ing them in a reverberatory furnace with some inflammable matter, or by mixing them with earth, &c. in the case of ahsolute waste. It has appeared to your Committee, from the examination of some gentlemen concerned in the manufacture of Oil of Vitriol, or Sulphuric Acid, that nine parts in ten of the duties paid on the importation of brimstone, the inaterial from which this acid is made, have always been given back to their manufactories, till the last addition was made by the Act 53 Geo. III. c. S; since which, nine-tenths of this additional duty have in some cases been remitted to them, and in other cases withheld. The first observation that may be grounded on this Report, is, the duty of close examination by those to whom the charge is committed, of instructing the House by the delivery of their opinion: Your Committee are not aware of the and this takes several shapes. The principle on which any portion of the petition under consideration, desired an former duties are kept back, more especi- indulgence in respect to certain duties, ally as the whole is found to be returned in which, if they were demanded as authorone part of the United Kingdom; but cer- ized by law, the manufacture of this tainly they must recommend, that all the Bleaching powder, would be reduced to different duties may be regulated on the nothing. Certainly, it is in the power same scale. of Parliament to lighten the duties inposed by its enactments, where they suffers by the pressure: but, this power should be exercised with great deliberation, after satisfactory evidence, and the exercise of all possible forecast. There are many cases in which all the policy of Parliament is baffled by the dexterity of ingenious men, among the public at large, who, to the number of many thousand, set themselves to counteract by device, what they deem contrary to their interest; and among so many, what one cannot accomplish another will. Finally, your Committee have thought it right to make some inquiries respecting the importance of this new process of bleach-press too heavily, and where the public ing, which depends on the manufacture of Oxyginated Muriatic Acid; and also respecting the effects produced on fabrics submitted to its action. On the first head, they are informed, that without the assistance of this material, the immense trades in cotton and linen, so vitally important to the National prosperity, could not be continued at their present extent; as the operations are most materially facilitated by it, and a great saving effected, in the fixed and floating capitals employed; moreover it is stated by gentlemen well acquainted with the trade, that the bleaching of coarse linen yarı could not be maintained in this country by any other means; and actually costs about thirty-three per cent. on the value of the yarn: which would be increased to forty-three or fortyfour per cent. if a drawback were not al lowed of the duties on salt. And on the second head of inquiry, your Committee have received the most positive and unanimous testimony, not only from gentlemen now actually conducting the cotton and linen trades, but from others of great intelligence and experience, who have retired from them; that the effects of Oxyginated Muriatic Acid, on fabrics submitted to it by bleaching, are less injurious, than were the processes employed previously to the invention of this material: and that a contrary opinion could have arisen only, from the improper management of so powerful an agent by persons devoid It might easily happen, that a single opening afforded to the introduction of pretext and plea, should lead to consequences not foreseen; and neither intended nor admissable. The first attention therefore, of the Committee, has, very properly, been directed to the evidence of practical men; to the statement of the Board of Excise. The second observation is, that the benevolent intentions of the Legislature, are not always, and every where, fully executed. We learn, that in some cases, nine-tenths of a duty have been remitted; in others they have been withheld. In this place ALL is returned: in that place a portion is retained.— Most certainly, there ought to be no difference, unless such difference were in contemplation of Parliament; unless it has been proved that an essential difference exists between the two places; and, in effect that this very difference restores the level, and that apparent partiality is founded on real impartiality. may stand, as one instance, of the propriety of carefully examining even what appears to be refuse. That this should be entirely wasted, is contrary to the principles of commercial frugality; although at the same time, it is confessed, that under certain circumstances, the completion of the process necessary for obtaining it, would be too costly.The maker is the best judge of this: to prevent, by the weight of duties, his obtaining further results, is equally impolitic and cruel; to oblige him to persevere