1828.] 
in all her sentiments. Her genius and her 
talents shed lustre upon his lordship’s little 
gothic retreat at Strawberry Hill. When he 
died, in 1797, he left that charming villa to 
her who could best appreciate and cherish 
its agrémens. Here, after time had dried 
the tears that bedewed the grave of her vene- 
rable friend, Mrs. Damer drew around her 
a select circle, for whose amusement she 
fitted up an elegant little theatre. Amongst 
her occasional visitors were the accomplished 
Biographical Memoirs of Eminent Persons. 
215 
attributed to the pen of Lord Orford, was 
first represented. Mr. Kemble obtained per- 
mission to transplant the promising flower to 
the boards of Drury Lane; but, alas! it 
was a hot-house plant, that could not with- 
stand the rude blasts with which it was as- 
sailed in that quarter. It was considered 
by the public that the author of the play had, 
in his exhibition of fashionable manner, 
raised the curtain too high. The gods 
exerted their prerogative, and the piece was 
damned. 
Mrs. Damer continued, we believe, to re- 
side at Strawberry Hill till her decease, 
which occurred on the 28th of May. 
Misses Berry, Mrs. Siddons, and the relict 
of the immortal Garrick. It was on the 
miniature stage of that theatre that a co- 
medy, entitled “ Fashionable Friends,” and 
MONTHLY AGRICULTURAL REPORT. 
As to the state of the weather and the crops, previously to the late destructive hurricanes, 
it had partaken of that variable character which has distinguished the spring and summer 
of the current year, though not to any great or hurtful extreme. Hope was still left of 
somewhat perhaps beyond the usual average ofcrops. But, oh! for the vanity of human wishes 
—or rather the folly of placing a dependence on the most uncertain of all uncertainties, that 
which itself depends upon wind and weather. Perhaps we may no longer dream of an 
average of corn crops. Wheat has already taken a start of three or four shillings, and the 
ensuing will probably be a fortunate season for the farmers of good lands and dry uplands ; 
and fortunate it will be for the great and hard pressed majority, that corn laws no longer 
exist, which might place an impediment in the way of purchase and importation. 
In early districts, and among early and sedulous haymakers, that harvest, a most ample 
one, has been successful. Its finale will be of a different character, and not to the credit 
of some, who, it is averred, are in the unthrifty habit of employing too few hands. The 
tares, it is said, so luxuriant and covered with blossom, from late unfavourable causes, will 
not be productive of seed. On dry and good lands, the wheats blossomed sufficiently early, 
and were affected by no chills or atmospheric changes, but by too much moisture, and by 
the rain penetrating and lodging within the flower, which necessarily has an unfavourable 
effect on the maturing grain. A cold and blighting temperature, accompanying the rains 
at this critical period, would have ruined the crop. The frequent gales of wind, however, 
did much mischief to the bloom, and beat down much of the corn. Of the rye, barley, 
and oats, there is no novelty of report; in general, the corn has not eared so fully to size 
and weight, as was too sanguinely expected, but promises to be so productive of straw, as 
to constitute the present a great fodder, as well as grass and hay year. The continual 
moisture has promoted the generation of an enormous brood of slugs, to reduce which, wilt 
by-and-by require the serious and persevering exertion of the harrow and roller, joined 
with the superinduction of saline and ash manures. In some parts, the beans have suffered 
so much, from both the slugs and the rooks, that considerable breadths have been mown 
for cattle. The fly also, has been. too free with the peas, both those crops are, never- 
theless, of good promise. The turnips, mangel, and potatoes, flourish at the head of our 
crops. The present season has served to rectify the popular error that, mangel wurtzel is 
impenetrable to the attacks of the blight fly; since some small part of the crop has suffered 
considerably from that cause. On the annual large increase of the culture of this plant of 
paramount utility, a very distant correspondent remarks to us, that it has, at length, 
overcome the almost indomitable prejudices of the veriest old codgers’ of the soil. This 
is encouraging news to us, who laboured ineffectually during so many years, to introduce 
the culture, on our own annual and unfailing experience. The same, an intelligent, active, 
and successful cultivator, writes that he has found it the most useful, in regard to the 
worth of the second crop, to run the scythe over his extensive grazing pastures. Great 
annual benefit is lost by the general neglect of this obvious proceeding of common sense. 
The constant actions of the rain and wind upon the hop plant has no doubt cleared the 
bine of vermin; but it remains a question whether the early damage received has not 
been sufficient to outweigh the hope of a heavy crop. ‘The summer fallows, particularly of 
broad-east farmers, yet the majority, are foul in the extreme ; and will not contribute to 
repair the difficulties under which our farmers labour. An article has lately appeared in 
the newspapers, respecting spurry grass, a favourite sheep-food with our ancestors. ‘The 
writer speaks of it as a weed and as worthless. He probably did not obtain good seed, 
