The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1840-07-07 00:00:00

THE COMMERCIAL BANK

(From our Correspondent.)
MANCHESTER, MONDAY EVENING.—From what has
transpired of the proceedings at the meeting of the share-
holders of the above bank? on Friday last, it appears, that
in consequence of the proposed arrangements with Messrs.
Barnett, Hoare and Co. not having been successful, nor yet
those made by the Bank of England, the shareholders re-
solved on meeting the difficulties in which the establishment
was placed by advancing among themselves something like a
just proportion to the shares held by each proprietor. One
gentleman offered a loan, or whatever else it may be desig-
nated, of £lO,OOO, and several others £5,000 each ; and,
from the temper of the meeting, it is confidently anticipated
that a sufficient sum will be raised among themselves, forth-
with, to place not only the public completely out of danger,
but also to carry on the affairs of the bank and its branches
as usual. An advertisement has appeared in the Manchester
papers, stating that the banks will shortly be able to resume
business. Notwithstanding the deputation went to London
with the determination not to ask aid of the Bank of England,
it (lid, however, seek such aid, after the offers made to
Messrs. Barnett and Co. were declined. The conditions,
however, which the Bank of England were desirous to im-
pose, were such as to induce the deputation to decline the
proffered advance : and as the meeting yesterday coincided
with the views taken by the deputation, an advance by the
various shareholders was decided upon.

Another meeting of the shareholders took place on Satur-
day, but nothing of importance transpired. The Manches-
ter and Salford Advertiser of the 4th inst. contains a list of
the proprietors, 588 in number. It is eminently calculated
to allay the apprehensions, if any exist, of such as may have
any claims upon the bank% as there would be no difficulty
in selecting one or two individuals from the list, who, in the
estimation of the public. could without inconvenience liqui-
date the notes of the establishment. The following brief
statement of the general location of the proprietors may not
be uninteresting. There reside in Manchester and Salford
about 80 ; Blackburn 54 ; Newport (Salop) 35 ; Chester 30 ;
Ludlow 26 ; Leeds 31; Potteries 24 ; Whitchurch 13 ; Bir-
mingham 13 ; Ashburne 12; Huddersfield 12 ; Skipton 15 ;
Shrewsbury, &c. 14 ; Halifax 11 ; Rochdale 9 ; Burnley 8 ;
Bury 6 ; London 6 ; Chorley 4 ;. Preston 3 ; Wakefield 3 ;
Worcester 3 ; Ashton, &c. 4 ; &c, &c.

EXTRAORDINARY MATRIMONIAL ADVEN-
TURES OF A PRETENDED LORD.

On Monday last, at the Durham Sessions, Robert Taylor,
one of the most impudent impostors that we ever remember
to have heard of, was tried for polygamy.. We extract from
the Northern Times the following account of the trial :
THE RIGHT HON. LORD KENNEDY ALIAS ROBERT TAYLOR

(AN IMPOSTOR) ON A CHARGE OF BIGAMY.
On this case being called on much merriment was created
in the court, which was much crowded, and great curiosity
was manifested to catch a glance of " his lordship," as he
took his place in the dock. " His lordship," on appearing,
had a very self-complacent grin on his countenance, and
seemed greatly amused with the novelty of his situation, and
the curiosity that had been excited to behold this singular,
vulgar, ignorant, but successful impostor. He gazed round
the court, laughed at the spectators, and seemed to relish his
" own thoughts " with great satisfaction, occasionally turn-
ing up his ugly thick red lips, and distorting his ill-shaped
nose with the most " lordly contempt." Altogether, his con-
duct was more disgusting than amusing, and though the laugh
was often both loud and general, yet few there were who wit-
nessed this impudent impostor's grimaces but would have
readily assisted in exposing his unmanly, vulgar, and ill-fea-
tured countenance in the pillory.
~On being arraigned and
called upon to plead, " his lordship said, in a loud sneering
tone, that he was " not guilty.'
Mr. Granger then rose and stated the case for the prosecu-
tion. The learned counsel said that the indictment charged
the prisoner at the bar, Robert Taylor, with the crime of
bigamy, an offence against society which was justly punishable
under he criminal law. The prisoner was charged with
having married Mary Davidson, at Acklam, near Middles-
bro', in the county of York, having been previously married
to Mary Ann Scudmore, at St. Philip's Church, Birming-
hwent am, in July, '3B wife was now living. The prisoner
to Birmingham,ahnd gave out that he
near w the l
son of a late Lord Kennedy, of Ashby-hall, Ashbydenatura la
o
u
ch
,
in the county of Leicester, and had
represented himself
as entitled to great wealth, some £60,000 and upwards per
annum. To give countenance to these monsterous imposi-
tions, he had a number of strange documents, which he
carried about with him in a tin case, on which was marked
" Lord Kennedy, otherwise Robert Taylor." These docu-
ments purported to be the will of this late Lord Kennedy,
copies of the will, certificates of guardianship, and other
papers, to assist him in his fraudulent designs. The learned
gentleman read short extracts from these papers, and also
from the will, which " gave and bequeathed to Robert
Taylor, the son of Elizabeth Taylor, the sum of one million
and liften thousand pounds and No MORE!! ! three per
cent. consols (loud laughter) four coal-pits, some ships,
&c." The prisoner had, at Birmingham, become acquainted
with a person named John Wood, who would be called be-
fore the jury, and after inducing this person to believe his
representations regarding himself and his great wealth,
had expressed himself as very desirous to be married. He
offered a reward of ten pounds to any person who would
introduce him to a nice, handsome, modest, pious young
girl, who was agreeable to marry him, and in consequence

