"Religious, Moral or Philosophical Knowledge:" but at the same time I find my means so scanty, that to enjoy these mental luxuries, I am often obliged to debar myself of what are commonly reckoned the comforts of life.

When your Prospectus made its first appearance, I was led to reflect whether, notwithstanding my desire to read your work, which promised to be so agreeable to my best feelings, I should be able to bear the expense, trifling as it is. But I was encouraged to gratify myself by reflecting, that, as you had promised to give us some "observations on aliment in general, and on the nutritive qualities, and best mode of preparing food, so as to preserve the most valuable parts; and also directions for rendering small sums most advantageous in the support of families," &c. by putting these observations, directions, &c. into practice, I should be no loser, but perhaps a gainer.

As I am well aware that much may be saved in a family in the course of a month, by knowing how to make the most of an article, therefore judge how disappointed I have been, at seeing so little relative to Domestic Economy in the five numbers that are out. But as I hope that some of your kind correspondents in future, will favour us from time to time with such rules, directions, &c. as may increase the comforts of the lower orders, that while they are laying out a little of their small pittance in purchasing knowledge for the mind, they may also increase their domestic happiness. As a beginning to their efforts, permit me, as Dr. Franklin says, to "start some game" for those who are philosophic enough to follow up.—

Which is the best method of brewing beer in small quantities? and what substitutes (if any) can be used for making a wholesome and palatable drink? Which is the best method of making bread? and which way can the labouring Poor who are situated in the heart of cities, &c. get the flour or meal (say a bushel at a time) so as to get it genuine, and at the same time reasonable?

Is there any substitute for yeast? or, if not, which way can yeast be preserved? as it is well known that persons who attempt to brew or bake upon a small scale, are forced to purchase more than they can use at one time, which is therefore a drawback upon their efforts.

What inventions are there (if any) that will enable a person to bake a loaf or two at a time, either before, or on, a common fire?

You will observe, I have no doubt, Sir, that, in all these questions, I have my eye upon those thousands of industrious mechanics who are pent up in cities and towns, and who have only one or two rooms, and yet would be glad to eat their own bread, and drink their own drink, if they knew how to go about it: therefore, it will be necessary to be very explicit in the directions, and also to mention the prices of the different articles.

I hope that I have not trespassed too much on your valuable time; and if there is any thing in these suggestions that will answer the desired end, the insertion thereof will much oblige, Dear Sir,

Your constant reader,
T. B.

August 14th, 1819.

Review.-" An infallible Guide to a pleasant and happy Marriage." A Poem. pp. 32. Alexander, Islington. Price one shilling.

Ir has been reported, that on a certain occasion, some lines being presented to Dr. Johnson for his opinion, produced from him the following reply:-"I have seen several such pieces written by many a man, many a woman, and many a child." This is a compliment which nothing should induce us to withhold from the author of the Poem before us, but our extreme reluctance to be indebted to charity. We can, however, assure our readers, that it is "handsomely printed on a beautiful wove demy paper, hot-pressed, and that it contains about one thousand lines."

The design of the writer evidently is, to impress upon the minds of his readers, this important apostolic precept, "Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers." We readily give him, without the least hesitation, the utmost credit for the purity of his intention; and could we persuade ourselves that the execution bore any resemblance to the motive, the severity of criticism might be spared. The preface corresponds with the work; and from that local feeling which occasionally appears in each, the idea is suggested, that many an instructive lesson may be

learned in the school of adversity, which prosperity can never teach.

The principal merit of this production, seems to consist in its being printed on fine paper, and entered at Stationers' Hall; and in having what the celebrated Edmund Curl used to call "a taking title-page." If the author had not unfortunately concealed his name, he might have stood a chance of occupying a niche in the temple of poetic fame, by the side of Tom Durfey.

History, Description, and newly discovered Antiquities, of Agricola's Rampart, Adrian's Mound, and Severus's Stone Wall; with profiles of each, drawn to their proper heights and dimensions; with a Scale of Feet.

