arms, M. D’Isjonvad was arrested the predictions were strictly verified and imprisoned at Utrecht, where he by the event. spent upwards of seven years, depri- On Wednesday, the 16th of Janu. ved of his liberty. To amuse himself ary, 1795, the wind changed to the during this long confinement, he northward. On Thursday it began to courted the acquaintance of spiders, freeze, and the frost increased to such studied their temperament and consti- a degree, that the French were entution, and, after a long series of ac- abled to enter Utrecht, and to recurate observations, he made the im- lease their imprisoned countryman, portant discovery, that they were the But on the 20th of January, an unexmost weather wise of all creatures. pected thaw threatened to frustrate Their presentiment of approaching the design of the invaders, who had changes is incomparably more refined advanced with all their heavy artiland certain, than the variations indi- lery, accompanied by an army of one cated by the best barometers, ther- hundred thousand men, to pass theicy mometers, and hygrometers. A wea- bridges which nature had apparently ther glass points out only the pro- constructed for facilitating their bable state of the weather for the next hostile operations. In this critical day; but with respect to a permanent situation, M. D’Isjonval, however, or long continued state of the atmos- remained firmly and confidently phere, this instrument cannot be re- attached to the prognosticks affordlied upon. Spiders, however, have ed him by the social spider.not only an obvious sensation of the He, without hesitation, seized one of approaching changes of the weather, his meteorological assistants, consimilar to that manifested by a ba- fined him in a glass vessel, and derometer, but they also indicate, with livered him over to general Van the greatest exactness, the more dis. Damme, then commanding officer at tant changes for a considerable length Utrecht, with a request to send this of time; nay, they foretell with pre- creature as a hostage to general Picision, for a period of ten days or a chegru, who had his head quarters at fortnight, those states of the atmos- the Hague. And lo! the long legged phere which are of a settled nature. messenger did not disappoint the ex M. D'Isjonval was so great a friend pectations formed of his prophetick and admirer of spiders, that in his talents. The frost recommenced the room, towards the end of autumn, he next day with greater intensity than once counted not less than 4000 cob- had been experienced in Holland for webs. He informs us in the work ages, and that ill fated country bebefore quoted, that most spiders, in- came an easy prey to the revolutiondeed, conceal themselves during win- izing republicans. ter; but a few still remain active and The discoverer of this extraordicheerful, even in that severe season, nary faculty in spiders further reand continue their usual labours. marks, that from their appearance in These brumal spiders presage an in- autumn, he has deduced rules for astense degree of cold or frost, fre, certaining the probable degree of vequently no less than ten or fifteen getation in meadows or pasture lands, days previous to such a change, even during the following summer. In though they should make their ap- consequence of such conjectures, he pearance in very mild weather, which informs us, that he would venture might still continue for several days. upon a mercantile speculation, to Thus the captive general was en- purchase large quantities of buiter in abled to predict the uncommonly se- the winter ; as he was convinced the vere frost, which decided the fate of demand for this article would be Holland; for though appearances did great, and its price be considerably not at first answer his expectations, advanced. We do not, however, learn a a from his pamphlet, whether the event has justified his expectations. Nor does the ingenious ex-general determine, with any degree of precision, to which species of the spider he was particularly indebted for this important information. He says, indeed, that those spiders which spin their webs in a perpendicular direction, serve as the most accurate barometers; but he does not point them out by the names of the different species. It is, however, probable he alludes to the aranea redimita; yet those winter spiders which, according to his account, appear singly in that season, seem to belong to ano. ther genus, and this again consists of several species. The manner in which these untutored little artists carry on their operations, conformable to the impending changes of the atmosphere, is shortly this: If the weather is likely to become rainy, windy, or in other respects disagreeable, they fix the terminating filaments, on which the whole web is suspended, unusually short; and in this state they await the influence of a temperature which is remarkably variable. On the contrary, if the terminating filaments are made uncommonly long, we may, in proportion to their length, conclude, that the weather will be serene, and continue so at least for ten or twelve days. But if the spiders be totally indolent, rain generally succeeds; though, on the other hand, their activity during rain is the most certain proof, that it will be only of short duration, and attended with fair and very constant weather. According to further observations, the spiders regularly make some alteration in their webs or nets, every twenty-four hours. If these changes take place between the hours of six and seven in the evening, they indicate a clear and pleasant night. It were much to be wished, that, from a multitude of such experimental facts, a regular system could be formed; as it may not be very difficult to observe the labours of spiders, according to their different species. In this manner, an atmospherical araneology could be produced; a work which might not only be useful in regulating undertakings by land and sea, but which, likewise, would