ting to no restraint in the years of childhood, gives an unavoidable propensity to a restless and turbulent life. Much we think might be done by the efforts of the landed proprietors, to establish schools on their estates; by judicious contrivances they might afford inducements to every individual on them to send their children to learn; and they might, by their personal superintendance, have great power in making proper instructions be afforded.

exceptions, have been all remarkably poor; the gra- and guarded conduct has a tendency to prepare them tuity afforded to the priest, was, on that account, ne- to submit to authority, and to obey laws, when grown cessarily small; the persons who could, or would des-up; while the habit of running wild, and of submittine their sons to the altar, were little able to afford the expence of education even at home, abroad it was still more burdensome; they were therefore obliged to shorten its duration, and confine its extent; the young men accordingly were educated in the lowest and most imperfect manner in those countries to which they were sent; they were not initiated into those ennobling studies which elevate and liberalize the mind; and they returned ignorant, superstitious, and narrow-minded creatures, to confirm, instead of to remove the prejudices and ignorance of their country-struct the people in years of maturity an object of less men. The degree of mental degradation in which the greater part of the Irish priests have been found, is almost an inexplicable phenomenon, when we think of the general accomplishments of the churchmen in France, the country where they received their education. But when we consider the total want of education for the young, and the miserable qualifications of the persons instructing the old, we can be at no loss to account for a great part of the barbarity to be found in Ireland.

Nor is the education of the persons destined to in-national importance. It is a circumstance of extreme irregularity and misconduct, that a set of men destined to obtain the greatest influence over the greater part of the people, in a most important department of the state, should receive their education in a foreign country. A popish seminary in France was subject to two species of influence, that of the government of France, and that of the church of Rome. Both of them were, in, the highest degree, hostile to the government of Great Britain. A number of persons were educated in these seminaries, and sent over to form the minds of a great proportion of the British citizens.

This barbarity has now taken a different direction from forming the people into parties, and harassing one another at home, and retaining the country in poverty; it has turned itself against the general govern- Nothing would have a greater tendency to civilize ment of the empire; and has shewn sufficiently that the Irish, and give a right direction to their thoughts it is not to be deterred from its purpose by a tempo- and actions, than an improvement of their clergy. rary discomfiture, but may be expected to return But for this purpose, an iniprovement must be introagain and again to the charge. In these circum-duced into their education. Measures ought to be stances it can no longer be overlooked; and perhaps taken immediately to have them educated in Ireland; it is fortunate for the empire that it has come to an and the people ought not only to be permitted, but extremity; it has been much too long overlooked al- encouraged, to form seminaries for this purpose. We ready. It is surely impossible that the state of instruc-are sanguine with regard to the good effects which tion can any longer be neglected, And no little wis- might be obtained from this single measure. dom is necessary to provide a proper system of instruc-vernment, by affording the catholics liberal assistance tion for people in so peculiar a situation. It must be so ordered as to allure the people to have recourse to it; for compulsion, which is generally fruitless, is so in a peculiar manner in this case.

Go

in erecting and maintaining such institutions, might obtain a right to a considerable share in the direction of them. They would be able to insure a provision of proper and able teachers; and they would have a Undoubtedly schools for the children ought to be great deal of influence with regard to the kind of inprovided with great care in the first place; and much struction communicated. By such means a number pains should be employed to provide proper persons of men well informed, and with minds not aliento teach in them. They must be catholics, otherwise ated from the government of the country, might be the people will not repair to them. But certainly sent out to instruct and to form the minds of the peowith diligence, and by affording proper rewards, catho-ple; and the salutary influence which they would lics might be found possessing sufficient good sense and virtue, to labour faithfully in implanting, in the young, principles of moderation and good will toward their fellow citizens of all descriptions, and in training them up to be peaceable and useful members of the community. Being dependent upon government, these teachers would naturally pay considerable regard to its approbation or disapprobation. They would endeavour therefore, at least in some degree, to mould the minds of those under their care, to a conformity with the wishes of government. At any rate, the effect of being taught to read and write, in giving an orderly and peaceable turn to the mind, is great; it would be felt almost immediately; the very circumstance of bringing children together, and subjecting them for several hours every day to regular authority

have would be very great. Were even a certain part of their maintenance to be afforded by government, we should think it a wise measure. By affording a more liberal provision, it would insure better qualified instructors; and it would certainly render them more attentive to the approbation and disapprobation of government.

