exposed to profuse perspiration, which diverts the secretions to the skin, leaving the internal surfaces dry; at the same time an excess of strong drink either. causes or encreases inflammation. Dr. Lambe had discovered in some reservoirs impurities of lead, which he suspects would render the water more injurious than the general quality of hardness. The dry and rare atmosphere, and the dust which adulterates it, may be considered unfriendly to tender and irritable lungs. It is certain that infancy meets with every disadvantage in this town, and that since the establishment of the parish asylum in the vicinity, govern. ed by rules honourable to the benevolent directors, the saving of life has been in the proportion of three to one of the infant objects. But scrofula and consumption affect the labouring families of this place in a much less degree than is common in others where the employments are more sedentary, and the work rooms close, as is the case in the manufacture of cottons, woollens, linens, laces, &c. Consumption and scrofula may still be excluded from the dwellings of these industrious mechanics, if to the comforts of much work with plenty of food be added a continuance of that liberal policy of the rich, by which a sufficient number of houses is left untaxed, for the separate accommodation of less fortunate familics. These dwellings are airy and clean, but the floors are so frequently washed as to produce, by their dampness, rheumatic complaints; yet by this universal custom the general salubrity of the place is additionally secured. If unfortunately fever should attack an inha

bitant,

bitant, it makes no progress unless favoured by circumstances of local impurities, extreme poverty, and anxiety of mind. These causes introduce each other, and in some seasons have been combined.

In the years 1800-1801 the badness of trade concurred with dearness of provisions to occasion such dis tress of mind and weakness of body, as were followed by that most fertile cause of contagion, the filth of private dwellings. The opulent then stepped forward with that humanity which makes the poor rejoice in their prosperity: the establishment of a public kitchen in which soup of an excellent quality, together with good bread, was delivered in a liberal manner, doubtless prevented thousands from death, either through the direct effect of scarcity, or its indirect consequence of encreased contagion; yet with every exertion of benevolence scenes of misery occurred that can scarcely be conceived by those who have not beheld them. In the beginning of this period of distress many sold their furniture by degrees, and then their apparel in the same way, before they submitted to the afflicting resource of asking parish relief. This degree of calamity pressed longer than has been generally supposed, but there is sufficient testimony of its weight to be obtained from the pawnbrokers. Clothes loaded with filth were taken upon pawn every Saturday night, and several persons in this business were infected, and some died of fever after long protracted indisposition. The applications to the parish were at length so numerous, that the relief afforded to each family was barely sufficient for their sustenance,

The poverty which is so great as to prevent the obtaining necessaries for a family, hrings with it, besides the physical evils of pain and disease, the misery of hopeless despondency and confirmed humiliation. Despondency and even despair were therefore moral causes, which in this typhus of the poor added greatly to the difficulties of overcoming the disease. The state we have described may be irritated rather than alleviated by the remedies commonly applied; the soothing attentions of the benevolent are the most efficacious balm to soften the anguish of a wounded heart, and to calm the agitations of a mind stung by disappointment and humbled by despair. In proposing remedies for the ills of the body, it is therefore not less than a duty to raise the sinking heart by the cheerful assurance of recovery, and by inspiring a confidence in the prospect of better days. Frequent instances of unaffected sympathy with the sick ap, peared in many respectable females, who were so active and judicious as to supply by their attentions the deficiencies of poverty, and thus to give efficacy to the medicines recommended. Amongst these the quakers were to be found, acting up to their professions with exemplary zeal, wherever their benevolence could be usefully exerted.

We now return from the patients to the physician. Dr. Bree's" Practical Enquiry into the Causes of Asthma" was published in 1797, and it has since passed through the third edition. Few books on medicine have been more generally approved, or added more to the reputation of an author. The disease of which

this is the subject has been as much the opprobrium medicorum as the gout, and any prospect of improvement in its pathology was sufficient to claim a general attention, for no professional jealousies were likely to oppose the attempt at saving to physicians the tedium of treating so obstinate a malady. He addresses his brethren with great liberality in the postscript to the last edition: "I shall consider it more honourable to my reputation, and an ample reward for my labours, (says he) if physicians will themselves direct the means of cure, after applying the principles of this inquiry, and approving of my intentions in recommending them." The inquiry is pursued according to the strict method of induction. The principles are estab lished upon inferences which facts existing in the natural œconomy of man clearly and explicitly furnish. "It is (says the author) for the general interest to know, that the external muscles re-act in a convulsive manner to relieve the internal functions from injury or interruption; and that convulsive asthma is a muscular re-action to accomplish this object."

It appears further that various diseases, little attended to in the former pathologies of asthma, may occasion such a convulsive state of the respiratory muscles, as gives the name to this disease; and we are informed that the great success which the author has had in the treatment of it, has proceeded from his discrimination of these hitherto unobserved causes, added to his attention to the peculiarities of constitution.

Dr. Bree is still in the prime of life. He is a gen

tleman

tleman of very engaging and interesting manners. His professional attention to those under his care is remarkably soothing; and the instances are few in which a temporary patient does not settle into a pcrmanent friend: added to which we can with great truth assert, that his brethren of the faculty feel for him an affectionate regard, founded on his medical abilities and social endowments. The product of his marriage with the very amiable lady already mentioned, is a daughter, of the most promising and endearing manners.

LORD WHITWORTH, K. B.

DUM SPIRO SPERO.

THE English have always been considered as a people replete with courage, addicted to war, and capable of no small portion of national heroism. But it has been asserted, on the other hand, that they are but little acquainted with the arts that lead to peace, and that our island has been more productive of great admirals, and even of great generals, than of able or successful negociators. The nobleman whose name and motto are prefixed to this article, with a few others, will be assuredly quoted against the position; but it may be replied that these are merely exceptions from the general rule, and instead of overturning, serve only to confirm it.

Certain it is that Great Britain, notwithstanding so many naval and military exploits, has been less famous for her treaties than her battles, and less cele

brated