man, in 1628; he might be the occafion The remedies that in this period of its being firft set on foot in England, were added to the materia medica were but yet not the first or fole discoverer the Bark, Ipecacuanha, and Semiruba : thereof; for Michael Servetus, Calvin's the Bark is a fpecific in intermitting feBlott, a native of Villanova, in Arra- vers, but the unfkilful ufe of it has progon, a phyfician celebrated for his errors duced fo many fatal confequences, that in religion, and yet more for the punish- it is to be doubted, fays Dr. Aftruc, ment to which he was condemned at Ge- whether, upon the whole, mankind have neva, taught in a book that was printed been gainers by the difcovery. Here I in 1553 at Viennes, in Dauphiny, that must humbly differ from fo great a phythe blood was carried to the pulmonary fician, and time is a proof of the juftness artery from the right ventricle of the of my fo doing. For where the Peruvian beart into the lungs,-that the ramifica- Bark is properly given,no medicine proves tions of that veffel carried it into thofe a greater bleffing, not only for agues of the pulmonary vein, with which they and intermittens, but for fcrophulous communicated--and that the blood was cafes, nervous complaints, and even thence drawn into the left ventricle of mortifications alfo; and although Dr. the heart, then from the diastole, and Gideon Harvey was much of Dr. Aftruc's thence diftributed through all the arte- mind, time and improvements have renries of the body. dered the administration of the Cortex, in good hands, very effectual in many cafes. It is true, if given injudiciously, no drug can do more mifchief, and, if ufed with judgment, no fingle one more good; for the best things become the very worst when abused. In 1559 a treatife of anatomy was publifhed by Realdus Columbus, in which the doctrine of the circulation is very fully and particularly explained: feveral other authors wrote upon the fubject before Harvey, and the discovery was carried to its utmoft perfection by Andrew Cefalpinus, of Arezed, in a work publifhed at Venice, in 1593, entitled, Queftionum Peripate-licarum, libri 4. Queftionum Medicarum, libri, 4. In this work the author ufes the word circulation, and explains it exactly as it is now taught and believed: it is therefore very probable that Harvey, who was at Padua in the beginning of the feventeenth century, remained there five years, and took his degree of doctor, heard of the difcovery, and afterwards appropriated it as his own. The fcurvy and the pox, which ap peared in the third period, continued in this, and mercury in frictions was ufed for the cure of the latter with fome fuccefs: many attempts were alfo made to adminifter this remedy in a more comniodious manner, but though fome of them fucceeded, the common way feemed to deferve the preference. This remedy is not certainly efficacious, except a certain quantity of it enters the body, and the quantity required cannot always be rubbed in without producing a falivation;. many contrivances therefore have been propofed to obviate that inconveniency. The folution of corrofive fublimate mercury in fpirits is now all in fafhion, which is faid to eradicate the venereal difcafe without the trouble, expence, and hazaid of falivation, and from the authority of the late Baron Van Sweiten, prime shyfician to the Imperial court. Ipecacuanha attenuates vifcid humours, has been found fuccessful in some species of dyfentery; but it requires yet more caution in the ufe of it than the Bark; but I know, if given in fmall quantities, it is both fafe and effectual, not only for loofeness, but afihmas, coughs, and fluor albus alfo. The femiruba, which was discovered by Mr. Jeffien, a celebrated physician at Paris, is given in ferous dyfenteries. In this laft period two experiments were made, which had objects of very great importance; one was an attempt to reflore youth and prolong life, by injecting into the veins of on old perfon the blood of a young healthy animal; and the other to prevent the dangerous malignity of the fmall-pox, by inoculations. The first of thefe experiments, which was called transfusion, perifhed in its birth. The benefit of inoculation has eftablished the practice in fpight of all oppofition that ignorance and fuperitition could make against it. About the fame time that the circulation of the blood became generally know a new system of phyfiology was proposed by Defcartes, which totally fubverted that of Ariftotle, upon which the Galenical fyftem of phyfic was formed: Defcartes's principles were in a fhort time univerfalİy received, and thofe of