780¢.] 
As the eye gives the beft idea of pro- 
portion, it is evident, that wherever rela- 
tive quantities and a gradual increafe or 
decreafe are in queftion, this mode is pe- 
culiarly applicable, although it is not pre- 
tended that it gives fraétional parts with 
the accuracy ot a printed table. 
Thée-amount of debt, it appears, is, 
a: this time, four hundred and twenty 
millions; whichagrees very nearly withMr. 
Addington’s ftatement. Mr. Tierney, 
and that able calculator, Mr. Morgan, 
have given different. ftatements: but the 
difference arifes more from the manner 
than the matter, though partly from both. 
Mr. Playfaix’s view in writing, was to 
reprefent the National Debi of Eagland 
with accuracy, in a work that is for the 
world at large ; not for any party: and as 
fuch, he could not reprefent the debts of 
the Emperor of Germany, or of Ireland, 
much leis the fifty-nine millions paid of by 
the finking fund, as making a part of it, 
neither did it appear to him, that the por- 
tion of money borrowed, . and for which 
the income-tax is fpecifically engaged, 
ought tobe ranked withthe ref ; for,though 
it 1s a debt, it is provided for in a very 
different manner from the other portion, 
and therefore ought not to be reprefented 
indifcriminately as a part of. the fame 
‘burthen ; asa merchant or private indivi- 
dual, though he will ftate every thing that 
he owes as a debt, will make a decided 
diftinétion between that for which his 
property at large is anfwerable, and that 
for the payment of which a particular 
fund is applicable, particularly if, as in 
this cafe, that fund ceafes to exit the 
moment that portion of the debt is paid 
OY». } 
Letting it, however, remain with thofe 
who enter the lifts of controverfy, to vin- 
dicate their different {tatements, this au- 
thor has contented himfelf with reprefent- 
ing the general mafs of debt, on the pay- 
ment of which the finking fund is aGing, 
and of the operation of which; he has 
* given another chart, which fhall appear 
liereafter. 
The moft inftru&ing lefon from a chart 
is, that which ftrikes full on the mind at 
one glance. From this, for example, we 
fee in an inftant, how rapidly wars fucceed 
each other, and how much each of them 
exceeds in expence thofe that have pre- 
ceded it. This profpect is of itfelf fuf- 
ficiently gloomy, and muft make every 
‘dover of his country tremble for the gons 
Montaty Mac. No, $4: 
From the Part-folie of a Man of Letters. 
~ been deceived. 
129 
fequences ; feeing. how little ground there is 
for hoping, that-we fhall enjoy peace for 
alonger period than heretofore, What 
burthens this nation may be able to fuftain, 
is a problem fortunately not yet refolved, 
and concerning which many able men have 
There is undoubtedly an 
action and re-aétion that has not been 
foreleen, even by. the wifeft, toits full ex- 
tent; but it requires very little wifdom to 
forefee, that if the fucceffion of wars and 
increaie of expences: go on as they have 
done, a term muft come, for nothing in this 
world is infinite. s 
aan 5 : 
Lo the Editor of the Monthly Magazime. 
whi (SER, | 
Correfpondent in_your laf Number 
enquires why the publication of 
Chatterton’s works, for the benefit of his 
fitter, has been delayed. . A bookieller 
had informed him that the fub{fcription , 
was ample. Iam forry to ftate that this 
is not the cafe, the number of copies fub- 
{cribed for is barely fufficient to defray 
the expence of publication, © The motive 
for which the work was undertaken ex- 
plains why it has been delayed. 
Ithave therefore to requett the afiiftance 
of your Correfpondent and the other ad- 
mirers of Chatterton. The merit of his 
-works is now fufficiently known: hitherto - 
they have been publithed only for the ad- 
vantage .of ftrangers and pilferers 3 they 
are now colleéted: with the hope of ren- 
‘dering the age of his fifter comfortable. . 
Tam unwilling to begin printing till five 
hundred copies are engaged: if the well» 
wilhers to the undertaking will exert them- 
felves once more, that number will foon 
be filled, the work thall then immediately ~ 
be fent to prefs. ie 
ROBERT SOUTHEY: 
SES ve ; 
To the Editor of the Monthly Magazine. 
SIR, : 
F Mr. L. R. who, in your Magazine, 
wifhed to be informed where he might 
find, an account of Dr. Robert Simpfon, 
of Glafgow ; will Jock into the Encycle- 
peedia Briannica, he will there meet with 
an authentic and ample detail of the Ite, 
&c. of that ingenious and learned gentle- 
man. With fincere withes for the general 
diffufion of your ufeful Magazine. 
I remain, Sir, 
"Yours, &c. 
; ECIRUAM. 
3. gp Extracts 