To explain the organization of such a plan of instruction for the young, and for the old, would require a minuteness of detail, into which at present we cannot enter. The chief object to which now we wish to direct the attention of the public is the importance, and practicability of the general plan. The particu lars of arrangement would easily suggest themselves, if the business were seriously undertaken.

U 2

The British commerce, instead of entering the Elbe and Weser, as in last war, passes through the Sound into the Baltic, and large shipments have been made within these few weeks to Lubeck, and Stetin, whence the cargoes are carried into Germany on the Oder by the canal of Zenowisch, thence on the navigable rivers Spree and Navel, and afterwards on the Elbe, by the canal of Plama. Even this route, difficult and tedious as it is, is not free from danger of interception by the French.

Political History, Foreign and Domestic Accounts have been received, of a conspiracy deOne of the most remarkable particulars in the his-tected among the negroes in Jamaica. Port Royal was tory of the interval to be included in this number, is to have been burnt, and the inhabitants massacred. its extraordinary barrenness in events of any import- Several boxes of arms were discovered; and many of ance. Our measures of defence in this country are the negroes concerned were apprehended and execu nearly arranged, and nothing now remains to be com- ted. The extent of the plot does not appear. municated. The French have nearly exhausted their exhibitions of preparation for an attack. And the two nations seem to stand aloof, aware that invasion, on either part, will be chiefly destructive to the invaders. On the 24th of August the special commission for the trial of the rebels in Ireland was opened, when the grand Jury was charged by Justice Downes, and bills of indictment found against sixteen persons. The trials began on the 1st of September, and have been conducted with uncommon solemnity, moderation, and decorum. Several persons have been condemned, and two executed in Thomas-street. The Attorney General, who must be supposed not to have spoken without information, declared that " both the characters and numbers of the insurgents were contemptible in the extreme; and that those in Dublin, joined to those in the country, did not exceed 500 men." This however can only mean all those actually implicated in the late insurrection, not all those disposed to join it. Some of the volunteer corps have expressed dissatisfaction at the late order of government to reduce their numbers. This however has proceeded no farther than to a few murmurs, in a country where extreme freedom renders the people in some degree captious with regard to the measures of government, and extremely forward to utter their discontents. They have already in a great measure subsided, and the prevailing sentiment among all descriptions of people, is a decided principle of patriotism, and a resolution to defend their country from invaders, or die in the attempt. The steadiness and harmony with which the volunteering system has proceeded gives reason to trust to as much service from the volunteers, as could be calculated upon by wise men from the beginning. A few instances of discord in particular corps, and consequent dissolution are not worth noticing; and could not fail to happen, where associations, the bands of which are so feeble, are so numerous. There is a sufficient number of corps, whose steadiness and discipline may be depended upon, to be of infinite utility on any emergency.

A chain of night signals has been formed with fire beacons along the coast of Essex, Suffolk, and Norfolk. And a few days ago General David Dundass inspected the works, and other means of defence on the coast of Kent, with which he expressed his entire satisfaction.

The force reported to be intended for a secret expedition under General Moore, and Sir Sidney Smith, after various accounts of its departure, and destination, is still in England.

A proclamation was issued by the King on 31st of August, commanding all foreigners, who may be the subjects of any state at war with his Majesty, and who may have arrived within this country since the 1st of October, 1801, to depart from the kingdom before the 15th of September. And orders have been issued to blockade the harbour of Havre de Grace.

The French are defraying the expences of the present warlike preparations as much as possible by the pillage of Hanover. Detachments of conscripts are daily arriving to be clothed and armed by the inhabi tants. The troops now in the Electorate are to be reduced to 12,000, under General Montrichard. General Mortier has marched with the greater part of the army under his command, towards the coast of Holland, to join the army of England; and the Batavian troops are assembling in North Holland and Zealand. In Switzerland 12,000 men, to remain in the service of the Republic during the war, are raising by the French. And it is said that 40,000 French troops, destined for the invasion of Portugal, have entered Spain, that General Lasnes has quitted Lisbon, and that great military preparations are going forward in Spain.

