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the publication stated in the Record, and if he in his judgment thinks that it does not in law amount to a libel, he is bound to arrest the judgment, and to discharge the defendant from all punish ment and further prosecution.

This is not new-made law; it has existed for ages, and its origin is lost in the clouds of antiquity.

It is thus that the liberty of Englishmen has been secured: liberty is a word much used, but little understood; it is that delicate point equally remote from tyranny and licentiousness; if it be moved either way, tyranny or licentiousness, equally productive of human misery, must predominate.

It is that point, from which the greatest happiness results to the subject, from the just administration of good laws, and the greatest security of the long continuance of that happiness.

One of the most profound patriots of antiquity, whose mind has been thought to have been illumined by a ray of divine inspiration, seems to have been peculiarly inspired by the genius of the British Constitution, in an eloquent and just description of law and liberty, which he concludes by saying

"Legum Ministri,Magistratus; legum interpretes, judices; legum denique id ciro omnes servi sumus, et liberi esse 'possimus." CIC. PRO CLUentro.

"The ministers of the laws are the Magistrates; the interpreters of the laws are the Judges; in short, we are all slaves to the laws for this purpose, that we may enjoy the blessings of liberty."

THE POTATO.

We use the potato, and abuse it, and despise those who eat it. Do we yet know what it is, in produce, economy, sustenance, and healthful nutrition? What must be that produce per acre of this root, which can enable the highrented, well manured, and dearly worked lands of Essex, to send it already, with a heavy cartage, and all expenses, to the market of Spitalfields, to sell at 3s. and 4s. per cwt., or 5 or 6lbs. of good food for 2d.? Who need to starve? Another serious consideration arises,who need to work, when the chief sustenance of a family can be procured so cheaply?

In 1815, in Hampshire, this was felt: 14lbs. of potatoes for 4d. made the labourer too careless. Have you got the potatoes? was the only question of

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the morning, for the provision of the wife and four or five children of the cottage, or of the wood

Will not an acre of potatoes produce the farinaceous food of a family of a man, his wife, and three children, for nearly three years, supposing the produce to be 13 tons only, and their consumption to be 28lbs. per day?

Three men in Ireland have been seen to cull, eat, and waste, nearly a bushel of potatoes at one meal, suppose the bushel only 56lbs.

We may yet have reason to be glad of the provident increase of plant, and of the large growth of potatoes of this

season.

Has the potato, since its general use in Ireland, been found more economical of land and labour, more productive of food, on a given breadth of average lands, and more favourable to the growth, and strength, and health of the poor snd labouring classes, than the ill-made, sour, yeasty puddings, which we call bread, made of rye, oats, barley, and even of wheat, which have for the same time been used in England, Scotland, and Wales?

What have been the advantages to the populous and manufacturing county of Lancashire, of their more especial growth and diet of potatoes?

Can any one prefer coarse bread or fine to a meally "smiling" potato?

The preparations of bread by the public baker is an instance of the advantage felt, and of the general tendency to the division of labour.

Few yet know among us how to cook the potato, by which much of its economy, and the pleasure of this diet, is lost. A method of preparation, in quantity, to be used cold, in the maner of bread, is yet a desideratum for the morning meal. It should not long remain so; the thing is surely easy.

The comparison of the weight and quantity of the potato, as alimentary satisfaction, nutriment, and the sustenance of the strong labour of robust activity, with the usual consumption of wheaten bread, is not yet accurately observed for the in-door females, and for children, they seem to be, in every mauer of preparation, boiled, roasted, baked, or in mixed broths, the preferable diet to our common bread, in almost all parts of the country.

The politic economy of their general growth and use, in substitution of the bread of grain, deserves some inquiry,

to favour or repress the general habit of this diet. More than twenty men, women, and children, can perhaps be supported for one year from one acre of potatoes, with some support also for pigs or other cattle? How many more or less than twenty should, with some attention, be ascertained from average land, with light manure, and an average crop of rotation or continued cropping.

The waste in towns, through paring before cooking, and ignorance how to boil the potato, is prodigious ; and this with the easy ranks, still more than with the poorest. The Irish cabiners throw aside for the pigs, very properly, all the potatoes set before them, not in the meally condition. A dish of good potatoes, unskinned, properly cleaned, well boiled, and served up dry and meally, breaking, and covered with a damask napkin, is perhaps still the most elegant and pure, as the most simple and wholesome of all the vegetable or farinaceous viands that can be placed upon the table even of a Gourmand; the French will soon learn to make many ingenious preparations of this root, (which we shall learn from their " Almanac,") whose best quality is, that it is in need of none; it may be truly said of it, none but its simple self can be its parallel or its equal.

