of all classes of the community, on the return of peace, into the vortex of trade. The reflux of the wave gives us now an opportunity to repair its ravages. A good historical and didactic treatise on the agriculture of the United States is a desideratum. E. Dissertation First: Exhibiting a General View of the Progress of Metaphysical and Political Philosophy, since the Revival of Letters in Europe, by Dugald Stewart, esq. F. R. S. London and Edinburgh, &c. &c. Part 1. 8vo. pp. 260. Boston, WELLS & LILLY. New-York, KIRK & MER, CEIN. This is the first part of the first in a Series of Five Dissertations, prefixed to the Supplementary volumes of the Encyclopedia Britannica, in which it is intended to exibit a summary view of the progress and present state of metaphysical, mathematical, and physical science. The publication before us brings down the history of the moral and intellectual theories, the discussion of which, for some ages, constituted the employment, and consumed the talents of the learned, to the dawning of the day-star of reason on the Cimmerian night of the schools. The sequel of this preliminary discourse will take up the consideration of the writings of Locke and Leibnitz, and trace the progress of the science of mind to its present advancement. The high reputation of Professor Stewart is sustained by his present performance. He has taken a wide and liberal survey of his subject, and unbiassed by prejudice, and unawed by authority, has evinced a loyal adherence to the supremacy of common sense. He has been very successful in exposing the fallacies of doctrines that for centuries enslaved the understanding;-it remains to be seen what other than negative advantages have resulted from their demolition. For ourselves, we consider all speculations upon nousogony, to coin a word adapted to designate that branch of metaphysics on which so much study has been wasted, as worse than nugatory, inasmuch as ignorance is preferable to error. Let us be content, without attempting to search into what is inscrutable, to adopt as the terminus to which all just investigations must ultimately tend, the truth. contained in the text of Scripture, which Dr. Reid wisely adopted as his motto,-"The inspiration of the Almighty has given (man) understanding,"-and diligently apply ourselves in imitation of his example, to the discovery of the means for its proper conduct. We cannot too cautiously guard against yielding ourselves to the impulses of imagination, in subjects wholly foreign to its province. Those magnificent vistas into the regions of mind, which have so often dazzled the vision of philosophic fancy, have proved to the weary pursuit of painful meditation, "Long passages that lead to nothing." To the faculty of imagination we must refer, not merely poetical creations, but every arbitrary fiction, as distinguished from fact-every species of reverie. It was the enticement of the illusions of this power that erst betrayed reason into the labyrinths of ontology, and again seduced it to enVOL. I. NO. III. gage in the Sisyphean toil of climbing the steeps of German mysticism. We have much to congratulate ourselves upon in the disenthralment of opinion which has been achieved during the latter part of the last century, and the beginning of the present; and we have still more to hope from the spirit of free inquiry, upon every subject, which has gone abroad. The reaction of the mind, naturally incident to its emancipation from the bondage of superstition, has contributed more to the efficacy of its endea intellectual vassalage, than all the aids furnished vours to burst the shackles of civil tyranny and by the champions of pneumatology. We are not among those who calculate upon the discovery of latent faculties in the human mind, or upon the invention of a patent process of ratiocination.-We rejoice in the prostration of past systems, not in the hope of any more satisfactory substitute, but in the belief that mankind will, at last, be willing to apply themselves to the cultivation of their intellectual powers, instead of spending their lives in a preliminary abstract inquiry into their nature and economy. The time that has been thrown away in frivolous controversy on points beyond our comprehension, and of no practical value if ascertainable, is the strongest possible evidence of our ignorance of that with which we have thought ourselves most conversant. is something, however, to have learnt, at length that there are limits which we cannot pass, and if we will but profit by experience, and give our exertions to the attainment of objects within our reach, we may grasp much that is useful, which we have heretofore overlooked in our longings after ideal good. The world will be probably more benefited by the institution of experimental courses of education, than