In further prosecution of their object they have addressed a circular to all the Universities on the Continent, of which the following is a copy.

GENTLEMEN-The very imperfect and dangerous condition of the healing art, in every portion of the British dominions, has at length arrested a degree of attention, which cannot fail to lead to the most beneficial results. With the view of altering this condition, a most difficult, extensive, and complicated undertaking, the medical corporation of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, have already been called upon by the honourable the House of Commons, to furnish the House with all the by-laws, under which the practice of physic is regulated in their respective jurisdictions.

In order still further to promote the desirable objects connected with this undertaking, and to render the medical profession as perfect and useful as possible, several members of the British legislature in conjunction with some eminent medical practitioners, have resolved to call public attention to the defective state of the medical profession throughout this United Kingdom previous to a parliamentary inquiry, which has been agreed to take place in the next session of parliament on that important subject. And, as there cannot exist on their part the slightest doubt of receiving the cordial co-operation of all persons who are engaged in Europe, and in the United States of America, in advancing the interests of medicine, they have not hesitated to apply to you for such information as it may be in your power, and consistent with your early convenience, to furnish.

It is desired to know the nature and the duration of the preliminary education of medical students; the particular branches of knowledge which are considered essentially necessary, as well as those that are collateral and usually studied; and the ordinary expense of such course. The precise curriculum, in which the medical studies are pursued in your university or school, particularly as regards the branches upon which attendance is prescribed to the medical students-the mode in which they obtain qualifications or degrees, (and the nature of these degrees,) to practise the healing art in each of the branches of Pharmacy, Obstetricity, Surgery, and Medicine.

In addition to the above information, the Committee further request to know the number of the medical profession, and the relative numbers of each branch of the profession, and some account of their situation,

both in the eye of the State and of Society. What is the scale of their remuneration for professional services, and whether their fees are recoverable by law? Whether empirics are tolerated, and nostrums permitted to be sold; and, if so, under what regulations? also, what penalties are incurred by those persons who practise without being legally qualified; and by those, who, being qualified, may be convicted of mal-practices ? Have you any public body, or persons having authority to examine the quality of drugs in the chemists or apothecaries' shops? Are there any laws or regulations to secure to the sick the advantage of genuine medicines, and that these should be properly compounded?

In conclusion, Gentlemen, should it appear to you that the Committee have been guilty of any omissions in their inquiries, they will feel themselves particularly obliged by your supplying them in your answer, which they shall anxiously expect.

They have further to request, that if this address to you be defective or incorrect, you will impute it to the true cause, the want of proper information, and not to any intentional disrespect.

Please to direct your answer to Dr. Epps, the Honorary Secretary, 89, Great Russellstreet, London, under cover to Viscount Palmerston, Secretary of State for foreign affairs, London, and through the British Minister at

I have the honour to subscribe myself with the highest consideration, Gentlemen, Your obedient humble servant,

EDWARD HARRISON, M.D. Chairman. Holles Street, Cavendish Square.

ANECDOTES.

Egede, the Moravian Missionary.-So late as the year 1734, the small-pox had never made its appearance in Greenland. A young native of the country was the first who brought the infection, on his return from Copenhagen; he died soon after his arrival, and the disease extended through the whole settlement. The inhabitants, unacquainted with the nature of the distemper, knew not what remedy to apply, and had besides few means of relief during the severity of the winter; of course, many of them died. Out of two hundred families that lived within two or three miles of the Danish colony, there were scarcely thirty left several Danes also perished. Many of the natives, upon discovering the first symptoms of the malady, would apply

for assistance and an asylum to a missionary, J. Egede by name, who, since his arrival in the island, had been very kind to them. The priest always received them with more than Christian hospitality, lodging them in his own apartments, which could contain a pretty large number. Many of them died in his house; and he would often get up in the night to remove the dead bodies in order to prevent the infection. Amongst those that expired in his arms, was an old man, who till then had proved insensible to the exhortations of Egede, and had only turned them into ridicule; but he now could not but be moved by his attention, and the excellence of the religion he recommended. Before breathing his last, he addressed him in the following words:"You have done for us what our own countrymen would hardly have done. You have assisted us, and have buried our dead to prevent their being devoured by the ravens and wild beasts. You have pointed out to us the road to happiness, and a blessed life of felicity after this."-What an eulogium !

