travellers, who, far from their country, and under the burning sky of the tropics, shall not be abandoned by the love of science. This singular depravation of taste is found in all the islands belonging to the Archipelago of the Antilles.A long residence in those of Martinico and Guadaloupe has presented to me such multiplied examples, that I think I can assert this appetite to be inde pendent of all want of food, and to be produced by general and permanent pathological causes. The individuals among whom it is manifested are almost solely negroes, either free or enslaved, and men of the different shades of colour. It rarely appears among the whites; when it does, it appears the effect of alterations in the animal economy resulting from prior maladies; pregnancy and obstructions produce it frequently among the females of the same class, but it then cannot be doubted that it is owing to the perturbations which these causes excite in the constitution, and which produce in Europe similar propensities. In the individuals of African origin, the desire and habit of eating earth do not appear, as among the whites, to be the effect of a malady, but, on the contrary, the immediate cause of one. This difference arises doubtless from the regimen which they respectively pursue. A more succulent food, and the use of alcoholized liquors, have probably the advantage of preventing in the white the gastric affections, whence this strange appetite results, and they are exposed to it only when a state of poverty, of which few examples are seen in the Antilles, imposes on some of them a different regimen. In the natives of Africa, the use of dried fish, and of aliments drawn almost without exception from the vegetable kingdom, seems to favour the pathological disposition produced by the climate; this is rendered probable by considering, that wherever the odd taste of eating earth has been observed, those subject to it are found to follow a regimen whence animal substances and spiritous liquors are almost wholly excluded. The pathological dispositions which may be presumed to exist before the rise of the ardent desire of eating earth, have always escaped my observation. Doubtless, to trace them would require a more constant study, a more practised eye. Yet many positive facts have led me to believe, that this taste is peculiarly developed among individuals whose constitution was remarkably lymphatic, the fibre lax, the body ill or feebly animalized, the mind sluggish, and the faculties generally inert. In those who had not for a long time contracted this habit, and whom I have examined with any care, I remarked no symptom of gastric affection; but, in a great number of others, who had been for a considerable time addicted to it, the visceral and intestinal maladies were found united; their skin was dry, arid, of an earthy aspect, and of a yellow tint, which was combined in a manner more or less apparent with the colour of the skin; the look was languishing, the respiration difficult, the breath often infected, the extremities thin, the pulse intermitting, the belly swelled, and sometimes painful; the general state of the body was that of suffering, and there was an indolence and extreme difficulty as to every kind of movement. In this condition, these unfortunate persons cherish continually the thought and the insatiable desire of abandoning themselves to the strange mania, which they yet know, makes their condition worse; they are incessantly occupied with its gratification, and, when the habit has acquired a certain degree of force, think only of how to deceive the watch which is kept over them. This obliges them often to sa tisfy their propensity with the first earth which comes to hand, and which they eat in large quantities. Yet I have satisfied myself that they act thus only from the necessity which deprives them of the freedom of choice, or by a want of discernment and knowledge, which, in young people, is the more frequently observable as, this fatal depravation being consi. dered as a crime, its details are wrapt ia mystery. Though I saw, six or seven months ago plasters of carbonate of chalk seized upon a young mulatto female, a part of which she had devoured, yet multiplied enquiries have convinced me, that the individuals affected by this mania do not eat indifferently every species of earth. That which is the object of their peculiar taste in the two isles of Martinico and Guadaloupe, is an earth composed of clay, of silex, and of magnesia, in proportions that do not much vary; it is more or less strongly coloured by the oxide of iron; in general, it reddens in the fire, throws out an aluminous odour, is easily softened by water, appears unctuous to the eye and to the touch, in the manner of steatites, and presents, according to the abundance of its ferruginous parts, shades of ochery red, more or less intense.This earth arises from the decomposition of the porphyritic lavas thrown out by the ancient volcanoes of the Antilles, in currents, the length of which is from 5 to 6000 toises, and the height from 2 to 600. These lavas have an argillaceous base; they contain phyroxene, amphibole, hexagonic micas, and large white amorphous feldspars, which constitute the greatest part of their substance. The magnesian earth contained in the micas being set free by the decomposition of the lavas, forms, by its mixture with the clay, steatitic earth, which, particularly when moistened, is fat and soapy. These characters have not escaped the inhabitants of the Antilles; they give the appellation of soap-bill to every elevation the surface of which is formed of this earth; this name warns the traveller, particularly in the rainy season, of reads whose rapid descent is slippery and dangerous. The character of unctuosity which distinguishes this species of steatitic clay, doubtless diminishes its earthy and arid taste; it is conceived at least that this must be the case, though the difference felt by the touch was not perceptible by my taste. It is very remarkable that this stea titic clay is analogous, if not entirely similar to the terra