THI

EDINBO

CC

THE SCO

AND

GKLY MAGAZINE.

JOHN JOHNSTONE.

OAD.-LORD BROUGHAM.

No. 20.-VOL. I. SATURDAY, DECL

SHE!

A LATE ADVENTURE IN THE QUEENSFERRY COACH.

ONE very rainy morning, about a month ago, I was bound on that same journey which occasioned such humorous perplexity, and loss of temper to the worthy laird of Monkbarns; but, happier than that flower of antiquaries, had got on, through wet and dry, smoothly, though singly, glasses up, and rain plashing, the length of Drumsheuch, or of what so lately was Drumsheuch, when the stage halted to pick up outsides and insides. The latter were three men, buttoned to the throat, their bundles under their coat-breast, and not exactly of that appearance which could make a stranger be admired at first sight, on 'Change. One of them, to my serious inconvenience, kept bobbing his head out and in at the window, with all the ease of a Frenchman in a French diligence; but with more reason, as was manifested by such loud inquiries to the driver as "Is she a' right, Geordie?-tak'care o' her, man!" It was not till this had been, at least, ten times repeated before we reached the Dean, that my sympathies were touched, or my curiosity excited. Was she his wife? this nameless She, his sister, or daughter? and, above all, what kept her up there in a day when "Mine enemy's dog?" &c. &c. I was always o. a metaphysical turn, though my friends may call it curiosity; and, once excited, my mind could find no rest, till about Blinkbonny, I had solved the difficulty to my own satisfaction, by conjecturing that She might be constitutionally apt to become sick, travelling inside of a close carriage. Many ladies are so; and though the appearance of her protector forbade the idea of ladyhood on her part, yet I was adept enough to know, that in point of constitutional delicacy, there is often a wonderful resemblance between those widely different species of womankind-a female and a lady. On we trundled to Mutton-hole, my companions rather chatty; and though the weather scarce permitted us to hear each other, we, nevertheless, talked of the crops, the cholera, and, inspired by our vicinity, reasoned of the Lord Advocate's chances of becoming our member. Our steady driver, made the customary halt hereabout, and my opposite neighbour seized the opportunity of banging up the window to satisfy his tender conjugal solicitude. "All right!" was the satisfactory reply of the

R 15, 1832. PRICE THREE-HALFPENCE.

driver. But could She not answer for herself?Was she deaf, or dumb? More probably, she was only muffled, and wrapped up to defend herself from the rigour of the day. However this might be, no woman had ever been more blessed in the tender solicitude of a husband; for the anxious interest of my fellow-traveller, I now clearly saw, was of a far more intimate and anxious nature, than any that could be inspired either by calm paternal, or steady brotherly affection. "Do ye think She'll no' be the worse of it?" said my uxorious, opposite neighbour, addressing one of his friends, "she'll get an awfu' shake up there; and it's an even-down pour."

"Tuts! de'il a fears o' her," cried the gruff, unpitying fellow; "it's just a bother to travel with you and her, with the work ye make about her." The poor man sighed or hemmed; again turned up his gaze through the dim glass; and as the rain beat harder and harder, stripped off his great-coat, and bawled to the coachman "to wrap that carefully around her." His friends actually sneered at this simple kind action of the honest affectionate man, and thus effectually raised my feelings:

"Had she not better get inside? was my remark, as we reached Barnton gate. The poor. man drew in his head, "Lord bless you, Sir; you're very kind, but there is nae room; she would fill a side herself."

"A Stout Gentlewoman," thinks I to myself, internally smiling; "a female Lambert ;" and at once dropping the gallant idea of bringing her inside, to my own expulsion, I also popped my head out of the window to have a peep of her goodly person, but was met in the face by a blash of wet, and a waft of the skirts of her joseph, or other frieze riding-gear.

"I'm fear'd she's no half covered, Geordie!' again bawled the husband. "Will ye haud the umbrell' ower her, man," and as much in kindness to the kind-hearted husband as from any gallantry towards "The Stout Gentlewoman," I offered the cloak which lay across my legs. It was most thankfully accepted, and instantly hoisted aloft through the storm as "the gentleman's cloak for her."