in such labours without prospect of reward, is despotism: the true point of public benefit, is, his enjoyment of unquestioned liberty. That a favour, or privilege, such as is solicited by the present application, should be granted under peculiar circumstances, to an article not of the first necessity, may be admitted, without inferring that an article of extensive application and usefulness, has not still greater claims to indulgence. The application of this Bleaching Powder is important, say the Committee, to the immense trades in cotton and linen; in fact, they could not be continued at their present extent, without it;-it saves Another observation may be made, on the admission that Salt extracted from sea-water in Scotland, is produced at a much greater expence than English Salt, a fact, of which we confess our previous ignorance; and which demands, as no doubt, it rests on, most satisfactory evidence. Nevertheless, it is inferior in quality to English Salt: and is recommended, chiefly, by its having paid a lower rate of duty. What are the causes of this inferiority does not appear whether less careful, or less perfect, operations, in the manufacture, or whether any admixture in the water itself, which, we suppose, is taken up from the coast, close at hand. Or, in short, whether any admixture is omitted in the process; for, we understand, that the best English Salt, is not made from sea water only; but from Saline masses obtained from salt springs, and employed as a basis for quality, if not for quantity. When we consider the infinite num-space, it saves labour, and it saves caber of articles to which salt is applied, or of which it forms a necessary ingredient, the conviction that it should be produced with every good quality possible, becomes irresistable. To deteriorate this article, is to deteriorate a thousand others-is, to commit the health and safety of much of our population, whose diet consists greatly of salted meats,—and to prevent, ipso facto, the equality of our fisheries with those of more favoured nations. We know, that this is felt by all competent statesmen ; and that government has done as much as it thought itself warranted to do, in alleviation of the burden of duties felt—and formerly, very heavily felt, by the fisheries; and not by them only. It probably will be new to many, that the residuum of this manufacture, should yield a valuable article of medirine, &c. commonly called Glauber's Salt-because first discovered, or at least, first rendered popular and useful, by that eminent chemist, Glauber. This in the present day, is perhaps, the most pital: moreover, it saves time, which important saving of all. These are great recommendations beyond all doubt. The last paragraph of this Report, is the most material, and while we have every reason to confide in the representation made by the committee, we have also some regret that the evidence on which that representation is founded, is not before us. It must be remembered that the evidence proper to establish the strength and solidity of such a fabric as linen, or cotton, is that of the wearer; not that of the maker, or seller. A good housewife, who diligently notices the witness; but not a linen draper, who condition of family linen, is a competent only receives and delivers :-nay, we know not, whether the humbler assistants in the labours of the washing day, are not the best witnesses of all. The liuen bleached by this process may, appear, while new, to be sound, and uninjured; but, if in that state which should be only partially, or half the consequences. Who does not feel himself interested in this discussion? Who does not value the comforts of clean linen, and the respectability of a whole shirt?-this, however, depends more or less on the skilful application of the bleaching process; and, from the generality of its use, we are instructed by our linen-draper to say, worn, it becomes completely worn out, more rapidly than linen formerly did, or than linen bleached by other process, usually does;-then it should appear that the gain to the manufacturer is loss to the consumer. And this, concerns not only the home trade, but that immense export, which depends on the credit and reputation of a fabric, for service and duration. The conse-it also depends more or less on the quences, then, are of the most extensive skilful and discreet application of the description, though the application, ap- Bleaching Powder. peared at first, under the simple fea-ex Lures of a request for relief from an overwhelming duty. That such injurious effects did follow formerly, is well known: in fact it cannot be denied: that they still follow, or in what degree, is more than we can affirm; although the mind of the Commmittee seems not to have been wholly free from suspicion on this essential branch of the enquiry. Improved processes may do much; diligence and skill united may do much; after all, experience must determine the real utility of any process; and