The Quaker's silent Meeting.-A traveller, having long resided in foreign countries, determined, on his return to England, to become religious. On looking round among the numerous sects, he at length made choice of the Quakers, and accordingly began to attend their meetings; but unfortunately he found that they were begun, continued, and ended, in silence. This he bore with a becoming degree of patience for some time; but his stock was at length exhausted, and he resolved to come no more. On this last occasion, finding the meeting likely once more to terminate in silence, he stood up, and exclaimed, in a tone of passion,-—“ Well, this is enough to tire the devil.”—'We are glad to hear it, (gravely replied a venerable old Friend,) it is for this very purpose that we sit in silence.'

The

Emerson, the Mathematician. celebrated Emerson was a very communicative person, but felt impatient if the person he was instructing did not readily comprehend him. A neighbouring geometrician once called upon him, to request the solution of a problem of Euclid.Emerson was at the time on the roof of his house, repairing the thatch. He came down immediately, and with a piece of chalk solved the problem on his hat. His neighbour not readily understanding it, Emerson bade him take the hat home with him, and return it when he had discovered

the solution; and immediately returned to his labour as a thatcher.

GLEANINGS.

Enormous Distance of the Stars.-In the proportion of 200,000 to 1, then, at least must the distance of the nearest fixed star from the sun exceed that of the sun from the earth. The latter distance, as we have already seen, exceeds the earth's radius in the proportion of 24,000 to 1; and, lastly, to descend to ordinary standards, the earth's radius is 4,000 of our miles. The distance of the nearest star, then, cannot be so small as 4,800,000,000 radii of the earth, or 19,200,000,000,000 miles! How much larger it may be, we know not.

Remarkable Change of Diurnal Variation.-On Saturday, the 31st of August, the south end of the diurnal variation needle used by Captain Kater, at Limerick, made an extraordinary deviation to the westward of of nearly half a degree. This occurred about seven minutes before 4 p.m. At 3 h. 50 m. p. m. it was 15' 10" west of zero, and at 3 h. 55 m. between 40′ and 50 west of zero. Had this remarkable occurrence any thing to do with the severe gale of that day? the same gale which was felt on the south-east coast of England so severely, but scarcely any of it at Limerick.

John Metoxen, the Indian Chief and Preacher.The elocution of the New York Indians was unadorned in style, and mild in manner. Resting principally upon their written communications, they had not much to say. (At the Council held at Green Bay, between the Commissioners of the United States and the Indians of New York and the Northwest district, in August 1830.)-Their education and long intercourse with the whites had entirely disrobed them of the native wildness of Indian eloquence. John Metoxen, however, an aged and venerable chief of the Stockbridges, (than whom a man of more exalted worth cannot be found on earth,) on the last day of the council, as all attempts at reconciliation and adjustment of differences had failed, addressed himself sentimentally to his brethren of the Menomenies and Winnebagoes, and also to the Commissioners, in a strain most sublime and touching; and with a respect and delicacy, towards the feelings of all concerned, unrivalled. Metoxen is about sixty years old, and head chief of his tribe. By his language and manner he first brought us into the presence of God, so that we felt ourselves to be there. Even the wild Indians are a most religious people, and a pattern of piety to many who are called Christians; that is, they always acknowledge a superintending Providence. They never begin, nor end a speech, without a reference to the Great Spirit. But John Metoxen is a Christian; and he has enlightened and practical views of the Christian's God; and on the occasion now under consideration he made us feel his superiority, not only as a Christian, but as a man. He appealed to the solemn engagements of the New York Indians on the one hand, and of the Menomenies and Winnebagoes on the other, as the original contracting parties, now at variance; he called on the Commissioners to witness the repeated and solemn pledges of government, to secure the fulfilment of these engagements; he depicted the anxious progress and unfortunate result of the present council; with inimitable delicacy and becoming manliness, he freely confessed his diffidence in the present measures of government, relating to this affair; he solemnly declared, that his only confidence now rested in 'the God of nations, who had propounded himself the guardian of the oppressed, and the avenger of their wrongs; and, whatever might become of himself, of his family, or of his people, he felt, that it was now his last and only prerogative, to surrender their cause into the hauds of their God. "God is witness,' ," said he, lifting up his eyes to heaven: Brothers, I have no more to say."-Colton's Tour of the American Lakes.

