abstruse parts of that science. From the clear and perspicuous manner in which the subject is treated, it seems extremely well calculated, not only for the Students of the East India College (for whose use it was first published), but, as the title-page expresses, "for such other young per sons as may be desirous of making themselves thoroughly acquainted with the first principles of that branch of Mathematicks."

In the first, or introductory Lecture, the author explains, in a very intelli gible manner, the use and importance of the science itself, as a species of Universal Arithmetick. The second, third, and fourth Lectures contain the application of the common rules of integral and fractional Arithmetic to Algebraic quantities, together with the investigation of rules for the raising of powers and the extraction of

roots. The next three Lectures are upon the solution of simple and quadratic equations. In the 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th Lectures, the doctrine of ratios and proportion, the nature of variable quantities, and the two progressions (viz. arithinetical and geometrical), are treated of at much greater length than in the generality of Treatises of this kind. The thirteenth Lecture is upon the arithmetick of Surd quantities. Through out the whole of these Lectures Mr. B. has illustrated his subject by a judicious selection of plain and easy examples, and by a vast variety of questions both solved and unsolved.

to

The fourteenth Lectnre treats of the nature and properties of Logarithms, which are afterwards applied the solution of some very useful arithmetical questions; amongst others, to "that of ascertaining the rate of increase of the population in any country, under given circumstances of births and mortality" a species of investigation which we do not recollect to have met with in any of the common Treatises upon the Elements of Algebra before. The work concludes with a Lecture upon miscellaneous subjects, which not being of quite so practical a nature as the preceding, are handled in a more concise manner. The contents of this Lecture are," unlimited and Diophantine problems; the properties of numbers; permutations and combinations; investigation of the bino

mial theorem; and the solution of exponential equations."

We are informed by the Author in his Preface," that these Lectures are published in conjunction with two tracts, one, upon the Elements of Plane Trigonometry, the other upon the Properties and Analogies of the three Conic Sections; these three small volumes, together with the first six books of Euclid's Elements, being intended to form a compendious course of mathematical reading, preparatory to the study of Natural Philosophy." We have seen these two tracts: they are executed much in the same style and manner with the Lectures on Algebra. Upon the whole, therefore, we have no hesita tion in recommending these elementary treatises of Mr. B. to persons about to commence their mathemati cal studies, as works highly deserving their notice and attention.

5. Reports on the Effects of a peculiar Regimen on Schirrous Tumours and on Cancerous Ulcers. By William Lambe, M. D. London, 1809.

THE Cancer is a disease so terrible in its effects, and, hitherto, little susceptible of cure, or even palliation, that any experiment, which may lead to a more perfect knowledge of its origin, and of the best means to mili gate its symptoms, or to prevent its occurrence, must be highly important to medical practitioners, as well as interesting to the publick at large. Many indeed have been the attempts made by physiologists to explain the nature and causes of this disease; but no one has hitherto been able either to give any satisfactory account of its origin, or to point out a method of curing it except by an operation : it has also been found equally diffi cult to prevent its recurrence, even after the diseased gland or part has been removed.

It appears to be the opinion of Dr. Lambe, in the work before us, that Cancer, as well as other constitutional affections, has its origin in a morbid condition of the whole system, occasioned by the constant habit of eating animal food and drinking impure water, and other noxious liquors And that a strictly vegetable diet and distilled water will, firstly, prevent this disease by eradicating the cancerous diathesis; secondly, it will hinder

the

the schirrous tumour from degenerating into the cancerous ulcer; and, lastly, will palliate and relieve the sufferings of those in whom the discase has advanced too far to admit of perfect cure.

We shall not pretend to enter into a discussion about the respective merits of an animal or vegetable diet, it being a subject very intricate, and which would not come within our province. It is, however, right to remind our readers, that the experiment of a strictly vegetable diet has seldom been made in this country, and that those few persons who have adopted it have generally done it on account of some previous indisposition. These circumstances may account for the beneficial consequences of such a diet, if such there be, not being more generally known and acknowledged. In the preliminary observations, Dr. Lambe has expressed his opinion of the utility of a vegetable diet, even for people in general, as being the best way to insure perfect health; and we confess his arguments have been very well maintained, and supported by cases. We have, on a former occasion, expressed our very high opinion of the "surgical observations" of Mr. Abernethy; we here add that it appears to us that nothing which Dr. Lambe has advanced, about cancer, or any other disease, is at all inconsistent with the notions of Mr. Abernethy, respecting the constitutional origin of local diseases, but, if any thing, confirms what he has advanced. Indeed both seem to have a tendency, if properly understood, to establish a comprehensive and useful pathology. We shall now close, with assuring our readers that the notions. of Dr. Lambe do not appear to have been founded on hypothesis, but on practice; that the book is written in clear and intelligible style, and that we hope our medical readers will peruse for themselves this very useful publication, as our limits will not allow us to enter into a detail of its particular merits.

