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be peculiarly acceptable. This work is entirely divested of the pedantry of science. "The power of art without the shew" appears to be his motto, and though we have before us only a part of the materials instead of the entire edifice we had looked for, yet we are ready to acknowledge the value even of the fragments, at the same time that we

cle: but it is due to truth to add, that notwithstanding the numbers of rivers that cross the country in all directions, pure spring water is in many places a great rarity, and in others is totally wanting. The country might be made to produce almost every thing that contributes to the support and accommodation of human life. There is no doubt, but what it will become the resort of nu-may be permitted to express our regret merous inhabitants. In time, and when they have exerted their labour and skill upon it, after several generations, it will not fail to present numerous and striking improvements, for which, by all that we have ever been able to learn, there is at present ample room and opportunity.

Essays on Insanity, Hypochondriasis, and other Nervous Affections. By John Reid, M. D. Member of the Royal College of Physicians, London, and late Physician to the Finsbury Dispensary, London. Longman and Co. Svo pp. 272. 1817.

that domestic sorrows should have interrupted the original design of the author, which was to have given us a complete and systematic treatise on mental disorder, rather than detached essays on different branches of it.

The subjects discussed at most length in this performance are Intemperance, Palsy, Idiocy, and Hereditary Madness. Respecting the first of these the Doctor is a rigid disciplinarian, and exclaims against the use of what he somewhat affectedly terms alcohol, in cible and eloquent as those which any shape whatever, in expressions forlover stung by the treacheries of an idolized mistress would adopt to warn his associate against the delusions of passion. It is certain that the use of fermented liquors is so apt to terminate in their abuse, that society would greatly gain by banishing them entirely, and Dr. Reid is very right in impressing upon the minds of his readers that when once the love of this factitious exaltation

of the spirits gains dominion over them, the only way is to burst the bonds at once and entirely-" would you wish to be pulled out of the fire by degrees?" said a celebrated water-drinker in an

eiation of wine.

THE name of Dr. Reid is well known to the public as the author of Observations on the State of Diseases in London, published periodically, in the Old Monthly Magazine, some years ago. In them our author displayed, on all occasions, a nicety of observation and an acuteness of remark, joined to a sensibility of feeling, and a reflective turn of mind, peculiarly fitting him to throw light upon the nature of those disorders which, like assassins in the dark, often give mortal wounds, 'whilst the quarter whence they come is wholly unsuspect-swer to a plea for the gradual renuned. It is a disheartening fact that of all persons those whose pursuits may be considered as purely mental, are most fiable to bodily disease-abstracted from the illicit enjoyments of the world, they yet seem to pay the penalty due to the pursuit of them, and like Mahomet's tomb, appear suspended between heaven and earth, now, wholly spiritual, lost in contemplations of the highest kind, now, forced to turn their attention to the very lowest order of material things, reminded of mortality by feeling its most grievous ills. To this class of men the observations of Dr. Reid will

"Where you cannot conquer learn to fly,” ́ is a precept that would, if always ad hered to, preserve the morals and happiness of thousands from the wreck inte which they are betrayed by procrasti nated resolutions and self-confidence.

If intemperance merely curtailed the number of our days, we should have com paratively little reason to find fault with its effects. The idea of a short life, and a merry one,' is plausible enough, if it could be generally realized. But unfortu nately, what shortens existence is calculated also to make it melancholy, There is no process by which we can distil life,

so as to separate from it all foul or hetero geneous matter and leave nothing behind but drops of pure defecated happiness. If the contrary were the case, we should scarcely be disposed to blame the vital extravagance of the voluptuary who, provided that his sun shine brilliant and unclouded as long as it continue above his head, cares not, although it should set at

an earlier hour.

"It is seldom that debauchery separates at once the thread of vitality. There occurs, for the most part, a wearisome and painful interval between the first loss of a capacity for enjoying life, and the period of its ultimate and entire extinction. This circumstance, it is to be presumed, is out of the consideration of those persons who, with a prodigality more extravagant than that of Cleopatra, dissolve the pearl of health in the goblet of intemperance. The slope towards the grave these victims of indiscretion find no easy descent. The scene is darkened long before the curtain falls. Having exhausted prematurely all that is delicious in the cup of life, they are obliged to swallow afterwards the bitter dregs. Death is the last, but not the worst result of intemperance." p 83.

