jjH Agyicukaral Ifitelligefiff^ Awg* 



the fliop-tax), it is our decided opinion that both ftand in need 

 of revifal. In facl, a direct tax upon corn, cattle, fheep, &c. 

 would have been more eligible -, for, like the auction tax, a part 

 of it might have been throu'n upon the purchafer. The farmers^ 

 we are firmly convinced, are well difpofed to bear their jufl: 

 fliare of every public burthen ^ but why a diftindion fhould have 

 been made in the mode of afcertaining their property, is a pro- 

 blem which we leave others to folve. 



A bill for augmenting the falaries of parochial fchoolmaflera 

 has lately paflcd through both Houfes of Parliament ; and we re- 

 joice that the fituatian of this ufeful clafs of men will now 

 be confiderably meliorated. Scotland, v^e believe, is the only 

 European country where fuitable attention is beftowed upon edu- 

 cating the lower ranks ; and, as remarked in a former Number, 

 from this fource may be traced the characleriilical features of 

 our countrymen. The advantages originally derived from the 

 old law, owing to the depreciation of money, were however in 

 a great meafure loft, and the alteration now made was become 

 nbfolutely neceflary. On this occafion, the public were much 

 obliged to the Lord Advocate of Scotland and Mr William Dun- 

 das, both of whom bellirred themfelves in accomplifliing this 

 important and truly national ob]e6l. N» 



Extracts from Private Correspondence. 

 SCOTLAND. 



Aberdee7iJJjire ^uirterly Report. 



Since the date of laft report, the weather has on the whole bceti 

 dry ; and any rains which have fallen, have been fucceedcd by cold high 

 winds. Even in the two lall weeks of June, when the heat through 

 the day was very great, froil commonly prevailed at night, and pre- 

 vented that benefit to vegetation which might have been expected 

 from the moifture that had previouijy fallen. Bear and barley, efpeci- 

 ally upon land that had been fallowed, or carried turnips in the preced- 

 ing year, prefent a mod unpromifing appearance ; oats look better, and 

 if the weather would difplay more moitlure, mi^ht Hill yield a good 

 crop of grain, though it is to be feared they will be defedlve in point 

 of fodder. Potatoes and peas, till within thefe eight days, have been 

 rather backward ; and clover and rye grafs, except upon rich fields, 

 will yield a very poor return, PaRure grais has not admitted of the 

 ufual quantity of flock, and it is to be feared will not make a gopd re- 

 turn this feafon. 



The ftorms from the north have been fo fevere as to overturn the 

 trees upon many acres of laud which ftood the blafts of former years, 

 and were ia a hcahhy and frcfti cgndition at the time. The weather 



has 



