making a league with the Florentines, and the republics of Pifa and Genoa, thefe powers took the city of Thebes, Chalcidy, and many others, where they found an immenfe booty; but the most confiderable to them was the manufactures of filk. They brought with them all the men and women employed in this manufacture, as alfo all the inftruments and utenfils neceffary for carrying it on, with a prodigious quantity of, the eggs, and tran Iported this rich treafure into Italy; where the art was in a small time, not only understood, but improved and brought to such perfection, that it is the greatest revenue of that place, and alfo of Provence, Languedoc, and Spain.

Newcastle, April 13.

MARCUS.

ALETTER from an eminent Under

taker in Town, to an eminent Phyfician in the country.

Dear Sir,

MY

Y heart is almoft broke-The papers of the day are enough to diftract me; fo much have the burials decreafed every week fince you went out of town. For God's fake, dear doctor, confider that though you have filled your own pockets, your poor old friend is starving. All tradef.

men muft live, and we cannot live un lefs people die: and unaffifted nature will never employ a thousandth part of our business. The coffin-makers, the feather-fhops, the embalmers, the grave-diggers, &c. &c. are all on the point of breaking. It is true the apothecaries ftand us in fome ftead, thofe honeft fellows throw us in a pretty large quantity of carcaffes every now and then; but they cannot go on with half the vigour as they did when they were affifted with your efficacious prefcriptions, which finished affairs at a blow, and were infallible mittimus's to the regions of filence and tranquillity. I have juft now had one of my mates with me, VOL I.

who has made fuch a confounded noife for his money, that I expect to hear nothing diftinctly for this twelvemonth; and to mend matters in comes the excifeman (I wish with all my heart that he was in your hands) and brings a bill a yard long on account of the taxes upon hearfes and coaches. He is a good likely fellow, and would make a fine corpfe: I fhould be glad to have the burying of him, and all his fraternity. You fee, Sir, the neceffity of your reftoring yourfelf to the public, fince there is fuch a ftagnation of business without you: nor will the intemperance of the times, added to the agility of the apothecaries, make a brifk trade among us, if you continue in the country.

I am, Sir,

Your's very affectionately,

SAMUEL SABLE.

P. S. Dick Deathwatch, my partner, and Harry Hatchment, the herald-painter, defire their best re spects.

ANECDOTE,

From JORTIN's Life of ERASMUS

ONE Tetzel, a dominician, and a

retailer of indulgences, had picked up a vaft fum at Leipfic. A gentleman of that city, who had no veneration for fuch fuperftitions, went to Tetzel, and asked him if he could fell him an indulgence before-hand for a certain crime, which he would not specify, and which he intended to commit. Tetzel faid, Yes, provided they could agree upon the price. The bargain was ftruck, the money paid, and the abfolution delivered in due form. Soon after this, the gentleman knowing that Tetzel was going from Leipfic well loaded with cash, way-layed him, robbed him, and cud

B

gelled

gunnel of the veffel, which is called the bande, which is a bench of the fame height with the courfier, and but each leans on his own particular two feet broad. They never lie here, bundle of cloaths, in a very incomfelves are not better accomodated; modious posture. The officers thems for the chambers in the hold are des figned only to hold the provifions, and naval ftorcs of the galley..

A galley has fifty benches for

and fifty feet long, and fifty broad. It confifts but of one deck, which covers the hold. This hold is in the middle feven feet, but at the fides of the galley only fix feet high. By this we may fee that the deck rifes about a foot in the middle, and flopes toward the edges, to let the water more easily run off; for when a galley is loaded, it seems to swim under water, at least the fea conftantly washes the deck. The fea would then neceffarily enter the hold by the apertures where the mafts are placed, were it not prevented by what is called the courfier. This is a long cafe of boards fixed on the middle or higheft part of the deck, and running from one end of the galley to the other. There is alfo an hatchway into the hold, as high as the courfier. From this fuperficial description perhaps it may be imagined, that the flaves and the reft of the crew have their feet always in water. But the cafe is otherwife; to each bench there is a board raised a foot from the deck,

which ferves as a foot-ftool to the rowers, under which the water paffes. For the foldiers and mariners there are, running on each fide along the

each fide. Each bench is ten feet long; one end fixed in the courfier, the other in the bande, half a foot thick, and placed at four feet distance from each other. They are covered with fackcloth, ftuffed with flocks, and over this is thrown a cow hide; which reaching down to the banquet, or foot-ftool, gives them the refemblance of large trunks. To these the flaves are chained, fix to a bench. A→ long the bande runs a large rim of timber, about a foot thick, which forms the gunnel of the galley: to this, which is called the apoftic, the oars are fixed. These are fifty feet long, and are poised in equilibrio upon the afore-mentioned piece of timber; fo that the thirteen feet of the oar which come into the galley, is equal in weight to the thirty-feven which go into the water. As it would be impoffible to hold them in the hand because of their thickness, they have handles, by which they are managed by the flaves.

