DRAMA.

ART. 25.-Matrimony: A petit Opera in two Acts, as performed at the Theatre-Royal, Drury-Lane. Altered from the French. By James Kenney. 8vo. 18. 6d. Longman and Co. 1804.

Mr. Kenney speaks with great modesty, in his preface, of himself and his abilities. As he does not appear to expect much from this translation, he will not be much disappointed at its condemnation. The fault is not his that his author lays an improbable plot; though, perhaps, he might as well have either mended or rejected it. The heart is not suddenly cured of even its smallest faults. A month's confinement of Delaval and Clara before their meeting might have been related in episode. We have so often complained of transplanting Irishmen into foreign countries, or rather into plays borrowed from foreign authors, that we grow tired of the fruitless labour. When wit returns to our drama we suppose this and other absurdities may cease,

ART. 26.-Foul Deeds will rise, a Musicul Drama. By S. J. Arnold. As performed at the Theatre-Royal, Haymarket. Svo. 1s. Od.

Barker and Son. 1804.

The author of this trifle has some cause for complaint at its ill success in representation. To very great merit it cannot lay claim; but much worse pieces have been suffered to pass by the caprice of the public.

EDUCATION.

ART. 27.-The Young Ladies' New Guide to Arithmetic ; being a short and useful Selection; containing, besides the common and necessary Rules, the Application of each Rule, by a Variety of practical Questions chiefly on Domestic Affairs; together with the Method of making out Bills of Parcels, Book Debts, Receipts, &c. &c. For the Use of Ladies' Schools and Private Teachers. By John Greig. 12mo. 2s. Crosby und Co. ART.28.-An Introduction to the Use of the Globes, for Youth of both Sexes; particularly designed for Schools and Private Teachers, &c. By John Greig. 12mo. 2s. 6d. Crosby and Co.

1805.

1805.

We spoke favourably of the former of these productions when it appeared some years ago. The Introduction to the Use of the Globes will be found a proper book to succeed it. Mr. Greig has given those easy kind of problems which girls will be able to work without disgust. When something of that application is enjoined them which boys submit to at the Latin school, it will be time enough to supply them with more copious treatises: till then we must remain thank ful to those masters who will amuse them into knowledge.

ART. 29.-The Life of Carlo, the famous Dog of Drury-Lane Theatre. With his Portrait, and other Copper Plates. 12mo. 18. Tabart and

Co. 1801.

These memoirs contain the history of Carlo, prior to his coming out as an actor; and they will be found as amusing to little children

as his subsequent exploits were to those greater ones for whose entertainment Mr. Reynolds prepared them. It is hardly necessary for us to add that they are more in place here than they possibly could be on the stage of our greatest national theatre.

MEDICINE, &c.

ART. 30.—A Medical Guide for the Invalid to the principal Watering Places of Great Britain. By William Nisbet, M. D. Fellow of the Royal College of Edinburgh, &c. 12mo. 5s. 6d. Boards. Highley. Dr. Nisbet's compilations have probably succeeded; since they crowd us as rapidly as the works of sir J. Hill, in former ages, or of Dr. Rowley, at a later period. This little volume is a familiar compilation on the effects of water, either in its simple state, or when impregnated with minerals; as a remedy for diseases, or as assisted by climate and situation. It is a neat and sufficiently accurate collection from former works; but the compiler's commendations, collected from authors sometimes prejudiced, and occasionally, we fear, interested, are occasionally too extravagant. Some of the foreign waters are also described, with sufficient ac curacy for the purposes of those to whom this compendium is addressed. An account of a few watering places is annexed, from the Guide published by Phillips.

ART. 31.-A Letter to William Wilberforce, Esq. M. P. by James Carmichael Smyth, M. D. containing Remarks on a Pamphlet entitled an Account of the Discovery of the Power of Mincral Acid Vapours to destroy Contagion, by John Johnstone, M. D. published in London, in 1803. 8vo. 1s. Callow. 1805.

