both extraordinary and interesting. It is, however, not the only instance we have met with of the triumph of the graphic art over brute instinct. Antiquity furnishes two remarkable incidents of the same class. Apelles had executed an equestrian painting of Alexander, with which the king was dissatisfied, but a horse passing at the instant, neighed at the steed represented in the picture. The story of the grapes, in the piece of Zeuxis, at which the birds pecked, is familiar, though the artist confessed that had the figure of the man who carried them, been equally well drawn, it must have frightened them away. A very recent illustration of the effect of the illusions of the pencil upon birds, is found in an humourous anecdote in Northcote's Memoirs of Sir Joshua Reynolds. Mr. Northcote thus introduces it, Sir William Temple, in his Memoirs, relates a surprising instance of sagacity in a Macaw, one of the parrot genus of the largest kind, which occurred under his own observation. His relation is, indeed, a very wonderful one; but I am the more apt to give it credit from being myself a witness of the following instance of apparent intellect in a bird of this species, and therefore can vouch for its truth: at the same time I hope to be excused for giving what I consider merely as a curious circumstance, and not to incur the accusation of vanity, in this instance at least, by making a weak endeavour to extol my own poor work, for very poor it was. In the early part of the time that I passed with Sir Joshua as his scholar, I had, for the sake of practice, painted the portrait of one of the female servants, but my performance had no other merit than that of being a strong likeness. Sir Joshua bad a large macaw, which he often introduced into his pictures, as may be seen from several prints. This bird was a great favourite, and was always kept in the dining parlour, where he became a nuisance to this same house-maid, whose department it was to clean the room after him; of course they were not upon very good terms with each other. his curiosity, left it, and walked again to a distant part of the room; but whenever he turned about, and again saw the picture, he would, with the same action of rage, repeatedly attack it. The experiment was afterwards repeated, on various occasions, in the presence of Edmund Burke, Dr. Johnson, Dr. Goldsmith, and most of Sir Joshua's friends, and never failed of success; and what made it still more remarkable was, that when the bird was tried by any other portrait, he took no notice of it whatever.' E. MESSRS. EDITORS, Your criticism on Mr. Cooper's pronun ciation of the soliloquy in Macbeth, in your number for July, led me to consult the passage referred to. In turning to it, in Mrs. Inchbald's Edition of the British Theatre, I found a reading of it materially different from the one you have given, and, I own, quite new to myself. It is as follows: If it were done, when 'tis done, then 'twere well: It were done quickly, if the assassination Could trammel up the consequence, and catch, With his surcease, success. That but this blow Might be the be-all and the end-all here, But here, upon this bank and shoal of time!We'd jump the life to come. I should like to know your opinion of this construction. It appears to me to be at least ingenious. Respectfully, &c. We possess Mrs. Inchbald's Edition, and were not ignorant of the reading there given. She has made no remark on it, and we are ignorant whence she derived it. It appears to be wholly unsupported. As far as ous; tion, her construction is certainly ingeni- text as follows,— We have The portrait, when finished, was brought into the parlour, one day after dinner, to be shown to the family, that they might judge of the progress I had made. It was placed against a chair, while the macaw was in a If it were done, when 'tis done, then 'twere well distant part of the room, so that he did not It were done quickly: if the assassination immediately perceive the picture as he walk- Could trammel up the consequence, and catch, ed about the floor; but when he turned round With his surcease, success; that but this blow and saw the features of his enemy, he quickly Might be the be-all and the end-all here, spread his wings, and in great fury ran to it, But here, upon this bank and shoal of time,— and stretched himself up to bite at the face. We'd jump the life to come. Finding, however, that it did not move, he On this passage Dr. Johnson makes the then bit at the hand, but perceiving it remain following remarks, which corroborate our inanimate, he proceeded to examine the pic- strictures. ture behind, and then, as if he had satisfied Of this soliloquy the meaning is not very clear; I have never found the readers of Shakespeare agreeing about it. I understand it thus: "If that which I am about to do, when it is once done and executed, were done and ended without any