In a Letter addressed to Wm. Wilberforce, Esq. M. P. &c. &c. &c. By James Carmichael Smyth, M. D. &c. 8vo. PP. 50. Is. 6d.

Dr. Smyth, having received a national reward for the discovery of a mode of destroying contagion, is properly anxious to show that it was not misapplied. The celebrated Guyton (ci-devant Morveau) lays claim to the discovery of this effect of the mineral acids, in which he is supported by Chaptal; who, in a specific report, contends that the British Parliament voted a reward to Dr. Smyth for a discovery made by Guyton himself.

The Doctor here satisfactorily shews that the vapour of the marine acid had been employed previously to the time of Guyton; though it must be admitted that its importance, as a destroyer of contagion, was not ascertained till the trials instituted by him at the church of Dijon, in the year 1773. It must also be conceded that Dr. Smyth was the first who used the vapour of nitrous acid in fever rooms; and that he determined its safe employment while patients were present. Without any doubt, therefore, he deserves much credit for the plan which he adopted :-but, with regard to his precise merit as a discoverer, we think that the transition from one mineral acid to another is too small, and the variation from one compound, which gives out acid fumes by the addition of vitriolic acid, to another which affords them by the same means, is too little removed,

to allow to him the full extent of the credit which he is anxious to obtain. The principal part of the discovery consisted in ascer taining that acid fumes, and particularly mineral acid fumes, were destroyers of contagion; and if it should, in future, be found that acetous vapour, as given out from the kali acetatum by the vitriolic acid, is more effectual for the purpose than either the marine or the nitrous acid gas, a small portion only of the merit of discovery could be due to the author, considering those guides to the particular observations which are at present possessed.

Art. 33. An interesting and authentic Account of the melancholy Ravages of the pestilential Disorder, or Yellow Fever, at Gibraltar, Maiaga, Cadiz, &c. &c. accompanied with Observations on the Causes, Nature, and Symptoms of malignant Fevers, together with the most certain means of avoiding the dreadful Consequences of Infection at this awful Period. By J. Grant, MD. 8vo. IS. Highley.

We expected to have found in this pamphlet an account, from actual observation, of the peculiar characters of that alarming disease which proved so fatal at Gibraltar, and in other parts of the south of Spain. In this hope, however, we were disappointed; since the author contents himself with copying newspaper details of mortality, and giving the general symptoms of malignant fevers, without reference to any particular epidemic. This easy mode of making a pamphlet is an appropriate introduction to the author's sovereign preventive of all contagious diseases, viz. the Yellow Fever Remedy, which, he tells us, is sold, with proper directions, at a shop near Charing Cross; and where, indeed, we have scen the words, YELLOW FEVER, written up in characters large enough to frighten the whole metropolis!

metropolis! We are not inclined to doubt the word of Dr. Grant's M.D.ship, when he informs us that he feels great pleasure in recommending that invaluable medicine!'

MISCELLANEOUS.

Art. 34. The Life of Napoleon, as it should be handed down to Posterity. By J. M-d. 12mo. pp. 147. 35. Parsons. 1804. As the title indicates, this is not a history of the dread emperor, but a romance, which strongly glances at him. The structure of the tale is rather fantastic: but Mr. M-d is not wanting in inventive powers, and is master of a neat flowing style. His deficiency lies on the side of his judgment. He is modest, and his aspirations excite an interest in his favour. We believe that considerable farther study is alone wanting to elevate him to that distinction, on which he very justly sets so high a value.

Art. 35. The Castle of the Thuileries: or, Narrative of all the Events which have taken Place in the Interior of that Palace, from the Time of its Construction to the 18th Brumaire of the Year VIII. Translated from the French by Francis Lathom. 2 Vols. 8vo. 14s. Boards. Longman and Co.

The curious particulars with respect to Louis XVI. and his family, and other interesting incidents, which do not fall within the range of general history, but which are contained in these volumes, will secure to them an extensive perusal. For an estimate of this performance, and an account of the design of it, we refer to our notice of the original in M. R. Vol. 39. N. S. p. 474. The translation seems to have been hastily executed; often betraying the foreign idiom, and often disfigured by inelegant or incorrect English.

Art. 36. Original Correspondence of Jean Jacques Rousseau, with Mad. la Tour de Franqueville, and M. du Peyron, late Burgher of Neufchatel. Translated from the French. z Vols. 8vo. 12s. Boards. Johnson. 1804.