Mr. Wilberforce.-A contemporary, speaking of this truly Christian philanthropist, says-He was an honour, not to this or that denomination of Christians, but to human nature; having for above thirty years been unceasing in his efforts to improve the social and moral condition of humanity in all parts of the globe. His philanthropy was conducted on the most magnificent and comprehensive scale; and was religious in the noblest sense of the term.-How different the fame of such a man, from that noisy notoriety which attends the conqueror! The one lights up the memory with an instant stream of sunshine upon the heart, purifying and elevating the spirit with happy and peaceful images; the other beclouds the mind with scenes of despairing sorrow, ruin, and wholesale carnage. The name of Wilberforce is written with

sunbeam upon the heart; that of Napoleon with a pen" dipped in the gloom of earthquake and eclipse.' The dazzling halo that once surrounded the heads of despots and conquerors is now fast fading "into the common light of day;" we are become ashamed of our vulgar adoration; we have taken down our gods from their lofty pedestals; and if we do homage to our fellow-beings in future, it will be to such as elevate the human character and condition-not to the destroyers, but the benefactors of our race.

Medicine Dance of the Indians.-When all the other powers of the healing art have failed, and the patient still declines, the Indian's last resource is to the magic influence of the drum and dance. All the family and near relatives gather in a crowd around the suffering victim; the nearest relative, a mother, a father, a husband or wife, or the eldest child; more commonly a female, when it is convenient, as the tender sex are more susceptible of grief, begins to weep, and sob, and moan aloud, often howling, with expressions of heart-appealing anguish; the drum sets up its melancholy beat to a dancing jig; the entire circle parade, and move round in solemn order, time-keeping to the summons; the chief mourner sobs and howls; and round they dance, muttering prayers hour after hour, and day after day, till they have drummed and danced and howled the wretched victim into the arms of death. In this extremity all other means, all other medicine, and the common sustenance of nature, are, perhaps, scrupulously withholden. Every thing now depends on the miraculous influence of the charm. The relatives must have faith; the patient must have faith,-all depends on faith. If the patient be an infant, the anxious and agonized mother will every now and then catch it up in her arms, and dance around the circle, weeping and sadly moaning, If the patient be an adult, and have sufficient strength, it is deemed of great importance that he or she should rise, as often as they are able, and join the dance; and when strength fails, the patient is supported by the arms of relatives. When he is entirely exhausted, he is borne along the dance perfectly passive; and, gradually, as he languishes, the enthusiasm and anxiety rise to a higher pitch; the drum sounds with more earnest beat; the contagion of sobbing and moaning spreads, and becomes universal; the circle is enlarged by an accession of friends and neighbours, who soon catch the sad spirit of the occasion; the noise and tumult aggravate to a storm; and, as might be expected, the patient sinks and expires, under the overwhelming weight of this furious tempest of lugubrious passion.-And this is called the medicine-dance. Rarely, the strength of the patient's constitution braves the assault, and he rises and lives notwithstanding; and these instances of recovery prove to a demonstration, in the philosophy of the Indians, the miraculous efficacy of the means.-Colton's Tour of the American Lakes.

Indian Sesquipedalia.-The wild Indians are not bad in managing the few facts which they have in their possession; and they are certainly possessed of unrivalled skill in magnifying trifles and dignifying nothings. They will deliver themselves of the following sentence, (which, by the bye, is only one word)-Yerensetavakarange akowa,"-in a manner to astound all one's senses, and raise the highest expectation. And, lo! when it comes to be interpreted, it reads:" the greatest fiddle possible;" alias, a "church organ," which he had seen in the white man's council-house and which he wished to describe to his own people.-Colton's Tour of the American Lakes.

Pontius Pilate.-In the neighbourhood of Vienne, about twenty miles from Lyons, stand the ruins of a tall square Roman tower, called "Tour de Mauconseil." The legends of the country affirm that this was the abode of Pontius Pilate, and that in a fit of despair and frenzy he threw himself from its windows into the Rhone, where he perished.-This point the good Catholics must settle as they can with the Swiss, who maintain that he drowned himself in a little Alpine lake on the mountain which bears his name; and that the storms by which it is frequently agitated are occasioned by the writhings of his perturbed spirit.

