tus of a large and interesting work which accompanied it. The Prospectus will shortly be republished in Dr Coxe's Medical Museum, through which it will have an extensive circulation in the United States. "Dr Rush sends Sir John Sinclair, herewith, a copy of a small pamphlet, on the injurious effects of ardent spirits on the bodies and minds of men. "The Doctor cannot conclude his note, without doing homage to the talents and zeal discovered by Sir John Sinclair, in his various publications, all of which have so eminently for their object, the happiness of nations and individuals. "They have made their author known, and rendered his character dear, to the friends of science and humanity, in every part of the United States." "Philadelphia, 14th May 1805." It may be proper to add, that the Code of Health was very favourably received on the Continent; that it was translated into German by a most distinguished physician, Dr Spreugel; and that the celebrated Dr Hallé had resolved to superintend a translation of it into French. His intentions, however, were unfortunately frustrated by his untimely death. But inquiries regarding health are of peculiar importance, not only as personally interesting to private individuals, but also as contributing to the political happiness and prosperity of a country. I was thence led to flatter myself, that, whatever might be done at home, the governments of foreign countries would assist in such useful investigations. I accordingly sent, through the medium of M. Otto, then ambassador from France at the Court of London, some copies of my original Essay on Longevity, translated into French, to be presented to M. Chaptal, then minister of the interior. The following is an extract of his letter on the subject, addressed to M. Otto. Extrait d'une Lettre du Ministre de l'Intérieur, au Ministre François près sa Majesté Britannique. "Paris, le 11. Germinal, an. 10. "J'ai reçu la lettre que vous avez bien voulu m'écrire le 3. de ce mois, et les éxemplaires que vous y avez joints, de l'essai de Sir John Sinclair, sur la Longévité. Je vous prie de le remercier de cet envoi. Il est digne d'un homme, qui s'est constamment occupé de ce qui est utile, de fixer son attention, sur un des points les plus curieux, et les plus interessans de l'étude de l'homme. Les réponses aux questions proposées par Sir John Sinclair, répandroient, sans doute, quelque jour, sur les causes, jusqu'ici inconnues, de la différence dans la durée de la vie des hommes. On en voit qui, placés dans des circonstances qu'on jugeroit favorables, sont enlevés dès le premier age; tandis que d'autres, entourés de toutes les causes apparentes de la mort, atteignent le dernier terme de la vie des hommes. Je repandrai les questions de Sir John; et je donnerai ordre, qu'on lui adresse chaque année, le relevé des tables de mortalité, que fait dresser le gouvernement, avec les observations particulières qui les accompagneront. Je serai fort aise, de connoitre son opinion, sur ce travail, à mesure qu'il lui parviendra. Assuréz le d'ailleurs, je vous prie, de toute mon estime, et du désir que j'ai d'établir des liaisons entre lui et moi. Extract of a Letter from the Minister of the Interior to the French Minister at the Court of his Britannic Majesty. Paris, 11. Germinal, year 10. I have received the letter which you were so good as to write to me the 3d of this month, and the copies accompanying it of the essay of Sir John Sinclair upon Longevity. I beg you to thank him for this packet. It is worthy of a man, who has been constantly occupied with what is useful, to fix his attention upon one of the most curious and most interesting points in the study of man. The answers to the questions proposed by Sir John Sinclair would certainly throw some light upon the causes, hitherto unknown, of the difference in the duration of human life. One sees some who, placed in circumstances which one would judge favourable, are snatched away in their infancy; whilst others, surrounded The renewal of hostilities, soon after the treaty of Amiens, put an end to any literary correspondence between the two countries; but it is evident that the Government of France, at that time, were disposed to promote the investigation I had submitted to its attention. The importance of these inquiries in a public, or national point of view, I have endeavoured to explain in the following paragraph, extracted from the introduction to the Code of Health: "The attainment of longevity, if accompanied with good health, is not only an important consideration to the individual, but also to the community to which he belongs. If the mind be not oppressed with care, nor the body by sickness, our declining years often prove the happiest period of our existence. The fever of the passions has then abated, and the anxious and laborious pursuits of ambition and avarice are no longer interesting. Preparing to quit these sublunary scenes, “THE HEALTHY VETERAN" places his delight, in mental, rather than in corporeal exertions,-in performing generous actions to all around him,-in benefiting others by the knowledge and experience he has acquired,-in promoting social intercourse and rational amusement,—and in studiously endeavouring, to leave a character behind him, which shall be afterwards remembered with affection and respect." with all the apparent causes of death, attain the utmost term of man's existence. I will make known Sir John's questions, and give orders to send to him every year, the extract of the bills of mortality which Government requires to be made out, along with the particular observations which will accompany them. I shall be very glad to know his opinion of them from time to time as they reach him. Assure him also, I entreat you, of my esteem, and of my desire to establish a correspondence between us. |