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BRANCH IL 



Review of Agricultural Publications. 



Ejfavi lAttrary^ Porttical and Econom'icaL in Ttvo Volumes, by 

 John Gardinf.r, M. D. Fcllotu of the Royal Colk^e of Phyficians, 

 and of the Roynl Society^ Edinburgh, ^c. Conftable & Co. Edin- 

 burgh, and T. N. Longman & O. Rces, Ldndon. 1803. 



Disquisitions, like tliofe now before us, v/hlch involve the happi- 

 refs and welfare of mankind in an important degree, are generally re- 

 ceived in a favourable manner. So numerous, however, have publica- 

 tions of t^is kind been of late years, that one of two things may rea- 

 ■fonably be expelled to follow ; either that the people will be fuffi- 

 ciently enabled to form correft notions upon every point connect- 

 ed with rural and political economy, or they will be furfeited with 

 •fuch a lavifhmcnt of advice, efpecially as it is often beftowed by thofe 

 who would not have been the worfe of inftruftion themfeives. Earls 

 and Lords, phyficianjs and furgeons, have lately ftepped forward and 

 , proffered advice for promoting the internal improvement of the coun- 

 try J in fhort, all ranks, except the lawyers, have lent their aid to 

 forward fuch a meritorious and importap.t object. We beg pardon, 

 «ven an Honourable Judge has condefcended to throw in his mite, 

 thereby fhowing the fenfe he entertained of the value of agriculture to 

 the Hate. 



In making thefe preliminary remarks, we by no means apply any of 

 them to the learned author of thefe volumes ; on the contrary, we are 

 in duty bound to declare, that" much gratification has been experienced 

 hj us in examining his fentiments on a variety of topics, none of which 

 are undeferving of notice. If he has not added largely to our original 

 flock of information, he has at leaft conveyed a good deal of pleafure, 

 by illuflrating fome important fubjefts with concifeiiefs and perfpi- 

 cuity. Upon fome of them, he perhaps has formed eiToneous opi- 

 nions ; but even here criticifm is in a great meafure difarmed by the 

 fairnefs and candour which he conllantly -exhibits. Three fourths of 

 the efliiys being foreign to the defign of our Magazine, we fliall con- 

 fine this review to the feclions which more particularly relate to agri- 

 cultural concerns. 



Thefe feftions are, the 3d, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, and loth, 

 of the firft volume. In examining tliera, we Ihall Rate our fentiments 

 with freedom ; and, avoiding every fallidious remark, will with greater 

 pleafure beftow approbation where we think it merited, thun convey* 

 cenfure, even where opinions appear to be loofely taken uj). Some 

 people feem to think that a review Hiould contain all tlie errors of the 

 author, and none of his truths ; but our conduct fliuU always be guided 

 by more liberal principles. 