be of the greatest importance in mercantile speculations. M. D'Isjonval has, indeed, promised to furnish the publick with a calendrier araneologique; but I have not been able to learn, whether he really has fulfilled, or yet intends to fulfil, his promise. I remain, with many good wishes for the prosperity of your excellent magazine, sir, your devoted servant, CINCINNATUS. FROM THE BRITISH MAGAZINE. ACCOUNT OF SOCIVIZCA, A FAMOUS ROBBER. TO make the life of a robber productive of publick utility, it would be necessary, that being interrogated by a philosopher, he should unveil, with the utmost candour, the tortuous windings of his soul. Then we might learn how, and by what degrees, crime became familiar to him; observe the struggles between vice and those principles of justice of which no human heart is ever entirely devested. Then we might lament the defeat of virtue, and tremble at the terrible dominion which vice exercises over those minds of which it is become absolute master. From such a display the reader might derive an increased love of goodness, justice, and integrity, and an augmented horrour of their opposite. He would be endowed with more circumspection, and especially in those circumstances which tend to seduce him into more dangerous consequences, and lead to a forgetfulness of the principles of honour. If the life of Socivizca is devested in part of these useful requisites, it is not without interest, from the number and variety of adventures in which he engaged, and from the publication having been prohibited by the old French government. Socivizca was born in 1725, at Simiovo, of parents who professed the Greek religion. His father occupied a farm, the proprietors of which were Turks, and treated him and his family with excessive rigour. Socivizca, being of a turbulent and ferocious disposition, was indignant at these circumstances, and frequently plotted with his brothers the means of revenge. The father, who was of a mild and pacifick turn, exhorted them to patience and resignation; advice ill suited to the impetuosity of Soci vizca. At length, chance brought the. masters of the farm, who were three brothers, to lodge at the house of Socivizca's father, with a sum of eigh teen thousand sequins in their possession. The young man, addressing himself to his brothers, convinced them that they could never find a safer opportunity of avenging and enriching themselves, and by his persuasion they murdered their three guests. They did not, after committing this crime, betake themselves to flight; and although strict inquiries were made, and even some persons were executed, no suspicion, for a time, fell on the real delinquents. However, in about a year, doubts were entertained; partly from So civizca's imprudence in displaying his real character, and partly from the quantity of money which the family were suddenly enabled to expend. They then thought it prudent to decamp, with the money they still retained. The father, who was very old, died by the way. They stopped at Ymoschi in the territories of the republick of Venice, increased their wealth, built a house, and opened a shop, which th y sto red with excellent and expensive merchandise. This was in 1745, when Socivizca was twenty years old. The tranquil life of a merchant did not suit his active disposition. He returned to Montenero, attended by ten persons, who resolved to share his fate, and in the course of the summer massacred forty Turks. His fury was entirely directed against that people, and it is even averred, that he never committed an offence against the subjects of Venice, or those of Austria. After making a great number of expeditions, in which he was joined by one of his brothers, he returned to Ymoschi, where he resided in tranquillity for nine years, employed in the trade established by his family. Yet from time to time he made excursions to assassinate some Turks. The brother who had accompanied him in his expeditions, being unable to settle in a quiet life, joined the most furious aiducos in the country. The aiducos were formerly a band of Morlachians, who associated to oppose the Turks on the frontiers, in order to hinder them from penetrating beyond their limits; but at present the term is used merely to denote robbers on the highway. This youth formed an intimate connexion with a Morlachian of the Greek religion, and chose him for his probatime. This association was an affair of great ccremony among the Morlachians. Those who resolved to become probatimes, went together to the altar, each holding a taper in his hand, and the priest pronounced some prayers over them. Thus united, the friends, or probatimes, bound themselves mutually to assist and serve each other. Socivizca's brother made an injudicious choice of a friend. The probatime gave him an asylum, made him drunk, and then delivered him into the hands of the pacha of Traunick who put him to death with the most cruel tortures. Socivizca having learned this event, immediately repaired to his brother's friend to hear the particulars. He was cape was shot, together with the is. received by the father, who related fant in her arms. the story in such a manner as to From this time the Turks pursued make him believe that his son was Socivizca with the utmost rancour, entirely innocent. The probatime next and he multiplied his murders and made his appearance, and after a robberies. great display of kindness, went out, P sued on every side, and anxious under pretence of seeking the finest to obtain a short repose, he retired lamb in his flock to regale his friend; with his family to a country in the but his intention was to deliver him Austrian dominions. He was for three to the Turks who were at Duwno, years, together with his two brothers, twelve miles from his house. his wife, his son and daughter, an inAs neither the probatime nor the habitant of Carlowitz, and during that lamb were forthcoming, all the fa- period his conduct was irreproachmily