had seen the girl; "For, says he, she is humpbacked." Very well, cried the stranger, that will do for me. "Ay, says the exciseman, but my daughter "is as brown as a berry." "So much the better, cried the stranger; such skins wear best." "But she "is bandy-legged," says the exciseman. No matter, cried the other; her petticoats will hide that defect. "But then she is very poor, and wants an eye." Your description delights me, cries the stranger. I have been long looking out for her make; for I keep an exhibition of wild beasts, and intend to show her off for a Chimpanzee.

1

VERSES TO THE MEMORY OF

ALEXANDER WILSON,

Written shortly after his death, by an old Friend:

On Scotia's hills, in youth's bright morn,
Alexis' sung with liveliest glee,
And though Misfortune's sharpest thorn,
Pierc'd his young breast, yet blythe was he.

Where Cartha rolls her streams along,
Meandering sweetly through the grove,
Oft have I heard his chearful song,
When arm in arm we wont to rove.

Sweet stream! along thy verdant shore,
From where old Crockston rears his head,

Fir'd with our country's classic lore,
The charming vales we lov'd to tread.

Mem'ry recails the poet's bower,

Near, where yon foamy * torrent rolls,
Where oft he pass'd his happy hour,

With books, and dear congenial souls.

Friend of his youth, the pride of swains,
Young Damon was, I knew him well;
Ilim mourn'd the bard in plaintive strains,
When call'd to take his last farewell.

*Seedhill crags, on the river Cart, at Paisley.

With those who lov'd the Scotian song,
Companions ever, ever dear,
He would the rural walk prolong,
When smil'd with joy the genial year.

A wand'rer o'er fair Scotia's plains,
With sad affliction pressing sore,
Britannia's fate in weeping strains,
I heard the pensive bard deplore.

The patriot's flame he keenly felt,

With nervous thought pour'd forth his song,
Mourn'd sadly o'er a nation's guilt,

O'er deeds of outrage, and of wrong.

In western climes he tun'd his lyre,
Inspir'd with true poetic flame,
With all the warm enthusiast's fire,
With love of virtue and of fame.

Columbia mourn'd the poet's fall,
With tears of woe bedew'd his tomb,
And crown'd his bust in yonder hall,
With laurels in perennial bloom.

Thou son of Science, and of song,
Thy mem'ry I will long revere,
Sweet poet of the feather'd throng,
To thee is due this friendly tear.

STATE OF TRADE.

SEPTEMBER 30th 1819.

Silk Plaids, Shawls, and Trimmings.-This most important branch of our Trade is in a very languid state, and the Manufacturers are in general discharging their Weavers, as their engagements are finished. From the great number of men and women who were employed at this manufacture, this dullness will be severely felt.

Imitation Cotton Shawls.-A vast quantity of these goods continue to be made, and the Manufacturers are still increasing their hands. From their cheapness, and the superior manner in which they are now manufactured, they are well worthy the attention of Merchants.

Imitation Gown Pieces.-This manufacture is at a stand.

Zebra Dresses and Shawls.This manufacture is still carried on to a

considerable extent. Prices of Weaving continue very low. Full Harness Robes and Sprigs still continue dull.

Common Harness Robes are likewise dull.

Common Harness Shawls with Rove and Inkle Spotting, are still in demand, and a number of Weavers have been engaged for them. Damask Shawls, with Silk or Cotton Grounds, are still flat. Seeded Stripes and Robes are likewise very flat.

Lappets in the same state.

Lawns, fine Grounds, still continue to support their price better than any other goods in the plain department.

Pullicates, Ginghams and Tweels, still remain very dull.

Silk, or Transparent Gauze, Plain and Figured. The demand for these beautiful fabrics has improven, and the Manufacturers are increasing their hands. To the honour, as well as the interest of those who are engaged in this manufacture, prices of weaving remain steady.

Public confidence has received another severe shock, in consequence of a considerable number of bankruptcies, which have taken place during this month; the effects of which have had considerable impression upon Trade in general, and the prospects of the Manufacturers are more and more desponding.

འ་་་་་་་་་

EDINBURGH, SEPTEMBER 27th 1819.

Silk Plaids, Shawls, and Trimmings.-The demand for these goods is almost entirely suspended, and Trade was never known to be so flat here. The number of the unemployed is daily increasing,, and it would appear that the cup of our calamity is nearly full.

In closing our labours for the present, we may remark, that it has been our study, faithfully and impartially to perform our duty, in reporting the State of Trade; and it is a melancholy reflection, that notwithstanding the infinite variety of our manufactures, and the skill and enterprise of the manufacturers, and operatives, their difficulties still continue to increase.

Every new manufacture which has been introduced, has been carefully noticed, and the various alterations in the demand for the different fabrics accurately recorded. The attention of the manufacturer and merchant was thereby often excited, as our reports found their way into publications in every part of the Empire. That the ingenuity and industry for which the mechanics in the west of Scotland have been long distinguished, have not met with any thing like an ade quate reward, must be ascribed to causes over which they have had no controul, into the consideration of which it would be foreign to our purpose at present to enter.

FINIS.