lof his statements, John Wood had taken him (Tayk..
the house of Benjamin Scudmore, in Birmingham, for t.
Purpose of being affianced to the daughter of Scudmon
The object of the visit having been explained to Benjami
Scudmore. and the great wealth and titles of the prison(
brought under the notice of the said Benjamin, " his lora]
ship" was next introduced to Miss Mary Ann, who co
sented to become " Lady Kennedy." The money ha-
been raised by the Scudmore family for the purpr
marriage licence and a ring were procured that cl;
the parties were married on the next morning, a
Philip's Church, Birmingham, in the presence of John
and his wife, and some members of the Scudmore fam
The learned counsel said he should prove these facts by Jo
Wood, whom he should call as a witness. After the ins
riage the prisoner lived with his wife, and upon his wife
family, for about six weeks, when he finally left her, and the
had seen nothing of him since. It was in consequence c
his apprehension at Hetton, by Superintendent Ingo, of th
rural police, on another charge of bigamy, which had led t(
the discovery of this marriage. After leaving Birmingham
the prisoner had visited different parts of the country, prac•
tising his deceptions, and " his lordship" had become wel
known at Hetton, where he had lived for some length 01
time upon the credulity of such persons as believed his in-
famous misrepresentations- He affected great piety and
purity of life—carried about with him hymn-books, teetotal
pledges, anti-tobacco pledges, and visited class-meetings and
preachings in the Primitive Methodist Connexion. He had,
at a class-meeting in Newcastle, last October, become ac-
quainted with a young female, named Mary Ann Wilson,
who was married to him a day or two after, on the 19th of
October, at St. John's Church, Newcastle. Like his wife
at Birmingham, the unfortunate victim at Newcastle was
soon abandoned, and " his lordship" betook himself to the
neighbourhood of Hetton again, and thence to the vicinity
of Stockton, where his deep piety recommended him to the
attention and friendship of a person in the Ranter Connec-
tion, named Benjamin Fryer. He expressed great anxiety
to be married to a pious female of " handsome" appearance,
and offered to give his friend, the " Reverend" Fryer, the
sum of £lO if lie would procure him an introduction to a
female willing to be married. His " reverence" thought
the chance a good one, and made the most of it, and accord-
ingly agreed to introduce " his lordship" to his wife's sister.
They went together to Acklam, near Stockton, for that pur-
pose, and arrived at the house of Thomas Davidson, father-
in-law to the " reverend" Ranter preacher, about 4 o'clock
on the 3rd of April, when he was shown to one of David-
son's daughters. The young lady was not, however, to his
" lordship's" fancy, and he declined this young person, ob-
serving " that he did not like her looks, and she was too
lively for him—not of a serious turn enough !" The other
sister was then brought under his notice, and as her consent
to be married was obtained during the night, the parties
went next day, the 4th of April, to Acklam Church, where
they were married by banns, by the Rev. Isaac Benson.
Money was advanced for this purpose, and afterwards for
means of support, by Benjamin Fryer, the ranter preacher,
amounting, together with the £lO. reward offered for obtain-
ing the wife, to the sum of £22. for which sum " his lord-
ship" gave his promissory note. He stayed about three
weeks at the house of his new father-in-law, and then pro-
ceeded with his wife, after often trying to get away from her,
to Hetton, where he was seen by Superintendent Ingo of the
rural police, taken into custody, and from thence he was
committed to take his trial for the charge on which he was
now placed in the dock. These are the outlines of the nar-
rative in the learned counsel's speech, after delivering which,
with much good humour, he proceeded to call the following
witnesses, whose evidence we shall not give at great length,'
as it contains only a repetition of the statements made by the
learned gentleman in the course of his speech.
John Wood called.—ls a waggoner, living in Birmingham,
in which town he first met the prisoner in July, 1838, who
represented himself as the son of the late Lord Kennedy,
and entitled to receive, on coming of age, a large amount of
property. He represented himself as entitled to £60,000 a
year, and said he had advertised for a wife, and would give
witness a reward of £lO if he could take him to a handsome
young woman, who would marry him ; and, believing his
tales, he took him to the house of Benjamin Scudmore, and
after explaining his visit, the prisoner was introduced to
Mary Ann Scudmore, the daughter of Benjamin. She was
shewn his tin case of parchment documents, the wills, &c.
The parties being agreeable to the marriage, the ring and
license were procured that day, with money supplied by
Benjamin Scudmore, and they were married on the next
