before the public, with a prominence and steadiness at which other persons similarly circumstanced would have shrunk back, is not to be denied; but great allow. ances are to be made for him, when it is recollected that he lost, not a part, but the whole of his fortune, by his deportation from the East Indies, and that ever since he has had to struggle with all the horrors of poverty, sometimes, indeed with something approaching to absolute want.

ciations and friendly institutions, tending to bring hostile | ceedings, suffer in purse, or, perhaps, more properly nations into more frequent communication through the speaking, prospectively, to a very large amount. That mutually beneficial channel of unfettered commerce, he has kept his persecutions, by the Indian government, and to bring opposing sections of nations into more familiar intercourse through the reciprocally advantageous medium of social meetings; so that each may benefit by a mutual interchange of their respective products, and a free utterance of their respective thoughts;-by visiting captives and prisoners, as well as courts and camps-in order to effect, if possible, by remonstrance and persuasion, a relaxation of the too bloody and barbarous punishments which unhappily everywhere prevail, and to show by example as well as "Mr. Buckingham is a man of more than respectable precept, how much more powerful is the law of love literary attainments. His travels in Mesopotamia and than that of fear, and how much more desirable the other countries of the East, are among the best that reformation than the torture of any human being, both have been published respecting those countries. His for the sake of the individual victim, and of society at | Oriental Herald also, a great part of which was written large, as well as for the glory of Him “who desireth | by himself, was a journal of considerable merit. The not the death of a sinner, but rather that he should great fault of his style, is its extreme wordiness. turn from his wickedness and live;"-and above all, by pressing on the heads of governments, as well as on every class of the community, the ruinous and destructive policy of war, so revolting to all the best feelings of our nature, so subversive of the best inter-attempt was quite a failure. There was a strong ests of society, so contrary to the precept and example of Him who commanded us to "do unto others that which we would they should do unto us;" and who taught us, when we pray, to ask that our trespasses might be forgiven "as we forgive those who trespass against us."

We cannot help expressing our surprise, that into this splendid scheme for "the most effectual reform that can be accomplished on earth," the idea of propagating the religion of Christ does not directly enter!

From time to time, during his travels, Mr. Buckingham intends to transmit to London, for publication, the manuscripts of his journals. He anticipates that these will be sufficient to form a suitably sized volume, every few months.

Thus far we have exhibited Mr. Buckingham, in the light which he himself, and the author of the Sketch, to which we have already acknowledged our obligation, have cast upon his history. We now propose to attempt an estimate of his true character and abilities, relying, chiefly, on other testimony; though, by this, we do not mean to insinuate any thing against the credit of his biographer in the Preston Advocate: at least what we have drawn from this source bears good evidence of being, in the main, correct. As a text, on which to found a few remarks, we copy the following from a late English work-Grant's "Random Recollections of the House of Commons."

"As a member of parliament he has not earned much reputation. On first entering the house he made great efforts, by repeated speeches of considerable length, to acquire for himself a name as a legislator; but the

prejudice against him, owing, in a great measure, to the general impression that he was a political adventurer. When he rose to address the House, the circumstance became a signal, sometimes for forced coughs, yawnings, &c. and always for inattention and other marks of want of respect. The result has been that he now scarcely ever speaks at all. Nor was he by any means regular in his attendance in the house last session, though previously he was one of the most exemplary in this respect, out of the whole six hundred and fifty-eight.

"Mr. Buckingham is a fine speaker. His manner is remarkably easy and pleasant. There is not a more fluent speaker in the house. His voice is sweet and melodious; but there is a sameness in its tones. His action is graceful, but is deficient in energy. He can speak at any time and on any subject. In person he is tall and handsome. Notwithstanding all the hardships and fatigues he underwent in his extensive journeyings in tropical countries, he appears to be of a vigorous constitution and in excellent health. His complexion is fair, and his hair of a light gray. He has a fine forehead. His features are regular, but distinctly marked. His face is full, and has something very intellectual about it. In his appearance and manners, he is quite the gentleman. He is about fifty years of age."

