'I have always observed, that on the side on which the light shone directly on the hurdles, the silk-worms were more numerous and stronger than in those places where the edge of the wicker hurdle intercepted the light, and formed a shade, which is my reason for having very low edges to the wicker trays: any body may make this observation. I have even seen the sun shining full on the worms, without their seeming annoyed by it. If the rays had been too hot, and shone too long on them, they might have suffered; but this could not occur, nor does it affect the question: as I do not propose exposing the silkworms to the sun, but only desire to show that the air is more vitiated, and that there is more damp in a dark laboratory than in a light one.'

As the Chinese insist that silk has been known in the southern provinces of that vast empire from a period 2700 years anterior to the Christian era, it has been supposed, with much probability, that the silk-worm was, originally, a native of China; whence it is supposed to have passed into India, Persia, and Arabia. It was an article of commerce at Tyre, in the reign of Solomon: but it was not till many centuries had elapsed, that silk-worms were conveyed to the island of Cos, whence, in the sixth century, they were introduced into Constantinople by the Empress Theodora, at whose instance Justinian was induced to make their cultivation an object of public interest. From Constantinople they passed into the Morea, Spain, Italy, and France.

Though warm countries are, undoubtedly, most congenial to the silk-worm, silk has been reared not only in Germany, Bavaria, and Prussia, but in Russia; and in a latitude, too, as high north as 54°, with such success as to warrant the establishment of manufactories for the working the native silk. A hope is even entertained that, in the course of a few years, that country will be entirely independent of Persia for this valuable article.

It appears, too, and these are circumstances which ought to command considerable attention, that silk grown in northern latitudes is far superior in point of fineness and solidity to that produced in Italy; that it supports the preparation and dye as well as the best silk of India, and, at the same time, is entirely equal to it in softness and brilliancy.

The only question then that remains is, whether there be now growing in this country a sufficient quantity of white mulberry-trees to enable us to improve our present silk-wormpopulation to any extent. And here the grand difficulty lies. For if it require 21,000 pounds of leaves to yield 1500 pounds of cocoons, it must be evident to any one duly acquainted with

the

the rural economy of this country, that if we would cultivate silk largely we must either import leaves, a hazardous, and, indeed, an impossible undertaking, because heat and accumulation spoil the leaf, or wait several years. It is true, there is, near London, a plantation of several thousand white mulberries, some of which are stated to be fifteen or sixteen years old: but these were planted in so uncongenial a soil, that the Company before alluded to are, we understand, at this very moment removing them to a better. With the exception of these, we are not acquainted with any mulberry-plantations to any extent. In the south of Ireland, during the latter part of the last century, some French refugees planted no inconsiderable number. But those persons subsequently returned to their own country, and the landlords, upon whose lands the trees were planted, cut them all down soon after their departure. This barbarism is the more to be lamented, since Ireland, both from soil and temperature, is peculiarly well adapted for the purpose. In full persuasion of this, several noblemen and gentlemen, possessing large estates in that country, have undertaken to devote a portion of their lands to mulberry-cultivation; among whom we may particularly distinguish the Marquis of Lansdowne, the Marquis of Downshire, the Earls of Kingston and Carrick, the Irish Attorney-General, and Sir John Newport.

The style of this translation is perspicuous, and the subject of it one that deserves the general attention of the country.

THIS

*

ART. IV. The Beauties of Wiltshire, displayed in Statistical, Historical, and Descriptive Sketches: interspersed with Anecdotes of the Arts. By J. Britton. Vol. III. 8vo. 17. 4s. Printed for the Author; and sold by Longman and Co. 1825. HIS publication is part of a work, of which the two first volumes were produced so long as twenty-five years The author acknowledges the delay with compuncago. tion; but consoles himself under the rebuke, which he cannot wholly avert, by a complacent reference to his literary labours during the intermediate time, labours, which he skilfully enough entitles occupations in the service of the public. It is quite true that Mr. Britton was not idle on other matters; and though we should have been better pleased that,

.

*The two first volumes were noticed in the xxxviiith vol. of the M. R. N. S.

in

cer

in fulfilling his engagements with the public, he had not imitated the most obnoxious features of a Chancery-suit, still it is but justice to add, that, considering the difficulty and importance of his performances, he has contributed, in the interval, an abundant and a very substantial supply to our literature. Reflecting on the course of his past labours, he is betrayed into the delicate function of auto-biographer, and the record of his life is by no means uninteresting, tainly not uninstructive. He is a native of Wiltshire, and of humble extraction. He was placed, in early life, at four different schools, the most reputable in his neighbourhood, and in succession exhausted the erudition of their respective heads. Yet so imperfect was the provision of knowledge thus collected, that at the age of 17, and when he had emerged from the rank of a school-boy into that of a London apprentice, on being required by his master one day to fetch him, from a distant apartment, "Guthrie's Geographical Grammar," he was at a loss to know what was meant. With singular, we had almost said superfluous, candour, Mr. Britton confesses that his maternal family was characterised by ungovernable passion, bordering on insanity.' -Throwing missile and dangerous weapons,' he says, at each other, swearing in the most vehement and vulgar manner, and hurling hatchets, pitchforks, stones, &c., at horses, cows, calves, and other animals, were incidents of almost every-day occurrence. Strange to say that, though murder seemed almost inevitable from many of these desperate freaks of passion, I do not know that it ever ensued.' Reading, and the exercise of a strong understanding, enabled our author to prevail over the rash humour which his mother gave him.' At the instance of his uncle he was sent to London to be apprenticed to a wine-merchant. He thus describes his departure from home:

