configuration thereof depend the highest ecclesiastical dignities, the noblest governments, and the most extensive kingdoms. On the physiognomonic doctrine of the nose, Taliacotius has said a great deal, and LAVATER has left nothing unsaid. This latter gentleman is one of the few moderns who have meritoriously discussed the subject.

Taliacotins, this learned Italian surgeon, made brilliant discoveries on the union of living parts, which have accidentally remained so obscure, that successive sons of the healing art have either unwittingly trodden in his steps, or they had not sufficient candour and justice to give credit to his knowledge and experience. He certainly repaired mutilated noses, and supplied deficient parts, by taking additional substance from the patient's arm. Though his artificial noses laboured under some inconveniences, yet whatever may be said on the subject, the chief merit of the discovery is undoubtedly due to Taliacotius. It is just to mention in this place that a similar practice is known in Asia, where the point of the nose is an object of so much importance, and that the new part is supplied from the patient's own forehead.

Recent communications from Germany state, that professor GRAEFE of Berlin, has lately proved that the process by which Taliacotius was enabled, upwards of two centuries since, to restore lost noses (which process has been improved by Prof. G.) is not so absurd and fabulous as it has been generally considered. The person upon whom he has most successfully performed the operation which confirms the reality of the process, is named Michael Schubring. This man, who is 28 years old, lost his nose in the campaigns of 1812 and 1813 by the stroke of a sabre. The operation took place in the Chirurgo-clinical Institution of the University of Berlin, of which Mr. Graefe is director, in the presence of the principal civil and military authorities of the capital, and a numerous assemblage of students. The nose was formed from the skin of the arm, which was maintained in a suitable position, until the arm was grown fast to the man's face! The success of the operation answered the most sanguine expectations, and the patient obtained a well-shaped nose, with two perfect nostrils, and cartilage, which performs all the functions of a natural organ. As this first experiment had proved so satisfactory, it became an object of considerable interest to try the method practised in India, and twice repeated

with the best success by Mr. Carpne in London. By a comparison of the two methods, a rational opinion might be formed of their respective merits. A fit subject for this second experiment was soon found in the person of Christian Müller, a woman of 50, who had long lost her nose in consequence of a cancerous affection. The operation was performed on the 29th of July, 1817, and a new nose formed from the skin of the forehead. It was attended with no difficulty; and the healing of the new nose is so perfectly satisfactory that the woman declares herself completely compensated by it for the natural one. Mr. Graefe designs to publish a comparison of the two methods founded on his own experiments, which will demonstrate the superior advantages and success attending the formation of the new organ from the skin of the arm, whereby also the disfigurement arising from the scar on the forehead is avoided. An eye witness of the first operation informed me, last winter, that M. Schubring, before he lost his original nose, had been engaged to a young lady, to be married as soon as he should return from the wars. But alas! his nose was left on the field of battle, the fair daughter of Germany hesitated to fulfil her promiseand contrary to so many examples around her, refused to reward the constancy and valour of her lover with conjugal felicity. To the great relief and consolation of both distressed parties Dr. Gracie performs a most valuable experiment. The patience of Michael, whilst nature and art, during several months, combined to repair his face, and restore his nose, was unexampled. At the expiration of his confinement, his fair lass could no longer refuse, but forthwith submitted to be united in the bonds of matrimony to her rightful and constant lover.

With the hope that these remarks and facts relative to noses, and the restoration and repairing of noses, may be acceptable, I am, Yours respectfully, An admirer of a good

NOSE.

Sketch of a Journal from Paris to England (via Holland) in 1805, in a Series of Original Letters, written from meinory, by a Lady, in 1810.

DEAR H.

