cently entered into the seventy-seventh year of my age, and having so numerous a family as thirteen children, and fourteen grand-children, many would recommend a life of retirement and repose; but various reasons have induced me to resolve on a different plan. 1. I find that a life of inactivity and idleness is the most irksome of any; and I am persuaded that an active mind degenerates, unless some great objects be kept in view; 2. From the attention I have paid to the subjects of health and longevity, I find that I am still capable of great exertion, either personal or mental: and, 3. I have for some time been employed in collecting the materials of some works, as the Author of which I wish to have my name handed down to posterity, looking upon those I have hitherto published, with two exceptions, (the Codes of Agriculture and Health), as of inferior value. On all these grounds, I have been induced to undertake completing what I call "The Codean System of Literature," comprehending four great works: 1. A Code or Digest of Agriculture; 2. A Code of Health and Longevity; 3. A Code of Political Economy, founded on statistical inquiries; and, 4. A Code or Digest of Religion. The two first of these works having been already printed, only require to be revised; and the materials of the two latter having been collected, and a plan for drawing them up having been arranged, the principal difficulties in regard to their publication have been surmounted. 133. George Street, Edinburgh, 1830. IMPERIAL AND ROYAL CORRESPONDENCE AND REMINISCENCES. I. THE EMPEROR JOSEPH. Audience of the Emperor Joseph, and Remarks on his Private and Public Character. ON the 22d October 1786, I had the honour of being presented to the Emperor Joseph, then in the 45th year of his age. The hour was early, (eleven o'clock). There was very little ceremony at his court. Some guards were stationed in the anti-rooms; but there were very few persons in waiting, and only one chamberlain. I was presented by that eminent diplomatic character, Sir Robert Murray Keith, the British Ambassador at Vienna. The Emperor was alone. The first question he asked, and one which was usually put by him to all strangers, was, "D'ou venez-vous?" I answered, "De Russie," as I understood that he preferred talking of Russia rather than of Poland. "Vous avez fait un grand voyage dans le Nord," he rejoined, having, it seems, heard of my recent travels. He then inquired, what route I had taken through Russia to Vienna? What I thought of the fertility of the Ukraine? &c. He next spoke of his bro ther the Archduke, and of his voyage to England, and mentioned how much he and the Archduchess were gratified with their reception in that country; adding, That they preferred London to Paris. He said, that the Archduke had seen at Portsmouth," une chose unique,"-4000 pieces of cannon ranged together. The audience lasted for about half an hour. The conversation principally regarded Russia, but he also made some inquiries regarding the agriculture of England. I had been forewarned by Sir Robert, that the usual signal of an audience being over, was for the Emperor to rub his hands. Upon observing that signal we withdrew. The Emperor had nothing striking in his appearance, and would have passed unobserved, either in the street, or in a drawing-room. I found, that a higher idea of him was entertained in England than abroad, at least where I heard his character talked of. At the same time, there were many favourable circumstances in his private character, which I have much pleasure in enumerating. He was bred in the school of adversity; for his mother, the Empress Queen, kept him at a great distance, allowing him but a very limited income, and giving a decided preference to another brother, his junior, who died young. This treatment the Emperor often talked of as a very fortunate circumstance, as it taught him many useful habits. It prevented him from growing either indolent or effeminate. He became, on the contrary, remarkable for punctuality in business, and endeavoured to have every moment usefully employed. 66 I must make up, (he used to say), for the three years I lost in my father's antichamber," where his constant attendance was required, and where he was kept in waiting until every other person was dismissed. He was accustomed, however, to enter by far too much into minutiæ, which is derogatory to the dignity of a sovereign. Even the old shoes and stockings of his troops were very strictly looked after. He was distinguished for activity. In the summer of 1786, without any necessity, he went a journey of 3000 English miles. He |