following effects, it would then be best to do it quickly; if the murder could terminate in itself, and restrain the regular course of consequences, if its success could secure its surcease, if, being once done successfully, without detection, it could fix a period to all vengeance and inquiry, so that this blow might be all that I have to do, and this anxiety all that I have to suffer; if this could be my condition, even here in this world, in this contracted period of temporal existence, on this narrow bank in the ocean of eternity, I would jump the life to come, I would venture upon the deed without care of any future state. But this is one of those cases in which judgment is pronounced and vengeance inflicted upon us here in our present life. We teach others to do as we have done, and are punished by our own example." E. MESSRS. EDITORS, We have ever been accustomed in this country, and with good reason, to attach the highest importance to the value of intimate connexion and friendship with the court of Russia, and, although the remoteness of the relative situations, and the dissimilarity of the two governments, may appear not to give all the force of this alliance, which, in my opinion, it actually possesses, the simplicity of our republican forms comporting but little with the dignity of an Autocrat of all the Russias, yet interest, that powerful bond of nations as of individuals, growing out of extensive relations in trade, has, I believe, drawn closer the ties of amity, and assisted the political feeling of the two countries, which is now cementing by progressive in tercourse. our own population would be better employed in bringing these to market from the back country, than in transporting others in lieu of them, across the sea, so that wealth might not unnecessarily travel from home to purchase articles from abroad, but be pre served to circulate in the country. To this I answer, that, for government to interfere in cial to a country in the long run, but genematters of trade will rarely be found benefirally pernicious; that, according to Smith and other most approved economists, the course of trade should be left to find its own level, and will almost universally be found to regulate itself better than governments can regulate it; added to which, as it is the policy of modern courts to foster their navies by promoting, as much as possible, nurseries for their seamen, I rejoice that our Baltic trade actually engages so considerable a portion of our population, and that our hardy mariners find a profitable employment in this pursuit, in lieu of the reverse consequences of drawing our resources from the interior of this continent, where labour is so high and can be so much more advantageously applied. It is erroneous also to suppose, that because we resort to other countries for supplies of such articles as we most require from abroad, it is attended with an expenditure for which no adequate equivalent is received. Russia purchases of us sugar, coffee, tobacco, and a variety of articles procured in barter from the East and West-Indies, or raised in our own plantations. Our manufactures or products, in the first instance, created the necessary wealth for this purpose, so that virtųally, an extension of our maritime commerce is, at the same time, accompanied by an extension of the sale of our productions and our fabrics. When specie is paid to make up the deficiency of exports, the balance of trade may then be said to be against us, but this rarely happens in the course of our European traffic. The Chinese policy of withdrawing from external barter, to form a world within itself, would be followed by consequences of incalculable injury and retrogression in civilization, to any country absurd enough to imitate it. In the first place, the products of the Russian Empire have long formed a prominent feature in the list of our imports, and a mo. The raw produce of Russia is a mass inment's reflection will suffice to show that by conceivably large. A weekly account is a maritime nation like ours, the common ar- transmitted to St. Petersburgh of all the proticles of Russian growth must be in continual ductions of all the provinces, and is there request, particularly considering the low printed. Considerable as are the exports of price of labour in Russia, owing to the system of peasant slavery, and the consequen: cheapness at which those articles can be fur nished. By some short sighted politicians i: may be thought that, as our country pos sesses in abundance similar articles of product within our reach, the spontaneous and boundless resources of our mines and forest, Petersburgh, Riga, Revel, and Archangel, yet the paucity of bavens in northern Russia, from which Russian articles are transmitted abroad, and their situation in seas closed with ice, sometimes during seven months of the year, would have the effect of greatly contracting the exterior commerce, were not the attention of the government drawn to the policy of encouraging the trade of the ess in arms!