1818.] Influence of Civic Life, &c. on Human Health & Happiness. 435

436 Journey from India to England, through Persia, Georgia, &c. [Dec. 1,

carry conviction to the mind that Dr. Johnson's observations are founded on nature and truth. Speaking of the effects of civic, and especially of luxurious life, on the digestive organs, our author ob

serves:

the over-excited parts. The whole of the phenomena attending the Protean host of nervous diseases, and all the most successful

methods of treatment, attest that their immediate seat or source is an unequal distribution of the blood and of the sensibility. ble, from over-excitement by the passions, The brain and nerves becoming more irritatheir vessels swell with blood, and this local turgidity causes a constant pressure on, and keeps up a perpetual irritation in, the whole nervous system. This is a doctrine which, though deduced from actual observation and experience, is far wide of the popular belief, itself. It is of such importance, however, and but little diffused in the medical world is generally used, that I shall go somewhat and opens out so much better a practice than into detail, in order to elucidate it." p. 84.

"When inordinately excited by the quality or quantity of the food and drink, the secretions are irregular and morbid, and therefore a constant source of irritation is generated in this important class of organs. But with these organs almost every part of the human system sympathizes; and the discerning physician can plainly detect their derangement in the state of the mind, the nerves, the muscles, and the skin. Let it be remembered, that when any one part of the system is inordinately excited, some other part or parts are deprived of their due share of vital energy. The whole work is written in a pleasNow when so large a portion of this vital energy is kept ed to general, as well as professional, hensing, energetic style, and is perfectly adaptconstantly concentrated round the digestive apparatus, it is easy to see that the muscular perusal. The parallels which our author and intellectual systems must severely feel has drawn between the upper and lower the loss. The shattered state of the nerves, ranks of life, in respect to physical and the irritability of the temper, and the want of moral enjoyments, are extremely cutone in the muscles, which hourly present rious, interesting, and original. We themselves in luxurious and civic society, recommend a perusal of the work to afford the most incontestible evidence of the truth of these positions." p. 14. class of our readers. every

The following extract, taken at random, will enable the reader to judge properly of Dr. Johnson's manner and matter:

A Journey from India to England, through Persia, Georgia, Russia, Poland, and Prussia, in the year 1817. By Lieut. Col. JOHN JOHNSON, C.B. Illustrated with Engravings. 1 vol. 4to. pp. 376.

This is a very amusing volume, and though the author made the best of his way from Bombay to Muscat, and thence to England, he surveyed every thing as he passed with a scrutinizing eye. His descriptions are minute, his anecdotes lively, and his observations extremely pertinent. The following is his account of the Illyauts:

"Civic life, by rendering the senses more acute, makes the passions more ungovernable than in rural retirement. In congregated masses of society, every kind of food for the passions is not only superabundant in quantity, but of the most stimulating quality. Hence, among a very considerable class in the upper walks of life, we find an unnatural and insalutary degree of excitement kept up in the brain and nervous system from this prolific source. 66 The extent of injury which our health sustains in this way is beyond all calculation. Plato believed that "all diseases of the body arose from the mind," and certainly a great many of them do! Here we cannot fail to perceive the great analogy which obtains between the state of the digestive organs and that of the nervous system, in civic and luxurious life. The one is over-excited by too much and too stimulating food; the other by excess in the passions. The derangements resulting from each set of causes act and re-act, direct ly or indirectly, on both systems; and thus it is that we never see a morbid condition of the nervous system unconnected with a similar condition of the digestive organs, and vice versa. The over-action of the principal passions on the brain and nerves closely resembles the over-action of food and drink on the stomach and other digestive organs, in many minute particulars, and especially by attracting an undue portion of blood to

Respecting these wandering tribes, who are undoubtedly of Tartar origin, it may be necessary here to state, that they inhabit the mountains on the west and south-west confines of Persia. Their peculiar habits of life do not seem to have varied from those recorded of their ancestors at the period of the march of Alexander through Persia. On the first appearance of spring, early in March, they very slowly move forth with their flocks, and under tents, from the moun tains to the plains in their vicinity, taking that direction in which they know, from experience, that grass is best found. Their mode of migration I find to be simply this: A spot within a few miles having been fixed upon by their chief, they load their camels, horses, bullocks, and other beasts of burden with the clothing, tents, carpets, shearing and spinning implements, and, in short, every thing required by the party, either for use or for future sale; and after sun rise they move off in a body towards the appointed

1818.]

