or recommend under any circumstances whatever. Without dwelling on the more obvious benefits which have already flowed from the union, or the admirable harmony which has been preserved between the states,-the wonderful increase and development of the national resources,-the spirit of enterprise, the love of freedom, the animated and prosperous industry exhibited on all sides,—it will be sufficient for our readers in order to become sensible of the importance of the obligations which we shall always owe to the federal government, whatever may be its fate, merely to picture to themselves the situation, into which we should have been thrown by the influence of the French revolution, had not the states been united under one head at the occurrence of that event. No man who recollects the ferment which was actually excited among us, and how narrowly we escaped from experiencing the severest violence of an explosion that made the whole earth quiver in its remotest extremities, can hesitate to believe but that these states, in the hypothesis above mentioned, would have been convulsed to the centre. The spirit of jacobinism unopposed by a federal authority, would have involved them in the worst horrors of anarchy, and in all the complicated evils of domestic and external war.

When we commenced this examination of the Federalist, it was, as we have stated in our last number, our intention to discuss somewhat at large, the principles upon which the constitution should be administered, and to speak in detail, of the political evils under which this country labours, notwithstanding the theoretical excellence of its government. But the execution of this part of our plan must be reserved for another occasion, in consequence of the inordinate length to which we have already protracted this article. We owe an apology to our readers for having exposed their patience to so severe a trial, and know of no better amends which we can make, than by coming to an immediate conclusion. A disquisition of this nature cannot be more appropriately terminated, than in the language which Bolingbroke uses with respect to the British constitution, and which may be well applied to our own.

"We have been all of us, those of every side, and of every denomination, accustomed too long to value ourselves on our zeal for this, or that party, or for this, or that administration. It is high time we should all learn, if that be still possible, to value ourselves in the first place on our zeal for the constitution; to make all administrations, and much more all parties, bow to that, and to suffer that to bow to none. But how shall this constitution be known, unless we make it the subject of careful in

quiry, and of frequent and sober reflection? Or unknown, how shall it become what it ought to be, the object of our admiration, our love, and our zeal? Many of those, who reap the greatest advantages from it, pass it by unregarded, with equal folly and ingratitude. Many take a transient, inattentive view of it. Many again consider it in part only, or behold it in a narrow, pedantic light. Instead of this, we should view it often. We should pierce through the form to the soul of it. We should contemplate the noble object in all its parts, and in the whole; and render it as familiar to our intellectual, as the most common sensible objects are to our corporeal sight."

78

Memoirs of the Philadelphia Society for promoting Agriculture. Containing communications on various subjects in Husbandry and Rural Affairs. Vol. II. 8vo. Philadelphia, 1811.

No member of our community sincerely attached to the public weal, can peruse or contemplate the volume which we here announce, without lively emotions of pleasure. It affords satisfactory proof that material advances have been made, both in the theory and practice, of the most important of all the branches of national industry, and opens an exhilarating prospect of future and still more valuable improvements in the same department. The memoirs of an American agricultural society present themselves under various points of view, all of which are calculated to engage in a particular manner our attention and our zeal. They are of preeminent interest in their relation to agriculture in general, and to the several important questions connected with this the leading object of public economy, and the basis of the public prosperity. The mutual influence of an agricultural population and a republican constitution,-the policy by which our government should be guided, and the spirit which it should foster, with respect to the pursuits of husbandry,-the nature of the encouragements to be extended to them,-the utility and the proper organization of agricultural societies,-all regularly admit of development in the first notice taken of a work like the present, by writers of our cast, whose object it is to leave nothing untouched, the elucidation of which can be productive of national benefit. The intrinsic value of these memoirs, as a source of useful information comprised within a narrow compass, and rendered accessible to every class of readers, is also a point of much interest, and upon which it would be both opportune and advantageous to dwell on this occasion. We are, however, at present, so far straitened with regard to time and limits, as to be unable to do justice to these important topics, and therefore, deem it advisable to reserve for a future number the ample investigation to which they are intitled. In the mean time we shall be content to lay before our readers a brief summary or analysis of the principal Memoirs contained in this volume, with the view of making them more generally known, and of rendering our own work subservient, as far as the case will allow, to the useful purposes which that of the Agricultural Society is so efficaciously calculated to promote.

