1838.] 



FARMERS' REGISTER. 



61 



cription of f liese black beaux, who actej so conspi- 

 cuous a part with iheir partners in liie pcryinitnon 

 junket. The broad Li;iin, tlir smile ot'iiie liitlo squat 

 wench, seen ihrouirji hertorcli-iiiilit, the ininiid lip, 

 the twiPt oi' the ton<xue, the wliite teetli, the ob- 

 liq'ie look, the irjance of the eye, tlie tviss of the 

 head, the ([uaint bow, tne curved shin, the bandy 

 leaf, the niinl>le jiir, the aHi;»cted airol' the wenches, 

 the profuse perspiration, the cloud of dust, the lu- 

 rid room, the phiz ol' the banjor man, the banjor's 

 iiivu titm. litm, and Juber's sonir and clap, would 

 call forih the combined talents and lively imasiina- 

 tion ol" a Wirt, an Irvinir, a Burns, an Addison. 

 and Dryilen. And if a northern abolitionist, with 

 his pocket filled with inflainmator}- documents and 

 resolutions, could have witnessed such a scene in 

 Virginia, he would, in my opinion, have consiixn- 

 ed tbeni to the Hames; his great love for the blacks, 

 to the contrary notwithstanding. 



In conclusion, F otl'er no apology for introducing 

 in your columns, and bringing before 3'our intelli- 

 gent readers, such a novel, rude produ'?.tion, as the 

 beer dance. We are to clerive ti-om such scenes 

 in tills lile, much useful instruction; the poet, di- 

 vine, statesman, philosopher, and all mankind, 

 may be benefited by looking do?o/?.. in Iili3, in order 

 to explore the dark corners of nature. 



There is this consolation to be derived from the 

 pcene I have described; the pleasing recollection 

 that God has placed us high in the scale of human 

 beings; and we should all appreciate its worth. 



I drink you the iollowing sentiment, in a glass of 

 persimmon ale: May the product of the persim- 

 mon tree, substitute foreign wines, molasses, su- 

 gar, tea, and coffee, and save the "'old dominion" 

 thousands annually. 



With sentiments of regard, and esteem, I am, 

 Your obedient servant. 



WiLLiABi B. Smith, 



remarks on the publication of 'john- 

 stone's treatise on draining, embank- 

 ments, &c.' 



In this number is completed the general 'Treatise 

 on Draining, Embanking, &.C.' It was contrary to our 

 intention and desire that this republication should be 

 divided between two of our volumes. Nevertheless, 

 the subject treated in each volume is entirely distinct 

 and independent of the other; the one being on drain- 

 ing in all its branches, and the portion here presented 

 embracing all that relates to embanking low lands 

 straightening water-courses, and constructing dams, 

 &c. This latter portion is valuable not only in a very 

 important degree for agricultural improvement and 

 profit, but even more, at least in this country, and in 

 these times, to civil engineers, and to all other per- 

 sons who, without the knowledge possessed by engi- 

 neers, undertake the construction of dams, making 

 canals, straightening of rivers, and other such works. 

 In the improvements (so often miscalled,) of rivers for 

 navigation, in this country, millions of dollars might 

 have been saved, if merely the theoretical principles, 

 and practice, presented in this number had been 

 known, and properly regarded, by the constructors. 



The republication of this work, in the Farmers' Re- 

 gister, besides causing a very heavy pecuniary cost for 

 engravings, &c. has produced delay end disorder in 



the heretofore very regular times of publication, and 

 also other important difficulties in our mechanical ope- 

 rations. But a small part of those disadvantages (the 

 irregularity of publication,) has fallen upon our read- 

 ers; and we hope and believe, that there is not one of 

 them, whather he be farmer, civil engineer, mill-own- 

 er or mill-constructor, or merely a general reader, who 

 will not find ten-fold remuneration in the information 

 and instruction atforded by some portion of the con- 

 tents of this treatise, which is now, for the first time, 

 oli'ered to the view of American readers. 



The English copy of this work, which this first 

 American edition gives in full, cost $G in purchase 

 money, as imported by our special order; and which 

 is lower than it could be sold for, even if there 

 were any other English copies in America, which is 

 believed not to be the case. The subscribers to the 

 Farmers' Register get this reprint, which gives 

 every word, and every illustration, of the original 

 work, (though, of course, in inferior style,) for 57 

 cents; that being the proportion of ^5, equal to that 

 which this treatise occupies of the bulk of one volume 

 of the Farmers" Register. 



For the Farmer's Register. 



commercial report. 



There is less demand for every description of 

 imported goods this spring, than there has been in 

 any previous one lor many years. Small as the 

 importations were, they are sacrificed at less than 

 cost in the northern markets. Merchants from the 

 south and west cannot make collections, and con- 

 sequently have no means of" pm'chasing. But 

 even if collections could be made, the difftjrence of 

 exchange is so great, even where northern funds 

 can be procured, as to deler men of business from 

 carryinur on their accustomed transactions. 



In Virginia, 5 to 6 per cent, premium is paid on 

 New York; and in New York, western paper is 

 20 to 30 per cent, below par. Sterling bills on New 

 York are at 4 to 5-^ per cent, premium; or, taking 

 specie as the standard, 4 to 5 per cent, below par. 

 Such a state of exchanges never beliire existed. 



The south-western banks have become the prin- 

 cipal purchasers or shippers of cotton, so that the 

 merchants are almost completely thrown out of the 

 business. The price of cotton is higher in the 

 towns on the Mississippi and Alabama, than in 

 New York. In the latter it is 7 to 10 cents; in the 

 former, 8 to 11. The rate of freights is higher 

 than at any time since the termination of the last 

 war. 



In our own markets, cotton is in fair demand at 

 8| to 9^ cents. Not a vessel for Europe was in 

 port during the month of March. 



Tobacco is in demand at prices nearly or quite 

 double those of last year, tor t!ie lower qualities, 

 and 50 per cent, higher for the better sorts. The 

 range of quotations is .S3..50 to .912. This ad- 

 vance is owing to the diminished stocks in every 

 market; the crops of Virginia having been small 

 for the last two years. 



Flour commands Ji^7.25. Indian corn 70 cents. 

 Of wheat, there is none brought to market. 



The New York and Boston hanks propose to 

 resume specie payments next month. A conven- 

 tion of the banks generally, is to be held in New 



