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In 1798, Joseph Lancaster began to exercise the honourable profession of a school-master; his plan was from the beginning to teach reading, writing, and arithmetic, to the children of the lower orders, and to save the first great expense of school-masters' salaries, he employed the elder boys to assist in teaching. The next great expense of a school arises from the consumption of books and materials for writing; to diminish this cost, J. Lancaster introduced the admirable method of making a number of boy's read from the same lesson printed in large characters and suspended on the wall, and the no less useful substitute of slates for paper, where by not only the waste of that expensive article is saved, but any number of boys are enabled to spell and write the same word at the same time, without the possibility of one being idle while the other is at work, or rather, as in the ordinary mode of education, nineteen being idle while one is employed; the same degree of alertness is kept up by the method of reading, as it were all together-which requires the failure of one boy to be corrected by the next, for the sake of taking his place, prevents the possibility of idleness or inattenion. His next step towards the accomplishment of his great and beneficial purpose was his mode of teaching arithmetic by the suggestion of a method whereby read

ing alone is rendered sufficient to make any one teach arithmetic. The invention is as simple as it is efficacious; it consists in giving to one boy who can read, a written or printed particular, if we may so speak, of the operation in cyphering, which is to be performed, and maiing him distinctly read over to any number of boys furnished with slates, the words and figures given to him thus, the lesson is to be in addition

viewers mention that in Gloucester, where

the first sunday-school was established, by the benevolent Raikes, the clergyman who attended the prison, stated that out of three thousand boys who had been educated at the sunday-school, only one boy had been imprisoned in that gaol for any crime. This circumstance must act as a powerful

stimulus to those who wish for the amelioration of their fellow creatures, and shows the great benefit of impressing the minds of children with good moral senti ments. (B. M. M.)

دو

234 567

801

and in order to teach this lesson to 30 boys, one of whom can read and the other 29 can write the nine figures, and understand notation, a key is given to the reader, consisting of the following words, first column 7 and 4 are eleven, set down I under the seven, and carry one to the next second column; six and three are nine, and one I carried are ten, set down O and carry 1 to the next third column; 5 and 2 are seven and one i carried are 8; total in figures 801; total in words, eight hundred and one After each boy has written the two lines 234 and 567 one under the other, the reader takes the above key and reads it audibly, while each of the 24 obey it, by writing down as it directs; each boy also reads over the sum total after the reader has finished, and he then inspects the slates one after the other; the whole are thus kept perpetually awake, and by repeated lessons of the same kind the rule required is fixed in their minds: into the details of his discipline we cannot now enter, which are devised with a thorough knowledge of his subject, derived as much from long experience as from just and even philosophical reasoning, where 800 or 1000 children are to be instructe ed by one master, it was necessary

to establish, and he has completely established a discipline which enables his authority to reach all over the body, and supply the want of actual inspection, and this object is attained by applying to his school the organization of a regiment, and its evolutions under the word of com

mand.

L.

For the Belfast Monthly Magazine.

ON THE USE OF STRAMONIUM IN THE SPASMODIC ASTHMA.

monium; from which auspicious moment I have been restored, not merely to a tolerable, but to a com. fortable and reasonably happy state of existence.

"The asthmatic paroxsym usually came on about two o'clock in the morning, when I was suddenly surprised from sleep with violent conyulsive heavings of the chest; and I was scarcely allowed time to place myself upright in a chair, where I sat resting myself upon my elbows and with my feet upon the ground (for I could not bear them in an ho

AT page 146 of the last Magazine, rizontal posture,) before I underwent

a short account was given of stramonium in spasmodic asthma, a more full account is now added, extracted from several letters from a correspondent to Phillips' Monthly Magazine, published during the course of last year. It is communicated in this magazine, as from the relation there appear grounds to hope that stramonium is of essential service in a most afflictive disease, and it may be useful to extend the knowled e of its efficacy :

A writer in the London Monthly Magazine after describing his former good state of health, and the Juxurious indulgence into which he had fallen, thus proceeds:-"This career of pleasure was however soon interrupted by the depredations it produced upon my constitution; the first sigus of impaired health, and clouded vivacity, were soon succeeded by the most severe and afflicting attacks of spasmodic asthma, which returned at intervals of eight or ten days, with such cruel violence, that all the agreeable anticipations of life became in a manner extinguished; and during the course of several years, I was afraid to indulge in the hopes of recovery, from my complaint. At last, by a most fortunate accident, I was induced to make trial of an herb called stru

a sense, as it were, of immediate suffocation, These fits generally continued, with short intermissions, from thirty-six hours to three days and nights successively; during which time I have often, in the seeming agonies of death, given my. self over, and even wished for that termination of my miseries.