Having previously experienced repeated disappointments, we received our passport, and proceeded immediately to the Bureau des diligences, where we secured two places in the Antwerp coach, for

the Saturday following: thus, we avoided the loss of further time, and prepared with the utmost speed for our journey. We left the house of my much esteemed friends on the Friday evening. Great and sincere was the regret I felt at quitting persons, to whom I owed so much, and for whose kind attentions I shall ever preserve the most heart-felt gratitude. We went from their hospitable roof to the Inn, from whence the coaches departed, accompanied by M. Alard, and M. Zollikoffer (a nephew of the celebrated Pastor) who entreated the guard to take great care of us during the journey. He really fulfilled the promise he had made him, and was very attentive.

At three o'clock (in December) on the following morning, we were told the coach was ready, and Monsieur le maître d'hôtel, had prepared two basins of soup, which, notwithstanding the English may laugh at the idea, was much better than tea would have been. On entering the Diligence, by the light of a lantern, I perceived two females, one about sixty and the other a young woman, who proved to be her niece-she was very vulgar. The old lady soon began to talk very strangely, and I afterwards found she was deranged-not the most pleasant discovery you will allow. Her niece was talkative in the extreme, I was asked a thousand questions before day-light, and really believe she thought us, poor islanders, the oddest beings imagination could picture. How far her ideas were correct, I cannot venture to say, while writing to one, lest I should get into disgrace. We stopped at a little village, about 30 miles from Paris, the name of which I have forgotten, where we breakfasted. The Maîtresse d'Auberge hearing from the guard that there were deux Dames Anglaise en le Voiture, hastened to welcome us, and inviting us into her little parlour to breakfast, began (for freedom there is politeness) interrogating me about our customs, &c. Mademoiselle va retourner dans son pays? Cela doit bien lui couter de la peine, car les Parisiens sont si aimables !” Î agreed with her, that the French were amiable, but, not wishing (for there are spies at all parts) that she should know I was going to England, replied I purposed visiting Holland. "Tant-pis, Mademoiselle, car les Hollandois sont encore moins agréables que les Anglois." This was meant, I suppose, as a compliment, could I do less than receive it as such? While we were taking our coffee, the good lady continued talking and wondering that Madame did not speak "la belle langue Françoise."

"Et

When we departed she wished us a "bon voyage" and hoped she should see us again.

We travelled many miles, over bad pavement, before we again stopped, the unfavorable state of the weather, and the inconvenience we felt from jolting, prevented much observation; the fears also that we experienced from the deranged lady's knife, which she insisted on having, kept us on the watch within the coach, and the shortness of the days also contributed to render the first part of our journey particularly disagreeable. I cannot describe what we suffered at night, for the further we advanced, the more the jolting increased, and the guide was obliged to go before with a lantern, and replace the stones which had been left in heaps. Travellers generally have credit for exaggerating-were I to say ten times more I should then give you but a faint idea. In some places we were obliged to get out of the coach, or more correctly speaking, to be carried, (as the dirt was over the guards' jack-boots,) and wait till the wheels could be extricated from a slough; the old lady always remained in, declaring she would not attend to the guide, for he made the carriage go without horses. On Tuesday morning, about four o'clock, we arrived at Vallenciennes, where our two agreeable companions took their leave. The guard, contrary to the usual custom, having taken pity on our fatigue, which was really unfeigned, allowed us to remain there till 8 o'clock, the three hours' sleep we enjoyed at this place was of essential service to us, and we were ready to obey our summons with renewed alacrity; never indeed were the pleasures of repose after fatigue more duly appreciated than by us; and I was highly delighted the next morning to perceive the weather clear, while the real picture of a once besieged town before me, though melancholy in itself, from its novelty afforded me pleasure. We passed slowly through the streets, and went over several drawbridges; I can assure you, the noise which our heavy vehicle made when upon them was rather terrific, and I felt rejoiced when safely over; the greatest part of the town was in a ruinous state, but still had a grand appearance. Our travelling companions then consisted of a gentleman and his dog, who went with us to Mons. He was a polite and intelligent man, and I felt sorry (as he kindly explained to me every thing I wished to know) that he was not going to Bruxelles, for our former ignorant companions were unable to answer any ques tions with precision.

