Retrospective Criticism, ^55 



period eO'C. The crops are about 16 days earlier than on an average of 

 seasons ; but, on light dry lands, barley, oats, and beans are short in straw. 

 Wheat seems to require little moisture to bring it to full maturity. The 

 sample this year, as in the memorable dry year of 1826, is uncommonly 

 fine ; and the return is most abundant in proportion to the plants, which, 

 however, were for the most part thin. — A. G. Aug. 2. 1831. 



Art. IV. Retrospective Criticism, 



On the recent Controversy/ in this Magazine. — Sir, I must and will repeat 

 my extremest disgust, and that of about eleven subscribers here, at your 

 sullying these pages with private squabbles. Are not the ephemeral news- 

 papers a fitter arena ? Mr. Murray, an able and persevering philosopher, 

 you suffered to be drummed out : and, by printing part of my letter, com- 

 plimentary to him (but never intended for print), you caused a misunder- 

 standing and coolness in that gentlemen towards me. This was like " the 

 Devil quoting Scripture." Your very last Number is disgraced with two- 

 and-twenty pages of blarney between Mr. Swainson and Mr. Vigors, two 

 gentlemen who might delight and instruct us with their really able and 

 elegant talents, and not waste their moonshine on rubbish. Who is to pay 

 for such trashy trumpery ? Or, when given, who is to bind, or even shelve, 

 such chaffy sheaves ? But 'tis you I blame, Mr. Loudon, for allowing it. 

 Is not this like the foolish Egyptian quail-fights in a hoop i Or is it not, as 

 it were, a brace of brawling orange-wenches, from Covent Garden Square, 

 rushing on the stage, between two scenes of Nature's Great Poet ; and dis- 

 gusting the delighted audience with their snarling tongues and talons ? Fie 

 on it : my gorge rises at it. At first it struck me to think no more of the 

 Magazine ; till finding some that I had laboured to lug into taking it, had 

 really discontinued, and others talked of doing so ; I determined to send 

 you this free but friendly admonition j though I think it impertinent to 

 what ought to be the contents of your book. Let it act as a radical 

 reform. If you have such quantities of matter as you say, why not print 

 it ? and not keep papers of correspondents soaking in pickle months after 

 months, till their temporal interest is entirely evaporated j to make room 

 for the scum, froth, and sputtering of effervescent irritability. Encourage 

 such correspondents as the amiable and intellectual parson Bree, who is 

 too, kind and courteous wantonly to attack others ; and whose always- 

 pleasing productions, like those of his congener. White of Selborne, are 

 too sweet and sound to admit attack from others. I was happy to hear so 

 well of him by my new friend, the Rev. Andrew Bloxam; a thriving, 

 learned, and travelled young naturalist, who visited me this summer on a 

 botanic excursion. Should you print this, 'tis likely you may suffer some 

 other to " lay on," Mac-Loudon ; for which I shall care just about three 

 skips of a louse ; and treat with the same respect as Deaf-and-Dumby did 

 the donkey. Yours, as you conduct yourself,- — John F, M. Dovaston, 

 WcstfelioUy near Shrewsbury ^ July 20. 1831. 



Becent Controversy in this Magazine. — Sir, It is not without regret that, 

 as one of your subscribers and constant readers, I feel myself called upon 

 to enter my protest against the war of words which has been carried on 

 for some time past, through the medium of your Magazine, between par- 

 ties standing high in the scientific world. With the cause and nature of 

 this dispute I have no concern ; but surely. Sir, these gentlemen might find 

 some other means of settling their differences, without having recourse to 

 your Magazine, and converting it into an arena upon which to throw down 

 the gauntlet of defiance to each other. On turning over the last Number, 



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