1806.) 
machine-by means of weights faftened 
equatorially round the waift of the ma- 
‘chine, and he is fufpended by the rope, 
Fig. 3, by means of which his fituation is 
changed at pleafure. 
Fig. 4. is an Air-Tube communicating 
with the veflel above, by means of which 
the diver gives his inftruCtions, and obtains 
his fupply of air. 
Fig. 1. reprefents the Hu'l of the Aber- 
gavenny, as the lies in ten fathoms water, 
near the Ifle of Portland. 
Fig. 5. reprefents the men who commu- 
New Aéis of the Britifh Legifature. 559 
nicate with the diver, and act under his 
inftru&tions. 
Fig. 6. reprefents the men raifing a box 
from the wreck by means of the forteps. 
Fig. 7. the power of which increafes 
with the weight which is to be raifed. 
Fig. 8. reprefents men on a raft fawing 
the decks, and making way for the opera- 
tions of the diver; and Fig. g. is the faw. 
In a future Number we hope, by favour 
of the ingeniousinventor, to communicate 
the particulars of the complete fuccels of 
this apparatus on the Abergavenny. 
ABSTRACT OF THE PUBLIC LAWS ENACTED BY THE 
BRITISH LEGISLATURE. 
INFRODUCTION. 
|e is of high and general concern, both, 
to the Legiflature and to the commu- 
nity, that the Public Aéts fhould be pub- 
licly known. 
The Jaw prefumes them to be known, 
fo as to exempt none from the penalty on 
account ef ignorance ; and this confe- 
quently enforces the neceffity of making 
the fact, as far as poffible, contorm to the 
prefumption. 
Although a vaft and rapidly progref- 
five accumulation of ftatutes conftantly 
takes piace, the promulgation of them 
has been very inadequate; and foreign 
nations remain ignorant of all the changes 
in our legal polity*, 
The public is indebted to Mr. Abbot 
for the endeavour, better adapted, to 
make the Acts generaily known as they 
are paffed in Parliament, by fending co- 
- pies of every Public A&t- tothe magiftrates 
who aét ineach hundred ; and if the wri- 
ter of thele. remarks is not mifaken, they 
have commenly been fent for fome years 
~ 
* During the early publication of this 
Magazine, we were honosred with a letter 
from the late General Wathington, - fuggeft- 
ing the great utility of a popular abftra& of 
the Acts of our Legiflature, fuch as is here 
given; and we have, at different times, en- 
deavoured to comply with a requeft which 
came from fo refpectable a quarter. The 
Gentleman, however, whe has sow kindly 
undertaken to conduct this department is not 
s E i : g 
likely to difappoint the future expectations 
of our readers. 
before to the Commiffioners of the Land- 
tax. | 
Yet even ftill the expence of convey- 
ance, co-operating with other caufts, has 
in a great degree fruftrated even this atten- 
tion, The magiltrates, whom the perfon 
who makes this remark has had the beft 
means of informing himfelf, have declined 
receiving any except fuch as concern their 
office ; and the Commiffioners of the 
Land-tax do not feem regularly and con- 
{tantly to receive any but the laws which 
concern theirs. 
Perhaps, therefore, no method wil: bet- 
ter or fo well anfwer the intention as that 
of publifhing an abfivaé& of the Public 
Aés mott neceflary to be known, or moft 
interefting, in a Magazine well efiablithed, 
and of general circulation. 
It had been wifhed by the perfon who 
prepares this Abftraét to have commenced 
with the century 3 but as fuch an abftract 
will be found in part already in the 
Monthly Magazine, it was judged beft to 
commence it with the firft feffion of the 
prefent year, 1806, which is alfo the com- 
mencement of the New Adminiftration ; 
an Adminiftration which, both in its exe- 
cutive functions, and in the fhare which: it 
may have in the legiflature, has much op- 
portunity of benefiting for itfelf and the 
community by the errors of thofe which 
have preceded it, 
In laying the fubftance of thefe A&ts 
before the public, it appears belt to digeft 
- themfinto heads, according to their fubje&. 
They will then ftand thus: from 7 Feb. 
to 23 May inclufive ; tn which time 47 
Public Acts have pafled. 
Table 