AMONG the literary characteristics of the present age, is that of reviving and reprinting such books of acknowledged merit, utility, or scarcity, as public curiosity may demand, or cer tain publishers may deem profitable speculations. Men of distinguished talents and of original genius do not scruple to edit and superintend the publication of such works; and the names of Giffard, Nichols, Scott, Ellis, and Weber, are respectable and ho nourable in this department of literature. We do not wish to reprobate, nor do we disapprove the practice, If executed con amore, and the editor performs his duty, he is fully entitled to the approbation of the liberal critick; for the productions of several of our old authors are replete with good sense, sound philosophy, and interesting information; but such have been the amazing strides of literary improvement within the last fifty years, that, to the best of those wri ters, many curious, interesting, and elucidatory notes may be judiciously appended. Obsolete idioms may be explained, obscure customs developed, local peculiarities displayed, and the historical state of society investigated. Such are the duties of an annotating editor; and in these qualifications Mr. Bliss has manifested unequivocal talents. The present work of Bishop Earle has been peculiarly popular; has been reprinted at least nine or ten different times; and from its critical, satirical, and descriptive tendency, is calculated to amuse almost every class of readers. To the literary Antiquary, however, it is more eminently interesting; for he looks through the speculations and uncouth diction of the author, to ascertain the manners, customs, and peculiarities of the age in which he lived, and of the persons with whom he associated. If his pictures bear the stamp of authenticity and accuracy, they may be deemed strictly historical, for they paint

"the manners living as they rise."

Bishop Earle's characters must be familiar to most of our readers; it will be our duty, therefore, to allude only to the present Editor. In the few remarks we have to offer, it will be our object rather to encourage Mr. Bliss to persevere in this depart ment of literature than repress his ardour; because his habits of study,

and

and local advantages, all co-operate in qualifying him for the task. Many of his notes in the present volume, as well as the short memoir of the Bishop, evince a considerable knowledge of antient customs and authors, and a memory well stored with literary facts; we also discover in him a mind disposed to fair and candid criticism. The notes, appendix, and copious index, constitute about onethird of the volume, and for these the editor acknowledges himself to be entirely answerable." In his preface, he very modestly and candidly deprecates any severity of criticism, by confessing himself to be "fully aware that many superfluities will be censured, many omissions discovered, and many errors pointed out." If such defects be in this volume, we most freely declare they have escaped our detection. We regret that our limits will not allow us to offer some instances of the editor's additions. The following character is quoted as a specimen of the original work.

"AN ANTIQUARY.

"He is a man strangely thrifty of time

past, and an enemy indeed to his maw, whence he fetches out many things when they are now all rotten and stinking. He is one that hath that unnatural disease to be enamoured of old age and wrinkles, and loves all things (as Dutch men do cheese) the better for being mouldy and worm-eaten. He is of our religion, because we say it is most antient; and yet a broken statue would almost make him an idolater. A great admirer he is of the rust of old monuments, and reads only those characters where Time has eaten out the letters. He will go you forty miles to see a saint's well, or a ruined abbey; and

there be but a cross or stone footstool in

the way, he'll be considering it so long till he forget his journey. His estate consists much in shekels and Roman coins ; and he hath more pictures of Cæsar than James or Elizabeth. Beggars cozen him with musty things which they have raked from dunghills, and he preserves their rags as precious relicks. He loyes no library but where there are more spiders volumes than authors, and looks with great admiration on the antique work of cobwebs, Printed books he contemns as a novelty of this latter age; but a manuscript he pores on everlastingly, especially if the cover be all moth-eaten, and the dust make a parenthesis between every syllable. He would give all the books in his study

(which are rarities all), for one of the old Roman binding or six lines of Tully in his own hand. His chamber is hung commonly with strange beasts skins, and is a kind of charnel-house of bones them, if you will hear him, shall last extraordinary; and his discourse upon longer. His very attire is that which is the eldest out of fashion, and you may pick a criticism out of his breeches. He never looks upon himself till he is grayhaired, and then he is pleased with his own antiquity. His grave does not fright him; for he has been used to sepulchres, and he likes Death the better because it gathers him to his fathers.”

