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chasers for his cattle, and where, from might stock the publick granary in the openness of the climate in winter, the

one year; but what, beside the pleasure crop inust necessarily rot before he can consume it. For the same reason, his

of producing it, would prompt the clover cultivation becomes as useless. To exertions necessary to a second abunsay all in a word, I know not how an dance. English or an American farmer could

“Provisions” says Mr P." are incom. make a favourable purchase in France, parably cheap at Valence and in its vithough the French government should

cinity. Trade, however, seemed very come forward with its protection. The

slack;

the shops were on the smallest poshabits of the country have become so ac

sible scale ; and every thing which was commodated to its agriculture, that they

not produced in the neighbourhood was each mutually support the other, and a

enormously dear. Groceries in France inore improved system can only be intro

are nearly twice the price which they bear duced in the proportion in which these

in England. I made some inquiries as to national habits can be fundamentally the rent of land. On large farms it is about changed. But such changes must neces- five or seven shillings English money per sarily be gradual and slow, and must not

The agriculture seemed very inbe reckoned upon by an individual."

different.” If these reasonings be applicable to Mr. P. observes that “in large a part of France between the British purchases land is very cheap: in small channel and the capital, we may as- purchases very dear.” He ascribes sure ourselves that the interiour and this dearness of small purchases “to southern districts offer ample confir- the strong repugnance of the small mation of them: and Mr P. repeate proprietors to part with their pateredly, and even frequently, finds such nal lands” We account for it on a instances.

different principle. Where capital “I have frequently had occasion to speak is extremely scarce, and where there of the slovenly agriculture of the French are no capitalists, or none who venfarmers; and I am sorry to have to add, ture on speculations, small properties that the fertility of the provinces of Ni

may find many purchasers ; but Ternois and the Bourbonnois is rather to

estates demanding the payment of be imputed to the felicity of their soil and climate than to their cultivation. There some thousands of pounds will be is certainly a vast proportion of waste offered at a cheap rate, from absolute land in these provinces, which only re- want of “ the needful.” The price mains waste, because the French land- must be an irresistible temptation, by lords and farmers want the knowledge to

its lowness, before there can be any bring it into cultivation. Many hundreds of acres are let at about twelve sols (six. hope of the commodity being dispos

ed of. pence) per acre, and would be sold at about a louis d'or, which in three years, This want of capital pervades the under English management, would be commercialestablishments of France; r'ichly worth thirty pounds. What a coun- it is one of the evils produced by the try would this be to purchase in, if with revolution, the effects of which will himself an Englishman or an American

This is one could transport his own labourers and long be felt severely. ideas! But nothing is to be done without principle in explanation of the anoassistance.”

maly which puzzled our author at Our estimate of the cheapness of Abbeville, where he found the French commodities in France must be re- broadcloths dearer than English of stricted to the home produce. What the same quality. the land affords, having no easy con- “ Abbeville, which I reached in good veyance to other parts, no demand time for the table d'hôte, which is held on from any distance to give it value, every market day, is a populous but a must either be consumed on the spot most unpleasant town. The inhabitants or wasted. Of what vast profit, then,

are stated to exceed 22,000; but I do not would be the superiour husbandry of of that number. The town has a most

conceive that they can amount to one half England, if, after the crop was pro- ruinous appearance, from the circumstance duced, it proved to be redundant? It of inany of the houses being built with

very ancient

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wood; and by the forms of the windows the silk being furnished them by their and the doors, some of them must be employers. The prices vary with the pat

There are two or three tern and quality of the work ; two livers manufactories of cloth, but none of them per day is the average of what can be were in a flourishing condition. I went to earned by the weavers. The women visit that of Vanrobais, established by weave as well as the men, and their Louis XIV. and which still continues, earnings may be estimated at about one though in ruins. The buildings are upon half. Upon the whole, however, these ma. a very large scale ; but too much was at. nufactures are a very drooping conditempted for them to execute any thing in tion, and are scarcely visible to a foreign a workmanlike manner. There are dif. visitant, unless the immediate object of ferent buildings for every different branch his inquiry. There is likewise a ribanc of the manufacture. I cannot but think, manufactory, but the ribands are very inhowever, that they would have succeeded feriour to those of England. About 1000 better if they had consulted the principle persons may be employed in these two of the sub-division of labour. I saw like. manufactories." wise a manufactory of carpets, which

