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the small pox has been practised here time immemorial: and this they do without preparation or assistance. In order to procure the disorder, they either rub the matter taken from mature pustules on several parts of the skin, or puncture the skin with a needle, previously dipped in the infectious matter. They call it buying the small pox, as it is a custom to purchase the matter of those affected, as children do warts of each other. It is probably a remnant of those useful arts taught the Britons by the Romans, and afterwards with many others buried under the rubbish of ignorance and superstition: for the custom originally came from Greece, and we know the Romans were not slow to adopt any thing that appeared like improvement, from the manners customs of that country. You recollect its slow introduction into this country; for when the account was communicated to the Royal Society by Pilorini, of the practice in Turkey, it was for some time only performed on condemned criminals. The Georgians and Circassians had been, for ages prior to that period, in the habit of performing this kind office for their female children, for the preservation of that beauty on which their future fortune might depend. It was early practised in America, and it was there observed, that in this disease and the jaws, the flies often inoculated thousands, by gorging themselves with the matter from the ripe pustules of the diseased, and flying upon others in a sound state, introducing, by means of their proboscis, the matter within the skin, as bees are known to carry the fecundating pollen from flower to flower. Thus, it seems, like many other useful inventions, we are not indebted for inoculation to the superior wisdom or ingenuity

of man, but to the instinct of the inferior parts of creation.

I am ever Yours, J. E.

DEAR SIR,

LETTER XII.

To the botanist fond of umbrageous woods, as forming a shelter favourable to the growth of more humble plants; and the enthusiastic admirer of nature in her vegetable decorations, it could not but be matter of regret to see the greater part of the country which we had just left, stripped of its most lovely ornaments, its coppices and woods. While lamenting this general denudation, we were desirous, if possible, to ascertain the cause; and in the enthusiasm of the moment, were almost ready to join with Evelyn and believe, "That it had been owing to some dreadful sylvifragi occasioned by invisible spirits, as there is nothing they cannot subvert and demofish when God permits them to do mischief, and convince those who believe there are none, because they do not see though they feel their effects." Sylva, p. 569. But returning quickly to a more sober state of mind, we endeavoured to account for the disaster from causes more upon a level with our understandings, and more consonant to the general tenor of events.

The formidable obstructions which the woods presented to Normans, Flemings, and Anglo Normans, in their endeavours to obtain possession of this country, may be assigned as a reason for the destruction of many at that carly period, as they afforded continual means

to annoy them, and the best fortifications for a flying and skirmishing army; imitating the policy of Alexander as related by Quintus Curtius, Lib. XI. who was unable to make any impression upon the Gens Mardarum till he had been able to fell the forests of Hyrcania.

Another cause has been the erroneous opinion long entertained for want of a better knowledge of chemistry, that woodlands, especially near habitations, were highly injurious to health, from the damps they occasioned, and the effluvia they emitted; and another, equally unfounded, that they are of no comparative value with arable and pasture.

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A third cause has been the discovery of numerous collieries and iron mines, which produce such an immense demand for black poles and charcoal. These may be viewed as the great devourers of woods, holding out such a temptation to felling as becomes irrisistible, when conjoined with the necessity of proprietors. And this necessity is too often brought on by extravagance, gambling, and debauchery. How much it is to be lamented, that the moral state of the owners may but too often be known by the number of sticks marked for the axe on his estate, and that an evening at White's too often robs the future heir of his undoubted patrimony. It may be said that every man has a right to do what he will with his own; but this is a principle in few instances just, or consistent with the general laws of society, every statute of which is intended as a restraint, The exercise of this right of nature would often clash with the rights of others, and in few cases perhaps would it be more injurious, than in the one before us. You will recollect that Cicero in his second philippic, amidst other

reproaches of his antagonist, dwells most upon his waste of certain wood lands, to the great detriment of the state and posterity. Speaking of his debaucheries, he says, in his inimitable manner, "Tua ista detrimenta; speaking of his felling the timber, illa nostra!" The only remedy to be applied to this increasing evil is a general spirit of planting; but this will never be excited, till either you can persuade mankind that they are non sibi nati, but patres patria; that they have not only social dutics to perform, but also duties which relate to posterity; or that the planting of trees is a profitable concern, and perhaps the best mode they can adopt to provide for the younger part of their families, For this purpose, I would strongly recommend that incomparable work, Evelyn on Forest Trees, to the serious perusal of the nobility and gentry of this kingdom, especially those of North and South Wales,

The lordship of Kemes, however, forms a fine contrast with the commot of Dewi: both the upper and under strata, and the whole face of the country, are truly different. The limestone is changed into slate, the soil consists of loam and clay, and instead of a flat and barren wild, the eye is relieved by varied hills and fruitful vallies, abounding with woods and streams. But neither the buildings nor inhabitants seem to correspond with the charming aspect of the country. The village of Velindre next presented itself, with its mud-built cottages covered with a scanty thatch of oaten straw.

A few miles out of the road to the left are the ruins of St. Dogmael's Abbey. It is in the extremo part of Kemes, on the southern bank of the Teivi, called by Leland "A priory of Bonhommes;" it was

a house of Benedictines, of a reformed part of that order, called the order of Tiron, and was founded by Martin de la Tours, in the time of Henry I.; afterwards further endowed by William de Valence, Earl of Pembroke, in the time of Henry III. Its value at the Dissolution was 687. 1s. 6d.

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Passing a noble stone bridge of seven arches, we entered the county town of Cardigan, in Welsh Aberteivi. The streets being on a declivity are clean, the houses neat, and the new town hall, finished 1797 for the assizes and other public business, is a handsome building. It is pleasantly situated on the northern bank of the river, about two miles from its mouth; yet from its various windings, and the hills to the west, the town appears landlocked. The tide admits brigs, as large as 150 tons, to come up to the quay; and previous to the war it had a considerable export trade in lead and corn to Ireland, but it has little now to boast of, except what the iron works in the vicinity afford, and is fast going to decay. At the end of the bridge stands the shell of its castle, built, as it is said, by Gilbert de Clare, who also fortified the town in the time of Henry II.; but we find that Rhys Gryffydd, when he marched towards North Wales to meet the invading army of Owen Gwynedd, built a castle for the defence of his borders at Aberteifi, A. D. 1155. (Vid. Powel.) It must afterwards have fallen into the hands of the enemy; for A. D. 1164, it was besieged by Rhys, taken and razed to the ground. It was sometimes the royal residence, for we are informed that, A. D. 1176, Rhys celebrated a feast at Christmas in his Castle of Aberteifi, which he caused to be proclaimed through

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