Art. 26. Oratio in Theatro Collegii Regalis Medicorum Londinensis, ex Harwei Instituto, habita Die Octob. 18°, An. 1800, ab Henrico Vaughan, M.D. Medico Regio Extraordinario 4to. White. 1800. This elegant oration pleads a cause which, we hope, will never want powerful advocates among the faculty, the utility of combining an attention to general literature with medical pursuits. It is by this union only, that an insuperable barrier can be placed between the philosophical Physician and the presumptuous Empiric; espe cially at this period, when dogmatism is declining in consideration with the great body of the profession.

The latinity of this discourse is pure, and several phrases are happily turned. With the sentiments which it contains, we entirely accord.

Art. 27. Observations on the Diseases which prevailed on board a Part of his Majesty's Squadron, on the Leeward Island Station, between Nov. 1794, and April 1796. By Leonard Gillespie, M. D. Surgeon and Agent to the Naval Hospital at Fort-Royal, Martinique. 8vo. Pp. 240. 55. Boards. Cuthell. 1800.

We meet with little that is either new or striking, in this publication. The author writes like a man of observation, but the subject of West-India diseases seems to be nearly exhausted.-Dr. G. thinks that persons infected with the itch are less liable to febrile contagion than others: this, if it be well-founded, is a curious remark. He is a decided enemy to the copious use of mercury in the yellow fever, which has been so warmly recommended by several late writers; and he also condemus bleeding, emetics, and all active purgatives. His method of cure consisted in the frequent injection of glysters, shaving the head, bathing the patient repeatedly during the day in fresh limejuice, and applying slices of limes to the forehead and other parts. The tepid bath was of much service, on the first remission of the fever. Internally, diluents, and opiates were used. Blisters, and the exhibition of Peruvian bark, were efficacious, when employed on the first remission of the fever. Stimulants were likewise advantageous, in this stage.-The remaining observations contained in this volume are of so miscellaneous a nature, that we cannot pretend to offer an analysis of them: but the work may be perused with advantage by West-India practitioners.

MILITARY and NAVAL AFFAIRS.

Art. 28. An authentic Narrative of the Proceedings of his Majesty's Squadron under the Command of Rear-Admiral Sir James Saumarez, Bart. K. B. from the Period of its sailing from Plymouth to the Conclusion of the Action with the Combined Flects. By an Officer of the Squadron. 8vo. 15. Egerton.

The readers of this narrative would have had more complete reliance on its authenticity, if the name of the writer had been prefixed : but a perusal of it inclines us to believe its testimony. With respect to the action with Rear-Admiral Linois' squadron and the Spanish batteries at Algeziras, on the 6th of July 1801, it decidedly appears

from

from this as from former accounts, that its unfavourable termination on our side was entirely owing to those failures of the wind which are so frequent in the Mediterranean, and to the operation of the cur rents and that the capture of the Hannibal was caused by her un fortunately taking the ground. Indeed, the subsequent most honorable acquittal of Captain Ferris and the other Officers of that ship, by a court martial, not only proclaimed that no blame attached to them, but that the highest credit was due to their intrepidity and perseverance.

The exertions of the squadron in refitting, and its conduct in the action with the French and Spanish off Cadiz on the 13th July, merit the utmost praise; and the judgment of Sir James Saumarez, in chusing night for his combat with a force above double his own, was fully evinced by the consequences. Two Spanish first rates took fire in the confusion, and blew up; the San Antonio, of 74 guns, was captured by the Superb (in retaliation for the loss of the Hannibal); and the French ship the Formidable, of 84 guns, would have been a prize to the Venerable, had not the latter struck on a rock, and lost her masts.

The consequences of this discomfiture of the enemy are thus stated by the writer of the narrative, and have not hitherto, perhaps, been sufficiently appreciated:

It is now ascertained that the division under Mons. Linois, with the troops on board his ships, were destined to take possession of the batteries at the mouth of the Tagus, and to seize the large fleet of British merchantmen that were in that river, and co-operate with the French army on the Portuguese frontiers in the capture of Lisbon itself. Not only the commercial interest was, therefore, preserved from an immense loss, but the kingdom of Portugal itself may be said, in a considerable degree, to owe its present security to the defeat of this expedition.'