For the next mile, I indulged in a thousand vagrant, bachelor fancies, ruminating on the mysteries of

TRIENNIAL PARLIAMENTS. EX-
OLD SPEECHES IN PARLIAMENT.
NO. II.

conjugal affection; and the many strange vagaries wife?. She's just, my ain Bass; and I'll pit, her played by the softer passion; which, in the present against ony instrument this side of Lon on A instance, had led to a mutual and tender attach-wife, indeed!-Haud ye the umbrell'sower her ment between a sharg like my little weazened fellow-head there, Geordie, down to the boat!" traveller, and a female of the tremendous dimen. I had the pleasure of crossing the ferry with sions of She. Her size was all I had ascertained for She, and seeing her safely landed on the North certain, and to that I assorted such features and side. complexion as pleased my own fancy in "a Stout Gentlewoman;" and on what might have been very false premises, and actually turned out so, made up her parcel of perfections in exact opposition or contradiction to those of her helpmate; since he was withered, lean, dry, swivel-eyed, and of parchment hue, She must be fair and florid, as well as plump and voluminous. I speculated at my ease on the known admiration of very small men for strappers of the other sex, and framed a feasible theory for this idiosyncrasy of the dwarf. ed, based on that broad foundation, man's vanity. Irecollected, among my personal acquaintance, se veral instances of little dapper fellows who loved to perk by the side of a prancer of five feet ten at the least and thus put in a legal claim to sundry

inches nature had otherwise denied them. I re-
membered Captain Weazel and his lady, and in-
ternally went over the scene of Burns's "Wee
Apollo,"

"Her strapping waist and gaucy middle-
He reach'd nae higher-

Had holed his heart through like a riddle,
'An' blawn't on fire."

In the midst of these ruminations, and of a thick
pelting shower sweeping across the Firth, the coach
stopt at the Ha's. My curiosity was now, if not
wound up to a high pitch, yet to one as intense as
the case admitted. Out leaped my little nimble
neighbour, much agitated, as it appeared to me,
about how She was safely to descend from her al
titude, and out leaped I to view the perilous de-
scent, and, perhaps, lend a hand to the accomplish-
ment of what threatened to be a rather difficult
achievement. The unfortunate woman, bulky
enough in all conscience, lay doubled up across
the top of the coach, buried under cloaks and
great-couts. One by one they were tossed off by
the active Geordie, whose gallantry, I was aware,
had been stimulated by the reiterated promise o
something," in reward of extraordinary care;
and out She came !-Yes! there she stood revealed
in her full proportions, an enormous-certainly a
monstrously overgrown→→

BASS FIDDLE!!

༄་།

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SIR JOHN ST. AUBIN'S SPEECH FOP REPEALING, THE
SEPTENNIAL ACT.

MR. SPEAKER,

The subject matter of this debate is of auch im portance, that I should be ashamed to return to my electors, without endeavouring, in the best manner I am able, to declare publicly the reasons which induced me to give my most ready assent to this question.

The people have an unquestionable right to fre quent new Parliaments, by ancient usage; and this usage has been confirmed by several laws, which often as they found it necessary to insist on this have been progressively made by our ancestors, as essential privilege.

tinued more than three years, till the remarkable Parliaments were generally annual, but never con reign of Henry the Eighth. He, sir, was a prince of unruly appetites, and of an arbitrary will; he was impatient of every restraint; the laws of God and man fell equally a sacrifice, as they stood in the He therefore introduced long Parliaments, because way of his avarice, or disappointed his ambition. he very well knew, that they would become the proper instruments of both; and what a slavish obedience they paid to all his measures, is sufficient ly known.

