

It is evident, too, that the failors of Kamtfchatka, who fubfift during fo long a voyage on animal food unfalted, must either preserve it by fmoking, freezing, or other fimilar proceffes, or muft ufe it in a putrid ftate. To this laft, indeed, from the accounts we have of the ufual diet of these people, they feem not at all aveife; though we may find it difficult to conceive how the body can be kept in health by food abfolutely putrefied. The Laplanders, alfo, who fubfift so entirele on animal food without falt, must have other methods of preferving it for a confiderable time; and, indeed, it feems to be the conftant practice in Ruffia and other northern regions, for the inhabitants to freeze thea

meat

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