We know of nothing which looks like quackery in "MR. BUCKINGHAM, the member for Sheffield, is a Mr. Buckingham, excepting the language in which he person whose name has been, for the last eight or ten sets forth to the public his own services and merits, years, most prominently before the British public. He and flatters those from whom he solicits patronage. is generally supposed to have something of the quack Certainly the encomiums which he passes upon his in him. I am not sure that the charge is altogether patriotism and philanthropic labors; the strong terms unfounded, though I am persuaded he has often been in which he speaks of the effect produced by his actuated by the most disinterested motives in cases discourses, and of the unlimited confidence reposed in in which the general impression has been quite the him by his constituents; of the bright and irresistible reverse. I believe he may-unconsciously I have no flame which he kindled throughout the entire British doubt-have exaggerated the extent of his pecuniary nation, and the triumphant accomplishment of all his losses by the arbitrary proceedings of the Indian gov- plans and views, would suit the character of some ernment; but it cannot be denied that he did, in addi-peddling vender of pills and potions, much better than tion to the abstract tyranny and injustice of those pro- they do that of a reputed scholar and gentleman. At

least, in reading his address to the people of the United | low place in common estimation; and for this purpose, States, we were frequently and forcibly reminded of besides alluding to his own success in Great Britain, vermifuges and panaceas, the wonders of which, set adduces the example of many renowned men, "from forth by their humane and disinterested compounders, the days of Abraham, who, according to the testimony rarely indeed, in the columns of respectable news of Josephus, thus taught the Chaldean astronomy to the papers; but, in unbroken continuity, on the pages of Egyptians," down to the times of Marco Polo, Columnumerous penny sheets, sometimes fall under our notice. bus, Camoens, Raleigh and Bruce. But we do not We do not say, that he exaggerates his own merits in think him very happy in this attempt. Most of the a single instance: we have no evidence opposed to his examples which he cites are inapplicable to his case. assertions; and, even if we had, should esteem ungra- If he had wished to defend the lecturing system in cious the task of contradiction. We doubt Mr. Buck-general, he need not have gone so far out of the way ingham's good taste, not his veracity. His self-bestowed for authorities: in numerous European and American panegyrics savor too strongly of the hustings. And colleges, he might have found a sufficient sanction for so, we do not object to the flattery, which he lavishes that system. But, evidently, he is endeavoring to defend upon the people of the United States, excepting as it the peculiarities of his plan. Now, few, if any, of the looks, under present circumstances, too much like the illustrious instances enumerated are characterised by fawning of a parasite. We would have a candidate for these same peculiarities. And, moreover, he has not popular favor, carry with him, in his approaches to taken into account the difference between the wants the public, the refined delicacy of private intercourse, and resources of the times to which he recurs, and those avoiding whatever may give rise to the imputation, of the present age. What would be thought of a public that, counting his wages, he panders to the passions of teacher, who, at this day, should open his school in a the multitude-shunning the very appearance of evil. garden or grove, and plead the example of the sages of We do not doubt that Mr. Buckingham's success has antiquity? In spite of Mr. Buckingham's classical and been increased by his skill in trumpeting. Without scripture authorities, the business of itinerant lecturing barefaced protestations, glaring sign-boards, and puf- must continue to be of, at least, doubtful respectability. fing extraordinary, quacks could scarcely make a sub- But this does not prevent its character's being, in some sistence by their trade. Their gains arise from practices instances, elevated by the repute of particular indiviwhich honest and respectable men despise; and their duals. In fact, it may be considered as a business which prosperity can scarcely sanctify the cajolery and deceit can yield no honor to any man, but on which honor which have paved the way to fortune. may sometimes be conferred, by the weight of an established reputation for worth and learning. If he had been satisfied with setting forth his own experience, trusting, chiefly, to his well known character, we, at least, should have esteemed his prologue more appropriate. But, while making these remarks, and they are not made in an unkind spirit, we are free to congratulate Mr. Buckingham on his eminent success-on the respectability and even distinction given to his profession, by the force of high mental endowments, and that public esteem, with which his labors and services have been rewarded.

All must agree in giving Mr. Buckingham credit for considerable literary attainments. We cannot speak of his lectures from personal knowledge, not having had the pleasure of hearing them-a pleasure which we anticipate with impatience. But that they are, in a high degree entertaining and instructive, and, in point of style, polished and elegant; that they evince not only his abundant opportunity, during his travels, of collecting interesting and valuable information, but, also, his intelligence as a traveller, and the accuracy of his observations in Eastern lands, is the universal testimony of his American auditors. Mr. Grant's estimate of his merits as a public speaker is, also, corroborated by the impression which he has, already, made in this country. We have heard his oratory characterised, by several of his New York hearers, in nearly the same terms quoted above, so far as applicable to the lecturing style.

