ble and ornamented; his thoughts lofty and dignified; his imagery in his defcriptive poetry felect, new, and diftinct; in his lyric poetry, gorgeous and magnificent; that in his lefs ferious pieces he has the humour, without the groffnefs, of Swift; that in his Latin compofitions he shows a true claffical tafte and feeling; and that, in all his poems, though he abounds in imitations of his predeceffors, his imitations are not fervile, and that what he borrows he makes his own." P. clxi.

Not feeing any material reason for diffenting from either of thefe decifions, we fhall leave them to the confideration of the reader; not doubting that every collector of English poetry will be glad to procure the prefent volumes; in which, if the notes are more abundant than neceffity demands, they certainly do not exceed the proportion required by modern fashion.

ART. VIII. The Edinburgh Practice of Phyfic, Surgery, and Midwifery; preceded by an Abflract of the Theory of Medicine, and the Nofology of Dr. Cullen, and including upwards of Six Hundred authentic Formula, from the Books of St. Bartholomew's, St. George's, St. Thom s's. Guy's, and other Hofpitals in London, and from the lectures and Writings of the most eminent public Teachers. With Twenty Quarto Plates. A new Edition, in Five Volumes. 8vo. 31. 15s. Kearfley. 1803.

THE

HE former edition of this work (for an account of which, fee our Review for September, 1800, vol. xvi. p. 297) was comprised within a fingle volume, equal indeed to two in bulk, as it confifted of near goo pages. The prefent edition is extended to five volumes, of which the firft and fecond relate to Medicine, the third and fourth to Surgery, the fifth and laft to Midwifery, which made no part of the former edition. The union of the different branches of medical practice in the prefent work may appear (fays the editor, in the Preface) to demand fome apology; but, when it is confidered that the bulk of the profeflion (taking the profeffion collectively) are in the habit of pratifing all at the fame time; that this is univerfally the cafe in the army and navy; that no medical nan fhould be ignorant of that branch which he does not practife; and, laftly, that the peculiar nature of fome difeafes renders it impoflible to decide, to which of the branches. it properly belongs; he apprehends that little can be objected to this part of his plan,

The

The Introduction prefixed to the first volume of this work exhibits a concife view of the history of phyfic, from its earliest times down to the prefent period. What is here related concerning the lives, writings, precepts, and practice of Hippocrates, Galen, Celfus, Alexander Trallian, and other Greek and Roman phyficians, the compiler has abridged from the hiftories of Le Clerc and Freind; in fuch a manner, however, as to retain the principal facts and obfervations given by them. The account of the Arabian phyficians is too hort. It is mentioned in a very curiory manner, at p. xliv. that we are indebted to them " for the defeription of fome new difeafes, particularly the fmall-pox;" but, as the measles alfo were firft defcribed by them, and are a disease of no light confideration, the mention of them fhould not have been omitted.

The period from the end of the fifteenth to the beginning of the fixteenth century was remarkable for the introduction of chemistry into medicine, and for the appearance and hif tories of three new difeafes; namely, the fweating-ficknefs, the venereal disease, and the fea-fcurvy. The beginning of the feventeenth century is a memorable æra in the annals of medicine. It was then (namely, in the year 1628) that the

immortal

"Harvey demonftrated and communicated to the public one of the most important difcoveries refpecting the animal economy, the circulation of the blood. This difcovery, more effectually than any reafoning, overturned all the fyftems which have fubfiftéd prior to that time. It may justly be reckoned the most important discovery that has hitherto been made in the healing art: for there can be no doubt, that it puts the explanation of the phenomena of the animal body, both in a state of health and difeafe, on a more folid and rational footing than formerly. It has not, however, prevented the rife of numerous fanciful and abfurd fyftems. Thefe, though fafhionable for a fhort time, and ftrenuously fupported by blind adherents, have yet in no long period fallen into deferved contempt, And notwithstanding the abilities and induftry of Stahl, Hoffman, Boerhaave, and Cullen, we may eafily venture to affert, that no general fyftem has yet been propofed which is not liable to innumerable and unfurmountable objections. Very great progrefs has indeed been made in explaining the philofophy of the human body, from afcerraining, by decifive experiment, the influence of the circulating, the nervous, and the lymphatic fyftems in the animal economy. But every attempt hitherto made to eftablish any general theory in medicine, that is to conduct the cure of every difeafe on a few general principles, has equally deviated from truth with thofe of Hippocrates and Galen; and has equally tended to mislead those who have adopted it. Indeed we may with confidence venture to affert, that from the yery nature of the fubject itself, medicine does not admit of fach fimplicity. No one can deny that the human body consists of a very