THE Roman or Picts' Wall, as it is sometimes called, was erected as a barrier to prevent the ravages of the Caledonian Britons; and was first formed by Adrian, A. D. 121. It consisted of a high bank of earth, with a large ditch; but this barrier being found insufficient to check the impetuosity of the Caledonians, Severus built a wall of stone, which extended from Tinemouth in Northumberland, to the banks of the Solway Frith, in the county of Cumberland, which divided the island of Great Britain into two parts, by extending the wall from the German ocean to the Irish channel. On this wall, at proper distances, castles and towers were erected, to protect the country from incursions; and more effectually to convey intelligence from one of the walls to the other. This wonderful and extensive piece of architecture, the remains of which may be traced at this day for nearly 70 miles, was built by the Roman soldiers; and in all probability, some fragments may remain for many hundred years, as a monument of the consummate skill and perseverance of that brave and formidable people.

The last Roman station on the wall in Northumberland, is Carr-Voren, the Magna of the Romans; from which the wall passes down to the river Tippal, where considerable remains of it are to be seen. Leaving Thirwall Castle to the north, (at which place it is supposed the Picts broke through,) it passes the little brook Pottras, and enters the county of Cumberland.

On the west of the river Tippal, are

the remains of a castellum, from which the wall has its course across the river Irthing to Birdoswald, (the Ambologna of the Romans) which was garrisoned by the Cohors Prima Elia Dacorum; and at the distance of two and a half miles from Carr-Voren, there are still visible three Roman castella. A great number of inscriptions have been found at this place, most of which have been taken away; the remaining are now in the possession of Mr. Bill, of Gilsland, in the neighbourhood, whose collection of these, and other monuments of antiquity, is accounted very valuable.

The distance from Birdoswald (or Cumbeckford, or Castle-steads, (the Amboylana) to the next station, called Petriana of the Romans,) is six and a quarter of miles, in which tract of ground, the vestiges of seven castella are observable, at equal distances. In this place, the Wall of Severus is so distinct, that the facing stones may be seen in several places near Wallbours. It is of considerable height, at which place it is passed by the Military-road. On the opposite side of the brook, called Bankhill-burn, the ruins of the wall are nearly the original height, but without any facing stones; having been robbed of them for the purpose of building, in the immediate vicinity. Near the village of Binkshaw, the wall built by Severus takes a sweep over the summit of the hill, where it is rather imperfect, and at Highwelltown all the works are obscure.

Castle-steads lies about 400 yards south of the wall. The Alta Petriana of the Romans was situated here; and the ruins of the wall are very distinct. In making improvements upon the site, many antiquities were discovered, which are carefully preserved at Walton House, together with some that had been previously found. From this place to Watchcross, a distance of three miles, three vestiges of castella are observable; and the site of a fourth was to be seen a few years ago. The state of the wall here is very indistinct.

From Cambeck-hill

to Irthington, it may be traced in various parts. Near Old Wall, the several works may be distinctly seen; and between Old Wall and Bleaturn, at a place called House-steads, a Roman altar was discovered, and taken up some time ago, but without any inscription on it. In the Notitia, Watch

cross is called Aballaba, and it held a detachment in the time of the Romans, styled Numerus Mansorium. This station is on a dreary waste; and near Bleasarn, it passes through a morass. A little south of this part of the wall, several inscriptions have been found. From Watchcross to Stanwix, distant about five miles, the wall extends through a richly cultivated country in this distance not more than two castella have been discovered; yet according to the general distance of the castella from each other, in the other parts of the wall, there might have been five. The other three, in all probability, have been completely destroyed.

The footpath betwixt Farraby and Stanwix, is at this time carried along the foundation of the Roman wall for nearly a quarter of a mile, in which distance, when cutting a drain a few years ago, a perfect Roman altar was found among the foundation-stones of the wall, with the following inscription upon it:

--

MART COCM LEG II AVG. SANCTA NA SECVNDINI D.SOL SVBCv RA ELIANIC

T

CVRA OPRV VRA O

FELIX OPTO

Which has been read and translated as follows:

"MARTI COCIDEO MAGNO, LEGIO SECUNDA AUGUSTA SANCTA SUB CURA ÆLIANI DUCIS SOLUS NUMERI SECUNDINI OPPIUS FELIX OPTIO, DEDICAT PONENDUM CURA."

