1798. | 
the fa&t, as it appears to the difinterefted 
fpeftator of human manners. This opi- 
nion may be eri oneous, but it is the re- 
fult of many opportunities of examination 
in various parts of this kingdom, and 
among very Numerous facieties of friezds. 
But by far the mo indubitable and 
repreheniidle peculiarity in this fect, and 
for which I know not if all their other 
excellencies can atone, is. thew glaring in- 
‘attention to the /iterary education of their 
youth. Confdering the fobriety of their 
manners, their opportunities of intellec- 
tual improvement through their abftrac- 
tion from the vulgar pleafures of diffi- 
pated life, their good fenie, their unufual 
rectitude of judgment, ‘their jut and 
dilpaffionate conceptions of things in ge- 
neral, in connection with the obvious ne- 
ceflity of kzowledge as the effential batis, 
of all virtue; the Quakers maft be re- 
garded in this view’ as grand impediments 
to an effectual renovation of our {pecies. 
In theology and criticifin, whether lacred 
or profane; ina profound acquaintance 
with Oriental languages, or thofe of 
Paleftine, Greece, and Rome; in fublime 
metaphyiics ; in the various departments 
of mathematical philofophy ; and on the 
fubjects of philology and tafte;—this 
fociety, as far as my information goes, 
(bat I fpeak with hefication and much 
diffidence as to the reality in this extent) 
is almolt, if not altogether, uzknown2. If 
they fhun the cuftomary accomplifhments 
of well-educated men, left fuch acquire- 
ments fhould interfereswith their minuter 
characteriftical diftinétions, fuch appre- 
henfion is of itfelf an abfolute condemiia- 
tion of thefe peculiarities: for undoubt- 
edly, whatever forms and practices will 
not bear the icrutinizing difcuflions of 
increafing knowledge, muii be abandoned, 
if not as noxious prin rciples, at leaft as 
frivolous diftinG@ions, and unworthy the 
countenance of underftanding men. In- 
telle&t is the root of all morality and all 
rational religion: and we muft afcribe, 
pechaps, to no other caufe that pppetent 
indifference in this fociet ty to fome doc- 
trines of Chriftianity, connected with its, 
very eflence,. as a reafonable icheme, and 
promotive of human happinefs. 
I might have expatiated to great extent 
under all thele heads of cenfure ; but my 
defire is rather to conciliate and excite 
enquiry amoneft themfelves than to exal- 
perate by the leaft approaches to contume- 
ly, vexation, or difreipect, No motives, 
I repeat it, but a fincere defire to render 
this moft refpeGtable clafs of men ftill 
more relpeCtable, and their fhining light 
they refufe 
Hor fe Chefnuts....Conftitution-making. 109 
{till more confpicuous through the darknefs 
that environs it, ‘have dictated thefe re- 
marks. . I fhall enter into no controverly 
on this fubjeS&t; but fubmit the refult of 
long experience and- earneit examination 
to the calm judgment of your readers, with 
a defire, thag my involuntary miitakes 
and erroneous decifions may receive the 
indulgence which they merit; with a with, 
that where I praife, my decifion may be 
true ; and, where I cenfuré, 
unfortunate enquiry. 
ae 
To the Editor of the Monthly Magazine. 
SIR, 
S your work has for its object the 
diffufion of all forts of. ufeful in- 
formation, I requeit that fome of your 
correfpondents will inform me, to what. 
valuable purpofe I can apply the nut of 
the horfe-chefhut? I have between four- 
fcore and a hundred of thele trees, in the 
habit of full-bearing: I have repeatedly, 
and in various ‘ways, endeavoured to 
make flarch of the fruit, but always un- 
fuccels fully ; for it turns to a yellow- 
colour. . 
I have offered the nuts to hogs, and 
them; I have offered them to 
horfes, they will eat a few, but do not 
feem to like thein. 
Some correfpondent, perhaps, may be 
able to inform mé whether ‘the wood of 
this tree is good for any thing but the 
fire: my carpenter fays it is not. I be- 
lieve the name by which this tree is 
known among botaniits, is A®{culus Hip- 
pocaftanum. Vee. faa open ava Usd opal 
‘ 
ee eae 
For the: Moathly Magazine. 
Glauk’ eis Athen’s.—Eggs to Berwick. 
HENEVER one of our great po- 
litical focieties fhall turn its 
thoughts to doing good, and, in imita- 
tion of the London Corre{pon: ding Society,. 
fhall appoint a committee of conftitution, 
it is evident that projects of parliamentary 
reform will rife in value. 
take piace betore the French fend us an 
ambaffador, and we gain accefs to Sieyes* 
nef of pigeon-holes; left we find our- 
felves at a lof’ for fome untried patterns 
of conftitution, and be reduced to live in 
a ftate of peaceful anarchy, for want of 
knowing what government to fix on, 2 
corner of the Monthly Magazine is hum- 
bly folicited in favour of the following 
original receipts for fenate-making : 
I. Let every perfon, who fubfcribes by 
the year toa circulating library, have a 
vote. 
the iffues of 
G. W. 
As this may 


