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Let every generous friend and parent of the rifing generation throughout the United Kingdom of Great Britain acknowledge with gratitude, whilft reading this account of that dreadful fcourge of the human race the fmallpox, the wildom, care, and conftant attention, of our moft gracious Sovereign, and of the Imperial Parliament, in giving every encouragement to the introduction, and now firmly-eftablifhed preventive, the Vaccine Inoculation, by which their children's children, to the lateft pofterity, will be infured from a calamity which formerly disfigured the brave and lovely countenances of our youth of both fexes, and configned thoufands to untimely graves! And may the few remaining felfish, or obftinate, medical oppofers of this beneficial, national inftrument of health and domeftic felicity to millions of families! hide their diminished heads, and retire from the prefs with confcious fhame! for their publications, in future, will not attract the regard of an enlightened people!

For other difeafes the Ceylonefe are their own phyficians, and the mode of cure practifed is, of courfe, very fimple. "A plaifter of herbs, or of cow-dung, is univerfally applied to the part affect ed; and I have feen the fame remedy applied to a man in a high fever, when his whole body was daubed over with this ointment." However difgufting and favage fuch kind of treatment may appear to us, it is till matter of furprife that experiments even of the strangelt nature are not tried in thofe extremi ties when phyficians give their patients over! they are tried, with fuccefs, in other civilized countries. The writer of this review was well-informed of an inftance of a young English lady, the hope of a refpectable family, given over by an English phyfician at Lisbon, at the crifis of a raging fever and delirium; when a Portuguese empiric, commonly called a Quack Doctor, ordered, that the apparently dying body thould be put into a large theet filled with thin flakes of ice, with only the head uncovered, and as the ice melted with the unnatural heat of the body, fo did the young lady recover, and was finally, by proper additional means, leftored to perfect health. A hard-1.bouring waterman on the Thames, many years ago refiling at Twickenham, was likewife given over, in a high fever, by the phylician and

apothecary of the town, both gentlemen of diftinguished reputation in their profeffions; when his wife requested to know if the might give him porter, his favourite beverage, the answer was, "Give him what you please."He drank a gallon in the courfe of four hours, the ufual distance of time allotted for taking febrifuge draughts; a moft copious perfpiration was the refult, and the man furvived many years.

This digreflion will not be difapproved by our humane readers, upon reflecting that a few years back inoculation for the cow-pox was held in equal abhorrence with the most favage cuftom." What! give my child a difeafe from a beast!" exclaimed many a mother and nurse. Neither was this deteftation of the practice confined to the fears and prejudices of the weaker fex; it spread like wildfire through the kingdom; and, but for the perfeverance of intelligent and unprejudiced minds, one of the greatest difcoveries that has benefited mankind in modern times would have been blafted in the bud. Whether, then, a plaitter of cow-dung, flakes of ice, or a gallon of porter, prove the means of faving the life of a fellowcreature, the object is the fame, and merits attention, as opening the door to new experiments, the utility and fuccefs of which experience alone can confirm.

The language of the Ceylonefe is the next fubject of our ingenious Author's investigation; and it tends to corroborate his opinions that they derive their origin from the Maldivians. "The hyperbolical strain of compliment and adulation which is common to all the Afiatic nations, is found no where in greater perfection than in Ceylon. There is here a degree of pun&tilious minutenefs with which the phrafeology employed is exactly adjusted to the rank of the perfon addreffed, that altogether attonithes an European. There is no impropriety which a man can be guilty of more unpardonable in their eyes than addreffing a fuperior in language that is only fit for an equal, or an inferior.

The differtation on the ftate of the liberal and mechanic arts in Ceylon is remarkably curious and entertaining, and would be fuficient, of itself, to fix the character of a work which merits a place in every public and private library throughout the kingdom,

if the fubjects of the remaining chapters did not equally entitle it to general recommendation. They make ufe of the Arabic character in writing, which is performed on the leaves of the Talipot tree, with a fine pointed' fteel pencil, like a bodkin, fet in a wooden or ivory handle according to the tate of the owner; and they are fond of rich ornaments in the binding of their Talipot books or files." In thofe letters or difpatches which were fent by the Candian king to the Dutch government, that monarch fee ned particularly anxious to difplay his magnificence in the richnefs and fplendour with which they were exe cated. The writing was enclosed in leaves of beaten gold in the shape of a cocoa-tree leat; this was rolled up in a cover richly ornamented, and almoft hid in a protution of pearls and other precious tones. The whole was encloted in a box of filver or ivory, which was fealed with the king's great feal. The fame iplendour has been obferved in the letters fent to governor North, fince we have had poffeffion of the island."

