this be a great saving *; but a much greater benefit will be derived from the diminution in regard to leakage that this will produce; for as the kinds of wood that have been hitherto employed for this pur pose, are more liable to be affected by the vicifsitudes of the weather than it is, the leakage in lariz cafks will be greatly lefs than in others. For these reasons, in regard to valuable liquors especially, the benefit be derived from larix cafks would be immense.

If ever the herring fisheries be allowed to go forward in Scotland, this will be an important improve ment to them; as it might be reared in the Highlands in immense quantities, at scarcely aný expence.

Ship building.

In regard to fhip building, larch wood possesses advantages above all others, that ought to render it almost an object of idolatry to the British nation.

It is established upon very good authority, that it resists the worm much more in warm climates than any other European wood. It is much more durable than oak, is lighter, and shrinks much when used as plank, so as to require lefs caulking,is lefs apt to fly into splinters during an engagement, and lefs liable to take fire. These qualites point it out as superior to British oak itself for plank for fhip building; and as it can be reared on any soil,

* On account of the less price of larix than other staves, the saving to a porter brewer, including tuns and casks, on first entering upon Business in London, would not be less than several thousand pounds!

and almost in any situation, and grows much more rapidly than any other kind of wood, should ever the culture of this tree become as general as it ought to be, it will render this nation wholly independent of all others for the important article of fhip timber. For although bended ribs, and kneed joints are essential articles in the timbers for the construction of vefsels on the plan universally adopted at present, yet a time may come, and is probably at no great distance, when it will be found that crooked timber is not in the smallest degree requisite for the construction of vefsels for any purpose whatever; and if ever that time does come, it will be discovered also, that the timbers as well as the plank may be made entirely of larch wood. At Archangel in Rufsia, where this timber abounds, we are informed that no other wood is employed for fhip building, and that also at Venice, according to Mr Rritchie British resident there*.

Many other uses to which this timber might be applied could be here enumerated; but the above are sufficient to convince every one, that if the larch tree can be reared easily, and grows with rapidity in this country, it ought to become an object of universal attention; and that the culture of it should be pushed forward as quickly as pofsible; for every moment of delay must be a retardment of the prosperity of this country. In a future paper I shall beg leave to offer a few remarks on the mode of rearing this timber, and the benefits that may be des rived from it as an object of culture.

* Memoirs of the soceity of arts London, vol. vii. VOL. Xvii.

ន

FALSE PLEASURE, A FRAGMENT.

Dea saeva potentibus herbis.

Envious of mankind;

VIRG.

When blefs'd with equal rule their virtues rise,
And blossom and produce the fruits of love,
Concord and friendship and serene delight;"
By fiends deputed, envious of mankind,
Th' offspring of luxury, false pleasure speeds
To blast the beautious scene. In gay attire
She comes with winning gesture, and her speech
Flows sweetly musical. O bar your ears
Against the dire enticement: nor allow
Her thrilling lay to gain and steep your hearts
In the lewd extacy. Whoever yeilds
To the soft dittied strain, fhall rue, ere long,
With sore contrition; or, all sense of right
Raz'd from his soul, fhall glory in a shape
Transform'd to brutal. For the witching song
Lures the free spirit from her lofty course
And tow'ring progrefs 'mid aerial tracts,
Dashes and soils her plumage, that erewhile
Shone like th' Arabian phoenix, in the mire
And filth of sordid pafsion. Then adieu,
The lib'ral aim! Corruption, festring deep,
Grapples with canc'ring fang, the heart that heaves
Reluctant, soon in ev'ry cell and pore
To gufh with livid venom.~In those days
The pleading eye of Pity; Mercy's smile:
Truth's lofty forehead challengingthe storm,
That on its marble, like the breath of even,
Sighs ineffectual: Fortitude that grasps
A mountain oak, and marches firm athwart
The fury of a flood; th' ingenuous blush
That tinges with unbitten glow, the cheek
Of meek eye'd Modesty; and th' attractive grace
Of sprightly Temperance, no longer charm
Th'empafsion'd breast; nor gain deserv'd applause;
Nor kindle sympathetic fires; nor wake
The wifh to imitate, and win like charms,
And clothe the soul with honour.
That tend t' enoble and refine the mind,
Languish neglected. Thou informing power!
Thou genius of affecting song! thou soul
Of ev'ry gen'rous art! by whom alone

All those arts

The heart while melted is enlarg'd, released
From grov❜ling bondage, fill'd with daring might;
O virtue when the tainted breast nor feels
Thy grandeur, nor thy loveliness; but seeks
The frivolous, the dazzling, and the vain;
Adieu the manly thought, th' intrepid mind;
And thou, fair Liberty, adieu !-Awake,
Ye sons of song, wake from th unfeeling trance,
And hurl the lightning of bold verse! Defend
The fane of holy freedom! for I deem
Whate'er of pleasing or sublime adorns
Or elevates the tuneful lay, depends

On that protecting power. When servile fear
Hangs on the drooping spirit, when restraint
Bars from the loveliest, sublimest theme ;--
Bars from the praise of virtue; and when pride,
Exalted, insolent and vain, requires

Th' applauding strain; enervated and mean
Creep the cold numbers. Sweep the mighty lyre
Undaunted, and the sons of other times
Your song fhall venerate, and write your name
High in the record of immortal fame.

JULIANA.

VERSES TO A LADY,

WITH THE GENTLE SHEPHERD.

Fair lady this affecting lay peruse,
The genuine offspring of the Doric muse:
The muse erewhile on Caledonia's plains

That charm'd the forests with mellifluent strains.
Copious and clear where Leven glides along:
Where Tweda listens to the fhepherd's song:
Where Spey impetuous pours his rapid tide;
Or in the valley of Commercial Clyde :
By winding Forth, or by the silver Tay,
Warbling the welcomed the return of May.
Cold now the hands, extinct the heavenly fire
That waked to extacy the living lyre.
No more the energy of song prevades
Our silent valleys and forsaken glades;

No more the green hill and the deepening grove
Resound the longin'g, languid voice of love.
For Hamilton the loves and graces mourn;
And tuneful muses weep at Ramsay's urn.

A. L.

THE SOLITUDES.

Continued from p. 72 and concluded.

CREATED for sorrow, and tears, we wander here below in the midst of fhades, in a night without stars. It is beyond the tomb that day lightens. To what givest thou the name of pleasure, unhappy mortal? Observe narrowly the dazzling scenes of life,-thou wilt only see a cloth on which error has thrown colours without brightness: the fool admires it, the sage considers it with indifference; sometimes it amuses him but it never deceives him.

But does not humanity offer more eminent pleasures? are they all like those of the frivolous young man, or of the prince without merit. No, sweet pleasures, confidents of virtue, follow the steps of the retired sage, who, too great for the confusion of the earth, passes his days in the bottom of a peaceful valley, far from the tumult of cities, in the arms of a tender wife. Transported with joy, when the morning animates the meadows, he slowly traverses the smiling groves: animated with a secret gaity, he contemplates the flowers, which seem to smile upon him: insensibly the objects around lead him to the throne of the Creator. In his religious and profound contemplation, his soul darts beyond this criminal globe. His affectionate spouse presents herself before him; they em brace tenderly; tears of joy run down their glowing cheeks. The invisible angels who surround them, see with a celestial joy that God has permitted man to taste a felicity almost equal to their own. In the evening, when a copious dew has moistened the fields, he again wanders out into the valley, his eyes raised to the