the author of this inquiry is to be assigned, our readers must judge.

The first thing to be done towards establishing a new theory is of course to demolish all preexisting theories. This, in the present instance, is a task of no great difficulty. Mr. Parkin directs his attention chiefly to the "black death" of the fourteenth century, and the epidemic cholera of the present age, and regards them in some sort as exemplars, or representatives, of the whole class of epidemic diseases. He shows that the phenomena attending the spread of these diseases cannot be explained by the supposition of contagion, or of malaria, or marsh effluvia; nor, in short, by any influence disseminated in the atmosphere, since the progress of disease from place to place has often been in direct opposition to the course of the wind, in climates where that course has been uniformly the same for a considerable time.

He looks elsewhere, therefore, for an agent sufficiently powerful and extensive for the exigencies of the case; and he finds it beneath the earth's surface, or crust, as Geologists more elegantly term it, in volcanic action. There does not appear much of originality in the mere statement of this theory; but there is more in the author's developement of it, and still more in his elucidation and defence of it. Our learned countryman, Mr. Noah Webster, many years ago, published, in two goodly-sized volumes, the history of Epidemics, and their dependence upon, or connexion with, comets, earthquakes, and volcanos. Mr. Parkin, however, does not rely upon any coincidence in the times of their appearance, as evidence of a connexion in their origin, for he does not think these coincidences sufficiently constant to prove such connexion.

"As the shock of the earthquake, and the eruption of the volcano, are the principal signs we have of this action being in existence, the only direct evidence, it may be considered, that could be adduced in support of the above hypothesis, would be the occurrence of those phenomena simultaneously with the outbreak of epidemic diseases. Such proof, however, is generally wanting; for although, as will hereafter appear, epidemics are sometimes accompanied by earthquakes, these diseases frequently prevail without being preceded or accompanied by these phenomena, - while the influence of volcanos must be too limited to allow us to draw any deductions from this source, in respect to general plagues or epidemics."- p. 35.

The author mentions five principal laws of volcanic action, with which those of epidemics thus coincide; the action is felt or witnessed along particular lines of the earth's surface; the regularity of their progress both chronologically and geographically; its effects are less on secondary, than on tertiary strata, and seldom witnessed on primary formations; the effects are VOL. LIV. - No. 115.

65

always greater nearer the sea or other collection of waters; and, lastly, their limited duration, their periodical return, and their total cessation in that particular locality after certain definite periods.

It must be borne in mind, that, by volcanic action, is not meant, merely, the ebullition and spouting of fire of an actual volcano in full blast, but, as we have seen above, a certain power pervading the whole interior of the globe, which our author does not very clearly define, and of which, perhaps, even his own conceptions are not quite distinct. The idea is sufficiently familiar to geologists of a great mass of internal fire, pervading the bowels of the earth, an immense boiling cauldron, whose agitations shake whole continents in earthquakes, and whose outbreaks are the outpourings of volcanos. But we believe the supposition is original with our author, that there are other and more quiet means of communication from the hidden world within, mephitic vapors silently and invisibly escaping through fissures and fountains to poison our upper air, and steal away our health. He finds a confirmation of the correctness of this view of the cause of epidemic disease, in the connexion of this same volcanic action with the more visible atmospheric phenomena. He quarrels not, indeed, with the meteorologist in regard to the ordinary production of rain. But certain" aberrations of rain," as well as "irregularities of the seasons, snow and hail," and "storms and hurricanes," he finds, obey the same laws, as those which regulate the movements of epidemic and of volcanic action; and therefore he infers, that there is between them all the relationship of common origin, at least, if not of cause and effect.

39 66

We have next a chapter giving a concise history of the Black Death, and of the Cholera, showing how the progress of each was attended by various remarkable atmospheric and subterranean phenomena; and then what may be called the rationale of the whole theory, an explanation of the manner in which the volcanic action is itself excited, and in which it may be supposed to produce disease. The history is interesting; but it would not be difficult to find coincidences enough of this sort, at any period of the world; and it does not, therefore, to our minds, bring much additional evidence to the truth of the theory. In fact, we are not sure that we are quite convinced by the whole statement of the argument. Some objections occur to our minds, that we would fain see removed. But we have no space to offer them now; and, if it were otherwise, we have little inclination to do battle with a man who states his case so fairly, and who argues it with so earnest an enthusi

asm.

QUARTERLY LIST OF NEW PUBLICATIONS.

BIOGRAPHY.

The Life of the Countess Emily Plater. Translated by J. K. Salomonski, a Polish Exile. New York: John F. Trow. 12mo. pp. 286.

EDUCATION.

A Method of Teaching Linear Drawing, adapted to the Public Schools. By the Author of "Easy Lessons in Perspective." Boston: E. P. Peabody. 12mo. pp. 49.

Psychology, or Elements of a new System of Mental Philosophy, on the Basis of Consciousness and Common Sense. Designed for Colleges and Academies. By S. S. Schmucker, D. D., Professor of Christian Theology in the Theological Seminary, Gettysburg. New York: Harper & Brothers. 12mo. pp. 227.

Ηροδότου Ιστοριων Λογοι Θ. Herodotus from the Text of Schweighaeuser; with English Notes. Edited by C. S. Wheeler, A. M., Tutor in Greek in Harvard University. Boston: James Munroe & Company. In two Volumes. 12mo.

A Translation of Jacobs's Greek Reader, (adapted to all the Editions printed in America,) for the use of Schools, Academies, Colleges, and Private Learners, with Copious Notes, Critical and Explanatory; illustrated with numerous Parallel Passages and Apposite Quotations from the Greek, Latin, French, English, Spanish, and Italian Languages; and a Complete Parsing Index, elucidated by References to the most Popular Greek Grammars extant. By Patrick S. Casserly, Author of a New Literal Translation of Longinus, Editor of the Ninth New York Edition of the Greek Reader, and late Principal of the Chrestomathic Institution. New York: W. E. Dean. 12mo. pp. 328.

