to do, it will certainly be the publication of this work in France, being the most systematic, the most concise, and, in my opinion, the most perfect, which has hitherto been written in any language.

In a letter from Baltimore in America, dated April 16. 1820, there is the following paragraph:

"I beg you would permit me to express, in this manner, the obligation which, as an individual American, I feel, for the great benefits which have already resulted, and will continue to result to American husbandry, by the diffusion of your agricultural writings. Sinclair's Code of Agriculture,' republished here in 1818, is in very high estimation, and is reckoned the most valuable English work on that subject, and better adapted to all countries than any other." And in another communication from a respectable American gentleman, it is stated: "The Code of Agriculture has been published in America. It is in the hands of every intelligent agriculturist here, and has excited the greatest attention to that useful science, never felt by us before*."

An eminent agriculturist in Ireland, (Edw. Burroughs, Esq.) in a letter, dated 13th May 1820, states his opinion of the work in the following terms: "Upon the whole, I consider the Code of Agriculture' as the most valuable work I have ever read upon that subject; not only from the important information it contains, but from that information being given, under a judicious arrangement, and in a style suited to the most moderate understanding."

Great exertions have been made to improve the work, by the most distinguished friends to agriculture, both in England and in Scotland.

In a paper printed at Baltimore, in America, called "The American Farmer," an account is given of the most distinguished agricultural characters in Great Britain. The following remarks relate to the Author of the Code of Agriculture:

"The North British Baronet, Sir John Sinclair, has made us rejoice in America, that we are masters of the language in which he delivered to the world his inestimable and immense collections of agricultural literature. Had his been a foreign tongue, we should not have expected to have seen a translation of them; and the vast body of simple and precious truths-truths in fact, and truths in reason with which his extensive works are filled, would have remained, to the many in America, unknown secrets. He has taught us, by the happiest examples and the most effectual means, how to examine and how to make a perfect exposition of the agriculture of a country, from the scale of a kingdom and a province down to a county, a hundred, a tything, or a township. He has drawn, by innumerable traits, so perfect a landed picture of Great Britain, that no traveller of any nation, however familiar with the English tongue, can ever hope to obtain such a knowledge of the kingdom by his own senses. He has a title also to our gratitude, from the generous views he has frequently taken of the colossal stature and natural capacities of our landed interest."

Mr Coke of Holkham, in particular, circulated copies of it among the most intelligent farmers in Norfolk, who were the most likely to furnish valuable information on the subject, by which the work might be rendered as complete, as our present state of knowledge extends. As a farther proof of the consideration in which it is held, several of the most eminent agricultural associations in England and Scotland, have presented the Author with public testimonies of the high value at which it is estimated by them.

2. Code of Health.

In the introduction to the Code of Health, (section 2,) the circumstances are explained, which led to that undertaking. About the year 1797, the author had fallen into a weak and enervated state, and had found himself unequal to the task of managing his private concerns, of prosecuting useful inquiries,-or of applying his mind to political pursuits, with his former zeal and energy. He was thence induced to direct his attention to the subjects of health and longevity. Having succeeded in re-establishing his own health, he next ventured to give hints to those who were either in a sickly state, or much advanced in life, as to the means by which they might secure the same advantages; and the success which attended his efforts, led him at last to think of a greater and bolder attempt, that of instructing his fellow creatures in general, how they could best preserve their health, and attain a comfortable old age.

Some have objected to a Code of Health being written by one who was not bred to medicine; but the work was prepared, not with a view of giving directions for the cure of disease, but to prevent the body from becoming subject to it, and also to point out the means of strengthening the constitution, after any positive malady had, by the skill of an intelligent physician, been removed. Many of the faculty do not consider dietetics as a branch of their business, except in a very general way, and they rarely think of descending to those minute particulars, which are explained in the Code of Health. At the same time, it is well known, that many of the ablest works on health have been written by medical men, whose aid, the author of the Code of Health has, with much pleasure, acknowledged.

The advantages which have been derived from this work, are of the most flattering description, and the subjoined extract of a letter from a clergyman in Wiltshire, dated December 20. 1817, is given, as a striking testimony in its favour.

"From indolence and improper diet, I had become inconveniently corpulent and drowsy, and very nervous. In November 1815, I was induced to purchase a copy of your Code of Health, and happily had

resolution enough to practise what I found in it applicable to my case. From a rigid adherence to the excellent rules you have laid down, I am now as well and as cheerful as I wish to be, and have since married, which I think I should not otherwise have done, if I had been alive. I have likewise been of service to other persons, from the knowledge I have thus acquired.

“It will give you satisfaction to be informed of another instance of benefit from your work. A clergyman in this neighbourhood, has derived so much advantage from the Code of Health, that he makes a point of reading it through once a year. From being in rather a nervous state of health, he has now become perfectly well, cheerful, and

active.

