tice from a view of fevers in their violent forms.

I endeavour to simplify the discase. I thus attempt to moderate the precipitancy of

its cause.

I endeavour (p. 281) to form the case, that is to create the condition, and having created the condition, I apply the means with confident expectation of success.

It was my custo.n at one time, particularly in the West Indies, to dash the water on the head and about the shoulders, with force and in quantity by means of buckets. I now ordinarily, particularly in Britain, pour it on the head and shoulders through a large sponge: I pour it however in such quantity

as to imitate the streams of a shower bath. p.163.

And why then, we would ask, ought not the shower bath so long known, and so frequently used, to have been fairly and concisely recommended?

From the different dates of the author's journal, it may be inferred that the practice described was principally pursued between the years 1790 and 1796. As so long a period has elapsed since, it might have been expected that the theory contained in the work under consideration would have been either confirmed by more mature experience, or rejected on acor rejected on ac count of its disadvantages. This is a blank in the great lottery of medicine: for such seems now to be the character of medical science.

Dr. Jackson should have modelled his book after the example of those excellent medical guides, who have fully related disappointments as well as successes. He should have enabled his readers to determine on his qualifications for the task he undertook, by fairly stating the degree of his experience in the remedy recommended, in comparison with other remedies. He should have told us, how long he resided in Jamaica, and the other stations in the West Indies, which were the scenes of his exploits.

The language of experience and practical knowledge is always entitled to respect and deference, however unpolished or incorrect, as far as relates to mere construction: but then, the facts of experience and practice being the solid basis of the doctrines delivered, must be duly established and ascertained: for however plausible a specious and glittering eloquence may be, and however the rich luxuriance of language may sometimes

conduce" to make the worse appear the better reason," homely thoughts expressed in vulgar language, must be recommended by sound judgment and discreet research, or they will always be despised.

These remarks on composition, as particularly applicable to books on medical subjects, which have been too often scarcely fit for perusal, will we trust, not only be received with candour, but applied with attention and facility. They apply to many other performances of a similar nature to the present: and we liberal reception among those who are trust that they will procure a due and desirous of presenting to the public, in print, the result of their studies or experience.

No man can read Hippocrates, Celsus, or Sydenham, without combining the honour due to the physician with the respect which is attached to the cultivator of elegant literature. There are many modern names which might be added to these illustrious authors.

But as the sum and substance of physic is to apply rational ideas, with logical precision, to the removal of diseases :so the principle and perfection of medical writings is to embrace an accurate discrimination of symptoms, and a correct arrangement of remedial applications, philosophically adapted to the removal of disease and whosoever attempts to make a display of his knowledge and gifts, for such a purpose, unless he can write at least intelligibly, will clog the wheels of science rather than improve the mechanism of the machine or increase the accuracy and facility of its movements.

The Contrast: a Poem; including Com. parative Views of Britain, Spain, and France, at the present Moment. In two Parts. Addressed to an English Nobleman. By S. Pratt, Esq., Author of " Gleanings in England," &c. 8vo. pp. 24. Price 28, Cradock and Joy, London, 1808.

THE popularity of the subject of this pleasing poem will plead sutficiently to the reader for our extracting the preface, explaining the author's intentions; and the justice due to him prompts us to add a specimen or two of the poetry.

