¥4-304 on the coal duties in Scotland. Dee. 265 
would be among the most industrious in the island, if they | 
had it in their power. Whatever, therefore, is calculated to 
ameliorate their lot in life, ought to claim a particular de-« 
gree of attention, not only from the mild: philanthropist, but 
also from the enlightened statesman: and certainly, one 
of the first steps’ towards: that amelioration, will be a 
removal of the coal duty. At present, they’ believe 
they are ‘neglected by those in power; and that no’ 
hope of bettering their condition remains. Were this hope 
awakened, by a well timed attention, it mizht be pros | 
ductive of very happy effects. 
It is seldom that a minister has it in his power to gras 
tify the wifhes of the people, by relieving them from ari 
opprefsive tax, while he by this means will at the same 
time augment the revenue: This. singular case occurs int 
the present instance. I scarcely therefore can be per- 
suaded that a person of such Perspicuity of judgement 
as our present minister is, will hesitate one moment about 
granting the relief proposed. Thus will hé deservedly con: 
ciliate the favour of thousands in. the present day, and. 
obtain the veneration of millions in future times. 
CORRECTION, 
Tur vegetable production desctibed in p. 268 of this vou 
lume, under the name of a pine cone, having been seery 
by a gentleman who had long resided in New South 
Wales, he says it is a misnomer, That the pine of Nor: 
folk island: bears a real scaly cone, like the pines in En-- 
rope ; but that this is the fruit of another tree, which rez 
sembles in size and habit the apple tree of Europe. The 
description is in all other respects, exact ;° only I may 
add, that the nuts adhere so firmly to the hatd nucleus int 
the -heart, that though one of them, whose thell is very 
thick, had: been broken by a stroke, or fall, it did not: quit: 
its hold, 
