Art. 27. A Letter to a Surgeon on Inoculation. Containing Remarks on Dr. Dimfdale's Pamphlet upon that Subject; the Improvements that have been made in this important Branch of the Medicinal Art, fince the Publication of that Pamphlet; the Author's fuccefsful Method of Practice, particularly with Infants and young Children; and the Method of preparing and adminiftering a powerful and efficacious Remedy to be giving in the eruptive Fever, the Ufe of which will render the Practice of Inoculation ftill more general and more secure. To which are added, fome fingular Cafes. By John Blake, Surgeon, at Bristol. 8vo. 1 s. bd. Owen. 1771. ·

Our Author is of opinion that the extraordinary fuccefs which attends the prefent practice of inoculation is to be attributed to the mercurial preparation,-the mild, low diet,-and to the cold air, and extinguishing remedies adminiftered in the eruptive fever.That no preparation is neceffary previous to the operation; but that to all above the age of five or fix years, who labour under no diforder, forbidding the free ufe of mercurials, he chufes to give, between the time of the operation and the fickening, fuck dofes of mercurials as to make the gums, or one of the falivary glands, tender to the touch.That, contrary to Dr. Dimídale's obfervation, he finds an early progrefs on the arm, and an early commencement of the eruptive fymptoms, are far from being certain indications that the diffemper will be mild and favourable; or, vice verfa, that a late progrefs on the arm, or a late commencement of the eruptive fymptoms, are not fure marks that the difeafe will be unfavourable.

The following quotation contains Mr. Blake's improved method of treating the eruptive fever when fevere:

When I first began the practice of inoculation, I was frequently diftreffed for fome powerful and efficacious remedy to adminifter wher the eruptive fymptoms were fevere, the fever high, and there was a profpect of a plentiful eruption. The remedies recommended for this purpofe by Dr. Dimfdale, in his 33d page, did not in many cafes give fufficient and timely relief. After a trial of various mercurial, antimonial, and purgative medicines, I am bold to recommend the following to you, as a remedy, than which a better is not to be found, for the purposes hereafter mentioned. I do not know that I have ever given it without a good effect, and feldom without a speedy relief of the preffing complaints for which it was given. The form which I generally ufe, is as follows:

R Merc. Dulcis

Tart. Emetic. a zj.

Terantur fimul in mortario marmoreo. In pulverem fubtiliffimum redactis, paulatim infpergantur,

Antim. Diaph. Nitrat. Pulv. 3j.

His bene admiftis, addatur Sap. Venet. q. S. ut fiat massa, cujus formentur pilule triginta.

If the fever of eruption runs high; if the pains (of the loins particularly) be violent; or, if there be a feeming load upon the ftomach, with ficknefs and retching to vomit; I give (to an adult) one of thefe pills, and repeat it, if there be occafion, in fix, twelve, twentyfour, or forty-eight hours, according to the relief obtained by the

firft, and its manner of operation. If there be any foulness of the ftomach or primæ viæ, it generally operates by vomit or by flool, and frequently by both. If taken going to bed, or in the night, it fometimes operates by fweat. At other times, though it have no fenfible operation, yet is the patient greatly relieved. When it operates by vomit, I order the operation to be promoted by draughts of tepid water, or a weak infufion of chamomile flowers or common

teas.'

We obferve nothing particular in our Author's manner of treating infants or young children.

Art. 28. An Efay on the Ophthalmia, or Inflammation of the Eyes, and the Difeafes of the tranfparent Cornea; with Improvements in the Method of Cure. By William Rowley, Surgeon. 8vo. I S. Newbery.

1771.

Nitre, adminiftered in large dofes, is a favourite remedy with our Author, and conftitutes the chief part of his improved method of treating the ophthalmia.

METAPHYSICS.

Art. 29. An Effay on the Human Soul. 8vo. 1 s. 6d. Becket.

1772.

As this feems to be a firft and laudable effort of youth, for the attainment of literary reputation, we are difpofed to treat it with lenity and indulgence; but, when we confider it as an introduction to a fubfequent, and, perhaps, to a larger work, it would be injuftice both to the Author and to the public, fhould we fuffer it to efcape without animadverfion.

In the prefatory addrefs to the reader, we have the following paragraph: Notwithstanding the many works which have been already published on the human foul, this fubject is entirely new.' What fubject? The fubject of the Author's effay is the human foul; and he will hardly maintain, that this is entirely new.' If he means any thing, he muft mean, that his own method of treating it is entirely new, and peculiar to himself. This, indeed, we will readily allow.