That part of the following poem, addressed to the nobleman (Earl of Shaftesburyy

alluded to in the title, and which relates to the long-delayed and as long-wished return of him and of his family to England, from the country which forms one of the principal CONTRASTS, was written very soon after his arrival. The kindness with which the MS. was received by those who saw it, induced a desire to render it more deserving of that reception, by a careful revision. A tedious illness, however, and various occupations which could not yield even to the plea of indisposition, withheld for many months the power of bringing to the task the necessary degree of unembarrassed attention.-In the mean time, those wonders-I had almost written, the miracles-in the south of Spain began to be performed, and have ever since continued in radiant progress. My very soul followed their track of glory; and almost every day has enlarged my hopes, and diminished my fears, on their heart-commanding subject. I devoted the first hours of my convalescence, and the first impulses of my enthusiasm, to this new and animating theme. On recurring to the unfinished poem, I was struck with the possibility of running the two subjects together; or, rather, of making both more powerful by union. I am warm in the hope that the public mind will feel they assimilate; at least that they are brought very strongly to bear in way of CONTRAST; tending thereby to promote a cause, which is the echo of every voice, and the vibration of every heart; and certainly a cause the most important and sublime that has, for many centuries," rivetted the undivided attention of Europe."

From realms, my lord, where pow'r unlicens'd reigns,

And cheated vassals seem to hug their chains; Where trembling slaves suppress the heartfelt sigh,

And, gall'd by fetters, rave for liberty!
From cities sack'd, and villages on fire,
Where scarce is sav'd the crutch'd or bed-rid sire;
Where, near her hour of trial, shrieks the wife,
And the scar'd babe untimely springs to life;
Welcome, thrice welcome, to your native land,
Where still fair Freedom makes her awful stand;
Where still Religion holds her sacred sway,
And points to regions of eternal day.

But, broad and general while the ruins spread, One gen'rous nation rose, as from the dead; E'en from its ashes, as by heav'n's command, In fire it rose, the phoenix of the land! Yet, ah! it was not the fierce meteor's glare, That burns awhile, then dissipates in air; Twas not the madd'ning ferment of an hour, Nor meaner struggle for a change of pow'r;

'Twas not a sordid, mercenary race,
That move to battle with a hireling's pace:
Nor the plann'd contest that from party springs,
Nor partial strife of yet inferior things;
Nor yet the multitude's unlicens'd rage,
That for vile gold on either side engage:
No! t'was the magnet, which all nature draws
To one supreme and universal cause,

That touches at a thousand points the heart,
Wakes us to bliss or agonizing smart;

That rocks the cradle where our infants lie:
Throbs in each pulse, and breathes in ev'ry sigh;
That guards the dwellings where our loves'reside,
The father's transports and the matron's pride;
And in the forms of parent, child, or wife,
Endears the sweet affinities of life,

Yes, t'was th' attraction which, where'er we roan,

True as the polar needle, points to home;
All that can bind us to this world of care,
Chief source of ev'ry joy, of ev'ry pray'r ;
Nav, all that sours beyond this mortal span,
And lifts the nobler hopes of favour'd man-
Oh! 'twas the magnet, above earth's controul,
Which to sublimer regions draws the soul;
Ascends, with force divine, the blest abode,
And, finding there its centre, points to God!

With speed of thought to each congenial shore,
As if a seraph, wing'd, the tidings bore,
Flies the electric spark unnumber'd ways,
Spreads as it moves, and gathers to a blaze!
The brave Gallicians catch the holy fire;
Asturia, Murcia, Arragon, respire;
Estremadura, Leon, Biscay, join,
And prostrate millions, as by breath divine,
Leap into form, like atoms in the hour
When anarchy obey'd th' Almighty pow'r;
When, from confusion, beauteous order sprang,
And th' harmonious spheres with plaudits rang.
Ye virtue-prov'd and heav'n-appointed host,
The world's new wonder, and your country's
boast,

To you the high-plum'd glory is assign'd,
To give the proud example to mankind!
In times like these, when foul corruption's art
Has ply'd with bulky bribes the struggling heart;
When oft the trusted soldier has been stain'd,
Whole armies sacrific'd, and empires drain'd ;.
When vaunting heroes have to ruffians grown,
And sold at once their country an! the crown:
In treach'rous times like these, 'tis yours to shew
The statesman's wisdom, and the warrior's glow
The stern disdain of interest, and of sway,
And all that leads the yielding mind astray;
Brave, wise, and loyal, generous, and just,
Ye hold the reigns of government in trust;

