Domestic Notices : — England. 79 



there is less chance of moisture being thrown down from them by the mix- 

 ture with cold air ; but when the warm and moist air is close to the sur- 

 face, it is almost certain that, as the cold air flows down into it, a deposition 

 of water will take place. The augury of the ancients was a good deal 

 founded upon the observation of the instinct of birds, and there are many 

 superstitions of the vulgar owing to the same source. For anglers in spring 

 it is always unlucky to see single magpies, but two may be always regarded 

 as a favourable omen ; and the reason is, that in cold and stormy weather 

 one magpie alone leaves the nest in search of food, the other remaining 

 sitting upon the eggs or the young ones ; but when two go out together, it 

 is only when the weather is warm and mild, and favourable for fishing, 

 (Salmonia, attributed to Sir Humphrey Davy.) 



Preserving Plants from the Caterpillar. — An experiment has been tried 

 for three years to preserve gooseberry plants from the ravages of the cater- 

 pillar, by brushing the stems with a soft brush dipped in common train or 

 fish oil, about the time of their first appearance, or at any time when in- 

 fested, which appears to destroy or greatly to annoy them. It also much 

 improves the growth and productiveness of the tree the following year, and 

 clears it of moss. This communication is made public, in the hope of ex- 

 citing experiments to prove how far it may be useful for the preservation 

 of other trees. {New Monthly Magazine for August.) 



An improved Mode of Paving has been suggested, which may be shortly 

 described, as placing the stones with the broadest surface undermost on a 

 Macadamised foundation. This is nearly allied to the Roman practice of 

 paving on a bed of masonry : indeed, the durability of all pavement depends 

 on its being placed on a stratum of materials not liable to be changed by 

 water, frost, or considerable pressure. An excellent pamphlet on the subject 

 has been published by Col. Macirone. The plan first mentioned is by Mr. 

 George Knight, and will be found accompanied by some very judicious ob- 

 servations on the adaptation of Macadamised roads for the chief thorough- 

 fares of the metropolis in the Journal of Science, vol. 22. p. 264. About 

 1811 or 1812, we entered a caveat at the Patent Office, for a mode of pav- 

 ing on flag stones, or on cast-iron plates, combining a plan of laying the water 

 and gas-pipes in drains 

 ( fig, 22. a), covered 

 with large stones, chan- 

 nelled on the surface by 

 to prevent horses from 

 sliding. Access to the 

 pipes might be had by 

 simplylifting these stones, ^^^^•^^^^^^^^'^ ft 



22 



without - disturbing any 

 other part of the pave- 

 ment. On mentioning our 

 plan to some of the principal paviors, we found it would have to encoun- 

 ter such a host of interests and prejudices, that we paid no more atten- 

 tion to it. Being very much inclined to doubt the^ ultimate advantages 

 of Macadamising the chief thoroughfares, we think the idea worth con- 

 sidering. 



Bettering the Condition of the labouring Poor, —r- This subject, which has 

 long engaged the best hearts, and some of the wisest heads in the kingdom, 

 has been taken up with most benevolent ardour by Captain J. Pole, R. N. 

 This gentleman has favoured us with a perusal of his very rational plan for 

 reducing the poor rate, restoring the independence of the labourer, by plac- 

 ing him in a condition to maintain himself and family without parochial as- 

 sistance, and consequently in comparative comfort. 



This is by the often before recommended plan of letting every labourer 

 who wishes it have a piece of land for the employment of his leisure 