"It was in a great measure in vain that I consulted the most eminent physicians in the inetropolis; they only afforded me a transient and tantalizing relief. An amiable friend, and respectable surgeon at Hackney, first persuaded me to smoke the divine stramonium, to which I owe altogether, my present freedom from pain, and renewed capacity of enjoyment. It is the root only, and lower part of the stem, which seem to possess its anti-asthmatic virtue; these should be cut into small pieces, and put into a common tobacco pipe, and the smoke must be swallowed together with the saliva produced by the smoke; after which the sufferer will, in a few minutes, be relieved from all the convulsive heavings, and probably drop into a comfortable sleep, from which he will awake refreshed, and in general, perfectly recovered at least, this is the invariable effect produced upon myself. He should by all means avoid drink

ing with the pipe, a too ordinary accompaniment of smoaking. I once took some brandy and water with the pipe, but it proved a very improper combination: a dish of coffee, however, I often take after it, and find it highly refreshing. I should mention that strong coffee has frequently been recommended to me, but never produced any beneficial effect as a cure for asthma.

"The stramonium is delightfully fragrant; and although it has been regarded hitherto as of a poisonous nature when taken inwardly, yet I have sinoked a dozen of pipes at a time, without experiencing from them any other inconvenience than slight excoriation, or soreness of the tongue.

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"Some persons have regarded the smoking of stramonium as a species of ebriety, or as the use merely of one of those ordinary opiates, that people are apt to have recourse to in order to relieve a paroxysm of pain, whether it originates from a mentat or a corporeal cause, by which they purchase a temporary suspension of misery at the expense of ermanent injury. Stramonium, however, used in a proper manner, produces effects essentially different from that of any intoxicating drug that I am acquainted with. It acts favourably upon the feelings of the mind only inasmuch as it alleviates the pain of the body; neither is its first and happy inßuence succeeded, as in the use of opiates or narcotics by depression, lassitude, or stupor.

"So far from stramonium having induced that torpor and sluggishness that smoking tobacco or hops has frequently occasioned, I am confident that without the assistance of that in valuable remedy, I should not have been able to go through the exertions that my daily avocations call for. As far as my experience

has gone, and it is of some standing, the stramonium has not lost, by its frequently repeated use, one iota of its medicinal influence; and wherever it has been had recourse to, in a proper manner, within the sphere of my personal knowledge, it has been equally successiul. Towards counteracting the tendency to spasmodic asthma, (for destroying it where it is implanted in the babit, I consider as impossible.)I have found nothing that has, in any important degree conduced but abstinence, together with a careful protection of the body against cold or damp, or any sudden vicissitudes of the weather.

"The stramonium has hitherto been considered as a noxious weed, difficult to eradicate where it has once taken root, but which I hope will be seen growing, in the course of another year in every garden in the empire. When I first enquired for it at an herb-shop, in Covent Garden; I obtained a large bundle for three pence; and I now learu with equal surprize and indignation, that it has lately been sold at the enormous rate of 21s. per pound. I have experienced, in the course of a mingled life of business and amusement; many instances of baseness, and I have heard of many others. I never, however, met with such an imposition as I am about to notice. I bad with infinite difficulty procured some seed of the stramontum, which I gave to the proprietor of a large nursery garden, in the inmediate neighbourhood of Tavistock-square, and agreed with him to cultivate it; its produce exceeded 1000 fine plants, and it was almost weekly shown to me and my servants by the master who congratulated me upon the prospect of the crop. I remained perfectly satisfied that I should have an abundant supply, so much so, that I promised a portion of it to

half the poor suffering invalids that I heard of in London. This man having numerous applications for this plant actually sold the major part of it at 24s. per lb. and has refused to deliver me any of it, expecting (as no more can be procured until next year) to exact a still more extravagant price for it.

The seed of the stramonium is to be sown in the months of March and April, on light rich earth, exposed to the sun; it arrives at maturity in the latter end of August or beginning of September; and is called the THORN-APPLE. It grows spontaneously, is reckoned a common weed in many gardens, and has hitherto. been universally thrown away. To prepare it for smoking it merely requires to be dried gradually, the mould brushed off, the foots cut into small pieces, and put into a common tobacco pipe; the noke to be forced into the stonrach by swallowing, without holding the nostrils or any other effort. I continue, by the blessing of providence, to experience its excellent effects, even in an encreased degree, so much so, that at this moment I am in the habit of riding backwards and forwards to a rural residence in Essex, a happiness which I had long ago lost sight of. I ought not to omit to state that the stalk proves equally efficacious with the root."

