ART. 22.

MEDICINE.

The Medical Affiftant; or, Jamaica Practice of Phyfic: de figned chiefly for the Use of Families. By Thomas Dancer, M. D. 4td. 384 pp. 11. 15. Jamaica printed, by Alexander Aikman. Imported by Murray and Highley, Fleet-Street. 1801.

Though this work is principally intended for the heads of families, to enable them to diftinguifh difeafes, and in cafes of emergency, ar where medical advice cannot eafily be procured, to apply the proper remedies, and is therefore written in a popular manner, yet the author has not thought it neceffary to ally to avoid technical terms, or even reafoning phyfiologically, where it feemed neceffary to elucidate the phænomena of difeafe, or to give the rationale of the effects of the medicines recommended. He rightly obferves, that though a profeffed medical education may not be neceffary in obtaining a general knowledge of the treatment of diseases, which he thinks should not be confined to the medical practitioner alone, yet fuch knowledge is hardly to be acquired but by perfons who have had a liberal education; and by them, these terms and modes of reasoning will be easily underflood.

In his arrangement of diseases, the author has not followed the ufual nofological order. He firft treats of diseases affecting the whole body, compriting the different fpecies of fever, then of partial difeafes, or thofe having their feats in particular organs, or parts of the body, as confumption, dropfy, difeafes of the fkin, &c. The diseases are, in general, concifely and clearly defcribed, and the modes of treating them are fuch as are now ufually practifed, and need not be detailed; we fhall content ourselves therefore with felecting a few circumstances, fhowing the effect of climate on fome of them."It is the privilege," the author fays, "of the inhabitants of the tropics, to be in a great measure free from phthifical or confumptive complaints; but the exemption is not abfolute, for there are not wanting examples of genuine phthifis among natives who were never off the island;" (p. 416) but when formed, it appears to be equally fatal there as in Europe: the few cures, therefore, that have been performed in confumption, by fending the patients to the Weft-Indies, feem to have been effected by the voyage, rather than by the temperature of the climate there. Calculus, or ftone in the kidneys or bladder, is fcarcely known among them. In the few cafes that have come under the author's care, the disease had been contracted in Europe. The operation of lithotomy, or cutting for the ftone, has never been performed, the author believes, in Jamaica; and he has never known but one perfon die of the complaint. It seems probable, therefore, that the violence of the disease is mitigated by the temperature of the climate. Dropfy, again, is by no means fo frequent in Jamaica as in Europe. The most common forin of it there is the hydrothorax, or dropfy in the chelt. When formed it is equally rebellious to medicine there as in Europe. Though dif eafes of the skin are numerous, and some of them inveterate and dangerous, the itch is said to be less infectious there than in Europe, and

the

1

the tinea, or scald-head, to be fcarcely known among them. The author apologises for the badnefs of the paper, no better being to be had, he fays, while the volume was printing. Indeed an apology was neceffary, as we have fcarcely ever feen paper fo vile applied to printing; but to infure an acceptance of his apology, the price fet on the work fhould have been much redused,

ART. 23. A Syftem of Diffections, Parts 17. and V.-Appendix to Syftem of Diffections, Part I. containing additional Defcriptions of the Abdominal Mufcles. By Charles Bell, Surgeon, Fellow of the College of Surgeons. Folio Plates. Johnfon.

The author having, in the three former parts of the work, explained the order and mode of diff-cting the integuments and contents of the abdomen, thorax, and pelvis, proceeds, in thote before us, to lay down rules for diffecting the extremities. Numbers Four and Fire, contain the dufection of the thigh, leg, and foot; and the Appendix, additional defcriptions of the abdominal mufcles. Thefe the author was ehabled to give, by having met with a peculiarly hale and athletic fubject, in whom thofe mufcles were better marked and defined than they are ufually found. The reputation of this work is fo fully, and fo justly established, and the work is fo largely circulated, as to need no eulogium, or particular defcription from us; it will be fufficient to obferve, that the numbers before us are executed with the fame care and faithfulness as the for ner Parts; of wh ch, (ee our accounts, p. 68, and 392, in our 12th, and p. 554, in our 15th volume, and that the plates continue to be finished with equal neatness and correctness.

DIVINITY.

ART. 24. A Sermon preached at Durham, July 21, 1801, at the Vifitation of the Honourable and Right Reverend Father in God, Shute, Lord Bibop of Durham. By Robert Gray, B. D. Prebendary of Chichefter, and Rector of Craike, in the County of Durham. 4to. 30 pp, Hanwell and Parker, Oxford; Rivingtons, London. 1801.