The combined operation of these seemed more flourishing. In the cloth manufactory, the earnings of the working

causes, deficiency of mercantile camanufacturers are about 36 sous per diem pital, and the conversion of the learn[18. 6d.] in the carpet manufactories, ing hands into soldiers, with the somewhat more. The cloths, as far as I 'other injurious effects of war, acam a judge, seemed to me even to exceed

count for the impotent state of the those of England : but the carpets are

French manufactories. Neither will much inferiour. From some unaccountable reason, however, the cloths were much they revive, till peace inspire them dearer than English broadcloth of the with an energy, which capital may same quality. Whence does this happen, be directed to support. We may in a country where provisions are so much hint at another cause which possibly cheaper? Perhaps from that neglect of

has its influence on this subject. The the sub-division of labour which I have above noticed.

conscripts, taken from among the Abbeville, like all the other principal reputable classes equally with the towns through which I passed, bore ne

lower, fill the ranks of the army. lancholy marks of the Revolution. The Whatever of skill, or taste, op refinehandsome church which stood in the

ment the youth of this description market-place is in ruins ; scarcely a stone

may be supposed to possess; whatremains on the top of another. Many of the best houses where shut up, and others

ever of science they may have acquiof the same description evidently inhabi red superiour to the merely operative ted by people for whom they were not labourer, it falls with them in the built. In many of them, one room only field. We cannot but think, there. was inhabited ; and in others, the second fore, that the prodigious loss lately and third floors turned into granaries. In

sustained by France on the banks of deed, along the whole road from Abbe

the Danube must be estimated much ville to Paris, are innumerable chateaux, which are now only the cells of beggars, above the numerical loss in lives, or of the lowest kind of peasantry.” though that be very great: it affects He says also, speaking of Tours: persons and families who might just

ly be deemed the strength of the “ Tours was formerly celebrated for its silk manufactory, and enough of it still re

state, as well in intellect as in exermains to invite and to gratify the curiosity tion--and if their commercial capiof a traveller. The attention of the tal falls to their sisters, of what use is French government is now unintermit- it to the state ? tingly occupied in eiforts to raise the ma. nufactures of the kingdom, but whilst the

We confess ourselves disappointwar makes such large demands, trade ed at the cursory notice taken by our must necessarily be cramped. The ma- traveller of the present condition of nufactories, however, still continue to

the city of Lyons. He says nothing work, and produce some beautiful flowered

on the late introduction of cotton madamasks, and brilliant stuffs. The weavers for the most part work at their own

nufactures into that city, nor of the houses, and have so much by the piece, transit business in which it lately en

gaged: nor of the number of looms, &c. now in work. He merely tells us, that

"The manufactories of Lyons, being eonfined in their supply to the home market, are not in the same flourishing state as formerly. They still continue, however, to work up a vast quantity of silk, and on the return of peace, would doubtless recover somewhat of their former prosperity. Some years since, the silk stockings alone worked up at Lyons were estimated at 1500 pair daily. The workmen are unhappily not paid in proportion to their industry. They commence their day's labour at an unusual hour in the morning, and continue it in the night, yet are unable to earn enough to live in plenty."

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We are now able to account for the fact noticed by Mr. Pinkney, that the English vessels at sea exceed the French two hundred to one: for, when we ask, what manufactured goods France has to export? to what distant countries can she afford to export them at her own risk, with the necessary length of credit? and consider the prevalence of the military system among her population, we no prospect of her speedily abounding in ships, colonies, and commerce." This limitation of consumption to the neighbourhood where the commodities are produced, contributes also to explain the cause of that deadness, and want of passage on the high roads. which surprised our author. There is not that incessant intercourse between the extremities of the kingdom and the capital in France which there is in England. There are few principals or agents of commercial houses, travelling on business, few parties travelling on pleasure indeed, we understand, that since the cards of citizenship, &c have been necessary, scarcely a rambling excursion is undertaken.

But, to quit these political considerations, and consider a little the people who are interested in them :We readily discern the fidelity of Mr. Pinkney's portraits of the personages with whom his expedition brought him acquainted. The French

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are little improved by their late suf ferings. They pipe, they dance, they amuse themselves, they pass away life jovially. They are as licentious, as loquacious as ever: the men are gay and not jealous;" the women are loose and not reserved. Those who have any pretensions to beauty, expect homage; and those who have no beauty have sprightliness and taste. Decencies and decorum they have none; yet religion is fashionable. The better class are lively, frank, and pleasing; thoughtless, but amiable; addicted to their pastimes; and too volatile, in the judgment of philosophick Englishmen, to be susceptible of bill of rights: in other words, they the blessings of magna charta or the fended when reminded by allusion, or talk but little politicks, and are of reference, to what they have seen or suffered, while beguiled by the demon of democracy, and misled by the spirit of destruction.