By accounts from Ceylon it appears, that disputes have arisen between our people and the King of Candy; and military preparations are making. This was easy to be foreseen; and the King of Candy, we may predict, will soon have to look out for a new situation.

In the enterprises of our cruizers, the only remarkable particular is, the recapture of the Lord Nelson, East Indiaman, she was taken by the French privateer Bellone, off Cape Clear, on the 14th of August, after a resistance of near an hour and a half; and recaptured by His Majesty's sloop of war, the Seagull, not without a pretty sharp engagement.

We have already mentioned one instance of private liberality and munificence, towards the service of the country on the present emergency. We now have another still more noble. The Earl of Warwick has made an offer to government of £10,000 to provide arms for the volunteers of Warwickshire. And the subscription at Lloyd's does not amount to less than £200,000.

On the Herring Fishery.

A document of a very important nature has been lately published in the Journal of Arts in Paris, concerning the Herring Fishery. This is an object eminently deserving the attention of this country, concerning which it is our intention to communicate some information to the public. And as the Journal of Arts is very respectable authority for some impor tant facts with respect to the Dutch fishery, we think

an extract from the paper to which we have referred, will form a very good introduction to the observations we mean to offer.

"The chief scene of this fishery is in the neighbourhood of the Shetland islands, to the north of the Orkneys, in the Scottish sea. Regularly about the 8th of June every year, the herrings arrive there in prodigious numbers. The place from which they come is still a mystery. It is only known to be from the most northern part of the ocean. On the cause of their emigration naturalists have advanced different conjectures, which it would be tedious to mention. The most probable is that the inconceivable multiplication of herrings in the seas of the north, renders, in certain seasons, subsistence difficult, and compells a considerable part of them to go in quest of it in other

seas.

66

north-west; or if they are a residue of those which have passed through the English channel. However this may be, it is certain that none are seen on the coasts of Spain, of Portugal, or of France, nor on the coast of Africa; or if there be, they are at least in very small quantity.

"When the herrings have left England, they are seen no more; nor is it known what becomes of them. They remain generally 15 days, that is to say, from the 8th to the 22d day of June, near Cranehead, which is the most distant point of Brassy-sound. Hence they move to the distance of seven leagues to the south-west of Shetland, towards the Farro-islands. Buffindeeps, situated 28 leagues to the north of the Firth, is the place of fishing. The herrings continue here 15 days more, that is, to the 6th of July. When dislodged from this place, they move by similar stages

the Dogger-bank, where they remain about 37 days, and about the beginning of September they arrive at Yarmouth, and there generally take up their residence for about 70 days. At last, they take their course hence toward the south, whither they are not followed except by small fishers, as the voyage is not safe for the busses.'

Scarcely have the herrings arrived in the neigh-along the coast, to Buchan-ness, the Firth of Forth, bourhood of Shetland, when the fishers spread their nets, and take a quantity, with which they fill their ships. In a little time the herrings direct their course toward Scotland, where a great number of them undergo the same fate. On approaching Britain, they form two divisions; the one proceeds toward the west or south west, leaving on the left the islands of Orkney and Shetland, and passing the islands on the east, "The most celebrated herring fishers are the Scotch it reaches Ireland. Here this party undergoes a sub- and the Dutch. The French too have sometimes atdivision; a part of them proceeds toward the south, tempted the business on the coasts of Scotland. Of along the coast of Britain, as far as St. George's chan-England, the inhabitants of Yarmouth and Leostoff nel, where they are placed between England and Ireland, and repair to the mouth of the Severn: it there meets the other half of this division, which had continued its course towards the west or south west, on the coast of Ireland, as far as the south side of that island. The second division of the grand body, turning a little toward the east or south-east, falls down into the German ocean, coasts the east of Britain, and fills every bay, and river's mouth.

"After the Scotch, to the north of the river Tay, have caught a considerable number of herrings, the boats of Dunbar, and of Fife, come in their turn to catch them as they advance towards the south. They turn the high coast of Berwickshire, and St. Abb's point, and they are seen no more till they arrive at Scarborough, whence they proceed to appear in greater numbers on the coast of Yarmouth. After this they pass the mouth of the Thames, and advance along the coasts of Kent, Sussex, Hampshire, to the extremity of England. Here too comes the first part of the first division, which has been much diminished on the other side of the island, but has there left a remainder, which probably becomes the prey of the porpoises, and other large fishes in that sea.