25.

A principal part of the argument of this able Sermon is of a novel and very ingenious kind. After mentioning the chief of those extraordinary means by which the Gofpel was at first diffused, the third of which is ftated to be the gift of Tongues, the preacher adverts to the manifeftly providential appointment, for the advancement and prefervation of the Chriftian faith, in the permanency and establishment given to the Hebrew, Greek, and Latin languages. The firft, the Language of the original Scriptures, " by a remarkable exemption from the ordinary fate of languages," preferved from innovation and debasement, till the infpired canon was clofed: the fecond, in which thofe first Scriptures were to be tranflated near three centuries before the advent of the Meffiah, and in which the glad tidings of the Gofpel were to be everlaftingly recorded," diffufed, eftablished, and rendered permanent by circumstances the moft peculiar and extraordinary: the laft, "through which revealed wildom was communi

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cated

cated for many ages to the western church," extended by the power and authority of the Roman empire, fo as to become in its turn a moft admirable inftrument for the purposes to which it was appointed. Of this opinion, which appears to us entirely juft, we fhall only fay further, that it feems to require more diffufion and illuftration than the compafs or nature of a fermon would allow; and that, though the mind of the writer probably comprehended it in all its parts and relations, it is likely that it would not have the fame degree of clearness to those who heard it ftated in that form.

The connection of Mr. R. Gray with the diocese of Durham is honourable both to himself and his Diocefan. For if it be afked, how came he established in that fituation? the only true answer that can be given is, because he is a found and good divine, and wrote an excellent book for the fervice of Religion."

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ART. 25. A Sermon, preached at the Cathedral Church of St. Mary, in Lincoln, before the Right Reverend Father in God, the Lord Bifhop of Lincoln, and the Reverend the Clergy, at his Lordship's Vifitation there, bolden on Monday, the 17th Day of July, 1797. By the Rev. William Hett, A. M. 8vo. 42 pp. Rivingtons. 1798.

The preacher shows (from Gen. i, 26) that the original properties of the human mind were "a clear understanding, and an unperverted will, with a power of exerting them fully and effectually, in every inftance where duty is concerned ;" and he contends, that "thefe properties bear a ftrong refemblance to the three divine perfons of the ever-bleffed Trinity for though in the perfons of the Godhead, none is afore or after other, none is greater or less than another, in any one effential circumftance, ftill power appears to be the more appropriate attribute of the Father, Wifdom of the Son, and Goodness of the Holy Ghoft." He then endeavours to show, that the fun is a material emblem of the Trinity; that its light bears a ftrong resemblance to truth, and its heat to the operative powers of the mind, comprehended under the general term, the will, or affections." This, as is well known, is the Hutchinfonian notion, with which feveral able and pious men have been fo much enamoured. The substance of the whole difcourfe is then briefly ftated, that "thofe properties, which we denominate the divine attributes, are nothing more than diftant and imperfect resemblances of the infcrutable nature of the Deity; that the image of God, in which man was originally created, confifted in a power devoted to the profecution of truth and righteousness; that in the primary qualities of the human foul may be traced an analogical reprefentation of the Holy Trinity; and in the material fun is contained a far lefs perfect emblem of the fame Chriftian mystery." Although in fome points this difcourfe is certainly more fanciful than folid, yet we readily allow that it exhibits many proofs of animated piety, and a creditable fhare of reading.

*The Key to the Old Teftament, Alfo a volume of valuable Sermons, &c.

ART.

ART. 26. A practical Sermon on the Nature of Public Worship. By Thomas Sanders, A. B. of Chrift Church, Oxford. 8vo.. 30 pp. Hanwell and Co. Oxford; Rivingtons, London, 1801.

After explaining the particular occafion on which our Lord ufed the text, (John iv. 24.) the author proceeds to its general application; and from contemplating the holinefs and fpirituality of the divine nature, which are confidered fomewhat at large, fhews the neceffity of our acts of devotion being always fpiritual, and our affections eftranged from all fublunary objects. An application is then made of thefe confiderations to the regulation of our behaviour during public worship; and feveral appropriate questions are propofed, as fit to be ufed before we enter the houfe of prayer. Thefe are followed by fome animadverfions on the manner in which this important duty is generally difcharged, fuch as the vain and trifling demeanour of fome and the glaring negligence of others: thefe are feverally inftanced by idle converfation, a late attendance on the church, and fitting where the Rubric prefcribes kneeling; the later of these practices is particularly cenfured, as being generally prevalent.