day, at St: Philip's, Birmingham, in the presence of wit-
nesses and his wife, and some relations of the bride. The
prisoner staid for about six weeks with his wife, living upon
her family, and then left her. Witness has not seen him
since he left Birmingham, in 1838, hut the prisoner at the
bar is the same person.
" His lordship" was told by the court, he might ask the
witness any questions he thought proper, when he began a
long explanatory rigmarole conversation with the witnesses
that created laughter, but had no bearing upon the points
in the evidence given by the witness Wood. The bench put
a stop to it, by desiring his " lordship" to confine himself
to the evidence before the court.
A woman in the body of the court, elderly in years and
meanly attired, squeaked out in a ludicrous tone, Robert !
tell them thou's under age." On hearing which his " lord-
ship" turned round in a state of great excitement, exclaim-
ing, " w—i—s—h—t !" and shaking his head and his
clenched fist very furiously at this sagacious old dame. The
old lady afterwards turned out to be the Dowager " Lady
Kennedy." This little incident created the most laughable
excitement in the court, which lasted for some moments.
The witness Wood cross-examined by " his lordship :"
The twills and other papers were shown to Mary Ann Scud-
more's father, and the nature of them explained.
His Lordship.—" You stated what is not true.
the will' that was shown, it was the sirtiketer' (cert.
cate) you saw."
;LA
Mary Davidson, the prisoner's last wife,' was then called
She is an interesting, modest-looking young person, and it
seems strange how a young female of her appearance could
be induced to " tackle to" with such an ignorant, ill-fa-
voured brute as " his lordship." She was sworn and stated,
that she is a daughter of Thomas Davidson, of Acklam, in
the county of York. She has a sister married to Benjamin
Freyer, a ranter preacher, and that her brother-in-law
(Freyer) and the prisoner came to her father's house, at
Acklam, on the 3rd of April last, when the prisoner was
introduced to her sister, for the purpose of being married.
The prisoner did not like the " lively looks" of her sister—
she was not " serious " enough for him, and he was after.
wards introduced to me. -My brother-in-law represente(
him as a very pious young man, the son of Lord Kennedy
and entitled to very large property. He said he was t
have £2O a year till he was of age, and £7OO on being married
I did not then see the parchment will, only the copy on paper
Prisoner certainly said he was to have £2O a year till he we
of age. I consented that night to be married to him, an
next morning, the 4th April, we were married with Beene(
at Acklam Church, by the Rev. Isaac Benson. My brother
in-law advanced £l2 for the expences, which, with £lO re
ward the prisoner was to give him for procuring him
making together £22, he is now indebted to my brother-,
law, Fryer. We lived upon the £l2, after paying the wed-
ding expences. We staid the first two nights at Stockton,
then went to my father's, and staid three weeks, and from
thence to Hetton. During this time the prisoner often tried
to get away from me, and when in bed attempted to get the
ring off my finger. On passing though Hetton the police-
officer asked if we were married, and on hearing we were, lie
took the prisoner into custody.
" His lordship " then examined his" Mary," as he called
her, much after the fashion of the previous witness, evincing
great hardihood, and the rascality of the most consummate
scoundrel, exclaiming, When I came to Acklam, Mary, to
your father's house, did I not say, money or no money,
Mary ?' Meaning that he had asked the girl to marry him
whether he had money or not. This kind of examination
was carried on at great length, till at last the Bench put a
stop to it.
Mr. Ingo, Superintendent of the Rural Police, was next
called and sworn, and said that he had known the prisoner
since the autumn of last year, when he was at Hetton, and
was representing himself to be the natural son of Lord
Kennedy, and entitled to very large property. He was then
very anxious to get married, and caused much talk about
Hetton. On the 28th of April last I saw him going through
Hetton with a young woman, to whom I suspected he was
married, and having heard of his wife at Newcastle, I en-
quired of the young female, when she told me she was his
wife, and had been married to him. I then took him into
custody, much against his will, and on being brought before
the Magistrates he was committed to prison on the present
charge for trial. The marriage at Birmingham was not then
known. I have seen the tin-box and his parchment docu-
ments before, at Hetton, last year. He imposed upon a
great number of people. Mr. Ingo was then cross-examined
by the prisoner in the same foolish style as the other witnesses,
much to the merriment of the court.
This closed the case for the prosecution, and his lord-
ship' was informed that the time had now arrived for his
defence.