if it prove upequai to what it professes, this is a land of hoice, as well as of recommendation; it is also a land of liberty, as well to the Luyer as to the seller. But we ought not to close these remarks without explicitly stating, that in the process formerly used of bleaching by expose to light and air, the linen, &c. was not fallibly exempt from considerable damage. Not seldom were goods spoiled, A effectually, though not exactly in the same manner, as by the newer mode. To push the process up to a proper point, yet not to exceed that point, required more skill than always fell to the lot of the workman. The solar light is a powerful agent: the atmosphere is infitely variable: a very good judgment might be deceived in forming an opinion en their combined effects, in particular istances, though it might be correct enough, in its operations, generally. The Lord of the Isles; a Poem, by Walter Scott, Esq. 4to. price £2. 2s. 8vo. price 14s. Constable, Edinburgh. Longman and Co. London, 1815. Mr. Scott continues to derive matter for the exercise of his poetical talents from the history of his country. His lively imagination traces in it an infinitude of suitable subjects; and to say truth, it abounds in striking situations and adventures, fit to fascinate the poet's eye. Add to this, an extensive knowledge of places, and of traditionary tales connected with them, by which this writer is distinguished above his compeers; together with means of access to documents with which he has been favoured by the ancient families of the north; the bent of his studies, perhaps the influence of his profession; no further causes need be assigned for his attachment to incidents of former ages. They are convenient too, as they interest by their renown, without decending to intractable minutiæ; they are seen through the dimness of tradition, at all times favourable to Poetry, and of mightily magnifying powers; while the marvellous, which has lost nothing by repetition, plays around them diversified colours all its own, allowing full liberty to the poet, in what manner to present them to his reader, and to arrange the fort and the foible, at his pleasure. A facility of verse, with a happy The decisions of members of the Le-knack at occasionally shifting off the islature penetrate the inmost recesses trammels of strict rhyme, enable Mr. of domestic life: if they be misled by Scott to compose with great rapidity; (vidence adduced, the public at large and if history refuse submission to his are the sufferers: if they sanction a imagination, he avails himself of the lichange in manufacture, that is not really cence always allowed in such cases. Nor improvement, our families deplore, is this his only resource; for if his poem be defective in interest or incident, hel has at hand a store of notes, so copious, entertaining, and nouvelle, that a generous reader frankly confirms the reward he has paid to so much ingenuity and research. Opposed in interest to the Lord of the Isles, at the time assigned to the poem, is the House of Lorn, a descendant, in fact, from the same stock, but in the English interest; whereas Ronald, the Lord of the Isles, was a "The "Lady of the Lake" demanded partizan of Bruce, who then defended a companion-poem; and what more suit- his title to the crown of Scotland, against able than "The Lord of the Isles "the preponderating power of Edward, a personage once of great importance in known in English history as the hamScottish history. He governed the mer of Scotland." Western Isles of Scotland, 66 A marriage between Ronald and Edith, the daughter of Lorn, is on the point of being celebrated, the guests are assembled for the purpose, and the festivities are far advanced, when the poet— whose story would become a mere shadow of a shade, if the marriage proceeded He was, in fact, little other than an independent prince; and was treated with, as such, by the Euglish Edward. That regular course of obedience to the crown and the laws, which, in modern times, is held inviolate under every form of government, was then little known, or at best, was feebly respected among feu-smoothly to consummation and bride dal states; and a vassal was dependent, cake, interrupts all preparations for or independent, according to his own the ceremony, by the introduction of spirit and prowess in taking advan- Bruce; who seeks shelter from stormy tage of occurrences, and to the mildness winds and waves, and demands the or sternness of the sovereign; whom he rights of hospitality, in the castle of the sometimes cajoled, and at other times Lord of the Isles. Hence arise the intricacies of the poem. resisted. The Pashas of the The company is present Turkish government furnish no bad ildivided into parties: an appeal to the lustration of such a state of things. Some sword approaches ;-when the Abbot of them transmit their power, with their who arrives, intentionally to pronounce districts, to their families; and their in- the