Translation-"The second sacred Augustine Legion, under the charge of Ælianus, Commander-in-chief of the second Legion. Oppius Foelix being his deputy Lieutenant, dedicates this altar to Mars, the great local deity, to be set up with care."

ridge which the wall has left is very conspicuous in many places, and may be traced running parallel with the ditch till it meets with the banks of the river. At the bottom of a precipice, nearly 100 feet in perpendicular height, by the margin of the river, at a place called Hissopholm-well, the remains of the wall are still to be seen; and the fishermen, when hauling their salmon nets, have repeatedly dragged up from the bottom of the river, large stakes upon which the wall was built. Tradition informs us, that a wooden bridge extended from Stanwix to the castle bank, near the end of which, there was a gateway in the castle wall, now closed up. Within the last five years a handsome new bridge has been erected over the river Eden, nearly opposite to the gate in the castle wall. When the foundation of this bridge was excavated, the workmen found an enormous piece of oak, turned quite black with lying under the bed of the river, but as perfectly sound, and free from rottenness or decay, as though it had just been laid down: by its having holes made in the upper side, wherein upright posts had been fixed, it had every appearance of having been the sole of a wooden bridge. And although it must have been buried above a thousand years, the holes were as square and distinct as if they had but just been made. They seemed to have been filled with a glutinous fluid resembling tar, where the broken tenons were taken out. The direction in which this lay evidently demonstrates, that the traditional story is perfectly correct, relating to a wooden bridge having crossed the river at this place, connected with the castle, and through which all goods and passengers were obliged to pass before they were admitted into the southern districts of the kingdom. Although this circumstance is not mentioned by any person who has written on the Antiquities of the North, yet I am led to believe that the castle at Carlisle stood originally in the Roman wall, not by it, and that the wall joined to the castle on the north side, where there has evidently been a fractured place, and where the two walls were originally united. At the bottom of the castle bank on the north side of the wall, and under a

in 1814, I accidentally discovered the end of an old wall, resembling in all its parts that of the Roman, which is a

Exclusively of these, Severus constructed a number of roads, 24 feet wide, and 18 inches high in the centre, which formed a communication from turret to turret, and from one castle to another and still larger and more distinct roads, to lead to and from the respective stations. There was besides a grand Military-way, which covered all the works; on the side of which, in most places, the present Military road was formed in 1752. There were also other roads branching out of the different fortified cities, 20 or 30 miles distant; so that throughout the whole country it was a continued series of fortifications. B. SMYTHE.

March 11th, 1819.

Can any of your learned correspondents inform me, whether the food on which the Baptist partly subsisted in the wilderness, was the vegetable or animal locusts? I see that Mr. Cobbett, in his One Year's Residence in America, says it was the former; but the Oriental custom of eating the latter at the present day, very much strengthens the general belief that it was the animal, and not the vegetable locusts, with wild honey, that formed his food; and this, in my humble opinion, is still further confirmed by the paucity of trees found growing in the desert. As I do not know that this has been the subject of particular inquiry or research, probably some one will favour us with a satisfactory explanation of the matter.

Church, (in the town of Northampton,) Under the portico of All Saints' on a plain tablet of white marble, is the following melancholy Inscription: This Marble was

erected to perpetuate the Memory of the following awful Dispensation of Providence;

At one o'clock in the Morning of the 17th February, 1792,

the lower part of the House of H. Marriot, on the Market-Hill, was discovered to

be on fire;

and the flames ascending with dreadful
rapidity,

he was obliged to leave his affrighted little ones, hovering round their distracted Mother;

and, by an extraordinary effort, he gained the roof of an adjoining house, calling aloud, for that help, which alas, could not be procured;

for in a few moments, his whole family,
consisting of a beloved Wife,
five Children, and two Lodgers, perished
in the Flames!
READER,

If the Almighty has hitherto preserved thee
from such scenes of deep distress, let thy
Heart glow with Gratitude, and, at
the same time, let thy Bosom
expand with Benevolence
towards thy suffering

Fellow Creatures.

The sad Remains of this unfortunate Family were carefully collected, and decently interred in this Church-Yard.

Near the same spot, upon a small stone, is recorded a most wonderful instance of longevity, and strength of mind and body, viz.

Here under lieth
John Bailes, born in this
Town; he was above 126
Years old, and had his hearing,
sight, and memory, to the last.

He lived in three Centuries,
and was buried the 14th of April,

1706.