Art. 29. Narrative founded on a Series of Events which took place in the Island of St. Marcou. By James Gomm, Esq. late Lieutenant and Commander of the Tickler Gun-vessel. 8vo. Is. Steele:

1801.

It appears from this relation that Mr. Gomm, and the Lieutenants of two other gun-vessels, were superseded in their respective commands, in consequence of their conduct on occasion of some` mutinous behaviour among the seamen, in July 1795: for which conduct, says Mr. G. instead of accusation, I felt that I ought to look for approbation.It is neither our duty nor in our power to give any judgment in this case: but, speaking merely from the present statement, Mr. Gomm's lot seems to have been rather hard. Art. 30. Observations on the Establishment of a Royal Military College, for the Instruction of the Officers of the British Army, as próposed by the Secretary at War. 8vo. Is. 6d. Egerton. The writer of this pamphlet congratulates the army on the establishment of a public Military College, the foundations of which have ately been laid in the neighbourhood of Chelsea; because, he says,

It has long been a subject of the deepest regret, that the officers of the British army have had no proper seminary in their own country, to which they might resort, in order to obtain a competent knowlege of the scientific part of the Military Profession. Whoever, therefore,. aspired to honourable distinction in our service, was obliged to seek upon the Continent of Europe, for that instruction in the elementary principles as well as in the higher branches of Military Science, which he could not procure at home.'

In consequence of this difficulty, and of a reliance on the native energy and usual success of British troops, scientific knowlege (says this writer) has not been cultivated by military men in general; and therefore it is not surprizing that in the attack and defence of fortified places, the officers of the British army have seldom displayed much military science.' To make our army equal to any in the world, what, then, is wanting? The union of science with courage, and tactics with discipline. For the attainment of this object, therefore, the new Institution is viewed with much satisfaction; and several regulations in the conduct of it are proposed.

The practice of purchasing and selling Commissions is here particularly reprobated as destructive, in various ways, of the improvement of the British army; and the opposite customs of the Navy are justly praised, as obviously tending to that superiority of our naval over our military operations, which is generally acknowleged. The author anticipates, but despises, the objection to the abolition of the purchase of Commissions, that it would prevent the nobility and men of large fortune from entering the army; and indeed we do not see why it should have such an effect, to any prejudicial degree, in the land service, any more than the non-existence of such a practice has in the navy. In carrying the proposed abolition into effect, the necessary recompenses to those officers who have already purchased are then suggested: together with some rules to be observed in future promotions.

Various other remarks on the state of the army are added, relative to an increase of the Rifle corps, a diminution of length and weightin the arms of the light infantry, a reduction of the heavy dragoons, (as being very seldom of any material service,) the supply of clothing for regiments being in the hands of Government instead of thore of the Colonels, the mode of firing and the position of officers in action, &c. The writer also suggests the restoration of the use of armour, so far at least as to protect the heart; and tire institution of a new order of Military Knighthood. He likewise announces his intention of publishing some Observations on Field Fortification and Castrametation, and another work intitled Miscellaneous Tactical: Disquisitions.

We give no opinion respecting the eligibility, of these various propositions, but we recommend them to consideration. The restrictions lately imposed by the Duke of York on the rapid purchase of progressive commissions, and the Institution of the New Military College, may partly fulfil the design of some of them.

POETR

POETRY.

Art. 31, Peace, a Poem; inscribed to the Right Hon. Henry Addington. By Thomas Dermody. 4to. 18. 6d. Hatchard. 1801.

Transported by the delightful prospect of peace, and by fond anticipation of all its attendant blessings, the author of this poem indulges his enraptured Muse with a profusion of poetic and prophetic embellishments. Were we to attempt to criticize this hasty effusion of patriotic enthusiasm, a similarity of feeling on this subject would soon induce us to drop the pen of censure; and we should ill succeed in offering so much violence to the good humour into which we have been thrown, by this happy and almost unexpected turn in our public affairs.-On this topic, then, Sing on, ye Sons of Melody and Rhime, without restraint or apprehension: for we can truly say, with the sweet Bard of Twickenham, that

Art.

