the tenure to sixty-five or seventy years, but failed. Another, in 1827, after passing one house, was lost in the other. A similar bill, limiting it to sixty-five years, in 1835, passed the house, but did not reach the senate. Again, in 1839, the same measure was rejected by a majority. In 1841 it passed the house by a vote of seventy-two to twenty-eight,-not a constitutional majority. In 1843, an amendment passed both houses with the necessary majority, limiting the period in which a Judge could hold his seat, to his sixty-fifth year. Upon this bill no further proceeding has been had. It is, therefore, no law. The admirable letters of "The Black Sluggard," attributed to Mr. Bellinger, attacked it with vigor and followed it to its last lurking place. There let the measure rest, and rest forever.

We now dismiss the Political Annals of South-Carolina. The history of our own country is the most important history to understand. Ignorance of this, evidences a want of high patriotic principle. The State is every thing to its citizens. Where they fail in affection here, they are incapable of affection elsewhere. The State, as it has been nobly expressed, not of "battlements," or "mounds,” or “cities proud," but of men,

"high-minded men,

Men who their duties know."

D.

the first we recognize. In fact, previous to 1682, Justice Trott could only find nineteen acts of any description whatever.

In 1700, the Courts of Sessions and gaol delivery established.

In 1721, act for establishing County and Precinct Courts. These Courts were very defective, and soon gave way to the General Court, held in Charlestown, which monopolized nearly all the business of the province. This Court being so remote from a great portion of the inhabitants, occasioned a lax administration of justice, and the whole system fell into disrepute. The planters, or regulators, attempted to administer justice for

themselves.

In 1769, the Circuit Court system was adopted. Its evils gave rise to, In 1785, the County Courts, but these, in consequence of the opposition of the inhabitants, never extended to Charleston, Georgetown or Beaufort. 1791, the whole system of Courts of Law and Equity re-modelled. 1799-at this period the District Courts had been established, and the County Courts forever abolished.

1808-State divided into Equity districts and circuits.

1824-Court of Appeals in Law and Equity, of three Judges, established. 1835-Court of Appeals of three Judges abolished, and one of all the Judges in Law and Equity established.

1836-Two former Courts abolished, and a Law Court of Appeals and Equity Court of Appeals established.

1836-Court of Errors of all the Judges in Law and Equity; to try constitutional questions,-questions where the Law or Equity Courts of Appeals are divided, or questions carried before it by two Judges.

ART. IX.-CRITICAL NOTICES.

1.-Fiske Fund Prize Dissertations of the Rhode-Island Medical Society. Spinal Diseases, both Structural and Functional,—their Causes and Treatment. By USHER PARSONS, M. D.

"Vestræ petitioni respondeo diligenter."

Boston: Thomas H. Webb & Co. 1843.

DR. PARSONS' great diligence and research upon this, as well as on former occasions, is fully exemplified in the condensed treatise now before us. As he is called upon to furnish the Rhode-Island Medical Society and the public, with information in regard to the structural as well as functional diseases of the spine,-to point out their causes and best mode of treatment,-Dr. Parsons very properly commences the investigation, by giving a somewhat minute description of the anatomy of the parts concerned in this increased, increasing, and consequently very important class of diseases. And this he is abundantly able to do, with very little trouble to himself,-being perfectly familiar with this part of the subject, having been for several years Professor of Anatomy in the medical department of Brown University. After considering the structure and functions of the spinal column and its appendages, he proceeds to take a pathological view of the subject.

Dr. P. has since visited Europe, and has no doubt made himself well acquainted with all the improvements which have since taken place, and has himself established an Orthopedic Institution in Providence, RhodeIsland, which is now, we understand, in successful operation.

In noticing this excellent production, for which we are probably indebted to the foresight and liberality of the founder of the Fiske Fund, we regret that Dr. Parsons should have condescended to refer, with so much respect, to individuals who are in bad odor with the profession,and to speak of, and to recommend, with so much complacency, salt and brandy, champooing, and such like quack remedies, which ought to be scouted by every scientific member of the profession. J. B. W.

2.- Oracles from the Poets; a fanciful diversion for the drawing-room. By CAROLINE GILMAN. New-York and London: Wiley & Putnam. 1844.

To have our destinies revealed by the poets,-to hail the responses of genius struggling on its lofty heights and in its enthusiastic moments, with "fine phrensy" catching revelations of the invisible world,-poscere tempus fata,—this is rare felicity. Poetry is akin to prophecy. There

is an inspiration in song which reaches far into the future. It "wreaks" its high "thoughts upon expression." Poetry has been the vehicle of noblest prophecy. The bard and the seer have occupied common ground. They occupy it in the "Oracles," where we commend our fair readers, if they would no longer "see through a glass darkly."

D.

3.-A Lexicon of Free Masonry-containing a definition of all its communicable terms, notices of its history, traditions and antiquities, and an account of all the rites and mysteries of the ancient world. By ALRERT G. MACKEY, M. D., Knight Templar, Rose+Scott, K- H————, S. G. I. G. of the 33d Deg., Grand Secretary and Grand Lecturer of the Grand Lodge of South-Carolina, etc.

Φθέγξομαι οἷς θέμις ἐστί, θύρας δ' ἐπίθεσθε βεβήλοις. ΟΡΦ. Charleston Burges & James. 1845.