From the fpirituality of the divine nature another argument is derived, to prove the expediency of a precompofed form of prayer, the fubftance of which is, that the effufions of the lips fhould become the folemn occafion not less than the thoughts of the heart; and that fuch a form of prayer is beft adapted to include the wants, and to fupplicate for the prevailing fins, of the congregation. The author now proceeds to remark the excellence of the Liturgy of the Church of England in thefe refpects, and in its entire coincidence with scripture and the prayer of our Lord.

The feveral parts of the Liturgy in the order of the fervice are next enumerated, and the manner in which they are ufually performed is commented on, which introduces occafional reflections on the fhameful violation of the propriety and decorum of public worship, and the ignorance of our church fervices, fo notorioufly discoverable. Mr. S. defends the Athanafian Creed, and infifts on its agreement with fcripture; and, in a few notes, endeavours to obviate fome of the popular objections to other parts of the Liturgy, and particularly laments the general and, he thinks, increafing difregard to the Holy Sacrament.

The conclufion is made up of a tribute of applaufe to the memory of our excellent reformers, and a call upon thofe within the communion of our church to imitate their piety, and to make a right and holy use of that invaluable form of prayer, which, under Providence, we owe to their laudable exertions, upon which the temporal and fpiritual advantages refulting from a due regard to public worship are briefly enumerated,

ART. 27. A Sermon, preached at the Octagon Chapel, in Norwich, Auguft 30, 1801, for the Benefit of the Norfolk and Norwich Hofpital. By Pendlebury Houghton. 8vo. 19. Johnson. 1801.

A manly, fenfible, and impreffive difcourfe, in which, without the fmallest tincture of fanaticifm, no argument, nor illuftration appears to

be

be omitted fuitable to the occafion, and likely to obtain the object required. One very interefting anecdote is related of a failor, who, after a long and diftant voyage, made a journey from the fea-port where he landed, to return thanks to the Governors of this hofpital, for the benefit and kind treatment formerly received from this excellent inftitution.

ART. 28. A Serious Perfuafive to the due Obfervance of the Faf-Day. A Sermon, preached in the Parish-Church of Richmond in Yorkshire, on February the 8th, being the Sunday before the late General Faft. By James Tate, M. A. Master of the Free Grammar-School of Richmond, and late Fellow of Sidney College, Cambridge. 4to. 25 PP. 1s. Todd, York; Baldwin, Paternofter Row. 1801.

This Sermon, as its title explains, was preparatory to the faft, and calculated to bring the congregation together, in a fit temper of mind to perform that folemn act of worship and humiliation. It is, in truth, admirably adapted to this purpofe. It contains a folemn and pathetic exhortation, requiring every individual to examine and to purify his own heart; to caft away the fin that he finds there, and to lead a new life. It fpeaks, with peculiar ftrength and propriety, againft every carelefs and inadequate manner of performing thefe duties. As God, conformably to that mercy which he has ever shown to this country, and more efpecially in our late dangers, has again bleffed us with the profpect of peace, let us hope that our imperfect endeavours to fulfil our duties have been in feme degree approved. Our next task will be, to give him hearty thanks for the bleffings he has conferred, and to labour to deserve them.

ART. 29. The Character of the King, a Sermon, preached in the Cathedral Church of St. Peter, Exeter, on Sunday, Nov. 30, 1800. By the Rev. Jonas Dennis, LL, B. of Exeter College, Oxford; Prebendary of Carfwell; and Chaplain to the Right Worshipful the Mayor of Exeter. 8vo. 14 PP. 2d. or is. 9d. per Dozen; or 12s. per Hundred. Trewman, Exeter; Rivingtons, &c. London. 1801. The loyal fentiments in this difcourfe are well expreffed, and, what is more fatisfactory, exactly conformable to truth. The author, by the price of his Sermon, evidently means it to be circulated among the poorer claffes. Happily the love and veneration of our excellent Sovereign are already diffufed among them. Whatever this may add to that impreffion, it will add to the fources of public happiness.

ART. 30. A Dialogue between a Country Gentleman and One of his Poor Neighbours, &c.

(Concluded from our lafi, p. 430.)

We had lately occafion to notice a tract, entitled "The Evangelical Clergyman," in which the author took care abundantly to revile the minifters of the church, and to give the honourable title above-mentioned, exclufively to the preachers of his own fect. (See October, 1801,

P. 431-)