Too proud to fill e'en a deserted throne,
But make a captive prince's wrongs your own,
Myriads of faithful subjects to restore,
His rightful sceptre and defrauded pow'r,
Your sons, your daughters, feel one pious aim,
And pant to share hereditary fame ;

Feel their descent from an unconquer'd train,
Or they who rose more glorious from the chain.
Yes, ye remember what your records tell,
When the proud legions with Sempronius fell :
What then was Spain let the fierce Moor declare,
When great Pelagio led his troops to war;
When Lusitania's heroes took the field;
While vanquish'd thousands to their prowess
yield;

When the imperial mistress of the world
Saw her choice cohorts in confusion hurl'd;
When her two Scipios, dreadful in their might,
And Asdrubal but ill sustain'd the fight;
When from the walls of Tripoli was sought;
Th' expected triumph, with no conquest bought;
Ventilius, vanquish'd, and in chains appear'd,
And Christian banners were by Christans rear'd!
Carthage, thy Hannibal was sore oppress'd;
Proud Rome! thy eagle dropp'd the tow'ring crest,
Thy bribes, thy arts, thy arms, were all with-
stood,

And thy wreaths stain'd with the republic's blood,

And Thou, rever'd and sympathizing land,
Prompt to extend the ever-helping hand
Where'er oppression lifts his iron rod,
Hostile to man, and impious to his God;
Friend to the friendless or by flood or field,
Thy vanquish'd foe's best buckler, spear, and
shield:

O native Albion! from whose heav'n-blest store
Flows the rich tide of bounty to each shore;
By foreign rage or homebred tumults cross'd,
All the fierce passions in thy mercy lost :
In war, in peace, to thee the sufferers come,
Exiles from ev'ry clime, and find a home;
Find the soft solace of thy shelt'ring arms,
And, like a cradled infant, safe from harms;
The heavy laden lay their burthens down,
While Pity's tearful smile succeeds thy frown:
Thou, Tyrant's envy, and thou, Patriot's boast,
Still give thy aid to wrong'd Iberia's coast;
Assert her cause, assist her just defence,
And greatly prove her SECOND PROVIDENCE!

Our sympathy with the valiant Spaniards, needs no proof beyond that which is presented by the pages of our last and present number: may the result of their inexpressibly important struggle afford triumphant subjects of gratulation to the "Muse of

Fire!"

Six Sermons on the Church Catechism: originally delivered in the Parish Church of High Wycombe, Bucks, 1797-1801, at the Busby Lecture. Now first revised and published, with Notes Critical and Expository, by the Rev. W. B. Williams, M. A. 8vo. pp. 132, price 3s. 6d. boards. Rivingtons. London. 1808.

A CATECHISM, being itself an instruction for youth, cannot be too plain and simple; yet from a variety of causes it may require elucidation, and from a still greater variety it may require enforc→ ing. The young may receive, by such means, principles of great efficacy and benefit in future life, and the aged, from the renewal of sentiments not wholly obliterated, neither yet wholly in their pristine vigour, may experience at the same time both pleasure and profit. Subjects of this nature, therefore, when formed into a course of sermons, are well calculated to engage attention, and thereby to do good. Mr. Williams has fulfilled his task with spirit He is a fixed and hearty churchman. His explanation of sundry church doctrines will not be recommended by their Calvinism to some of his clerical brethren. He supports his opinions, however, by appeals to a cloud of writers on the subjects he discusses, and appears to have taken no ordinary pains in his researches after truth. We cannot follow him in these researches, but must content ourselves with specimens of his labours. We shall first extract Mr. W's. history of our national catechism, as a fit subject for all to be acquainted with.

The Reformers began, most judiciously, with such things as were generally acknowledged by the two contending parties in the church. The first catechism therefore consisted simply of the creed, the ten commandments, and the Lord's prayer. Nor was it an easy effort to bring even these into general use. They were received by the majority, in the midst of the profound ignorance which then reigned, as a species of magical incantation. And it was long, before the grossness of vulgar conception could comprehend, that the creed, the decalogue, and prayer of our Lord, were merely intended to confirm their faith, direct their practice, and assist them in their devotions.