retired to rest, and all seemed able. buried in slumber ; but Socivizca did At length some person, whose not sleep. He was tormented with name is not recorded, betrayed him extraordinary forebodings; and un- into the hands of the same pacha who able to endure his internal sensations, had so cruelly put to death one of rose from his bed in search of a light; his brothers; and his wife and chilbut could not find a spark of fire dren were soon afterwards seized in throughout the house. the same manner. They were all Suspicion and rage now possessed compelled to set out for Traunick; his mind. He sought his arms, but but during the journey, Socivizca could not find them. He called aloud, contrived to make his escape, though but no answer was returned. At he had still the mortification to leave length, he recollected that he had his family prisoners. materials in his pocket to strike fire, When his own safety was ensur sured, and succeeded in lighting a lamp. He he negotiated with the pacha for the went to the bedside of the father, and liberty of his wife and children ; but Jemanded his arms. The old traitor, in vain. All other methods failing, he who expected his son's return with a determined to write, and his letter is body of Turks, sought to gain time given as a curious specimen of social by equivocating ; but the impetuous feeling, operating on a rugged mind Socivizca dashed out his brains with and ardent disposition. a small axe which he accidentally “I am informed, O pacha of Boś. jound. He then applied to an old fe- nia, that you complain of my escape ; inale servant, who, dreading her but I put it to yourself, what would master's fate, complied with Soci. you have done in my place? Would vizca's demand. you have suffered yourself to be As soon as bis arms were restored bound with cords like a miserable io him, he quitted the house, but beast, and led without resistance by lurked at a small distance to watch men, who, as soon as they arrived at the event, and ascertain the extent a certain place, would in all probabiof the pirobutine's treachery. Of this lity, have put you to death? Nature fie soon obtained irrefragable proof, impels us to avoid destruction, and I and retired breathing nothing but have only acted in obedience to her vengeance. laws. He assembled a few friends, and “ Tell me, pacha, what crime have surrounding the traitor's habitation, my wife and children committed, set it on fire. Seventeen persons pe- that, in spite of law and justice, you pished in the flames. An unfortunate should retain them like slaves ? Perwoman attempting to make her es. haps you hope to render me niore a submissive ; but you cannot surely dear to him, that induced Socivizca expect that I shall return to you, and to quit the life of a robber. That efhold forth my arms to be loaded with fect was produced by other causes. fresh chains. No; you do but deceive His troop took prisoner a Turk yourself, and render me more ter- who had favoured the escape of one rible than before. Hear me then, pa- of Socivizca's brothers. The brother, cha: you may exhaust on them all in opposition to the wish of the chief your fury, without producing the and the rest of the band, was anxious least advantage. On my part I de- to return the favour. The captive was clare, I will wreak my vengeance on destined to die ; but the grateful roba all the Turks, your subjects, who ber, while Socivizca was at prayers, may fall into my hands; and I will a ceremony which he never omitted omit no means of injuring you.--For before meals, set him at liberty. All the love of God, restore to me, I be- the aiducos were outrageous against seech you, my blood. Obtain my par- the brother of Socivizca, and one of don from my sovereign, and no lon- his nephews carried his resentment ger retain in your memory my past so far as to give him a blow. The inoffences. I promise that I will then dignant uncle drew a pistol, and killleave your subjects in tranquillity, ed him on the spot. Socivizca exand even serve them as a guide when pelled his brother from the troop, and necessary after performing the funeral obse“ If you refuse me this favour, ex- quies of his nephew, felt so great a pect from me all that despair can degree of mortification, that he deprompt. I will assemble my friends, termined to pass the remainder of his carry destruction wherever you re- days in retirement. side, pillage your property, plunder But the habits of a long life are not your merchants; and from this mo- so easily changed. After a short rement, if you pay no attention to my treat, he suddenly resumed his occuentreaties, I swear that I will mas- pation of plundering on the highway. sacre every Turk that falls into my After so many massacres and robhands." beries, Socivizca found himself in The pacha did not think proper to possession only of six hundred sepay much attention to the letter of a quins. Part of this sum he confided to highway robber, and Socivizca ex- a friend, and part to a cousin, both of erted himself in accomplishing the whom absconded with the deposit. vow he had made. He desolated the At length, in 1775, the emperour country, giving proofs of a prodigious Joseph II. passing by Grazach, where insomuch that the people Socivizca then resided, was desirous were obliged to entreat the pacha to to see him. He had him brought into deliver them from so great a scourge, his presence, interrogated him himby sending back his wife and chil- self, made him repeat the chief events dren. The pacha, however, was inex- of his life, and besides making him a orable, and Socivizca could only ob- considerable present in morey, aptain the liberty of his family by a pointed him to the post of arambassa fortunate co-operation of force and of Pandours. He was living at Grastratagem. zach in 1777, when his history was It was not the satisfaction of re- first written, and it is not known whegaining the society of persons so ther he is yet dead. (1800.] valour; |