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lights up her mind at the same time with her rooms, that both may be shewn off to the best advantage-the anxious author, who fearing his works may smell of the lamp, perfumes them with the scent of the cask-the man of lively feeling, who dreads even a moment of vacancy, and the plodding man of business who has no leisure for more detailed methods of relaxing his mind from its cares, all pass before the eye of the reader, as distinguished by our author with nice and curious discernment. If the number should awaken some melancholy feelings in our readers, we can at least comfort them with our assurance that at present it is not likely to encrease, according to the theory of Dr. Reid, who maintains that prosperity is more frequently than misfortune the South Sea speculation," says he, “it cause of inebriety. "In the celebrated in consequence of the loss of their prowas remarked that few lost their reason perty, but that many were stimulated to madness by the too abrupt accumu

In a metropolis where every allure-lation of enormous wealth." The pre

sent times do not threaten our mad

ment is held out to the senses; in state of society where the anxieties in-houses with any increase to their numseparable from incessant calculations of profit and loss, are often only suspended for a time for the gratification of appetites yet more brutalizing, the wisdom and beauty of temperance cannot be too strenuously enforced. It is a subject on which at all times Dr. Reid descants with strength and feeling. He labours with success to prove that no imprudence can be committed against health without telling, that every time the tree

bers from this cause; on the contrary, as the Doctor assures us that adversity is a salutary sedative, which may not only secure the subjugation of our passions, and protect the sanity of our intellects, but likewise tend to protract life almost in proportion as it deducts from the vivacity of its enjoyments, we may congratulate ourselves on a reasonable prospect of becoming a very sedate, rational, long-lived generation.

of life is shaken some leaves fall from it, and that in no instance can the excite- often elegant; abounding in point and Dr. Reid's style is perspicuous, and ment of the system be urged beyond its in metaphorical illustration which some accumstomed and natural pitch without times betrays him into figures that being succeeded by a corresponding de-" smell of the shop," and make rather gree of depression, "like the fabulous an awkward jumble of material and imstone of Sisyphus it invariably begins material things. Subjects from which to fall as soon as it has reached the the eye would turn away with involunsummit, and the rapidity of its subse-tary disgust should not be forced upon quent descent is almost invariably in proportion to the degree of its former elevation." He calls to the bar of examination all who attempted to resort to factitious means of chasing sorrow, or enlivening the imagination. The gay and dissipated woman of fashion, who

the imagination of the reader merely for the sake of analogy, which after all, is of all modes of reasoning the most deceptive. We might object likewise to Dr. Reid that his views of life are too gloomy-its attendant evils are impressed on his mind with a force which

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overbalances his consideration of its, least motion in his heart nor Mr. Skrine good, and makes him regard the desire of longevity as an absurdity which would never be indulged by a person of unimpaired reason. This comes of seeing life not such as it was intended to be to us, but such as it is rendered by artificial wants and ruinous vices.

It is the lot of physicians to be perpetually contemplating misery and disease; they therefore forget how much happiness and health exist which they are not necessarily called upon to wit

ness. But another evil sometimes re-
sults from this intimacy with human
wretchedness which Dr. Reid has es-
caped, viz. that the feelings them-
selves become obtuse-that though be-
nevolence as a principle may retain its
activity, the sympathy which gives it
all its grace, and a large part of its
value is either entirely lost, or too lan-
guidly felt to be gratifyingly expressed.
Our author evidently shews that he
feels for the sufferings of others, and
every where recommends that patience,
gentleness and forbearance, which per-
sons suffering under the disorders treat-
ed on in this volume, require more than
any other.
Certain modern philoso-
phers in order more fully to assert the
influence of mind over matter, have
taken occasion to say that no man dies
whilst he wishes to live. Dr. Reid
however produces an instance on the
authority of Dr. Cheyne of a man who
could literally fulfil the apostolic decla-
ration, and die daily" merely pour
s'amuser; and as Dr. Cheyne is no
longer familiar to the generality of our
readers we will lay his account of this
singular personage before them.