If we come to the reign of King Charles the First, we must acknowledge him to be a prince of a coll for religion and virtue. But here lay the misfor trary temper; he had certainly an innate love tune; he was led from his natural disposition by sycophants and flatterers; they advised him to ne glect the calling of frequent new Parliaments, and therefore, by not taking the constant sense of his people in what he did, he was worked up into so order to restrain it, obtained that independent fatal high a notion of prerogative, that the Commons, in power, which at last unhappily brought him to his most tragical end, and at the same time subverted the whole constitution. And I hope we shall learn this lesson from it, never to compliment the crown with any new or extravagant powers, nor to deny the people those rights, which, by ancient usage, they are entitled to; but to preserve the just and equal balance, from which they will both derive render our constitution the envy and admiration né mutual security, and which, if daly observed, will all the world.

was

there

SHE was now on her way to Kinross, to a ball, at tended by the two humble violins, which my other fellow-travellers had hugged concealed to their bosoms. The fine bowing nose of the one of these King Charles the Second naturally took a surfeit artists, and the elongated chin of the other, might of Parliaments in his father's time, and have put any reasonable man on the true scent; fore extremely desirous to lay them aside. But but She had taken full possession of this my imagina was a scheme impracticable. However, in ef tion, and allowed no room for either doubt or infect he did so; for he obtained a Parliament, which, quiry. I laughed outright as I mentioned my mistake

by its long duration, like an army of veteraus, be-
came so exactly disciplined to his own measures.
that they knew no other command but from that
person who gave them their pay.
This was a safe and most ingenious way of en-

slaving a nation. It was very well known, that arbitrary power, if it was open and avowed, would never prevail here. The people were therefore amused with the specious form of their ancient constitution; it existed, indeed, in their fancy, but, like a mere phantom, had no substance nor reality in it; for the power, the authority, the dignity of Parliaments were wholly lost. This was that remarkable Parliament which so justly obtained the opprobrious name of the PENSION PARLIAMENT ; and was the model from which, I believe, some later Parliaments have been exactly copied.

At the time of the Revolution, the people made a fresh claim of their ancient privileges; and as they had so lately experienced the misfortune of long and servile Parliaments, it was then declared that they should be held frequently. But, it seems, their full meaning was not understood by this declaration; and therefore, as in every new settlement the intention of all parties should be specifically manifested, the Parliament never ceased struggling with the Crown, till the triennial law was obtained; the preamble of it is extremely full and strong; and in the body of the bill you will find the word DECLARED before ENACTED, by which I apprehend, that though this law did not immediately take place at the time of the Revolution, it was certainly intended as declaratory of their first meaning, and therefore stands a part of that original contract under which the constitution was then settled. His Majesty's title to the crown is primarily derived from that contract; and if, upon a review, there shall appear to be any deviations from it, we ought to treat them as so many injuries done to that title. And I dare say, that this House, which has gone through so long a series of services to his Majesty, will at last be willing to revert to those original stated measures of government, to renew and strengthen that title.

nity of getting acquaintance with members, of prac-
tising his several arts to win them into his schemes.
This must be the work of time. Corruption is of
so base a nature, that at first sight it is extremely
shocking; hardly any one has submitted to it
at once; his disposition must be previously under-
stood, the particular bait must be found out with
which he is to be allured, and after all, it is not
without many struggles that he surrenders his vir-
tue. Indeed, there are some, who will at once
plunge themselves into any base action; but the
generality of mankind are of a more cautious na-
ture, and will proceed only by leisurely degrees.
One or two, perhaps, have deserted their colours
the first campaign; some have done it a second;
but a great many, who have not that eager disposi-
tion to vice, will wait till a third.

For this reason, short Parliaments have been less corrupt than long ones; they are observed, like streams of water, always to grow more impure the greater distance they run from the fountain head.

I am aware it may be said, that frequent new Parliaments will produce frequent new expenses; but I think quite the contrary; I am really of opinion, that it will be a proper remedy against the evil of bribery at elections, especially as you have provided so wholesome a law, to co-operate upon these occasions.

