tinued action in some other part, on which principle emeties should be given in small doses, so as to produce nausea, and be repeated frequently till the disease yields to their use. persons of a good constitution, it ceases spontaneously, in from eight or ten days, till a month, but if it should continue longer, we ought to use the most active remedies for its removal, for we are taught by observation, that the oftener people have been attacked with a cold, the more readily they are affected by it, and that the longer it has continued, the more difficult it is to be removed: the case of loss of voice from cold, in our list, is attended with some curious circumstances: the subject of it, can, at intervals, speak as when in health, nor is it accompanied with any pain, and the pulse is very little, if at all increased in frequency.

NATURALISTS' REPORT.

From December 20, 1809, till January 20, 1810.
Happy the man possessed of ancient groves,
Happier who plants his trees, while time improves,
And forms their beauties to reward his care,

He like great Cyrus cries "I placed them there."

DE LILLE'S GARDEN.

THERE are few people in whose breasts the desire of beholding the country and its scenery is totally extinguished, whether it is instinctive or habitual it is impossible to trace, some have gone so far as to say, that it is derived from the pleasure which our first parents enjoyed, ere disobedience drove them from Paradise; certain it is however, that the green robe of nature conveys to the imagination pleasures of which all are desirons to participate, and as that exquisite painter of simple scenery, Cowper, expresses it, if they can no otherwise enjoy the sight of green they will plant a sprig of mint in an old tea-pot. "Happier who plants his trees" and beholds them grow with that healthy vigour, which shows each placed in its proper soil and situation; but without attention to their natural characters continual mistakes will be the consequence, attended with stunted and unhealthy growth. The spongy roots of the alder penetrate the marshy soil; the wide spreading roots of the larch extending over a great space of dry sandy ground, receive abundant nourishment where few others would thrive, while the elm with closely entangled roots grows with luxuriance only in the richest loam, and the oak, whose deeply penetrating roots were early noticed by planters, grows only to advantage in earth where its roots are not impeded in their descent. From these examples it may be seen how necessary the study of natural characters are to ensure to the planter success, and as the season for planting is at hand, to direct him who wishes with "their beauties to reward his care"

During this dreary season the observations of the Naturalist are very limited; without his attention is directed to the study of Cryptogamic plants, there is little to interest. December, 22, Thrush (Turdus Musicus) singing.

25, Common Wren (Sylvia Troglodytes) singing.

27, Thrushes singing.

January 2, 1810. Common Wren, and Robin Redbreast (Sylvia Rubecula) singing. 3, Misseltoe Thrush (Turdus Viscivorus) singing. This bird no doubt was once plentiful in Ireland, but for many years they were unknown and it is only within these five or six years, they have been observed, adding their song to cheer the naked groves.

Sparrows (Fringilla Domestica) assembling about their nesting holes, and making considerable noise.

12, Robin Redbreast, singing.

14, A large flock of Wild Geese flying to the Southward.

19, Wren singing.

METEOROLOGICAL REPORT.
From December 20 1809, till January 20, 1810.

To prognosticate the weather which immediately ensues from Meteorological appearances has been attempted from the most remote periods of antiquity, but it is only since a more correct knowledge of astronomical periods has been acquired that philosophers have observed a correspondence between certain seasons. Mr. Toaldo supposes that the seasons correspond with one another every 19 years, or lunar period, in confirmation of this theory.

a great resemblance may be observed between the month of December 1790 and December 1809, January 1791 and the present month, which has been often remarkably pleas ant although uncommonly changeable.

23,

Showery.

26,

Showery.

29,

30,

31,

January 1,..

2, ...........

3,

4, 6,

Stormy, with rain.

Wet.

Showery.

Slight showers.

7, ........................................... Heavy rain.

Showery.

Clear and dry.

Stormy and wet.

Showery.

Wet morning, dry day.

Cold and dry.

15, ...................... Frost, with a fall of snow about 14 inch deep.

The range of the barometer has been trifling, only four times as low as 29.5, and most ly about 30, seldom one tenth above it.

The thermometer has been continually fluctuating in the mornings between 274, which it was on the 19th of January, and 50 which it was on the 1st and 4th of January; indeed it was scarcely two mornings near the same temperature.