"Your work, though well known among the higher classes, I can hardly suppose to have been heard of by the poor, in whose ears a name, which numbers in the higher ranks, I hope, hear with joy and gratitude, has never yet sounded. I should imagine, that a cheap edition of that work, for the use of the poor, would not only be of immense benefit to them, but would extend the sale of the present work, by making it more known' among farmers and country residents."

The following letter from the Rev. Thomas Brown, minister of Dalkeith, near Edinburgh, dated March 12. 1827, was likewise extremely acceptable:

"SIR, Few things gratify an author more, than to know that his works have been useful. I therefore beg your acceptance of copies of some small publications herewith sent, as a testimony of my obligation to you, and an expression of my gratitude for the advantages I have derived from the perusal of your "Code of Health," especially on the articles of exercise and friction. I am, Sir, your most obedient and humble servant,

THOMAS BRowN."

This work, indeed, has been found a storehouse, from which several subsequent writers on dietetics have extracted a considerable portion of their valuable matter, and been relieved from much laborious inquiry and research. It is a high gratification to be thus, even indirectly, the means of doing so much good, as the circulation of so many works on health, founded on information in a great measure derived from the Code of Health, must be the means of effecting *.

* It has been remarked, that several of these authors have not felt themselves under the necessity of making any acknowledgment of their obligation to the Author of the Code.

3. Code of Political Economy.

The introduction, and first chapter of this work, have been printed and circulated. They explain the plan of drawing up a New System of Political Economy, founded on statistical researches. It is proposed to begin with ascertaining the circumstances of every parish, or smaller district,—thence to proceed to county or provincial reports, -and then to a general report of the whole kingdom. In this way, the whole frame of human society will be anatomized, and the doctrines of political economy will be founded on what may be called Political Anatomy.

The following outline explains the nature of the proposed plan, by which extensive inquiries are made the basis of condensed information :

4.

Code

of

Political

Economy.

3. General Report of a Country.

2. Provincial Accounts.

1. Parochial Accounts.

The opinion of the celebrated Say, on this subject, I am happy in laying before the reader, as some advantage may be expected from a work, which such an author honours with his eulogiums.

There is nothing perhaps that would be more important, with a view to the preservation of health, than to ascertain the most effectual means of strengthening the throat and breast, and, in particular, preventing that inflammation of the uvula, and the parts adjacent, which is so extremely troublesome to those who are subject to that complaint. The perpetual phlegm which this produces is injurious to the lungs and the stomach, and the coughing it occasions is hurtful to the eyes, and sometimes produces ruptures. Some application without, or gargles within might be suggested, that would be of use, and which would be much more advisable than lozenges, or other medicine to be taken into the stomach, to the prejudice of that important organ. This subject is particularly commerended to the attention of authors on health.

Extracts of a Letter from Mons. J. B. Say, dated Paris, 25th January 1821, respecting Sir John Sinclair's proposed Code of Political Economy, founded on his siatistical researches.

"I have received the letter with which you honoured me, dated the first of this month, (January 1821), by which you inform me of your plan to publish a great work, entitled, "A Code of Political Economy," founded upon "The Statistical Account of Scotland." I am well acquainted with your labours respecting Scotland; the success of which, renders it truly desirable that you should execute the work you have announced.

"Your letter to me has not explained, whether it is your intention to restrict yourself to the statistics of the British Isles alone, or whether it extends to Europe, and that of all other countries. I suppose that you will first confine your attention to the statistics of the British empire alone, and that you will afterwards extend it as far as you can possibly go. The former alone would be a precious monument, and well calculated to elucidate the principles of political economy, though you did not specially discuss them.

"If I can be useful in the execution of your designs, you may command my best assistance. Unfortunately, I cannot promise that any aid which it is in my power to furnish, will be as effectual, as the offer is sincere. It is hardly to be credited that Bonaparte, with all his power, could never obtain from his "Préfets" and " Sous Préfets," those reports, which he frequently demanded from them, with regard to the statistics of France *. There is here, in the department of the Minister of the Interior, A Board of Statistics,' which scarcely furnishes any thing useful to the researches of the learned. It is very difficult, therefore, beyond the boundaries of Great Britain, to procure any thing, either complete, or worthy of credit.

That, however, is of little consequence, since you have undertaken a task, worthy of yourself,-of your illustrious name,—and of your matured talents; namely, to trace the path, which it is proper to follow in researches of that description; and your success is likely to be more certain, as the organization of political societies has become more improved."

The following extract of a communication from the Rev. Robert Burns, Minister of Paisley, (Author of the Historical Dissertations on the Poor of Scotland, &c.) in reference to the original Sketch of

* Had it not been for the authority of so distinguished an author as M. Say, it would scarcely be believed, that a private individual should have completed in Scotland, what the Emperor Napoleon, with all his power, could not carry through in France.