"The multitude of herrings which swim in these seas is so surprising, that, according to the fishers, the quantity caught by Europeans does not amount to one in a million. The north of America too, has the same visits of the herrings; but there they are not nearly in the same quantity as in Europe, and do not advance farther south than the river Carolina. It is doubtful whether these form a part of the innumerable colony which arrives on the coasts of Greenland, and if instead of proceeding in a body with the rest to the south-east, they stop on the coasts of America, on the

alone smoke upwards of 40 or 60 thousand barrels every year. Formerly the Dutch had no share in this fishery, they were obliged to purchase their herrings from the Scotch, these last abused their advantage, and the Dutch resolved to do without them. Toward

the middle of the 16th century, a fisherman named Van Stephens, displeased with his country, withdrew to Enckhuysen in Holland, and taught the inhabitants the secret of catching herrings.

"About St. John's day, when the herrings begin to appear in great bodies, the Dutch, with their busses, and several other kinds of vessels, move out of the harbours of Dort, Rotterdam, Delft, Schiedam, Vlaerdingen, Brille, Enckhuysen, &c. In 1601, in three days time, 1500 fishermen went out. In 1609, it was reckoned that 3000 vessels, containing 15,000 men, sailed to the herring fishery on the coasts of Britain. By degrees the number of Dutch fishermen became more considerable. The fishermen go out three times a year: this fishery alone maintains in general in Holland, 100,000 men, and enriches a great number. Huet reckons its annual produce at 300,000 tons, which he values at 25,000,000 crowns bank money, 17,000,000 being pure gain, and 8,000,000 expences. Funcius maintains, that the Dutch catch every year 14,800,000,000 herrings. Doot states, that in 1088, four hundred and fifty thousand Dutchmen were employed in the herring fishery. At the beginning of the 17th century, 2000 busses, from 60 to 200 tons, caught between Buchan-ness, and the mouth of the Thames, in the space of 26 weeks 16,000 last, or 192,000 tons of herrings. Each ton, of 32 gallons, usually contains 1000 fishes. Accordingly the produce of this single adventure amounted to 192,000,000 of herrings. In 1718, herrings were at so low a price in Holland, that one

might have had a last, containing 12 ton, for 110 || smoked, which generally happens in about four and florins, and afterwards for 83.

"The herring is accustomed to follow the light of the moon, and during the night it emits a sort of light, which spreads in the air. These fishes accordingly discover themselves, and betray their motions; it is for this reason that they are generally caught in the night. They employ for this purpose nets from 1000 to 1200 yards long, and which can be drawn only once. They take frequently no less than 14 last at one draught. As soon as this fish is taken out of the water it dies; it is therefore necessary without delay to salt it, and barrel, or smoke it. "The practice of barrelling herrings has subsisted for near 350 years. Before that mode of preserving them was found out, people probably eat them fresh, or dried. Some historians fix the period of that useful invention at the year 1397, and others at the year 416. It is at least certain that the name of the inventor was William Beuckels or Beuckelsen, or Buckfield, a native of Biervliet, in Flanders. In a short time the advantage of the barrel, which preserves the flavour of the herring, and enables it to be transported every where, was generally perceived in Holland; and that invention became soon as it were the basis of the commerce of the Dutch.

"The herring is cured in two ways, the white and the red. For the white, the herring is opened as soon as caught, the guts are separated from the roe or the milt, and extracted. The fish is then washed in fresh water, well rubbed with salt, and put into a brine, made of fresh water and salt, and strong enough to float an egg. The herrings remain in this 14 or 15 hours, after which they are taken out, well dried, and then placed in layers in a barrel. When they are thus arranged, and pressed close one upon another, the business is finished by sprinkling salt above and below, and sometimes between the layers. The barrel is then accurately closed up, that the brine may not run out, nor the air gain admission. Without this precaution the herring would quickly spoil. The same thing ought to be observed when the herrings are changed from one barrel to another.

twenty hours. They are then taken out, to be put into barrels. Their distinction consists in being large, fat, fresh, tender, finely salted, yellow coloured, and not torn. These herrings are called Picklings, in French harengs sores.