The METHOD of Rowing a Galley.

The comite, who is mafter of the crew of flaves, and the tyrant fo much dreaded by the wretches fated to this

mifery;

mifery; ftands always at the ftern, near the captain, to receive his orders. There are two fous comites alfo, one in the middle, the other near the prow. Thefe, each with a whip of cords, which they exercife, without mercy on the naked bodies of the flaves are always attentive to the orders of the comite. When the captain gives the word for rowing, the comite gives the signal with a filver whiftle, which hangs from his neck: this is repeated by the fous comites: upon which the slaves, who have their oars in readinefs, ftrike all at once; and beat time so exactly, that the hundred and fif, ty oars feem to give but one blow. Thus they continue, without requiring further orders, till by another fignal of the whistle, they defiit in a moment. There is an abfolute neceffity for thus rowing altogether; for fhould one of the oars be lifted up, or fall too foon, those before leaning back, neceffarily strike the par behind them with the hinder part of their heads; while the flaves of this do the fame by those behind them. But it were well if a few bruifes on the head were the only puni.hment: the comite exercifes the whip on this occafion like a fury; while the muscles, all in convulfion under the lash, pour ftreams of blood down the feats; which how dreadful foever it may feem to the reader, ufe teaches the fufferer to bear without murmuring.

The labour of a Galley-flave, is become a proverb; nor is it without reafon that this may be reckoned the greateft fatigue that can be inflicted on wretchednefs. Imagine fix men chained to there feats, naked as when born, fitting with one foot on a block of timber, fixed to the footstool or ftretcher; the other lifted up against the bench before them, holding in their hands an oar of an enormous fize. Imagine them lengthening their bodies, their arms, ftretched out to push the oar over the backs of thofe

before them; who are alfo themselves in a fimilar attitude. Having thus advanced their oar, they raise that end which they hold in their hands, to plunge the oppofite in the feas which done, they throw themselves back upon their benches below, which are fomewhat hollowed to receive them. None, in short, but those who have feen them labour, can conceive how much they endure; none but fuch could be perfuaded, that human ftrength could fuftain the fatigue which they undergo for an hour fucceilively. But what cannot neceffity and cruelty make men do? almost impoffibilities. Certain it is, that a galley, can be navigated in no other manner, but by a crew of flaves, over whom a comite may exercise the moft unbounded authority. No free man could continue at the oar an hour unwearied: yet a flave muft fometimes lengthen out his toil for ten, twelve; nay, for twenty hours, without the fmalleft intermillion. On thefe occafions the comites, or fome of the other mariners, put into the mouths of thofe wretches a bit of bread fteeped in wine, to prevent fainting through excefs of fatigue or hunger, while their hands are employed upon the oar. At fuch times are heard no, thing but horrid blafphemies, loud burfts of defpair, or ejaculations to heaven; all the flaves ftreaming with blood, while their unpitying tafk-masters mix oaths and threats, and the fmacking of whips, to fill up this, dreadful harmony. At this time the captain roars to the comite to redouble his blows; and when any one drops from his oar in a fwoon, which frequently happens, he is whipped while any remains of life appear, and then thrown into the fea without further ceremony.

How thefe miferable tlaves are fed, to enable them to fupport fuch enor mous toil, the reader may gather from the account our author gives of their food, in another part of this work. B 2

Whea

When it was neceffary that we fhould take fome refreshment, the captain ordered the dogs to their mefs. He only meant by this, that we fhould be ferved with beans, the ufual food allowed us. Thefe are, indeed, most intolerable eating, and what nothing but the moft pinching hunger could difpenfe with. They are ill boiled, with scarce any oil, a little falt, and all to be eaten out of a capacious cauldron not the cleaneft in the world, as you may easily guefs. I was never fo hungry but I preferred eating my portion of bread dip ped in vinegar and water to this mefs, which even offended the fenfe of Imelling with its unfavoury odour. However, these and twenty-two oun'ces of bifcuit are all the food allowed for galley-flaves. Each of the crew receives four ounces of this beverage; that is, provided none of it be fecreted before it is brought upon deck, which is frequently the cafe. Judge how well a man obliged to work hard, can difpenfe with so scanty an allowance. I once had the curiofity to count the number of beans which brother flave had got for all his portion, which amounted to just thirty; and those of the little black fort of bean,commonly called horfe-beans.

Abstract of an Act for the better Regulation of Carters, Carriages and loaded Horfes; and for removing Obftructions and Nuifances, upon the Streets and Highways within that Part of Great Britain called Scotland.

