SMITHERY signifies also the art of a smith, by which iron is wrought into any shape by means of fire, hammering, filing, &c.

SMITHIA, in botany, a genus of the decandria order, and diadelphia class of plants; natural order thirty-second, papilionacea: CAL. monophyllous and bilabiated: COR. winged; the legumen enclosed in the calyx with three or four joints, and containing as many seeds, which are smooth, compressed, and kidney-shaped. There is only one species, viz.-S. thonina.

SMITING LINE, in a ship, is a small rope fastened to the mizen-yard-arm, below at the deck, and is always furled up with the mizen-sail, even to the upper end of the yard, and thence it comes down to the poop. Its use is to loose the mizen-sail without striking down the yard, which is easily done, because the mizen-sail is furled up only with rope-yarns; and therefore when this rope is pulled hard it breaks all the rope-yarns, and so the sail falls down of itself. The sailor's phrase is, smite the mizen (whence this rope takes its name), that is, hale by this rope that the sail may fall down.

ŠMITS (Lodowick), a Dutch painter, born at Dort in 1635. He painted historical subjects and fruit pieces, for which he got high prices; yet from some defect in his coloring their beauty soon decayed. He died in 1675, aged forty.

SMITS (Diederic), a poet of Holland, a native of Rotterdam. He united with a poetical genius a taste for music, and M. de Vries, in his History of Dutch poetry, prefers the heroic poem of Smits, On the delivery of the Children of Israel from the Idolatrous Worship of Baal-peor, to Abraham the Patriarch of Nicholas Hoogvliet. Smits wrote a poem on the river Rotte, which gives name to the city of Rotterdam; and he translated Pope's Epistle from Heloise to Abelard and other pieces.

SMITZ (Gaspar), who, from painting a great number of Magdalens, was called Magdalen Smith, was a Dutch painter, who came to England soon after the restoration. For these portraits sat a woman whom he kept and called his wife. A lady whom he had taught to draw took him with her to Ireland, where he painted small portraits in oil, had great business, and high prices. His flowers and fruits were so much admired that one bunch of grapes sold there for £40. In his Magdalens he generally introduced a thistle on the fore ground. He had several scholars, particularly Maubert, and one Gawdy of Exeter. Yet, notwithstanding his success, he died poor in Ireland in 1707. SMOCK, n. s. Sax. rmoc. The under SMOCK FACED, adj. garment of a woman; a shift used in contempt for any thing feminine; as in smockfaced for pale; maidenly; smocktreason, &c.

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At smock-treason, matron, I believe you, And if I were your husband; but, when I Trust to your cobweb bosoms any other, Let me there die a fly, and feast yon spider.

Plague on his smock-loyalty!

I hate to see a brave bold fellow sotted,

Ben Jonson.

Made sour and senseless, turned to whey by love. Dryden.

Old chiefs, reflecting on their former deeds,
Disdain to rust with battered invalids;
But active in the foremost ranks appear,
And leave young smockfaced beaux to guard the rear.
Though Artemisia talks by fits
Of councils, classicks, fathers, wits;

Reads Malbranche, Boyle, and Locke.
Yet in some things, methinks, she fails;
'Twere well if she would pare her nails,
And wear a cleaner smock.
SMOKE, n. s., v. n. & v. a.`
SMOKE-DRY, v. a.
SMOKE LESS, adj.
SMO'KY.

emit such exhalation; burn;

Fenton.

Swift.

rmoec;

Saxon Belg. smock. The sooty exhalation of he kindled; raise a things burning: to dust like smoke; hunt out; to scent by smoke; dry in smoke; smell or find out; ridicule: to smoke-dry is to dry by smoke: the two adjectives corresponding.

When the sun went down, a smoking furnace and a burning lamp passed between those pieces.

Gen. xv. 17. The anger of the Lord shall smoke against that man. Deut.

She might utter out some smoke of those flames wherewith else she was not only burned, but smothered. Sidney.

His brandished steel, Which smoked with bloody execution.

Shakspeare.

Id.

