feveral things treated only in a fuperficial manner, and fome few are totally paffed over in filence.

In the introduction, Mr. H. delivers fome opinions relative to the animal œconomy, which he fays are peculiar to himself, and which, being frequently referred to in this work, he thought necessary to be premifed. Here we meet with fuch of Mr. H.'s general pathological doctrines, as afford the principles on which he explains the fymptoms, and treatment of the difeafe, and the action of the remedies ufed in curing it. We do not apprehend that Mr. Hunter has, by thefe doctrines, advanced general pathology; on the contrary, it is much to be feared, that the alterations he has made will impede its progrefs: for, without an addition of new facts, he has unjustifiably employed terms, which were clearly and well understood, to fignify things in a new fenfe; and he has referred to caufes, facts that are not produced by them. For inftance; Mr. H. refers to fympathy, not only thofe affections which happen in particular parts of the body, in confequence of a difeafed state of fome diftant and unconnected part, (as a head-ach in confequence of a foul ftomach) but also affections produced by immediate connection with, or mechanically in confequence of, any other partial affection or difeafe. According to Mr. Hunter's doctrine, the hectic symptoms from an abscess, and the extenfion or fpreading of an eryfipelas beyond its original bounds, are the confequences of fympathy. In the former cafe, hectic is clearly expreffed by the words fymptomatic of the local affection; and in the latter there is no new affection, but an increase of the original difease. In this part of the work we also find a few deductions that perhaps may offend ftrict reafoners; but not being of much practical ufe, they are of lefs importance.

The nature and effects of the poifon are amply confidered, and in a manner which, new and original as it is, highly merits the approbation of the medical reader. Several facts are here explained, which have hitherto been inexplicable.

The method of cure is treated on a very extensive scale, as indeed we might reasonably expect, from the enlarged views and genius of the Author; and, though the well-informed medical practitioner may not be able to discover any thing new, or materially different from the ufual mode of treatment, yet he muft acknowledge, that it contains what is more neceffary to be faid on the fubject, and a very excellent rationale of the action of remedies.

Our Author has recited feveral experiments, made in order to afcertain the progrefs and effects of the poifon, which are entirely new, and throw much light on a subject that has been but very imperfectly treated by former writers. We have a recital of a cafe, where the difeafe was inoculated, in which Mr. H. very minutely defcribes every symptom, notes the times in which they appeared, and the effects of feveral remedies particularly adapted and intended to palliate or perfectly cure each of them. Here the reader will find ample fcope for curiofity, and much inftruction. The time employed in the experiment, from the firft infertion of the difeafe to the complete cure, was above three years.

Mr H. has been very attentive to difeafes which nearly refemble this dreadful malady, and has made many remarks that tend greatly

to improve its diagnofis; among these are affections, fuppofed to be venereal, that fometimes fucceed the transplantation of teeth. We heartily with this unnatural operation were totally abolished. It can never be productive of much advantage, and may be the cause, not only of perfonal mifery, but of domeftic unhappiness.

Many obfervations might have been omitted, efpecially fuch as are mentioned in page 200, through motives of morality: if they are even juft, they are of no ufe; but moft probably they are illfounded, and only the produce of the Author's imagination: they are certainly repugnant to the laws of nature, and inconfiftent with reafon.

We cannot conclude this article without obferving that the matter of the work before us is thrown together in a diforderly, irregular manner: we frequently find the Author's reafoning fo intermixed with obfervations of facts, that it is difficult to diftinguish them: and as he does not appear to have aimed at giving a complete fyftem on the fubject, although he has touched on almost every part of it, the prefent publication can never be found of much ufe to the ftudent; for any other inftruction than what is fyftematical cannot eafily be retained, and tends only to the promotion of empiricifm. The intelligent and experienced practitioner will find in it many original and valuable oblervations, mixed with knowledge of which he cannot be fuppofed ignorant; and although the reasoning is for the moft part wild, and in fome inftances unjuft, yet Mr. H. has established fome new principles, on lawful grounds.

Art. 20. Obfervations on the new Opinions of John Hunter, in his late Treatife on the Venereal Difeafe. By Jeffe Foot, Surgeon. 8vo. 2s. 6d. Becket. 1786.

Mr. Hunter has undoubtedly laid himself fufficiently open for animadverfion and reproof. Mr. Foot has very judiciously expofed feveral of Mr. H.'s more material errors. There is in fome of his remarks an appearance of rancour that in general degrades criticifm. We are promifed a continuation of thefe obfervations, which, if conducted on the fame plan as the prefent performance, will be drawn out to as great a length as Mr. H.'s treatise itself, although Mr. Foot calls his book a dwarf placed by the fide of a giant.' Art. 21. A Letter to John Hunter, Efa. F. R. S. By Duncan Gordon, M. D. 4to. iš. 6d. Randal. 1786.