with Dutch order and neatness, and we endeavoured to amuse ourselves as well as we could, till dinner was announced. I was requested by one of the American gentlemen to walk to the window and see how we liked our new vehicle. What was my surprise when he pointed to a waggon. I thought he was joking, but the man who was putting our trunks in, and to whom the other spoke, confirmed his assertion. I cannot attempt to describe to you the make or shape of this carriage, because we have not any thing resembling it; I shall only add, that we were exposed to the inclemency of the weather, and the water, during our next stage, frequently passed through it. All travellers, you know, must either meet, or expect to meet with some accidents, otherwise their accounts would be void of interest. Now, such really was our case, for we expected from the state of the roads that we should be overturned every moment, but our guardian angel watched over us miraculously, and we arrived at Breda about six in the evening, after a wonderfully expeditious journey of thirty miles in 15 hours! We were conducted to a neat litlle inn, where we fortunately met with a French servant, who translated for us. We now looked forward to a good night's rest, but we never passed a more miserable one.

The town of Breda is clean and very pleasant. The houses are built very much in the English style. But the manners of the Dutch, after the graceful elegance of the French, appeared barbarous in the extreme. From the short time I was among them, it would be almost unfair to give a decided opinion of their character. My judgment could only be hastily formed, and as we are frequently told that it is wrong to judge by appearances, I ought to profit from this advice, for I must confess their manners were so inelegant, and their countenances so uniformly stupid, that I was disgusted with them before I could possibly learn whether they bad any intrinsic worth. The ladies are pretty, but I should not think their education was much attended to. I am now rather digressing, and must not forget I have still to get to Rotterdam.

We quitted Breda about eleven o'clock. We now had a considerable increase to our party, among whom was a French of ficer, a sensible well informed man, I need not add polite, for by French, is understood polite, and all the &c's attending on good breeding. This day's journey brought us many inconveniences, as we had to cross the water three times. Ourselves

and our trunks were put into a room, where twenty Dutchman were smoking round a fire, which we did not dare to ap proach. Hungry, but unable to satisfy our appetites, as a small stale brown loaf was all they had to offer us. Our situation, you will allow, was not very agreeable, and what would have been our fate, if the two American gentlemen had not assisted us, I am at a loss to imagine; I believe we must have remained for ever in one of these miserable inns. Every passenger being obliged to take the charge of his luggage and carry it to the ferry, which was at a considerable distance. These transatlantic foreigners kindly took our trunks, and the French officer, the sight of whom was sufficient to make a Dutchman tremble, prevented the imposition which we otherwise must have submitted to, for the Dutch are the greatest cheats imaginable! Carriages, horses, people, &c. were all put into the ferryboat together. These water excursions took place three times, and about seven in the evening we arrived at Rotterdam. L. M. B.

And now for my further perigrinations. We left Bruxelles about one o'clock, the weather was uncommonly fine for the season, and the immense size of our vehicle did not dismay us, so determined were we to see every thing in a favorable point of view. I must first give you an idea of our arrangements within the Diligence (for all public stages bear that name) we were seated three on each row: 1st row, an English gentleman who passed for a Frenchman, my mother and myself. 24 row, a French gentleman, and lady, and a Flemish lady, whose tongue, like an alarum, never once ceased to annoy, and as her conversation was addressed to her neighbours, she was obliged to speak in French, (if her jargon might be so termed) 3d row, facing us, an enormously large German, an Italian, rather talkative, and a grave Dutchman. 4th, the back and last row, a native of Bruxelles, a native of Toulon, and I have forgotten who the third

was.