Maugre all the world will I keep safe, Or some of you shall smoke for it in Rome. He was first smoked by the old lord; when his dishim! guise and he is parted, what a sprat you shall find ld.

O he 's as tedious
As a tired horse, or as a railing wife;
Worse than a smoky house.

Id.

London appears in a morning drowned in a black cloud, and all the day after smothered with smoky fog, the consequence whereof proves very offensive to the lungs. Harvey.

Stand off, and let me take the air;
Why should the smoke pursue the fair? Cleaveland.
Morpheus, the humble god that dwells

In cottages and smoky cells,
Hates gilded roofs and beds of down;
And, though he fears no prince's frown,
Flies from the circle of a crown.
All involved with stench and smoke.
To him no temple stood nor altar smoked.

Courtesy

Denham. Milton. ld.

Is sooner found in lowly sheds,
With smoky rafters, than in tapestry halls
And courts of princes.

He hither came t' observe and smoke
What courses other riskers took.

Id.

Hudibras.

Id.

For Venus, Cytherea was invoked, Altars for Pallas to Athena smoked. Granville. Tenants with sighs the smokeless towers survey, And turn the' unwilling steed another way. Pope. With hasty hand the ruling reins he drew, He lashed the coursers, and the coursers flew; Beneath the bending yoke alike they held Their equal pace, and smoked along the field. SMOKE is a dense elastic vapor arising from burning bodies. As this vapor is extremely disagreeable to the senses, and often prejudicial to the health, mankind have fallen upon several contrivances to enjoy the benefit of fire without being annoyed by smoke. The most universal of these contrivances is a tube leading from the chamber in which the fire is kindled to the top of the building, through which the smoke ascends and is dispersed into the atmosphere. These tubes are called chimneys; which, when constructed in a proper manner, carry off the smoke entirely; but, when improperly constructed, they carry off the smoke imperfectly, to the great annoyance of the inhabitants. Although we could naturally imagine that the causes which occasion smoke in rooms are exceedingly various, yet, upon examination, it will be found that they may all be reduced to one of these three general heads, each of which will admit of several varieties. 1. To a fault in the form of the tube or chimney it self. 2. To some fault in the other parts of the building, and a wrong position of the chimney with respect to these. Or, 3. To an improper situation of the house with respect to external objects. It is of the utmost consequence, in at tempting a cure, accurately to distinguish from which of these defects the smoke proceeds, other wise the means used will be very uncertain. The celebrated Dr. Franklin's Treatise on Smoky Chimneys is well known; but, able as his writings on the subject have been, they are now in a great measure superseded by the late improvements in constructing fire places, suggested by count Rumford. Chimneys whose funnels go up in the north wall of a house, and are exposed to the north winds, are not so apt to draw well as those in a south wall; because, when rendered cold by those winds, they draw downwards. Chimneys enclosed in the body of a house are better than those whose funnels are exposed in cold walls. Chimneys in stacks are apt to draw better than separate funnels, because the funnels that have constant fires in them warm the others in some degree that have none.

SMOKE FARTHINGS. The pentecostals or cus

tomary oblations offered by the dispersed inha bitants within a diocese when they made their procession to the mother or cathedral church, came by degrees into a standing annual rent, called smoke farthings.

SMOKE-SILVER. Lands were holden in some places by the payment of the sum of 6d. yearly to the sheriff, called smoke-silver (Par. 4. Edw. VI.) Smoke-silver and smoke-penny are to be paid to the ministers of divers parishes as a modus in lieu of tithe-wood; and in some manors, formerly belonging to religious houses, there is still paid, as appendant to the said manors, the ancient peterpence, by the name of smoke-money.-Twisd. Hist. Vindicat. 77. The bishop of London, anno 1444, issued out his commission, Ad levandum le smoke farthings, &c.