I took leave of my parents and family, receiving, on my departure, two small tokens of remembrance from my mother. That parting is fresh in my memory, as well as the arrangements I had made for a speedy return; my stock of marbles, and other boyish property, was carefully deposited in certain secret places; and the departure from my native village, soon after sunrise, seems as though it were an event of yesterday. So tenacious is memory of occurrences which, at certain times of life, engross all the thoughts. My parents were left - my home forsaken. and my mind was anxiously, but doubtingly, contemplating the future. The journey to London, on a coach, which travelled at little more than five miles an hour, and which reached the metropolis late at night, was fatiguing to the body; but the mind was fully occupied and amused, and more peculiarly so when passing

through

through Hammersmith, Kensington, Piccadilly, &c., all of which were illumined by thousands of lamps, and afforded abundant matter for curiosity and surprise. The most forcible impressions were, that I should never reach Clerkenwell-Close.'

The utility of consulting the inclinations of the boy never entered into the imagination of his patron who bound him, and during the six years' probation which he underwent, he was perfectly miserable, as a matter of course. His health was so deteriorated by this repulsive life, that his master remitted him half a year of the apprentice-term, and, with a present of two guineas, instead of twenty guineas which he had promised, sent him into the world to shift for himself. During the period of his servitude, however, he was enabled to dedicate a portion of his mornings to the favourite employment of reading; but this daily recreation was obtained at the price of more intense exertion at the stated period of mechanical application, he having been obliged to bottle off and cork a certain number of dozens of wine daily. As may be supposed, his studies were irregular and desultory: he strove to satiate his thirst of knowledge with whatever means of gratification accident might throw in his way. He was fortunate in contracting an intimacy with a person of the name of Essex, a watch-face figure-painter, through whom he became acquainted with Mr. Brayley, his future associate in the labours and profits of many of his antiquarian productions. At this part of his narrative he breaks off rather abruptly.

On the present occasion, however, I must forbear entering further into auto-biography, fearing that the narrative might be regarded as trifling, or egotistical; although the vicissitudes I experienced, after being released from my cell, the privations I endured- my pedestrian journey from London to Plymouth and back. my predilection for theatrical amusements, and for reading and debating societies, and my occupations in wine-cellars, counting-houses, and law-offices, would collectively afford a series of not uninteresting events and subjects, both for reflection and for description.'

Mr. Britton's literary partnership with Mr. Brayley began by the joint publication of a ballad called the "Guinea Pig," in reference to an act passed for levying one guinea per head on every person who used hair-powder. The ballad was printed on fine wire-wove paper,' and sold at one penny. By contributing occasionally to The Sporting Magazine, he was introduced to the knowledge of the proprietor of that Journal, who engaged his assistance in the compilation of a topographical work called "The Beauties of Wiltshire."

Enter

It

Entertaining, however, some praiseworthy scruples against the custom, then in full force among authors in that particular branch, of pirating, and re-issuing under an original disguise, the meritorious collections of other more adventurous and industrious labourers, Mr. Britton accompanied by Mr. Brayley undertook a pedestrian tour through several of the midland and western counties into North Wales. The experiment was attended with the useful consequence of disclosing to our literary pilgrims the extent of their former ignorance, and their incompetency to the important office which, with the precipitancy of inexperience, they had assumed. must have been in the enthusiasm of a recent conversion that Mr. Britton set up a code of topographical authorship, which he and his associate seem rather to have admired than practised, and of which the following is a characteristic specimen: The topographer should possess a knowledge of the languages, be familiar with the sciences, and acquainted intimately with history, agriculture, mineralogy, biography, and the belles lettres: his judgment should be endowed with those comprehensive powers which result from the study and comparison of the opinions of every age and of every nation.' Mr. Britton proceeds to give an account of his subsequent publications, which amount to a considerable number, as he found it necessary to divide his topographical collections into a variety of classes. Of the "Architectural Antiquities," consisting of 4 vols. 4to., with 278 engravings, he says that the expense of publication amounted to 8000l. The work was in progress nine years and two months. Speaking of another important branch of his labours, he informs us that the publication of the histories, descriptions, and illustrations of eight cathedrals, has cost the proprietors more than 10,000l. The remaining volumes are. in course of preparation. Mr. Britton then alludes to the minor productions of his pen, which have appeared contemporaneously with his more solid performances, either as independent volumes, or contributions to some periodical of the time; and adds a notice of some other stated engagements of his attention, which serve at once to show the reach of his industry, as well as to display the benevolence of his heart. The narrative is distinguished by good faith and philosophic boldness: the confession of genealogical inferiority may be made without repugnance, since it forms a necessary introduction to the indulgence in a proud and honourable triumph which he now enjoys.

'I consider myself both rich and happy: my riches consist in paying my way, exemption from debt, in having many com

forts