"He could die or expire when he pleased, and yet by an effort or somehow, he could come to life again. He insisted so much upon our seeing the trial made, that we were at last forced to com

ply. We all three felt his pulse first; it was distinct, though small and thready, and his heart had its usual beating. He composed himself ou his back, and lay in a still posture some time; while I held his right hand, Dr. Baynard laid his hand on his heart, and Mr. Skrine held a clear looking glass to his mouth. I found his pulse sink gradually, till at last I could not feel any by the most exact and nice touch. Dr. Baynard could not feel the VOL. V. No. 29, Lit. Pan, N. S. Feb. 1.

perceive the least sort of breath on the bright mirror he held to his mouth. Then each of us by turns, examined his arm, heart, and breath, but could not, by the nicest scrutiny, discover the least symptom of life in him. "We reasoned along time about this odd appearance as well as we could, and finding he still continued in that condition, we began to conclude that he had indeed carried the experiment too far, and at last we were satisfied he was actually dead, and were just ready to leave him. This continued about half an hour. By nine o'clock in the morning in autumn, as we were going away, we observed some motion about the body, and upon examination found his pulse and the motion of his heart gradually returning; he began to breathe gently and speak softly. We were all astonished to the last degree at this unexpected change, and after some further conversation with him and with ourselves, went away fully satisfied as to all the particulars of this fact, but not able to form any rational scheme how to account for it. He afterwards called for his attorney, added a codicil to his will &c. and calmly and composedly died about five or six o'clock that evening." p. 12.

This history, related by Dr. Cheyne, formerly stood unrivalled, and remained a perfect mystery to the Sons of Esculapius: our readers have lately seen an exact counterpart to this suspensive faculty, with the means taken to expose it. [Compare Panorama Vol. III. N. S. p. 278. Whether, if so neat an application of fire had been made by Dr. C. any detection might have followed, can only be matter of surmize. Phosphoric preparations were not so ready in his day, as they are at present; and there is more than a possibility that the patient might have maintained an obstinacy of spirit, which, in the issue, might have proved extremely painful to the experimenters. The power of dying that evening, exceeds the other parts of the performance the intention of it could not be to receive applause; neither does it appear to have been the consequence of directing the power of a particular disease, in a particular manner.

:

Here the Indian instance fails: the man came to life, and is living, for aught that appears, to this day.

The faculty is wonderful, since it is subject to the exercise of volition, at a 2 D

time when volition seems to be extinct, In mercy to mankind, it is rare; for, what advantage might not superstition derive from false miracles so strongly appealing to ocular demonstration ?

travelled beyond a few miles from the next market town, are more likely to have preserved by tradition the application and meaning of words. But, these could only preserve a language as yet imperfect: they must be ignorant of those enrichments which most of all

We are in no fear that any of our readers should practise this pastime of dying as a juggling trick it is too dan-demand explanation as synonyms,

gerous.

We have no means of determining by what gradations perfection in that art was obtained; and what narrow escapes were the forerunners of the Opus Magпит. We content ourselves with the gift of nature,

Sleep which kuits up the revelled sleave of

care :

which Poetry has described as the image of death, the own brother of death; but, from which we awake, with composure, and even refreshment, to all the duties and all the enjoyments of life.

English Synonymes explained, in Alphabetical order; with copious illustrations and examples drawn from the best writers. By George Crabb, of Magdalen Hall, Oxford. 8vo. pp. 772. Price one Guinea. Baldwin and Co. London. 1816.

SUCH a work as the present was certainly wanted to assist in completing the course of English Literature. Whether this is the very work that was wanted, is a question of more difficult solution. Opinion must be allowed to differ on the precise meaning of many terms and phrases, when compared with others apparently synonimous. We know, even, that natives of different counties among us, wonder at each others application of words. The Scotch insist that they speak purer English than their Southern bretheren. A work has lately been published, purporting to prove that London cockneys have not vitiated their mother tongue. Among the superior classes of Society it might be supposed that the language was spoken correctly; yet the fact is otherwise, it is intermingled with foreign phrases and foreign idioms, and good old English is sought for almost in vain. The rustic clodhoppers who never have

words meaning nearly the same thing, but not quite. The countryman has not the original idea of either before him: he cannot, therefore, judge on the difference. He finds one expressive language fully sufficient to convey all his ideas, and to disclose all his wants; known to him; and at least, he keeps the luxury of superabundance is unas near to the truth in his discourse as those who command a greater variety of languages.