New Publications, with Critical Remarks.

ground, the sheep, goats, and unloaded cattle being separately driven, to graze slowly and progressively in that direction. On their arrival in the evening, the tents of the party are found pitched either on the slope of a mountain, or in some sheltered spot, secured from the violence of winds, and not far distant from water. When the party is large, and the tents numerous, they pitch three or four in a group; at the distance of thirty or forty yards a similar group, and thus for the whole encampment; its general direction being parallel to the mountain which shelters them. The flocks belonging to each division are secured around its respective tents. By this regulation the flocks are kept separate, and obtain their due proportion of forage; and at the same time the various detachments composing the community are within call of each other when as.sistance is required.

"When the forage becomes exhausted in one spot, the party migrate to another, in the same order, and occupy it under the same regulation: thus making, during the summer and autumn, a circular trip or tour out and home. This mode of life, without any variation, is pursued by them in preference to any other."

The author visited the celebrated ruins of Shahpoor, of which he has given an interesting account, and his description of Shirauz is so excellent that we were almost tempted to give an entire extract, had not the sense of our contracted limits checked the inclination. The antiqities of Pentapolis occupy a more considerable space in the volume than we should have expected from the shortness of time in which they were viewed. Ispahan is also largely described, and indeed the whole of the author's route in Persia is marked by penetration and inquisitive curiosity. At Tehran, the colonel and his companion, Captain Salter, were introduced to the King, the particulars of which ceremonial visit are given with sufficient minuteness. The following is the form of introduction on these occasions:-"These gentlemen, King of Kings, have all their lives been anxious to touch the dust of your Majesty's feet, and this day forms a new beginning of their lives; they look on all their past days as nothing, and glory in the honour conferred upon them by your Majesty, King of Kings!!"

Near Shaingulabad our countrymen fell in with the Russian Embassy, from whom they received every friendly attention, and on parting were favoured with numerous letters of recommendation for the remainder of their journey. The description of Mount Ararat is a fine picture; and the account of the improved state of Georgia, under the Russian Government, excites many serious considerations in regard to the probable extension of that gigantic power. On their arrival among the Cossacks, our travellers suffered some temporary inconvenience, in

437.

being subjected to quarantine restraint, from which they were soon freed by the generous Platoff, whose hospitality towards them knew no bounds. Here we close our notice of this agreeable narrative, at the end of which is an appendix, containing an itinerary of the route from Bussora to Hamburgh, and a table of the expenses incurred in a journey over land from India to England.

ASTRONOMY.

Times Telescope, for 1819. 12mo. 9s.

ARTS.

Useful Hints on Drawing and Painting, intended to facilitate the improvement of young persons. By J. C. Burgess.

This little book, the production of a very respectable and meritorious artist, will, we conceive, be found particularly useful in forming the taste, and guiding the talents of the youthful votaries of the Scenic Muse. We agree with its author, that ela borate and abstruse treatises on the arts, often fail in their effect from not being sufficiently adapted to the capacities of youth. This difficulty is, how. ever, obviated in the pages before us; and the observations introduced are given in a style as concise and perspicuous as possible. The volume is certainly handsomely printed; but considering that it contains only 54 pages, the price affixed to it cannot but be considered as rather exorbitant. We mention this because we fear it will have the effect of restricting its circulation.

Hakewell's Views in Italy. No. 2.

Italian Scenery from drawings, by E. D. Batty. No. 4, 4to.

A Collection of 38 Old Wood Cuts, illustrative of the New Testament. 4to. 12s.

438

New Publications, with Critical Remarks.

Scripture Testimony to the Messiah, including a careful examination of the Rev. T. Belsham's Calm Inquiries, and of the other principal Unitarian works on the subject. By John Pye Smith, D.D. 8vo. 14s.

EDUCATION.

Education upon the Plan of Spelling, Dividing and Pronouncing, by giving attention to the primary and secondary accents, and to the sound of the vowel, whereby many words may be known at once. By the Rev. J. Snape. 6d.

A Sequel to Mrs. Trimmer's Introduction to the Knowledge of Nature. By Sarah Trimmer, 12mo.

A New Theoretical Grammar of the French Language, with exercises. By C. Gros. 12mo. 5s.

The specimen here offered of the qualifications of Mr. Thomson, for the undertaking he proposes to execute, will, doubtless, render the public im patient for the appearance of his important forthcoming volume. The utility of etymological enquiry is indubitable; indeed, to a certain extent," it is absolutely necessary, to complete a perfect system of education; for a man can scarcely be pronounced thoroughly acquainted with the lan guage of his country, until he knows something of its primitive derivation. Much deep and scientific research is displayed in the few pages before us, with little or none of that parade so common with those who write on the more abstruse subjects. Antiquitates Curiosa, the etymology of many remarkable old sayings, Proverbs,&c. explained. By Jos. Taylor. foolsc. 8vo. 5s.