But can you imagine for one moment, these people all conversing at the same time and in different languages? could it be compared to any thing but the confusion of tongues at the Tower of Babel! certain it is however, the ladies were the most eloquent, I do not mean to include myself, for you know at all times, I am very quiet, I was seated in the corner enjoying very much the novel scene before me, and also much delighted with the country, which had the appearance of

beautiful gardens. We arrived at Antwerp about six in the evening, and after tea, were accompanied by the master of the hotel, to the house of a lady for whom we had letters. It is now I want the power of description to give you an idea of the friendly and hospitable manner in which we were received. The family consisted of an elderly lady, her son, two single daughters and a married one, the most studied attention was shown us during the evening, and after supper, when we proposed returning to the inn, we were informed that they had sent to say we should not return, and begged us to remain that night and the following day with them. They treated us in the English way, and when they heard our determination to proceed on our journey, they evinced much concern, and used every persuasive argument to induce us to pass two or three days with them. On the morning of our departure at 1-2 past three, the family were all up, and though I do not often form hasty friendships, I must confess I left them with regret, for in their house I think I perceived a true picture of domestic felicity.

I do not like Antwerp so well as Bruxelles. There was little going forward, when I was there, and the streets appeared dull and gloomy, the ladies have, when walking, the appearance of nuns, they wear large black scarfs thrown carelessly over the head, hanging down behind, but in their manners they are amiable, and extremely friendly to foreigners.

L. M. B.

I have forgotten to mention, in my former accounts, that travelling in Holland is rendered particularly unpleasant by the number of dykes. The roads are narrow, and the water on each side gives rather an awful appearance. Were two carriages to meet, much inconvenience, if not danger, must ensue.

We passed a place not far distant from Rotterdam, where there were 300 mills in a row at marked distances. The noise proceeding from them was disagreeable, and I should be very sorry to go past them in a single-horse chaise, or in any carriage drawn by horses unaccustomed to the sound; but the animals there seem to have (I cannot say acquired, it must be natural,) the same methodical ways as their masters, and it would be nearly as difficult to make them advance faster than their usual pace, as to force a Dutchman to any thing he did not like, as will appear hereafter.

The

We stopped at the coach or waggon-office, which you please, about a quarter of a mile from the inn, which the French officer had recommended to us, because it was kept by English people: he saw all our baggage weighed, and afterwards put on a sledge which was to follow us, and thus we proceeded to the sign of the Peacock. The night was cold and dark, and our last passage by water had completely chilled us; added to this misery, we were uncommonly hungry! Picture then to yourself five poor travellers arriving at a comfortable inn, in the English style—a clean room, carpetted, and a charming coal fire in a grate! (We had not seen such a thing since we had left England, for the French burn wood, and do not use stoves.) Our first exclamation was expressive of delight. My mother, who, till now, had been obliged to have recourse to an interpreter, was enchanted with the sound of an immediate answer in her own language, and had not the recollection intruded itself, that we had yet much to encounter, ere we should behold this "region of bliss," we certainly should have thought ourselves transported to paradise. The respectful attention of our fellow travellers did not cease. officer, who was to join his regiment on the following day, went to the French commissary, to solicit his attention to our requests, and the two Americans introduced us to the American consul, who, in case any difficulty should offer, to oppose our quitting Rotterdam, promised to use his interest in our behalf, and one of the gentlemen offered us a passage in his ship, but we had not sufficient courage to accept it, as we must have left his vessel and have gone in a small boat, as soon as the English coast should have appeared. On the following morning, after our arrival at Rotterdam, we went to the commissary, and also to the house of Mr. Smith, a respectable English merchant, to whom we had recommendatory letters. The French government had written to the commissary to desire him to give us our passport upon application. He behaved like a true Frenchman, that is, politely, and told us it would be ready the next day. Our only remaining difficulty was now to obtain a passage to England, and we applied to Mr. Smith, the most likely person to have obtained it. He told us it would be some days before a vessel would sail; we were, therefore, agreeably surprised, when he sent to inform us, two days after, that a small sloop was going to an English port, as soon as the wind should change.