The stramonium, or thom-apple, (Datura) generally grows on rubbish; it is about three feet high, the stem very much branched, and belongs to the class of Pentandriamonogynia.

1

For the Belfast Monthly Magazine.

CHARTER OF CARRICKFERGUS.

(Continued from page, 116, vol V.) AND moreover, we will, and by these presents for us, our heirs,

and successors, of our special grace, certain knowledge and meer meon, we give unto the said mayor, sheriffs, burgesses, and commonalty of the aforesaid town of Knockfergus, and to their successors, that they, and their successors, or the greater part of them, may have, make, and constitute from time to time, for ever, without any licence to be had or obtained from us, our heirs, or successors in that part, and behalf, at their own will and pleasure, within the same town one honest and discreet man, instructed in our laws, to be chosen and nociated in the form or manner hereafter expressed, which both shall be, and shall be called the recorder of the town of Carrickfergus, aforesaid, and we have therefore assigned, constituted, and made, and by these presents, for us, our heirs, and successors, do assign, notiate, and ordain, constitute, and make our well beloved Thomas Hibbotts, esq. who is sufficiently instructed in the laws now, and hereafter, to be recorder of the said town, to continue in the same office during his natural life, and we will, that both he, and every other the like recorder, so made and constituted, from time to time, be able and of power to exercise, and execute, within the said town or borough, and liberties of the same, all and every such thing, and things, as after any sort or manner, doth appertain or belong to the said office of recordership, to have, exercise, and occupy the said office of recorder, either by himself, or his sufficient deputy, or deputies, appointed or negociated with the assent, or consent of the mayor of the said town, or the greater part of the aldermen of the said town for the time being until the end and term of his life, or years, or during the will of the said mayor, sheriffs, burgesses, and commonalty of the foresaid town, or their successors, or the greater part of them, (of whom we will, that the mayor of the said town for the time being, shall be one,) as to them shall seem more expedient, And that the said Thomas Hibbotts, before he proceed to the execution of the said office of recorder, shall take his corporal oath, by the holy evangelists of God, before the mayor and aldermen of the said town, faith fully to execute the said office of recordership of the said town, in all things touching the said office, as also the oath commonly called the oath of supremacy; and that after the death or removing of the said Thomas Hibbotts, it shall and may be lawful for the said mayor, sheriffs, burgesses and commonalty of the said town of Knockfergus, for the time being, or for the greater number of them, (of which we will that the mayor of the said town shall be one,) at any convenient time to elect, negociate, and make one honest and discreet man well instructed in our laws, from time to time, and as often as it shall seem to them necessary, in the recordership of the same town, and that every such person or persons, from time to time, in the office of recordership of the said town, thus to be elected and negociated, as aforesaid, and taking as well the oath of recordership of the said town, as also the oath commonly called the oath of supremacy, as aforesaid, from time to time, and every of then may, and shall be able, and of power to have, exercise, and enjoy, either by themselves, or by their sufficient deputies in form, aforesaid, nominated and appointed to have, occu. py, and keep the said office until the end of their lives, or years, or during the will and pleasure of the said mayor, sheriffs, burgesses, and commonalty of the town or their successors, or the greater part of

them, of whom we will that the mayor of the same town, for the time being, shall be one.

Moreover we will, and by these presents, for ns, our heirs, and successors, we grant unto the sard mavor, sheriffs, burgesses, and commenalty of the aforesaid town, and to their successors, that they, and their successors, or the greater part of them, (of whom we will that the mayor of the same town for the time being, shall be one,) from time to time, and as often as need shall re quire, that they may be able, and of power to make and appoint one honest and discreet man to be clerk of the Tholsell, called in English the town-clerk of the same town, to exercise all and every such things as to the said office of clerk doth belong or appertain, in as ample manner as any other clerk of the Tholsell in any city or town within our said realm of Ireland, doth or may execute, and that every such clerk so constituted, or to be constituted, shall take his corporal oath in that case, well and faithfully to execute the said office of townclerk, as also the oath called the oath of supremacy before the mayor of the town of Carrickfergus, aforesaid, for the time being, and that from henceforward he may have and exercise the said office at the will and pleasure of the foresaid mayor, sheriffs, burgesses, and commonalty of the said town, or the greater part of them (of which we will that the mayor for the time being, to be one). And further. more of the like special grace, certain knowledge, and mere mocon. we grant unto the said mayor, sheriffs, burgesses, and commonalty of the town of Knockfergus, aforesaid, and to their successors, that the sheriffs, burgesses, and commonalty of the aforesaid town for the time being, or the greater part of them, (of whom

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