SMOLENSKO, a government of the Russian empire, to the west of Moscow, between long. 30° 50 and 35° 30′ E., lat. 53° 30′ and 56° 25′ N. Its territorial extent is 21,400 square miles; its inhabitants 1,050,000, mostly Russians, with some Poles, Germans, and Jews. The surface is generally level; for, though it contains some heights, these are not of great size or extent. The principal rivers are the Duna, the Dnieper, the Desna, the Sosha, the Kasplia, the Uga, and the Viasma. The lakes are also numerous, being reckoned at more than 100, great and small. The climate is cold but healthy. The soil consists of a mixture of clay or sand, with black mould, and is on the whole tolerably fertile. Corn, hemp, and flax, are cultivated, and horses, black cattle, and sheep, are numerous. A great part of the uncultivated land is covered by forests. The manufactures are quite insignificant, but the distilling of spirituous liquors is carried on on a large scale. This government corresponds to White Russia properly so called. It was ceded by Poland in 1667, and the cession confirmed in

1686.

SMOLENSKO, a large town of European Russia, the capital of the above government, is built partly on two hills, and in a valley between them. Here the Dnieper is a navigable stream flowing from east to west. The part to the south of that river is surrounded with a massy wall thirty feet in height, fifteen thick, and a mile and three-quarters in circuit. The lower part of the wall is of stone, the upper of brick. The whole is surrounded with a ditch and a sort of covered way; and some modern redoubts have been erected as outworks. Smolensko is thus a place of some strength, and, standing on the great road to Moscow, the Russians made here their first determined stand to the advance of the French in 1812. An obstinate contest took place on the 16th and 17th of August, in which the town was bombarded the Russians were compelled to fall back, and the French extinguished the flames; but on quitting it in their retreat, in November following, they blew up part of the works; and, as most of the houses were of wood, about the half of them were destroyed.

Smolensko contains within its circumference several large gardens; the houses are generally of one story, and the population is supposed not to exceed 12,600. One large street divides it into two, paved with stone; the others are paved,

or rather floored, with planks. The part rebuilt since 1812 is of a good construction, and the public edifices are respectable. Here are nearly twenty churches and chapels, besides two cathedrals, and places of worship for Lutherans and Catholics. Smolensko is a bishop's see, has a seminary for priests, and gymnasium or high school. It has also a military and trade's school, a foundling hospital, and a consistory. The manufactures are linen, leather, soap, and hats; and there is a pretty active trade in corn, hemp, wood, honey, wax, and furs. Prince Potemkin, the favorite and general of Catharine II., was a native of this town. 235 miles W. S. W. of Moscow, and 350 south by east of St. Petersburg.

SMOLLET (Tobias), M. D., an eminent Scottish author, was born in 1720, at a village within two miles of Cameron, on the banks of the Leven. He received a classical education, and was bred to the practice of physic and surgery; and in the early part of his life served as a surgeon's mate in the navy. The incidents that befel him, during his acting in this capacity, served as a foundation for his Roderic Random, one of the most entertaining novels in the English tongue. He was present at the siege of Carthagena, and in that novel has given a faithful, though not very pleasing account, of the management of that ill-conducted expedition, which he censures in the warmest terms, from circumstances which fell under his own particular observation. His connexion with the sea seems not to have been of long continuance. The first piece he published, that we know of with certainty, is a Satire, in two parts, printed first in the years 1746 and 1747, and reprinted in a Collection of his Plays and Poems in 1777. About this period, or some time before, he wrote for Mr. Rich an opera, entitled Alceste, which has never been either performed or printed. At the age of eighteen he wrote a tragedy entitled The Regicide, founded on the assassination of king James I. at Perth. In the preface to this piece, published by subscription in 1749, he bit terly exclaimed against false patrons, and the duplicity of theatrical managers. The warmth and impetuosity of his temper hurried hin, on this occasion, into unjust reflections against the excellent George lord Lyttleton (see LYTTLETON) and Mr. Garrick; the former he characterised in the novel of Peregrine Pickle, and he added a burlesque on the beautiful Monody written by that nobleman on the death of his lady. Against Mr. Garrick he made illiberal ill-founded criticisms; and, in his novel of Roderic Random, gave a very unfair representation of his treatment of him respecting this tragedy. Of this conduct he afterwards repented, and acknowledged his errors; though, in the subsequent editions of the novel, the passages which were the hasty effusions of disappointment have not been omitted. However, in giving a sketch of the liberal arts in his History of England, he afterwards remarked that, the exhibitions of the stage were improved to the most exquisite entertainment by the talents and management of Mr. Garrick, who greatly surpassed all his predecessors of this and perhaps every other nation, in his genius for acting, in the sweetness and

