they appear, by their whitenefs when cut, to be of that metal: but ftill the iron retains it's property of magnetic virtue, and is as much attracted, when tinned, as before. Platina, a new mineral, has been of late years discovered, which has fome very remarkable properties; one of which is, that, in it's pure ftate, it is heavier than even gold. According to the late celebated Muffenbroek, platina is heavier than gold, in the proportion of twenty-feven to nineteen and a half; confequently, it is by much the heaviest of all known bodies. It is alfo, like gold, of a yellow colour, but hard and brittle; and, together with gold and filver, makes very rich compounds, fuperior to any Bell-metal, Pinchbeck, or Prince's Metal. PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS. AN ACCOUNT OF THE USEFULNESS OF OF WASHING THE STEMS HE following account is a kind of poftfcript to my letter to Dr. Mofs, Lord Bishop of Bath and Wells, in 1775, which the Royal Society did me the honour to publish in the Philofophical Tranfactions in 1777. In that I fhewed how much a beech increafed upon it's ftem being cleaned and washed; and in this I thall fhew, that the benefit of cleaning the ftem continues feveral years: for the beech which I washed in 1775, has increafed in the five years fince the wathing eight inches and fix-tenths, or above an inch and feven-tenths yearly; and the aggregate of nine unwashed beeches of the fame age does not amount to one inch and three-tenths yearly to each tree. In 1776, I washed another beech, (of the fame age, viz. feed in 1741) and the increafe in four years fince the washing is nine inches and two-tenths, or two inches and threetenths yearly, when the aggregate of nine unwashed beeches amounted to but one inch and three-tenths and a half. In 1776, I washed an oak which I planted in 1720, which has increased in the four years fince washing, seven inches and two-tenths, and the aggregate of three oaks planted the fame year, (viz. all I measured) amounted to but one inch yearly to each tree. In 1779 I washed another beech of the fame age, and the increafe in 1780 was three inches, when the aggregate of fifteen unwashed beeches was not full fifteen inches and fix-tenths, or not one inch and half a tenth to each tree; yet most of thefe trees grew on better land than that which was wafhed. But I apprehend the whole of the extraordinary increase in the two last experiments fhould not be attributed to wafhing for, in the autumn of 1778, I had greafy pond-mud spread round fome favourite trces, as far as I fuppofed their roots extended; and although fome trees did not fhew to have received any benefit from the mud, yet others did, that is, an oak increafed half an inch, and a beech three-tenths, above their ordinary growth. Now, though the beech gained but three-tenths, yet, perhaps, that may not be enough to allow for the mud; for the fummer of 1779 was the moft ungenial to the growth of trees of any fince I have measured them, fome not gaining half their ordinary growth, and the aggregate increafe of all the unwashed and unmudded trees that I measured (ninety three in number of various kinds) was in 1779 but fix feet five inches and feven-tenths, or feventy-feven inches and feven-tenths, which gives but eight-tenths and about one third to each tree; when, in 1778, (a very dry fummer in Norfolk) they increafed feven feet and nine-tenths, or near eighty-five inches, which gives above nine-tenths to each tree; and this fummer of 1780 being alfo very dry, yet the aggregate increase was above half an inch more than in 1778. But the best increase of these three years is low, as there are but twenty of the * See Phil. Traní. Vol, LXVII. for the year 1777, Part I. p. 12. ninety ninety-three trees that were not planted by me, and greater increase is reafonably expected in young than old trees: yet I have an oak now two hundred years old*, (1780) which is fixteen feet and five inches in circumference, or one hundred and ninetyfeven inches in two hundred years. But this oak cannot properly be called old. The annual increase of very old trees is hardly measurable with a ftring, as the flightest change of the air will affect the ftring more than a year's growth. The largest trees that I have measured are so far from me, that I have had no opportunity of measuring them a fecond time, except the oak near the Honourable Mr. Legge's lodge in Holt Foreft, which does not fhew to be hollow. In 1759, I found it was at feven feet, (for a large fwelling rendered it unfair to measure at five or fix feet) a trifle above thirty-four feet in circumference; and, in 1778, I found it had not increased above half an inch in nineteen years. This more entire remain of longevity merits fome regard from the lovers of trees, as