Dr. Johnstone's son claimed, in the pamphlet mentioned in the title, the discovery of fumigations with factitious airs, in order to destroy contagion. This claim Dr. C. Smyth combats. It is certain, that Dr. Johnstone mentioned sulphuric and marine vapours, but he seems never to have employed them at least we have no evidence of his ever having done so, in general practice. We have some particular reasons to think, that he spoke of it only as one method of destroying contagion, without having pursued the idea. We should he truly glad if these casual hints were sufficient grounds to claim discoveries, since we could then claim the discovery of the composition of water; for in this Journal we expressly remarked, that water seemed necessary to the production of inflammable air, as it was then called, unless the latter was an ingredient in water.' We understand that a medical professor claims the discovery of oxygen, because he suspected a something was taken into the lungs, from atmospheric air. We believe, however, that Dr. Smyth has a similar account to settle with M. Morveau, who has also claimed this discovery.

ART. 32.-Outlines of a Plan calculated to put a Stop to the Progress of the Malignant Contagion which rages on the Shores of the Mediterranean, if, notwithstanding every Precaution to the contrary, it should unfortunately make its Way into this Country. By Richard Pearson, M.D. Sto. 1s. 6d. C. & R. Baldwin. 1805.

Our author's plan is short and comprehensive; and indeed little more than the plan of Dr. Mead, somewhat more strict in its conduct and regulations. This consists in the separation of the sick from the healthy, on the first suspicion of inalignancy. The term has been lately applied, at least by the younger part of the faculty, with little precision; and we have scen a family alarmed, by the apothecary having declared a fever malignant, because the tongue became brown. Dr. Pearson, therefore, properly confines the term malignant' to those epidemics, where, in a given number of the sick, the proportion of deaths exceeds that of recoveries; and considers a disorder rapid in its course, when it terminates fatally before the fifth day. To the precaution of separation is added that of fumigation, and destroying the bedding, &c. of the sick. For the farther detail, however, of this very judicious plan, we must refer to the work. We cannot, however, leave so important a subject, without some farther elucidation; and shall therefore observe from our author, that the first appearance of a dangerous epidemic should be carefully watched. It does not, he justly remarks, shew, at first, its peculiar nature: its progress is rapid, but its appearances are not discriminated. We may add also, that persons in good health should be cautious of mixing with people in general, till after a strict examination and change of clothes, if they have been long exposed to infected air; for a person in health can convey a fever, though the miasmata, from habit, make no impression on his own constitution.

It has been the fashion lately to deny contagion; an idea which our author properly reprobates. Contagion is not indeed so formidable a cause of fever as it was formerly represented; yet it still displays a terrific aspect, and no one knows its destined victim. The two great scourges of the human race are plague, and the yellow fever of America; yet we now know that they lose much of their malignancy, when the constitution is not predisposed for their reception. Human effluvia, from the most healthy subjects, when confined and accumulated, will produce fever of a malignant type. Strict attention to cleanliness will therefore probably counteract the influence of the poison, or lessen its power. A general firm state of health, cheerful spirits, and the free use of antiseptics not powerfully stimulating, will have a similar effect. To which, if we add free air, and a proper attention to the excretory discharges, we shall obtain a complete and sufficiently secure system of prophylaxis. Most of these circumstances meet in the usual habits of modern life, and to these we suspect we owe our safety from the plague, rather than to the boasted systems of quarantine.

The same habits will secure us from the influence of the yellow fever; but from this there is much less danger than from the

plague. We have always contended, that this fever is little more than the common autumnal remittent of the climate, excited perhaps by contagion, which, in return, becomes fatal chiefly from the predisposition it meets. We have constantly asserted, that, unless we import American constitutions with the American fomes of feyer, there was little reason for apprehension; and this opinion is supported by other considerations. Whatever effects an unusually hot and protracted summer may have on our systems, these will have passed away, or been counteracted, before the poison has reached us; and the infection will there meet bodies braced with cold, and a biliary system no longer turgid, or overflowing. Were it not for such considerations, can it be supposed, that, in consequence of the frequent, and, for a time, the uncontrouled connection with America, the fever should not be imported. We are convinced that this has often happened, and we have more than once found fevers with peculiar symptoms, and symptoms not very unlike those of the American remittent, which we could trace to the coast, about the times when the yellow fever prevailed in America. It remains to be examined, whether some instances of putrid peripneumony, unusually rapid and fatal, may not arise from a similar fomes; the seat of the disorder only being changed by a difference of climate and temperature.