matrimonial blessing, suspends the dependence descends, in spite of the fray, and the poet obliges him, by suGrand Vizir; though in words they pernatural inspiration, to predict blesspeak the Sultan fair, and protest sings on Bruce, instead of curses; unlimited submission to his commands. which he m ditated. Edith disguises They support their own armed force, and herself as a page, and steals away with if pay or plunder entice them, they head the Abbot; but is taken by rovers, who their troops; if neither profit or advan-attack the Abbot's vessel; and is met in tage present itself, they repose im- company with these rovers, on an uninnoveably on their hams, and squat inhabited island, by Bruce and Ronald, sullen silence and disobedience. The Lord of the Isles, though occasionally acknowledging the pre-eminence of the Scottish crown, was often found in hostile array against his liege. More than once he invaded Scotland; and sometimes victor, sometimes vanquished, he gave, or he accepted terms of peace, rather as an equal, than as a vassal. Mr. Scott has a long and curious note, in which he traces the dynasties that distinguished themselves in the stormy history of the middle ages;-with the pretentions of those families which, to this day, claim to be the representatives of this formerly powerful and important chieftain. whose page she becomes, after certain banditti-like adventures and murders. To avoid detection, Edith had feigned herself dumb: it is, nevertheless, difficult to believe that any disguise could have concealed her from Ronald, whom she follows; by whom she is introduced to Isabella, the sister of Bruce, her rival in the affections of Ronald; but, a rival too generous to become her competitor, and who effectually resigns her interest, by taking the veil in a convent. Her cell, however, is the scene of s.veral poetical incidents. Ronald attends his sovereign, Bruce, to the battle of Bannockburn, where the English are defeated, not without assistance from the dumb Edith, who miraculously breaks | her silence, while the combat rages; and Ronald, thinking her an Angel from heaven, kneels to her, in gratitude for this service. As Bruce is in the secret of her sex, and this action is reported to him, now victorious, principally by means of Ronald and Edith, he gives the necessary orders, not merely for rejoicing after the battle, but for such state, As should on Princes' nuptials wait. action on her part, to postpone or pre- The advertisement prefixed, informs Fly dazzling o'er the battle-field ! us, that THE scene of this Poem lies, at first, in the Castle of Artornish, on the coast of Argyleshire; and, afterwards, in the Islands of Skye and Arran, and upon the coast of Ayrshire. Finally, it is laid near Stirling. The story opens in the Spring of the year 1307, when Bruce, who had been driven out of Scotiand by the English, and the Barons who adhered to that foreign interest, returned from the Island of R chrin on the coast of Ireland, again to assert his claims to the Scottish crown.Many of the personages and incidents introduced are of historical celebrity. The authorities used are chiefly those of the venerable Lord Hailes, as well entitled to be called the restorer of Scottish history, as Bruce the restorer of Scottish monarchy; and of Archdeacon Barbour, a correct edition of whose Metrical History of Robert Bruce will soon, I trust, appear under the care of my learned friend, the Rev. Dr. Jamieson. If Mr. Scott had never before depicted a highland chief, the hero of this poem would have been drawn with a bolder hand, with proportions more completely filling the canvas, aud marked too, with a more solid colouring than he now displays: had not the poet already enlarged in his description of a battle, the battle of Bannockburn, had been sung with all the force of his lyre: his Edith does not raise equal interest witb some of his former females; and Bruce is less allied to Poetry, than some of the heroes who were mere creatures of his imagination. Yet are there passages in this poem worthy of the master; the anxiety of Edith on the bridal morning, aware that she possessed not Ronald's heart, though mutual pledges bad been given and accepted, is well drawn; but it leads to no Such transports wake, severe and high, Warriors!and where are warriors found, If not on martial Eritain's ground? ye the Bruce his brother blamed, This is not the only eulogium on war: the poet has marked his purpose to distinguish the martial times in which he lives; and the opening of the sixth canto is an epitome of the emotions felt among his compatriots and contemporaries at the period of his writing. O who, that shared them, ever shall forget, The emotions of the spirit-rousing time, When breathless in the mart the couriers met, Early and late, at evening and at prime; When the loud cannon and the merry chime Hail'd news on news, as field on field was won, [sublime When Hope, long doubtful, soar'd at length |