It was not

A scene of the most laughable nature commenceu,
lordship put himself into a position of an orator, and
vered himself of his thoughts, laughing at his own wit, ar,
working hard to get on the tread-mill. He boasted of hi.
numerous marriages, justified them upon the plea of his
"under age," and that as he was " a lord," possessed e
one million and fifteen thousand pounds, and no more
he could do as he pleased. After ranting in a strain of
folly for same half an hour or more, he introduced into tn,
witness box the Dowager " Lady Kennedy," to speak his
character.
Her ladyship said he was not of age, and therefore his
marriages were not legal. She had not come to say who was
his father, but lie was the son of a gentleman (!)—he was not
always right in his head, and was not very clever.'
The jury found him guilty.
His lordship was afterwards arrainged on another indict-
ment. for having, in Octoberlast, married Mary Ann Wilson,
at Newcastle. This case in all its features resembled the
last, and it was shortly proved in all the legal f acts so as to
warrant the jury in giving their verdict. On this trial also
he was found guilty.
The chairman in passing sentence, expressed the disgust
the court felt at the conduct of the prisoner, and remarked
that they were bound to pass upon him a severe punishment.
He was sentenced for the first conviction to he imprisoned
and kept to hard labour for 12 months ; and for the second
conviction, to 18 months imprisonment, and hard labour
making in the whole 24 years, during which time " his lord.
ship " will reach his twenty-first year.

LIVERPOOL PILOTS' ASSOCIATION FOR TB
SUPPORT OF DECAYED PILOTS, THEIR W
DOWS AND ORPHANS.

The annual meeting of that excellent and most praiseworthy
society, the Pilots' Association for the Support of Decayed
Pilots, their Widows and Orphans, was held yesterday. A
statement of the accounts and proceedings for the past year
was laid before those present, and unanimously confirmed.
We are exceedingly glad to state that the present state and
future prospects of the institution are very promising, and
that, by the improved system of management recently intro-
duced, its utility will become general amongst the laborious
class,"who are the objects of its exertions.
The business of the association having been disposed of,
about seventy of its members and friends sat down to a din-
ner at the house of Mr. Edwards, the Freemason's Arms
Inn; St. Paul's-square. We speak the sentiments of all
present, in stating that a more sumptuous feast was never
prepared, and that the politeness of the worthy host, the at-
tention of the waiters, and the quality of the viands, were de-
serving of all praise. We must not omit to mention that the
dining-room was elegantly decorated for the occasion. One
of the most conspicuous ornaments was the beautifully em-
blazoned banner presented to the Liverpool pilots in the year
1838, a circumstance that will be in the recollection of our
readers.
In the aMrn. bsecef Mr. Robert Clarke, president of the as-
sociation, Ht!gh Woodward was called upon to discharge
the duties of chairman; and Mr. Rowland Davies those of
vice-president. It is only just to them to say that they ful-
filled their respective offices with much credit to themselves.
Amongst the toasts proposed were the usual loyal and pa-
triotic ones : they were followed by " the pilot that weathered
the storm," the healths of Alexander Smith, jun., Esq., and
Raymond Haughton, Esq. chairman and deputy chairman
ofthepilots' committee, mid many others. This part of the
proceedings was interspersed by some excellent singing.
The dinner being over, the company retired into another
room, also beautifully decorated, and their wives and sweet-
hearts being introduced, they began to " trip the light fan-
tastic toe" to the merry measures of an excellent quadrille
band. The assembly did not separate till a late hour, and
when they did it was with regret.
In conclusion we earnestly recommend to the merchants
of this opulent town the objects of this institution. There
are few associations more deserving of their support.