well as the hollow oak at Cowthorp in Yorkshire, which Dr. Hunter gives an account of in his edition of Evelyn's Silva, and calls it forty-eight feet round at three feet. I did not measure it fo low; but, in 1768, I found it, at four feet, forty feet and fix inches; and, at five feet, thirty-fix feet and fix inches; and, at fix feet, thirty-two feet and one inch. Now, although this oak is larger near the earth than that in Hampshire, yet it diminishes much more fuddenly in girt, viz. eight feet and five inches in two feet of height. (I reckon by my own measures, as I took pains to be exact.) Suppofe the diminution continues about this rate, (for I did not measure so high) then at feven feet it will be about twentyeight feet in circumference, and the bottom fourteen feet contain fix hundred and eighty-fix feet round or buyers meafure, or feventeen ton and fix feet; and fourteen feet length of the Hampshire oak is one thoufand and feven feet, or twenty-five ton and feven feet, that is, three hundred and twenty-one feet more than the York+ fhire oak, though that is fupposed by many people the greatest oak in England. I am unwilling to conclude this ac count of washing the ftems of trees, without observing, that all the ingredients of vegetation united, which are received from the roots, ftem, branches, and leaves, of a moffy and dirty tree, do not produce half the increase that another gains whose stem is clean to the head only, and that not ten feet in height. Is it not clear that this greater fhare of nourishment cannot come from rain? for the dirty ftem will retain the moisture longer than when clean, and the nourishment drawn from the roots, and imbibed by the branches and leaves, must be the fame to both trees. Then must not the great fhare of vegetative ingredients be conveyed in dew? May not the mofs and dirt abforb the finest parts of the dew? and may they not act as a kind of fcreen, and deprive the tree of that share of air and fun which it requires? To develope this myfterious operation of nature would be an honour to the most ingenious, and the plain fact may afford pleasure to the owners of young trees; for if their growth may be increafed by cleaning their stems once in five or fix years, (and perhaps they will not require it fo often) if the increase is but half an inch yearly above the ordinary growth, it will greatly overpay for the trouble, befides the pleafure of feeing the tree more flourishing. Although the extra increase of my first washed beech was but fourtenths of an inch, the second was nine-tenths and a half, and the third near two inches; fo the aggregaté extra increase is above one inch and one I cannot mistake in the age of this oak, as I have the deed between my ancestor Robert Marfham, and the copyhold tenants of his manor of Stratton, dated May 20, 1580, upon his then inclofing fome of his wafte; and the abuttal is clear. tenth tenth yearly; and the increase of the oak is eight-tenths. But calling it only half an inch, then fix years will produce above five cubic feet of timber, as the oak is eight feet round, and above twenty feet long, and fix. pence will pay for the washing; fo there remains nine fhillings and fixpence clear gain in fix years. IMPERIAL CLEMENCY. A MORAL TALE. HE Maréchal Sabran had Tured from the der vice of his king a and country at the age of fixty-five, having been equally distinguished for undaunted valour, and the most extensive knowledge of military affairs. The place of his retreat was a folitary romantic chateau, the fplendor and hofpitality of which were every way worthy of fo noble and illuftrious gueft: to this abode Fame attended her hoary warrior, after having led him fecure, through a series of dangers, to the highest honours which a grateful monarch could beftow. Here he propofed enjoying the bright evening of that day, the meridian fplendor of which had never been obfcured by a cloud. Under this friendly roof, that cordial hofpitality was realized, which is now feldom heard of, but in times remote, or legendary tales. No furly Swifs, in all the pride of upftart infolence, was placed, like a dragon, before the gate of this feat of affluence; nor was it ever clofed against the foot of even vagrant mifery. Every eye invited the stranger with a condefcenfion fuited to his rank and pretenfions; and the very dogs themselves (as if influenced by their lord's example) feemed to tell him he was welcome; whilft the board of plenty, at which he was placed without ceremony, effectually convinced him he was fo. Ye, whofe days flow on in one dull fcene of ufelefs inactivity, or roll in a continued torrent of voluptuous enjoyment; who bafk in the funfhine of fortune due to virtues which can alone be traced in the annals of your fires; compare your frivolous