sigillata of Len. nos, so famous in antiquity. It is, like it, of volcanic origin, and would not probably produce more fatal effects on the animal economy, if those who use it in the Antilles did not eat it in considerable quantity. The stomach, once habituated to this species of ballast, cannot want it without experiencing painful contractions, which occasion a renewal of the same appetite; besides, the frequent, or almost continual presence of an absorbent earth in the intestines, exhausts the gastric juices, first injures digestion, soon renders it impossible, and brings on, under a burning climate, dysenteric maladies, almost always incurable, and speedily mortal. A propensity, the excessive indulgence of which is at once inevitable and fatal, might perhaps be successfully combatted by introducing among the improvements indicated by policy and humanity into the regimen of our slaves in the Western Colonies, the habitual use of a spiritous liquor, mingled with water. Tafia, abundantly produced in the great sugar manufactories, presents a local, appropriate, easy, and excessively cheap remedy. Many planters have begun to distribute it among their negroes, by daily rations, the mixture with water being made in their presence. It were to be wished, that this practice should spread, and be generally established. IN addressing to you the following short remarks, it is not my wish to convert the pages of your useful Miscellany into a vehicle for religious controversy. I disclaim all intention to provoke recrimination-my chief object being to give an impartial re. presentation of facts, without becoming the apologist of either party: this design, providing it be executed with fidelity, is calculated to allay controversy rather than to provoke it. Though I am a sectary in one sense of the word, I am no follower of "Divisive courses," but sincerely deprecate every discussion that tends in the least degree to relax that bond of union which ought to subsist between sincere worshippers of every denomination. I would not, however, be understood as wholly indifferent about religious opinions and modes of worship, for though I consider them as of inferior importance to purity of heart, integrity of conduct, and deeds of benevolence, yet I venerate the right to hold them as an inherent privilege of man, for which he is amenable to no tribunal on earth-a prerogative that cannot be wrested from him without a flagrant encroachment upon his unalienable and sacred rights. I will not take upon me to say how far it is justifiable, according to the strict principles of christianity, to oppose force to force, in resisting any coercive measures of government, in matters purely religious; but this I am warranted to affirm, that, conformity in such cases, when contrary to conscience, cannot be the duty of a Christian; this is evident from the express injunctions of Jesus Christ to his Apostles, when he sent them out into the world to promulgate his gos pel; and every faithful disciple, in obedience to his Divine Master, will rather suffer for his name's sake, than make a surrender of his faith in order to obtain any worldly object whatever. Allegiance to Heaven is with him paramount to human authority, however constituted. Our ancestors displayed a zeal and steadiness in this respect that challenges applause. Even those who are not disposed to go so far as to justify them in all their proceedings, can scarcely withhold the meed of praise due to their constancy. The courage and perseverance they evinced in defence of their civil and religious liberty has scarcely a parallel in the history of mankind; and it is impossible for any Scotsman, who duly esteems these invaluable privileges, to reflect on their exertions, but with sentiments of gratitude and admiration. Such being my opinion with regard to our covenanting sires, you may easily imagine how much my indignation was roused on reading an article in the Christian Instructor, entitled, a "Review of the Tales of my Landlord," where the author is represented as having, for the purpose of holding them up to ridicule, raked up their ashes from the silent recesses of the grave, and embodied them again in those fields of strife, and gloomy caverns, where an unprincipled and tyrannical government had driven them. I perused the Reviewer's remarks with no small degree of pleasure, and rejoiced to find that the good old cause had met with so able a defender. But being so exceedingly sparing of extracts from his author, I had little opportunity of judging of his fidelity as a reviewer. To satisfy myself on this point, and that I might not condemn on ex parte evidence, I procured the book, and after a careful perusa), I must say, that in some very material points I differ widely from the Reviewer. I agree with him, however, 66 in condemning the levity with which the Scriptures are frequently introduced. There is a sacredness in holy writ that ought to protect it from being made the vehicle of wit or ridi. cule. But however censurable the writer may be in this respect, I think every person of candour who has read the "Tales," must acquit him of party-spirit and gross partiality," charges which the Reviewer most confidently brings against him, and of which he imagines he has produced undeniable proofs. "We flatter ourselves," (says he, in concluding his criticism)," that we have satisfactorily established the two leading positions that we advanced at the beginning of the review-the gross partiality which the author has shewn to the enemies of the Presbyterians, and the injustice which he has done to the objects of persecution. We have produced undeniable proofs of the former, in his withholding a just view of the severities and cruelties which they perpetrated, softening them in the representation he has given, and exhibiting the characters of some of their chief oppressors in such a light as to recommend them to the admiration of his readers."