Why is its chemistry and natural history, its several sorts, the particulars of its growth and produce, the observation of its culinary preparation, and power of healthful sustenance, &c. &c. &c. not the subject of some studied and rational analysis and report, such as has been bestowed on the tulip or the anemone ?

What but the large produce per acre of this good root, can repay the growers of Essex, for all their labour and expense, to deliver at this time 1321b. of this fine food, on the pavement of Spital-fields, for 3s. and 4s. or nearly 3 to 4 lbs. for one penny?

Who then, but for very clumsiness of our contrivances, can be at ill-case for the mere food, or sustenance, when a beggar-woman declared lately, it was a bad day she did not pick up 8s.! and two pennyworth of potatoes would make her fat-It seems clear that it is not food alone that is with us the only want of man-'tis gin and brandy which impoverish.!

26th August, 1817..

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Mof our future life-gilds our ex

ARRIAGE makes up the colour

istence with the sunshine of felicity, or overshadows it with the clouds of misery:-if the subsequent remarks lead, therefore, to the selection of a proper object; if, like a beacon, they serve to warn one unhappy mariner from the destructive brink, and direct in the safe course; they will not be of small moment.

In expectation of a happy union, five points I should conceive and propose necessary for previous and mature reflexion.

1. Age.

2. Person.
3. Disposition.
4. Accomplishments.
5. Fortune.

Virtuous principles I have not mentioned, presupposing that in no state, and especially in a connubial one, happiness can exist where they are wanting.

With respect to Age, it will be sufficient to observe, that the parties should possess a parity, or at least a no great disparity of years, as a similitude of age is attended for the most part with a certain similarity of habits. Where in this point the persons are widely disproportioned, the grand design of matrimony will be defeated, and instead of promoting happiness we shall effect misery-Decrepitude or sickness will sooner or later overtake the advanced party, whilst the other in the vigour and bloom of youth will be doomed miserably to consume its days in bearing with the peevishness of senility, and anxiously watching to the grave the gradually increasing infirmities of its beloved object. But disparity of

years on condition it be not wide, and the superiority exist on the male side, is a consideration of certainly little import, or rather, perhaps, desirable than otherwise.

Next, in regard to Person-ranked in the second place not from a persuasion of its being one of the best, but one of the primary causes of attraction; though when it is considered in its more extended sense, as I wish it to be considered as including not only features and figure but dress and manners, it will then appear a point by no means so unworthy of respect as might at first be imagined. With relation to the perfections or agreeableness of form and person, the tastes and opinions of the world are so various, that it is impossible for us to frame concerning them any fixed rules -nor indeed, if it were possible, would it be an employment at all serviceableNo one but an ideot would select for the companion of his life an object that had no better recommendation than a pretty face or a fine shape. Beauty, it cannot be denied, first draws our attention, but it is not of itself capable of retaining it. We gaze on beauty as upon a finished painting or an elegant flower -it is of the class of luxuries-luxuries will satiate, and we shall eventually seek something of more substance. Beauty then, though it be the primary attraction, to a reflecting person is a consideration but secondary. Let it not be understood by this that I underrate her excellence; I would only advance, with the philosophic Bacon, that use must be preferred to ornament where both cannot be united. But how exalted above its fellows, I had almost said how nearly allied to a supernatural object, that being in whom we find blended perfect beauty with transcendant merit! Beauty too, it should be remembered, must fade; and how wretched they who, entering into a connubial state, have placed their hopes of happiness on this only. With dress and manners it somewhat holds different-all are agreed that these, to a certain extent, are requisite to conjugal comfort in all degrees of life, and at all periods. Appearances are, in truth, the only criterion by which we can, without a more intimate acquaintance, form judgment of the mind. How much do dress and address prepossess us in favour of a stranger! How often are the superior qualities