Although Dr. G.'s intention, in the publication of this letter, may be laudable, yet we think the work more fit for private perufal than public infpection. The Author might have saved himself the trouble of informing his readers of his tender years;' his ftyle and orthography, efpecially in the title-page, which we have deemed it expedient to abridge, are evident proofs of his immaturity.

LAW.

Art. 22. A Differtation on the Poor Laws. By a Well-wisher to Mankind. 12mo. 1s. 6d. Dilly. 1785.

The Author of this Differtation feems to be actuated by a difinterested defire of rendering the nation a material service. He examines, with impartiality and judgment, the caufes of the increase of our poor-rates, and fhews, with much clearness of argument, feveral defects in the prefent mode of relieving the diftreffes of the indigent.

He

He acknowledges the wisdom of the laws; but proves, both by expe rience and demonftration, that, the laws being inadequate to the purposes for which they were defigned, and the money collected being univerfaliy mifapplied, the provifion which was originally made for industry in diftrefs, does little more than give encouragement to idleness and vice. To remedy the evils generally attendant on the prefent mode of maintaining the poor, he obferves that no fyftem can be good which does not encourage induftry, ceconomy, and fubordination. The plans he propofes are well calculated to answer the defired end, but experience can only prove that they will remedy the evils with which we are at present burdened. After recommending feveral methods of employing the induftrious and healthy poor (if fuch exift), he concludes his performance thus:

To relieve the poor by voluntary donations is not only most wife, politic, and juft, is not only moft agreeable both to reafon and revelation; but it is moft effectual in preventing mifery, and excellent in itfelf, as cherishing, instead of rancour, malice, and contention, the oppofite and most amiable affections of the human breaft, pity, compaffion, and benevolence in the rich, and love, reverence, and gratitude in the poor. Nothing in nature can be more disgusting than a parish pay-table, attendant upon which, in the fame objects of mifery, are too often found combined, fnuff, gin, rags, vermin, infolence, and abufive language, nor in nature can any thing be more beautiful than the mild complacency of benevolence, haftening to the humble cottage to relieve the wants of industry and virtue, to feed the hungry, to clothe the naked and footh the forrows of the widow and her orphans; nothing can be more pleafing, unless it be their sparkling eyes, their burfting tears, and their uplifted hands, the artlefs expreffions of unfeigned gratitude for unexpected fa

vours.'

Art. 23. Obfervations on a late Publication, intitled, Thoughts on Executive Juftice. To which is added a Letter containing Remarks on the fame Work. 12mo. 2s. 6d. Cadell. 1786. The Author of these Obfervations feems to be a fenfible and wellinformed writer. The Thoughts on Executive Juftice contained many dangerous and impolitic propofitions, deduced from principles that were not fufficiently founded on fact. This performance calmly examines the reasonableness of the Thoughts, and proves, by undeniable arguments, the errors into which, through perhaps too great zeal and inadvertency, the author of them had been led. Criminal jurifprudence is a very difficult ftudy, and requires not only abilities and affiduity to profecute it properly, but great judgment in difcriminating between the two oppofite extremes of cruelty and lenity. The views of government in the enacting penal laws, are confined more to the prevention of crimes than to the punishment of offenders. Our Author examines how far our penal laws are calculated to accomplish this defired effect; and evidently fhews their infufficiency, confuting, as he proceeds, all the cruel and fevere doctrines of his adverfary, who ftrenuously enforces a rigorous execution of jarring and inconfiftent laws, which are fevere where

1 * See Rev. vol. LXXII. p. 382.

they

they fhould be mild, mild where they should be fevere, and which have been, for the most part, the fruits of no regular defign, but of fudden and angry fits of capricious legislators.'

The Letter which is added to thefe obfervations, we are told in the Preface, is the production of one of the best and most eminent men of the prefent age.' But the Editor was not permitted to name him. It is written with fimplicity of ftyle and liberality of thought: the remarks they contain are few, but they are made with judgment, and delivered in a manner that ftrongly indicate the humanity as well as learning of the writer.

Art. 24. A familiar, plain, and eafy Explanation of the Law of Wills and Codicils, and of the Law of Executors and Administrators. Alfo the Rules by which Eftates, &c. defcend, and are to be diftributed, in cafe no Will is made; and Inftructions to every Perfon, to make his own Will, &c. &c. By a Barrister, of the Inner Temple*. 8vo. 2s. 6d. Baldwin. 1785.