We have examined different parts of these volumes, and have found the translation to be faithful, and, in general, not inelegant. Our opinion on the singular correspondence, which they contain, will be found in our observations on the original work, of which we gave an ample account in Vol. xliii. p. 534. We do not regard the difference between the editor and the translator, respecting the behaviour of Rousseau on this occasion, as of sufficient importance to call on us to enter particularly into it. The view taken of it by the editor comes nearest to our own, while it best accords with the conduct of Rousseau in similar situations.

Art. 37. An Historical Memoir on the Political Life of Jobs Milton. By Charles Edward Mortimer, Esq. 4to. pp. 82. Boards.

Vernor and Hood.

"To laugh, were want of goodness or of grace:

Yet to be grave exceeds all power of face."

Reviewers surely ought to be grave: but they must be allowed to exercise their risible muscles if they see a man endeavouring to aid the brilliancy of the meridian sun by "a little farthing rushlight,

4

rushlight;" or assiduously employing himself to keep St. Paul's cathedral from falling, by fastening it with packthread to one of the chimnies in Paternoster- Row.-Yet what is there more ridiculous in either of these actions, than in Mr. Mortimer's attempt, by a few pages of pompous writing, printed on fine paper, and decorated with a vignette,to familiarize the name of Milton as a patriot?' We could scarcely believe the evidence of our eyes when we read these words. What, said we, looking to that shelf in our library which contains Milton's prose works, is that first-rate patriot ingulphed in the sea of oblivion, and does this little cockboat undertake to weigh him up? Shade of Milton! thou wilt be in a most "furious fret," when thou perceivest that the stupendous pyramid of thy fame is attempted to be propped and buttressed by reeds and straws: -but "Rest, perturbed spirit !" the insinuation is groundless. Thy name as a patriot has been, and continues to be familiar;' and we want not gravely to be informed by Mr. Mortimer, that thy merits entitle thee to a niche in the same temple which is adorned with the busts of John Hampden and Algernon Sidney.'.

To be serious; this superficial view of Milton's political works and character can satisfy none of his admirers. The author has a just veneration for this great patriot's merit, and is animated in his delineation: but, had it been his object to induce modern readers to contemplate the nervous language employed by Milton in support of the principles which he defended, numerous extracts should have been made from his writings, and the memorialist should have kept himself in the back ground. Why did he not transcribe that passage in Milton's apology for Smectymnuus, in which he vindicates his moral character, and asserts his steady patriotism, against the aspersions of his enemies, who "fung out," as he says, "stray crimes against him at a venture?"—" Those morning haunts are where they should be, at home, not sleeping, or concocting the surfeits of an irregular feast, but up and stirring, in winter often ere the sound of any bell awake men to labour, or to devotion; in summer, as oft with the bird that first arises, or not much tardier, to read good authors, or cause them to be read, till attention be weary, or memory have its full fraught: then with useful and generous labours preserving the body's health and hardinesse, to render lightsome, cleare, and not lumpish, obedience to the minde, to the cause of religion, and our countries liberty, when it shall require firm hearts in sound bodies to stand and cover their stations, rather than see the ruine of our protestation and the inforcement of a slavish life."-It is unnecessary to point out the errors which appear in Mr. M.'s unsatisfactory, yet shewy memoir.

Art. 38. An Account of the Life of Dr. Samuel Johnson, from his Birth to his Eleventh Year, written by himself. To which are added, Original Letters to Dr. Samuel Johnson. By Miss Hill Boothby: from the MSS. preserved by the Doctor; and now in Possession of Richard Wright, Surgeon; Proprietor of the Museum of Antiquities, Natural and Artificial Curiosities, &c. at Litchfield. Small 8vo. 3s. Boards. R. Phillips. 105.

By a proprietor of a museum of curiosities at Litchfield, the MS. from

from which this little volume is printed might be regarded as a va. luable acquisition: but we should suppose that the matter which it contains will not be now very interesting to the public. That Dr. Johnson himself did not deem these memoranda of his early life worth preservation, is evident from his having destroyed the greatest part of them; and perhaps he was not conscious that any portion of them remained. This fragment, which was obtained from his black servant, Francis Barber, occupies only 22 small pages, while the chasm in the MS. amounts to 38 pages. After all that has been written of Johnson, we could have spared the supplementary information that, a few weeks after he was born, he had an inflammation in his buttock; that, afterward, he had an issue cut in his left arm; that his scrofulous sores proceeded from his nurse; that he went up to London to be touched for the evil by Queen Anne, in the stagecoach, and returned in the waggon; &c. &c.

