not distinct in their nature from those which are marked with a different mode of progreffion. That fevers are unneceffarily multiplied by medical writers, we entertain not the smallest doubt; but should we admit that the theory of them can be fimplined to fuch a degree as Dr. Riollay contends for, we must admit at the fame time fuch a diverfity of caufes as is not more fatisfactory to an inqu fitive mind than the fuppofition that fevers are originally distinct in their nature. Dr. Riollay, however, maintains his hypothefis with ingenuity; though it appears to be only a difguifed expreffion of the established doctrine, that a fever is an effort of nature to expel fomething inimical to the conftitution. The author has fo far deviated from the rules of the Gulftonian inftitution as to give the lectures in English; but the exordium and peroration are in Latin.

ART. 35. Medical Remarks on natural and fpontaneous Evacuation. By John Anderfon, M.D. F.S.A. The Second Edition. Small 8vo. 3s. fewed. Murray. London, 1788.

In our Review for June 1787, we gave an account of the first edition of this treatise; and the fecond now claims our attention. Dr. Anderson has improved it, in various parts, by pertinent emendations, which likewise tend often to confirm the juftnefs of his remarks. The work is evidently the refult of much experience and obfervation; and, as fuch, we again recommend it with additional approbation to those who wish to know the fentiments of a judicious practitioner on many of the most important fubjects of medical practice.

ART. 36. An Essay on the Nature and Origin of the Contagion of Fevers. By John Alderson, M. D. Member of the Royal Medical Society of Edinburgh. 8vo. 2s. Murray. London, 1788.

Experience fufficiently afcertains the pernicious quality of phlogifticated air; but the manner in which contagion is conveyed remains hitherto a subject of conjecture. The author of the prefent effay endeavours to fhew that the contagious matter of fever, when thrown off from the body, is diffolved in the phlogisticated air which paffes through the lungs; and, being thence rendered active, is capable, while thus diffolved, of communicating virulence to all within the sphere of its operation. But if this ftate of the air be changed, or reduced to its former purity, by adding to it that vital portion which it had loft in its paffage through the lungs, Dr. Alde fon infers that its powers and properties for elective attraction will be altered, and confequently that the contagious mater, which was before held fufpended, will be precipitated. That fich a precipitation really takes place, it is difficult to evince upon determinate principles of chemistry; but we acknowledge that the opinion is ftrongly countenanced by the facts and obfervations which the author has adduced in its fupport. They naturally fuggeft the most probable means of avoiding the influence of contagion, and for preventing the propagation of it, Dr. Alderfon has given explicit and useful directions.

ART.

ART. 37. Flora Caroliniana Secundum Syftema Vegetabilium Perilluftris Linnai Digela; Characteres Effentiales Naturalefve et Differentias Veras Exhibens; cum Emendationibus numerofis, Descriptionum antea Evulgatarum adumbrationes ftirpium plus mille continens; nec non Generibus novis non paucis, fpeciebus plurimis novifque ornata. Auctore Thomas Walter Agricola. 8vo. 6s. boards. Wenman. London, 1788.

This work, which may be entitled in English the Carolina Herbal, is the production of Mr Thomas Walter, a farmer in South Carolina. The author's design was not only to illuftrate the fyftem of the immortal Linnæus, but to defcribe fome fpecies of plants either wholly unknown to botanifts, or hitherto imperfectly delineated. His botanical knowledge appears to be accurate; his defcriptions are fcientific; and, from the industry which he has exerted in ascertaining the diftinctions of plants, the work cannot fail of proving acceptable to the lovers of this pleasing department of science.

POLITICAL.

ART. 38. The Speech of R. B. Sheridan, Efq. (which continued Four Days), before the High Court of Parliament, on Tuesday 3d, Friday 6th, Tuesday 10th, and Friday 13th of June 1788, on fumming up the Evidence on the Begum Charge against Warren Haftings, Efq. 8vo. 1s. 6d. W. Richardfon. London, 1788.