The Clergy, it might be supposed, would study the precision of their language, as used in popular discourses; and

ther their hearers are really benefitted so, no doubt, many do; but, wheby such niceties has been doubted; and the aim of their intention, as well as the duty of their office is, in the first place to benefit their hearers. To our public version of the scriptures we are indebted, principally, for fixing our language; but, our translators must not be judged on, either as to elegance or correctness, by the correspondence of their terms or expressions with any subsequently introduced. The modern may appear more suitable to us, to express the original; but, that the trans-lators preferred those already established, is no impeachment of their skill.

riation in our language is certainly, an The great and primary cause of vaextremely extensive intercourse with foreign nations. New articles of commerce, for instance, are introducedunder new names, unavoidably. These new names become gradually naturalized; especially if an article to be imitated by our manufacturers, or ren◄ dered popular among our people. What a prodigious number of names have the trades in Dimity, Muslin, Fustian, &c. introduced! to the unpracticed eye the goods themselves would appear without difference; not so to the judicious work-* man to him they only resemble each

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other; they are nearly similar, but not absolutely alike, or identical. In like manter the terms used to denote things are various; they often sound to the unpractised ear as being of the same import; but, the judicious acknowledge and maintain a due distinction.

ALLUREMENT (v. To allure) signifies the thing that allures.

CHARM, from the Latin carmen a verse, signifies whatever acts by an irresistible influence like poetry.

Attractions lead or draw; allurements win or entice; charms seduce or captivate. The human heart is always exposed to the power of female attractions; it is guarded with difficulty against the allurements of a coquet; it is incapable of resisting the united charms of body and mind.

*Besides the synonymous idea which distinguishes these words, they are re markable for the common property of We are obliged to whoever under-being used only in the plural when denot takes to point out the differences being the thing that attracts, allures, and tween things or words which resemble charms, when applied to female endowand only resemble-each other. But, ments or the influence of person on the where language is concerned, the Office heart; if seems that in attractions there is of instructor requires a general know-something natural; in allurements some ledge and acquaintance with subjects, thing artificial; in charms something moral and intellectual. the originals of words; which falls to the lot of few. Our own tongue is a medley of some antient British words; of many Saxon words, of many Norman French, of many Italian, a few Spanish, and Occasionally the frippery of modern French tarnished yet glittering among Females are indebted for their attractions the others. To refer the words of our and charms to a happy conformation of language, therefore, to their true roots features and figure; but they sometimes is difficult; yet, if they be not referred borrow their allurements from the toilet. to their true roots, little progress is Attractions consist of those ordinary graces made. We conceive that opinions, may which nature bestows on women with more sometimes differ on this; and that we or less liberality; they are the common have no work among us, which com- property of the sex; allurements of those mands implicit deference on the subject. cultivated graces formed by the aid of a Mr. Crabb has undertaken a labori-faithful looking glass, and the skilful hand ous task; and we know not into what of one anxious to please; charms of those better hands it could have fallen. He singular graces of nature which are granted as a rare and precious gift: they are the has executed it with diligence and assi- peculiar property of the individual pos duity. He acknowledges in his preface, sessor. that he does not expect to please every body. He solicits the indulgence of the Public. He feels that on many occasions he stands ou tender ground; and, such in fact must be the case with whoever endeavours to trace instruction in so many ways. The Author's desire to render his book useful, has induced him to compress many articles, which would have borne enlargement. He hints at this in his Preface, in terms more modest than many contemporary, writers would have used. He professes to have perused the ori-ments of the female sex, attractions and charms express whatever is very amiable ginal authors whom he quotes: and he in themselves; allurements on the contrary, has been careful to introduce no unwor-whatever is hateful and congenial to the thy sentiments, or degrading opinions. We consider this work as of consequence, and therefore shall submit several extracts, by way of shewing with what skill Mr. C. conducts himself.

ATTRACTION (v. To attract) signifies the thing that attracts. 2 D 2

Defects unexpectedly discovered tend to the diminution of attractions; allurements vanish when the artifice is discovered; charms lose their effect when time or habit have rendered them too familiar, so trau sitory is the influence of mere person. Attractions assail the heart and awaken the tender passions; allurements serve to complete the conquest, which will however be but of short duration if there be not more solid though less brilliant charms to substitute affection in the place of passion.

When applied as these terms may be to other objects beside the personal endow

baser propensities of human nature.

A courtesan who was never possessed of charms, and has lost all personal attractions, may by the allurements of dress and manners, aided by a thousand metricious arts,

* Vide Abbè Girard and Rouband: "Attraits, appas, charmes."

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