The question naturally occurs, what is the probable measure of benefit resulting to the community from such lectures? It is very certain that those really devoted to study may learn much more economically, as regards the expense, both of time and money, from books, than from oral discourses. But the latter have this superior advantage-that they attract the attention The feelings and habits of the present age are, of multitudes, who thus imbibe knowledge, without any certainly, unfavorable to that medium of communica- great effort, and who would never seriously apply ting knowledge, which Mr. Buckingham has chosen. themselves to books. And the excitement which the Lectures delivered as a part of the regular system of charms of oratory produce the sympathies awakened instruction, in academic institutions, or under the aus-in a crowded lecture room, tend to impress truth more pices of literary societies, though their use, in some cases, may be doubted, are, in this country and in Europe, established on a footing, which gives them the highest respectability, and ensures the character of the lecturer from any suspicion of quackery, or any danger of sinking in the public esteem. But the profession of an itinerant lecturer, who deals out his information to promiscuous audiences, at twenty-five or fifty cents a head, for some reason or other, about which we shall not stop to inquire, is not in very good repute. As if conscious of this, Mr. Buckingham labors to show, that he has not engaged in a business which should hold a

forcibly upon the memory, thus, in some measure, making up for the opposite advantages of frequently renewed impressions. There are, however, other benefits, and of a different kind, resulting from such discourses as Mr. Buckingham's: they exert an influence tending to improve the morals and refine the literary taste of the community. There is a craving appetite, in persons of every class of society, for amusement; and, in most persons, for some amusement which does not require great mental effort. Hence the theatre, and other resorts of a still more pernicious character, are so much frequented. But we venture to assert, that,

to the great mass of men, intellectual amusements, | to see the curtain rise, and some celebrated actress make suited to the capacity of those to be entertained, and her debut amid shouts of applause. Perchance the polnot requiring forced intellectual exertion, are more luted imaginations of some might have directed their attractive than any other. Our pleasures are height-eyes to the "third heaven," where the "nymphs of the ened, tenfold, by the feeling that they are merely inno- pavé" usually shine, expecting there to behold the usual cent; but, how much more by the consciousness, that attraction. our minds are expanded and our hearts improved, while the buoyant spirits, and the glowing blood give us new physical life. The history of theatres themselves sustains our position. If, then, proper and permanent sources of literary recreation were opened, they would diffuse a moralizing and refining influence. And such an influence has been exerted by Mr. Buckingham's lectures, though to a very small extent, because operating for so short a time. No doubt, multitudes in New York, listened to his discourses with chained attention, who, but for them, would have passed the time in utter listlessness, or in dragging the foul waters of dissipation, for unsatisfying and debasing pleasures.

Mr. Buckingham has been well received in the United States; and, no doubt, his fortune is rapidly improving, despite the pressure of the times. But, while we rejoice to hear of his success, we cannot approve of all the means employed to testify respect for his character. As a sincere patriot and philanthropist-for such we esteem him he claims our admiration and praise; but, here he stands so prominently before the public, as a distinguished lecturer, that there is danger, lest testimonials, given to his worth and services in the cause of humanity, should, in the popular acceptation, be laid to the account of his popular eloquence. And while we, therefore, object to some of the public demonstrations of respect for him, which have been made, our objection to the manner of these demonstrations is still greater; especially to that of one, the credit of which rests with the good people of Philadelphia.

But such thoughts were soon dissipated by a solemn sound, rising over the general buzz of conversation and merriment—the voice of prayer. A blessing was invoked upon the assembly, and the object for which it was convened-perhaps, too, upon the house in which they were met. This part of the scene reminds us of the prediction of one devoted to the pleasures of the turf:-that, before many years a prayer would be offered from the judges' stand, at every horse-race, on behalf-either of the men or the horses, we know not which. But we would not speak lightly of things that we hold so sacred. Let us pass on to the further development of this curious spectacle.

Mr. Buckingham addressed the crowd in a speech more than two hours long. His audience, with riveted attention, drank in his words, and those who had formed a high idea of his eloquence were not disappointed. Several other speakers followed him, who, perhaps, might, with better taste, have reserved their remarks for another occasion. We have not been informed of the exact “order of exercises," but suppose that, at this juncture, the speeches being finished, refreshments were served up. It would appear that they were delicious and abundant; though, indeed, it is said, that a large proportion of the eatables prepared were devoured rather before their time, by some very officious persons-frequenters of the theatre, no doubt, their knowledge of its localities having apparently been so correct-who broke in from the back of the house. However, the loss was either immaterial, or very soon repaired. But the alarm occasioned thereby, making all feel how precarious was the tenure on which their rights depended, quickened the activity of the crowd, in emptying the loaded chargers. The popular appetite, too, had been sharpened by the piquant intellectual repast. We Americans are charged with swallowing our food in hungry haste. But those who eat with great rapidity, must be equally hurried in seizing on their victuals: the supply must equal the demand. Plates, on this memorable evening, it is said, were scarce; or else the impatience and anxiety of the multitude, wrought up, by the occurrence just mentioned, to a pitch of phrenzy, forbade even the decency of a moment's delay. A thousand hands delved, inconti