OUR esteemed friend Dr. Mackey's titles are, of course, all hieroglyphics to us, who are not so fortunate as to be among the initiated. We presume his lexicon explains the whole matter, and we shall be particular to look into it. At present we can only introduce the work generally to the reader; it has only been in our hands a few moments, and we are just about going to press. In our next number, we hope to give it its due. Dr. Mackey is well known in our community for sound scholarship and sound Masonry. His work must be high authority. A work of the same kind has never before been known in the English language. We who are Southern reviewers are always glad to see Southern writers and Southern publishers.

D.

4.—Discourse on the Two Hundredth Anniversary of the Birth of Wm. Penn, delivered in the Independence Hall at Philadelphia, on the 24th Dec., 1844, before the Historical Society. By JOB R. TYSON, one of the Vice-Presidents. Philad.: 1845.

THIS is a very appropriate and beautiful address, and concentrates, in a narrow compass, the principal incidents in the life of the excellent founder of Pennsylvania, a man whose memory is worthy of all honor. Mr. Tyson has succeeded in placing before us a very graphic picture of the leading peculiarities of his mind and temper, and of his early achievements. No man was ever distinguished for greater decision of character than Penn, or for a more ardent love of personal independence. Liberty was his mistress,-civil and religious liberty. But if he was disposed to think and judge for himself, as a man and a Christian should,

he was equally ready to extend the same privilege to others. He was humane and generous to all, and when persecuted for his opinions, he displayed the most admirable patience and forbearance. He was a lover of peace, and in his intercourse with the savages, he has afforded to all succeeding generations a beautiful opportunity to learn how strong a principle pure benevolence is, and how successfully it may be employed in ruling and regulating the wildest passions.

5.- Simms' Monthly Magazine March, 1845. Charleston: Burges & James.

EVERY thing from our friend, Dr. Simms, meets with favor from us, and everything emanating from his publishers here, our mutual friends Messrs. Burges & James, affords us the highest satisfaction. We give commendation to both editor and publisher. Dr. Simms needs, however, nothing at our hands; he has too brilliant and well established a reputation, both North and South, for this. We rejoice for him to win and wear the laurel. As brother editors, it is meet that we sympathize with each other. It is a feeling worthy of the republic of letters. Once for all the "Quarterly" extends to its neighbor, the "Monthly," the right hand of fellowship and affection.

D.

6.-Essays on Domestic Industry; or, an Enquiry into the expediency of establishing Cotton Manufactures in South-Carolina. By Wм. GREGG. Charleston: Burges & James. 1845.

We have not the time or space, at this moment, to express our opinion of the merits of Mr. Gregg's "Essays." It belongs to the South, and to South-Carolina in particular, to give the whole subject of manufactures a patient consideration. Our minds are not yet made up. We reserve the pamphlet before us until our next No., where we hope to enter at large into the whole question. We have a large quantity of material within our reach. We shall endeavor to make good use of it.

D.

7.-The Romance of Life, a Historical Lecture, delivered before the Georgia Historical Society by ROBERT M. CHARLTON. Savannah: E. C. Councell. 1845.

We thank Mr. Charlton for his exquisite address. There is "romance" in this world of our's. We feel it-know it. The world of fact is as inexhaustible as the world of fiction. History and every day life have their tender and their touching realities. Give us the warm

530

Correspondence of Mr. Ralph Izard.

[April,

imagination which arrays these realities in all their simplicity, and warms up with them our sympathies and our hearts. There is something legitimate in this sympathy which employs itself upon real objects. Other sympathy is a sickly hot-house plant. The name of Charlton in connection with the address before us, is sufficient; it speaks a volume-speaks more than anything from us could speak.

8.-Correspondence of Mr. Ralph Izard of South-Carolina, from the year 1779 to 1804, with a short memoir. Vol. I. New-York: C. S. Francis & Co. 1844.

MR. IZARD occupies a prominent position in the affairs of SouthCarolina and of the United States. He was an actor in many of the most interesting epochs of our history, and always won for himself a brilliant reputation. South-Carolina has few names she can hold in higher esteem, and it must be gratifying to our citizens that the present publication has been attempted. We do not question that it will meet with large success.

9.-European Agriculture and Rural Economy, from personal observation. By HENRY COLMAN. Boston: Arthur D. Phelps. London Wiley & Putnam. 1844.

THIS work is to be completed in ten serial numbers, of which we have the first two before us. It is to be issued every other month, and we commend it to the attention of agriculturists as one of the most interesting productions of the day. The name of Henry Colman, the great American agriculturist, is itself authority, and will give the work currency, and a passport to confidence, every where. The first number contains an exceedingly interesting account of Mr. Colman's agricultural tour through Europe.

10.-Life and Correspondence of Thomas Arnold, D. D. BY ARTHUR P. STANLEY, M. A. Two volumes in one New-York: D. Appleton & Co. 1845.

THE Edinburgh Review for January, 1845, has bestowed a lengthy article upon the volume before us, to which we would refer the reader. We would rather, however, refer him to the work of Dr. Arnold himself. The letters in it are written upon the greatest variety of subjects, religious, literary, political, social and scientific. They come down almost to the period of his death in 1842. In the appendix we have his