great

great number of different parts, both folids and fluids. It is, however, equally certain, that each of thefe is from many diffrent caufes liable to deviations from the found ftare. And although fome flight changes may take place without what can be called a morbid affection, yet we well know, that every change taking place to a certain degree in any one part will neceffarily and unavoidably produce an affection of the whole. Hence we may without hesitation venture to affirm, that every general theory which can be propofed, attempting to explain the phenomena, and conduct the cure, of all difeafes on a few general principles, though for fome time it may have ftrenuous advocates, will yet in the end be found to be both ill grounded and pernicious.

"The art of medicine has been much more ufelully improved by careful attention to the history, theory, and practice of particular difeases, and by endeavouring to afcertain, from cautious obfervation, the fumptoms by which they are to be distinguifhed, the causes by which they are induced, and the means by which they are to be prevented, alleviated, or cured." P. xlvii.

46

Then follows an account of the Medical School of Edinburgh, the founder [the editor ufes the redundant expreffion the first founder"] of which was Dr. Alexander Monro; on whom, and on his fon, the prefent anatomical profeffor, as well as on the late Dr. Cullen, a well-merited encomium is bestowed. The late Dr. Black's name is not once mentioned. It is true, he was not a practical phyfician; but, as a chemift, he contributed fo largely to the reputation of the prefent Edinburgh school, that it excites our furprise that his name fhould have been omitted. After a general view of the Theory of Medicine, the various difeafes to which the human body is liable are treated of, in the order of Sauvage's Nofology, which the editor prefers to that of Cullen; but the general principles on which the practical directions are founded are thofe of the laft-mentioned author, with fuch alterations and additions as have been pointed out, by later difcoveries and improvements in medical practice. Having given a fpecimen of the compiler's manner of executing this part of the work, in our review of the first edition, it will be unneceffary for us to make any further obfervations except to late our opinion, that inftead of being detailed at full length, many of the cafes might have been abridged, fo as to have leffened the bulk and price, without leffening the value of the book..

The third and fourth volumes relate to. Surgery; the different fubjects of which are taken from the molt approved modern authors on this important branch of the healing art. To the first of thefe volumes is prefixed a Hiftory of Surgery, and to the laft is fubjoined an Appendix, wherein Sufpended Animation, Electricity, and Galvanifm are treated of; befides which, there is also an account of new inftruments for furgical operations.

Midwifery

Midwifery is the fubject of the fifth and last volume; the Introduction to which, as in the cafe of the other volumes, contains a history of the art. The contents of this volume appear to have been collected from the best and most authentic fources, with the fame attention to method and fact as those of the preceding volumes. The obftetrical part is followed by an account of the difeafes of children; in treating of which, the editor has not omitted to notice the inoculation of the cow-pock, or vaccination. To this volume, as well as to those which relate to Surgery, there are a number of well-engraved plates.

The first edition of this work received our approbation: we fhall therefore only add, that we think it has been rendered more useful in proportion as it has been more enlarged,

ART. IX. Sermons on various Subjects, preached at the Octagon Chapel, Bath. By the Rev. John Gardiner, D. D. Rector of Brailsford, and Vicar of Shirley, in the County of Derby. 8vo. 78. Hatchard. 1802.