1

Bribery at elections, whence did it arise? Not from country gentlemen, for they are sure of being chosen without it; it was, sir, the invention of wicked and corrupt ministers, who have, from time to time, led weak princes into such destructive measures, that they did not dare to rely upon the natural representation of the people. Long Parlia ments, sir, first introduced bribery, because they were worth purchasing at any rate. Country gentlemen, who have only their private fortunes to rely upon, and have no mercenary ends to serve, are But, sir, I think the manner in which the sep- unable to oppose it, especially if at any time the tennial law was first introduced, is a very strong public treasure shall be unfaithfully squandered reason why it should be repealed. People, in their away to corrupt their boroughs. Country gentlefears, have very often recourse to desperate expe- men, indeed, may make some weak efforts; but as dients, which, if not cancelled in season, will them- they generally prove unsuccessful, and the time of selves prove fatal to that constitution which they a fresh struggle is at so great a distance, they at were meant to secure. Such is the nature of the last grow faint in the dispute, give up their country septennial law; it was intended only as a preserva- for lost, and retire in despair. Despair naturally tive against a temporary inconvenience; the incon- produces indolence, and that is the proper disposi venience is removed, but the mischievous effects tion for slavery: Ministers of State understand this still continue; for it not only altered the constitu- very well, and are, therefore, unwilling to awaken tion of Parliaments, but it extended that same Par- the nation out of its lethargy, by frequent elections. liament beyond its natural duration; and therefore They know that the spirit of liberty, like every carries this most unjust implication with it, That other virtue of the mind, is to be kept alive only you may at any time usurp the most indubitable, by constant action; that it is impossible to enslave the most essential privilege of the people-I mean this nation, while it is perpetually upon its guard. that of choosing their own representatives. A pre--Let country gentlemen then, by having frequent cedent of such a dangerous consequence, of so fatal a tendency, that I think it would be a reproach to our statute-book, if that law was any longer to subsist; which might record it to posterity.

This is a season of virtue and public spirit. Let us take advantage of it to repeal those laws which infringe our liberties, and introduce such as may restore the vigour of our ancient constitution."

Haman nature is so very corrupt, that all obligations lose their force, unless they are frequently renewed. Long Parliaments become, therefore, independent of the people, and when they do so, there always happens a most dangerous dependence elsewhere.

T

Long Parliaments give the Minister an opportu

opportunities of exerting themselves, be kept warm and active in their contention for the public good: this will raise that zeal and spirit, which will at last get the better of those undue influences, by which the officers of the crown, though unknown to the several boroughs, have been able to supplant country gentlemen of great characters and fortune, who live in their neighbourhood.-I do not say this upon idle speculation only. I live in a country where it is too well known, and I appeal to many gentlemen in the House, to more out of it, (and who are so for. this very reason,) for the truth of my assertion. Sir, it is a sore, which has been long eating into the most vital parts of our constitution, and I hope the time will come when you will probe it to the b

tom. For if a minister should ever gain a corrupt and warmth of a healthy skin, and are habitually comfamiliarity with our boroughs; if he should keep a plaining of chilliness of the surface, cold feet, and other register of them in his closet, and by sending down symptoms of deficient cutaneous circulation. Their sufferhis treasury-mandates, should procure a spurious ing, unfortunately, does not stop here, for the unequal disrepresentation of the people, the offspring of his tribution of the blood oppresses the internal organs, and corruption, who will be at all times ready to recontoo often, by insensible degrees, lays the foundation of tucile and justify the most contradictory measures of bercles in the lungs, and other maladies, which show themhis administration, and even to vote every crude selves only when arrived at an incurable stage. Young persons of a consumptive habit will generally be found to indigested dream of their patron into a law; if the complain of this increased sensibility to cold, even before maintainance of his power should become the sole they become subject to those slight catarrhal attacks which object of their attention, and they should be guilty are so often the immediate precursors, or rather the first of the most violent breach of Parliamentary trust, stages, of pulmonary consumption All who value health, by giving the King a discretionary liberty of tax- and have common sense and resolution, will therefore take ing the people without limitation or control-the warning from signs like these, and never rest till equili. last fatal compliment they can pay to the crown:-brium of action be restored. For this purpose, warm clothif this should ever be the unhappy condition of this nation, the people, indeed, may complain; but the doors of that place where their complaints should be heard, will for ever be shut against them.