Mr. P. has found himself at a loss to describe in proper terms the inand French conversations: he theregenuities of French confectioners, fore uses language not precisely ad rem; and concludes his hints at "naked Cupids," "naked Venuses,” "Leda and her swan," by saying:

"A French assembly or fashionable rout, certainly excels an English one in elegance and fancy, as much as it falls short of it in substantial mirth. The French, it must be confessed, infinitely excel every other nation in all things connected with spectacle, and more or less this spectacle pervades all their parties. They dance, they converse, they sing, for exhibition, and as if they were on the stage. Their conversation, therefore, has frequently more wit than interest, and their dancing more vanity than mirth. They seem in both respects to want that happy carelessness which pleases by being pleased. A French woman is a figurante even in her chit-chat."

These assemblies are filled with ladies dressed à la Diane, à la Minerve, en Bacchante, and (intentionally) à l'Anglaise; the rage for every thing English maintains itself in great vigour very generally, especially in the more polite assemblies.

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We are agreeably surprised with “ I had resolved not to leave Paris withthe information, that the emigrants

out seeing the emperour,” says Mr. P. who have returned, have imported audience on the following day, I applied

“and being informed that he was to hold an with them so much of the taste of

to Mr. Younge to procure my formal inour country, as to be distinguished troduction. With this purpose we waited among their neighbours,

upon general Armstrong, who sent my “ Ecures is a village situated on a plain, name to the grand chambe, lain with the which in its verdure, and in the fanciful necessary formalities.

This formality is disposition of some trees and groves, re

a certificate under the hand of the ambas. minderi me very strongly of an English sadour, that the person soliciting the intropark. This similitude was increased by duction has been introduced at his own a house on the further extremity of the court, or that, according to the best know. village. It was situated in a lawn, and ledge of the Ambassadour, he is not a merontirely girt around by walnut trees except chant- Négociant actuel. It may be where it fronted the road, upon which it briefly observed, however, that the French opened by a neat palisadoed gate. I have Négociant answers better to the English no doubt, though I had no means of veri

mechanick, than to the honourable appelfying my opinion, that the possessor of lation, merchant. General Armstrong prothis estate had been in England. The mised me a very interesting spectacle in lawn was freshly mown, and the flowers, the Imperial audience. • It's the most the fresh-painted seats, the windows ex- splendid court in Europe,' said he. “The tending from the ceiling to the ground, court of London, and even of Vienna, will and even the circumstance of the poultry not bear a comparison with it.' Every one being kept on the common, and prevented agreed in the justice of this remark, and by a net-work from getting on the lawn my curiosity was strongiy excited. all these were so perfectly in the English “On the appointed day, about 3 o'clock, taste, that I offered Mi. Younge any wager

Mr. Younge accompanied me to the pathat the possessor had travelled. He is lace, where we were immediately conmost probably a returned emigrant,' said ducied to a splendid saloon, which is Mr. Younge; it is inconceivable how termed the Ambassadours' Hall. Refreshmuch this description of men have done ments were here landet round to the for France. The government, indeed, company, which was very numerous, and begins to understand their value, and the amongst them many German princes in list of the proscribed is daily diminish- their grand court dress. The conversaing”

tion became very general ; those who had But we must not close our account seen Buonaparte, describing him to those of this volume without introducing

who were about to be introduced. Every our readers to the court of the man

one agreed that he was the most extraordi.

nary man that Europe had produced in who now holds the sovereignty over many centuries, and that even his appear. this nalion: a nation once ardent for ance was in no slight degree indicative of liberty, and, for a moment, vociferous his character. " He possesses an eye,' in its demands of Engish liberty: said one gentleman, .in which Lavater

Mr. happy had they understood what might have understood a hero." they desired, and know how to obtain

Younge confirmed this observation, and

prepared me to regard him with more and to prize it!*

than common attention.

