252 THE AUTHOR'S REPLY TO 



of Ashley, the other from Mr. William Taylor, F.L.S., of 

 Regent Street, London ; to both of which I shall offer a reply, 

 through the 16th number of my series, as soon as my numerous 

 engagements will allow. In the mean time, I hope that the 

 subscribers to your paper who take an interest in the subject 

 of those letters will preserve them, in order that they may be 

 carefully compared with my reply. 



No. XVI. 



SIR, 



ACCORDING to my promise I will now proceed to answer 

 the letters of Mr. Taylor, F.L.S., and of Mr. Taunton, of 

 Ashley, which appeared in your Journal of the 28th of October 

 last, and in that of the 4th of the present month. 



The latter is a direct attack upon my veracity as an indi- 

 vidual, the former upon my character in conjunction with the 

 supporters of the flax cause ; for, observes Mr. Taylor, " The 

 bubble scheme of growing linseed or flax in England is unfor- 

 tunately exploded, and its former warm supporters would now 

 blush to examine the representations with which they have 

 attempted to deceive the public. 



I will, however, first endeavour to remove those erroneous 

 impressions which Mr. Taunton has not only imbibed himself, 

 but also desires to implant upon the minds of 'others ; or, why 

 not have applied to me through the medium of a private 

 inquiry in the first instance, instead of allowing his doubts to 

 remain dormant fifteen months before he publicly demanded 

 answers to his ungenerous and uncourteous interrogations ? I 

 say ungenerous, because they are accompanied by his own 

 preconceived opinions unsupported by reason or experience ! 

 Uncourteous, because that charity which " hopeth and belie veth 

 all things," Mr. Taunton withholds from one whose exer- 

 tions have long been directed to the advancement of his in- 

 terests, in common with the rest of the community with 

 what success 1 could easily give you many testimonials. But 

 on Saturday, the 9th of the present month, in the Corn- 