While we have thus endeavoured to lessen apprehensions, we would not be understood, for a moment, to intermit our precautions. We would rather add to them, for they can do no harm ; and we fully approve of the very judicious directions contained in this little pamphlet. We have so often experienced the insidious unsuspected progress of contagion, that we think every precaution essentially necessary; but with such exertions, there will be little ground for apprehension.

ART. 33.-A popular Compendium of Anatomy, or a concise and clear Description of the Human Body, with the Physiology or Natural History of its various Actions and Functions of its different Organs and Parts, containing also an Article on Suspended Animation, with the proper Means to be used for the Recovery of drowned Persons. By William Burke, Surgeon. 12mo. 6s. Highley.

and pre

Our author seems to have executed with great accuracy ision all that his copious title promises, so far as his limits will allow. The descriptions are clear, intelligible, and appropriate; nor will the most delicate sensibility be hurt by any indecorous description or allusion.

MISCELLANEOUS LIST.

ART. 34.-An Address to the Royal first Devon Yeomanry Cavalry respecting the Management of their Horses when employed in actual Service, with Directions for Shocing, and practical Observations on the Cure and Prevention of Lameness. By James White. 8vo. 2s. 6d.

Badcock.

We have perused this address with great care, and think it admirably adapted for the purposes designed: it is short, comprehensive, perspicuous, and instructive. Indeed, were we to have

command, no volunteer officer of cavalry, indeed no officer of cavalry, should be without it.

ART. 35.—A Letter to Lieutenant Colonel Sir Robert Wilson, K. M.

By an Englishman. 8vo. 2s. 6d. Cadell and Davies.

We read sir Robert Wilsons' Inquiry' with mixed sentiments of pity and indignation. It was at least highly impolitic, and we were sorry to see an early display of talent so soon sinking in a mist of imbecility and contradiction. It was, however, scarcely our province to disseminate what we could have wished the author to have concealed, nor were military points the true objects of a literary journal. It was enough to express our disapprobation in general; and we had little doubt but that we should soon see an antagonist, worthy of the cause, entering the lists. Such a one now appears, and he claims our cordial approbation. He has followed the knight of Maria Teresa through all his wanderings, has detected his inconsistencies, and exposed his weakness. This he has effected in the manly tone of patriotic indignation, and he deserves our thanks as well as those of his brother Englishmen in general. As he observes, we can scarcely suppose the two works to be the production of the same author.

ART. 36.-The Works of Richard Price, Esq. consisting of Letters und Poems. 12mo. 3s. 6d. Mawman.

These are the casual trifles of a man of learning and general information. They are light, pleasant, and entertaining; though perhaps not of sufficient importance for the public eye. The poems are of a similar kind, though inferior to the prose. The author's political views may be judged of from his correspondents, Mrs. Macauley, Dr. Parr, sir William Jones, &c; and the letters are of various dates, from 1760 to 1795, but the greater number between 1770 and 1780. Should this volume be favourably received, another on more learned subjects' is promised, which will, of course, be more interesting.

ART. 37. On the Modification of Clouds, and on the Principles of their Production, Suspension, and Destruction. By Luke Howard, Esq.

8vo. 2s. 6d. Arch.

This very excellent and scientific essay was read to the Askewian society, and soon afterwards published in the Philosophical Magazine. We read it here with great satisfaction; and perhaps, but from the want of novelty, should have examined it at some length. We should · however have found no little difficulty in conveying the ideas of the author without the plates. We have ourselves been conversant with the subject, and repeatedly examined all the variety of clouds: but Mr. Howard will recollect, that the first part was published without the plates; and, though the appearances were familiar, we found it diffcult to determine, in many instances, the kind of cloud described. Others less acquainted with the subject would have found the difficulty much greater.