The Loyalists, an Historical Romance. 3 Vols. 8vo. Longman. THE merits of Mrs. West, as a Champion in the cause of morality, have long been known and appreciated; the social virtues she inculcates, are founded on benevolence and rectitude of principle; as free from hypocrisy and affectation, as her religious tenets from fanaticism and gloom. Christianity is with her a plain practical doctrine, unperplexed with the mazes of sophistry, and unalloyed by the terrors of Calvinism.

"The Loyalists" comprises events supposed to have taken place during the reign of Charles the First, and the subsequent usurpation of Cromwell; the narrative (though very interesting), consequently, assumes rather a serious cast, in describing the persecution occasioned by the conflict of party. There are many instances of fanaticism and insubordination, which but too strongly resemble the present awful times. Far be it from us to encourage despondency, but this is surely a period which calls for watchfulness and active exertion; not the exertion of individuals, to interfere with matters of State, or to endeavour to reform the Church; but, like Dr. Beaumont, the good village pastor, sæ well delineated by Mrs. West, each in their own humble walk may contribute something towards the general amelioration of manners. Benevolence, meekness, and courtesy may stem a torrent of invective and delusion; and we have the most sanguine hopes that throughout every district of this kingdom, the unostentatious virtues of the true Christian, if steadily exerted, will prove an effectual barrier to the increase of anarchy and infidelity.

8. The History of all Religions, comprehending the different Doctrines, Customs, and Order of Worship in the the Churches which have been established from the beginning of Time to the present Day. The Accomplishment of the Prophecies of the Person of Christ, incontrovertibly proving by the positive Make Declarations of the Prophets that He is the true Messiah, and that the Jews have no Authority from Scripture to expect that He is yet to come; the Origin and Cause of Idolatrous Worship: Reasons assigned for the different Forms of Idols: being a brief Compendium of those Knowledges, necessary to be known by all Christians. By John Bellamy, Author of Biblical Criticisms in the Classical Journal. 12mo. pp. 394. Longman and Co. "Histories of the different Professions of Religion have been written by eminent and learned men in all civilised nations; therefore a publication of this nature may be deemed, by some, unnecessary. A consideration of this sort would certainly have had its due weight with me, had I not found that, though in many instances the authors have succeeded, yet in others, and those very important, they have been altogether defective. No writer has attempted to give us any information respecting those eircumstances and things, which took place at a more remote date than that of the antient Egyptians; or concerning the Religions of the first nations after the flood; or the various states and descent of all the patriarchal churches from Adam to that period.-It does not appear to me that any writer can be justified in presuming to call on the attention of the reader, unless he has something hitherto undiscovered to lay before him. I trust it will be found by the learned and the intelligent reader, that I have not merited any imputation of this nature; for I should not feel myself excused in sending the following sheets to the press, if they did not contain a variety of information, which has not been made known by any writer, and which I consider a duty to lay before the publick."

In this particular, Mr. Bellamy has not been negligent. Many of the subjects which he has illustrated are not only new, but, what is more material, are confirmed by Scripture; such, for example, as The cause of the rejection of Cain's offering; the sigaificant nomenclature of the Patriarchs, and the descent of the Patri

Gext. Mag, July, 1818.

archal Churches to the time of Noah; the proof from Scripture that the Antediluvians must have had the use of the Telescope; the explanations of the names of the Idols of the idolatrous nations before and after the Israelites came out of Egypt; the mystery of the Number 666, Rev. xiii. 18. These most interesting particulars have never been made known for the last 1800 years.-The worship of the antient Babylonians, Persians, Trojans, Greeks, and Romans-and the antient Chinese and Indian nations; with proof from Scripture that those nations descended from the immediate successors of Noah.

"With regard to the professions of the Christian Religion, I have abandoned the customary method of copying.". "For the sake of accuracy and precision, I have submitted the various Articles to the inspection and approval of the leading persons of each Sect; the statements, therefore, of their Doctrine, as well as the order of their Communion, have been sanctioned and confirmed."