-Since first she led her victoriEusine, or Black sea, and the Caspian. When ous troops into the capital of France, Alexanwe reflect that this vast empire extends from der has acquired an ascendancy in the French Finland to the Pacific ocean, which brings it councils. He procured the dismissal of Talinto easy communication with China, Japan, leyrand, the introduction of the Duc de Rithe Philippine Islands, New Holland, Java, chelieu. Count Pozzo di Borgo, the Empeand the East-Indies-that it is of greater ror's aid de camp, transmits to his Imperial extent than all the rest of Europe, and ex- master a minute detail of all that passes in ceeds even the limits of the greatest empires the court of the Thuilleries. A policy faof antiquity-that, when it is noon day in its vourable to Russia is brought about by the western parts, it is almost midnight in its successful agency of this faithful minister. eastern parts,-in the south, the longest day Holland and the Netherlands unite in this not exceeding fifteen hours and a half; in the combination of feeling and of political views. north, the sun being visible for two months. The hereditary Prince of Orange, refused in Of such a country we cannot but feel curious his matrimonial offer by the Princess Charto know something more than its mere geo- lotte of England, cannot but feel a mortificagraphical limits, and to push our researches tion at her acceptance of Prince Leopold of into its capabilities for the arts, knowledge Saxe Cobourg, especially after the encou and civilization,more particularly its commer- ragement he had received. He has, in concial advantages, as immediately interesting sequence, by his marriage with the Grand to our shipping and trading interests. Nor Dutchess Catharine, sister of the Emperor, ought we to omit inquiring into its policy, as thrown into the scale of Russian interest, bearing a potent sway in the regions of the those of the Low Countries, industrious and north, and likely to extend its influence over fertile-a power, naval and commercial. The the more cultivated portions of Europe. Emperor, inoreover, reckons as brothers-inThe recent acquisition of Poland must law, the hereditary Duke of Saxe Weimar, tend greatly to the aggrandizement of this and the King of Wirtemberg, both married power, and bring it into immediate con- to his sisters. The Wirtemberg troops are nexion with the Prussian dominions. In the excelled by none for discipline and bravery. History of family compacts, we have seen The Grand Duke Constantine, one of Alexenough to augur of the probable effects of ander's brothers, is nominated Vice Roy of such political alliances. The grand Duke Poland. Carnot, and other French refugees, Nicholas, brother of the Emperor Alexander, it is said, is betrothed to one of the daughters of the King of Prussia. The personal friend ship of the two monarchs, whose feelings and whose policy will probably be closely connected by this event, was formed in circumstances the most trying and interesting, when, in the field, side by side, they shared the dangers and privations of war, contend ing in the hottest of the fight, for the emancipation of Europe, and encouraging their united forces by their own valour and examples. With all these politic measures of the RusSo long as the moderation of European sian court, there seems to be only wanting to courts shall give no cause of jealousy to fill up the beneficial scope of its policy, a these mighty potentates, we may expect greater degree of attention to the commerce that the Czar, who, it is to be remembered, of the south, by the Black sea, and the Caswas the first to institute that Holy Alliance, pian, as before alluded to. The duties on by which sovereigns and rulers bind them. exported and imported articles, would alone selves to the observance of Christian forbear be a considerable object to the Russian exauce one towards another, will be bounded chequer. The old government of France, in his views of ambition, by the internal glo- prior to the Revolution, aware of the fertility ry of his administration, and the advance of the southern provinces of Poland, and the inent of the condition of his people; but, importance of their products to the French looking at the unlimited means at her dispo- navy and commerce, sought to establish an sal, in less, perhaps, than another century, intercourse between their ports in the MediRussia, with her satellites, may give laws to terranean and the Black sea. Those proEurope. The Emperor, by encouraging the vinces constitute almost one half the extent wisest and most ingenious men from every of Poland. They are watered by three great quarter to settle in his dominions, appears rivers; the Dnieper or Boristhenes, which resolved to elevate