arms, M. D'Isjonval was arrested and imprisoned at Utrecht, where he spent upwards of seven years, deprived of his liberty. To amuse himself during this long confinement, he courted the acquaintance of spiders, studied their temperament and constitution, and, after a long series of accurate observations, he made the important discovery, that they were the most weather wise of all creatures. Their presentiment of approaching changes is incomparably more refined and certain, than the variations indicated by the best barometers, thermometers, and hygrometers. A weather glass points out only the probable state of the weather for the next day; but with respect to a permanent or long continued state of the atmosphere, this instrument cannot be relied upon. Spiders, however, have not only an obvious sensation of the approaching changes of the weather, similar to that manifested by a barometer, but they also indicate, with the greatest exactness, the more distant changes for a considerable length of time; nay, they foretell with precision, for a period of ten days or a fortnight, those states of the atmosphere which are of a settled nature. M. D'Isjonval was so great a friend and admirer of spiders, that in his room, towards the end of autumn, he once counted not less than 4000 cobwebs. He informs us in the work before quoted, that most spiders, indeed, conceal themselves during winter; but a few still remain active and cheerful, even in that severe season, and continue their usual labours. These brumal spiders presage an intense degree of cold or frost, frequently no less than ten or fifteen days previous to such a change, even though they should make their appearance in very mild weather, which might still continue for several days. Thus the captive general was enabled to predict the uncommonly severe frost, which decided the fate of Holland; for though appearances did not at first answer his expectations, the predictions were strictly verified by the event. On Wednesday, the 16th of January, 1795, the wind changed to the northward. On Thursday it began to freeze, and the frost increased to such a degree, that the French were enabled to enter Utrecht, and to release their imprisoned countryman. But on the 20th of January, an unexpected thaw threatened to frustrate the design of the invaders, who had advanced with all their heavy artillery, accompanied by an army of one hundred thousand men, to pass the icy bridges which nature had apparently constructed for facilitating their hostile operations. In this critical situation, M. D'Isjonval, however, remained firmly and confidently attached to the prognosticks afforded him by the social spider.He, without hesitation, seized one of his meteorological assistants, confined him in a glass vessel, and delivered him over to general Van Damme, then commanding officer at Utrecht, with a request to send this creature as a hostage to general Pichegru, who had his head quarters at the Hague. And lo! the long legged messenger did not disappoint the expectations formed of his prophetick talents. The frost recommenced the next day with greater intensity than had been experienced in Holland for ages, and that ill fated country became an easy prey to the revolutionizing republicans. The discoverer of this extraordinary faculty in spiders further remarks, that from their appearance in autumn, he has deduced rules for ascertaining the probable degree of vegetation in meadows or pasture lands, during the following summer. In consequence of such conjectures, he informs us, that he would venture upon a mercantile speculation, to purchase large quantities of butter in the winter; as he was convinced the demand for this article would be great, and its price be considerably advanced. We do not, however, leara from his pamphlet, whether the event has justified his expectations. Nor does the ingenious ex-general determine, with any degree of precision, to which species of the spider he was particularly indebted for this important information. He says, indeed, that those spiders which spin their webs in a perpendicular direction, serve as the most accurate barometers; but he does not point them out by the names of the different species. It is, however, probable he alludes to the aranea redimita; yet those winter spiders which, according to his account, appear singly in that season, seem to belong to ano ther genus, and this again consists of several species. The manner in which these untutored little artists carry on their operations, conformable to the impending changes of the atmosphere, is shortly this: If the weather is likely to become rainy, windy, or in other respects disagreeable, they fix the terminating filaments, on which the whole web is suspended, unusual ly short; and in this state they await the influence of a temperature which is remarkably variable. On the contrary, if the terminating filaments are made uncommonly long, we may, in proportion to their length, conclude, that the weather will be serene, and continue so at least for ten or twelve days. But if the spiders be totally indolent, rain generally succeeds; though, on the other hand, their activity during rain is the most certain proof, that it will be only of short duration, and attended with fair and very constant weather. According to further observations, the spiders regularly make some alteration in their webs or nets, every twenty-four hours. If these changes take place between the hours of six and seven in the evening, they indicate a clear and pleasant night. It were much to be wished, that, from a multitude of such experimental facts, a regular system could be formed; as it may not be very difficult to observe the labours of spiders, according to their different species. In this manner, an atmospherical araneology could be produced; a work which might not only be useful in regulating undertakings by land and sea, but which, likewise, would be of the