Our disease, I fear, is of a complicated nature, and I think that this motion is wisely intended to remove the first and principal disorder. Give the people their ancient right of frequent new elections; that will restore the decayed authority of Parliaments, and will put our constitution into a natural condition of working out her own cure.

Sir, upon the whole, I am of opinion, that I cannot express a greater zeal for his Majesty, for the liberties of the people, or the honour and dignity of this House, than by seconding the motion which the honourable gentleman has made you.

MEDICAL SELECTIONS.

NO. III.

INFLUENCE OF DRESS ON THE SKIN.

As life advances, the respiratory and digestive functions become more developed, and play a more conspicuous part in the support of the animal system. In youth, the skin is still delicate in texture, and the seat of extensive exhalation and acute sensation, but it is at the same time more vigorous in constitution than it was in infancy; and the several animal functions being now more equally balanced, it is less susceptible of disorder from external causes, and can endure with impunity changes of temperature, which, either earlier or later in life, would have proved highly injurious. The activity and restless energy of youth keep up a free and equal circulation even to the remotest parts of the body, and this free circulation in its turn maintains an equality of temperature in them all. Cold bathing and lighter clothing may now be resorted to with a rational prospect of advantage; but when, from a weak constitution or unusual susceptibility, the skin is not endowed with sufficient vitality to originate the necessary reaction, which alone renders these safe and proper,-when they produce an abiding sense of chilliness, however slight, we may rest assured that mischief will inevitably follow at a greater or shorter distance of time. Many young persons of both sexes are in the habit of going about in winter and in cold weather with a dress light and airy enough for a northern summer, and they think it manly and becoming to do so; but those who are not very strongly constituted suffer a severe penalty for their folly. The necessary effect of deficient circulation and vitality in the skin is to throw a disproportionate mass of blood inwards, and when this condition exists, insufficient clothing perpetuates the evil, until internal disease is generated, and health irrecoverably lost. Insufficient clothing not only exposes the wearer to all the risk of sudden changes of temperature, but it is still more dangerous (because in a degree less marked, and therefore less apt to excite attention till the evil be incurred), in that form which, while it is warm enough to guard the body against extreme cold, is inadequate to preserving the skin at its natural heat. Many youths, particularly females and those whose occupations are sedentary, pass days, and weeks, and months without ever experiencing the pleasing glow

ing, exercise in the open air, sponging with vinegar and
water, the warm bath, regular friction with a flesh brush
or hair glove, and great cleanliness, are excellent means.
But while sufficiency of clothing is attended to, excessive
Warmth
ought not to be sought for in clothing alone. The Creator
wrapping up must be as as carefully avoided.
has made exercise essential as a means; and if we neglect
this, and seek it in clothing alone, it is at the risk or rather
certainty of weakening the body, relaxing the surface, and
rendering the system extremely susceptible of injury from
the slightest accidental exposures, or variations of tempera-
ture and moisture. Many good constitutions are thus
ruined, and many nervous and pulmonary complaints
brought on, to embitter existence, and to reduce the sufferer
to the level of a hot-house plant.

Female dress errs in an another important particular, even when well suited in material and in quantity. From the tightness with which it is made to fit on the upper part of the body, not only is the insensible perspiration injudiciously and hurtfully confined, but that free play between the dress and the skin, which is so beneficial in gently sti mulating the latter by friction on every movement of the body, is altogether prevented, and the action of the cutaneous nerves and vessels, and consequently the heat generated, is rendered lower in degree, than would result from the same dress worn more loosely. Every part and every function is thus linked so closely with the rest, that we can neither act wrong as regards one organ without all suffering, nor act right without all sharing in the benefit.