by any a priori speculation on the origin of ideas, or the modes of reasoning. It is enough for this object, to know that axioms are not innate, and that wisdom is in some way to be acquired. It The history of the advances that have been made in the new science of political economy shows the steady progress of reason, where it has data to go upon, and equally evinces the fallacy of unfledged theories. We shall await with impatience the continuation of this able dissertation. E. The Seasons; with the Castle of Indolence. By James Thompson. New-York. W. B. 12mo. pp. 287. GILLEY. We do not take up this volume for the purpose of expressing our admiration of the poet, which would carry us nearly the length of exclaiming with Collins, "Yet lives there one whose heedless eye, Shall scorn thy pale shrine glimmering near! With him, sweet bard, may Fancy die, And Joy desert the blooming year." It is from the rareness of the opportunity of com. mending an American edition of a British work, that we feel bound to notice the remarkable neatness of this, which is executed in a superior style of typography, and ornamented with some of the most elegant wood cuts we have seen. Whether the text be more accurate than the run of publi cations from our presses, we have not examined H it sufficiently to say-unless, indeed, the exemption of some half dozen pages, that we have looked at, from error, may establish the affirmative. E. Essays on Hypochondriacal and other Nervous Affections. By John Reid, M. D. Member of the Royal College of Physicians, London; and late Physician to the Finsbury Dispensary. Philadelphia. CAREY & SON. New-York. KIRK & MERCEIN. 8vo. pp. 209. the opinions on the subject of school discipline we wish might spread. L. The Sacrifice of Isabel. A Poem. By Edward Quillinan, Esq. New-York. VAN WINKLE & WILEY. 12mo. pp. 52. This poem appears to have been founded upon fact, and from the subject, the air of mystery which is thrown around it, and its beauties of language and sentiment, of which there are some, it is rendered not a little interesting. L. French Constitution of 1793, and the Decla Peace-Republican's Manual; or, The ration of the Rights of Man and of Citizens; to which are added Debates on this Constitu tion in the National Convention; translated extracts from pieces seized in Babœuf's Rooms; extracts from Rousseau's Work on the Social Contract, &c. &c. New-York, Sold by Jonx TIEBOUT & SONS. 8vo. pp. 161. Though the title of this Essay would lead us to suppose it a professional work, and though it is in fact the production of professional skill and observation, its use and its interest are not confined to the members of the faculty. It is in truth an essay upon the connexion subsisting between the physical and intellectual and moral systems, with rules to preserve the healthy action of all. The style, as well as the subject, will commend it to general perusal, whilst an attentive study of its principles will enable one to detect the pretenThe Bower of Spring, with other Poems, sions of empiricism, and a firm adherence to its precepts will go far to dispense with the necessity by the Author of the Paradise of Coquettes. of resorting to the pharmacopeia. We cannot but Philadelphia. M. THOMAS. New-York. wish a wide circulation to the enlightened and KIRK & MERCEIN. 18mo. pp. 107. beneficent opinions of Dr. Reid. C. The praise more liberally than judiciously bestowed upon this author's first production, has stimulated him to empty his porte-feuille upon the public. Happily, its contents are small, and not offensive. The first poem in the collection, and which gives its title to the volume, contains a good deal of poetical epithet and scenery, but its descriptions, with all their particularity, want dis tinctness, and fail of effect. The writer has not the faculty of seizing upon the prominent features of the landscape, and presenting a picture at once to the eye. His lyrics are still more indifferent than his heroics. The conceits on which most of his minor pieces turn, are 66 Far-fetched, and little worth." E. The Reformer, or Essays on some import- The Glory of Columbia, Her Yeomanry, ant subjects. By a Friend to his Country. a Play, in five Acts, by William Dunlap, New-York. Sold by different BOOKSELLERS. esq. New-York. DAVID LONGWORTH. 12mo 12mo. pp. 201. pp. 56. pp. 34. By W. C. Oulton. DAVID LONGWORTH. 