-Such then are the charges which the Reviewer flatters himself he has satisfactorily substantiated against the author. "In the first place," says he, "it gives an unfaithful picture of the sufferings which the country endured from military depredations." To have just notions of a writer's views, especially if he be of the dramatic cast, and the author of the Tales falls under that description, it is necessary to attend to the speeches put into the mouths of the Dramatis Persona of the piece. Now I presume, if the author's performance be submitted to this criterion, his impartiality will be found to be quite unimpeachable. Let us then hear as evidence against the reviewer's first charge the testimony of the daughter of Neil Blane, Piper and Innkeeper at the Howf. "The curate is playing at dice wi' Colonal Grahame (says the host to his daughter.) Be eident and civil to them baith; clergy and captains can gie an unco deal o' trouble an' fash in thae times where they tak an ill will; the dragoons will be crying for ale, and they winna want it, and they maunna wast it; they are unruly chields, but they pay ane some gate or other. I gat the humle-cow, that's the best i' the byre, frae black Frank Inglis and serjeant Bothwell for ten pound Scots, and they drank out the price at ae down-sitting."-" But father," interrupted Jenny, "they say the twa loons drave the cow frae the gudewife o' ! Bells-moor, just because she gaed to hear a field-preaching ae Sabbath afternoon." The next witness we shall call is old Bessy M'Lure." If ye be of our ain folk, gang na up the pass the night for your lives. There is a lion i in the path. The curate of Brotherstane and ten soldiers hae beset the pass, to hae the lives of ony o' our puir wanderers that venture that gate to join wi' Hamilton and Dingwall." "Have you a house near this?" said the stranger;" and can ye give me a hiding there?"" I have," said the old woman," a hut by the wayside; it may be a mile hence; but four men of Belial, called dragoons, are lodged therein, to spoil my household goods at their pleasure, because I will not wait upon the thowless fissenless ministry of that carnal man, John Halftext the curate." Let us now hear Alie Wilson, Mr Milnwood's housekeeper. Morton being interrogated by a dragoon concerning the murder of Sharp, replied, that he had no objection to give an answer if he knew what right the man had to put the question."The Lord preserve us!" said the old housekeeper," to ask the like o' that at a trooper, when a' folk ken they do whatever they like through the the hale country, wi' man an' woman, east an' body." We shall close this part of the evience with the testimony of the waitng-maid of Miss Edith Bellenden, of Fillietudlem. It relates chiefly to the ate of Morton, who was then a prioner in that castle : "Oh my dear Miss Edith," said er attendant, "these are not days ask what's right, or what's wrang; he were as innocent as the neworn infant, they would find some way f making him guilty, if they liked: e's kept under close confinement, till Claverhouse comes up in the morning, nd if he does na gie him full satisfacion, Tam Halliday says there will be rief wark wi' him-Kneel downnak ready-present-fire-just as hey did wi' auld deaf John Macbriar, hat never heard a question they pat ill him, and lost his life for lack o' earing." The Reviewer's second principal harge against his author is that of exhibiting the characters of some of the chief oppressors of the presbyerians in such a light as to recommend them to the admiration of his eaders." Claverhouse, for instance, is aid to be "a great favourite" with he author; and it is alleged that he as attempted throughout the work to throw a shade over his cruelties," and to shield him from the charge of inhumanity." The Reviewer laours hard to establish this point, but think with very little success; his shole evidence seems to rest on the ircumstance of his having once, in the ourse of his bloody career, relaxed From his usual severity, and spared the ife of a prisoner on the most anxious entreaties of some of his own particuar friends. The critic seems quite adignant at this solitary exception, and considers it as a manifest proof of the author's partiality. This, I resume, is carrying the point too far. There surely could be no great inconistency in the author's making this June 1817. exception, considering the circumstan ces of the case. But he has made the prisoner say, "Though Claverhouse be stern and relentless, he is, by all accounts, fair and honourable." This must be granted; but at the same time it must be remembered, that when he made this declaration, he was speaking to one whom he tenderly loved-to an amiable young woman, who was in an agony of distress on his account, occasioned by her well-grounded fears of Graham's severity. Would it not have been cruel and unmanly in Morton, to have augmented her anguish, by depicting this licensed slaughterer in his true colours? But hear the lady's sentiments concerning him in reply, notwithstanding her attachment to his cause; having been brought up in a family where royalty was adored, and episcopacy cherished, as the only acceptable worship to that great idol. "You are lost, you are lost, if you are to plead the cause with Claverhouse!" sighed Edith; "root and branch-work was the mildest of his expressions. The unhappy primate was his intimate friend and early patron. No excuse, no subterfuge, said his letter, shall save either those connected with the dead, or such as have given him countenance and shelter, from the ample and bitter penalty of the law, until I shall have taken as many lives, in vengeance of this atrocious murder, as the old man had grey hairs upon his venerable head; there is neither ruth nor favour to be found with him." The author of the Tales, it will be seen, has shown no more favour to those in whose hands the adminis tration of Scottish affairs was at the time alluded to, than he has shown to the military commanders commissioned to execute their execrable purposes. The following description includes the greater part of what he has said concerning their proceedings, but that of itself speaks volumes : "Come, laddie, speak while the play is good, you're too young to bear the |