THE partiality of hearers, often as much attached to the per

fons and good qualities of individuals, as to their learning or oratorical accomplishments, is fometimes injudiciously exerted in promoting the publication of Sermons preached on particular occafions to particular congregations. We have frequent opportunities to witnefs and regret this circumflance, being obliged to toil through volumes of difcourfes, which, though very well adapted to the occafions that produced them, exhibit proofs of no more than mediocrity of talent, and might as well have remained among the unpublifhed manufcripts of the writer. The contents of this volume are of a higher order, and may reasonably expect a more general attention. They are animated without enthufiafin; forcible, yet exceedingly perfpicuous; and breathe the true fpirit of the Chriftian, with the patriotifm of an Englishman.

The difcourfes are fixteen in number. The firft, which we cannot but admire, though fome will object to it, that it is too political for the pulpit, exhibits a contraft between the govern ments of France and England. The fecond, third, and fourth, are on the Superiority of the Gospel Evidence for a future State. The fifth is on Ridicule in Regard to Religion. The fixth is on the prefent and future Confequences of Sin. The feventh, on the Heavenly Life of the Chrillian. The eighth,

ор

on Gratitude for Signal Victories and National Deliverances. Ninth, on the Infufficiency of Natural Religion, Tenth, the Lord's Supper a means of advancing in Holinefs. Eleventh, on Patience in Affliction. Twelfth, on the Nature and Neceffity of Zeal. Thirteenth, on the Errors and abuses of Zeal. Fourteenth, on the Means of acquiring and increasing Zeal. Fifteenth, Injuries from Men confidered as proceeding from God. Sixteenth, on the Difpofitions requifite for fludying and receiving the Truth,

Two thort extracts, from the first and laft of thefe difcourfes, will be fufficient to fatisfy the reader how far they are deferving the commendation we have given them,

"But here, my brethren, let us paufe-a fcene prefents itfelf which makes us look up with adoration to the difpenfations of Providence→→ Whofo trufleth in the Lord, fhall be frong in the power of bis might-and never was there a more illuftrious inftance afforded of the truth of this decree. The enemies of Louis may cover him with ignominy on a throne, but they cannot prevent his appearing with dignity on a fcaffold. Their hatred and perfecution ferve but to illuftrate his magnanimity and glory. Unappalled at fight of the inftrument of his death, regarding it as the paffage from a temporal to an eternal kingdom, with what heroic fentiments did not the efficacy of his faith and the confcioufnefs of his virtues infpire him! How nobly did he furmount the dread of diffolution! Loaded with infults, denied the laft privilege allowed the meanest malefactor, that of taking leave of the furrounding crowd -in the midlt of confufion, tumult, and noife, he, (and perhaps he alone) calm and collected, with his eyes fixed on Heaven, exclaims, "I commend my foul to God-I forgive my enemies-I die innocent." With thefe words the scene of his miferies is rolled up, his foul takes its flight, and a lifelefs trunk only is left to fatiate the rage of his itill relentless enemies. Auguft but ill-fated Monarch! accept this laft tender tribute from hearts, who, though unknown to thee, have fympathifed in all thy fufferings! Peace to thy departed foul! Releafed from the bondage of human woe, mayft thou now be folaced in thofe realms of immortal blifs, where the wicked cease from troubling, and where the weary are at reft! May, all thy frailties and imperfections be more than atoned for by the accumulated load of thy misfortunes! May the All merciful Father have received thee into his boom! Wafbed in the blood of the Lamb, mayeft thou now enjoy that eternal and exceeding weight of glory, which an Apoftle of falvation has affured us muft infinitely furpafs the most exquifite fufferings of the prefent time! Comforted with this hope, there, then, will we leave thee, and return to thofe authors of the bloody deed who with confciences black as hell,: are now, perhaps, lifting up the dagger against thy miferable, difconfolate, relics-against-Hear it all ye kindreds of the earth and be amazed!) the filter, the wife, the children of a murdered King!-let us return, I fay, to thefe mifcreants, but not to defcribe all the atrocipufnefs of their villainy; for what language can be adequate to