On the Emigratio7i of Gardeners. 29 



has been attempted to be accounted for by supposing earthy- 

 secretions lodged in the brain as well as in the glands of the 

 throat. Silex has been found in the pineal gland of idiots. 



One remarkable fact respecting cretins remains to be 

 noticed. They are esteemed by their parents blessings ; they 

 are even said to prefer idiotic children, conceiving them the 

 peculiar gifts of God, and certain of future felicity, because 

 incapable of wilful sin. These idiots are frequently married, 

 and are always carefully tended in all their wants by their rela- 

 tions. It is at least fortunate for these poor objects that such 

 a superstition prevails. They usually bask in the sun all the 

 summer long, and are seldom employed at any occupation, 

 however unintellectual. * 



In next Number we propose passing through the Tete 

 Noir into Chamouny, &c. 



Robert Mallet. 



Art. V. On the Emigration of Gardeners to the United States 

 of America. By Benjamin Poore, Esq., of New York. 



Sir, 



In your Number for June last, your correspondent, now in 

 this country (Vol. Vlll. p. 288.), wonders you should advise 

 gardeners and others to emigrate hither ; and you very pro- 

 perly give my name in the margin (p. 289.) as the person 

 from whom you received the information as to price of wages, 

 board, &c. 



Understanding your correspondent was in Albany, I have 

 endeavoured to see him ; not doubting, from what I had 

 heard of him as a gentleman, he would be open to conviction, 

 and correct, in his next letter, the mistake he had laboured 

 under when he wrote to you last : but, he having left Albany, 

 for the purpose of purchasing a farm, as I was informed, it 

 was impossible for me to procure his address ; and I must, 

 therefore, beg of you to publish as much of this letter as you 

 may deem proper, in answer to him. I am anxious for this, 

 as, after the reception I met with from every class of society 

 with which I came in contact during my sojourn in the land 

 of my forefathers (it being universally marked with frank 

 hospitality without the smallest claim to it, although at the 

 risk which always attends the bestowing confidence in advance 

 upon a stranger), I should feel very unwilling (partial as I am 



* Information on cases of goitre, and opinions on the causes of it, will 

 be found in the Magazine of Natural History, vol. ii. p. 403. ; vol. iii. p. 191. 

 446. 470.; vol. iv. p. 86. 89. — J. D. 