Such an inaccuracy of expreffion is inexcufable in the front of a work, in which every reader has particular reafon to expect clearness and precifion. This, however, might be fuffered to pafs, were it not a fpecimen of many others to be met with in the fequel, in which a number of words is thrown together without any precife and determinate ideas. The ftyle is generally ftiff and turgid; not to fay, in many places, unintelligible and obfcure: though not without fome exceptions of the animated and lively. The Author has taken the liberty of coining new words, and of ufing others in a very uncommon fenfe; and for which, we apprehend, no fufficient authority can be alledged. We know of no English dictionary which warrants the ufe of fuch words, as avidious, infcicus, misfortunate, and many

others.

In enumerating the faculties of the foul, he mentions fome, which are not taken notice of by any other writer on this fubject, and omits others, which ought not to have been excluded. Study man, fays he, fo much as you please, obferve all the operations of his

mind, you will difcover no more than inftinet, fenfibility, memory, understanding and will. The other faculties attributed to the foul, though diftinct in appearance, are only refults of thefe five, differently combined.' But under the head of Innate Sentiments, he introduces two others, viz. the love of felf, and parental affection. Pity he has thought proper to exclude, and will by no means allow it to be an original affection of human nature, though he fometimes, makes conceflions which feem to militate against his own principles. This is not the only inftance in which inconfiftencies have escaped our Author's notice. We are forry that he has given us reason to with, that his defcriptions had not occafionally bordered on indecency. We refer to his revifal, in this refpect, p. 53, and p. 102-3. It is not neceffary, in explaining the fentiments and paffions of human nature, to disclose their moft fecret operations, or to ftain the page with glowing expreflions that tend to excite unchafte and impure

ideas.

This effay is not altogether without merit; and the Author has talents, which admit of cultivation and improvement. Art. 30. An Introduction to the Theory of the human Mind. By J. U. Author of Clio. Izmo. 1 s. 6d. Davies. 1771.

This introduction is intended to prepare the way for a new theory of the human mind. The Author's defign is laudable, as he wishes, by an analysis of the human mind, to establish fome principles and pofitions, that may prove decifive in the difpute between Chriftians and Deifts and the intelligent reader, though he may not approve of his general fyftem, will perufe his obfervations with pleafure and advantage. The Author gives the following account of the prefent publication: When I made fome little progrefs in my obfervations on the human mind, I found myfelf involved in objections and difficulties that arofe from ambiguities, and from a fraudulent ufe of language peculiar to modern philofophy: I found general expreffions paffed current for names of fimple ideas that come to the imagination from fenfation, and this cheat made ufe of to favour falfe principles, of the moft pernicious influence to virtue and reafon; and I found metaphorical expreffions adopted in philofophy, for the fake of making a deceitful tranfition from the metaphorical to a proper fenfe. The confufion and perverfe train of reafoning occafioned by thefe abuses of language obliged me, before I could proceed in the theory of man, to clear away the rubbish of equivoque, by way of introduction; which I have attempted in the two firit fections of the following fheets. I afterwards added a few thoughts on Human Instincts, which make the third fection; but having obferved, on a review, that I unhinged many fettled opinions, and broke up fo much of the foundation of modern philofophy, I thought proper to ftop there, and publifh the introduction apart, in order to take the fenfe of my cotemporaries upon thefe my reflections, before i proceed any farther.'

MATHEMATICS. Art. 31. The Elements of linear Perfpečlive, demonftrated by geometrical Principles, and applied to the moft general and concife Modes of Practice; with an Introduction, containing to much

of

of the Elements of Geometry, as will render the whole rationale of Perfpective intelligible, without any other previous mathematical Knowledge. By Edward Noble. 8vo.

7 5.

Davies.

1771. We are ready to allow, with the Author of thefe Elements, that a treatife on a fubject, which has been handled by a fucceffion of men, eminent for genius and invention, cannot abound with new discoveries; and that claims to novelty muft arife more from manner than matter: at the fame time, (we believe, too,) that nothing of importance is omitted, in this effay, that can be found in other works of this nature; and that fome things of confequence are explained which have hitherto been very little touched upon, if not wholly neglected.' We could have wished, however, that the Author had compreffed his materials into a fmaller compafs; which, we apprehend, he might have done, without rendering this treatise either difficult, obfcure or imperfect. But he has anticipated every cenfore by his own introductory remarks. Thefe elements will be useful to learners, and acceptable to proficients, in the art of perspective. Art. 32. Elements of Trigonometry, Plain and Spherical; applied to the most useful Problems in Heights and Distances, Aftronomy and Navigation: for the ufe of Learners. By William Payne. Svo. 5 s. in Boards. Payne. 1772.