The highest at which the thermometer was observed at 2 P.M. was 53 on the 1st of Ja nuary, the lowest 30 on the 15th of the same month.

The prevalent winds have been S.W. which was 18 times, it was observed also N.W 2; S.E. 6; E. 2; N.E. $ times.

CELESTIAL PHENOMENA.
FOR FEBRUARY, 1810.

On the 1st the Moon rises at 36 min. past 5 A.M. and sets at 48 min. past 1 P.M. hence she will not be visible, except for a short time in the morning.

5, The new Moon will be seen in the evening towards the w.s.w. having near, but above her, the four stars in the triangle of the Water-pot, and below her Mercury, and the eighth of the Water-bearer, above her is Mars, and at a considerable distance higher up, Jupiter. Thus three planets, with the Moon, decorate the western hemisphere, and her passage by two of them will naturally fix our attention.

10, She is on our meridian at 19 min. past 5, having directly under her Menkar, o the first star of the Whale, the three first stars of the Ram being to the west, as the Pleiades are at nearly an equal distance to the east of the meridian; at 9, she is 64° 12' from the second of the Twins.

15, She is on the meridian at 16 min. past 9, being near the middle of the Triangle, formed by the third, the first and the second of the Twins, and the first and second of the little Dog. The third of the Twins being to the west, the other stars, to the east of the meridian; at 9 she is 40° 52′ from the first of the Lion, and 35° 20′ from Aldebaran.

20, She rises nearly at the same time with the second of the Lion, the first being at a considerable distance above her, and her course is directed to the twentieth of the Lion, which suffers an occultation before she sets, this takes place the following morning, a little after 5; the star emerges a little before six,

27, She rises 25 min. past 2 A.M. and is soon after followed by Saturn and the stars in the Scorpion.

Mercury is an evening star during the former, and a morning star, during the latter part of this month. His inferior conjunction takes place on the 16th.

Venus is a morning star, but so low at sun-rise, that she will be seen but by few.Her motion is direct. On the first she is under the two first stars of the Goat, and proceeds to a point under the four stars in the triangle of the Water-pot, but does not reach its stream.

Mars is an evening star and may be seen in the upper part of the lower region, at his first appearance on the 1st, to the west of the south-west ; but his duration above the horizon after Sun-set decreases, though slowly, every night. The Moon passes him on the 6th.

Jupiter is on the meridian at 16 min. past 4 on the 1st, and at 16 min. past 3 on the 19th, of course we shall have sufficient opportunity of making observations on this beautiful and largest of the planets. The Moon passes him on the 23d.

Saturn is a morning star, being on the meridian at 51 min. past 7 in the morning of the 1st, and earlier every succeeding morning; his motion is direct through 14 degrees in the Milky way, under the right leg of the Serpent-bearer. Antares with the second of the Scorpion, are to the west of him. The Moon passes him on the 27th. Herschell is stationary on the 15th, and of course his motion for some time, both before and after that day will be scarcely perceptible. It is first direct and then retrograde. The Moon passes him on the 25th.

J. W. E. will perceive on reflection, that to enter on the species of discussion, which he requires relative to his verses, would extend this article to pages, if made general. No other translation of I.'Enfant de Venus, has been received, but that inserted in this number; it is therefore suppo®ed that a letter of J. W. E's, has miscarried; if he will send another copy, it shall be considered comparatively with the above. The epitaph to A. K was rejected, principally for defective rhimes "charm," eannot be thime' to "form," no more than "change" can to "tinge," which we took the liberty to alter in his verses to Kitty. The other verses were rejected because the Proprietors did not perceive they contained any thing to entitle them to a preference; please to see the first article to Correspondents in No 17. The person addressed by J. W. E. thanks him for the good opinion of his compositions, but imagines he is mistaken as to the insertions which he supposes to be his, as he writes nothing for the political department, and in that which he furnishes regularly, any attempt at the "classical," elegant, and "energetic," would be absurd. He will thank J. W. E. to gratify his curiosity, by mentioning what he supposes to be his signatures in his other papers; and also to send him his address, if he shall again think such long explanation necessary relative to his communications.

