place in a field belonging to Sir Robert Menzies, upon Friday, the 21st of Oct. in presence of several members of the society, a number of gentlemen, farmers, and others. Twenty-one ploughs, with two horses in each, started for the premiums. The work was performed greatly to the satisfaction of all present, who expressed their opinion of the good effect of such competitions, the different competitors shewing a dexterity in their method of performing the work, far superior to any thing formerly known in that part of the country. The first premium being two guineas and a silver medal, given by the society, was adjudged to Donald Macdougald, servant at Pitnie.-The second premium, being £1 11s. 6d. also; silver medal, to William Auch, servant at Mount Alexander, in Ranock. There were five more premiums given, and the other candidates, though not entitled to receive premiums, were suitably rewarded for coming forward, Punishment of Servants. A repectable farmer in the Carse of Gowrie, some days ago, desired his farm-servants to remain at home, and clean and dress their horses every night at eight o'clock. This they all (five in number) peremptorily retused; and upon their being convened in a summary action before the justices for the Perth district, they admitted the fact; whereupon the justices found that the master's orders were not unreasonahle, and granted warrants for committing them to Perth gaol until they found security to fulfi their service, and to obey all their master's reasonable orders. . AGRICULTURAL REPORT. Midland District.-The moisture and showery disposition of the season in the preceding as well as in the present month, has afforded an unusual quantity of feed for live stock, both in the meadow and pasture lands; so much so, that in some counties they have scarcely a sufficiency of stock to consume it, before it becomes injured by the frosts. It appears that the sowing of the wheat lands has been very favourably completed; though the early seed is now well up, and nearly covering the ground. The potatoe crops have likewise now in a great measure been taken up; and are found in all the Northern districts to turn out uncommonly well; affording a much larger quantity than last year. On thrashing out the grain crops, we are sorry to find that in some cases they do not produce so well as there was reason to suppose from their appearance while standing on the ground. Since the finishing of the ploughing for wheat, the farmers have kept their teams to work, as much as possible, in making up the land for their spring crops; a mode of husbandry which is of the utmost | advantage, and which should never be neg lected, when it can be proceeded in with convenience. The wetness of the season has completely stopped the growth of turnips, aud both the Swedish and common turnip have suffered much.-Other green crops have not been materially injured. Esser.The wheat begins to shew itself, and looks very promising; if we do not have much more wet: as we shall shortly want frost to check it-Potatoes have turned out very fine, and have given nearly a double crop, compared with the produce of last season,-All kinds of green crops are very abundant and luxuriant; notwithstanding the rise in corn, we do not think the appearance of wheat, when thrashing, is altogether so unpromising as has been represented and in this county it may be reckoned nearly a full Getting in Harvest on Sabbath Day.-A case of a very singular nature came before the Synod of Glasgow and Ayr a short time since. The circumstances are as follow:-In the harvest of 1807, there was a great deal of wet weather. At the end of one of the weeks it brigatened up, and a drying wind prepared the coin for being housed. The Rev. Mr. Wright, minister of Mayhole, at the conclusion of the forenoon service on the folTowing sabbath day, stated to his congregation, that he conceived the favourable change of the weather might be made use of to save the harvest on that day, without violating the Sabbath. Seve- | ral of his parishioners availed themselves of their pastor's advice. At the next meeting of Presbytery, however, one of his reverend brethren thought proper to denounce him, as having violated the fourth commandment; and a solemn inquiry was accordingly voted by a majority of Eastern District.-Wheats are got in rethe Presbytery.-Against this resolution a complaint and appeal was made to the Synod by a numarkably well, as the lands work kindly; merous body of the Presbytery. This appeal came they are up in general, and look very promisbefore the Synod at the last meeting. Very able ingly. Turnips and cole-worts are a moderate pleadings were made on both sides, after which plant; they are likely to be high in price.it was moved and seconded." That the Synod Peas and beans prove to be a light crop, in should find that the Piesbytery of Ayr have acted thrashing out wheats handle very thin and in this matter in a precipitate and informal man-light.-The stubbles plough well; and are ner, and that their sentence ought to be reversed." laying up for the winter. It was also moved and seconded." That the Synod find the Presbytery of Ayr have in this matter acted properly, and that it should be remitted to them to take such further steps in this business as they may judge best."