12mo. Bombastes Furioso, a Tragic Burlesque The subjects of these essays are, as stated in Frightened to Death, a Musical Farce, the title, important, but the writer has not discussed them with much ability. Most of the senti- in two Acts, as performed at the Theatre ments, we do, indeed, think correct, but as a Royal Drury-Lane. well-connected train of thought matured into sysNew-York. tem and set forth perspicuously and forcibly, the book can have no claim. In treating the several topics as they arose, the author seems to have lost sight too much of what he says elsewhere, and there are consequently many incoherencies in the statement of his thoughts and opinions. His style, too, is very faulty, and there are in the book some grammatical errors, which can hardly be charged upon the printer. He has read the Pursuits of Literature, "and has attemptedto imitate the manner of that anomalous performance in his criticism and satire, without having the talents and erudition requisite for success. Still, however, the general strain of feeling is laudable, and most of Booksellers in any part of the United States, who wish to have their publications noticed in this Catalogue, will please to send copies of them to the Editors, as early as possible. We shall give the publications in the names of all those from whom we receive copies, putting the original publisher first. G ART. 14. MATHEMATICAL LUCUBRATIONS. QUESTION 1, BY M. T. N. YORK. terials of which are to be taken from a trench, to circumscribe it at the distance 7, and x2 + xy of two yards from the base: the perpendicular depth of the trench to equal its width at the earth's surface; the inclination of the inside to be the same with that of the mound, viz. 10°, from the perpendicular and the outside, which is perpendicular, must enclose an acre exactly. VIVEN, x3 y3 + ya = 7 to find x and y. QUESTION 2, BY ANALYTICUS, N. YORK. It is required to cut a given cone by a plane passing through the vertex, so that the area of the section may be the greatest possible. QUESTION 3, BY ANALYTICUS, N. YORK. It is required to determine the position of a body from three simultaneous observed angles of elevation, at three given places on the same horizontal plane. QUESTION 4, BY MR. MICHAEL O'CONNOR, Teacher of the Catholic Lancastrian School, Barclay-street, New-York. A mound in the form of the frustum of a cone 21 feet perpendicular height, is to be raised upon a horizontal plane, the ma It is required to know the expense of the workmanship at six cents the cubic yard. be sent, free of expense, to KIRK & MERSolutions to these questions must CEIN, New-York, the publishers. Solutions to the above will be published in the number for October, and must be furnished by the 1st of September next; and as a general rule, answers must be returned in two months from the proposition of the prob. lem. ART. 15. REPORT OF DISEASES TREATED AT THE PUBLIC DISPENSARY, NEW-YORK, DURING APRIL AND MAY, 1817. ACUTE DISEASES. FE Contusio, 7; Vulnus, 15; Abcessus, 5; With the exception of a few mild days, the weather, during this interval, has been uncommonly cold for the season; and from the want of those frequent refreshing showers that usually usher in the Spring, there was little appearance of advancing vegetation, until the first of May. The winds have been variable; but the N. W., W., and S. W., have chiefly predominated. North-easterly and South-easterly winds have occasionally blown, and with, what is CHRONIC AND LOCAL DISEASES. usual, considerable chillness and atmosAsthenia, 12; Vertigo, 10: Cephalalgia, pherical humidity. The maximum of the 8; Paralysis, 1; Dyspepsia, 15; Vomitus, thermometer, in the shade, for April, was 3; Gastrodynia, 4; Enterodynia, 7; Cho- 80° on the 16th, with the wind from the rea, 2; Epilepsia, 4; Asthma, 1; Hyste- S. W.; the minimum on the 11th was 33° ria, 3; Colica, 1; Hypochondriasis, 1; at 6 o'clock in the morning, making a difMania, 1; Dyspnea, 9; Catarrhus chron. ference of 47° in five days. The mean 15; Bronchitis Chron. 5; Rheumatismus 'temperature at 7 in the morning was 44° Chron. 35; Lumbago, 7; Pleurodynia, 5; at 2 in the afternoon, 58°—and at sunset Cephalæa, 3; Hæmorrhois, 3; Diarrhoea, 3; Leucorrhoea, 1: Urethritis, 12; Icterus, 1; Obstipatio, 40: Chlorosis, 1; Ame norrhea, 5; Dolor Uteri, 2; Plethora, 23; Anasarca, 2; Hydrothorax, 1; Ascites. 1; Lithiasis, 1; Scrophula, 3; Tabes Mese- The Records of the Dispensary, present, senterica, 3; Verminatio, 23; Syphilis, since the last Report, an increased propor14; Pseudo-Syphilis, 1; Tumor, 6; Scir- tion of inflammatory diseases. The prorhus, 1; Carcinoma, 1; Hydarthrus, 3; longed coldness of the weather, and someHernia, 1; Subluxatio, 8; Fractura, 3; times considerable vicissitudes of tempera 51°. In May, the maximum temperature was 76°; and the minimum, 45°. The mean of the thermometer for the morning was 51°; for the afternoon, 62°; for the evening, 56°. ture, multiplied, as usual, the cases of Townsend had the charge of the patient rheumatic complaints, and affections of after the 7th day. The Antiphlogistie the thoracic viscera, in all their forms. In- treatment was still continued, together flammations of the eyes were also frequent. with the general warm bath. The