330 
begin making observations with it, 
whenever the weather will permit, 
which I haye good hopes of, as the 
clouds fly much higher than they did 
before, and I frequently see a good 
deal of blue sky. However, I hardly 
think I shall be able to finish my ob- 
servations on this side in less than a 
fortnight or three weeks. But this is 
quite a matter of uncertainty. After 
that I must remove myself and my 
instruments to the north side of the 
hill, and suppose it will take a fort- 
night to make that removal. I shall 
then endeavour to make the observa- 
tions on the north side; and, after all 
the astronomical work is finished, or 
rather during the removal of the instru- 
ments, shall measure the distance of the 
two stations of the observatory in feet, 
by trigonometrical operations. At 
present I am inclined to measure indi- 
rectly, by levelling directly across the 
hill, that is to say, up the south side, 
and down the north side. I shall be 
very glad to see you here, when it 
will be most agreeable to you; whe- 
ther now, or at the measurement of the 
distance of the stations. I have not 
heard when the Lord Privy Seal will 
come ; he at first proposed not to come 
till L was settled on the south side, but 
now I hear that he is expected every 
day at Casile Menzies. Col. Roy has 
been here, and been at top of the hill, 
and made many observations both with 
his barometers and quadrant, which 
will assist. in settling the height of 
many distant hills, as well as serve for 
trying the exactness of M.de Luc’s 
rules. 
I remain, dear sir, 
Your most obedient servant, 
NeEvit MASKELYNE. 
To Dr. James Lind, Edinburgh. 
CUSTOM-HOUSE ABSURDITIES. 
. Mr. N—, an American, related to 
me, with much good humour, the fol- 
lowing adventure, which happened to 
him on his arrival at the Custom-house 
at Dover, Mr. N. being an amateur 
of pictures, had brought with him a 
view of “ the Falls of Niagara,” which 
he had himself painted during his resi- 
dence at Canada. The size of the 
picture was about six square feet, and 
as the duty on painted canyas is rated 
at one gninea the foot, consequently 
the demand was six guineas. Mr. N. 
exclaimed against this charge for a 
picture of no yalue to any one but him- 
Stephensiana—No. VII. 
[May 1, 
self, and appealed to the Director of 
the Customs, who informed him that 
the regulation was positive, and he 
could not depart from it. Myr. N. stili 
complained of this exorbitant duty: 
“Very well, (said the Director,) I only 
know one way for you to avoid the 
payment of it; leave your picture here 
for six months; as you are the pro- 
prietor, no one will claim it: at the 
end of this period I shall put it up for 
sale; nobody will purchase this miser- 
able daub, which is certainly not 
worth six shillings, and you will then 
have it for nething!” With this advice 
Mr. N. thought proper to comply ; and, 
in due time, obtained his picture. 
EXTRACTS FROM MANUSCRIPT LETTERS 
OF THE GOOD DUCHESS OF SOMERSET 
TO MISS CATHERINE TALBOT. 
May 1744. 
This is my birth-day, which I never 
see a retum of without a mixture of 
the highest gratitude to God for the 
many blessings he has permitted me to 
enjoy during the years I have lived ; 
and of contrition when I reflect on the 
small progress I haye made, in so long 
a course of time, towards either being 
wiser or better. This last reflection 
would cast a heavy gloom upon my 
mind, if I had not a joyful hope in the 
merits and blood of Jesus Christ, which 
I hope I shall never let go; and then 
what can make me completely mise- 
rable! When even the sting of death 
is taken away, and the hand-writing 
which was against me nailed to the Cross. - 
Lord B. hopes to leave Geneva in 
less than a month. Mr. —— assures 
us he continues to conduct himself in 
the most reasonable and innocent man- 
ner, and is not in the least infiuenced 
by the example of some of his coun- 
trymen, who act very differently. 
ov. 11th. 
I will not make any apology for not 
having answered your obliging letter 
sooner, because I am sure you will 
attribute my silence to its true cause, 
my incapacity to express my thoughts, 
which are still under the most painful 
pressure, and [ seem in a manner be- 
numbed with grief, and unable to exert 
my faculties; but I hope the Father of 
Mercies will, in his own -good time, 
let his light shine upon me, and relieye 
me from the heavy load which I bow 
under at present. I do not repine or 
murmur, but acknowledge the justice, 
while I tremble beneath the aan of 
is 