Ariftotle were driven out from the fchool of phyfic with a zeal and precipitation truly furprizing; and and the phyficians declared that there was nothing folid or true in all that had been taught, or practifed before that time, as ii a few difcoveries in anatomy, and fome reafonings in natural philofophy, could overturn the whole fyftem of phy fic. This ftrange revolution was fucceeded by univerfal anarchy and confusion; no common guide was followed, no authority was acknowledged, but every one did that which feemed right in his own eyes, and there were almolt as many fyitems of phyfic as physicians. Some who had adopted the principles of Defcartes, taked and thought only of fubtle matter, which they introduced every where, and made to act as they pleafed; to advance, retreat, and form varieties, and by this fubtle matter they folved all problems, and explained all phenomena. Others, who were infatuated with chemistry, transferred all its operations into the human body, where they faw nothing but fulphurs and falts, acids and alkalies, ferments of every kind, fermentations, effervefcencies, and explofions. Others who had zealously efpoufed the corpufcular philofophy of Gaffendi, imagined the blood and other animal jucies to contain atoms or corpufcules, round or angular, rigid or flexible, great or small, to which they attributed fuch motions as were neceifary to explain certain functions, and others explain the fame functions wholly upon the principles of geometry, mechanics and Lydraulics. good gardens for botany and medical The Loves of Ludovico and Honoria: A THE City of Genoa has been always famed, above any town in Europe, for the refinement of its gallantry. It is common there for a gentleman to profefs himself the humble fervant of a handfome woman, and wait upon her to every public place for twenty years together, without ever feeing her in private, or being entitled to any greater fayour than a kind look, or a touch of her fair hand. Of all the fighing tribe, the moft conftant, the moft enamoured, and the most respectful was Signor Ludovi CO. His Miftrefs, Honoria Grimaldi, only daughter of a Senator of that name, was the greatest beauty of the age in which the lived, and, at the fame time, the coyeft and most reserved. So great was her nicety in the point of love, that altho fne could not be infenfible to the addreffes of Signor Ludovico, yet she could not bring herself to think of marrying her lover; which, the faid, was admitting him to freedoms entirely inconfiftent with the refpect that character requires. In vain did he tell her of the violence of his paffion for her. She answered, that her's for him was no lefs violent, but it was his mind fhe loved, and that the Happily this diforder fubfifts in our could enjoy without marriage. Ludovifchools to longer; the practice of medi- co was ready to defpair at the fe difcourcine proceeds in a more rational and cer- fes of his Mitrefs. He could not but tain path, and admits only what is de- admire fuch fine fentiments, yet he wish duced from the known ftructure of the ed fhe had not been quite fo perfect. He parts, the functions of which are to be writ her a very melancholy letter: and explained, what results from the invaria- flie returned him one in verse, full of subble laws of circulation of the blood, and lime expreffions about love; but not a the lymph, and what is juified by the word that tended to fatisfy the poor man's opening a dead body, and authentic ob impatience. At laft he applied himself fervations; to which Edinburgh, and Lon- to her father; and, to engage him to make don, Medical Ellays, the Medical Tranfufe of his authority, offered to take Hoactions of our college of physicians and the labours and obfervations of feveral ingle authors do all jointly conduce, fo that, to me, there feems but one thing wanting to compleat the ftudy and practice of phyfic, and that is the royal encouragement to convert fome of our fupernumerary, and useless colleges, belonging to the two univerfities, into hofpitals, elaboratories, anatomical theatres, halls of experiments and practice, with noria without a portion. The father, who was a plain man, was mightily pleafed with this propofal, and made na difficulty to promife him fuccefs. Accordingly, he very roundly told his daughter, that he must be married the next day, or go to a nunnery. This dilemma ftartled her very much. In spite of all her repugnance to the marriagebed, the found fomething about her fill more averfe to the idea of a cloiffer. An abfoluta abfolute feparation from Ludovico was what he could not bear: it was even worfe than to be