disease In several instances, when, in consequence terminated favourably on the 12th day. of previous Ophthalmic inflammation, The Infantile Remittent Fever, (the Fespecks, ulcerations, or pustules, had form- bris Infantum Remittens of Authors,) was ed on the cornea or the conjunctiva, the very prevalent among children from the most evident advantages were derived age of 5 or 6 months, to that of 10 or from a complete division of the vessels, 12 years. Although this complaint visited which supplied them with nourishment, children in all ranks of society, yet, it parby means of scarifications by the lancet, ticularly affected those in the lower orCases of typhus fever were sometimes ob- ders, who, either from greater exposures, served; but some of the most prevalent from small, crowded, ill ventilated or uncomplaints, next to those just mentioned, healthy apartments, and from the use of were, dyspepsia, torpor of the bowels, and improper food, or other causes, experienother affections of the stomach and intesti- ced its effects in an uncommon degree. nal canal. These appeared to be frequent. In some it bore a strong resemblance to inly owing to the debility of want, or defec- flammation of the lungs or pleura, and in tive nutrition, as well as the habitual abuse others to Hydrocephalus. of spirituous liquors; and in no instance, perhaps, were they the effects of a deranged state of the biliary or digestive or gans, produced by the operation of external heat. The invasion of the disease, so far as the Reporter had opportunities of observing it, was, generally, very gradual. It usually manifested its advances, by more or less impaired appetite and digestion; by disThe return of Spring brought with it ordered bowels, which were sometimes reseveral cases of Erysipelas. A severe at- laxed, but commonly constricted; by dultack of this disease, attended with much ness, languor, and aversion to bodily exerinflammatory fever, occurred in an infant tion, or by a peevish and fretful disposiat the breast, aged six months; the mother tion; by feverishness, particularly in the afof which was of a gross plethoric habit of ternoon or towards evening, during which body, and strongly predisposed to erysi- the hands were hot, the head painful, the pelatous affections. The complaint made breathing more hurried than natural, and its appearance first on the back of the neck, the pulse one hundred or more in a and the occipital portion of the head. minute. These premonitory symptoms From thence it travelled progressively having continued, in a greater or less deover the scalp, face, and front of the body, gree, for some days, the little sufferer downwards to the extremities; each re- was suddenly seized with a more severe newed succession of the disorder becom- paroxysm of fever, preceded, for the most ing gradually less severe, in proportion as part, by chills, and sometimes by vomiting. it receded to a greater distance from the The pulse now rose to 130 or 140 in a part originally affected. The tumefaction minute. The disorder being thus fully of the head and face was prodigious; the formed, the prominent or leading symptoms eyes were swollen shut, and the features were-urgent fever; rapid pulse; quickencould scarcely be recognized. Vesications ed respiration, that was often attended by appeared on the scalp on the fourth day. cough; flushed cheeks; pungent heat of The Reporter was called to the child on skin, particularly of the head, abdomen, the second day of its illness. The first in- and palms of the hands; listlessness and intention was to relieve the disordered and aptitude to motion; drowsiness and someconstipated bowels, by an active cathartic, times a disturbed state of the sensorium, and they were afterwards kept soluble by amounting even to delirium; picking of the use of senna and manna, with a small the nose, lips or other parts of the face; portion of neutral salt, and the occasional depraved appetite and aversion to food; interposition of a dose of calomel and rheu- irregularity of the bowels, and an offensive barb. Gentle diaphoretic medicines were state of the alvine discharges, which at the same time employed, together with were either of a blackish or greenish the frequent use of the pediluvium. As colour, and mixed with much mucus, slime, an external remedy, the diluted liquor am- or shreds of coagulated lymph.moniæ acetatis, was ordered to be kept The duration of the fever was various. constantly applied to the inflamed parts. For the most part, however, it continued In consequence of the Reporter's changing from 5 or 6 days to a fortnight, and in one n his district, his friend and colleague Dr. principles, it was successfully treated by purgatives at intervals; by gentle diaphoretics; by ablution with tepid vinegar and water; and by the use