"The following is the method in which these same herrings are prepared at Mecklenburg. As soon as they are taken out of the water, they are salted; and after they have remained some hours in the brine, they are fastened to sticks by thirties, and forties, or more; they are then placed under a barrel, or in a long, open, square furnace made of bricks, from three to four feet high, in which they are fastened in rows. A fire of wood, moss, and other matters which yield more smoke than heat, is lighted underneath. Above the herrings pieces of canvas or carpet are thrown to prevent the smoke from dissipating. They remain in this situation for an hour or more, till they are sufficiently dry, and the smoke has communicated to them a brown colour. They are then taken out of the furnace, and made into parcels of 70 or 90 fishes, and kept till sold. They are what is called in Germany, Picklings of Mecklenburgh.

Among the different species of herrings, (the distinctions of which may be seen in Marperger, le Happel and Scheneveld, who have written about them) three are particularly taken notice of; 1st. The herrings de Maikens, which are caught first, and which have the best and tenderest flesh; 2d. The full berring, caught about Bartholomew tide, and full of roe and milt; 3d. The burnt herring, which is of the same kind with the full herring, but which arrives later, and is packed so close in the cask, that it has no occasion to be changed.

"Nobody is ignorant that in general fishes of passage are more wholesome than others. The herring contains a great deal of oil and volatile salt; it is nourishing, and easy of digestion. Linnæus has arranged it in the class of Clupea, (shad,) with the shad, properly so called, the mackarel, and the pilchard."

On the meritorious Exertions of the English Nation to
diffuse the Lights of Science in the East Indies.
(Continued from page 44.)

"The herrings of the Dutch are more delicate, better flavoured, and less salt than those of the English, because they remain a longer time in the salt, not being sold in Holland, till every other place is supplied with them, while the herrings of England A correct knowledge of the Indian laws was the are eaten as soon as they are brought to London. first object which attracted the attention of governThe salt has more time to penetrate those of Holland, || ment. In consequence of the wise determination, and the humidity diminishes the acridity. The longer adopted on the most solid grounds of sound policy, the herring remains in the barrel, the better and that the native inhabitants of India should be Tweeter it becomes. The herrings caught a little after judged by their own laws, that is, that criminal prosethe beginning of the season are larger than the others; cutions should be governed by the Mahometan law, but they ought to be more closely pressed in the and civil justice be administered pursuant to the laws of India, it became necessary that the judges, whether Mussulmans or Europeans, should be acquainted with those laws. The Hedaia or code of Mahometan laws was accordingly translated by Captain Charles Hamilton, at the Company's expence. This work was commenced under Governor General Hastings, and finished under his successor, the Marquis Cornwallis. During Mr. Hastings' administration a collection of the laws of the Gentoos was also made and published.

barrel.

“To make red herrings; when they are taken out of the brine, they are fastened to sucks by the head, and tied up in a furnace which generally holds 12,000. These herrings ought to remain in the brine twice the time of the others. When they are in the furnace a fire of vine-branches is made below, which produces a great deal of smoke, and little heat. They are left in this situation till they are sufficiently dried and