greatest importance in mercantile speculations. M. D'Isjonval has, indeed, promised to furnish the publick with a calendrier araneologique; but I have not been able to learn, whether he really has fulfilled, or yet intends to fulfil, his promise. I remain, with many good wishes for the prosperity of your excellent magazine, sir, your devoted servant, CINCINNATUS. FROM THE BRITISH MAGAZINE. ACCOUNT OF SOCIVIZCA, A FAMOUS ROBBER. TO make the life of a robber productive of publick utility, it would be necessary, that being interrogated by a philosopher, he should unveil, with the utmost candour, the tortuous windings of his soul. Then we might learn how, and by what degrees, crime became familiar to him; observe the struggles between vice and those principles of justice of which no human heart is ever entirely deTested. Then we might lament the defeat of virtue, and tremble at the terrible dominion which vice exercises over those minds of which it is become absolute master. From such a display the reader might derive an increased love of goodness, justice, and integrity, and an augmented hor rour of their opposite. He would be endowed with more circumspection, and especially in those circumstances which tend to seduce him into more dangerous consequences, and lead to a forgetfulness of the principles of honour. If the life of Socivizca is devested in part of these useful requisites, it is not without interest, from the number and variety of adventures in which he engaged, and from the publication having been prohibited by the old French government. Socivizca was born in 1725, at Simiovo, of parents who professed the Greek religion. His father occupied a farm, the proprietors of which were Turks, and treated him and his family with excessive rigour. Socivizca, being of a turbulent and ferocious disposition, was indignant at these circumstances, and frequently plotted with his brothers the means of revenge. The father, who was of a mild and pacifick turn, exhorted them to patience and resignation; advice ill suited to the impetuosity of Socivizca. At length, chance brought the masters of the farm, who were three brothers, to lodge at the house of Socivizca's father, with a sum of eighteen thousand sequins in their possession. The young man, addressing himself to his brothers, convinced them that they could never find a safer opportunity of avenging and enriching themselves, and by his persuasion they murdered their three guests. They did not, after committing this crime, betake themselves to flight; and although strict inquiries were made, and even some persons were executed, no suspicion, for a time, fell on the real delinquents. However, in about a year, doubts were entertained; partly from So civizca's imprudence in displaying his real character, and partly from the quantity of money which the family were suddenly enabled to expend. They then thought it prudent to decamp, with the money they still retained. The father, who was very old, died by the way. They stopped at Ymoschi in the territories of the republick of Venice, increased their wealth, built a house, and opened a shop, which th y sto 'red with excellent and expensive merchandise. This was in 1745, when Socivizca was twenty years old. The tranquil life of a merchant did not suit his active disposition. He returned to Montenero, attended by ten persons, who resolved to share his fate, and in the course of the summer massacred forty Turks. His fury was entirely directed against that people, and it is even averred, that he never committed an offence against the subjects of Venice, or those of Austria. After making a great number of expeditions, in which he was joined by one of his brothers, he returned to Ymoschi, where he resided in tranquillity for nine years, employed in the trade established by his family. Yet from time to time he made excursions to assassinate some Turks. The brother who had accompanied him in his expeditions, being unable to settle in a quiet life, joined the most furious aiducos in the country. The aiducos were formerly a band of Morlachians, who associated to oppose the Turks on the frontiers, in order to hinder them from penetrating beyond their limits; but at present the term is used merely to denote robbers on the highway. This youth formed an intimate connexion with a Morlachian of the Greek religion, and chose him for his probatime. This association was an affair of great ceremony among the Morlachians. Those wiro resolved to become probatimes, went together to the altar, each holding a taper in his hand, and the priest pronounced some; gers over them. Thus united, the ends, or probatimes, bound themselves mutually to assist and serve each othe.. Socivizca's brother made an injudicious choice of a friend. The probetime gave him an asylum, made him drunk, and then delivered him into the hands of the pacha of Traunich., who put him to death with the most cruel tortures. Socivizca having learned this event. immediately repaired to his brother. friend to hear the particulars. He was received by the father, who related the story in such a manner, as to make him believe that his son was entirely innocent. The probatime next made his appearance, and after a great display of kindness, went out, under pretence of seeking the finest lamb in his flock to regale his friend; but his intention was to deliver him to the Turks who were at Duwno, twelve miles from his house. As neither the probatime nor the lamb were forthcoming, all the family retired to rest, and all seemed buried in slumber; but Socivizca did not sleep. He was tormented with extraordinary forebodings; and unable to endure his internal sensations, rose from his bed in search of a light; but could not find a spark of fire throughout the house. Suspicion and rage now possessed his mind. He sought his arms, but could not find them. He called aloud, but no answer was returned. At length, he recollected that