established in the Monthly Review for January 1798, has not been infringed. This rule stated that, in' Greek or Latin Sapphics, there could be no divisio vocis, except at the end of the third line of the stanza; and there one part of the word might close the third, and the remainder begin the fourth verse, or adonic. To this canon, may not a slight addition with propriety be added? "The syllable of the divided word, which (syllable) closes the third verse of the Sapphic stanza, may be long or short." In Mr. Tomline's Ode, we find one instance of a short syllable, and two of a long syllable, in this place. In Mr. Rennell's poem, six short, and one long; and in Mr. Pryme's, five short, and two long syllables." This minuteness arises from the propriety of a short syllable in this place having been doubted: yet by those who are well versed in the Lyric poetry of the Greeks, such a doubt could. not have been started. To those who hesitate, let Sappho speak: Πύκνα δινῦντες πλερ' απ' ώραν ὠθέ ρος δια μέσσω. As to the Romans, Catullus ruggedly, indeed, writes, xi. 11. Gallicum Rhenum, horribilesque et ulti mosque Britannos. The former of these two examples may defend these young authors from the lash of intemperate criticism. At the same time, we readily allow that, to English hearers and readers, the long syllable must appear preferable; and Mr. Tomline's attention to this point shews taste and discretion. It is to be regretted that our Poet has introduced the Hiatus of Homer into the Sapphic stanza. This licence should have been avoided. We have abstained from a minute examination of these Odes; and we shall continue to abstain. These youthful authors deserve all possible encouragement; and their dawning merits more than counterbalance their errors. It has frequently occurred to our minds that Sir William Browne's Will might be followed, and his wish better accomplished, than it can be at present, if a different interpretation of the term Sapphic Measure were adopted.-Why must, the name SAPPHIC be referred only to the Epichoriambic, or Hendecasyllabic metre, in which the Odes preserved by the two DIONYSII, Halicarnensis and Longinus, are composed? The ART. Sam. Butler's M. Musurus, with some Academic Exercises. term Σαπφικὸν belongs with equal propriety to the Eκκαιδεκα. inalov, or Antispastic Tetrameter: Νύμφαις ταις Διὸς ἐξ αιγιόχω φασὶ τετυγμέναις. Tu ne quæsieris, scire nefas, quem miki, quem tibi.— Horat. I. XI. 1. The name Earqinov was also applied by the antient Grammarians to the Antispastic dimeter hypercatalectic verse, or 'Eveαturnabor, which is an Hipponactean metre: Καὶ κνίσσῃ τινα θωμηίσας. Apud Hephæst. p. 33. There is also an Heroic Dactylic termed Σαπφικὸν. The former, a sixteen syllabic antispastic, might be adopted, on many occasions, with great propriety, by the Scholiast on Hephæstio. It appears, therefore, to our judgment, that the first of these meters, the Antispastic Tetrameter, might be employed in many instances, with great success; and without setting aside the last will and testament of the late President of the College of Physicians. How pleasantly does the scornful Sappho sing: Καλθανοῖσα δὲ κεῖσ' ουδέποκα μναμοσύνα σέθεν Εσσελ, ουδέποκ' εις ὕστερον. Οὐ γὰρ πεδέχεις “ρὁδῶν Φοιτίσεις, πεδ ̓ ἀμαύρων νεκύων ἐκπεπολαμένα. Apud Stob. Grot. IIII. p. 28. Non Fame memoris post obitum penna superstitem GROTIUS. ART XII. General View of the Agriculture of the County of Norfolk, drawn up for the Consideration of the Board of Agriculture and internal Improvement. By the Secretary of the Board. 8vo. PP. 532. 8s, sewed. Nicol. 1804. WE E did not expect, after Mr. Kent's Report, of which we took some notice in M. R. Vol. xxxi. N. S. p. 29. to receive a second publication on the same subject: but, as the old adage says; "two heads are better than one," especially two good heads, we shall not grumble because, on the present bccasion, we have more information than we counted on receiving. Mr. Young, however, makes some apology for offering a second Report of the County of Norfolk, since it seems 1 to lower the estimation of the first, and to throw it into the back ground. He assures us that the present work does not appear to the exclusion of Mr. Kent's View, but merely in assistance of it; and that a supplementary Report was demanded, in consequence of the introduction of a new breed of sheep, and the rapidity with which the practice of Drilling spred in the county: by which circumstances so great a change has been effected in the Norfolk Husbandry, as to render all former works on the agriculture of that county deficient, however excellent in other respects.' A glance of the eye at the unequal bulk of the two volumes will suffice to shew that the Secretary of the Board has gone more into detail than Mr. Kent, and must have furnished other additions besides those to which he adverts in the Introduction. On the question of geographical extent, noticed in the first page, Mr. Young differs from the preceding Reporter. Having had the area of the county, on the new and accurate map of Norfolk, carefully measured by the map-engraver to the Board, he states the extent of the county, according to that measurement, to be 1830 square miles, or 1,171,200 acres ; while Mr. K. makes the superficies of the county to contain only 1710 square miles, or 1,094,400 acres. Mr. Kent rates the population at 200,000: but, according to the table at the end of the present report, which contains the results of the inquiry made in consequence of the Act 41 Geo. III. it appears to be only 160,313. Facing the title, is a map of the soil of Norfolk, and the relative contents of the different kinds are given in the annexed table: Observations, in the form of notes, are subjoined, on the fertility and locality of some of these soils. The chapter on the state of Property shews the great advance which has occurred in the value of land, in consequence of agricultural improvements; and as it is concise, we shall transcribe