exiftence with that of the old Maréchal de Sabran, and whilft ambition excites you to envy his fame, let reafon urge you to the imitation of his virtues. Of all those who from friendship or want fought his protection, none were received with more apparent fatisfaction than thofe who, like himfelf, had devoted their lives to arms. Scarcely any diftinction was known among perfons of this defcription. It was, or had been, a folding, his ar enough the ftranger either rival was announced; the Maréchal ran to meet him; and all his neceffities were relieved as foon as known. The account which his guests had to give of their feveral exploits in the field brought back the remembrance of what he had himself been, and what he hoped his fon might prove when he fhould be no more. To educate this youth in the early knowledge and practice of true virtue and honour, was the chief pleafure and occupation of his age. This he did not attempt by implanting on the unprepared foil abftruse and metaphyfical notions of this world or the next, which never can be learned too late; but, by the insertion of fuch plain truths as naturally fpring from the harmony and order of things. Was the point, for inftance, to inveftigate the Deity?-his existence was proved by that of creation; his benevolence, by the bleffings diffused around it. The lily of the vale ferved as an emblem of his purity, and every fpontaneous note which warbled from the spray or grove, feemed to indicate, that praife is due to his facred name. All dark and difconfolate ideas, by which fuperftition is too apt to caft a gloom over the prefent, or cloud the profpect of futurity, were either wholly rejected as dangerous, or referved till the powers of reafon fhould be fufficiently strong to compare ideas with a proper degree of juft and philosophical discrimination. By thefe cares and attentions from from a fond, but not a too fond parent, the young Comte de Sabran, at a very early period, had acquired a fund of real knowledge which few others attain after all the labours of what is called a compleat fyftem of education. His ideas, naturally fluent and extenfive, were confined within proper bounds by the aids of a well-informed judgment: though a tenant of the fhade, he converfed with men ; nor, in his choice of a companion, gave that preference to a brute, which can only be fuppofed to originate in a fimilarity of temper and manners. The enraptured Maréchal, who faw this plant of his care flourish beneath his foftering hand, already received the reward of his labours in the fhade he forefaw it would in time afford to the wretched, and the fruits it would in due feafon bring forth to his country. The Comte, who was now entering on his fifteenth year, was impatient for the time when his father's expectations should be put to the defired teft. With what transport did he liften to him, when addreffed in the following manly terms! 6 6 Sabran,' faid the hoary fage and warrior, (for the two characters were equally blended in his foul) a new fcene is now opening before you; and I hope you are prepared to act your part in it agreeably to the maxims you have received from me. If fo, my boy,' continued he-a tear of aufpicious prefentiment ftealing down his aged cheek- then fhall my grey hairs go down with refignation to the grave, and my laft breath be expired in calling down bleffings on thy head. Remember, my son, that every man, however free by nature, is born the fervant of that fociety in which • he is a fubject: let the flave be led on by mercenary views; a gentleman fhould act from nobler motives. Duty and fame are the two objects he must have in view; nor can he, without forfeiting his claim to true nobility, attend to any other. faithful companion of thy father's labours; and with that keep clear the path to glory, which his arm has hewn out for thee: the fortune, the rank, the titles, it has gained me, muft, I know, be thine; but that is not enough, I expect thee to deferve them. Take, then, this trufty fword; not to be polluted by the ftreams of private vengeance: reserve it, with thyfelf, for 'what alone has a claim to boththy country. Be this, in a word, thy rule on every occurrence; never to unfheathe this fword but with mercy, never to refign it out with • life!' The Comte received the prefent with eyes that for a while alone spoke the language of his heart: then, drawing it on a fudden, and pointing to the blade, he exclaimed, with all the fervour of youth, Let the enemies of my country appear, and the blood in which I hope to fee it tinged, fhall prove if yours has dege"nerated in my veins!' Every thing being prepared for the young hero's equipment, he took leave of a parent from whom he till then had never been abfent a day, and joined the regiment in which a