HISTORY.

The American Politician; containing the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution of the United States, the Inaugural and First Annual Addresses and Messages of all the Presidents, and other Important State Papers; together with a Selection of Interesting Statistical Tables, and Biographical Notices of the Signers of the Declaration of Independence, the several Presidents, and many other Distinguished Characters. By M. Sears. Embellished with the Portraits of the

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Grace and Clara, or Be Just as well as Generous. By Aunt Kitty, Author of "Blind Alice," "Jessie Graham," and "Florence Arnott." New York: Dayton & Saxton. 12mo. pp. 104.

Jonas on a Farm in Winter. By the Author of the Rollo Books. Boston: W. D. Ticknor. 12mo. pp. 180.

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Tales of Shipwrecks and other Disasters at Sea. By Thomas Bingley, Author of "Stories about Dogs," etc. Embellished with Engravings. Boston: Tappan & Dennet. 12mo. pp. 224.

The Sunday-School Present; A Collection of Stories, from the Portfolio of an Ex-Superintendent. Boston: William Crosby & Co. 12mo. pp. 140.

Saint Nicholas's Book for all Good Boys and Girls. Philadelphia: Thomas, Cowperthwait, & Co. 12mo. pp. 208.

The Rollo Philosophy. Part I. Water. Part II. Air. By the Author of the Rollo Books. Philadelphia: Hogan & Thompson. 12mo. pp. 192 and 192.

Wealth and Worth; or Which Makes the Man? New York: Harper & Brothers. 12mo. pp. 204.

Willy the Wanderer. By the Author of "Young Rover," "Alnomuc, or the Golden Rule." Boston: James B. Dow. 12mo. pp. 144. The Juvenile Naturalist; or Walks in the Country. By the Rev. B. H. Draper. Autumn and Winter. New York: D. Appleton & Co. 16mo. pp. 232.

The Discontented Robins, and other Stories, for the Young; by the late Miss Mary Anna Fox; to which is added, The Canary Bird; translated from the German of Schmidt. Boston: Saxton & Peirce. 12mo. pp. 155.

Fresh Flowers for my Children. By a Mother. Boston: Samuel G. Simpkins. 16mo. pp. 140.

LAW.

Points in the Law of Discovery. By James Wigram, Esq., One of her Majesty's Counsel. With Notes and References to American Cases, by a Member of the Boston Bar. Boston: Charles C. Little & James Brown. 8vo. pp. 384

Commentaries on the Law of Partnership, as a Branch of Commercial and Maritime Jurisprudence, with Occasional Illustrations from Civil and Foreign Law. By Joseph Story, LL. D., one of the Justices of the Supreme Court of the United States, and Dane Professor

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Reports of the Cases Argued and Determined in the Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts. By Octavius Pickering, Counsellor at Law. Vol. XXIII. Boston: Charles C. Little & James Brown. 8vo. pp. 586.

A Treatise on the Organization and Jurisdiction of the Supreme, Circuit, and District Courts of the United States; the Practice of these Several Courts in Civil and Criminal Cases; of the Supreme and Circuit Courts in Writ of Error and Certificate of Division of Opinion; and of the District Courts in Cases of Municipal Seizure; including a Summary Exposition of the Law relative to the Priority of the United States; Imprisoned Debtors; the Remission of Penalties and Forfeitures; and Naturalization. To which is added an Appendix, containing the Rules of the Supreme Court of the United States; the Rules prescribed by the Supreme Court to regulate the Practice of the Circuit Courts in Suits in Equity; and the Rules of the Circuit and District Courts for the Northern District of New York; and Practical Forms. Second Edition, revised, corrected, and much enlarged by Alfred Conkling. New York: Gould, Banks, & Co. 8vo. pp. 634.

Rules and Forms in Bankruptcy, in the District Court of the United States for the District of Massachusetts. Boston Clapp & Son. 8vo. pp. 27.

Reports of Cases Argued and Determined in the Supreme Court of Judicature, and in the Court for the Correction of Errors, of the State of New York. By John L. Wendell, Counsellor at Law. Vol. XXV. Albany Charles Van Benthuysen. 8vo. pp. 717.

Reports of Cases Argued and Determined in the Supreme Court of the State of New York. By Nicholas Hill, Jun., Counsellor at Law. Vol. I. Albany: W. & A. Gould, & Co. 8vo. pp. 748.

An Introduction to Legal Science; being a concise and familiar Treatise on such Legal Topics as are earliest read by the Law Student; should be generally taught in the higher Seminaries of Learning; and understood by every Citizen, as a part of a general and business Education. To which is appended a Concise Dictionary of Law Terms and Phrases. By Silas Jones, Counsellor at Law. New York: John S. Voorhies. 12mo. pp. xxxvi. and 356.

MEDICINE, ANATOMY, AND SURGERY.

The Practice of Medicine; or a Treatise on Special Pathology and Therapeutics. By Robley Dunglison, M. D., Professor of the Institutes of Medicine, &c., in Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia ; Lecturer on Clinical Medicine, and Attending Physician at the Philadelphia Hospital, &c. Philadelphia: Lea & Blanchard. In Two Volumes. 12mo. pp. 572 and 750.

A Therapeutical Arrangement of the Materia Medica, or the Materia Medica arranged upon Physiological Principles, and in the Order of the General Practical Value which Remedial Agents hold under their Several Denominations, and in Conformity with the Physiological Doctrines set forth in the Medical and Physiological Commen