Before Mr. Buckingham left New York, he received an invitation to a great temperance festival, to be given to him in the city of Brotherly Love. On dit, that a dinner was first contemplated; but, then, many wished to extend the honor to Mrs. Buckingham; and, besides, a number of ladies, whose husbands were foremost in the affair, desired to be presented to the accomplished lecturer. Accordingly, to suit all concerned, a grand temperance tea-party was resolved upon. Now, the difficulty arose-where could a room suitable for the occasion be procured? After some consultation, it was, luckily suggested, that the Arch-street theatre, then unemployed, might be hired; and this expedient was adopted by the grave deliberators, some of whom, as we understand, were clergymen and inferior church-nent, into the curiously ornamented pyramids of iceofficers. The twenty-second of February was honored by the festival. For some time previously, it was advertised in the newspapers, and tickets offered at a dollar each. Of course, multitudes furnished themselves for the occasion: some, perhaps, in anticipation of convivial pleasure; some who were anxious to see and hear Mr. Buckingham; some, who, though principled against theatres, were glad of an opportunity to see the inside of one, without sin; and most, because the price of admission was so moderate. The appointed evening came, and the way to the place of temperate feasting was thronged. In looking round, on this gaily dressed assemblage, filling the boxes, and crowding the covered area of the pit, one might, almost, have expected

cream, and gallantly offered their tempting spoils to the admiring fair, who had already devoured them with their eyes. Perhaps, however, all did not eat, as fast as they emptied their dishes: we are sure that some were seen, pocketing every manner of good things, even to the ices.

At length the crowd dispersed, at a good hour, and in decent order. The next morning's papers contained glowing descriptions of the "GRAND TEMPERANCE FESTIVAL;" and the Arch-street dealers in grog boasted, that for many a day their receipts had not equalled those of the previous night!

To speak seriously, we have stated nothing in the above account, which we do not believe to be substan

tially correct. Nor do we think that the doings of an | heels, or resort to that other succedaneum for a scanty American mob cast any stigma upon the character of stature, the ladies' cushion. I have a sample before the American people. Even our mob would suffer nothing in the comparison with the mob of any other nation; but that is no reason, why its triumphs should be hailed with applause. If Mr. Buckingham should "write a book," descriptive of scenes in the United States, we are sure that he will feel much difficulty, in attempting to picture this temperance festival; what with his gentlemanly feelings toward those who would have done him honor, and his vivid sense of the ridiculous.

DESULTORY THOUGHTS ON HUMAN

CREDULITY AND VERSATILITY.

By a Southron.