The learner will find, in thefe elements, every thing which may be expected in a work of this kind. The order and demonftration of feveral of the theorems are new, and natural; the Author's method of conftructing the tables of fines, &c. and of logarithms, will not be unintelligible to the ingenious and attentive; and his fpecimens of the application and ufe of trigonometry are fufficient to qualify the ftudent for any more extenfive practice to which his tafte may incline him, or which his fituation may require. We are perfuaded, that the fyftem (here offered to the public) will prove eafy to the learner, acceptable to the intelligent, and fufficiently extenfive for a book of elements.'

LA W.

Art. 33. Reports of Cafes adjudged in the King's Bench fince the Time of Lord Mansfield's coming to prefide in it. By James Burrow, Efq; With Tables of the Names of the Cafes, and of the Matter contained in them. Vol. III. Fol. 11. 11 s. 6d. bound. Tovey, &c. 1771.

The

In our 35th vol. p. 418, feq. we gave an account of the two former volumes of Mr. Burrow's Reports of Cafes in the K. B. containing fuch as occurred from the death of Lord Raymond, and including the times of his three fucceffors-Hardwick, Lee, and Ryder. prefent volume gives the cafes in Lord Mansfield's time, beginning with Michaelmas Term, 2 G. 3. 1761, and ending with Trinity Term, 6 G. 3. 1766, (inclufive,) excepting the Settlement Cafes: thefe having been already communicated to the public, in a feparate collection*, in 2 vols. 4to. For the accommodation, however, of

The decifions upon Settlement Cafes commence at the death of Lord Raymond, in March 1732, and are continued to the end of Trinity Term 1768.

thofe

thofe who may not be poffeffed of that collection, the "Author has, in the table at the end of this volume, given an abridgment of each fettlement-cafe that falls within the compass of it.

We have, in our account of the first and fecond volumes, given our opinion of the nature of Mr. B.'s undertaking, and the merit of his reports.

Art. 34. A Dialogue between a Country Gentleman and a Lawyer, upon the Doctrine of Diftrefs for Rent; fhewing, what Things may and what may not be taken at Common Law-The Reafons why fuch Things could not be taken. The feveral Alterations and Amendments which have been made in that Remedy by diverse Acts of Parliament, with Obfervations on thofe Statutes-The Time and Manner of making fuch Diftrefs-The Difference between a Diftrefs for Corn and other Things-How to use the Things diftrained-When to fell them, and what Steps are neceffary to be taken previous to the Sale-The Punishments Tenants are liable to who fraudulently remove their Goods off the Premifes to defraud their Landlords-The Penalties Perfons are fubject to who aid and affift Tenants in the Removal or Conceal- ́ ment of the Goods-The Manner of recovering thofe Penalties→→→ The Difference between taking the Diftrefs out of Pound, and refcuing it before impounded, with the Confequences-The Effects of making an illegal Diftrefs, and the Manner of curing any Irregularity in the making thereof; with a Variety of Obfervations on this Subject. By a Gentleman of Lincoln's Inn *. 8vo. I s. 6 d. Wilkie. 1772.

The immoderate loquacity of this title-page has rendered it unneceffary for us to enter into the fubject of this publication. With regard to compofition, it is written in that fort of ftyle which is peculiar to lawyers, and who are not famous for compofing with the tafte and liberality of gentlemen.

POLITICAL.

Art. 35. A Sketch of a Plan for reducing the prefent high Price of Corn and other Provifions, and for fecuring Plenty for the Time to come. In a Letter to a Member of Parliament. 8vo. 6 d. Hingefton. 1772.

The increafed and fill increasing prices of provifions, of almoft every kind, is an evil now grown to fo enormous a bulk, as to become not only a grievous burthen to many, but even alarming to the nation in general. There is, at prefent, therefore, no object more worthy of parliamentary attention; and, hence, the public are greatly obliged to every gentleman who offers any ufeful or pertinent hints on fo important a fubject: fuch, for inftance, as thofe which we find in the little but fenfible tract before us.- -We here meet with feveral new thoughts, which merit the most ferious confideration; particularly a propofal for establishing, inftead of the present bounty on exported corn, fuch a modus of bounty as will at

See

* Author (if we mistake not) of the Dialogue between a Lawyer and a Country Gentleman on the Subject of the Game Laws. Review, vol. 44, p. 171.

Rev. Mar. 1772.