Prefixed to the volume is the law of the state incorporating the society. This enables them to hold property real and per

sonal, and to invest it in some permanent and useful objects. The deposits, whatever they may be, will be placed in safe and responsible hands. In examining the list of members, it will be found that there are no citizens of our state more respectable on the score of property, talents, and reputation than are those of whom this society consists. But we are sorry to perceive, in a preliminary address to the citizens of all occupations, agricultural and others, that the funds of the society are lamentably deficient. The objects are mentioned in this address, and its incapacity, from want of pecuniary means, to accomplish them. It is earnestly wished that this ground of solicitude may not long continue, in a city and country so amply competent to remove it.

In a law of the society, published with the address, it appears, that members are distinguished into Resident, Honorary and Contributing. The two former may attend and assist at the meetings of the society. All contributions will be regularly registered, announced, and accounted for. The sums required are moderate; and such as those in circumstances very general in this wealthy and prosperous city and country can, without the least inconvenience, bestow. Some of the objects the society contemplate are enumerated, and are highly worthy of those who propose them. The execution of such plans will promote the solid interests of our country; and reflect honour on those who assist in their accomplishment-They are as follows. 1. The receiving and promulgating agricultural information, theoretical and practical; preferring always the latter.

2. Premiums to stimulate and encourage emulation.

3. The establishment of a manufactory of agricultural instruments and utensils of every species, connected with every branch of husbandry and rural economy; and a ware-room for receiving and vending them, as well as for other purposes subsidiary to the views of the society.

4. A pattern farm, on which every experiment in husbandry may be made; and approved practice introduced.

5. A veterinary institution, for investigations into the diseases of domestic animals composing the stock on farms, and to promulgate the knowledge of both diseases and remedies. 16. To promote the formation of similar societies through the state: and (if required) to cooperate with them in forwarding the common objects.

There is a table of contents and a copious index.

We shall now proceed to give a synopsis of the Memoirs, without, however, adhering in all cases to the order in which they are distributed.

I. Some Hints concerning Lime, occasioned by reading Darwin's Phytologia. By John Lang.

The first paper in the memoirs is on the subject of LIME. There have been various opinions, among both practical and theoretical men, respecting this substance. That it is highly useful in agricultre, when properly composed and applied, there can be no doubt. But its nature and qualities, the best quantity and mode of application to the soil, have been subjects of inquiry not decidedly adjusted. English writersDarwin, Tennant, Henry, and others,-distinguish between calcareous and magnesian lime. They hold, that the former is salutary, and the latter destructive, to vegetation.

Mr. Lang differs in opinion with these writers. It appears, by the facts he asserts, that magnesian lime is so far from being injurious, that it is preferable, on every account, to the calcareous, or mild lime; both for agricultural purposes and mortar. The latter opinion is allowed by the English writers to be correct as to cement; but they condemn the caustic or magnesian lime, as being hostile to vegetation. Mr. Lang combats that opinion in this and a subsequent paper. It will appear by the analysis of limestone which has been commonly burnt into lime, and used for a length of time on land here with great success, that it contains as much magnesia as that condemned by the English writers. Of course it would seem, that those writers are mistaken on this point; and that the use of the magnesian lime, in England, has been unnecessarily intermitted, because it has done harm by its having been applied in too great quantities. This subject is very important; and well deserves the attention of those interested in a perfect knowledge of the properties and uses of an article in such extensive demand for a great variety of purposes, both in agriculture, the arts and manufactures. Every assistance should be afforded by those versed in chemical and practical investigations, that no doubts should remain as to the component parts and properties of a substance so essentially required in many of the most momentous concerns, in which our subsistence, conveniences and comforts are involved.

II. Harrowing Wheat in the Spring. By John Lang.

This communication is also by Mr. Lang, and seems to be highly worthy of the farmer's attention. It appears that the practice of harrowing fields of winter grain, at the time, and in the manner directed, is very beneficial. It releases the plant from the pressure of the hard crust or cake formed on the sur