commiffion was affigned him. Three years of peaceful inactivity lingered away ere war gave fcope to his valour, and relieved the torment of impatience. Of this delay he never failed to complain with energy, when a temporary indulgence, or the cuftomary leave of abfence, permitted him to vifit the place of his nativity, and the venerable author of his being. It was during one of thefe pleafing intervals, that an accidental circumstance took place, which determined the happiness of his life. Sequestered from the village, but nearly adjoining to his father's park, ftood a small neat manfion, that contained a treasure he had occafionally feen, but the intrinsic value of which he had till now little fufpected. Maria, if fome eyes might not deem her in every fenfe the most beautiful, must be univerfally allowed the most lovely of her fex. She was formed to 2 L Shine fhine in courts: but the envy of a maiden aunt condemned this flower to droop unfeen, and wither in the fhade. In this dull fcene of vegetative existence, her only refource against Ennui was in books; and by thefe fhe endeavoured, as much as poffible, to beguile thofe flow-paced hours which ever attend on the steps of melancholy. Having wandered through the fields one evening, to tafte fuch faint relief as the beauties of nature could afford to her penfive mind, the had feated herself in the fhade, to read that part of Sterne's Sentimental Journey which fo pathetically defcribes her difconfolate namefake at Moulines. Infenfibly, the drowsy god had given a refpite to her cares, and clofed thofe eyes which the lefs tranquil ftate of her mind had condemned to too tedious vigils. The book lay open at her fide; and the name of MARIA was half-blotted from the page by a tear of fympathy which had fallen upon it: her cheek, more beauteous in languor, was gently reclined on her left hand; and the breeze that feemed to wanton around her with delight, had half removed the lawn which before concealed her bofom. What wonder the unpractifed heart of young Sabran was moved with a fight that would have thawed the coldest anchorite to warm defires! To fee, to admire, and for the first time to love, were the revolutions of a moment; the next conveyed him imprudently into her arms. In that aufpicious, and yet unlucky minute, appeared the ill-boding figure of Mifs Dorothé de Taillis, the very pious and difcreet aunt of whom honourable mention has already been made. Her ideas, at beft, were feldom of the most charitable kind; the reader may, therefore, form a tolerable guefs at their import, on witneffing the fcene juft defcribed: and, indeed, it must be granted, that a young fellow in regimentals, in a grove, and in fuch a fituation, gave but little room for favourable conjectures. Aunt Dorothé flew to the charge like an Amazon; with her left-hand fhe feized the unfufpecting Comte by the neck; and, with her right, firmly clenched, began to buffet him with unremitting zeal and affiduity. This unexpected attack in the rear, obliged the young hero to face about; and would have afforded poor Maria an opportunity of flight, had not the manner in which he was furprized caufed her inftantaneously to faint away, and fhe remained in a state of infenfibility till the contest between her aunt and new lover was brought to a crifis. The first object that prefented itself to her waking eyes was her enraged kinfwoman, who would not have been ill-matched with the Knight of the Woeful Countenance. Maria gave a fhriek, and again fainted. Young Sabran would have flown to her relief: when Aunt Dorothé immediately interpofed; and, by this manoeuvre, received the embrace intended for Maria, in which position they both fell to the ground. Aunt Dorothé exclaimed, in a tone much lefs unpleafing than ufual, that the was undone, ruined, violated! and, in fpite of all his efforts, kept the Comte on the turf close locked and nearly fuffocated in her arms. By this time the alarm was fpread to fome peasants in a neighbouring field, who came running to the fpot, armed with clubs, forks, and fuch other weapons as their labour afforded. With fome difficulty they relieved the enraged Comte from his critical fituation. An explanation immediately enfued, in which Aunt Dorothé was by far the most diftinguished fpeaker; who, after having exhaufted her rage, and the patience of her auditors, in threats and invectives against the Comte and Maria, was proceeding to fill lefs gentle ufage of the latter, when her lover ftepped in, and declared his refolution, in a tone that proved him to be in earneft, of facrificing Aunt Dorothé to immediate retaliation, unless fhe inftantaneously defifted from her purpofe. Having gained this first point, he foon infifted on a fecond; and, after a few preliminary articles, bare |