EFFECTS OF COLD FEET AND DAMP.

We can now appreciate the manner in which wet and cold feet are so prolific of internal disease, and the cruelty of fitting up schools and similar places without making adequate provision for the welfare of their young occupants. The circumstances in which wet and cold feet are most apt to cause disease, are where the person remains inactive, and where, consequently, there is nothing to counterbalance the unequal flow of blood which then takes place from the feet and surface towards the internal parts: For it is well known, that a'person in ordinary health may walk about or work in the open air with wet feet for hours together without injury, provided he put on dry stockings and shoes immediately on coming home. It is therefore not the mere state of wetness that causes the evil, but the check to perspiration and the unequal distribution of blood to which the accompanying coldness gives rise. Wet and damp are more unwholesome to the feet than to other parts, chiefly because they receive a larger supply of blood to carry on a higher degree of perspiration, and because their distance from the heart or centre of circulation diminishes the force with which this is carried on, and thus leaves them more sus ceptible of injury from external causes. They are al-o more exposed in situation than other parts of the skin; but cold or wet applied any where, as to the side, for instance, either by a current of air or by rain, is well known to be pernicious.

USE OF FLANNEL.

The advantages of wearing flannel next the skin are easily explicable on the above principles. Being a bad con ductor of heat, flannel prevents that of the animal economy from being quickly dissipated, and protects the body in

considerable degree from the injurious influence of sudden
external changes. From its presenting a rough and uneven,
though soft surface, to the skin, every movement of the
body in labour or in exercise, causes, by the consequent
friction, a gentle stimulus to the cutaneous vessels and
nerves, which assists their action and maintains their func-
tions in health; and being at the same time of a loose and
porous texture, flannel is capable of absorbing the cutane-
ous exhalations to a larger extent than any other material
in common use. In some very delicate constitutions, it
proves even too irritating to the skin, but, in such cases,
fine fleecy hosiery will in general be easily borne, and will
greatly conduce to the preservation of health. Many are
in the custom of waiting till winter has fairly set in before
beginning to wear flannel. This is a great error in a vari-
able climate like ours, especially when the constitution is
not robust. It is during the sudden changes from heat to
cold, which are so common in autumn, before the frame
has got inured to the reduction of temperature, that
tion is most wanted, and flannel is most useful.

VENTILATION.

nefited by it in point of feeling. The perception of this truth is gradually extending, and warm baths are now to be found in fifty places for one in which they could have been obtained twenty years ago. Still, however, we are far behind our continental neighbours in this respect. They justly consider the bath as a necessary of life, while we still regard it as a luxury.

Many entertain a prejudice against the use of the tepid or warm bath, from an apprehension of catching cold after it. This fear is groundless, if ordinary precautions be used; and extensive experience warrants this assertion. Like other good things, it may be abused, or taken at improper times; but, when used judiciously, it will often remove incipient colds, and in severe cases, after the feverish state begins to yield, the bath promotes recovery very much, by equalizing the circulation, and relieving the internal organs, as well as by restoring perspiration. We, therefore, hope to see it speedily rank as an indispensable part of every faprotec-mily establishment.

If the bath cannot be had at all places, soap and water may be obtained every where, and leave no apology for neglect; or, if the constitution be delicate, water and vinegar, or water and salt, used daily, form an excellent and safe means of cleansing and gently stimulating the skin to vigorous and healthy action; and to the invalid, they are highly beneficial, when the nature of the indisposition does not render them improper. A rough, rather coarse, towel is a very useful auxiliary to such ablutions. Few of those who have steadiness enough to keep up the action of the skin by the above means, will ever suffer from colds, sore throats, or such like complaints; while, as a means of restoring health, they are often incalculably serviceable. If onetenth of the persevering attention and labour bestowed to so much purpose in rubbing down and currying the skins of horses, were bestowed by the human race in keeping themselves in good condition, and a little attention were paid to diet and clothing, colds, nervous diseases, and stomach complaints, would cease to form so large an item in the catalogue of human miseries. But man studies the nature of other animals, and adapts his conduct to their constitution. Himself alone he continues ignorant of, and neglects.