it: ESTATES are of all sizes in Norfolk, from nearly the largest scale to the little freehold: one of 5,000l. a year; one of 14,cool. ; one of 13, 00l.; two of 10,00cl.; many of about 5000l; and an increasing number of all smaller proportions. When the larger properties are deducted, deducted, the remainder of the county will be found divided into moderate estates, and in the hands of gentlemen who pay a considerable attention to the practice of agriculture. Seventy years ago, there was not, I believe, a great rental in the county, so that these considerable properties have been accumulated, first by the most excellent of all causes, agricultural improvements, and, secondly, by additional purchases. Estates sell now (1802) pretty currently at thirty years purchase. In the Ovington and Sayham enclosure, the land sold by the commissioners to defray the expense of the measure, brought 431. per acre, as it was assigned, waste and unenclosed. The average of all sales near Watton, 40l. an acre. An estate lately sold at Fishley, near Yarmouth, contained Cars and marshes, worth 125. an acre, 250 acres. 100 50 400 Rent, 400l. a year worth 5col fairly, but 6ool. a year offered for it; sold for 17,500l. to Sir EDMOND LACON, and 1500l. offered for the bargain. Price of the estates sold at and near Happsborough, 30, 40, and 50l. an acre; much sold lately; and at this time, the best land would all sell at from 40l. to 5ǝl. an acre. Land worth not above zos. an acre, between Coltishal and Norwich, has been sold at 50l. an acre. In Marshland Smeeth, newly enclosed, at 50, 60. and 7ol. an acre. In Downham Westside, Denver, Welney, &c. fen farms, 10l. to 121. an acre: to the east of Downham, at 24 years purchase. In Upwell, some, not fen, to 50l an acre, but the average 201. Mr. BAGGE, of Lynn, has land in Marshland which would now sell at 7ol. an acre, which Mr. Dixon bought 60 years ago at 121. Mr. Young speaks of the farm-houses in Norfolk as possessing comforts superior to those which are usually found in houses appropriated to the occupation of tenants: but he was not enabled to report the existence of one good farm-yard in the county, manifesting contrivance, and in which no building could be moved to any other site without doing mischief.” The Norfolk farmers, however, stand very high in the Secretary's estimation; and his warm praise of Mr. Coke, as an agriculturist and promoter of agriculture, is not more distinguishing than it is merited. As the spirited manner in which improvements have been prosecuted by Norfolk farmers, according to Mr. Young, has not been sufficiently detailed, we shall indulge this Reporter with an extract relative to this subject, though we cannot give all the names of those persons whom he considets as intitled to agricultural fame. The The Norfolk farmers are famous for their great improvements, the excellency of their management, and the hospitable manner in which they live and receive their friends, and all strangers that visit the county. I have on various occasions found how well they merit their reputation. In respect to their husbandry, the farming mind in this county has undergone two pretty considerable revolutions. For 30 years, from 1730 to 1760, the great improvements in the north-western part of the county took place, and which rendered the county in general famous. For the next 30 years to about 1790, I think they nearly stood still; they reposed upon their laurels. About that period a second revolution was working: they seemed then to awaken to new ideas: an experimental spirit began to spread, much owing, it is said, to the introduction of drilling; and as so new a practice set men to thinking, it is not unlikely nothing can be done till men think, and they certainly had not thought for 30 years preceding. About that time also, Mr. COKE (who has done more for the husbandry of this county than any man since the turnip Lord TOWNSHEND, or any other man in any other county) began his sheepshearing meetings. These causes combined (for what I know, the former sprung partly from the latter) to raise a spirit which has not subsided. The scarcities, and consequent high prices, brought immense sums into the county, and enabled the farmers to exert themselves with uncommon vigour. Experiments in drilling shewed that farmers might step out of the common road, without any danger of a gaol. South Down sheep came in about the same time. Folding was by many gradually given up. These new practices operated upon the farming mind: ideas took a larger range; a disposition was established, that would not readily reject a proposal merely because it was new-the sleep of so many countries. Every thing is to be expected from this spirit. Inigation is gaining ground, in spite of the dreams that have been ventured against it. And if the men who occupy, or rather disgrace so large a part of the light sand district, by steadily adhering to those good old maxims which have preserved it so long in a desart state, shall once imbibe a portion of this ardour, we shall see new plants introdu.ed, and new practices pursued, to carry the county in general to the perfection of which its husbandry is capable. Those who have visited Holkham as farmers, will not accuse me of flattery, if I assert of Mr. COK, that he is fairest where many are fair. To name particulars, would be to detail the whole farm. 6 Mr. PURDIS, of Eggmore, is in the first class of excellent cultivators: his farm has many unequivocal signs of spirited exertion: 30ɔ acres of tares; 3000 South Down sheep; and a watered meadow, are objects that speak for themselves. The late Mr. MALLET, of Dunton, having, on coming to his farm of 2500 acres, nothing more than the stock, valued at 7000l., in thirty-four years acquired a fortune of 70,cool. Mr. SALTER, of Winborough, is one of the most spirited improvers in the county: he hired 800 acres, in a state not far removed from a waste: and by ditching, draining, marling, and good hus. bandry |