“ The doors of the saloon were at length It is a singular circumstance, and per.

thrown open, and some of the officers of haps unknown to the generality of our

the grand chamberlain, with white wands readers, that in the early part of the

and embroidered robes and scarfs, bowing French revolution two accredited agents were sent from Paris to London expressly business, and when they were told how for the purpose of taking plans of our much service was gratuitously done the house of commons, that their Salle des country by the respective members' atSéunces might be like it; and so particular tendance on committees, &c. &c. &c. were they in their proceedings that they (which, like many of our own countrymen, measured with the greatest exactness the they had not the most distant idea of) speaker's chair, that M. le Président de they frequently shrugged up their shoull'Assemblée Nationale might have one ex- ders, and exclaimed, quel désintéressement! actly similar. However, we must do them mon Dieu! quelle nation-en vérité, c'est the justice to mention, that they were une grande nation!—Tâchons-nons de faire astonished at our manner of conducting la même chose ? -Edit. Par.

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NOT NECESSARY TO

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low to the company, invited us, by wa- his general mien military. He was dressving their staves, to follow them up the ed very splendidly in purple velvet, the grand staircase. Every one now arranged coat and waistcoat embroidered with gold themselves in pairs, behind their respec- bees, and with the grand star of the legion tive ambassadours, and followed the ushers of honour worked into the coat. in procession, according to the precedence “He passed no one without notice, and of their respective countries, the Imperial, to all the ambassadours he spoke once or Spanish, and Neapolitan ambassadours twice. When he reached general Armforming the van. The staircase was lined strong, he asked him, Whether America on both sides with grenadiers of the le. could not live without foreign commerce as gion of honour, most of whom, privates well as France? and then added, without as well as officers, were arrayed in the or- waiting for his answer, “THERE IS ONE der. The officers, as we passed, exchang- NATION IN THE WORLD, WHICH MUST ed salutes with the ambassadours ; and as BE TAUGHT BY EXPERIENCE, THAT HER the imperial ambassadour who led the procession, reached the door of the anti

EXISTENCE OF ALL OTHER chamber, two trumpeters on each side TIONS, AND THAT SHE CANNOT HOLD played a congratulatory flourish. The US ALL IN COMMERCIAL SLAVERY: ushers who had led us so far, now took ENGLAND IS their stations on each side the door, and COMPTERS. others, in more splendid habits, succeed

We have extracted the more freeod them in the office of conducting us.

.We now entered the anti-chamber, in ly from this work, because the writer which was stationed the regular guard of cannot be suspected of an undue bias the palace. We were here saluted both toward Britain. The result of his by privates and officers, the imperial observations is indeed very strongly guard being considered as part of the in favour of our native island; and the household. From the anti-chamber we passed onwards through nearly a dozen

manners, conveniences, enjoyments most splendid apartments, and at length which it offers, are rendered more reached the presence-chamber.

grateful to a rational mind by con. “My eyes were instantly in search of the trast with the frivolities-not of that emperour, who was at the farther extremi. portion of the French nation which ty, surrounded by a numerous circle of thinks of thinking, but-of the bulk of officers and counsellors. The circle opened on our arrival, and withdrew be.

the people of France. hind the emperour. The whole of our

We frankly acknowledge our oblicompany now ranged themselves, the am- gations to him for his communicabassadours in front, and their several coun- tions, avow with readiness that we trymen behind their respective ministers. have derived entertainment and graBuonaparte now advanced to the Im

tification from his work; as indeed perial ambassadour, with whom, when pre. sent, he always begins the audience. I might be inferred from the copious had now an opportunity to regard him at

extracts in which we have indulged tentively. His person is below the middle ourselves. size, but well composed; his features regular, but in their tout ensemble stern and Comptoirs--Counting houses. commanding; his complexion sallow, and

FROM THE LONDON REVIEW.

An Account of the Empire of Marocco,* and the District of Suse; compiled from

Miscellaneous Observations, made during a long Residence in, and various Jour. neys through these Countries. To which is added, an Accurate and Interesting Account of Timbuctoo,* the great Emporium of central Africa. By James Gray Jackson, Esq.--Review by Mr. Cumberland. London, 1809.

AS this had appeared to me to volving many curious and some truly be a very interesting publication, in- important particulars, I held it to be

* Either the author or the reviewer has chosen, in several particulars to depart from the usual orthography, by writing Marocco instead of Morocco, Timbuctoo instead of Tombucioo. We have in this instance, adopted the alterations without knowing the reason for which they are made,

Ed. Select Reviews.

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