married to him. In this difirefs fhe did not know what to do: fhe turned over above a hundred romances, to fearch for precedents; and, after many firuggles with herself, refolved to furrender upon terms. She therefore told her lover, that the confented to be his wife, provided he might be fo by degrees, and that after the ceremony was over, he would not pretend, at once, to all the rights and privileges of a husband, but allow her modelly leifure to make a gradual and decent retreat. Ludovico did not like fuch a capitulation; but, rather than not have her, he was content to pay this last compliment to her caprice. They were married: and, at the end of the first month, he was very happy to find himself arrived at the full enjoyment of her lips. While he was thus gaining ground inch by inch, his father died, and left him a great eflate in the island of Corúca. His prefence was neceffary there; but he could not think of parting from Honoria, They embarked together, and Ludovico had good hopes, that he fhould not only take poffeffion of his eftate, but of his wife too, at his arrival. Whether it was that Venus, who is faid to be born out of the fea, was more powerful than at land, or from the freedom which is ufual aboard of fhip, it is fure, that during the voyage he was indulged in greater liberties than ever he had prefumed to take before: nay, it is confidently afferted, that they were fuch liberties as have a natural and irrefittible tendency to overcome all fcruples whatsoever. But, while he was failing on with a fair wind, Fortune, who took a pleasure to perfecute him, brought an African Coriair in their way, that quickly put an end to their dalliance, by making them his flaves. Who can exprefs the affliction and defpair of this loving couple, at fo fudden and ill-timed a captivity! Ludovico faw himself deprived of his virgin bride on the very point of obtaining all his wifhes: And Honoria had reafon to apprehend that the was fallen into rougher hands than his, and fuch as no confideration Could reftrain. The Corfair feeing her jo beautiful, thought her a mistress worthy of his Prince: and to him he prefented her at their landing, in spite of her own and her husband's tears. O unfortunate end of all pure and horoical fen timent! Was it for this that her favours were fo long and fo obftinately denied to the tender Ludovico, to have them ravifhed, in a moment, by a rude barbarian, who did not as much as thank her for them? But let us leave her in the Seraglio of the Dey, and fee what became of Ludovico after this cruel feparation. The Corfair, finding him unfit for any labour, made ufe of him to teach his children mufic, in which he was perfectly well fkilled. This fervice would not have been very painful, if it had not been for the remembrance of Honoria, and the thought of the brutalities fhe was expopofed to. Thefe were always in his head night and day; and he imagined that fhe had by this time killed herself, rather than fubmit to fo grofs a violation. But, while he was thus tormenting himfelf for one woman, he gave equal uneafinefs to another. His master's wife faw him often from her window, and fell violently in love with him. The Afri can ladies are utter strangers to delicacy and refinement. She made no fcruple to acquaint him with her defires, and fent her favourite flave to introduce him by night into her chamber. Ludovico would fain have been excufed, being ashamed to commit fuch an infidelity to his dear Honoria: but the flave informed him, that, if he hoped to live an hour, he muft comply with her lady's inclinations: for that in Africa refufals of that kind were always revenged with fword or poifon. No conftancy could be strong enough to refift so terrible a menace: he therefore went to the place of rendezvous at the time appointed, where he found a mittress infinitely more complying than his fantalical Italian. But in the midst of their endearments, they heard the Corfair at the door of his wife's apart. ment. Upon the alarm of his coming, the frighted lover made the best of his way out of the window; which not being very high, he had the good fortune to get off unhurt. The Corfair did not fee him; but by the confufion his wife was in, he fufpected that fomebody had been with her. His jealousy directed him to Ludovico; and though he had no other proof than bare fufpicion, he was determined to punish him feverely, and at the fame time f cure himself for the future. He therefore gave orders to his eunuchs to put him in the fame condition with themfelves; which inhuman command was performed with a Turkish rigour far more defperate and complete than