with six pedals would not have existed. I have written to the "honorable gentle man" and to Dr. Kemp; from repeated interviews with whom, Mr. L. asserts, that he was induced and enabled to perfect "his invention:" he also declares that, at the time I alluded to in my first letter to him, (which was October 1808) he had many instruments in hand with six pedals.' From the gentlemen above mentioned I have received no answer. Mr. Loeschmann has not thought pro per to attempt any reply to my letter in your publication for last June; but, as he has so positively and unjustly asserted that all his information that enabled him to perfect his patent instrument was derived from "the honorable gentleman" and Dr. Kemp, I must now insist that Mr. L. bring forward a confirmation of this assertion, with the authority and sig nature of the two gentlemen he has men. tioned, which, if he is unable to do, it is an evident proof that he has taken the most unwarrantable liberty with their names; and I call upon him to produce a declaration from them (if he can) that, in October 1808, be had " many instruments (or any instrument) in hand with six pe dals;" until this is done, his word can have no influence against matter of fact, and his silence will be only a clear evidence that he feels my last letter to be unanswerable. T. GRENVILLE, Aug. 4, 1812. To the Editor of the Monthly Magazine. R SIR, EADING Rowe's translation of Lucan's Pharsalia, I was struck with (what appeared to me) an impropriety, Book vii, line 711. "Wheeling around the hostile line they wind, While lightly arm'd the shot succeed behind; In various ways, the various bands engage, And hurl upon the foe the missile rage ; There, fiery darts and rocky fragments fly, And heating bullets whistle through the sky." Whether it be improperly rendered by Mr. Rowe, or not, I know not; but it appears to me to be extraordinary, that shot and bullets are mentioned in Cæsar's time. Gunpowder, we know, to be a discovery of the fourteenth century. I do not certainly remember to have read of shot or bullets at so early a period as the civil wars of the Romans; perhaps some of your correspondents can satisfy me, and give ine a literal translation of the passage, or an explanation, Again, in Book ix. line 683, «The sands, the serpents, thirst, and burning heat, Are dear to patients, and to virtue sweet.” That the sands, &c. as being trials of patience, are "dear" to the virtuous, is tients" signify the patients or sick people? evidently meant; but does the word "pathe latter does not meaning, and, if meant for the former, it seem a probable should have been patient, in my opinion. the means of clarifying, or, I believe, One of your correspondents inquires, making oil white, for mixing, to paint with; if he means sweet oil, one way of making it white, is to expose it to the air, low color, strain it from the dust; it or air and sun; and, when it loses its yelshould be in a very shallow dish or plate. correspondents, if they would commuI should feel indebted to any of your nicate, through your Magazine, any medone in dry colors, with a stump and thod of fixing the colors of drawings, stippled, as they are very apt to rub off on the slightest touch. To the Editor of the Monthly Magazine. SIR, AWO articles in my LOGICAL SYNOP TWO 221,) have, I am afraid, been inaccuSIS, (see Monthly Magazine, No, rately transcribed from my manuscript; it will therefore be necessary for me to write them out again. I believe that my paper is correct enough, as far as the fore, be pleased to substitute the subhead of Perception. You will, there mind, in room of that given in my former joined account of that power of the paper. Of Perception.-Difference between Sensation and Perception. a. Of External Perception in general→→ Process of External Perception-Impres sion on the External Organ of Sense→→→ Change of the mind immediately conse external objects immediately consequent quent on this impression-Perception of on this change, Metaphysics Peripatetic Theory of Perb. Aristotle Critical History of his ception-Sensible Species-PhantasmsIntelligible Species. modified by the schoolmen during the c. Peripatetic Theory of Perception, dark ages. d. Theories of Perception, adopted by Modern Philosophers, antecedent to the time of Locke: By Des Cartes-His doctrine of Secondary Causes-The mind (according to Des Cartes) does not directly perceive external objects; because no immediate intercourse can take place between mind and matter: this intercourse must be earried on by the agency of Deity-Principia Philosophia-Meditationes. By Hobbes-De Natura Hominis. By Mallebranche-This philosopher admitted Des Cartes's Doctrine of Secondary Causes; but contended, that the mind does not at all perceive external objects, but only the ideas of them. These ideas are the immediate, or nearest, objects of the mind, when it perceives external things-they are separate on distinct existences, from the Percipient or Sentient Mind-they eternally existed in the Divine Mind-the Divine Mind is present to every other Mind-it communicates to other Minds those ideas which eternally existed in itself. La Récherche de la Verite-An excellent work, notwithstanding the extravagant and untenable theory of Perception unfolded