GEOGRAPHY.

[Dec. 1,

1816, at the Royal Dispensary for Diseases of the Ear. By T. H. Curtis, 8vo. 2s. 6d.

Pathological and Surgical Observations on the Diseases of the Joints. By E. C. Brodie. 8vo. 10s. 6d.

Sketches of the Philosophy of Life. By
Sir T. C. Morgan, M. D. 8vo. 14s.
Ayre's Observations on Marasmus, 8vo. 7s.
Quarterly Journal of Foreign Medicine.
No. 1. 8vo. 3s. 6d.

on

Ballingall's Practical Observations fever, dysentery and liver complaints. 8vo. 9s.

MISCELLANEOUS.

Daughter. By Catherine Alicia Mant, AuMargaret Melville, and the Soldier's thor of Ellen, &c. 12mo.

This is an instructive and amusing little volume, and may be added to the Juvenile Library with considerable advantage; though we are not sure, considering the number of similar publications already in hand, that such a work was particularly necessary at the present time.

Seneca's Morals; by way of abstract: to which is added, a Discourse, under the title of an after thought. By Sir Roger L'Estrange, knt. 8vo. 10s. 6d.

Hypocrisy Unveiled, and Calumny detected; in a review of Blackwood's Magazine. 8vo. 1s. 6d.

Laskey's Description of the Napoleon Mint Medals. royal 8vo. 18s.

Vindicia Wykehamicæ. By the Rev. W. L. Bowles. 2s.

Naval Chronology of Great Britain. By

The Imperial Atlas. By James Miller, J. Ralph. 8vo. 10s. 6d. M. D. royal 4to. 21. 10s.

HISTORY.

Gleanings and Remarks, collected during many months' residence at Buenos Ayres. By Major Alex. Gillespie. 8vo. 10s.

LAW.

Reports of Cases argued and determined in the Court of Common Pleas and Exchequer Chambers. By J. B. Moore. v. 1. part 4. royal 8vo. 8s.

Index to Taunton's Reports, 8vo. 2s.

MATHEMATICS.

The Mathematical Questions proposed in the Ladies Diary, and their original Answers, together with some new Solutions, from its commencement in the year 1704 to 1816. By T. Leybourn. 4 vols. 8vo. 41. MEDICINE.

A Letter to the Governors of Bethlem Hospital, containing an account of their management of that Institution for the last twenty years. By John Haslam, M. D. 8vo.

2s. 6d.

Stereoplea; or, The Defence of the Horse's Foot considered. By Bracy Clarke. 4to. 10s 6d.

An Introductory Lecture, as delivered in

Florence Macarthy; an Irish Tale. By Lady Morgan, Author of France, O'Donnell, &c. 4 vols. 28s.

My Old Cousin; or, A Peep into Cochin China; a novel. By the Author of Romantic Facts. 3 vols. 12mo. 16s. 6d.

The Fast of St. Magdalen; a novel. By Anna Maria Porter. 3 vols. 21s.

Nightmare Abbey. By the Author of Headlong Hall. 12mo. 6s. 6d.

Brambleton Hall. 12mo. 3s. 6d.

POETRY.

Warwick Castle: a Tale, with minor Poems. By W. R. Bedford, B. A. of University College, Oxford.

As a motto to this collection, the author prefixes a few lines from a celebrated poet, whom it were well if he had copied in his epigraph alone; but he has gone farther, and the sentiments, the language, the warmth of amatory feeling, and the toutensemble of his poetry forces us into a comparison which must be fatal to himself. This felo-de-se is

1818.]

New Publications, with Critical Remarks.

the less excusable, as Mr. Bedford, though newly launched into the sea of authorship, seems to have that in him which, if duly appreciated and exerted, would probably make him a poet of no mean order; at all events would raise him above that style of verse in which, unfortunately, he has chosen to make his literary debut. The tale, we confess, two attentive perus4ls have not enabled us to unravel. Here and there we have a partial light, which serves but to make the darkness visible and it may be well for the author to know that his poetry is most pleasing when it is most plain. As for general readers in these days, since they may possibly most admire those parts which critics ought most to condemn, we shall not offer any selections, but leave them to consult the whole forty pages. For Mr. Bedford's sake, however, as we hope and expect to meet with him again, we will instance the few lines on the Pantheon as by far the best passage in the performance. What the University, of which it appears he is a member, may say to its publication, is another affair. But though unsuccessful he has not disgraced them, and would he be content to write rational verse upon rational subjects, might become an honour to their age of poetry.