variety of his tones, the irresistible magic of his eye, the fire and vivacity of his actions, the eloquence of attitude, and the whole pathos of expression. Candidates for literary fame appeared, even in the higher sphere of life, embellished by the nervous sense and extensive erudition of a Corke; by the delicate taste, the polished muse, and the tender feelings of a Lyttleton.' Not satisfied with this public declaration, he wrote an apology to Mr. Garrick in still stronger terms. With these ample concessions Mr. Garrick was completely satisfied; so that in 1757, when Smollet's comedy of the Reprisals, an after-piece of two acts, was performed at Drury Lane theatre, the latter acknowledged himself highly obliged for the friendly care of Mr. Garrick exerted in preparing it for the stage; and still more for his acting the part of Lusignan in Zara for his benefit, on the sixth instead of the ninth night, to which he was only entitled by the custom of the theatre. The Adventures of Roderic Random, published in 1748, 2 vols. 12mo., a book which still continues to have a most extensive sale, first established the doctor's reputation. All the first volume and the beginning of the second, appears to consist of real incidents and characters, though certainly a good deal heightened and disguised. The judge his grandfather, Crab and Potion the two apothecaries, and 'Squire Gawky, were characters well known in that part of the kingdom where the scene was laid. Captains Oakhum and Whiffle, Drs. Mackshane and Morgan, were also said to be real personages; but their names we have either never learned or have now forgotten. A bookbinder and barber long eagerly contended for being shadowed under the name of Strap. The doctor seems to have enjoyed a peculiar felicity in describing sea characters, particularly the officers and sailors of the navy. His Trunnion, Hatchway, and Pipes, are highly finished originals; but what exceeds them all, and perhaps equals any character that has yet been painted by the happiest genius of ancient or modern times, is his Lieutenant Bowling. This is indeed nature itself; original, unique, and sui generis. By the publication of this work the doctor had acquired so great a reputation, that henceforth a certain degree of success was insured to every thing known to proceed from his hand. In the course of a few years, the Adventures of Peregrine Pickle appeared; a work of great ingenuity and contrivance in the composition, and in which an uncommon degree of erudition is displayed, particularly in the description of the entertainment given by the Republican doctor, after the manner of the ancients. Under this personage the late Dr. Akenside, author of The Pleasures of Imagination, is supposed to be characterised; and it would be difficult to determine whether profound learning or genuine humor predominate most in this episode. Another episode of the Adventures of a Lady of Quality, likewise inserted in this work, contributed greatly to its success, and is indeed admirably executed; the materials, it is said, the lady herself (the celebrated lady Vane) furnished. These were not the only original compositions of this stamp with which the doctor has favored

