before any fuch mines were opened, but a little while before the defcent of Cæfar, and even then not by the Britons, but by the Belgae. Mr. Polwhele thinks it pretty clear that the Danmonians had iron-works, and that thofe on Blackdown were originally British, afterward worked by the Romans. Cæfar, it is well known, fays that there was iron on the maritime coafts of Britain; he alfo fays that it was in a fmall * quantity. Cæfar, however, appears to have been but imperfectly acquainted with this part of his fubject.

In the close of this fection, Mr. Polwhele fpeaks rather more doubtfully concerning British metals:

With refpect, (fays he,) to other ores, I have nothing to add, as nothing remains on record. I might conjecture, that as the Romans had iron forges in Danmonium, the Britons might have been furnished with the fame apparatus. And I might proceed in this manner in regard to other metals. Here, however, I fhall ftop. I have been fometimes hypothetical: and to enliven a barren fubject, it was almost neceffary to be fo. But to indulge often in theory, is to throw a romantic colour over the truth of history. Let me, therefore, close the prefent view, whilft the fpirit of conjecture flumbers."

The section on commerce is of great length, and contains curious and interefting particulars. The famous paffage, in which Diodorus Siculus fpeaks of the Cornish or Danmonian. Britons as hofpitable, and polished by their intercourfe with foreign merchants, is brought under review; and a particular attention is given to his account that the tin was conveyed for exportation to an adjacent ifland, which is called Itis.-This latis has proved very perplexing to our antiquaries: fome conclude that it must mean the isle of Wight: others fix on one of the Scilly iflands; others again, and with fome reafon, determine for the Black-rock in Fal or Val-mouth harbour: the name Ickta or Ick, commonly applied, we are told, to creeks, at least as a termination, in the county of Cornwall, is an advantage carefully feized by thefe conjecturifts. Mr. Polwhele rejects their opinions, and with ingenuity and plaufibility adds his.

own:

κειμένων

The fituation of the Black rock (though comparatively good) was not the most eligible for the Danmonians eaft of the Tamar. In fhort, as it is the cafual name of Ieta, which wings us to the harbour of Fal. mouth, I can by no means alight on the Black-rock as the mac mętof Diodorus. Here then we hover in vain: and though we have long fluttered over the world of waters, we have found no refting-place. To raife objections in this manner against the theories of others, is eafy but to form a new theory is difficult. Perhaps, in the prefent cafe, no conjecture can be thrown out, that may boldly claim univerfal attention. It is not, therefore, with an air of triumph

:

* Comment. Lib. v. 12.

that

that I propofe my own opinions. With a view of exciting antiquarians to this enquiry, I have only to intimate, that I have often looked to the ifland of St. Nicholas, as the Itis of Diodorus. In this light St. Nicholas, fituated in Plymouth Sound, feems to be entitled to a moment's confideration.'

Here our author gives the defcription of Plymouth-found drawn by Carew, and then proceeds to offer a variety of reafons, from all which I confefs, (fays he,) I have a strong fufpicion that this little ile might have been the identical Ixis."

What fupplies of gold and filver were obtained by the Danmonii, it is not eafy to judge. We must own that we read with fome hesitation, especially when referred to a period very remote, accounts of the golden crefcent, and of the golden fickle which fevered the mifletoe from its oak. What shall we then say to the number of golden coins found at Carnbrehill, Cornwall, in June 1749? Mr. Borlafe's diftinct account of them is here introduced, and many remarks are added: we can only observe that Mr. Polwhele imagines that these coins were from the east, and bear fome relation to the Druids:

That they resemble the coins of the Eaft is, (he tells us,) evident from the very face of them. Many of the coins of India, at this prefent day, particularly the rupee, are nearly of the fame fize and figure. And, what is indeed a very ftriking resemblance, their fymbols are exactly fimilar to thofe with which our British fpecimens are charged. In the mean time, we are affured that these figures on the Indian coins are of great antiquity.'