The song for the anniversary of St. Andrew; the verses to Maria of the Cottage; X. X. the character of Bonaparte; and L's thoughts suggested by reading certain lines in Hervey's Con templations, are not thought suitable to the Magazine, by the proprietors.

We return thanks to the "Friend to civil and religious liberty," for the good opinion he has expressed of the work; and are sorry his paper cannot be admitted. Directions have been given for performing what Revicam has desired.

Letters signed H. S. Carrickfergus ; J. W. E. Rathelem; Peregrine; N. Lambeg; Mirkhond; S. Ballymena; C. Belfast, Anglicus; Y. R. Dublin; Un Emigre Francois; Lydia's Ode to Winter; Eswod's three poems, and the third part of Sainclair, with other favours, have been received and shall be submitted to the consideration of the proprietors.

Erratum.....In the note at bottom of the 45th page, 8th line, read the days of the week and ef the months."

THE

BELFAST MONTHLY MAGAZINE.

FEBRUARY 28, 1810.

COMMUNICATIONS, ORIGINAL AND SELECTED.

a sense of their important and interesting nature on the minds of the people. Such well timed suggestions, are fitted to have a more abiding and affecting influence than the most elaborate discourses on ordinary topics. Add to this, that it is unquestionably a pastor's duty, continually to advert to the state of the society over which he presides; and to adopt his discourses to the exigencies of his flock. He is to meet the prevailing vices of the times, by seasonable admo nitions and exhortations.

He is as

it were to keep his hand always extended over his people, that he may protect them from the shafts of infidelity, the unhallowed rage of fanatics, the contagion of bad example, and every other evil that might endanger their peace, virtue, and happiness. Now, it is obvious, that this pastoral care cannot possibly be manifested by a minister, who year after year delivers the same round of dis courses, be they ever so well selected and harmonized into system.

Again, the view which Mr. Addison gives us of the chaplain's labours as a preacher, furnishes us with a very low and mean idea of the pas toral office, and not at all correspondent with the representations of scripture on this head. The apostolic writings represent the preaching of the gospel as a matter of great labour and exertion, and that demanded the full exercise of the mental energies; whereas in Mr. Addison's view any man who can purchase the best sermons can, if he have a good aspect and clear voice, fully discharge without giving himself any farther trouble than that of copying, ali pulpit duties, agreeably to the instruc. tions of scripture. In my mind, such indolence and sluggishness are utterly unworthy of the ministerial character. It is necessary for every person diligently to study the doctrines of religion, and surely much more is this incumbent on a minister of the gospel. Let him avail himself of the assis tance of commentators and divines, but let him realize for himself the principles of religion, and show to the people the fraits of his labours. Thus it is probable he will preach with more warmth, energy, and ef

fect. It is impossible I should sup pose, for a man to deliver the compositions of others with the same ear nestness and fervour, as those which have proceeded from his own exertions. To interest a discerning audience, a man must speak with feeling. His words must flow,

"Warm from the heart, and to the heart address'd."

and how shall this be done so effectually, by a speaker, as when the subject is his own, when his heart glows with a generous enthusiasm, when his mind is full of light, and his imagination fired, by the impressive theme? It is not enough that he who discourses on the divine subject of religion should only seem to feel. He must feel, if he be sincere, and have a proper apprehension of the importance of the pastoral office.

It will be said, that there are many who are so unskilful in composing. that it is more for the edification of their people for them to read the compositions of others. To this I answer, that he who cannot compose discourses, that are calculated to promote edification and improvement, is utterly unqualified for the pastoral cffice: just as no one would imagine that physician acquainted with his profession, who prescribed to his patients merely from the knowledge, and upon the authority of others. A minister who knows not how to address his people from the information of his own mind, is unworthy of the sacred office, and should not presume to preach the gospel. It is impossible he can acquit himself in a manner creditable to himself, or advantageous to his people.

But what then is to become of those who are at present in holy orders, and have to lament their deficiency in this respect? I am disposed to think, that their inability to compose good or interesting discourses, arises chiefly from their want of study, attention, and application. The remedy therefore is, be more studious and diligent in future; avail yourselves of the best helps to composition; compose often and with care; be indefatigable in your exertions; and by studying the best models, you can scarcely fail to arrive at least