As this compilement is chiefly intended for readers who are unacquainted with the doctrines and forms of law, Mr. Tomlins has judiciously avoided, as much as poffible, the ufe of law-terms; a circumftance which will recommend his publication to those who know little of the nice diftinctions which so often arife on the construction of Wills, or who cannot easily comprehend the fubtleties familiar to a lawyer. Our Author, however, while he has been particularly cau, tious in the use of law-words, affures us (in his preface) that he has taken the greatest care that all the directions he has given, fhould in themselves be strictly legal; and though not extended beyond the common occurrences of the middling state of life, they may ferve as a faithful guide on thofe occafions.' His work may, undoubtedly, be very useful; but in the article next enfuing, we have another production of the kind, fomewhat more elaborate, and on a more extenfive fcale.

Art. 25. LOVELASS on Inteftacy and Wills. 8vo. 3s. 6d. fewed. Uriel, &c. 1786.

Mr. Lovelafs [of the Inner Temple] first published a part of this work, under the title of The Will which the Law makes: or, how it difpofes of a Perfon's Eftate, in cafe he dies without a Will, &c. &c.' The work now appears in the fecond edition, corrected and enlarged; to which is added, The Difpofal of a Perfon's Eftate by Will and Teftament; with Inftructions and neceffary Forms for every Person to make, alter, and republifh his own Will; likewife Directions for Executors how to act after the Teftator's Death, with refpect to proving the Will, getting in the Effects, and paying Debts and Legacies.'-This laft part is a very material addition and improvement of the work; which, on the whole, appears to be a judicious compilement, made with great care, and authenticated, throughout, by references to the proper authorities. If it is not to be confidered as a deep law-book, it will, perhaps, be the more generally ufeful, on that very account. It is calculated for the many, and many may, no doubt, receive benefit by confulting it.

* Mr. T. E. TOMLINS; as we learn from the Preface to the fubfequent Article. REV, Oa. 1786.

X

In

In his Preface, Mr. L. attacks Mr. Tomlins, the author of the preceding Article; and fpeaks of his work in terms not a little depreciating: he even infinuates that the Familiar Explanation,' having been published foon after The Will which the Law makes,' the compiler has taken the advantage of borrowing from his precurfor; in proof of which, he appeals to a mistaken reference, in his firft tract, which Mr. T. unfortunately copied; but we do not fee much in this charge; it is only a competition between the two booths in the fair each pretending to be the only one.

After all, it is, at prefent, a lucky circumstance for these two competitors, that Wentworth's "Office and Duty of Executors" is out of print:-it will not be an eafy matter to fet that work afide in the opinion of the Public, or to deprive it of the preference which it has fo juftly obtained.

Art. 26. A Tranflation of the Charter, from the Latin, granted by Henry VIII. to the Company of Barbers of London; whereby they were made a Corporation; alfo Tranfcripts of the Letters Patent of feveral Kings and Queens of England, with Acts of Parliament and Bye-laws relative to the Barbers Company; Rules and Articles of the Affociation of Peruke-makers, Hair-dreffers, &c. &c. 8vo. 2s. 6d. Sold by Mr. Davis, Peruke-maker, oppofite St. Clement's Church-yard, Strand.

This compilation was made for the purpose of inftructing the members of the Company of Barbers in the laws of their fociety, at the time when they entered into an affociation for preferving their rights, and preventing their privileges from being infringed by perfons who were not free of the Company.

Art. 27. Obfervations on the Jurifprudence of the Court of Seffion in Scotland; wherein fome Improprieties in the prefent Mode of Procedure are pointed out, and Amendments fubmitted. 8vo. Is. Murray. 1785.

Thefe obfervations are juft; the improprieties are fufficiently evident, and the propofed amendments good: we are apprehenfive, however, thefe will not be adopted. The clerks, &c. of the court will object to the amender, Sir, ye know that by this craft we have our wealth.'

Art. 28. The Trial of Emanuel Jacoma, a Greek, before Judge Buller, &c. in the King's Bench, for wilfully fetting fire to his Houfe, in order to defraud the Phoenix Infurance Office. 8vo. Kearsley. 1786.

15.

The Jury appear to have had very fufficient evidence for delivering their verdict Guilty.' Art. 29. The Trial between William Fawkener, Efq. (Clerk of the Privy Council) Plaintiff, and the Honourable John Townfhend (Son of Lord Viscount Townfhend) Defendant; for criminal Converfation with the Plaintiff's Wife (late Mifs Poyntz); in the King's Bench, Westminster Hall, on the 12th of July 1786. With fome Particulars relative to the Duel between the Plaintiff and Defendant. 4to. Is. 6d. Smith, Fleet- ftreet.

The adultery being fufficiently proved, the jury gave the plaintiff 5001. damages. The duel, which preceded the trial, ended without bloodshed.

Art.