Were the merits of Mr. Sheridan's speech to be determined by the fugitive applause of feveral diurnal publications, we should be obliged to admit it as one of the most animated and brilliant rhetorical productions either of ancient or modern times. But fuch extravagant encomiums are only the effufions of flattery. Mr. Sheridan doubtlefs difplayed a confiderable degree of art in varnishing over the Begum charge with the appearance of great plaufibility, and in endeavouring to affect his hearers with ftrokes of pathetic declamation; but, with all the air of earnestness which he affumed, an intelligent auditor might eafily perceive that he was not influenced by any real conviction of the guilt which he laboured to afcribe to the late governor-general of Bengal. The speech now before us is not an exact copy of the original, but recites it partly in narrative, and partly by occafional quotations.

ART. 39. Animadverfions on the Political Part of the Preface to Bel lendenus. 8vo. 1s. 6d. Debrett. London, 1788.

The author of the preface to Bellendenus, amidst a difplay of claffical compofition, betrayed the moft evident prejudice; and fuch, indeed, as could not but excite indignation in every impartial reader, at talents and labour fo mifapplied. The prefent animadverfions appear to be written by an antagonist of equal abilities, who attacks both the heroes and the author of the preface with all the force of fpirited reprobation. But fhort is the fame to be acquired by fuch fugitive productions; for the fubject being temporary, the prefacer, and the animadvertor will foon fink alike into oblivion.

ART.

ART. 40. The Speech of John Anftruther, Efq. M. P. at a very numerous and respectable Court of Proprietors of India Stock, on the 24th of October, 1782. 8vo. Is. Stockdale. London, 1788..

This fpeech, when contrasted with the author's recent conduct in Weftminster-Hall, affords a remarkable inftance of the versatility of fentiment in political life. The speech contains the most warm and decided approbation of Mr. Haftings's government in India. Yet Mr. Anftruther is now a member of the committee for managing the profecution against him!

ART. 41. A Letter from a Gentleman at Bengal to his Friend in London, dated Calcutta, Sept. 8th, 1787. Received by the Ravenf worth Packet. 8vo. 1s. Stockdale. London, 1788.

This Letter appears to be written by a perfon of much candour 2nd knowledge of the public affairs of India. It contains the most honourable account of Mr. Haftings's administration in that country; and, for the truth of the narrative, appeals to the judgment, the obfervation, and the veracity of Lord Cornwallis.

ART. 42. Profpects on the Rubicon; or, an Investigation into the Caufes and Confequences of the Politics to be agitated at the Meeting af Parliament. 8vo. 2s. Debrett. London, 1788.

This pamphlet relates to the conduct of the British government last year, at the time when there was a profpect of an immediate war with France. Of the author's political fagacity our readers may be enabled to judge, when we inform them of two propofitions which he feriously maintains: one is, that the declaration of France in her refcript was an undeniable proof of her pacific disposition; and that the expence of Great-Britain, in the next war in which fhe is engaged, will be at least two hundred millions; and, in the fucceeding war, four hundred millions! Such principles as these are too ridiculous to be mentioned.

DIVINITY.

ART. 43. Practical Sermons, felected and abridged from various Authors, by J. Charlesworth, M. A. late Fellow of Trinity-College, Cambridge. Vol. I. 12mo. 2s. 6d. Johnson. London, 1788.

Something of the fame kind with the prefent publication was attempted a few years ago by Dr. William Enfield, mafter of a diffenting academy in Lancashire. Mr. Charlefworth, properly diffident as we fuppofe of Dr. Enfield's abilities, has borrowed his plan without mentioning his name. There is, however, one difference between the two compilations: Dr. Enfield, as in duty bound, afcribed each fermon to its original author; Mr. Charlesworth, it seems, "don't think it neceffary to do this." For the omiffion there certainly can be no reafon, unlefs it be to conceal the perpetual blunders he is making, while he abridges and new models the compofitions of others, without having the remoteft guefs at the meaning of their author.

ART.