he had materials in his pocket to strike fire, and succeeded in lighting a lamp. He avent to the bedside of the father, and demanded his arms. The old traitor, who expected his son's return with a body of Turks, sought to gain time by equivocating; but the impetuous Socivizca dashed out his brains with a small axe which he accidentally found. He then applied to an old female servant, who, dreading her master's fate, complied with Socivizca's demand. As soon as his arms were restored to him, he quitted the house, but lurked at a small distance to watch the event, and ascertain the extent of the probatime's treachery. Of this he soon obtained irrefragable proof, and retired breathing nothing but vengeance. He assembled a few friends, and surrounding the traitor's habitation, set it on fire. Seventeen persons perished in the flames. An unfortunate woman attempting to make her es cape was shot, together with the in fant in her arms. From this time the Turks pursued Socivizca with the utmost rancour, and he multiplied his murders and robberies. Pursued on every side, and anxious to obtain a short repose, he retired with his family to a country in the Austrian dominions. He was for three years, together with his two brothers, his wife, his son and daughter, an inhabitant of Carlowitz, and during that period his conduct was irreproachable. At length some person, whose name is not recorded, betrayed him into the hands of the same pacha who had so cruelly put to death one of his brothers; and his wife and chitdren were soon afterwards seized in the same manner. They were all compelled to set out for Traunick; but during the journey, Socivizca contrived to make his escape, though he had still the mortification to leave his family prisoners. When his own safety was ensured, he negotiated with the pacha for the liberty of his wife and children; but in vain. All other methods failing, he determined to write, and his letter is given as a curious specimen of social feeling, operating on a rugged mind and ardent disposition. "I am informed, O pacha of Bosnia, that you complain of my escape; but I put it to yourself, what would you have done in my place? Would you have suffered yourself to be bound with cords like a miserable beast, and led without resistance by men, who, as soon as they arrived at a certain place, would in all probability, have put you to death? Nature impels us to avoid destruction, and I have only acted in obedience to her laws. "Tell me, pacha, what crime have my wife and children committed, that, in spite of law and justice, you should retain them like slaves? Perhaps you hope to render me more submissive; but you cannot surely expect that I shall return to you, and hold forth my arms to be loaded with fresh chains. No; you do but deceive yourself, and render me more terrible than before. Hear me then, pacha: you may exhaust on them all your fury, without producing the least advantage. On my part I declare, I will wreak my vengeance on all the Turks, your subjects, who may fall into my hands; and I will omit no means of injuring you.-For the love of God, restore to me, I beseech you, my blood. Obtain my pardon from my sovereign, and no longer retain in your memory my past offences. I promise that I will then leave your subjects in tranquillity, and even serve them as a guide when necessary. "If you refuse me this favour, expect from me all that despair can prompt. I will assemble my friends, carry destruction wherever you reside, pillage your property, plunder your merchants; and from this moment, if you pay no attention to my entreaties, I swear that I will massacre every Turk that falls into my hands." The pacha did not think proper to pay much attention to the letter of a highway robber, and Socivizca exerted himself in accomplishing the Yow he had made. He desolated the country, giving proofs of a prodigious valour; insomuch that the people were obliged to entreat the pacha to deliver them from so great a scourge, by sending back his wife and children. The pacha, however, was inexorable, and Socivizca could only obtain, the liberty of his family by a fortunate co-operation of force and stratagem. It was not the satisfaction of regaining the society of persons so dear to him, that induced Socivizca to quit the life of a robber. That effect was produced by other causes. His troop took prisoner a Turk who had favoured the escape of one of Socivizca's brothers. The brother, in opposition to the wish of the chief and the rest of the band, was anxious to return the favour. The captive was destined to die; but the grateful robber, while Socivizca was at prayers, a ceremony which he never omitted before meals, set him at liberty. All the aiducos were outrageous against the brother of Socivizca, and one of his nephews carried his resentment so far as to give him a blow. The indignant uncle drew a pistol, and killed him on the spot. Socivizca expelled his brother from the troop, and after performing the funeral obsequies of his nephew, felt so great a degree of mortification, that he determined to pass the remainder of his days in retirement. But the habits of a long life are not so easily changed. After a short retreat, he suddenly resumed his occupation of plundering on the highway. After so many massacres and robberies, Socivizca found himself in possession only of six hundred sequins. Part of this sum he confided to a friend, and part to a cousin, both of whom absconded with the deposit. At length, in 1775, the emperour Joseph II. passing by Grazach, where Socivizca then resided, was desirous to see him. He had him brought into his presence, interrogated him himself, made him repeat the chief events of his life, and besides making him & considerable present in morey, appointed him to the post of arambassa of Pandours. He was living at Gras zach in 1777, when his history was first written, and it is not known whether he is yet dead. [1800] |