-After reasoning at considerable length, the Synod, without a vote, agreed to set aside the whole proceedings of the Presbytery in this business. crop. Upon the whole, we trust not only appearrances are favourable for the approaching season, and year, as far as can be estimated;" but that there is no cause for any apprehension as to the real quantity of stock of corn, &c. on hand for the supply of our markets, and the support of our population. AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT ON WHEAT, BOTANIC GARDEN, CAMBRIDGE. OBSERVANDA EXTERNA. AMERICA, SOUTH. Portuguese Royal Family.-Brazil. On the To the Editor of the Literary Panorama. I have by me the produce of a single root of the common red Wheat grown in this parish. It consists of 83 ears, 49 of which are very large, and near 6 inches long, the remainder are smaller, but all perfect. The grain was by some accident cast out of the land and lodged in some rich earth, where potatoes had been set. I am, Sir, your obedient humble servant, Pertenhall, near Kimbolton, Νου. 20, 1808. and the first lieutenants of each ship, knights AUSTRIA. Transit Duty on Cotton.-Vienna, Oct. 6. this day, states, that in consequence of the The edict of the Emperor of Austria, dated present uncommon state of commerce, the duties on goods intended for home consumption, as cotton, raw and spun of all kinds, shall continue, as heretofore: but a duty shall be paid, on the transit of these commodities, of five florins per cwt. payable in cash, and not in paper, at the visual custom-houses. As a particular favour to the commerce of Trieste, cotton imported into that port pays only half this duty. Great expectations of profit to the amount of many millions of florins are formed from this new duty. [Compare Panorama, Vol. IV. p. 1003]. CHINA. Rapid Cultivation of Fruit Trees.-The Chinese, instead of raising their fruit trees from seeds or grafts, as is the practice in Europe, adopt the following method:-they Experiments like the above, recorded by our select a branch fit for the purpose, and round valued correspondent, are capable of furnish- it they wind a ro made of straw besmeared ing advantageous information in several ways. with cow dung, until a ball is formed five or They shew the astonishing powers inherent in six times the diameter of the branch-iminethe vegetable world, to multiply their species, diately under this ball they divide the bark for the purpose of ensuring that supply of food, down to the wood, for nearly two-thirds of on which so great a portion of animated life the circumference of the branch-a cocoadepends. A handful of corn may, in no great nut shell or small pot is hung over the ball, length of time, become capable of supplying a with a hole in its bottom, so small that water province: and if we rightly recollect, the first put therein will only fall in drops; by this, rice that was planted in the Carolinas was a few the rope is kept constantly moist, a circumgrains shaken out from the bottom of a sup- stance necessary to the easy admission of the posed empty bag: this, in a few years, multi-young roots. In about three weeks, it is supplied so abundantly as to supply the colonists, posed that some of the roots have struck into and yield an overplus for exportation. the rope, when the remainder of the bank is cut, and the former incision carried deeper way. FRANCE. will be able to restore, or is likely to compensate, in ten times that duration, if it should last so long. Antiquities from Italy.-The first division of the antiquities from the Palais Borghese is arrived: they were conveyed on large carriages, made on purpose, especially for those supposed to be the most liable to be broken; such as the Gladiator, the Faun, the Borghese Vases, &c. An ambulatory forge attended each smaller division, in order to repair what accidents might happen. The carriages have taken two months and a half in passing the Alps. Persian Ambassador.-The Persian Ambassador who has been some time at Paris, and to whom very particular attention has been paid to shew him all the novelties and Ecclesiastics confined to Spiritual Affairs. amusements of that good town, was lately -Paris, October 27.-The answer of Buo- conducted to the Salon du Louvre, to see the naparte to the deputies from Upper Italy, exhibition of paintings, when he was so struck gives a clear insight into his determination with the likenesses and the portraits of their with regard to the Papacy, and other ecclesi-imperial majesties, the greatest of heroes!! astical establishments. Ecclesiastics ought to restrict themselves to the government of heavenly affairs. Theology, which they learn in their youth, affords them sure rules for the government of spiritual affairs, but none at all for the government of armies, and public administration. Our councils have forbidden the priests from marriage, in order that the cares of a family may not divert them from attention to spiritual concerns, to which they ought to be exclusively devoted." Jewish Consistories.An imperial decree of the 19th October enacts: 1. The mem. bers of the Jewish central consistory established in our good city of Paris, by our decree of July 17th last, shall be installed by our counsellor of state, the prefect of the department of the Seine: in whose hands they shall, on We understand that this is the last and the best of women, that he remarked he could hardly refrain from entering into conversation with them. New Names for the Jews.