The religion of the Ceylonefe is the fubject of Chapter IX. and it exhibits aftonishing examples of the influence of fuperftitious fears. In the next Chapter, the author traces the circumitances which diftinguith the Cinglefe from the Candians, and this leads to a general defcription of the king of Candia's dominions in Chapter XI. The civil and military eftabiifhments of his kingdom follow of courfe in Chapter XII. A curions account of a fingular part of the inhabitants of Ceylon called Bedahs, or Vaddahs, who live in a folitary retirement in the deepeft receffes of the Ceylonefe forefts, and are quite favage in their nature and conduct, amules the reader agreeably in Chapter XIII.

tinent of India; and this difference affords our author an opportunity to entertain his readers with an account of the Elephant hunt in this island. Of animals applied to domeftic purpo fes, Ceylon produces but few: Buf faloes being much larger and stronger than their oxen, are much more frequently employed in drawing bur thens. They are found in great numbers on the illand, both in a wild and tame ftate." The following particulars refpecting this animal are equally fingular and curious." It is always dangerous to meet with these animals, efpecially for an European, to whofe complexion or drefs they have the greatelt antipathy. A fcarlet coat is the chief object of their refentment, and renders them perfectly outra geous. This unaccountable averfion to red is extremely vexatious to military men. I have myfelf frequently experienced it, and been obliged to efcape as faft as I could from their fury: at one time, I was faved only by the fpirit of my horfe. Their fiercenefs furpaffes that of almot any wild beat, as it can never be totally fub dued either by gentle ufage, or the fenfe of fear."

The natural hiftory of the island opens with a defcription of the animals Chapter XIV. " at the head of the clafs of quadrupeds, and fuperior to thofe of the fame fpecies found in any other part of the world, are the Elephants of Ceylon. The number of thefe noble animals produced there is very great, and no where elie are they found fo docile, or fo excellent in their shape and appearance. The manner o catching them is confiderably different from that practifed on the con

VOL. XLIII. APRIL 1803.

The liberality of fentiment fo con fpicuous in many parts of our author's work, will induce him to pardon one more trefpafs on his rich ftore of information, in favour of our readers, by copying his curious account of the Indian "Ichneumon, a fmall creature, in appearance between the Weazel and the Mungoofe." It is of infinite ufe to the natives, from its inveterate enmity to Snakes, which would otherwife render every footstep of the traveller dangerous. The proofs of fagacity which I have feen in this little animal are truly furprifing, and afford a beautiful inttance of the wildom with which Providence has fitted the powers of every animal to its particular fituation on the globe. This diminutive creature, on feeing a Snake ever fo large, will inftantly dart on it and feize it by the throat, provided he finds himself in an open place where he has an opportunity of running to a certain herb, which he knows instinctively to be an antidote against the poison of the bite, if he thould happen to receive one, I was prefent at an experiment tried at Columbo to afcertain the reality of this circumftance. The Ichneumon pro

cured

cured for the purpose was first shewn the Snake in a clofe room. On being let down to the ground, he did not difcover any inclination to attack his enemy, but ran prying about the room to difcover any hole or aperture by which he might get out. On finding none he returned hattily to his malter, and placing himself in his bofom, could not by any means be induced to quit it, or face the Snake. On being car. ried out of the house, however, and laid near his antagonist in an open place, he initantly few at the Snake, and foon destroyed it. He then uddenly disappeared for a few minutes, and again returned as foon as he had found the herb and ate it. This ufe. ful inftinct impels the animal to have recourfe to the herb on all occafions, when it is engaged with a Snake, whether poisonous or not. The one employed in this experiment was of the harmless kind, and procured on purpofe.

The continuation of the Natural History carries the reader on through three chapters more, and comprizes defcriptions of the vegetables, the minerals, the plants, and trees; and dif. tinguishes the Cinnamon as the ftaple commodity for foreign commerce.

Chapter XVII. contains general ob. fervations.-The prefent ftate of the ifland,-the improvements of which it is fufceptible,-its revenues, its civil and military establishments prior to, and fince the arrival of governor North, and of the commander in chief of the British forces on the island, and remarks on the advantages to be derived from it to the mother country.