This appears to have been the only progress made in catechetical instruction from the be

ginning of the Reformation to the year 1549. About that time, a farther effort was attempted by archbishop Cranmer, as it is commonly supposed. He ventured to add a few cau tious, explanatory passages; which was all the prejudices of men would as yet admit. In the year 1553, however, an improved attempt was hazarded: a catechism was published by authority, in which the preceding articles were more fully expounded, and a brief explanation of the sacraments was annexed. This, from being printed in his reign, and having the royal injunction prefixed, is generally called "King Edward the Sixth's Catechism;" and in it the complete model of our present one was laid."†

Thus the matter rested until the reign of Queen Elizabeth. It was at length published, nearly in its present form, in the year 1503.1

It being afterwards thought necessary that omething should be taught as to the doctrine of the sacraments, King James the First appointed the bishops to add a short and plain explanation of them, which was done accordingly by Bishop Overal, then Dean of St. Paul's, with the approbation of his brethren. §

Our author describes the doctrines of this Compendium of instruction as being

Designed for the most extensive benefit; its doctrines are not the refined speculations of the schools, nor the abstruser points of doubtful disputation, on which the wise may err, and the good may disagree. Assuming the admission of leading truths, and the evidence of certain facts, it stays not to censure heresy, to answer scepticism, or to combat infidelity. Its aim is to make us christians, rather than scholars; and to proselyte us not to a party, but to Christ. Wherever it shall wind its peaceful course, its tendency

will not be to multiply sects, or foment divisions; but to enlighten ignorance, to cherish piety, and to elevate devotion.

The doctrine of an atonement, then, so indispensable to this; and at the same time, as the chief pillar of our faith, and the basis of our hope, is here supposed to be true with out controversy. On the same principle, the topic on which it treats, is not a religion of nature, but of grace; not, what as innocent creatures must be done to secure a conti nuance of the divine favour; but the way whereby guilty and "miserable sinners, may recover the privileges they had forfeited and be restored to the possessions they had lost. Not, what in a state of integrity we must do to be happy; but,what, in a state of ruin, we must do to be saved.

The note on this passage may be taken as a specimen of many, most pages have one and some have several. Whether this abundance of appeal to authority, may not give something of a too scholas tic air to this performance, we leave to the decision of harsher critics than our

selves. It cannot, we presume, claim fashion in its support, but if it can claim utility, that, we are certain, is, Mr.W.'s principal object; and in that we heartily wish him success.

*This appears in type and figure to have been taught immediately upon the fall. The appointment and general prevalence of SACRIFICES throughout the globe cannot be rationally accounted for on any other principle, than, that they were standing memorials of the event; and of the promised substitution of an innocent, in the room of a guilty creature. On this very interesting subject, see that most elaborate and useful work of Bishop Law's (quoted above) p. 51-56, notes, and the authorities there given. Also, Shuckford's Connexion, vol. I. p. 80-90. Archbishop Tillotson's 46th ser. vol. I. folio. Bishop Horne, vol. I. p. 86. Witsius, p. 949, &c. Lowman's Heb. Ritual, p. 144, &c. Kennicott's Diss. on Cain and Abel, Outram, de Sacrificiis. M'Ewen on the Types, b. ii, $ 8, &c. Would it not extend this note too far, quotations might be given from profane historians and classic authors in proof of the prevalence of this opinion throughout the world. To instance one-a remarkable illustiation will be found in Cæsar's Commentaries; where speaking of the old Gauls, he says: "Pro vita hominis nisi vita hominis leddatur, non posse aliter Deorum immorta rium numen placari arbitrantur (Gelli), pub. licèque ejusdem generis habent instituta sacrificia." De bello Gallico, lib. vi § 16.