The exhalation from the skin being so constant and extensive, its bad effects, when confined, suggest another rule of conduct, viz. that of frequently changing and airing the clothing, so as to free it from every impurity. It is an excellent plan, for instance, to wear two sets of flannels, each being worn and aired by turns, on alternate days. The effect is at first scarcely perceptible to the senses, but in the course of time its advantages and comfort become very manifest, as the writer of this has amply experienced. For the same reason, a practice common in Italy merits universal adoption. Instead of making up beds in the morning the moment they are vacated, and while still saturated with the nocturnal exhalations which, before morning, become sensible even to smell in a bed-room, the bed-clothes are thrown over the backs of chairs, the mattresses shaken up, and the windows thrown open for the greater part of the day, so as to secure a thorough and cleansing ventilation. This practice, so consonant to reason, imparts a freshness which is peculiarly grateful and conducive to sleep, and its real value may be inferred from the well-known fact, that the opposite practice carried to extremes, as in the dwellings of the poor, where three or four beds are often huddled up in all their impurities in a small room, is a fruitful source of fever and bad health, even where ventilation during the day and nourishment are not deficient. In the abodes of the poor Irish residing in Edinburgh, we have seen bedding for fourteen persons spread over one floor not exceed-nological Journal for December.] ing twelve feet square, and when morning came, the beds were huddled above one another to make sitting room during the day, and at night were again laid down, charged with acccumulated exhalations. If fever were not to appear in such circumstances, it would be indeed marvellous; and we ought to learn from this, that if the extreme be so injurious, the lesser degree implied in the prevalent practice cannot be wholesome, and ought, therefore, not to be retained, when it can be so easily done away with.

ABLUTION AND BATHING.

Another condition of health in the skin is frequent ablution. The liquid portion of the perspiration, being in the form of vapour, easily passes off with ordinary attention to change of clothing and cleanliness; but its saline and animal elements are in a great measure left behind, and, if not removed by washing or friction, they at last both interrupt perspiration, and irritate the skin. Those who are in the habit of using the flesh-brush daily, are at first surprised at the quantity of white dry scurf which it brings off; and those who take a warm bath for half an hour at long intervals, cannot fail to have noticed the great amount of impurities which it removed, and the feeling of grateful comfort which its use imparts. The warm, tepid, cold, or shower bath, as a means of preserving health, ought to be in as familiar use as a change of apparel, for it is equally a measure of necessary cleanliness. Many, no doubt, neglect this, and enjoy health notwithstanding, but many, very many, suffer from its omission; and even the former would be be

He considers himself a rational and immortal

being, and therefore not subject to the laws of organization which regulate the functions of the inferior animals; but this conclusion is the result of ignorance and pride, and not a just inference from the premises on which it is pretended to be founded. [From an article on the skin in the Phre

A DECEMBER EVENING WITHIN DOORS.

Picture to yourself, gentle reader, one of those blustering nights, when a boisterous gale from the south-west, with rattling rain, threatens almost the demolition of everything in its way; but add to the scene, a snug and secure cottage in the country, the day closed, the fire blazing, the curtains drawn over the window, a barricadoing of window-shutters, which defy the penetration of Eolus, with all his angry host, the table set for tea, and the hissing urn or kettle scarce heard among the fierce whistling, howling, and roaring, produced alternately, or together, by almost every species of sound that wind can produce in the chimneys and door crannies of the house. There is a feeling of comfort, and a sensibility to the blessings of a good roof over one's head, and a warm and comfortable hearth, while all is tempest without, that produces a peculiar but real source of pleasure. Two or three intelligent friends sitting up over a good fire, and interchanging their thoughts on a thousand subjects of mystery, the stories of ghosts, and the tales of olden times, may perhaps beguile the hours of a stormy night like this, with more satisfaction than they would a midsummer evening.-Mirror of Months.