The letters of Miss Hill Boothby, aunt of Sir Brooke Boothby, are sensible, pious, and full of expressions of esteem for her literary correspondent: but we do not perceive the great utility of their publication. Some persons, however, who are eager to gather up every fragment relative to Dr. Johnson, may be pleased with this journal; and with the letters of a lady who is recorded by him to have possessed the best understanding he ever met with in any human being,"

Art. 39. Intercepted Correspondence from India: containing Dispatches from Marquis Wellesley, &c. and from the Governor-General in Council, to the Secret Committee of the Court of Directors, to Major-General Wellesley, &c. Together with Reports of the State of our India Possessions, sent by a French Emissary to General Decaen, Governor of the Mauritius; and Letters from various Persons in India to their Friends in Great Britain. 8vo. pp. 122. 5s. Sold at No. 348, Strand.

In the former case of the publication of Private Correspondence with persons in India, stated to have been obtained by the French from captured English ships, the accuracy and authenticity of the papers were much impeached. We know not whether similar doubts apply to the present letters: but the editor states that they were taken on board the homeward-bound India ship, the Hope; intimates no suspicion of their fidelity; and represents them as containing much information on the state of our affairs in the East.-The official letters have the appearance of being authentic, and are of an important nature but the private correspondence has not always the marks of being genuine, or, at least, not of being accurately copied.

Art. 40. An Historical and Descriptive Account of the Royal Hospital, and the Royal Military Asylum at Chelsea: to which is prefixed an Account of King James's College at Chelsea. Embellished with Engravings, and interspersed with Biographical Anecdotes. Crown 3s. 6d. Boards. Egerton, &c. 1805.

8vo.

It is not a little surprising that such a place as the Royal Hospital at Chelsea, begun by Charles II. and completed by William and

Sce Rev. Vol. 45. N. S. p. 334.

Mary,

Mary, as an Asylum for maimed and superannuated soldiers, should hitherto have remained without an appropriate description, or guide. This desideratum it is the object of the publication before us to supply; which contains not only an account of the present edifice, but a description of the antient College of Divinity, projected by Dr.Sutcliffe, in the reign of James I. which formerly occupied its place; and some biographical sketches of its founder and first members.

The most extraordinary character noticed in the biography is that of the Archbishop of Spalatro, who was admitted a Member of this College by the King's Letters patent in 1622:

Marcus Antonius de Dominis, Archbishop of Spalatro, came over to England in 1616, and professed the protestant religion, asserting that he had discovered various errors in the tenets of the church of Rome, and published his work, "De Republicâ Ecclesiasticâ :" his powers of disputation were strong and acute, his society much courted by the learned and the great, and his sermons attractive and greatly admired. Fuller, who is virulent in his abuse of him, says, that his sole object in coming to England was the attainment of wealth and preferment. King James gave him, soon after his arrival, the deanery of Windsor, the rich living of Illesley, in Berkshire, and made him master of the Savoy. With these, however, he was not contented; but upon the report of the death of Toby Matthew, Archbishop of York, he solicited the king for the vacant archbishoprick; this being refused, he made application for leave to retire to Rome. After much deliberation, he was ordered to quit the kingdom in twenty days, as he had been found guilty of holding a secret correspondence with the pope, without the king's knowledge. After living some time in poverty and obscurity at Rome, on a small pension allowed him by Pope Gregory XV. he died there in 1625, and his body was afterwards publicly burnt for heresy. Fuller sums up his character with observing"that he had too much wit and learning to be a cordial papist, and too little honesty and religion to be a sincere protestant."

As a man he was by no means estimable; as a divine little less than contemptible; all his views were directed to the acquisition of wealth, to this idol all his vows were paid, and even his religious tenets were swayed by the casual advantage of the moment; but as a scholar, shrewd, correct and extensive, we must allow hin. no common share of praise; his learning was general, not confined to the scholastic forms and acute sophistry, with which polemical disputes were in general conducted; his views had a wider range, and he shone not only as a scholar, but a philosopher to whose shrewdness and acute observation we owe much; and he was the first who accounted for the phenomena of the rainbow, in his book, "De Radiis Visûs et Lucis."

As the Royal Military Asylum for the Children of the Soldiers of the Regular Army, situated near to the Royal Hospital, is not perhaps generally known, we shall transcribe part of the account of it, which occurs at the end of this manual.

6

The first stone of this elegant structure was laid by His Royal Highness the Duke of York, on the nineteenth day of June, 18:1, accompanied by a great many General Officers, and a number of the nobility.

The