-Antwerp, Oct. 27. The Mayor of this city has issued a proclamation in which he announces to the Jews resident in this city, that such of them as neglect to be inscribed, under the new names that they have been commanded to take, in the register opened for this purpose, before Nov. 3, shall be banished from the territory of the French empire.. GERMANY. ficent suite of engravings entitled "Scenes Leipsick, Oct. 24.-The first of a magnifrom the Theatrical Works of Schiller," has lately appeared here. This work is intended to rival in Germany, the "Shakespeare Gallery" of England. Col. Massembach is publishing three works on Prussian history, the first entitled, "Historical Memoirs of the Decav of the Prussian Power:" the second, "Memoirs to explain my connection with the Prussian monarchy;" the third," Recollections of Great Men." Congress at Erfurth. The congress at ErAlexander and Bonaparte each of them paid furth lasted nineteen days. The Emperors 50 guineas per day, for the houses that they respectively occupied at Erfurth and during is calculated at 1,500,000 rix dollars; about their stay in that town the sum spent in cash £250,000. HOLLAND. : remain of that République which has done England. Amsterdarn, Oct. 3. The fol Decree relating to Persons arriving from more injury to liberty, to property, to huma-lowing notice has been issued by the ministet nity, to morals, and to social order, in less of justice and police :-The minister of justice than twenty years, than the Empire François and police hereby informs all whom it may concern, that in pursuance of a decree of his majesty, dated September 2, 1808, No. 44, he is charged in the first place, either by means of gens-d'arines, or such other as he, the minister, shall think proper, to cause to be conveyed beyond the frontiers of this kingdom, all passengers without distinction, who shall be landed here, out of vessels proceeding from England, or from any colonies or territories occupied by the British power, and who cannot be sent off again in the vessels by which they may have arrived; which measure will be carried into execution at their own expense, if they are in any respect in a condition to defray it; and they are seriously admonished carefully to avoid again entering upon this territory, on the pain of being more rigorously dealt with. Secondly, to burn or destroy all letters arriving from Eugland, or any of the territories occupied by the British power, or going to the said countries, in all cases where they are intercepted by the minister of justice and police, without any distinction as to their being addressed to persons resident within or without the kingdom."Another decree to the same effect, but still more severe, has since been published. and on their return from the ships they are sometimes thrown with such violence against the shore that if they did not by their singular construction yield to the shock they would be dashed to pieces. The steersman stands on the stern of the vessel, and the rudder is an oar simply. The dexterity with which he balances himself in the heavy sea is perfectly astonishing. The number of boats used is 120, and they furnish occupation for upwards of 1000 natives. Tiger and Wild Boar Hunt.-April 6, 1807. The following is extracted from à letter from Kishenaghur: "Our neighbour hood is rather more gay than it is in general. No less than three hunting parties are now on the plains. I have just had a note from one of the gentlemen mentioning their having this morning killed an enormous royal tiger, but I am sorry to add, not before he had carried off the mohout of the elephant, on which Mr. Mundy and Captain Shairp were mounted; and they had, in consequence, nearly met with an accident, as the elephant ran away and shook off the howdah in his flight; but they were neither of them hurt. This is probably one of the many monsters, that has lately committed such depradations in the vicinity of Huraah, and we are already inIndian Castes.-The Abbé Dubois, who debted to the gentlemen for having destroyed was so fortunate as to escape from France it. The wild boars have been considerably during the horrors of the revolution, and has thinned near Huraah (where the sportsmen since resided in the Mysore country, has are encamped); no less a number than 30 are completed a very valuable work on the various usually killed every morning before breakfast. Indian Castes. It has been inspected and highly approved of by Sir J. Mackintosh and other literary characters in India, and by them recommended to the notice of the government, who have agreed to purchase the manuscript of the Abbé, and to publish it at their own expence. The translation from the French is entrusted to a military officer of consequence and ability. INDIES, EAST. Massoolah Boat.-The Massoolah boat is one of the most extraordinary inventions that navigation has to boast. To all appearance, any other kind of vessel would be safer on the water; on the contrary no boat of any other kind dare venture over the violent surf, which breaks along the sea shore at Fort St. George. It is unique in its construction; equally unlike the solid canoe, and the European invention of caulked vessels-It is Rat-bottomed, and the planks of which it is composed are literally sewn together with the fibres of the Kyar rope, made from the cocoa tree, and the stitches (if they may be so called) are so little connected that it should seem there could be no security against its leaking so much as to injure its safety-to prevent any accident of this nature, each boat is always provided with a baler. These boats are used to convey goods and passengers to and from the ships in the Madras roads, French Embassy to Persia.