ART. 44. A Scriptural Refutation of a Pamphlet lately published. by the Rev. Raymund Harris, entitled, " Scriptural Rejearches on the Licitnefs of the Slave-Trade." In Four Letters from the Author to a Friend. 8vo. 2s. 6d. Law. London, 1788.

This author examines the " Scriptural Researches" with candour and attention, and expofes the fallacy of Mr. Harris's arguments on various points. The letters are plain, fenfible, convincing, and untainted with any unbecoming warmth of controversy,

ART. 45. A Sermon preached at Chrift Church, Middlesex, for the Benefit of the Humane Society, on Sunday the 30th Day of March, and at the Parish Church of Wandsworth, by the Rev. Robert Pool Finch, D. D. Prebendary of Westminster, and Rector of St. John the Evangelift in that City. With a prefatory Addrefs, and an Appendix containing Some Select Accounts of Recovery in various Cafes of fufpended Animation. 8vo. 2s. Payne and Son. London, 1788. The text of this fermon is taken from Luke vii. 13, 14, 15. The difcourfe is rational, argumentative and ingenious, and ftrongly enforces an attention to thofe benevolent purposes which are the objects of the Humane Society. An appendix contains, 1. Reflections on Premature Death, and premature Interment, by Dr. Hawes. 2. On General Receiving-Houses for the Recovery of the apparently Dead. 3. Method of Treatment. 4. A brief Selection of extraordinary Cafes of Recovery from apparent Death; from the Reports of the Humane Society. We here meet with cafes of recovery not only from drowning, but from lightning, intenfe cold, and fome other accidents. Great praise is due to the patrons of this laudable inftitution, for the ardour with which it has been profecuted during the course of several years; and in particular to Dr. Hawes, to whofe philanthropy, diligence, and perfeverance, it is chiefly indebted for its origin.

ART. 46. Examination of the Rev. Mr. Harris's Scriptural Refearches on the Licitnefs of the Slave-Trade. By the Rev. James Ramfay. 8vo. 6d. Phillips. London, 1788.

Mr. Harris having, in treating his fubject, established certain data as the foundation of his arguments, the author of the Examination has felected several of thofe propofitions, and made pertinent observations upon them, as well as on other parts of the Researches.

For

For the ENGLISH REVIEW.

NATIONAL

AFFAIRS

For AUGUST 1788.

BELLIGERENT POWERS.

THE HE inactivity of the belligerent powers has at length been followed by two naval engagements in the Black Sea, between the Ruffians and Turks, and another in the Baltic between the Ruffians and their neighbours the Swedes. But the advantage gained by the Ruffians in the former, and the lofs they have fustained in the latter, are far too unimportant to affect the iffue of the war. The strength of thofe different powers remains nearly in the fame fituation; and that of the emperor is not improved. Sickness prevails among his troops to fuch a degree that it has been thought neceffary to accommodate them with five hundred additional furgeons. In the mean time, the Grand Vizier approaches him with an army of fixty thousand men, the arrival of which may produce a general action for the relief of Belgrade. But, from every previous step in the Emperor's con→ duct, there is reason to think that he will avoid, as much as poffible, any movement that might lead to a decifive encounter. Though engaged in an offenfive war, on his part, it seems to be his inclination to prefer the fecurity of defenfive expedients; and he will rather receive in his trenches the impetuofity of the Turks than meet them in the open field, even with all the advantage that arifes from the fuperior discipline of his Imperialists.

DENMARK.

The contest between the Ruffians and Swedes gives this little kingdom at prefent a degree of importance beyond what it ufually obtains in the estimation of other powers. All the nations of Europe now look towards Denmark with the most anxious expectation. It would be her true policy, for some time at least, to remain entirely neuter, and wait the decifion of events; but should the be induced to join either the Ruffians or Swedes, fhe will give an immediate naval fuperiority to the fide which the efpoufes. Her interpofition, however, will not be definitive; and, instead of accelerating, it would, in all probability, retard the termination of the conteft. The flame of war would fpread on the continent, and might foon involve Great-Britain in the general conflict.

I

FRANCE.