the character of his coun- empties itself into the Black.sea above Chertry. What has not Russia effected in the late son; the Bog, which enters it at Ockazow, campaigns? How great her skill, her prow- and the Dniester, which has its mouth at Ac are admitted to the Russian war office. The Emperor, his ministers, and his officers, have profited by their residence in France and in England, to study the most improved practices of both nations The merits of each have been watched and noted, and inferences drawn for the future practice of Russia. English and Scotch naval officers command in the Russian navy, which now exhibits a.formidable fleet. English engineers are extensively employed in the interior. by proper advances on the part of our execu tive, be secured to our vessels, that our shipping might find employment, in conveying to the confines of Tartary, the various commodities of the Levant, and that, by our means, Austria may receive her wax by the cheaper conveyance of water. Greece, Syria, Egypt, Italy, Spain, and France, may be supplied with the northern commodities at one fourth part of the expense attending its transportation by the Baltic. kermann. These three great rivers traverse a much larger extent of country than the Niemen or the Vistula, and are the only grand channels of Polish commerce by the Black sea. To them, therefore, the attention of the speculator should be particularly directed. The countries through which they flow may justly be called the Land of Promise, with respect to the means of supplying the chief -necessities of man. As a proof of the abundance of provisions, it is sufficient to state, that the Ukraine alone, subsisted several A new spirit of enterprise would thus be Russian armies during the whole of the last lighted up in Russia and in Poland, and we wars with the Turks. It produces ship tim might hope, in no long time, to see the Casber in great abundance, and of very great pian and the Black seas united, so soon as the age, as reported by the master mast-maker canal of Kamushinski, which joins the Don at Toulon, who was sent purposely to ex- to the Wolga, is completed. Already has the amine its forests. The salted provisions of the Baltic a direct communication with the CasUkraine, are equal to those of Ireland, and pian and Black seas by means of canals uni. from the low price of both cattle and salt in ting the great rivers that intersect the counMoldavia and the Crimea, according to trials try, and thus is the whole of Russia and Poalready made, they may be delivered at land enabled to share in the commerce of Ackermann, or Cherson, one half cheaper the south. No part of Europe is better calcuthan they can be had, on the spot, in Ireland. lated for commerce than Russia; by means Hemp, fur, sailcloth, and cordage, horse of the extensive rivers which flow through hair, common wool, bleached and green all parts of the empire, the productions of linen, packing cloth, raw and tanned hides, the north can be exchanged for those of the may here be obtained in great quantities. south with the greatest facility. It also abounds in saltpetre, tar, tallow, hemp, flax, and linseed oil, honey, butter, hog's lard, hops, rosin, and aqua vitæ. The different kinds of wax are sold at so low a rate in the Ukraine, that the Austrian merchants carry them by land to Gallicia, whence they are conveyed also by land carriage, across Moldavia and Austria, as far as Trieste, where they are shipped to foreign parts, and, at that port, always fetch a considerable profit. These countries, so rich in articles of the first necessity, are almost entirely destitute of manufactures. It seems, however, to be the policy of Russia to encourage the introduction of them, and the importance of opening a mart for the mutual interchange of commodities, free from every tax or impediment, is beginning to be felt. We learn, by recent advices from St. Petersburgh, that Odessa, a considerable haven in the Black Sea, has been declared a free port-a measure of infinite advantage to the neighbouring regions, and beneficial to the trade of foreigners. Here I would recommend that a consul from the United States should be stationed. to foster and encourage this promising resort of our shipping The United States would obtain, by the Black Sea, a market advantageous for its productions and dealings. The experiments actually made before the French revolution evinced of what importance such a trade was to France and the departments bordering on the Mediterranean. I should hope, that at least a share in the carrying trade between these countries might, VOL. I. NO. IV. The great annual Fair of Russia, almost as celebrated as that of Leipsic, is held at Makaroff, 400 miles east of Moscow, and regulates the price of goods throughout the empire. To this the attention and speculation of all the merchants are directed. It is the grand depôt of trade