of tonics, as soon as the state of the system would permit. An active cathartic of calomel and rhubarb was generally ordered to be taken immediately, and repeated every second or third day, according to circumstances; and on the intermediate days, the bowels were kept gently open by senna and manna in conjunction with a neutral salt, and sometimes by a combination of magnesia, rhubarb, and tartrite of antimony. stance to more than five weeks. In this last the stomach and intestines. On these case mercury was freely had recourse to, but not with those beneficial effects, that some have ascribed to it. The Reporter must here observe, that he cannot, either from theory or experience, approve of the use of mercury in this disorder to the extent recommended by Mr. Coley, in his late work on the Remittent Fever of Infants. As a purgative, it may be advantageously given, and in those few instances, perhaps, in which there may appear to be an evident torpor of the liver, with deficiency of the biliary secretions. His objections to the employment of this active medicine, so as to affect the system, are founded not only on its well known debilitating effects on the constitution, or its more primary operation in augmenting the phlogistic diathesis of body, and the motion of the blood-vessels; but also on its peculiar influence upon the brain and nerves, as well as its power to increase the action of the exhalent vessels. For a lucid and satisfactory view of this modus operandi of mercury on the system, the reader is referred to a learned and practical Inaugural Dissertation by Dr. John W. Francis, and to some valuable remarks of this Writer on the same subject, published in the last volume of the American Medical and Philosophical Register. In every case of Infantile Remittent, there is evidently more or less affection of the brain, as is clearly evinced by the frequent stupor, drowsiness, delirium, and pain in the head and from the great determination of blood towards that organ, there is necessarily produced a strong predisposition to hydrocephalus. The exciting of a mercurial action in the system, under such circumstances, must be highly improper, on the principle of its augmenting the local excitement of the brain, and thereby increasing the tendency to dropsical effusion. In confirmation of the correctness of this opinion, it may be observed that instances of Hydrocephalus in children have been known to arise from the internal use of Mercury. Several cases of this kind have fallen under the observation of Dr. Hosack, who has long since, in his public Lectures, given practical cautions on this subject. : The infantile remittent being a disease of the whole system, connected with a disordered state of the stomach and other Chylopoietic Viscera; its treatment is to be conducted on the principle of cleansing the primæ viæ; diminishing excitement both general and local; and giving tone to The subsequent observations on the increased pulsation of the Aorta in the Epigastic Region, were intended to have been inserted in the last Report; but were unavoidably deferred for want of room. They. are still deemed of sufficient importance to be now communicated, inasmuch as they relate to an extraordinary symptom, which though not necessarily of serious apprehension in itself, may be the cause of great alarm by being confounded with another disease of the aorta, incurable in its nature, and commonly of fatal tendency. The attention of the reporter was directed to this pulsation during the preceding winter, by Dr. Hosack, who stated that he had observed three instances of it in this city; the last of which occurred at the period just mentioned, and was by an eminent practitioner mistaken for an aneurism of the aorta. The aorta, it is well known, has, like the artery at the wrist, a constant pulsation, which, however, is not percep tible to the touch, in consequence of the great depth to which the vessel lies bu ried beneath the surface of the abdomen, This motion of the aorta might at any time be felt, provided the parietes of the abdomen could be brought in immediate contact therewith. Accordingly, the learned Dr. Parr remarks that, “any person, if thin, will often, if lying on his back, perceive a pulsation somewhat below the pit of the stomach, and if low spirited or hysteric, will be alarmed bythis unexpected sensation." This symptom, though it may be a source of alarm to the person experi. encing it, can scarcely be considered a disease. It is mentioned here for the purpose of distinguishing it from an actually increased pulsation, which being a real morbid occurrence, or at least symptomatic of disease, is for the most part not only perceptible to the patient internally, or by the hand externally applied, but such is its force, that it is sometimes visible |