tion, near enough to the spot where the accident may have occurred. We allude to cases of drowning. This has been matter of very sincere regret to the humane, and scientific portion of the community. And it is this circumstance, which has induced us to point out a very ready means of immediately, and in any place, or at any season, presenting efficaciously this powerful and penetrating agent. For as muscular motion is dependent on nervous excitement, in the first instance, and as the heart, and not the brain, is possibly the primum moriens, so the nervous system must be stimulated; and to no stimulus is it so obedient as to the energy of electricity.",

We would recommend therefore, a Galvanic battery, of at least two hundred series, (any portion, or the whole of which, according to its effects, should be employed.) This apparatus (as the discs of the battery need not be more than two inches square, may be brought to the water's edge in case of drowning. The party should, if dressed, be as soon as possible got into a slipper bath, of the temperature named above: and having put a shilling, to which a brass or other metallic wire is attached, into the mouth, and another to any of the intercostal muscles, or under the armpits, or to the soles of the feet,or indeed any of the more sensible parts of the surface of the body, the other points of the wire being at the same time brought into contact with the two poles, or zinc and copper terminations, of the battery;-an action of the whole body is perceptible on contact; and this is to be repeated, which is done after every successive interruption of contact, by the wires. It is to be observed, that, as the diaphragm consents with the olfactory membrane from the sympathy between the nerves distributed upon either, it may be found advisable to present one of the wires to the interior part of the nostril, rather than to the mouth. The energy is increased considerably in consequence; and this is valuable in particular when life has been suspended bythe inhalation of deleterious vapour. Indeed, the system of sympathy, or consent in medicine seems too little attended to, though with Dr. Whytt, we agree, that it is often of the utmost consequence to success in the art of healing.

It will frequently be found desirable to apply the influence through the body, by bringing a conducting wire from the copper end of the battery, MONTHLY MAG, No. 185.

to the water under the region of the head, while the patient is in the bath, and another wire from the zinc termination of the battery, to the liquid surrounding the feet, or to touch, if the patient be in a slipper bath, the external part of the bath (it being metallic and hence a conductor of electricity) opposite to where the feet are within. Thus the whole force of the apparatus will be passed through the patient; the animal body being a better conductor than water, of the electrical influences thus excited by the arrangement of Volta. Sneezing is a good symptom, and is often produced immediately by this gal vanic application, to the expulsion of the azotic elastic fluid, which must be got rid of before circulation can be reproduced, and consequently before we are to hope for perfect restoration of the energies of vitality. Indeed the galvanic influence, or this peculiar modification of electricity, produces effects so analogous to those furnished at the instance of the will, that many physiologists have in. dulged themselves in theorizing on this, as synonymous with the supposed nervous fluid itself; and therefore, as, of all other powers, most essential to vitality.

If after this, and any other auxiliary means judiciously applied, the party begin to breathe, if his pulse manifest a perceptible return of arterial action, or if the spark of latent vitality other wise discovers itself, and more especially if the power of deglutition, or swallowing, return, a few table-spoons-full of diluted brandy should be taken. If the breathing be very hard, and the face swelled and livid, six or eight ounces of blood may be taken with advantage. During bleeding, a horizontal position is to be preferred, lest deliquium come on.

When matters take this favourable turn, and the patient is in a degree recovered, he should be put to bed in warm blankets, his feet kept warm by flannels, with the occasional adhibition of diluted but cordial stimulants.

Before we conclude this important topic, we may be permitted, without impropriety, to mention the effect of the warm bath and the galvanic energy, not only in cases of apparent death from hanging or suffocation, from what ever cause, (we mean, however, that these effects are never to be expected to be applied with advantage, in cases of organic lesion,) but also in cases of exposure to extreme cold. For in our own SP temperate

temperate climate the seasons are often so intensely cold, as to be fatal to those who are unfortunately exposed to their direct severity. In those cases, in lieu of the warin bath, the body is to be rubbed with snow, or surrounded by sheets dipped in ice cold water, and the galvanic process is to be used in addition, until signs of life appear. Hence its importance in cases of paralysis, when derived from exposure to extreme cold. On the reappearance of life, the method adopted in the cases above alluded to, should be cinployed.