WHEREAS many

7HEREAS many accidents happen, and great mifchief is frequently done upon the ftreets and highways within that part of Great Britain called Scotland, by the negligence or wilful misbehaviour of perfons driving carriages: and where as the law, as it now ftands, is in fufficient for correcting these abuses, or punishing the perfons guilty of

them; be it enacted, That from and after the first day of September 1772) no perfon or persons whatfoever fhall drive any cart, car, with or without ledges, or any waggon, fledge or dray; of any kind whatfoever, upon the high roads or streets within that part of Great Britain called Scotland, unlefs the mafter and owner of such cart, car, c. fhall place upon fome confpicuous part of fuch cart, car, &c. the name or names of the real owner or owners of any fuch carriage, and the place of refidence of the real owner or owners of any fuch carriage, or of the house or farm where the owner or owners generally employ fuch carriage, in different colours from the body of such carriage; and alfo the numbers (beginning number one, and fo upwards) where more carts, cars, or other carriages than one belong to the fame perfon, in or der that the driver may the more easily be convicted of any diforder or misbehaviour committed by him or her.

a

And be it alfo enacted, That if ny perfon fhall drive any of the be fore mentioned carriages upon any of the faid high roads or ftreets, not having the name or names of the owner or owners, and the place of their refidence, or of the house or farm where the owner or owners generally employ fuch carriage; and where more carriages than one belong to the fame perfon, the number placed upon fome confpicuous part of the fame; every fuch perfon, offending in any of the cafes aforefaid, or the owner or owners of fuch carriage refpective4y, fhall forfeit a fum not exceeding twenty fhillings fterling, and not lefs than five fhillings fterling, for each offence committed by him, her, or them.

And be it further enacted, Thatevery time the property of any of the above carriages fhall be altered, the fuc ceeding owner or owners thereof thall, fromtime to time, within fourteen

days

days next after he, she, or they, fhall become owner or owners thereof, and fhall have used the fame, caufe the name or names, and refidence of the former owner or owners, and number thereof, to be taken off from every fuch carriage before mentioned, and the name or names, and place of refis dence of the fucceeding and read owner or owners, and number there of, where more carriages than one belong to the fame perfon, to be placed in manner aforefaid, upon fome confpicuous part of fuch carriage or carriages; and every perfon or per fons who fhall omit to do the fame, fhall forfeit a fum not exceeding twen ty fillings fterling, and not lefs than five fhillings fterling for each offence And be it enacted, That if any perfon or perfons fhall place a falfe name or place of refidence upon any fuch carriage belonging to him, her, or them, the perfon or perfons fo of fending fhall forfeit, for every such offence, a fum not exceeding forty thillings fterling.

And, in order that the inconveniences arifing from the negligence of chaise-drivers, carters, draymen, Aledgmen, carmen, waggoners, and drivers of any other carriage whatfo ever, may be the more eafily prevent ed; be it enacted, That, from and after the first day of September 1772, if any chaife-driver within that part of Great Britain called Scotland, fhall be found fitting in his chaife without another perfon on one of the horfes driving the fame, or if any car ter, drayman, fledgman, or waggon er, or the driver of any other carriage whatfoever, (coaches, chaifes, phae tons, &c. and fuch other carriages, which are ufually driven by a perfon fitting within or upon the carriage, and fuch carriages as are refpectively drawn by one horfe only, or by two horfes abreaft, and are conducted by fome perfon holding the reins of fuch horfe or horses, excepted), fhall ride apon any fuch carriage (not having

fome other perfon on foot or on horfe back to guide the fame) on any ftreet of any city or town, or on any high way within fix miles of the city of Edinburgh, or four miles of the city of Glasgow, or two miles of any other city, royal burgh, market town, or burgh of regality, or barony; or if the driver of any carriage whatsoever, on any part of any ftreet or highway. fhall, by negligence, or wilful mifbe haviour, caufe any hurt or damage to any perfon or carriage, paffing, or being upon fuch street or highway; or fhall, by negligence, or wilful mif behaviour, prevent, hinder, or inter rupt the free pallage of any other care riage, or of his majefty's fubjects on the faid highways; or if the driver of any cart, car, dray, or waggon, on any highway whatsoever, when rid ing on his carriage, fhall not difmount (fo as the better to guide his horse or horfes and carriage, when requir ed by any perfon apprehending dan ger from fuch carriage; every fuch driver, offending in any of the cafes aforefaid, fhall, for every fuch offence, forfeit any fum not exceeding ten fhillings fterling, in cafe fuch driver fhall not be the owner of fuch carri age; and in cafe the offender be own er of fuch carriage, then any fum not exceeding twenty fhillings fterling.

And whereas feveral inconveniences do arife, and many accidents Lave happened by carts, cars, and other carriages above-mentioned, being drawn abreaft or along-fide one ano ther, fo as the paffage of the streets and highways in that part of Great Britain called Scotland, is intirely obftructed, and alfo by the drivers of fuch carriages not having bridles or halters upon their horfes; be it therefore enacted, That from and after the faid first day of September 1772, no driver or drivers of carts, cars, or other carriages above-mentioned, fhall drive their carriage or carriages, abreaft or along-fide of any other carriage or carriages, fo as wilfully

10