in it; containing many admirable remarks on the errors of Sense and Imagination; and many admirable precepts for judging and reasoning with propriety, to which the venerable Father himself paid little attention in the construction of his Theory of Perception. By Leibnitz-Extension the result of simple substances-The External Material World composed of Monads; that is, Entities, truly existing; simple substances; the external images of Universal Natures-Doctrine of "Sufficient Reason" -Doctrine of "Pre-established Harmony"- Meditationes de veris et falsis Ideis. Actis Erudit, 1684. Epist. ad Hanschii Tractatum de Enthusiasmo Platonico. e. Theory of Perception, adopted by Mr. Locke-Criticism and Encomium on the "Essay on the Human Understanding." f. Theory of Perception, espoused by Berkeley-Scepticism of this Philosopher, with regard to the existentes of the Material World--Principles of Human Knowledge. g. Theory of Perception, proposed by Mr. Hume Ideas are the Impressions of External Objects-Treatise on Human Nature-and his other Metaphysical Works. All these Theories of Perception, included under the general term of the Ideal System or Theory, refuted by Dr. Reid, of Glasgow, Scotland, who nevertheless proposed no theory of his ownView of this department of Reid's Philosophy-His reasonings on the subject of External Perception stated and ex. plained-Inquiry into our External Senses-Essays on the Intellectual Powers of Man-Causation-Difference between Metaphysical and Physical Causes-The latter synonymous with the invariable sequences of physical events-Belief in, and reliance on, this invariableness of Antecedents and Consequences, an ultimate Law of our Constitution. I believe that my former manuscript is sufficiently correct to the seventh article of this part of my Syllabus, viz. Abstraction, which I here retranscribe, and res quest the subjoined accouut of that faculty to be printed. 7. Of Abstraction-Under this head, the following topics will naturally offer themselves to our consideration, viz. a. The origin of our ideas-Precise import of that term-The word Idea, whenever it is used in these lectures, is understood as synonymous with Thought Notion-Apprehension-Theory of Mr. Locke, concerning the origin of our ideas, viz. all our ideas are derived from Sensation and Reflection-The Senses are the principal inlets of our knowledge; but this theory, notwithstanding, imperfectly accounts for the origin of our ideas; because many of our ideas are not derived, either from sensation or reflection:-our ideas of Time; of Motion; of Personal Identity; and many othersThe only account which can be given of these ideas, is, that they spontaneously arise in the mind, during the exercise of those faculties which are subservient to their generation. b. Mr. Locke's doctrine of Innate Ideas, stated and refuted-This doctrine very ancient-Doctrine of Plato concerning ideas-Sense in which certain ideas may be said to be innate-Doctrine of Condillac, respecting our ideas Viz. all our ideas are either simple sensutions, or sensations transformed or modified by certain internal processes of the mind, refuted-Traite de la Sensation. c. Of the Use and Abuse of words, considered as the signs of our ideas. d. Of the doctrines of Nominalists— Of the Realists-Of the ConceptualistsBrucheri Hist.-Philosoph.-Critica. 8. Of Memory. cept the disgrace of treating a conquered I recollect uo errors in the remaining rival with unnecessary harshness. DUNCAN FORBES. To the Editor of the Monthly Magazine. SIR, PERM ERMIT me, through the channel of your valuable Magazine, to state a circumstance, which has long astonished me, as well as many others in the same situation. I am holder of a share in the Third, or Youngest, Class of the Irish-government Tontine, established in 1775, which began with paying an annuity of six per cent. in Ireland, or five per cent. if receivable in England. This annuity receivable in England has only encreased to seven per cent, after a lapse of thirtyseven years. It is impossible to suspect any improper management in a public fand of this description; at the same time so small an encrease after so long a period is not easily reconcilable with our general notions of the uncertainty of human life. Perhaps some one of your numerous readers, who has studied the principles of such funds in general, and is acquainted with the circumstances of the particular one alluded to, may be able to explain what to me and many others appears so unaccountable. A CONSTANT READER. Arbroath, March 23, 1812. To the Editor of the Monthly Magazine. SIR, No impressions are so difficult to re move as those which prejudice creates. Even the most enlightened nations long retain the prejudices they received in remote times, when involved in all the darkness of ignorance. In this respect nations resemble individuals, whose minds, even in the vigor of manhood, can seldom shake off the prejudices contracted in carly youth. It is thus, that we may account for the prejudice of the English nation against the Catholics, contracted in retnote times, and cemented by all the bitterness of hatred which the struggles for superiority between the members of that and the now established church naturally created; it has, like most other