In cases of chilblains, or of a single member being frost-bitten, it is to be treated precisely after the same manner. Carpue, in his Treatise, has pointed out the importance of electricity in the very disagreeable affection of chill-blain. We shall farther observe, that if the limb still remain benumbed, after a continuance of these means for some hours, a warm cataplasm of bran and water may be ap

plied, and the patient should take as

uch bark in powder, as will lie on a shilling, every two or three hours. His beverage should be, in this case, the most generous port-wine to be had; or, in lieu of it, brandy and water. After all, should mortification come on, as will be obvious by the livid appearance of the parts, and their deficiency in feeling; give the bark, and dress the part with basilicou, made warm in a spoon, and apply pledgets hot, thrice a day, giving an opiate at night.

The method which has been above recommended, it is hoped will not be the less acceptable, because its importance is as obvious, as its application is easy. We need not add that a portable galvanic battery, such as is alluded to, and which is quite competent to all the purposes described, should be within reach ou such lamentable occasions, and it may be obtained at a comparatively moderate expence.

Some ACCOUNT of the late Right Reverend and Right Honourable BEILBY PORTEUS, D. D. LORD BISHOP of LONDON, DEAN of the CHAPEL ROYAL, VISITOR of SION COLLEGE, PROVINCIAL DEAN of CANTERBURY, &c. &c.

HE primitive Christians exhibited great simplicity of life and manners. Consisting at first of men in a humble sphere, their minds were neither debauched by wealth, nor led astray by worldly enjoyments; their morals were accordingly pure, and their characters in general unspotted. Replete with integrity and zeal, they bore public testimony to their faith; and from converts becoming martyrs, they spilt their blood on the scaffold without a murmur, and even gloried amidst all the terrors attendant on relentless injustice.

In process of time, the Pagan deities were trampled under foot, and the Cross was finally triumphant. That gentle and dove-like religion, which had uniformly inculcated charity and mode ration, and, at first, aimed at no more than simple toleration, in its turn became the established faith.

was

It then that all the disorderly passions of ambition, avarice, and tyranny, which had been carefully stifled and repressed during a long period of sufferance, burst furth like a deluge, and carried all be

fore them. The once persecuted Christians became in their turn persecutors; and, not content with treating the bclievers in the old exploded faith ́ with cruelty and contempt, they began to punish each other in the most rigorous and vindictive manner, on account of petty differences in their respective creeds.

No sooner had religion become the vehicle of grandeur, and ecclesiastical appointments the means of gratification, than men of all descriptions aspired to dignities, that were calculated to confer in many instances exemption from punishment, and, in most, the means of enjoyment.-In Italy, the suc cessor of the humble fisherman, decked out in a purple robe, and adorned with the tiara, sooh boasted, as well as exercised, the power of taking away and conferring crowns. In Germany Sove reigns arose, who united secular with ecclesiastical authority; and in, the motley character of Prince-Bishop, ruled alike over the consciences, and the fortunes, and the persons of their subjects. Bri tain, following the fate of the whole Christian world, was long governed, in respect to its faith by a foreign sovereign, who resided on the banks of the Tiber, but whose iron sceptre ruled both the Thames and the Tweed, and who indeed held the crown of England itself as lord paramount

paramount, while a prince was found so base, so cowardly, and so compliant, in the person of King John, as to yield homage, and transmit a yearly tribute to the Holy Sec.

At length a new epoch occurred. Learning and learned men were fated to dart a hidden flash of light on a benighted world; and the northern parts of Europe awoke, as if from a dream or rather a stupor. The crown and the nobles shared between them a large portion of the patrimony of St. Peter, while an indigenous clergy was rescued from the yoke of a distant superior. One portion of our own island, after a sharp struggle, abjured a prelatical hierarchy, and founded the kirk on the unassailable rock of poverty, where temptation could not as sault, or the mainnion of unrighteousess overpower. It accordingly has exhibited in an equality of pastors, provided with a decent rather than a splendid income, an example of primitive manners, joined frequently to brilliant talents. England, the other and richer portion of the kingdom, still continues to maintain all the various gradations of rank, from the humble and useful parish-priest up to the mitred primate of Canterbury, who takes precedency of every subject in the kingdom, not of the blood royal.

Until a very recent period, however, it has been customary, ever since the reformation, to select these dignitaries of the Anglican church from that rank of life, where all the virtues are supposed to bloom aundst the privacy of retirement, and to flourish most beneath the shade and shelter of obscurity. Birth, and wealth, and noble alliances, were not permitted to extend their hand, in order to seize on the croster. Learning, a well-regulated zeal, and an inoffensive but pious life, joined to the care and education of some of our noble youth-those were the pretensions that justly obtain ed notice, distinction, and preferment; and that these were not ill-bestowed on such, the subject of the present memoir will, at least, serve as an eminent example.

