indiscriminate mass of debauchery and corruption, before they have scarcely had an idea of what a state of innocence is. The future consequences of this species of corruption, in annihilating the comforts of domestic life, it would not be an easy task fully to develope; but the slightest glance at it makes the mind shudder with horror.

Manufactures, it is true, by the great diffusion of money that they occasion, bring forward in the community à great number of rich individuals; but it is to be regretted, that bad and mean men increase thus in riches as fast as good men. With such persons, riches will be too often employed for the purposes of seduction, grofs gratification, and frivolous amusements; for the uninformed mind has no source of gratification but in the indulgence of the senses alone; and we have seen, that, in consequence of a generally neglected education, and that lax state of morals. which results from the combinations above hinted at, they will find a field but too readily prepared for them to indulge in every vice. The more money there is diffused, the more the passions are indulged, and the more furious they grow, till at last a certain foundation is laid for general misery and wretchedness, by the sure introduction of vice under every form-profligacy, drunkenness, debility, and disease.

Is is not my intention to enter fully into the investigation of this subject under other points of view. This I would humbly solicit from your own pen. I have confined myself merely to those circumstances which have fallen under my own notice, chiefly of a moral tendency. As to their political tendency, as

these circumstances shall affect the population and public tranquillity of the state, but above all the production of corn and the subsistence of the people (which I have no doubt are deeply affected by them), I pretend not to estimate them: hoping that a subject of so much national importance, now and at all times, will not be suffered to escape your notice: and I shall think my pains in writing this letter abundantly repaid, if it shall have a tendency to produce that effect. I remain, with the most respectful esteem, sir, your constant reader and sincere well-wisher,

A COUNTRY PARSON,

Who has no expectation of ever enjoying the luxury of lawn sleeves.

To the Editor of Recreations in Agriculture, &c.

SIR,

September 4th, 1800. I was much concerned, on reading the latter part of your last Number, to observe the trouble that you have experienced in the course of the publication of the third volume of your Recreations: I hope, however, that it has not been such as to induce you to decline the further prosecution of the work, as by that means I should, in common with your other numerous readers, be a very considerable loser, from the pleasure I receive in the perusal of your periodical numbers. I admire, and wish you succefs in, the Entomological department; and, though from my present situation and occupations I have little leisure or

nature, yet I hope and trust that your exhortationis will raise in the minds of your country readers a desire to obtain information in a science which so eminently combines instruction and pleasure, and in 'the study of which the admirable dispositions of Providence are so much more perfectly shewn than in the eruption of volcanos or the revolutions of kingdoms.

The inducements to this study are so numerous, and at the same time so obvious, that it is needlefs here to dwell upon them. The novelty of the subject is in itself sufficient to ensure a lasting reputation to him who shall pay a proper attention to it; and I can conceive no other reason, why none of our countrymen have yet attained any great degree of eminence in this science, than the constant attention it requires, and the unceasing exercise of that homely, but highly useful virtue, patience, which the inhabitants of this island are not very famous for pofsefsing or exerting. The habits and propensities of these little creatures have been so entirely neglected, and their distinctive qualities are so little known, that every step appears to be fairy ground; and the further we proceed, the more our admiration increases. The road is so full of flowers blooming and sweet-scented at the rose of the mountain, that the few thorns which now and then stretch across are beheld almost with pleasure, as a variety in which the human mind delights, and only operate as fresh incitements to diligence and perseverance. In the formation of the minute animalculæ, we see the unity and perfection of the designs of Providence; we there see plainly manifested the existence of a deity, all-pervading! whose influence extends from

the mighty lion of the forest, to the meanest reptile that crawls upon the face of the earth. Let the Atheist observe these things with the attention that they deserve, and, though he may "laugh at the tempest, and deride the storm," as the production of natural causes without the intervention of superior power, yet let him then, if he dare, with an unblushing front, proudly and contemptuously deny the work of an Almighty creator. The evidences that will be thus displayed to him will, I apprehend, make his favourite doctrine, of chance fall with disgrace to the ground.

The study of Entomology as a science (not for the sake of nomenclature only) seems to me to be one of the most useful as well as most engaging of any that have yet been discovered. The calm delight and pleasing sensations which are caused in the progress of this study, and the animation and pride which are felt on making any new discovery, sufficiently compensate the trouble and fatigue attending the necefsary experiments; and it is wonderful to me, that mankind should so long have sought in the bustle of war and in the pomp of courts, for that happiness and distinction which was so easily attainable without the dread of either danger or disgrace.

Although I have written thus far, the chief purpose of this letter is to exprefs to you my complete satisfaction with the manner in which you have acted from the commencement of your work, and the regret that I shall feel, if any cause, of whatever nature, shall make it necefsary for you either wholly to decline or

sometimes felt the want of engravings for the illustration of particular subjects, I am now perfectly convinced that they would have been given if pofsible. Accept, sir, the sincere good wishes of one who, although an entire stranger to you personally, is an admirer of your abilities, and of the manner in which they are exercised; and begs leave to subscribe himself, with great respect and esteem, your most humble servant, S. H.

P. S. I beg leave to mention, for the consideration of your correspondent Entomophilus, a letter which appeared in "The Monthly Magazine” for August last, stating an instance of a person suffering extremely from an earwig penetrating into his ear; and which, if true, so plainly contradicts the afsertion, in your correspondent's account, of the harmlessnefs of that insect.

To the Editor of Recreations in Agriculture, &c.

SIR,

May 19, 1800.

I SEND you my ideas on the cause of the difference between evergreen and deciduous trees, in hopes that, though not conclusive in themselves, they might however give rise to some more so in the minds of others, if they should be thought worth insertion.

The original and principal cause of the difference between evergreens and deciduous trees has by some been attributed to oxygen, and others to a peculiar kind of varnish, which preserves the leaves from the