The journal of the embafly fent by governor North to the king of Candy in 1800, throws confiderable light on the interior of the country; and it is proportionably as interefting as the ac. count of Lord Macartney's embassy to the emperor of China. The conclu fion confifts of tables of the roads in Ceylon, as they were afcertained by a furvey very lately made by the post master of the island. They include the road from Columbo to Candy, taken by general Macdowal, commander in chief of the forces who was appointed by the governor to this embaffy. An accurate Map of the island, reduced from a drawing in the poffeffion of the right honourable, the commithioners for the affairs of India, by A. Arrowfmith, is prefixed to the volume, illuftrative of the different places defcribed in it.

M.

The Poetical Works of the late Thomas Warton, B. D., Fellow of Trinity College Oxford, and Poet Laureate, 5th Edition, Corrected and Enlarged. To which are now added, Infcriptionum Romanarum Delellus, and an Inaugural Speech as Camden Profejor of History, never before publifhed; together with Memoirs of bis life and Writings, and Notes, critical and explanatory. By Richard Mant, M. A. 2 Vols. 8vo.

THIS publication of the poetical works of the late Laureate will be highly acceptable to his friends, and to the public at large. It contains a collection of fuch pieces as do credit to the Author, and fuch as will always be read with pleasure by every man of tale. Whether ferious or gay, the Author engages attention, and exhibits a cultivated mind and brilliant imagination, even in the leaft important of his compofitions. The Editor has abundantly commented on his Author, and traced his imitations with a degree of minutenefs, that in fome in

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This collection, confifting of fixtythree fermons, is intended for thofe who from indifpofition, diftance, or feverity of weather, are often prevented from attending in perfon the worship of Almighty God, being prefent at the fame time in heart and mind; with that part of the day to be employed in reading an illuftration of fome portions of the fervice. The Sermons felected are by Shelton, Scattergood, Peters, Elfmere, Calcott, Lawfon, Richmond, Riddoch, Pearce, Newlin, Goddard, Mufcut, Tucker, Gilbert, Powell, Munton, Conybeare, Brooke, St. John,

and

and one anonymous. Part of each fermon is omitted; and the design of the whole is declared to be not intellectual improvement in the closet, but fpiritual edification in the family. In that point of view, the felection is judicious, and promises to be useful.

The Afiatic Regifter; or, A View of the Hiftory of Hindustan, and of the Politics, Commerce, and Literature of Afia, for the Year 1802. 8vo.

Crefcit eundo may be faid of this publication, which improves as it proceeds, and truly exhibits a valuable collection of documents relating to that important part of the empire in the East Indies. The literary part of the work is fomewhat contracted, for which the Editor makes an apology.

A Short Grammar of the English Language, in Two Parts, fimplified to the Capacities of Children, with Notes, and a great Variety of entertaining and useful Exercifes, upon a Plan entirely new. By John Hornfey, Schoolmaster, Scarborough.

Izmo.

"This work is not offered to the Public as entirely new: it is principally compiled from the writings of Lowth, Ward, Johnfon, Blair, Harris, Coote, &c." So fays the Compiler, whofe work will not difgrace the authors from whom it is taken. The grammatical rules are brief and perpicuous, the arrangement imple, and the exercifes and illuftrations well adapted to the age of the perfons for whom they are intended: in fhort, it is a performance deferving both praise and encouragement, and has already met with due refpect.

An Effay on the proximate Cause of Animal Impregnation; being the Substance of a Paper read and difcuffed in the Medical Society and Guy's Hofpital in October 1799. By John Pulley, of Bedford.

4to.

On the fubject of this Effay, which is not calculated for the difcuffion of a literary journal, the Author takes occafion, very ably, to combat the opinions of Dr. Darwin and Dr. Haighton, "the former phyfiologist deluding by the brilliancy of his fanciful ideas, and the latter by the plaufibility of his experimental fpeculations." To thofe who may wish to confider the subject more at large, the prefent performance will furnish ample materials for reflection.

A Sermon, predched in the Cathedral Church of St. Paul, London, on Thursday, June 3, 1802, before the Society of Patrons of the Anniversary of the Charity Schools. By John Pridden, M.A. F.S.A. one of the Minor Canons of that Cathedral. Pub lifhed at the Request, and for the Benefit, of the Society. With an Appendix. containing a Brief Account of the Society. 4to. pp. 30.

From the Dedication prefixed, we learn that Mr. P.'s Sermon was com

pofed at a very fhort notice: this might be an apology for an indifferent production; but, in the prefent inftance, it ferves only to evince the laudable zeal and promptitude of the Preacher in an excellent caufe.