my eyes of that antique head-dress, in a colored print of the lovely Antoinette, which has been handed down from the last generation in the family of a patriot to whom Louis the sixteenth was always dear. Wigs too will come in with the first battered beau of the haut ton who seeks to cover his baldness or to hide his gray hairs; and old as I am, I expect to see the reestablishment of long queues with powder and pomatum, and all the disgusting consequences which attended them. But the return of old times is not confined to the fashion of our coats. Our habits and manners have changed not less than our dresses. And some chance may yet bring them back again in all their freshness. Take for instance, the vulgar habit of profane swearing. When I was a boy, every gentleman swore;-and what is worse, in every company. Even the ear of the fair sex became familiar with this gross violation of decorum. But as Bob Acres says, "Damnns have had their day." What gentleman would now blurt forth his It is curious to observe how the opinions and the vulgar oaths before a lady, or wound the sacred ear of a follies which have been exploded in one generation are divine by "taking the name of the Lord in vain?" and often revived in another, and embraced with as much yet a war, with all its other mischievous consequences, confidence and ardor as if they never had been rejected may bring back into polished life this disgusting pracor exposed. It is not quite fifty years, I think, since tice. "The soldier, bearded like the pard and full of the imposture of Mesmer received the stamp of repro- strange oaths," is ever so great a favorite with the fair, bation from the philosophers of France, assisted by the that his vollies will be forgiven and his bluntness forsagacity of Franklin. In this day of light and intelli-gotten, in the richness of his epaulets and the gallant trim gence, it is again revived under new auspices and with of his regimentals. The same destructive besom may more exorbitant pretensions, and meets with the coun-sweep away our temperance societies, and the can and tenance of men of science, and the most unbounded the tankard of the camp may again introduce that credulity of thousands who flock to witness its wonders. censurable excess which prevailed at our banquets in There seems indeed to be a cycle in human affairs, like by-gone days. I remember "when I was young and the cycles which govern the movements of the heavenly debonair," I was at an entertainment in this city, bodies in their sublime and wonderful revolutions. Our which was served in the second story of the house, babits and our manners, our follies and our propensities whence there was no escaping by a window. The all have their day, and are laid aside for others which landlord most hospitably locked the door and put the in their turn prevail for a season, after which the former key in his pocket, and the glass was circulated so return upon us and are received with renewed eagerness briskly that there were left but few to bury the dead. and favor. Thus they follow each other in a perpetual These excesses are now indeed no more; but I fear round, and verify, to a great extent at least, the wisdom they are but suspended for a season, in spite of all the of the adage, that there is "nothing new under the sun." efforts and all the influence of temperance societies. The truth of these remarks will be questioned by These arrogate to themselves that change in manners none; yet it is probable there are some who have which is chiefly the result of the perpetually varying not duly considered to what a variety of subjects they current of human affairs. In its eternal windings it may be extended. All observe it in the fashions. The trenches upon our customs in succession, wearing away dresses of our fair ladies, which a few years ago first one and then another, and giving rise to new ones were so narrow that they could scarcely step, and so which flourish in their turn for a season, until they too thin that they shivered with cold, have at length got are swept off by the same resistless tide. Conceding back to the ample dimensions of former days and the the beneficial influence of temperance societies, parcomfortable habiliments of their grandmothers. The ticularly among the laboring classes, we are unwilling large and inconvenient sleeve is giving way; and the to believe that they have been the sole occasion of the bosom, once too temptingly displayed, has been kindly happy changes we have witnessed. What society is hidden from our view, and the less attractive back and there against swearing? what combination against fox shoulders are now exhibited in its stead. Short waists, hunting? what against balls at public houses? what flowing robes and the graceful drapery of the Grecian against barbecues? Yet all these are obviously in the costume have yielded to long waists, short skirts and wane, from the silent but effectual operation of public heavy plaits, while the old fashioned bishops are re-sentiment, and of the perpetual fluctuation of everyvived in the admired tournures of our lovely daughters. thing that is human. Our customs and opinions succeed It is true we have not yet returned to high-heel shoes each other as the congo and the minuet have been sucand cushions for the ladies, or to periwigs and powder ceeded in the ball-room by the waltz and the gallopade. for our sex. But the former may reasonably be expected, if the young Victoria, ambitious of queenlike majesty and impatient of her want of height, should add to her

This is particularly manifest, as we shall see in the sequel, in matters of the deepest concern; in the sciences, in religion and in politics. But before we

"

touch upon them, let us advert for a moment to the sub- | herself would blush, if she were not too credulous to ject of human credulity, which, though in a state of perceive her delusions. perpetual change, seems indelibly ingrained in the character of our race.

Turn next to the protestant;-are his skirts clear? I am too much of a protestant to be an impartial judge

that I can venture to approach. Take the church of the Baron Emanuel Swedenbourg, an enthusiastic and visionary man, whose heated fancy led him to believe that he had ascended to the fifth heaven, and there had seen all the glories of the godhead, and mingled with angels and archangels around the sapphire throne of the great Jehovah. Yet this religious madman had his devoted followers, who believed his visions, dwelt upon his rhapsodies, and doubted not his revelations. I once had the pleasure of meeting with one of his sect, a remarkably intelligent lady of the New Jerusalem church, with whom I entered into an interesting conversation about her great apostle. I asked her if his followers really believed he had ascended to the fifth "And upon what

