54 HISTORY of the SOCIETY. 



Account of sir fmuggling trade, though it ftill fubfifts, is now confined ta 

 thofe who are poflefTed of extenfive capitals ; whereas, before 

 this aft of Parliament, every farmer's fervant who could 

 purchafe half a cafk of fpirits, was engaged for his mare. The 

 confequence is, that the whole inhabitants on the fouth-wefl 

 coaft, who had followed fcarcely any other employment than this 

 pernicious traffic, to the entire neglecl of their hufbandry and 

 manufactures, now earn their fubfiftence by a more honefl ap- 

 plication of their induftry. The face of the country, which 

 formerly never could raife a fufficient quantity of grain to fup- 

 port its own inhabitants, is totally changed, and every year it 

 affords a plentiful fupply to the neighbouring counties. 



Mr CLERK was well acquainted with every branch of Natu- 

 ral Hiftory. To Mineralogy he had paid particular attention, 

 from its immediate connection with his mining operations. 

 His knowledge of Geography was fo full and accurate, that he 

 could defcribe, from memory, almoft any city or remarkable 

 place in the known world. 



HE was likewife a fkilful engineer and draughtfman, as ap- 

 pears from various roads, bridges, and other public works, in 

 this country, executed under his direction, or on plans which 

 he delineated. Nor were his talents in defigning confined to 

 this more mechanical fpecies of drawing. He could feize and 

 delineate, with uncommon fpirit, every ludicrous expreflion of 

 character ; and his drawings in this line are in great requeft 

 with the curious. His mind had likewife a bent to the army; 

 which, however, was never gratified by adlion, excepting for 

 a few months during the rebellion in 1745. At that time, he 

 joined a military aflbciation of gentlemen, named the York/hire 

 Hunters, who attended the royal army ; and he was, on differ- 

 ent occafions, employed by the Duke of CUMBERLAND, (who 

 knew him well) and, in particular, to conduct the forces to the 

 proper ground for opening the fiege of Carlifle. 



Mr 