prejudices, long outlived its cause; for, happily for the liberties and prosperity of England, those struggles bave long subsided, and so complete has been the victory of the Protestants over the Catholics, that the former have long had nothing to fear from the latter, ex If the opposition which has so constantly been made by our government to the efforts of the Irish Catholics to obtain a repeal of the laws obnoxious to their interests, have any better foundation than mere prejudice, what can be the end they expect to attain by thus obstinately opposing those efforts? Can they hope to exterminate the Catholic religion from these kingdoms by continuing to hold he members of it in the subjection in which it was doubtless necessary to hold them when their numbers, power, and avowed hostility to the existing government, rendered it necessary to govern them with laws of peculiar severity? If they do, I will venture to affirm that their hopes will be disappointed; for in no soil whatever does sectarianism thrive so well as in that of persecution, and every restriction and disability which the laws impose upon any particular sect is a species of persecution, mild or severe, in proportion to their extent and effect. But it may be doubted whether it would be sound policy in the govern ment, even if it were attainable, to at tempt wholly to abolish the Catholic religion in this country; and whether, under particular circumstances, the existence of sects, distinct from the established church, may not be productive of advan tage in the hands of a government wise enough to discover the means by which it may avail itself of their assistance. The present times furnish a peculiar illustration of the use which might be made of the Catholics. In the contest which, in alliance with the Portuguese and Spaniards, we have so long maintained with the French in Spain and Por tugal, what infinite use might have been made of them! The miserable deficiency in officers which the Spaniards have shewn in almost every battle they have fought with the French, is too well and too generally known; and, unfortunately, their great bigotry and insuperable aver sion to the religion of the English, have constantly made them reject every offer made by our government to officer their regiments with English officers. The result of this obstinacy has been the almost total conquest of Spain by its perfdious enemy. Had the English govern ment known how to make use of them, how many gallant officers might Ireland have furnished for this service, to whom, Catholics like themselves, the Spaniards could could have had no possible objection, and who might have supplied what the Spanish army so eminently wanted, and what an army can never become victorius without,-brave and able officers! That the misfortunes of the Spaniards and their numerous defeats have been attributable to the want of good officers is rendered evident by the circumstances attending the Portuguese army. While it was commanded by officers of its own nation, it never dared to oppose itself to the legions of France. Junot's first march into Portugal rather resembled the return of troops to their native country than the hostile invasion of an indepen dent kingdom. How different is the conduct of that army now that is led to battle and to victory by officers on whose gallantry and talents it can rely with the most entire confidence! And how differest, in all human probability, would have been the conduct of the Spaniards from what it has been, if they, like the Portuguese, had been headed by officers of the British nation! We can see, we can fecl, we can deplore, the folly of the Spaniards in suffer. ing their religious prejudices to deprive them of the aid of brave and intelligent officers, to their utter and perhaps irre trievable ruin; yet, we can neither see, feel, nor acknowledge, that we are ourselves guilty of the very same fault, though it must be evident to every one, that our army must lose a very consider able proportion of excellent officers, particularly Irishmen, by the disabilities under which the Catholic soldier lies, and which prevent him from rising in the army above a very limited height! In commerce, even greater benefits might be derived from a judicious employment of the Catholics than in the army. The period is probably approach ing in which we shall be obliged to aban don our allies in Spain and Portugal to she merciless grasp of their stern invader. Then will the last port in Europe he shut up against British commerce! Cut off from this resource, Eng. Jand, of which commerce is the very aliment, without which she cannot exist, must explore new regions over which to pour her native manufactures, and the produce of her East and West India possessions. The extensive districts of The value of Irish officers may be properly estimated when we consider that Earl Wellington, Marshal Beresford, and General Stewart, are of that nation! South America, anxious to throw off thei allegiance to the mother country the mo ment they can secure the alliance of a state powerful enough to protect thein during the infancy of their new government, offer the only channels into which Commerce can turn ber now diverted streams. But, if the bigotry of Old Spain has prevented