This is certainly a fair mode of proceeding; as none of them can say that they are misrepresented; and, it is to be hoped, that each has stated fairly the foundation of their peculiar tenets.

Without stopping to enumerate the multifarious "Contents" of this Volume, which fill five pages, we shall begin with the Roman Catholic Church:

"This has been called the Latin

Church, because they read the service in Latin. The supreme head is the Pope; the next in order, as dignitaries, are the Cardinals; but they have not any authority in the hierarchy, or government of the church; it rests with the pontiff in council.

"With regard to the primary doctrines of this church, they say, that man cannot be justified by faith alone,' and that a genuine faith can only be known by good works, agreeably to the words of the apostle, 'show me thy faith without thy works, and I will show thee my faith by my works.'-Concerning the infallibility of the Pope, they believe that he may err in matters which relate to private opinion, depending on the testi mony of man, as a private doctor; but that he cannot err when, in a general council, he makes decrees of faith, or general precepts.-They do not admit them, but they keep them to preserve that they worship images so as to adore

the

the remembrance of the object. Nor do they allow that they worship the Virgin Mary. They say that they revere her, and think this is according to Scripture, because it is written, Hail thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee, blessed art thou among women.' Luke ch. i. 28. and again, v. 48. From henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. They make a distinction between mediator' and 'intercessor.' They believe in one mediator concerning 'redemption,' but that we may have many mediators for intercession.' Thus they inform us that Moses was an intercessor for the Hebrews, Job for his friends; that when prayers are offered for the sick, the congregation are looked up to as intercessors, agreeably to the apostle James, ch. v. 14, 15, 16. Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed: the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.' So in like manner they say, that they desire the blessed in Heaven to be their inter

We now turn to Mr. Bellamy's description of the Protestant Church.

"This is properly the Church of England, which obtained that name, when the people PROTESTED against the doctrines, sacraments, and worship of the Church of Rome, in the reign of Henry VIII. to which period the Roman Catholic religion had been the established religion of the English nation. But the first blow which was given to Popery in England was about 200 years before Henry VIII. in the reign of Edward III. when the noted Wickliffe opposed the doctrines and worship of the Church of Rome. The term Protestant' is also given to all ranks of professing Christians, who, like the Church of England, disapprove of the doctrines of the Church of Rome; though they have separated from the Church of England. Such are called Protestant Dissenters.' This Church admits but of two sacraments, viz. Baptism, and the Lord's Supper, agreeably to the command of Christ, Matt. xxviii. 19. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.' Acts viii. 36. And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water; and the Eunuch

said, see, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?' Luke xxii. 19. And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you this do in remembrance of me.'This Church holds with infant baptism, which appears to be a very antient custom. Pelagius, whose followers were called Pelagians, who was one of the orthodox divines, and lived 180 years after Christ, taught that infants might be saved without baptism.'-The fundamental doctrines of the Church of England are, 'repentance, faith, and holiness of life; these are held forth in her catechism, homilies, and liturgy. Repentance, whereby we forsake sin; and faith, whereby we steadfastly believe in the promises of God.' And again, 'My duty towards God is to believe in him, to fear him, and to love him with all my heart, with all my soul, with all my mind, and with all my strength; to worship him, to give him thanks, to put my whole trust in him, to call upon him, to honour his holy name and his word, and to serve him truly all the days of my life. My duty towards my neighbour is, to love him as myself, and to do unto all men as I would they should do unto me.' Thus does the church of England, in her purity, comprehend the sum and substance of the religion of the Scriptures, which is love to God, and charity to man'."

Amongst the variety of Sectaries here described, the genuine Presbyterians, who, like the Calvinists, "believe in election and reprobation," are principally to be distinguished.

They are so called from Πρεσβυτερος, an elder;' because they hold that the first Christian churches were governed by presbyters and elders, which kind of government they have adopted. They believe that the authority to preach and minister is given by the imposition of the hands of the Presbytery, who are the general body of the ministers in an assembly, all possessing equal powers, equal offices, and equal honours; consequently, that a presbyter is the highest order in the church of Christ. They pray standing, after the manner of the Agoniclytæ in the eighth century.”

Nearly akin to these are,

"The Independents, so named, because as to their church-government, every congregation is independent of each other. They are neither subject to sy nods, assemblies, nor presbyteries; but the elders of each congregation govern their own members. With regard to