It is now neceffary that we fhould take our leave of the prefent volume. From the few fpecimens which have been inferted, our readers will, perhaps, difcern fome fymptoms of that poetic vein which the author has more amply manifested on other occafions. Whatever may be his immediate topic, we repeat, one point is conftantly kept in view, viz. the early colonization of the island, or rather of Danmonium, from the Eaft: nor is he deftitute of refpectable names to affift and fupport him; to others he is able to add that of Sir William Jones, and also of Sir George Yonge, who, as a friendly correfpondent, has aided and encouraged his labours. We obferve, in one part of the work, that Dr. Knox, of whom Mr. P. fpeaks as the most fenfible, fpirited, and elegant of our English effayifts,' is introduced as favouring his caufe.-There does not yet appear, however, evidence or authority to fatisfy the mind, and certainly there is none to warrant fanguine and pofitive conclufions. The danger is not fmall, in fuch a line of inquiry, of running into fiction and fancy. We will not dispute with Mr. Polwhele concerning the word Danmonians, which he

• Carew's Survey, P. 99.

appears

appears to prefer to Damnonians or Dumnonians; although, if it be fact that a part of Bretagne in France was antiently called Dumnonium, the latter word may be the moft proper; nor can we think ourselves at liberty to load him with heavy and fevere cenfures, whatever may have been his mistakes. His learning, his ingenuity, and his application, place him above this kind of treatment. Every man has an equal right to form and communicate his fentiments; if indeed this be done with a magifterial tone, or be the mere refult of ignorance and inattention, or of oftentation, conceit, and folly, fuch a writer will defervedly meet with chaftisement and contempt:-but who will affign fuch a rank to Mr. Polwhele? If he has allowed his imagination to range too freely, it must be admitted that he is not deftitute of plaufible argument. The Etymologift and the Antiquary stand in need of very correct attention to direct and, affift their inquiries; and even Mr. Bryant, who has obtained fo much merited applaufe, is not exempt from objection.

We could have wished that it had fuited our author's fituation to have bestowed a larger type on his ingenious lucubrations for this volume, apparently fmall, far exceeds in its contents many of greater bulk. He has chofen the Longprimer type, very clofely printed; and the notes, which are abundant, have a yet fmaller character. This, however convenient in some refpects, muft prove unpleafant to the reader.

We are now expecting farther parts of thefe Hiftorical Views; which, we should imagine, muft be perufed before the folio voJumes can be properly noticed.

ART. XI. The Elements of Medicine of John Brown, M. D. Tranf lated from the Latin, with Comments and Illuftrations, by the Author. A new Edition, revised and corrected. With a Biographical Preface, by Thomas Beddoes, M. D. and a Head of the Author. 2 Vols. 8vo. 12s. boards. Johnson. 1795.

IT

is well known that the late Dr. Brown, whofe opinions have figured fo much in the medical world, died after a life of penury and disappointments, leaving behind him a totally deftitute family. A fubfcription, fet on foot by those who were attached to his memory, and forwarded by other benevolent perfons, produced a confiderable but temporary relief to them; and the prefent republication of his works has been undertaken chiefly with a view of farther extending this charitable affiftAs this is a defign to which all men of liberality, whatever they may have thought of Dr. Brown, or of his opinions, cannot but with fuccefs, it will give them fatisfaction to find that the execution of it has been committed to a person of fuch acknowleged powers for augmenting, from his own ftores, the

ance.

value

value of what comes from his hands as an editor; in fact, the introductory matter prefixed to thefe volumes will afford a high treat to those who are in the habit of fpeculating on human life in general, and profeffional character in particular.

It commences with obfervations on the character and writings of Dr. Brown. This biographical sketch is distinguished by its great candour and impartiality, as well as by its deep and fagacious remark on a variety of circumftances relative to mind and manners. The hero of the piece is represented as he was, under no falfe colouring of panegyric, or veil of delicacy. It is therefore an entertaining and interefting picture, from which we could with pleafure extract fome traits ferious or humorous, but that we prefer keeping the reader's curiofity entire.

A fubfequent feЯion in Dr. Brown's private practice introduces a curious kind of effay on Reputation in Phyfic, which contains much folid reflection and fevere fatire, expreffed in. the manly nervous language which is appropriate to the writer. It is concluded by an appendage entitled Jatrologia, in which, after the manner of Baron Born in his well-known Linnæan claffification of monks, Dr. B. arranges the feveral fpecies of the genus Doctor of Phyfic. From this humorous performance we will indulge our readers with an extract:

SECT. II. D. Mere collectors of fees, regardless of medical science, given to artifice and intrigue, each species after its own manner. 3. The bullying DOCTOR. D.

