will set people to spare in time and thereby make plenty at last.

That the milk which was drawn from the cows should be sour from the thunder, which ceased about six o'clock in the morning, did not surprize me; but, that milk which was not taken from the cows till near six in the afternoon, should be quite sour before nine the same evening, is a fact I cannot account for, unless by the impression of terror on the animals. My dairy maid is a cleanly girl, and declares her business was done in its usual churn.

While I am on the subject of milk, I must mention the apparent benefit which a consumptive young lady, who is on a visit here, has received from butter-milk; not that furnished by sour cream, but new milk churned in an earthen vessel fitted up for the purpose. Neither asses milk nor any preparation of cows milk but this ever agreed with her.

I am aware that a farmer gets out of his sphere when he writes thus to a grave physician; but, I hope, Doctor Lettsom will always allow the friendly freedom of opinion to his

Much obliged

and grateful servant,

MORDAUNT MARTIN.

LETTER CIV.

From the same.

Burnham, Norfolk, April 6, 1814. Dear Doctor,

At the time I received your kind Letter my mind was so agitated between the affliction of having lost my nearest relation and dearest friend (the Countess Dowager Spencer) and the joy of receiving my eldest daughter, after an absence of many months (during which she had encountered so severe an illness that I much feared I should not have seen her again) that I could not command my attention to the perusal of the papers you so kindly sent me.

But as the season approaches for sowing Mangel Wurzel seed, I sent you about half a peck by the Fakenham coach without writing, and in the bag a small sample of what I bought of Mr. Newby of Cambridge, at 8s. a pound. I sold this year 3 cwt. of my own growth to Messrs. Mackeys at the Norwich Nursery at 2s. 6d. per lb. part of 401lbs. the produce of one rood of land. At Mr. Newby's price this would produce £641. 12s. per acre; but I am modestly content with £200. per acre, and (what I prize more) the credit of having, by my perseverance, contributed so much to bringing it into such demand.

The leaves which my cows eat in the autumn of 1812, the roots which my bull and my swine eat

after the seed was reaped in the autumn of 1813, and the stalks which are now in use for kindling the fires in my house, I set against the expence of cultivation. Would to God that the same perseverance might introduce the adoption of increasing parish funds. I do not presume to enter into the details of the management of populous parishes, though I cannot conceive that an increasing fund can be an evil in any parish.

Last week I was applied to by a man of exemplary character, who has brought up a family without assistance, and worked twenty years as an excellent brickmaker for a great neighbour of mine, till the misfortunes of a broken leg, and the contraction of sinews from rheumatism, disabled him from standing to work. He is now, at the age of 69, endeavouring to earn his bread by mending sacks; but, not finding sufficient employment, has applied for parish relief, and he was required in the severe weather of this winter to go two miles to keep crows from the stacks of a great farmer. Had there been a fund to relieve him without going to the pockets of individuals, would this have been done?

I beg leave to retain the History of Mangel Wurzel at St. Helena, till I can copy it, as I purpose sending it with some seed to my son, who is judge and magistrate of the extensive district of Garruchpoor in India. Believe me, Dear Doctor,

Your much obliged

and sincerely admiring friend, MORDAUNT MARTIN

LETTER CV.

Dr. LETTSOM to Sir M. MARTIN, Bart.

London, March 28, 1814.

I think the public in general, and the agricul turists in particular, are indebted to your perseverance and judgment for the growth of Mangel Wurzel; for without your systematic support it would now, in all probability, have been entirely lost to this country. It is now much cultivated, and is perhaps the most productive vegetable we possess. Two roots I had from St. Helena, by favour of Sir Hugh Inglis, weighing each, without leaves, 56 pounds! I send you some papers, on this and other subjects, which I wish you to return, and with them may I request you to send me half a pound, or what you please, of Mangel Wurzel seed. I send you also some of the seed which I have just received, with the following memorandum, from Mr. Fishwick:

"Herewith I send you one pound of Mangel Wurzel seed, of such as has been represented to me as the true stock seed by Mr. Stevenson of Hatfield, who is the largest and most successful grower of the root above-mentioned in the king

dom, and who has had not less than 60 tons per acre this year, and on some land 75 tons."

Mr. Cobbett, Author of the Political Register, told me that his roots weigh 25 pounds each, and that he gathers 40 tons per acre. I think he added that he planted the roots at a yard distance, to allow the plough to pass between them to turn the soil and clear the weeds.

up

The reason I ask you for seed is on account of my friend Professor Duncan, of Edinburgh, having required seed of me, as he means to cultivate it freely. I hope to get some seeds from Mr. Cobbett; and, as it may take some time to get a packet to Dr. Duncan, perhaps I may the sooner hear from you.

J. C. L.

LETTER CVI.

Dr. LETTSOM to the Rev. J. PLUMPTRE, B. D.

Rev. Friend,

London, Sept. 1, 1804. In the hasty manner of my letter I did not advert to "Nelson's Address*," but in consequence of thy recommendation of it, I sent to my Book

* An Address to Persons of Quality and Estate. A Representation of the several ways of doing good, by Robert Nelson, Esq. Lond. 1715. ED.