Philosophers have never agreed upon the character-in such a matter, but there are some of its churches istic by which man is to be distinguished from all other animals in the creation. Plato defined him to be a twolegged animal without feathers. But Diogenes turned this definition into deserved ridicule. Some say that man alone is a rational animal; but the dog and the beaver, and the ant and the bee, stand forth as the champions of the inferior races, and challenge for them also the attributes of reason. Once it was said that man was a cooking animal; but the ouran-outang denies our exclusive title to that appellation. For my own part, I incline to look upon him as a credulous animal, though I thereby hazard the exclusion of the skeptics from the pale of humanity—a consequence at which many of my readers would not be disposed to repine. The truth is, however numerous the individual exceptions may heaven. "Assuredly, sir," said she. be, there is no trait of the human character more uni-grounds do they believe it?" said I. "Upon the same," versal than this. In all time and in all countries, super- said she, "on which you believe that St. Paul had done stition and credulity have lorded it over the mind. To so before him. Both of them were pure and virtuous, say nothing of ghosts and hobgoblins, of demonology and pious and inspired men, and neither would have and witchcraft, of the foul fiend that haunts the moor, asserted that which was untrue!!" Thus it is that creor the flying Dutchman that makes the seaman's blood dulity affords a ready answer to every difficulty; so that run cold, we may go back to classical days for our illus-we almost cease to wonder at the declaration of the trations. What a lasting monument of human folly is ancient father, who, in the fulness of his faith exclaimto be seen in the heathen mythology, where superstitioned, "Credo quia impossibile est." is busy in the apotheosis of the winds and of the floods, and where every affection of the soul is invested with an imaginary form, and placed by devoted polytheism in the temple of the gods? Look at their oracles, now uttering the maxims of the sage and delivering the predictions of a penetrating sagacity, and now practising the cheats of a juggler, or answering questions about the future, in riddles that serve but to perplex, or to lead to destruction the misguided inquirer. And yet they were crowded by the credulous; and the monarch and the slave were found together at the shrine. Turn away from the land of literature and the arts, from the land of Socrates and Solon, to the country of the demigods of Italy, the country of Brutus and of Tully. Over that wonderful land the same superstitions reigned, and the same ready credulity in the monstrous creations of heathen mythology. What then shall we expect when we pass into Asiatic climes, to the country of Zoroaster and Confucius, to the land of Brama or Mahomet? Over all of them credulity sits brooding, and the darkness of ignorance covers them as with a pall. Is it better with christianity; with the christian who justly derides the mythology of the heathen and the false of an incident which occurred in the old court of chancery before *There is an amusing reminiscence handed down by tradition, prophets of the musselman and the hindoo? Ask the the venerable chancellor Wythe. One morning on taking his sects of each other. Ask of the protestant the history seat, he complained with some warmth of the masses of trash of credulity in popish countries. Straitway he recounts which the counsel introduced into the records; and in proof of a long catalogue of her superstitions. He points at it, read the deposition of an aged lady in support of the credit of another witness. She said, "She had known him from a boy, once to her priests,-here giving absolution ;-there and that when he was a youth he was one of the greatest liars praying a soul out of purgatory;-here curing a disease she ever knew. That she felt sorry for him, and as a cure ad by the influence of their prayers, and there adminis-vised him to swallow the heart of a rattlesnake; that he did so, tering extreme unction to the departing zealot. He and ever since, he had been as truthful a man as any other in the points to the tombs of the fathers crowded with pros-prescription of a bolus or a charm for the cure of a moral infirsettlement." I am not sure that this is the only instance of the trate pilgrims, and brings you the toe of St. Peter, mity. or a veritable fragment of the cross, or the liquifying blood of the holy St. Januarius. Who but blushes for humanity at such an exhibition of its follies? Credulity

When we turn to the ordinary occurrences of life, while superstition and credulity meet us at every step, they are yet perpetually changing, like a Proteus. In one age, we have a monarch touching a patient for the king's evil, or a noble lady soothing the pain of her champion's wound by anointing the spear with which it was inflicted. In another, we have one impostor per forming wonders with Perkins's points, and another practising the ridiculous mummeries of animal magnetism. Charms* and conjuration are the every-day remedies of the vulgar, and quack medicines and infal lible prescriptions fill the columns of our journals and the stomachs of the sick. We cannot lay a fence or kill a hog without looking at the age of the moon, whose influences, extending beyond the tides, are fancied to rule over the ravings of the lunaticf and the fluids of our frames. It is wonderful, too, to see this ready credulity exhibited by the most intelligent. Dr. Johnson believed in ghosts: Those who burnt witches for the love of God, were among the first men of their day and generation: and in these our times, we are

obviously espouses it, though he denied that the influence of the This opinion is, I imagine, as old as Hippocrates: Lord Bacon moon satisfactorily accounted for the tides.