LITERARY NOrms,

The Church of England Quarterly Review. July, 1840

London :W. E. Painter, 342, Strand

Under its new editorial management this admirable review
is rapidly rising in popular favour. The articles in the pre-

number are of a very high order

" The Office of a

Bishop" is an excellent review of four episcopal chargos,
severally delivered by the Bishops of London, Chester, Lin-

oln, and Salisbury. The writer has felt it necessary to

comment with some severity on the opinions set forth on

. .
the subject of the article by the Oxford Traitorians. The
splendid article on " National Education" is calculated to

-r-
-effect much good. It is replete with sound argument and

pposite illustrations

The paper on " Canon and Statute
• .. . _, __.

•i • •
Simony" is very important, and embraces a complete view
of the subject. The critique on " Lord Brougham's De-
mosthenes" does ample justice to that singularly ignorant
production. The comparison of the eloquence of " Bourda-
loue, Barrow, and Massillon," is exceedingly interesting.
The facts and statements adduced to show the " Spiritual
Destitution of New South Wales," are of a very melanchcly
character. " The State and Prospects of the Jews", are
treated of in an article of great ability. " The Documentary
Annals of the Anglican Church"—" The Present Position of
the Scottish Kirk"—" Naval and Military Chaplains," and
the " Ecclesiastical Report," will amply repay a careful
perusal.

Blackwood's Magazine. July, 1840. Edinburgh
W. Blackwood and Sons.

This is an admirable number. The continuation of " Ten
Thousand a Year" was the first article to which we turned,
and amply were we gratified by its perusal. It is decidedly
one of the best tales that we have read for many years past.
If brought out in numbers, with suitable illustrations, it
would, we feel confident, command a very large circulation.
The article on " Style" is exceedingly well written, and con-
tains some capital specimens by way of illustration. " A
Chapter of Turkish History" is a highly interesting sketch.
The essay on " Personification" is a truly philosophical pro-
duction. The author is evidently a man of deep thought and

great powers of discrimination. The review of Alison's
is very happily executed, and supplies
us with some important statistical details. The notice of

" History of Europe

" Germany, by Charles Julius 'Weber," explains some curious
traits in the character of our continental neighbours. The
Only political article in the present number of Blackwood is
that on " Lord Stanley's Irish Registration Bill." It con-
tains a sweeping exposure of the miserable, shuffling, and
hypocritical policy of the present degraded administration.

Fraser's Magazine. July, 1840. London : James Fraser,

215, Regent-street

The first article in this number is a curious disquisition on
" Occult Science," in which we are furnished with a detailed
account of " The Elixir of Life, or, the Universal Remedy."
The writer has, however, brought the essay to a somewhat
abrupt conclusion. "Il Boudocani" is a powerfully written
tale. " Here or there" is an agreeable melange, written in a
cheerful, gossiping style. The article "On Rabelais" con-
tains some very pertinent and original remarks on knowledge
and education. The account furnished by " Brother Pere-

respecting

teresting partien
far-famed land.

Modern Greece"

supplies many very in-

Liars respecting the present condition of that
" A Shabby Genteel Story" has fully re-

alised our anticipations. The chapters in the number before
us will afford a hearty laugh. " A Trip across the Spanish
Frontier in July, 1839," makes us acquainted with :some of
the more important transactions of the recent war in Spain.
The conclusion of " Michael Angelo Titmarsh's Pictorial
Rhapsody" is highly amusing. The " Statement by Mrs.
Barbara" forms a very suitable appendage to the criticisms
of the rhapsodist.