"PEACE is our dear delight;-not Fleury's more."

32. Ocean: a Poem, in Two Parts. By Mason Chamberlin, Author of Equanimity, a Poem. 8vo. is. 6d. Clarke. To a British bard, the subject chosen by this author may be supposed to communicate a kind of inspiration. If, however, we cannot compliment Mr. C. as manifesting the fervid glow of poetic sentiment, we can allow him the merit of being pious and patriotic. Here, as in his poem intitled Equanimity, (see M. R. vol. xxxiii. N. S. p. 429.) he interweaves passages of scripture in his verse: but this practice excites the idea of a deficiency of invention, and produces a prosaic effect; as in this line,

• Whom no man living ever yet hath seen.'

It is still more material to remark that the 137 lines, which form the introduction, are 'irrelevant to the subject proposed; and that, however desirous the author may be to appreciate the respective merits of Thomson and Bloomfield, in the line of pastoral poetry, such a comparison is out of place here. The poem would be more homogeneous, if it were to begin with this passage; which is, indeed, no unfavourable specimen of Mr. C.'s powers;

• Ocean! to thee I dedicate my strain,
Thousecret world of wonders in thyself,"
(As sung the bard, whose praises ever break
Spontaneous from my lips); for thou, indeed,
Art inexhaustibly an object farm'd
For Britons to admire, who yet retain
(Under the auspices of Heav'n's high will)
Their rank among the nations by thine aid.
As each new æra adds to the renown
Of our unrivall'd navy; as it still
Majestic o'er thy whit'ning surges rides,
Here ever fresh the subject of our song!
While youthful heroes emulously strive
To follow where their chieftains lead the way.'

Ff3

Mr. C. introduces a morning view of the sea after a stormy night -vessels putting to sea-moonlight scene-light-house-reflec¬ tions founded on the analogy between natural and moral objects— homeward-bound fleet-tales of Sophia and Henry of Louisa and Edward.

The second part contains the fisherman's return—winter morning after a storm-addresses to Sir E. Pellew and Sir R. Curtis-noonday view of the ocean-calm-rising breeze-torm-thunder and lightning, and the fall of a cliff by an electric stroke-reflections ou the Divine Power; and with an address to God, of which the fol lowing extract is a part, the poem concludes:

And as the morn with fairer lustre shines
After the horrors of the stormy night,
While ocean kindles with its cheating beams;
So let tranquillity and mutual love

Bless our united isles; while party rage,

By Truth's mild influence dispers'd, shall yield
Its yet contested reign, as gloomy clouds
Before thy penetrating sun retreat.

Distinguish'd thus may Britain long remain,
'Till wars shall end, and all mankind obey

The sov'reign law of universal peace.'

Ait. 33.

Crim. Con. To the Marquis of Blandford. 4to. 2s. 6d.
Jordan, &c. 1801.

A very severe and pointed satire on the prevailing profligacy to which the title alludes; the late instance of which, here particularly reprobated, was noticed in our number for July last, p. 327. Many circumstances and characters are related and discussed, not only in this poem, (which is by no means a contemptible performance,) but in the annotations; and in both, the M. of B. makes a distinguished figure. The reprehender himself, however, seems to deserve reprehension, for the ludicrous manner in which he has introduced, in his notes, some names of the highest respectability; and this he has inexcusably done, as it should seem, merely for the pleasure of "speaking evil of dignities." Had he, on the contrary, brought forwards these great names for the sake of contrasting the conduct of such characters with those of the proper objects of his censure, there would have been an additional reason for our approbation of his performance.

Art. 34. Suspiria Oceani: A Menody on the Death of Richard Earl Hove, K. G. Admiral of the Fleet, and General of his Majesty's Marine Forces. By Dr. Trotter. 4to. 28. Hatchard. 1800. A poem written to convey encomiums so well merited as those which are here bestowed, and to mourn the loss of one of the greatest ornaments of our country, who to his distinguished naval talents added the character of an honourable and good man, is not an object for severe criticism.-Dr. Trotter's performance contains some good lines, and others which might have been good if the sense had been more correctly expressed. We give the few following, as a specimen of the versification:

• Bright