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of another unnoticed for the want of such an introduction. Apparel and manner," remarked Chesterfield, “are to the person what the polish is to the diamond, without which, whatever its intrinsic value, it would never be worn." —“ Th' apparel," says Shakspeare, "oft proclaims the man"-and how just is the observation; how frequently is the mind marked in the choice of a colour, and the selection of a pattern! how much also traced in manners! To conclude, however, this subject-If a woman, in the eyes of her admirer, seems to possess an agreeable person, it is an additional, charming recommendation-But dress and manners in a female are almost indispensable. The slattern is an inexcusable, a disgusting sight. Let the woman in her attire be rich and elegant, according to her station and her means—in her manners let her be neither over-familiar nor too much reserved-forwardness in a woman detects at least a vulgar mind, if not a base heart-it is sure, when practised towards men, to excite disgust, and perchance produce hate. Of the two cases, it were better for a woman to be too reserved--but that graceful dignity of mien which cannot be described, but may be conceived by a fine understanding-this is the syren medium-this, would women but believe it

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this is the grand charm-what a multitude of faults will it not cover? even an ordinary person accompanied with such a recommendation cannot fail to command respect-Beauty without it has little sway-with it, she is almost paramount.—We will now speak of the men. It has been observed, that even in a woman person is of secondary import; but in a man it is absolutely an object of little or no moment. is well if his features are not forbidding. Of his dress too let him not be over-anxious-Foppery bespeaks a frivolous understanding-Nor let him be a sloven-for that betrays a low one-A certain attention to dress is a respect owing to the world-and of both extremes it were better perhaps, most assuredly so for society, that he were a fop than a boor! to be accurately clean, to wear clothes of the best materials, fashionably made, and put on in the plainest manner, is, perhaps, the surest outward indicative of a genteel man. In his manners, the gentleman will be dignified without affectation, agreeable without frivolity, easy

without coarseness-he will be frank in his opinions without being guilty of rudeness, and communicative of information without being pedantic familiar with his equals, affable to his inferiors, respectful, but not subscrvient, to those above him.

• Disposition was the third point; and certainly a most important, if not the most important, one. In the asperity or softness of disposition we are to find in marriage life our earthly pandemonium or paradise. It is this which is to soothe our sorrows and heighten our joys; it is this, in short, which, by a readiness to forgive and forget wrongs, by the judicious prevention of anger, by the interpretation of dubious meanings to the best sense, by the anticipation of our wishes and the kind performance of a thousand little offices, which, as dependent beings, we so constantly require, it is this which is to form the main sum of our felicity below-A disposition such as this is of itself an incalculable fortune to the possessors-fostering like the dew of heaven, it cherishes and endears to them all around-as Shakspeare observes of Mercy,

"it is twice blessed,

It blesseth him that gives, and him that takes."

By disposition, however, I would rather mean temper. Too easy a habit of mind not often elevates itself beyond a certain level; cold and phlegmatic, unattended with strong feeling, it is seldom deeply interested--but a temper, provided it be an amiable temper, if it sincerely repent in its sober and reflecting moments of the injuries it has committed in its angry ones; if it is eager to make reparation and ready to pardon-such a disposition, I repeat, is perhaps preferable-how will it sympathize with our sufferings! how will it rejoice in our well doing! It is a subject of regret with what facility the disposition may be dissembled with what difficulty it can be discovered. Morose in the extreme, and possessed of little policy, must he be that could display the dissatisfaction of his mind, or the evil of his heart, either in society where each individual is endeavouring to promote his pleasure, or in the presence of those to whom, from interested views, it is necessary he should seem agrecable. It is only by a long and attentive observation of the conduct in private life,

and towards those of whom they are independent, that we can arrive at the true tendency of men's hearts; and it is oftener to be detected on slight than on great occasions. These observations apply equally to both sexes.

Accomplishments were to be considered in the fourth place. In a female, they should always be of an elegant, and generally of a useful nature. Lite rature may be named as one of the first of this order. No woman of good understanding and proper feeling will choose to be behind her own sex in the attainment of polite and profitable knowledge. A mind fond of the cultiva tion of letters shows a sound judgment and a refined taste; whilst the contrary disposition is a sure token of a vacant and low intellect. The domestic pursuit of reading, and the consequent interchange of ideas and opinions on literary topics, may indeed be enumerated as one of the most delightful, as well as the most refined, of connubial pleasures. Whilst, however, I would have the woman endowed with a taste for literature, I would have it within limits