--

Inexorabilis, acer, looks big, ftruts, fwaggers, fwears.

Obf. Surgeons, in our times, more frequently bear these marks. According to a moit acute contemporary author, the famous RADCLIFFE was a compleat fpecimen of the bullying D. "With small fkill in phyfic, and hardly any learning, he got into practice by vile arts. He would neglect a nobleman that gave exorbitant fees ;" and to heighten the infult by contraft" at the fame time carefully attend a fervant or mean perfon for nothing--he was furly and morofe; treated his patients like dogs-extended his infolence even to the Royal Family-fcorned to confult with his betters on what emergency foever; looked down with contempt on the most deferving of his profeffion, and never would confer with any phyfician who would not pay homage to his fuperior genius, creep to his humour, and never approach him but with the flavifh obfequioufnefs of a court flatterer."

The bacchanalian DOCTOR. D. given to fottifhnefs, if not to drunkenness-generally fomewhat of the Bully.

4. The folemn DOCTOR. D. with garb, voice, geftures, and equipage, contrived to overawe weak imaginations, and hide the futility of his art.

Obf. 1. D. of this remarkable fpecies first practifed phyfic with pomp: they invented or borrowed from the other profeffions thofe REV. Nov. 1795.

X

barbarous

barbarous habiliments, of which ridicule has but lately ftripped phy-. ficians. In times, when an huge wig, or a flowing gown, could more effectually command refpect than found morality, fubitantial justice, or ufeful skill, the ftratagem fucceeded to admiration.

Obf. 2. D. of this fpecies, when a pretext offers, fpeak oftentatioufly of their experience-never fufpecting any of their hearers may know that there are understandings which multiplicity of appearances

ierves but to confound.

5. The club bunting DOCTOR. D. frequenting the crowded haunts of men; puthing himfelf forward, faluting all he knows, and all who will know him; talking much and loud.

Obf. In England, D. of this fpecies have of late been frequently feen in paroxyfms of frantic loyalty, and of civisme in France,

6. The burr DOCTOR. D. fallening himfelf upon you as tenacioufly as the heads of the noifome weed (centaurea calcitrapa), from which the trivial name of the fp. is taken, fix upon your cloaths.

Obf. Nothing in art, but the juggler's addrefs in making you take what card he pleases out of a pack, equals the dexterity with which D. of this fp. force themselves on patients.

7. The wheedling DOCTOR. D. with an everlafting fmirk upon his countenance-frequent at the polite end of large cities, and at places of fashionable refort.

Var. a. The Adonis awheedling D. D. with an handsome face, joined to the wily addrefs, characteristic of the fp.-flourishes at watering places; fometimes joins to his profeffion the trade of a fortune-hunter; and if he fucceeds, " gives phyfic to the dogs."

6

Obf. 1. D. of this fp. when mot moderate, prefcribe for every rich patient two draughts a day, and one night draught, befides pills and powders. Hence needlessly to wallow naufeous drenches may be numbered among the curfes of wealth.

Obf. 2. The Adonis D. has fooner or later a patient of note, ill of a fever or fome difeafe, that ufually terminates favourably; in cafe of recovery the female bufy-bodies of the place exert their spirit of cabal in behalf of the wonder-working youth, and his fortune is made. 8. The cafe-coining DOCTOR. D. publishing forged or falfified. cafes.

Obf. "A very fertile fource of falfe facts has been opened for fome time pait. This is, in fome young phyficians, the vanity of being the authors of obfervations which are often too haflily made, and fometimes, perhaps, were entirely drefjid in the closet. We dare not at prefent be more particular; but the next age will difcern many inftances of perhaps the direct falfehoods, and certainly the many miftakes in fact, produced in the prefent age, concerning the virtues and powers of medicines." CULLEN. Mater. Med. 1. 153.

A-kin to this flagitious abufe is the practice of purchafing falle atteftations, on oath, for advertisements; and what is ftill worse in effect, though not in intention; a custom beginning to prevail among perfons of diftinction-who cannot be fuppofed capable of difcriminating difeafes, or deciding on the efficacy of drugs-but who, neverthelefs, permit Quacks to ufe their names in teftimony of cures, which they fuppofe themfelves to have witnessed.

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