between Europe and Asia. It is held towards the end of July and beginning of August. The teas and silks of China, the productions of Persia, &c are exchanged for articles, the produce of Russia and of the whole world. This proves with what facility we may acquire the rich productions of Asia, without the intervention of the British merchants at Madras and Bengal. Tea, silks, &c. are brought by the caravans from China and Persia to Makaroff, which is situated on the banks of the Wolga, whence there is a di-. rect communication by water both with the Black Sea and St. Petersburgh. In short, through Russia, at Astracan, Odessa, or other fixed points, a gainful commerce with the eastern nations could be carried on without the protracted and circuitous navigation of the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. The goods are brought by the natives, who unlike the Chinese, by whom specie alone is taken in return for their products, would be content with goods, a consideration of the highest im. portance, when it is recollected that our banks are cleared, and our proper medium of circulation removed to supply the unreasonable demands of India and China. The merchants of the east generally exchange their goods for woollen eloths, which are in great 20 request among the Tartars, Persians, and, indeed, throughout the north of China. In all those countries, though at certain seasons of the year it is extremely hot,yet their nights and winter months are generally cold, and the inhabitants require a warm yet light dressing, and which only the fabrics of the French fooms will answer. These are supplied in great plenty and very cheaply at the free port of Marseilles. The woollen cloth of Russia is of too coarse and heavy a texture for those regions, and consequently does not meet with general demand. A commercial intercourse might certainly be opened through the medium of Russia on the principle of an exchange or barter, by establishing agents in various parts of the empire adjacent to the Chinese do minions, whose business it should be to find a vent for goods, and send on for ship ments in return, the valuable productions of the east. It is a subject worthy of the serious attention of our government, and,it is to be hoped, will meet all the consideration which its im portance demands. To discover and bring into operation new sources of profit and employ in a time of unprecedented stagnation, for shipping and for commerce, is the duty of patriotic persons who value the prosperity of their country; and it is equally the duty of the executive to investigate the merits of such propositions by every means in its power,-by the inquiries and opinions of their agents, and especially by the friendly aid of those Courts whose cooperation might with advantage be solicited, and whose good will it is of the highest importance to cultivate. 1. A. M. Camden, Del. July 4th. ART. 6. TRANSACTIONS OF LEARNED SOCIETIES. NEW-YORK HISTORICAL SOCIETY. TH Sitting of the 8th of July. THE Committee appointed at the last meeting of the Society to prepare and present a Memorial to the Corporation of this City on the subject of obtaining observations to de termine the latitude of the City-Hall, and of perpetuating the remembrance of the same by the erection of a monument with a suitable inscription; and also of perpetuating in like manner the record of the observations taken by Mr. David Rittenhouse and Capt. Montresor, by order of the Chamber of Commerce in 1769, &c.--Reported, that in pursuance of the duty assigned them, they had presented a memorial conformable to the vote of the Society. The Committee further reported, that the application had been graciously received, and referred by the honourable body, to whom it was addressed, to their Committee on Arts and Sciences, who at a subsequent meeting had presented to the Corporation of the City, a favourable report, which had been confirmed. This report, which was ordered to be entered on the minutes of the Society, was as follows: REPORT. The Committee of Arts and Sciences, to whom was referred the communication of Dr. Mitchill and Mr. Pintard, in behalf of the Historical Society of New-York, on the subject of the latitude of this city, beg leave to report That they have examined the communication, and are sensible of the importance of its object; and, therefore, take the liberty of stating the substance of it, and the request con tained therein. on the 5th of April, 1768. In the year fol- Your committee think that the subject of this communication is of great importance; and that so large and growing a city as NewYork should not long remain without its latitude being accurately ascertained; and that the place of observation should be known and designated. Wherefore, they recommend, The Chamber of Commerce of the city of New-York was instituted and organized 1. That the Street Commissioner be directed |