Dr. Beilby Porteus was a native of Yorkshire, where he was born about the year 1731; but he himself was accustomed to trace his descent from a Scottish family; and it is a web-known fact, that his grandfather had repaired to this country at no distant period. His father, a tradesman of but little eminence, resided for many years in the north of England; and it was at the grammar

school at Ripon, under the care of the Reverend Mr. Hyde, that young Porteus commenced his classical career. By that gentleman he was qualified for the University, having determined on the church as a profession, at a time when he little thought that one of its richest mitres would encircle his head, and the two swords in saltier of the see of London constitute his arms. Accord ingly, with a zeal worthy of his future fortune, but an ambition that did not extend beyound a rural cure, he was entered at Christ's College, Cambridge.

It occurred in re-pect to this student, as to the present Bishop of Landaff, and indeed most of the young men, who repair thither from the north of England, who carry with them no other pretensions than their talents, that an undeviating assiduity and laborious industry occupied and distinguished almost every moment of his life. He was accordingly treated with respect by his su-. periors, and, while qualifying himself for the fute duties of the sacred profession, of which he was one day to be a shining ornament, a taste for literature and composition was gradually infused into his mind.

Mr. Porteus obtained his first degree as bachelor of arts, in 1752, when he was only seventecu or eighteen years of age. The same year, was also distinguished by another occurrence, which was calculated to form an epoch in the life of our Tyro; for he gained one of the two gold medals, held out as a tempting remuneration to those who should produce the best classical essays. This well-judged and munificent reward was conferred by a former Duke of Newcas tle, then Chancellor of the University: as for his competitors, most, it not all, of them, have been long since, in the language of the Scriptures," gathered unto their fathers," with an exception, however, of Francis Maseres, Esq. F.R.S. Cursitor Baron of the Exchequer, who was, like himself, a successful candidate.

His worth, as well as talents, now be gan to be known within the preciucts of his Alma Mater, and in 1754 Mr. Porteus was accordingly nominated one of the Esquire Beadles of the University, which office he held for about 16 mouths.

In 1755, the degree of Master of Arts was conferred upon this respectable student, who now began to behold the dawn of his good fortune; for he was elected a fellow by his college, and nearly at the same time appointed one of the

preachers

It

preachers at Whitehall chapel. was not, however, until 1759, that Mr. Porteus was known beyond the limits of his University, for it was then that he obtained the Seatonian prize, for the best composition on " Death," which he publisted soon after, in conformity with the will of the founder. This was his first poetical essay, or, at least, the first ever issued from the press, and it obtained for him not only a considerable portion of fame, but was also considered as the prelude to still greater celebrity.

The following passage seems so appropriate to his own situation, and we trust his own feelings, on a late awful occasion, that we cannot refrain from transcribing it:

Till my rapt soul, anticipating heav'n,
Bursts from the thraldom of incumb'ring
clay,

And, on the wings of ecstacy upborne,
Springs into liberty, and light, and life."

-On the demise of George II. Mr. Porteus once more invoked the Muses, and, in some verses to the memory of that prince, exhibited his propensity to, and his excellence in poetical composition,

a talent on which he has been since com

plimented by Hannah Moore, in her poetical composition, "Sensibility." But other studies and avocations, of a far different nature, called off his attention. In 1761, the pen of the subject of this memoir was occupied in simple prose, and on a subject not very pleasant to a man of his placid turn of mind-controversial divinity. A little before this period appeared a work, entitled, "The History of the Man after God's own Heart;" in which the many glaring defects in the character of David were artfully exposed and heightened, with a degree of boldness that alarmed many good and well-disposed Christians. Mr. Porteus, fearing dertook, as well as many others, to vinlest it might produce much mischief, un dicate one of the heroes of the Old Testament; and he accordingly preached a sermon, November 29, before the University of Cambridge, which had prefixed to it by way of title-page, "The Character of David, King of Israel, impartially stated."

