more of the manner of a pleader at the bar, anxious at all events to make good his cause, than of the calm and dispassionate style of a philosophical inquirer—of which Mr Alison and Mr Stewart, in their treatises on the same subject, had given so pleasing specimens. We shall not at present attempt any analysis of the contents of this article, as we hope soon to have a communication on the subject from a correspondent.
Under the article Bee, the many curious and interesting facts relative to the physiology and economy of these remarkable insects, which have been discovered by the researches of Swammerdam, Maraldi, Reaumur, Schirach, and Huber, are detailed in a clear and systematic manner: but as these facts are now so generally known, we think it unnecessary to give any analysis of the article.
Beggar is the next subject that claims our attention. The information contained in this article is chiefly drawn from the report of a committee of the House of Commons, appointed, in 1815, to inquire into the state of mendicity in the metropolis. Beggars are classed into those who beg from necessity, and those who beg from choice. With regard to the relative numbers of these classes, the information of the committee was quite contradictory. Two of the witnesses examined, whose experience was equal or superior to that of all the rest taken together, asserted, that a proportion as large as one half were beggars from necessity, and some of them extremely worthy objects of compassion; while others asserted, that all beggars, with hardly any exception, were beggars from choice. One fact, extremely honourable to the working part of the community, seems to be well ascertained. Of the journeymen in the metropolis, no one is ever known to beg, though thousands of them, in the fluctuations of trade, have been reduced to the most cruel privations; and not a few of them actually starve unpitied and unknown! The number of beggars in the metropolis the committee have been unable to ascertain; but it appears to be certain that it is gradually diminishing. Of the deceptions practised by beggars very erroneous notions have been entertained. In the number and variety of their contrivances they are supposed to exercise wonderful ingenuity; whereas their expedients are few, obvious, and coarse. Of the methods proposed for suppressing begging, there seems to be none so deserving of approbation as the scheme of the society at Edinburgh for that laudable purpose. Nothing can be more judicious than the principles on which the society proceeds; and their exertions have met with the success to which they are so well entitled. It is objected to their plan, by the writer of this article, that it is not calculated for permanent or general use. Let their example be generally followed, and there can be little doubt that it will be found generally beneficial.
The article on Benefit Societies proceeds from the same pen, and is marked by the same prepossessions as the article on Banks for Savings. It is unnecessary, therefore, to say any thing of it at present, as another opportunity will offer of examining the doctrines and the principles which it contains.
Besides the articles to which we have already adverted, this part of the Encyclopædia contains some good biographical sketches of Joel Barlow, Barry, Barthez, Basedow, Beattie, Beaumarchais, Beccaria, Beckmann, and Beddoes.
EDINBURGH ENCYCLOPÆDIA, Vol. XI. Part I.
Two different plans have been adopted by the editors of Encyclopædias, which may be distinguished by the epithets of alphabetical and scientific. In the Cyclopædia edited by Dr Rees, there is indeed a vast treasure of valuable knowledge; but the plan of that work appears to us, in several respects, essentially faulty. One grand objection to it is its extent, which places it far out of the reach of ordinary readers; another objection, the consequence, indeed, of the former, is the enormous length of most of the articles, which, instead of being compendious treatises, are prolix and ill digested compilations, apparently intended to contain every thing that seems to bear, however remotely, on the subject; but a still more important objection is the want of unity, occasioned by dividing a subject into separate departments, which are discussed in different, and often distant, parts of the work. The Edinburgh Encyclopædia, on the other
