in France, with which the eggs fhould be in con

tact.

The second precaution which I would recommend, is to wipe the leaves dry before giving them to the worms,- —a precaution ever observed in more steady climates, where copious dews obtain; and I am much mistaken if the heavy dew so common with you, vulgarly called a Scotch mist, will not wet them as effectually as the aerial solution of the cast.

But one advantage you will certainly have over all other countries where silk is reared, and an advantage probably arising from the conducting power of the very acqueous vapour just mentioned, which is, that you will lose but very few worms from the violent electric commotions, which so often destroy the hopes of the silk rearer on the continents of Europe and Asia; for a thunder storm destroys so many of these insects, especially if it happens immediately after the somnus niger, albus, or desquamationis, the three first sleeps of the insect, (the last, or somnus excorationis being not so critical,) that a plantation which commonly gives twenty bales of silk, will hardly afford one. Is it pofsible to pass this peculiarity in the happy island without remarking, the small value people often put on real blefsings; as the very marine vapours which so often cloud the atmosphere of Great Britain, and which may occasionally fall on a holiday drefs, and excite the spleen of foreigners, and even some of its own inhabitants, keep the island in eternal temperature, summer and winter; protect it from the dangerous thunder storms, so much dreaded and felt

on the continent; give a constant verdure to your fields, and furnish a never failing supply of corn; whilst the inhabitants of all clear skyed countries on earth, are subject to perish from famine. Then no more jokes on Scotch mists, and cease to lay to their charge, the sterility of the more highland regions of the country; for rocks and stones produce nothing any where, at least to the knowledge of your correspondent ARCTICUS.

P. S. After having endeavoured to fhow the practicability of rearing the silk worm in Scotland, I think it a duty incumbent on a British citizen, to remark on the impolicy of attempting to naturalize every manufactory of the continent; as if you leave nothing to barter, trade must cease of course. What does Adam Smith, your clafsic author on trade, say upon that head, who must have considered all its combinations and effects; for I own that on a first view of the subject, it appears that a perseverance in such a system, must convert your ships to fire wood, and your sailors to manufacturers without a market.

The large cones of coarse silk you mention to me as found by Sir William Jones in the East Indies, are probably spun by the phalena atlas, which is likewise an inhabitant of America; so that the equally industrious and ingenious British manu'facturers, may procure this new species of silk, from both the new and d continents, if they find it an object of attention, which in my own private opinion,

it promises fair to be, and a good succedaneum for the true silk, in all that branch of the business comprehended under the denomination silk fhag; nay, I hope to see bed quilts or coverlids, linings for great coats, warm stockings, gloves, gilets, &c. made from it, which would answer well in the colder countries.

N. B. Since writing the above, an ingenious friend who has resided long in Constantinople, informs me, that the part of the janifsaries who really are about the grand signior as guards, wear a tùrban of a species of coarse silk, which forms a large volume round the head, at the same time that it is extremely light, and of a fhining handsome appearance, very distinguishable from the common sort, which would be both heavy and expensive in a turban of such a size; he thinks that they are probably made from that mentioned by Sir William Jones.

The figure of the

Tartarian mulberry that accompanies this number, is copied from the Flora Rofsica; the drawing was made when the fruit was green, and only very young.

ORATION

TO THE MEMORY OF PETER THE GREAT, BY MICHAEL LOMONOSSOFF.

Continued from p. 48.

STUDYING brevity, I fhall bring no more examples of his courage, hearers' I make no mention of the many actions fought, and victories gained in his presence, and under his generalfhip; but fhall represent his magnanimity; a virtue congenial to great souls, which ornaments victory, and touches the human heart more than courageous deeds. The bravery of the soldiers, the afsistance of allies, and advantages of place and time have a great share in victory; and above all, chance appropriates this to herself as an exclusive privilege. The magnanimity of the conqueror is all his own. Who subdues himself, gains the most glorious victory. Neither soldiers, nor allies, nor time, nor chance itself domineering over the affairs of men, have in this the smallest participation. 'Tis true, prudence is astotished at conquerors, but our hearts love the magnanimous. Such was our great protector. He cast off his anger with his armour, and he not only did not deprive an enemy of life, who was not armed against him; but on the contrary, fhewed them sincere respect. Tell, ye Swedish leaders captured VOL. Xviii.

M

at Poltava, what were your emotions, when expecting chains, you were girded with the swords you had lifted against us; expecting a prison, you were seated at the table of the conqueror; expecting derision you were hailed masters: what a magnanimous conqueror had ye?

Congenial to magnanimity, and often conjoined with it, is justice. The first duty of rulers established by God on earth is to govern the world in justice and in truth, to reward merit, to punish transgrefsion. Although war and other important occupations, particularly the shortnefs of his life, very much hindered our great sovereign from instituting unalterable and distinct laws; how great attention however he paid to this object is confirmed by many edicts, statutes, and reglements; the composition of which deprived him of innumerable days of repose. God had judged fit that a daughter equal to her great progenitor, should bring them to perfection in her undisturbed and blessed reign*.

But although justice was not perfectly established by plain and regular laws, it was written in his

There perhaps never was a potentate who had the good of his people more sincerely at heart than Peter; and tho' he might at times have erred in the means, yet no one can doubt that the intention was upright: and who, that does not make himself completely master of all the circumstances, will venture to pronounce decisively that he did err, even in cases that seem to have been doubtful.

On his death bed, reflecting on the many evils that are ingendered by tedious law suits, he regretted that he had not yet been able to check this evil, and calling his confidential ministers, he dictated him