than any fuch thing had ever been practifed in Italy. But the change this operation wrought upon him fo improved his voice, that he became the finest finger in all Africa. His reputation was fo great, that the Dey of Tunis fent to beg him of his mafter, and preferred him to a place in his own Seraglio. He had now a free accefs to his Honoria, and an opportunity of contriving her escape. To that end he fecretly hired a fhip to be ready to carry them off, and did not doubt but he fhould find her willing to accompany his fight. It was not long before he faw her; and you may imagine the excefs of her joy at fo strange and agreeable a furprife. Can it be poffible, cried fhe, can it be potlible that I fee you in this place? O my dear Ludovico, I fhall expire in the pleasure of your embraces! But by what magic could you get in, and deceive the vigilance of my tyrant and his guards? My habit will inform you, anfwered he, in a fofter tone of voice than fhe had · been used to: I am now happy in the lofs which I have sustained, fince it furnishes me with the means of your delivery. Truft yourself to me, my dear Honoria, and I will take you out of the power of this barbarian, who had fo little regard to your delicacy. You may now be happier with me than you was before, as I fhall not trouble you with thofe folicitations which gave you fo much uneafinefs. We will love with the purity of angels, and leave fenfual enjoyments to the vulgar, who have not a relish for higher pleafure. How? faid Honoria; are you really no man No, replied he: but I have often heard you say, that your love was only to my mind; and That, I do affure you, is ftill the fame. Alas! faid fhe, I am forry mine is altered; but, fince my being here, I am turned Mahometan, and my religion will not fuffer me to run away with an unbeliever. My new hufband has taught me certain doctrines, unknown to me before; in the practice of which I am refolved to live and die. A. dieu! I tell thee, my confcience will not permit me to have a longer converfation with fuch an infidel. Thus ended the loves of Honoria and Ludovico. An Account of Dr. Johnson's Journey to the Western Islands of Scotland. this journey, which pofterity will confider as no lefs claffical, and is, February, 1775. in truth, far more interefting, than that of Horace to Brundufium, we fhall give a fhort epitome. Our author having long defired to vifit the Hebrides, was induced, in the autumn 1773, to undertake the journey, by finding, in Mr. Bofwell [the friend of Paoli,] a companion, whole acuteness (he fays) would help his enqui-y, and whofe gaiety of conversation, and civility of manners, are fufficient to counteract the inconveniencies of travel in countries lefs hofpitable than those which they paffed. They left Edinburgh Aug. 18, directing their courie northward, along the eastern coaft of Scotland, and accompanied the first day by another gentleman[unnamed], who could ay with them only long enough to fhew them how much they loft at feparation. As they croffed the Frith of Forth, they firft vifited Inch Keith, a fmall island, never before vifited by either of our author's companions, though conftantly lying within their view. This is defcribed as nothing more than a rock, covered by a thin layer of earth, with the ruins of a small fort, little injured by time. Through Kinghorn, Kirkaldy, and Cowpar, they then proceeded to St. Andrews, a city once archiepifcopal, where lodgings had been provided for them," by the interpofition of fome invifible friend," at the house of one of the profeffors, whofe " eafy civility," and " elegant lettered hofpitaliy," are amply rewarded by as elegant an elogium. But this "kindness did not contribute to abate the uneafy remembrance, of an university declining, a college alienated, and a church profaned and haftening to the ground On thefe feveral topics our author defcants with his ufual energy and pathos, paying a compliment, by the way, to the " modein latinity" of Buchanan, and obfering, at St. Andrew's, only one tree, which " might be a fhow in Scotland, as a horse in Venice." Over the Frith of Tay, they paled, by Dundee, to Aberbrothick, a monaftry renowned in the hiftory of Scotland, and still magnificent in its ruins; thence proceeded to Montrofe, a "clean, airy, well built" town, and were then drawn out of their way to the houfe of Lord Moncoddo, "by the magnetism of his converfation." At Aberdeen, our travellers were politely noticed by Sir Alexander Gordon, known, twenty years ago, to Dr. Johnfon, in London, and new Profellor of Phyfic in the King's College. Both the Р old old and new city, and alfo the