her armies from amalgamating and co-operating with ours, and laid her prostrate before the more combined and united forces of France, what obstacles have we not to dread from the bigotry of New Spain, which exceeds that of its mother country in an hundredfold degree? To trade with them to any extent without accommodating ourselves in some degree to their prejudices and bigotry will be utterly impossible. But, with a large body of Catholics in the kingdom, how easily might this be accomplished! Let every mercantile house trading to South America, attach to itself a partner of the Catholic religion, and, if it be necessary to have a partner resident in South America, let the Catholic partner be selected for that purpose; let the captains of vessels trading thither, and, if possible, the seamen also, be persons. of that persuasion; and let the consuls, envoys, ambassadors, and other public functionaries sent by our government to South America be chosen from amongst the Catholics. Let these precautions be adopted, and let the Spanish Americans have as little evidence as possible of our being of a different religion from themselves, and then the difficulties arising from their inflexible bigotry may easily be overcome, and our commerce with then be established upon a solid and last, ing foundation. Kentish Town. H. To the Editor of the Monthly Magazing SIR, AVING been in Ireland last summer, HI was induced by the uncommon fineness of one or two of its latter months, to take up my abode at a retired sea-bathing village on the southern coast of that kingdom. Here, there being little society, I principally employed myself in exploring the caverns and other natural curiosities with which these bold shores abound. One day, while wandering among the rocks just at the water's edge, I was particularly struck by seeing a shoal of sprats approach the shore, followed by an innumerable flock of sea gulls, who were preying upon these hapless little fishes. At a little distance from the main flock, I perceived one of the gulls To the Editor of the Monthly Magazine. FEW months ago, I met with a and deformity: and, on a Sunday even ing, in November, 1693, she was sud denly cured, without any medical ap plication or surgical assistance. All this, I think, may reasonably be admitted that the event was a miracle, is not quite so certain. To say nothing of the marks of weakness and credulity which abound in the ' exact relation,' it is plain, from the patient's narrative, (page 7,) that, even though she ran about after her cure, she still hobbled; a defect which she ascribes to a very different cause from what is as signed by the medical men, who state, that something of a tumour, something of a limping, remained. Now, if the cure was incomplete, there is a strong presumption that it was not miraculous; the miracles of Scripture being all perfect. Further, Maillard's declarations, taken in connexion with those of her mistress, indicates, that her cure was effected through the agency of, what are termed, natural causes. this instaut, a greater extension of the Thus, there was, at limb than usual; and her situation and feelings, at the moment, would powerfully affect her frame. I am assured, indeed, by a inedical friend, that diseases of this kind are sometimes perceived to A pamphlet entitled, An Exact Ac- be suddenly removed, and that the fact Bount of the Wonderful Cure of Mary Maillard, &c. This was published in 1730; thirty-seven years after the date of the event which it records: and it refers to a narrative of the cure, which ap peared presently after it was wrought. I have since been informed, that a pamphlet of substantially the same import, came before the public in 1694. Who was it's author, and what degree of attention it excited, I am unable to learn: on these heads, I shall be extremely glad to receive intelligence from any of your correspondents. One of the references, however, in Dr. Doddridge's Lectures, (vol. ii. 47, 4th edit.) is to Maillard's miraculous cure: and, from the lecturer's mauner, I conclude, that he believed it to be miraculous. Maillard, it appears, had labored, from early infancy, under some disease of the hip, which occasioned lameness What amazed me most was the astonishing exactness with which it caught it in the fall, as I never but once saw it gain the water, and it was then picked up before it could sink. is not inexplicable by those who are ac quainted with the organization of the human body. wrought, we may be no proper judges of Though, previously to a miracle being the necessity or expediency of it; yet, I conceive, Sir, that, when the relation of such an alleged event is published, wa may be allowed to ask, "how far the interposition was calculated to answer important ends, in respect of individuals or the world?" In the present case, and in the want of direct evidence for the miraculous quality of the fact, this is a most material consideration. They who have read that excellent production of the late Bishop of Salis. bury, The Criterion,' will, I presume, find the greater difficulty in the instance of M. Maillard, to be that of admitting a miracle. On this point, I shall be happy in having my judgment corrected or confirmed by the communications of your readers. N. |