-The French embassy, which has arrived at the Persian court of Taheran, is said to consist of a suite of three hundred officers of infantry and cavalry, and as many artillery; they are all most magnificently dressed. ITALY. Prize Questions.-Padua, Aug. 2, 1808, The academy of sciences, belles lettres, and arts, of this city, after a long suspension, has again resumed its sittings. The academy has, according to ancient custom, proposed several questions for the ensuing year: among them are the following: "How far is that opinion' founded, which maintains, that the taste for letters must diminish according to the progress made in the sciences ?" Another question is: "What improvement can be made in the ploughs at present made use of in this country, and by what means may they be rendered more useful'in_labour, better adapted to the circumstances of the place, and the quality of the different soils "The prizes are each 16 Napoleons d'or. The answers must be written either in Italian or French. Sculpture.-Rome. The celebrated Danish sculptor, Thorwaldsen, has lately exhibited here a model in plaster of his statue of Adonis; which, according to the general opinion, deserves to be classed among the most beautiful productions of modern art. It is to be executed in marble for the hereditary prince of Bavaria. Government offers to pay the expences of the journey to furnish them with houses, looms with their appurtenances, wool, and six months' maintenance. The workmanship of every piece of cloth will be paid prompt. When they have proved their ability, further advantages are proposed for them and while they work for government no advances made to them will be expected to be repaid: but if they work for their own account, they must make good those advances. TURKEY. State of Trade in Raw Silk.-Venice, Oct. 29. The exportation of raw silk from Upper Italy, having been suspended during three years, and the harvests of those three plentiful years being now in store, the price of this commodity has sunk very considerably. The manufactures of Lyons consume a part of the raw silk of Piedimont, but they are not brisk at present; as the consumption of Corps of Janissaries abolished.-New ReConstantinople, Oct. 1. this article in the north is greatly diminished, gulations, &c. and their connexion with Spain is interrupted. The new Grand Vizir continues the execution of his intentions to abolish the corps of JanisWe understand that some late specu-saries, and to substitute troops exercised in the lations in London, by which the procuring of silk vid Holland was attempted, while the European mode. He has lately ordered, that the Janissaries actually enrolled, who refuse Dutch ports were open, have not answered to be transferred to the new corps called Seithe purpose of those engaged in them. manufacturers, though greatly in want of menie, shall receive their pay during life, but those articles, refusing peremptorily to give their children shall retain neither the name the price demanded: while the party who holds them, insists that his expences have been so great, that he should lose by accepting a lower price than that which he has put upon them. RUSSIA. The nor the emoluments of Janissaries. Those who enter into the new corps are promised an advance, and even a doubling of their pay, according to their zeal in the service.-This new vizir, Mustapha Bairactar, has already caused more than sixty pub. ic functionaries to be strangled, for divers causes, and many more persons of inferior rank have experienced the same fate. (Moniteur.)-Report states, that Mustapha has 25,000 troops exercised in the European manner. The use of the Layonet is one of the novelties introduced among the Turks.-The grand vizir punishes the least complaint, the smallest want of subordination, with death. He is equally exact in paying his soldiers on the appointed day. WALES, NEW SOUTH. King of Otaheite's Letter.-In our fourth volume, page 531, we inserted a letter from the King of Otaheite to the Missionary Society in London: we now present our readers with one of an earlier date to Governor King, of Sidney. It is a curiosity highly worthy the attention of the philanthropist, who must admire, with secret satisfaction, the rudiments of literature and science thus diffused and cultivated in regions whose very existence, but a few years ago, was utterly unknown to the European world. The plea sure arising from such reflections will be enhanced, by considering that British subjects have been the sole instruments in effecting these advances in civilization, and its charac ter, in this instance, has been consistently maintained; that instead of establishing its influence by usurpation and the sword, or fostering, under the shadow of the sacred doctrines of Heaven, latent schemes of ambition, the great objects in view have been attained by steadily inculcating benevolence and peace. |