colleges, are briefly defcribed, and we are told, that the writer had the freedom of the city politely given him in the town-hail, by the Lord Provost, "without a fee." To Slanes-Castle, built from the margin of the fea, the feat of the Earl of Errol [fon of the unfortunate Earl of Kilmarnock, and then Lord Boyd], they were invited by his Lordship, and, with Mr. Boyd, vifited Dun Buy (the yellow rock), a rocky peninfula, difcoloured by the dung of inumerable fea-fowls, and the Buller of Buchan, a rock perpendicularly tubulated, of which the defcription cannot be read with indifference. Pursuing their journey, our travellers faw neither flocks nor herds, and, in these 200 miles, had observed only one tree not younger than themselves. At Bamff, their next stage, nothing particular was obfervable, but the incommodioufnefs of Scotch windows, which kept them very closely fhut. Through Cullen they proceeded to Elgin, a place of little trade; and here, describing the ruins of that cathedral, the Doctor affets, that "our own cathedrals (also) are mouldering by unregarded dilapidation," and that the monuments of facred magnificence are defpifed." This intelligence is new and alarming, and he could with that thefe dilapidated churches had been specified, efpecially as, on many (English) cathedrals, to our knowledge, great fums have lately and very judiciously been expended. But, to return--- To Fores they went forwards the fame day, "to an Englishman claffic ground," being "the town to which Macbeth was travelling when he met the weird fifters," at Lochabers, a feat of the Duke of Gordon, faw the first orch ard; and at Nairn, entered on the Hilands there first feeing peat fires, and hearing the Erfe language." From the house of Mr. Macaulay, the minifier who published an account of St. Kilda, they vifited Calder-Caftle, of which Macbeth was Thane, and, from this ancient tower, went to a moft regular modern fortifications, Fort George, where the elegant converfation of Sir Eyre Coote, the governor [diftinguished by his actions in India], was preferred, by our author, to the delicacies of his table. NOT E P. 7, this fort is called "that of St. George." Q. Was it not named from his late Majesty, and not from the faint? As in this route, our author must unavoidably have croffed the Spey, and have paffed near, if not over, the field of Culloden, we cannot help wondering at his fludiously avoiding to mention that decifive battle, and cannot but be of opinion, that moft of his English readers, at leaft, will think the fcene, where the feat of three kingdoms was really deter mined, of no lefs importance than any of the imaginary actions of Macbeth, though celebrated by Shakespear. up At Inverness, "the capital of the Highlands," they quitted their pottchaite for horfes, now entering a country on which, perhaps, no wheel has ever rouled;" and on the banks of Lough Nefs, vifiting, by the way, and defcribing, a Highland hut, and the celebrated fall of Fiers, rode to Fort Auguftus, of which the courtesy of Mr. Trapaud, the governor, is not forgotten. Two days more brought them through the Highlands, to the western coaft, hearing, as they paffed, of the raifing of rents, and confequent emigration of the inhabitants, and painting, with a glowing pencil, the hills and rivers, and, in particular, one pleafant bank, which firft suggested the thought of this narration. Leaving our author philofophically to investigate the reafon of thofe peculiarities which generally diftinguifh fuch rugged regions, and afterwards, as philofophically to fleep on a bundle of hay, in his riding-coat, we haften to the Ifle of Sky, where Dr. Johnfon and Mr. Bofwell landed Sept. 20, and were met on the fands, and entertained at Armidel (his feat), by Sir Alexander Macdonald. From Sky, they were invited to the Ifle of Raafay, which lies east of it, the arrival of itrangers having foon excited rumour and curiolity. For the manners, and cuftoms of the natives we must refer to the work, obferving only, that our traveller came thither too late to fee" a people of peculiar appearance," as only the language and their poverty now remain, and of those the first is attacked on every fide, and the other gradually abated. In Raafay, at Mr. Macleod's, the Laird's, they found nothing but civility, elegance, and plenty; there was alfo mulic and dancing, beauty and gaiety, and Erfe fongs fung by ladies; fo that, could our itinerant Homer" have found an Ulyffes, he had fancied a Phæacia." Not to mention his wisdom and fagacity, Mr. Bofwell, however, is, in fome other respects, not unlike the hero of Odyffey, as ---mores |