It is, perhaps, to this little work, that his future fortunes are to be wholly attri buted; for Dr. Thomas Secker, who, in 1758, had been translated from the see of Oxford, to the archiepiscopul throne of Canterbury, having read his discourse, was induced by a perusal of this and his other publications, to take Mr. P. wha M. A. under his own immediate patronby this time had obtained the degree of age. He accordingly was pleased immediately to appoint him one of his domestic chaplains; and soon after presented him, in succession, to two rectories in Kent, and one in Middlesex. A prebendal stall in Peterborough followed at no great distance, and on the

It is evident from vol. 2d of his Sermon on various Subjects, p. 303, that he was obliged to Dr. Secker for his preferment, whom he there styles his "excellent friend and patron." He also says, that he is indebted for part of six pages, beginning p. 302, Sermon XIV. to that prelate,

demise of that eminent and very pious prelate 1768, he, in association with Dr. Stinton, edited and published his works, consisting of seven volumes 8vo. of sermons, charges, and lectures; to which was prefixed a life, composed solely by our author, which obtained the praise of Johnson.

Previously to this event, Mr. P. who had resolved to settle in life, in 1765, married Miss Hodgson, a lady of some fortune, whose father had resided at Matlock, in Derbyshire. The ceremony was performed there by his friend, the primate. Two years after this, the degree of D.D. was conferred on him by his own University, and still greater honours now awaited him. The queen, hearing of Mr. P's reputation, and being apprised of the excellence of his private character, employed him as her private chaplain; and such a high opinion did her Majesty entertain of his piety, and endowments, during his attendance in consequence of a short illness, that she was determined to complete what Secker had begun. Accordingly, in January, 1777, on the translation of Dr. Mark ham to the archbishopric of York, the royal interposition was employed in favour of Dr. Porteus, who was immediately raised to the episcopal bench, as bishop of Chester.

About the same time, this prelate made great exertions to restore a more solemn observation of the fast, called Good Friday. He accordingly, with this view, published an "Exhortation" to that effect. We shall not enter into the controversy occasioned by this pamphJet, and the steps soon after taken to enforce a strict observance of the principles there laid down. By some it was praised, as an effort tending to restore the purity of the ancient discipline, and promote the vital interests of christianity; while by others, it was considered as breathing too much of the fanatical spirit of past times, as well as exhibiting not a little of that intolerance, which had been long since happily exploded.

This publication, of course, excited considerable opposition, and gave rise indeed to a polemical dispute. Mr. Robert Robinson, who had been bred a barber, and who from being a hearer of Whitfield, became a preacher among the calvinists, until converted by the baptists, among whom he became a teacher of some eminence, was the champion on the other side. He must be allowed to have been a mau highly gifted by nature,

and rose in the estimation both of his friends, and the public, far beyond what might have been expected, either from his birth or education.

While residing in the neighbourhood of Cambridge, he cultivated his talents with an uncon.mon degree of assiduity as well as success, translated Saurin's Sermons and Claude's Essay into English, and, among other original productions, published a "Vindication of Christ's Divinity." Happy at the opportunity now afforded by a dignitary of the established church, the aspiring dissenter readily entered the lists, and broke a lance against the mitre. The title of his work was, "The History and Mystery of Good Friday;" and it must be allowed that he handled his weapons with great skill; but he was not fortunate enough to obtain an episcopal rejoinder to his reply.

While this composition was praised by nearly all who differed from the church, those who cordially joined in her com munion, did every thing in their power to forward the good intentions of the pious prelate. His addresses were listened to with submission, and enforced with zeal, while the Society for "promoting Christian Knowledge" forwarded not a little his endeavours by printing the "Exhortation" in a cheap and portable form, so as to be read by multitudes, and circulated in great abundance. The conse quence was, that this day (Good Friday) hitherto neglected in the metropolis and its vicinity since the puritanical times, has been since kept with great strictness, although the effect perhaps may have been rather different in a multitude of instances from the intentions of the worthy bishop; for it is obvious to those acquainted with the world, that the fast is now converted into a festival, and the shops are not undequently emptied into the alehouse.

Dr. Porteus, who about this time be gan to be greatly esteemed, and followed as a popular preacher, now published several single sermons. Although the popish religion had long ceased either to give offence, or create uneasiness, yet in 1781 he sent forth a work directly levelled against it, entitled "A Brief Confutation of the Errors of the Church. of Rome." This was extracted, however, from Archbishop Secker's works, and intended for general distribution.

In 1783, he produced a volume of his own Sermons on several subjects; it was, followed by two mure, and these have

2

since