1809.] 
which I had the best opportunity of being 
acquainted, rendered this plan of secu- 
rity indisputable. Still one objection 
remained in my mind; for, however 
wrapt in mystery the operation, it was 
possible, at some future period, it might 
be discovered, and I commenced my 
studies anew, with the hope of finding a 
remedy for this imaginary evil, and which 
Y at last accomplished by means of a 
check, exactly corresponding with every 
line on the note, and which, being cut in 
any form or at any part, would still be 
found to match with the lines on the 
note. By this means the whole was 
brought to such a nicety, that, provided 
I should lose my private calculations, it 
would be impracticable, even for myself, 
to match my own work with the check, 
and consequently impossible, even ad- 
mitting the principle to be discovered, 
that another instrument could be made, 
hy which to accomplish the numberless 
varieties to be checked. 
These checks, I propose, should the 
plan ever be acted upon, to be publicly 
sold. Their application is easy; they 
supply the want of the knowledge of en- 
graved lines, and would enable a child to 
determine the truth or untruth of bank- 
paper, in the tenth part of the time it 
can at present be done in any bank of 
the United Kingdom. 
From the approbation this plan has re- 
ceived from highly distinguished charac- 
ters, particularly in Scotland and Ireland, 
as well as the public testimonies, which 
have repeatedly been given in its favour, 
even prior to the invention of the check, 
by many of the first artists in London, 
there is every reason to hope it will ulti- 
mately find countenance with those im- 
mediately concerned, or, at least, be the 
means of awakening a spirit of enquiry, 
respecting the best mode of preventing 
jmpositions, so frequently and daringly 
practised on the public. 
Weston Place, James ARCHER, 
Small-Pox Hospital, Nov. 13, 1809. 
P.S. Mr. Phillips mentions ‘‘ the unpa- 
ralleled mode of ruling invented by Mr. 
Landseer, to defy the imitation of the most 
skilful.” L think it necessary to state, that 
Mr. Landseer, much and deservedly as he 
is admired as an engraver, has never, to my 
knowledge, invented a ruling machine; nor is 
the practice of it necessgry*to an artist of 
lis merit. The fact is this—I have for years 
done the ruling part of plates for Mr. Land- 
seer, anda great proportion of the first en- 
gravers in London, by a machine invented by 
myself, but which I, by no means say, Is not 
Account of Dr. Fox’s Asylum for Lunatics. 
477 
equally well executed by other machines on 
similar principles; but the machine for 
waved ruling, I have no difficulty to assert, 
las never -been imitated, and that it cannot 
be imitated so as to make a forgery practi- 
cable, especially with the intervention of the 
check. 
a 
Lo the Editor of the Monthly Magazine. 
SIR, 
HEN a respectable individual an- 
ticipates the useful political con- 
templations of an enlightened legislature, 
and comes forward ata great expense 
and risque, to provide an institution for 
the relief of suffering humanity, I believe 
your own benevolence will make you 
anxious to record it in your useful pages. 
The piace I allude to, is in my own iin- 
mediate neighbourhood; and after great- 
ly exciting my curiosity, has, on viewing 
it, as highly satisfied my mind, and asto- 
nished me with the novelty and ingenuity 
of its construction. An able, indepen- 
dant, and feeling mind, an intellect clear 
and ingenious, a courage enterprizing and 
firm, were all required to bring to matu- 
nty such a plan and establishment as 
that of Dr. Fox’s asylum for lunatics, at 
Brislington, near Bristol: for there, se- 
cure from the possibility of escape, or the 
means of injuring themselves, or others, 
the most deranged patients enjoy safety, 
free action, fine air, enchanting pros- 
pect, quiet, the luxury ofa bath, the so- 
ciety of their equals in former rank, the 
illusion of familiar intercourse, freedom, 
and taste, at every little interval of con- 
valescence ; the coinfort of religious ordi- 
nances, and that hope, which the hum- 
bled children of affliction always derive 
from formal public prayers. 
‘To effect these ends, an enormous ex~ 
pense has been cheerfully incurred; and 
a sort of little village erected, connected 
by enclosures with the Doctor’s resi- 
dence, where each separate class of man- 
kind, from the prince to the labourer, 
may equally enjoy every benefit de- 
scribed, yet without even a knowledge of 
their vicimty. The buildings alone are 
said to have cost 25,0001. placed in the 
centre of a fine farm, every way accepta- 
ble to the patients, at proper periods; 
and although in sight of the high road 
to Bath, yet unconnected with neigh- 
bours in most directions, while the site 
is a lofty plain, undulating, and on one 
side bounded by a fine river and woods, 
in view of magnificent hills, and on a 
soil that is at once dry, healthy, and fer- 
tile. 
The 