The Pyramids.-Mr. Madden, in his speculation on the purposes for which the Pyramids of Egypt were erected, seems to be of opinion, contrary to all who have directed their attention to the subject, that they were not intended as general cemeteries, or, as a depository for the bodies of the sovereigns who raised them, but that they were consecrated to the mysteries of the Egyptian religion, and that the chambers which could throw light on that curious

LONDON:

question are still unexplored. Mr. Madden supports his theory by some ingenious arguments, and expresses his astonishment that, amidst all the expenditure lavished on antiquarian research, it never Occurred to any of the learned and opulent of Europe, that the riches of the Pyramids still remain concealed.-Mr. Madden is of opinion that a sum of five or six thousand pounds would be, fully adequate to the task of laying open the greatest pyramid, and exploring its most secret recesses.

Anecdote of John Fisher, Bishop of Rochester.-" Once there happened a sudden rumour among the people, that he should die by a day certain, which fell not indeed, but by mean thereof his cook dressed him that day no dinner, whereof when he missed at his ordinary houre, which was always ten of the clocke, he reproved him for the same, asking why he did so. The cooke answered, that he and all others looked for his execution. Well, sayd he, then take this for a general rule make ready my dinner always at my due houre, and if thou see me dead before, then eat it thyself. If myself be alive, I will never eat one bitt the less."-Harl. M.S. 7047.

Literary Notices.

Just Published.

Part 57 of the National Portrait Gallery, with Memoirs of Admiral Lord Rodney; Muzio Clementi; and David Wilkie, Esq., R. A.

Part VIII. of a new edition of the National Portrait Gallery, with Memoirs of the Duke of York; Adiniral Lord Collingwood; and Thomas Campbell, Esq. Baines's History of Lancashire, Part XXXV. Wilberforce's Practical View of the prevailing Religious System of Professed Christians, in the higher and middle Classes in this Country; contrasted with Real Christianity. With a Memoir of the Author, by the Rev. Thomas Price, 18mo.

By Dr. J. H.

Melchisedek. By the Author of Balaam. Memoir of James Brainard Taylor. and B. H. Rice, of New York. Sunday Lessons for Little Children; with a Frontispiece. By Mrs. Barwell.

The Value of Money. By Mrs. Barwell.
The Teacher's Offering for 1833.

The Case of the Dissenters; in a Letter addressed to the Lord Chancellor.

Maund's Botanic Garden, Part 9.

Literary Recreation; or, Scenes from Real Life. By Rev. J. Young, Author of Record of Providence, &c. &c. 1 vol. 12mo.

A Second Edition of the History of the Peninsular War. By Lieut.-Col. Leith Hay, M. P. is now published in 2 vols. small 8vo, with 22 Engravings, at 10s. 6d. cloth, boards.

Dupin's Mathematics practically applied to the Useful and Fine Arts, and adapted to the State of the Arts in England. By Dr. Birkbeck. In the Press.

The Life and Labours of Adam Clarke, L.L. D. to which will be added, an Historical Sketch of the Controversy concerning the Sonship of Christ, particularly as connected with the Proceedings of the Wesleyan Methodist Conference.

The Curate of Marsden; or, Pastoral Conversations between a Minister and his Parishioners. By E. & M. Attersoll, authors of "Thomas Martin," "The Contrast," &c.

A new work on Ancient and Modern Egypt, entitled Egypt and Mohammed Ali; or, Travels in the Valley of the Nile. By James Augustus St. John. A new and much improved edition of Clark's Introduction to Heraldry. By Mr. Washbourne. The Cabinet Annual Register, and Historical, Political, Biographical, and Miscellaneous Chronicle of 1833.

:

In Monthly Vols, (uniform with the works of Byron, Scott, &c.) the publication of Hume and Smollett's History of England with a Continuation from the Accession of George III. to 1835. By the Rev. T. S. Hughes, B. D. Prebendary of Peterborough.

The eleventh edition of Butter's Etymological Spelling Book and Expositor, enlarged.

In two handsome vols. 8vo. a luminous Commentary on the Old and New Testament; with Practical Reflections. By Rev. J. Sutcliffe, A. M.

Taxation and Financial Reform. By R. Torrens, Esq., M.P. F.R.S. 1 vol. 8vo.

A Memoir of Richard Hatch, late Student of the Baptist College, Bristol; interspersed with, Select Remains.