Sensibility; The Stranger; and other Poems. By W.C. Harvey.

We cannot speak in terms of particular com. mendation of this volume; for though it displays feelings and principles highly creditable to its au thor as a man, it is essentially deficient in that energy, fancy, and correctness which could alone obtain for its author the notice he appears to anti. cipate as a poet. To attain to any degree of ex. cellence, in the species of composition with which Mr. Harvey's pages are, for the most part, occu pied, requires that the bard should write with his feelings about him rather than his books, and be impelled less by the desire of saying something than having something to say.

Of the two principal poems, Sensibility and The Stranger, we certainly prefer the former; the earliest, as we are informed in the preface, of the au thor's productions; since, notwithstanding its ge nerally defective versification, it contains many amiable sentiments pleasingly and feelingly con veyed. The Stranger does not possess similar claims to our attention; its fable and style being equally tedious and uninteresting. The minor poems are none of them above mediocrity.

The Immortality of the Soul, and other Poems. By Thomas Thomson.

The subject of the principal poem in this pamphlet is treated in too imperfect and desultory a manner for oue of such awful importance. Indeed we consider it as an act of strong presumption for a youthful poet to dare so lofty a theme. Several detached passages, however, might be adduced of more than common pathos and energy: sufficient to prove that the author possesses, to a certain degree, the afflatus divinus," though not quite enough of it to qualify him for the task he has here undertaken. Of the minor productions, the stanzas beginning "The Rose may wither on the Tree," are singularly tasteful and pretty. The translation of the 13th Psalm might have been spared, as it has already been effected by the allpotent pen of the Bard of Harold in one of his IIc.

brew Melodies.

The Anglo Cambrian; a poem, in four cantos. By M. Linwood. 8vo. 5s.

430

Cobbin's Pilgrims' Fate; a poem. 12mo. 4s. 6d.

Poetical Rhapsodies. By J. B. Fisher. 8vo. 7s.

The Minstrel of the Glen, and other poems. By H. Stebbing. 8vo. 7s. 6d. Woman; a poem. By E. S. Barrett, esq. Author of the Heroine. 2d edition, revised.

POLITICS AND POLITICAL ECONOMY.

Extraordinary Red Book, containing a detailed list of all the places, pensions, sinecures, &c. 8vo.

A letter to H. Brougham, esq. M. P. in reply to the Strictures on Winchester College. By the Rev. L. Clarke. 8vo. 2s. 6d.

Lieut. General Thornton's Speech in the House of Commons, on his motion to repeal the declaration against the belief of Transubstantiation. royal 8vo. 6s.

TOPOGRAPHY.

Ormerod's History of Cheshire. part 8. History of the City of Dublin. By the Rev. Robert Walsh. 2 vols. 4to. 51. 5s.

VOYAGES AND TRAVELS.

Narrative of the Shipwreck of the Os. wego on the Coast of South Barbary, and of the Sufferings of the Master and Crew while in bondage among the Arabs. By Judah Paddock, her late Master. 4to.

In the modest advertisement prefixed to this interesting narrative, its author informs us that it was committed to the press principally at the request and instigation of Capt. Riley, for the purpose of serving as an Appendix to his book, the veracity of which, it appears, has in part been thought questionable. As the fate of both these persons is strikingly similar, each having endured captivity among the Arabs, and in the like manner been redeemed from their barbarity, the evidence of the one will go far to corroborate the testimony already offered to the public by the other. Capt. Riley's detail, however, was likely to have been more minute and correct, from the circumstance of his having made notes upon the spot; whilst Captain Paddock, not having taken any such precaution, and being in the possession of no memoranda whatever, was obliged to ransack his memory for the facts he wished to detail; by which means his story appears occasionally more confused and improbable than might otherwise have been the

case.

Recollections of Japan. By Captain Golownin, of the Russian Navy, Author of the Narrative of a Three Years Journey in that Country. 1 vol. 8vo. 12s.

History of Voyages into the Polar Regions, undertaken chiefly for the purpose of discovering a North East, North West, or Polar passage between the Atlantic and Pacific. By John Barrow. esq. 8vo. 12s.

Fearon's Narrative of a Journey of 5,000 miles through the Eastern and Western States of America. 8vo. 10s. 6d.

Narrative of the Expedition which sailed from England in 1807, to join the South American Patriots. By James Hackett. 8vo. 5s.6d.