The Colonial Magazine and Commercial.Marititne Journal.
July, 1840. London : Fisher, Son, and Co., Newgate-
street ; and Liverpool. Hunter-street.
Few periodicals have ever attained such great popularity,
in so short a space of time, as the magazine before us. The
talent, zeal, and ability displayed in its various articles have
won for it almost universal approbation. We cannot, how-
ever, accord our praise to the opening article in the present
number. The writer of " The Past and Present State of the
West Indies" is evidently prejudiced against the planters.
We shall wait for the sequel of the article before we enter
into any detailed examination of its statements. " Justice
for India" is an ably written article. Its contents are en-
titled to the deepest consideration. The continuation of the
account of " Van Dieman's Land—moral, physical, and po-
litical," fullsLsustains the interest excited by the previous
This aAicle supplies several important suggestions re-
-3 the future management and government of this rising
The notice of " Sicily and the Sulphur Monopoly"
contains some excellent remarks on the rise and progress of
the dispute between preat Britain and that country. We
have been greatly delighted with the observations on the " Co-
lonization of the Falkland Islands by Convicts." The writer

has succeeded in establishing the great importance of these
islands as a naval station, and has truly shown that they'May
be considered as the Malta of the Pacific.

The Asiatic Journal, and Monthly Register for British and
Foreign India, China, and Australasia. July, 1840.
London : W. H. Allen and Co., Leadenhall-street.

g the present crisis of affairs in the east this excellent

magazine presents important claims upon our attention. Its
contents will be found of great value in elucidating the state
of affairs in India and China. Its monthly " Review of
is a complete summary of oriental intelli-
gence, candidly and impartially written. The " Notes of a
Journey through France and Egypt to Bombay," from the
pen of Emma Roberts, furnish us with some very interesting
particulars respecting Aden, one of the most recent acquisi-
tions of British arms. The " Analyses of Eastern Works"
are very ably executed, and supply some very curious speci-
mens of traditionary lore. " Scenes in Southern India"
abound in characteristic anecdotes. The account of the
" Missionary Proceedings at Bombay" breathes a spirit of
impartiality. The paper on " The Language and Literature
of the Telugns" will greatly interest the philological student.
The miscellaneous intelligence from Calcutta, Madras, Bom-
bay, Ceylon, Penang, Singapore, Siam, Dutch India, Mau-
ritius, Persia, China, New South Wales, Van Diemen's

Eastern New

Land, &c., &c. is exceedingly copious and interesting.

'no Monthly Belle Assemble. July, 1840. London

24, Norfolk-street, Strand

It is some time since we have been favoured with this
periodical, together with its associates, the Sportsman and
the Farmer's Magazine, published at the same office. The
number before us is pre-eminently rich and varied in its
The prints of the fashions will be duly appre-
ciated by our fair readers. The exquisite portrait of Queen
Adelaide is quite a treasure, and will be very highly prized by
all who have any knowledge of the estimable character of
the Queen Dowager. " The Three Distaffs" is a pleasantly
written extravaganza. " Jennv Bawn" is a characteristic
Irish tale. The Death-bed of a Parricide" is a powerful
narrative, fraught with moral lessons of the highest import.
" Ascelina's Vow" is a capital tale, abounding in deep pa-
thos. " The Brothers" is a tale highly illustrative of Scot-
tish manners and morals. " Fatal Love" has some very
" The Fastidious Young Gentleman" is
a very amusing sketch. " The Flirt" is an instructive tale,
the perusal of which may do much good. The poetry and
miscellaneous contents of this delightful magazine are of a
very superior order.

content

lirring incidents

The Farmer's Magazine, and Monthly Journal of Proceed-
ings affecting the Agricultural Interest. London : 24,

- _
Norfolk-street, Strand

There are few works which are entitled to greater atten-
tion than this valuable periodical, and few which are more
criminally deserving of national support. The present num-
ber contains two excellent plates. The first represents a
Devon heifer, a fine specimen of that choice breed. The
second represents three South Down wethers, that gained
prizes last year at Smithfield. Both these plates are beauti-
fully executed. The contents of this magazine will be found
of the most interesting nature to all who are engaged in ag-
ricultural or rural pursuits. Among the most prominent
articles we would enumerate those on " The Improvements
which have taken place in the Agriculture of Scotland since
the Formation of the Highland Society"—" Common Salt
for Cattle"—" The Cultivation of Poor Clay Sand"—" Cot-
tage Allotments"—" Sheep Breeding"_" The Comparative
Merits of Ploughs"—" Animal Oil from Wool as a Manure"
The Census of Agriculture in the United States"-
- " British Woollen Manufactures"—" Farrow
Draining"—" A New Method of Feeding Sheep on Turnips"
of the Horse,"
—he Formation of Wool"—" The History