a smaller scale are formed on the coast at the Com

For this purpose Pundits were convened from different || any part of the globe. Similar botanical nurseries on parts of India, at the expence of government, and directed to extract from Indian works the common law pany's expence. Dr. Roxburgh's rast-Indian plants, of the Hindoos, which they translated into the Persian and Dr. Russell's Fast-Indian serpents, have been language, and from their translations it was rendered published at the expence of government; these splenEnglish. by Mr. Hathed, also at the Company's expence. did works could not be undertaken by private indivi A digest of the laws of the Hindoos was likewise duals, on account of the great number of elegant and published at the expence of government. The trans-costly prints they contain. Nor are treatises on the lation of this work was begun by Sir W. Jones, and languages, manners, customs, history, and antiquities finished by Mr. H. Colebrooke. Sir William further of India, deemed unworthy of the Company's supedited the Institutes of Menu, probably the most an- port; they are either printed at the expence of gocient law-system (the Indian excepted) which has as vernment, or a certain number of copies bought by yet been discovered; the same writer translated also the Company, after they have left the press. Bhagawat from the Persian the Sirijah, or Mahometan law of Geeta, an episode of Bharadapurana, or the Chronicle inheritance. of Bharade, translated by Dr. Wilkins, was printed at the private expence of the Directors of the East India Company. Several translations from the Persian by Mr. Francis Glurwin, among others, Ayen Acberee, written by the learned and elegant Abul-Fazil, were honoured with the Company's support; Professor Gilchrist's Hindostan Linguist, and other similar works have experienced the same protection Men, who entirely devote themselves to scientific researches, frequently enjoy the Company's support, that they may thereby be enabled to pursue them. Captain Wilford, whose profound researches in the annals of Hindostan deserve the highest praise, enjoys a handsome yearly salary, granted him by the East India Company, that he may be able to devote all his time to the meritorious researches, which he has so bravely begun. It is thus, that the Company encourages every useful work, and supports all well-meant institutions, whether they tend to dispel the darkness, which hovers over the treasures of ancient times, or to illustrate those discovered in the present age. And yet the expence, occasioned by this liberal support, forms but a small portion of the immense sums, which the Company yearly expends upon public institutions, designed for the instruction of Mussulmans Hindoos, and young Englishmen on their arrival in India. For the benefit of all these three classes of young persons, Academies or Colleges are established at Calcutta, Fort William, and Benares.

To obtain a correct geographical knowledge of India was the next object which engaged the Company's attention. All parts of that immense country subdued by the English arms, were carefully surveyed, and the charges of these extensive surveys defrayed by government. The eminent geographer, Major Rennel, was thereby enabled to publish his excellent Map and Memoir of India. This meritorious writer enjoys now at an advanced age a handsome pension, granted him by the East India Company. Captain Colebrooke, (whose abilities, as a geographer, are evident from his valuable Map of the Country of Mysore) has succeeded that learned veteran as Surveyor General in India, and from his unabated exertions we may one day expect a map of India, which in point of correctness will not be surpassed by the best and most accurate map which has hitherto been published of any European country. An Observatory has been erected at Madras, and a similar scientific establishment is intended to be made at Calcutta, that nothing may be wanted to attain the most exact geographical knowledge, which can be obtained.

Yet the East India Company does not restrict its protection to those sciences, whose beneficial influence upon its political and commercial interests is obvious and direct. Every man of letters and all literary labours are sure to obtain its support. Natural history in particular is considered as an object well deserving the attention of government.

We have already made honourable mention of the Some years ago a mineralogical Inspector was ap-wise determination of the English government, that pointed, whose official employ consisted in a careful the trials of native inhabitants of India shall be goexamination of the mineralogical productions of India; verned by the laws of their country. The adoption but this appointment was afterwards suppressed. of this system rendered it necessary, that the Judges The celebrated botanist, Doctor Koenig, who removed should be made acquainted with those laws, which from Tranquebar to the English possessions in India, could be attained by translations of the system of has undertaken several botanical travels at the Com- laws, into a language familiar to them; but it became pany's expence, and enjoys (according to the asser- also requisite, that the native subjects should possess tion of his friends at Tranquebar) a salary of 1200 a competent knowledge of the various institutions rupees per month. Colonel Kyd, who had formed a and regulations of their different sects, and that for large botanical garden in Bengal, and enriched it with this purpose not only the information, still existing a considerable variety of scarce plants, sold or rather among them, should be preserved, but also increased made a present of it to the Company, reserving to by the results of the researches made by European himself the inspection of that interesting establish- Literati, with respect to the history, antiquities, and ment, and enjoyed in return a pension until his death, mythology of those ancient nations. To attain this This garden is now called the Company's Botanical twofold aim, an Academy or College for Mussulmans Garden, and superintended since the Colonel's decease, was established at Calcutta, under the administration by Dr. Roxburgh, In addition to its principal or ori- of Governor General Hastings, and another for Hin ginal destination, the garden serves as a nursery of doos at Benares, through the exertions of Mr. Duncan, useful exotic plants, imported or transplanted from under the government of the Marquis Cornwallis.