The difcourfe is a plain, practical, yet animated illuftration of an allegorical text taken from Solomon's Song, Chap. II. ver. 10, 11, 12, expreffive of the love and unity of Christ and his Church. In it, the Preacher impreffively inculcates the duty of fubmiflion, humility, and fidelity, in the creature, as a return for the goodness and forbearance of the Creator under all our provocations. He then glances at the late ftrides made by Philofophifm and Infidelity; enlarges on the vaft and important benefits arifing to mankind from the Chriftian revelation; and strongly urges the duty of extending, by charitable endowments, the bleffings of religious precept and example to the unfriended, poor, and needy, of the rifing generation. His appeal in behalf of the thousands of charity-children around him, who had been hymning praises to their God, ranks among the molt perfuafive pulpit addreffes that we remember to have read.

Goldfmith's Natural History abridged, for the Ufe of Schools. By Mrs. Pilkington. 8vo. pp. 411.

The voluminous original of this work has been long known and highly elteemed: but many parts of it are, for obvious reafons, improper to be indifcriminately perufed by very young perfons, more efpecially of the tender fex. "While the Naturalift (fays Mrs. P.) must admire Goldfmith's defcriptions, the delicate mother may think them too replete, and fear that the young mind might be incited to inveftigate what ought only to be explained in maturer years.

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The abridgment has been made with due care, evincing a conftant attention Q9 2

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to the blending of the ufeful and the
pleafing; the engravings, which are
very numerous, are exceedingly well
executed; and the work, on the whole,
has our hearty approbation.

Select Odes of Anacreon, with Critical
Annotations. To which are added,
Tranflations and Imitations of other
Ancient Authors. By the late Rev.
Hercules Younge. Small 8vo. pp. 167.

This is a pofthumous publication by the Rev. Robert Drought, a relative of the deceafed Author, of whofe refpect able life Mr. D. has prefixed a brief, but pleafing, account.

As became the clerical character, Mr. Younge has been careful in his felection, and chafte in his tranflation; though now and then, in order fo to be, he may, perhaps, be thought to have fuffered fome of the fpirit of the

original to evaporate.-The Notess which are numerous, and replete with claffic information, will be found useful and interesting.

Gradus ad Cantabrigiam: or, A Dictionary of Terms, Academical and Colloquial, or Cant, which are used at the Univerfity of Cambridge. With a Variety of curious and entertaining Illuftrations. Small 8vo. pp. 139.

This collection, evidently made by a perfon well acquainted with the fubject that he elucidates, will afford the reader agreeable amufement for a few leifure hours. Whether with or without provocation we know not; but here and there, we think, the Author sketches with a degree of afperity, that would fcarcely be expected from a writer wholly unbiaffed by prejudice.

THEATRICAL JOURNAL.

IT
T has this month transpired, that John
Philip Kemble, Efq. late Acting
Manager at Drury-Lane, has purchafed
a thare in the property of Covent-
Garden Theatre, for the fum of 24,000l.

APRIL 16. A new Comedy was prefented at Drury-Lang Theatre, under the title of "THE MARRIAGE PROMISE;" of which the characters were thus reprefented:

Charles Merton Mr. C. KEMBLE.

Sidney

Tandem

Confols

Mr. DWYER.

Mr. BANNISTER.
Mr. DowTON.

George Howard Mr. POPE.

Farmer Wood-Mr.PALMER.

land

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laid by Sidney and Tandem to make
Merton drunk (Tandem having been
invited, at Sidney's request, to dine
with them). Merton, in a state of ine-
briety, infults Mary, the daughter of
Farmer Woodland. Having recovered
from his intoxication, he feels deep re-
morfe for his conduct, and, to expiate.
his offence, determines to offer Mary
his hand for this purpofe he writes to
Woodland, and gives the letter for de-
livery to Tandem, who is diftreffed at
finding his mafter in correfpondence.
with Woodland, whom he has previ-
oufly ordered to be arrested for rent
due, on his having refufed him his
daughter.-Mrs. Harvey, a gentlewo-
man reduced to great diftrefs, hav-
ing retired with her daughter Emma
to a cottage granted her by the late Mr.
Merton, an intimate friend of her de-
ceafed husband, Captain Harvey, re-
ceives notice that her agent, who held
the remnant of her fortune in truft, has
failed; and the leafe of her cottage hav-
ing expired at the time young Merton
takes poffeffion, her daughter Emma
refolves to wait on him to intercede for
her mother. In this interview Merton
feels the intereft of a lover, and is in
defpair when he reflects on his promife
made to Mary Woodland. From this
incident the Play takes its title.

To refer to another part of the plot,
Confols,

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