" Draini

The Sportsman. July, 1840. London : 24, Norfolk-street,

Strand

This is one of the most spirited periodicals of the day. Ac.
enstoraed as we have been, during a great portion of our

_
lives, to the active pursuits of a country life, we always hail
its appearance with delight. In this number there are two
capital engravings—a portrait of " Little Wonder," the win-
ner of the Derby ; and a characteristic view of " Yachting,"
off Hurst Castle. The literary contents of the number are
of the highest order, The explanations of the plates deserv-
edly occupy the earlier pages. The account of " The Man-
chester Meeting" is a highly graphic sketch. " A Story
about a Boar" is a very stirring narrative. " The Hound

Family" contains some interesting particulars respecting dogs
which hunt chiefly in packs, and run by scent. " Angling in
July" is in the best style of our old friend Piscator. " A
Negro Tale" strongly reminds us of some of Captain Basil
Hall's sketches. " Seal-shooting in the Firth of Forth"

contains some very curious particulars respecting a very rare
species of sport. " Life in the Woods" introduces some ac-
count of hunting during the summer months in Nova Scotia.
The current comments on the Races, &c., are admirably
-

The British Farmer'. Magazine. July,lB4o. London: J
Ridgway and Sons, Piccadilly.

is a quarterly publication of very great merit, the
contents of which we have always noticed with much pleasure
and satisfaction. The present number abounds in excellent
articles. The essay on " Manures—thee Use and Corn-

petition" will lie found of gteat value to the praettcal farmer.
The " Interesting Experiment on the Vegetative Power of
Sea Sand in Morecambe Bay" merits attention un account
of its singular results. The account of the " Progress of
Agricultural Improvement," from the pen of Mr. Towers,
is an elaborate production. Much good would arise from a
strict observance of the suggestions offered in the short
paper " On Correctly Reporting Experiments with artificial
Manures." The essay on " The necessity of studying tho

Science of Field Entomology" treats of a subject of great
importance, and one which has been hitherto too much
neglected. The " Observations on the Excretory Powers of
Plants," &c. are very curious. The remarks on " Geology
and Agriculture" show the intimate connexion of these sub-
jects. The paper on " The Arrangement of Country Seats"
offers some valuable suggestions. Under the head of " Facts
and Opinions" we find some important practical directions
on agricultural topics. The continuation.of Mr. Donbavand's
" Introduction to Practical and Economic Geology" will be
read with interest.

The Churchman. July, 1840. London : W. E. Painter.
The contents of this excellent magazine are of a very high
character. The number before us has several original arti-
cles of great interest. The paper on the " Ministry of An-
gels" shows deep reflection, and breathes a spirit of fervent
piety. The " Observations on Bishop Burnett's Characters
of Edward the Sixth and of Queen Mary" display consider-
able historical research. The continuation of the essay on
" Popular Superstitions" is extremely curious. The ac-
count of " Christianity in China" is, at the present moment,
deeply interesting, as is also the history of " The Syrian
Church in Malabar." The elaborate critique on the writings
of Lamartine, uader the head of " Sketches of Continental
Literature," will amply repay the trouble of an attentive pe-
rusal. There are some striking facts adduced in the " Testi-
mony relating to the Early English Church." The answer
to the Earl of Fitzwilliam's letter on the Corn Laws is a
masterly composition.

The Village Churchman. July, 1810. London : W. E

Painter

This cheap little periodical is an excellent ally to the more
learned and expensive productions which emanate from Mr.
Painter's press. It is calculated to be of great service to the
labouring classes. This number contains much interesting
matter. " The Pious Churchman's Sunday"—" Church
Bells"—" Popular Objections against the Church of Eng-
land"—" Hints on Popery"—" Church of England Socie-
ties"—" The Bible," and "The Liturgy," are some of the
most prominent and instructive articles.

The Hand-Book qf Health, or How to attain Old Age,
being sure and simple Remedies for the Preservation of
Health and the Prevention of Disease. London : C.
Mitchell, Red Lion-court, Fleet-street.
This is an excellent little manual, explaining the grand
and primary laws of nature and medical philosophy for the
preservation of health and the prevention of disease.—
It abounds in salutary advice on the subjects of temperance,
cleanliness, air, exercise, change of scene, occupation or
amusement, dress or clothing, and the incipient symptoms of
disease. Its maxims of diet and regimen will be found of