I would not have her a blue stocking; a pedantic man is an object of sufficient aversion, but a pedantic woman is perfectly intolerable-As a wife, it is ten to one that in paying such an over-proportion of her time to her compositions or her reading, she does not overlook some part of the domestic economy-it is ten to one she is not herself a dowdy-that the house is not full of filth and discomfort—that

the husband and children are not neg

lected. Be then her taste for literature duly moderated-never let her omit, if possible, to peruse in the day something, but let her resort to her books as a recreation, and not as a business. As the next accomplishment to literature, I cannot but name needle-work-Never does a woman look so woman-like as when she is engaged in such employment. By this remark is not meant, a lady should be occupied in the mere drudgery of darning, hemming, and marking-an occupation not the most sightly, and suited moreover to the commonest capacities-but there is a variety of other work in this line equally useful, and affording at the same time an ampler scope and better opportunity of displaying her abilities and taste. Music, drawing, and dancing, cannot also be too much recommended in the next place. How many hours do such

pursuits harmlessly engage, which might otherwise be consumed in the doing or thinking of nothing, or perhaps in the doing or thinking of worse than nothing. Cards may be mentioned; but only as the last refuge, when there is nothing more interesting to arrest the attention-when, as must be the case in a crowded and unacquainted assembly of mere fashion, no better amusement is to be obtained than conversation consisting of idle criticisms on dress, and hackneyed observations on the heat of rooms, public performers, and perhaps scandal-nor even to be played then when the stake is high. Of the accomplishments just enumerated, I cannot but deem music most desirable, as a pursuit which affords more extended pleasure, and requires less attention than most other amusements-no recreation is better calculated to abstract the mind too deeply engaged with thought-it soothes-it exhilarates To this also we may resort at those moments which are generally wasted in irksome idleness; and, in short, it may be indulged in with advantage at almost all periods, and in almost all places. I do not intend to depreciate that ele gant and valuable acquisition, drawing; I only intimate, that as it is utterly impossible for any to attempt with advansage many accomplishments, where the taste is not particularly prejudiced in favour of any other, music, for the reasons urged, amongst others, may, perhaps, seem preferable-so, at least, that it engross not too much of the attention; when, in common with all other recreations over-eagerly pursued, it becomes objectionable. It has been insinuated, that the accomplishments of a lady should be of the domestic kind. But it is not the purpose to advise, nor the wish to see her so absorbed in home and in-door amusements, as to take no delight in the reasonable participation of those of a public cast. I should consider, on the contrary, such an inclination as the certain sign of a tame and spiritless, or of an hypocritical and affected mind. I only insist that home be the chief object of delight. Let her not be secluded from society-A moderate intercourse with the world will give a livelier tone to her spiritsa finer polish to her mauners-an enlargement to her ideas—ampler materials for conversation-a closer acquaintance with the vanities and insincerity of the world, and, in conse

quence, a better relish for retirement. it has also been insinuated, that the accomplishments of a lady should be of the polite kind. Nothing to the sight of men is so repugnant as the female that encroaches on their privileges-What amusement, for instance, can a lady indulge in more elegant than riding-but it must be done elegantly:

to see her tearing along, or, like the Miss Sparkes in Hannah Moore's Cœlebs, examining the hoofs of cattle, and conversing to coachmen, jockeys, and whippers-in, on the breed of dogs and horses-what could be more disgusting. than such an anomalous man-woman monster as this? A woman of spirit is a character rarely met with, and which we cannot too much admireSuch a one, void of the usual fickleness of her sex, is not likely to be shaken in her resolves, deterred by difficulties from a right line of conduct, cast down by adversity, or extravagantly raised by prosperity. No one can too much respect a character of this stamp-but let her spirit be confined to the duties of her own sexlet it be shewa in her presence of mind in great dangers-in her patience in the hour of suffering, in her generosity to exculpate, in her detestation of detraction, divestment of affectation, and contempt of flattery-there is often ample, if not ampler, scope for the display of a magnanimous mind in private than in public life. Many motives may actuate the soldier to fight bravely-the fear of degradation, the expectation of applause or gain. the whole course, moreover, of his military career, he is never perhaps but once called upon to prove his courage. -How much more meritorious then must that spirit be, which, having continual trials imposed on it, continually meets them without shrinking-and this too with no other incentives than those of duty and self-approval.-So much for the accomplishments of the lady-the accomplishments of a gentleman are of a higher cast. Is he in a profession, he will endeavour to render himself as eminent in it as his time and talents will permit him. This occupation will, of itself, demand no inconsiderable portion of his attention; but as little of the domestic management devolves on him, he will be expected, and he will take care, to make himself more generally and more deeply informed on literary and scientific subjects. Has

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