the public. Ferdinand count Fathom and Sir Launcelot Greaves are still in the list of what may be called reading novels, and have gone through several editions; but there is no injustice in placing them in a rank far below the former. No doubt invention, character, composition, and contrivance, are to be found in both; but then situations are described which are hardly possible, and characters are painted which, if not altogether unexampled, are at least incompatible with modern manners; and which ought not to be, as the scenes are laid in modern times. The doctor's last work was of much the same species, but cast into a different formThe Expedition of Humphry Clinker. It consists of a series of letters, written by different persons to their respective correspondents. He has here carefully avoided the faults which may be justly charged to his two former productions. Here are no extravagant characters nor unnatural situations. On the contrary, an admirable knowledge of life and manners is displayed; and most useful lessons are given applicable to interesting but to very common situations. We know not whether the remark has been made, but there is certainly a very obvious similitude between the characters of the three heroes of the doctor's chief productions. Roderic Random, Peregrine Pickle, and Matthew Bramble, are all brothers of the same family. The same satirical, cynical, disposition, the same generosity and benevolence, are the distinguishing and characteristical features of all three; but they are far from being servile copies or imitations of each other. They differ as much as the Ajax, Diomed, and Achilles of Homer. This was undoubtedly a great effort of genius; and the doctor seems to have described his own character at the different stages and situations of his life. Before he took a house at Chelsea, he attempted to settle as practitioner of physic at Bath; and with that view wrote A Treatise on the Bath Waters; but was unsuccessful, chiefly because he could not render himself agreeable to the women. This was doubtless extraordinary; for those who knew Smollet at that time acknowledge that he was as graceful and handsome a man as any of the age he lived in; and there was a certain dignity in his air and manner which could not but inspire respect wherever he appeared. Perhaps he was too soon discouraged. Abandoning physic as a profession, he fixed his residence at Chelsea, and turned his thoughts entirely to writing. Yet, as an author, he was not nearly so successful as his genius and merit certainly deserved. He never acquired a patron among the great, who by his favor or beneficence relieved him from the necessity of writing for a subsistence. The truth is, Dr. Smollet possessed a loftiness and elevation of sentiment and character which appears to have disqualified him for paying court to those who were capable of conferring favors. It would be wrong to call this disposition haughtiness; for to his equals and inferiors he was ever polite, friendly, and generous. Booksellers may therefore be said to have been his only patrons; and from them he had constant employment in translating, compiling, and reviewing. He translated Gil Blas and Don Quixote, both so happily, that

all the former translations of those excellent productions of genius have been almost superseded by his. His name likewise appears at a translation of Voltaire's Prose Works; but little of it was done by his own hand; he only revised it, and added a few notes. He was concerned in a great variety of compilations. His History of England was the principal work of that kind. It had a most extensive sale; and the doctor is said to have received £2000 for writing it and the continuation. In 1755 he set on foot the Critical Review, and continued the principal manager of it till he went abroad for the first time in 1763. He was, perhaps, too acrimonious sometimes in the conduct of that work; and at the same time displayed too much sensibility when any of the unfortunate authors attempted to retaliate, whose works he had perhaps justly censured. Among other controversies, in which his engagements in this publication involved him, the most material in its consequences was that occasioned by his remarks on a pamphlet published by admiral Knowles. That gentleman, in his defence of his conduct on the expedition to Rochefort, published a vindication of himself; which, falling under the doctor's examination, produced some very severe strictures both on the performance and on the character of the writer. The admiral immediately commenced a prosecution against the printer; declaring, at the same time, that he desired only to be informed who the writer was, that if he proved to be a gentleman he might obtain the satisfaction of one from him. In this affair the doctor behaved both with prudence and with spirit. Desirous of compromising the dispute with the admiral, in an amicable manner, he applied to his friend Mr. Wilkes to interpose his good offices with his opponent. The admiral, however, was inflexible; and, just as sentence was going to be pronounced against the printer, the doctor came into court, avowed himself the author of the strictures, and declared himself ready to give Mr. Knowles any satisfaction he chose. The admiral immediately commenced a fresh action against the doctor, who was found guilty, fined £100, and condemned to three months imprisonment in the King's Bench. It is there he is said to have written the Adventures of Sir Launcelot Greaves, in which he has described some remarkable characters, then his fellow-prisoners. When lord Bute was called to the chief administration of affairs, he was prevailed upon to write in defence of that nobleman's measures; which he did in a weekly paper called the Briton. This gave rise to the famous North Briton; wherein, according to the opinion of the public, he was rather baffled. The truth is the doctor did not seem to possess the talents necessary for political altercation. He wanted temper and coolness; and his friends accused his patron of having denied him the necessary information, and even neglected the fulfilling of some of his other engagements with him. Be that as it will, the doctor is said not to have forgotten him in his subsequent performances. Besides the Briton, Dr. Smollet is supposed to have written other pieces in support of the cause he espoused. The Adventures of an Atom, in two volumes, are known to be his production. His con