of the profession, and it is no small praise to say that it most perfectly and amply accomplishes this purpose. Since the death of Dr. Jenner, there has been an increasing and perplexing obscurity in regard to the nature and character of several of the above named eruptive diseases of their relations to, and the influences which they exert upon each other. The repeated and increasing instances of the occurrence of a disease, strongly resembling small pox, in persons who had been vaccinated, shook, for a season, the popular faith in the security afforded by the cow pox, and there were many among the faculty who were startled at this unexpected irruption of an old enemy, coming under new colors, and demolishing those barriers which had been thought altogether impregnable. More extensive experience and closer observation have cleared up many difficulties and elucidated many obscure circumstances in their histories; but as a knowledge of the peculiar appearances the distinctive characters of these diseases-alike, but not the same-could not be conveyed by description,-and as, comparatively, but a small number of physicians could obtain this knowledge by actual observance of the diseases-and finally, as it was of vital importance that means should be had for acquiring this necessary information, Dr. Fisher was induced to supply the deficiency in the only way possible by correct engraved drawings of the several diseases. For doing this in all their various and Protean appearances, Dr. Fisher possessed every facility in the extensive hospitals of Paris.

Our limits do not permit us to go fully into the merits of the book. We have heard the suggestion made, and we think it a good one, that the State Legislature should provide that every town be in possession of a copy. Cases of small pox and modified small pox or varioloid disease are frequently occurring in our own State; but few of our physicians have had an opportunity of seeing the disease, and we trust they will now avail themselves of the means of becoming qualified to detect and identify the disease whenever it does occur. The work is purely American; we refer with pride to every part of its execution-intellectual and mechanical;-to its correct and satisfactory descriptions, reminding us by their elegant conciseness and simplicity of the Capital Illustrations of Charles Bell-to the graphic and beautiful copies of disease; and we hope the members to of his profession will not fail richly to remunerate the author for a work which has cost great labor and expense :-a work which will remain a lasting credit to his talents and industry, and an honor to American Medical Science.

SPECIMENS OF AMERICAN POETRY, with Critical and Biographical Notices. By F. S. Hill, and S. Kettell, Esq'rs. 3 vols. 12mo. Boston S. G. Goodrich & Co. 1829.

This work which was commenced by F. S. Hill, Esq., but finished by Mr. Kettell, embraces Specimens and Notices of two hundred American Poets. It contains also, an Historical Introduction, and a Catalogue of published American Poetry, from the earliest period to

A new dynasty, in a sense, has taken place in the United States. The present administration is composed of individuals opposed to the former, as to their political sentiments and views. A new party has succeeded to power. Both profess to be republican. But as to the meaning and object of the federal government, the leading characters of these two parties differ in their opinion. The difference, too, is something more than in name, though it is sometimes said that they disagree only as to men. The members of the late administration and their eminent coadjutors were in favor of extending the powers of the general government, and of so interpreting the Constitution as to justify the exercise of authority, in some cases, not clearly given them. The patronage of the government was increasing; and a charge was made of a want of due economy, with what truth, we pretend not to determine. The present rulers profess a stronger attachment to democratic and republican principles. They think the powers given by the Constitution should not be exceeded by the agents of the people.They are more in favor of State Rights than the last administration.

The writers in Canada and Nova Scotia speak well of President Jackson's Inaugural Speech. As to domestic affairs, he professes to be in favor of encouraging manufactures, so far as it can be done with equality and uniformity in the operation of laws for that purpose upon all classes of people and all parts of the nation. He declares himself also, in favor of internal improvement; but thinks it proper to pay off the public debt before great sums are expended for this object. In carrying into effect his purposes form, the President has proceeded farther than some of his friends expected or approve, Some new appointments it was supposed would be made; and in some instances the public may be benefited by a change of offi

cers.

of re

But the more discreet and intelligent even of President Jackson's supporters, appear to be dissatisfied with the numerous changes in subordinate offices. The effect upon future elections cannot be salutary The selection of a Minister to London, we believe, is generally approved.

In England, a great subject is in discussion. A momentous question is before Parliament and the nation. The consequences of a decision will be as important as were those which followed the reformation three centuries ago, or the revolution in England in 1688, or the Independence of the United States. If the civil disabilities of the Catholics are not removed, Ireland will soon be a

scene of civil war. By a negative in Parliament on this question, after the hopes of the Irish have been so much raised, they will be made desperate. And they will have as many friends in England, not only of those of their own sect, but of other liberal-minded men, as the Americans had in 1775, when contending for constitutional liberty. We do not perceive the danger which some fear, either to the Protestant religion, or to the claims of the present royal family to the crown of Great Britain. If it is a just cause, we wish it suecess: at the same time, we do not particu larly desire the destruction of the British monarchy. It is a subject, indeed, with which we have nothing to do; but as friends of religious liberty, of the rights of conscience and of mankind, we do hope for the emancipation of the oppressed Catholics of Ireland.We trust the benefits which flow from it will be commensurate with the wishes of the most benevolent and liberal in that kingdom. The Protestant dissenters are almost universally in favor of emancipation.

The attention of politicians is still directed to the affairs of Russia and Turkey. Some have predicted, that the dispute between these that peace will be restored to those extensive powers will be settled by negotiation, and

countries. Others think they foresee the The Turk is coming on of a mighty contest. confident of his strength, and will not consent to relinquish any part of his territory; certainly not to become tributary to his hated imperial foe. And the Czar of "all the Russias" will not readily give up his schemes of Turkey cannot long continue in its present conquest, so long and ardently meditated.state. But whether the time has come for a Christianity, is not for short-sighted man to great change, favorable to civilization and a proud and warlike say. The Sultan character. He will prefer to settle the distion. He has yielded to the claims of Engpute by the sword, rather than by negotialand and France in favor of Greece, only through superior force, or fear. He will detremity. Nicholas must retrace his steps, or fend his own peculiar territories to the last exthe Hellespont will be dyed with blood. The latest movement of the Russian army indicate an intention of further conquests.

The reign of Don Miguel in Portugal will probably be a short one. He is abigot and a tyrant. The priests and the ignorant among the laity may support him, but the liberal and enlightened cannot tolerate a persecuting Legitimate. Don Pedro, Emperor of Brazil, who claims the right to dispose of the crown,

MISCELLANEOUS.

The Pope, Leo XII. has lately deceased. He occupied the Papal Chair only about six years. In modern times the triple crown is seldom placed on the head of any but a very old man, in whom the passion of ambition has become almost extinct. But if the successor

of St. Peter were now a young and ardent character, he would not be much feared by the powers of Europe. The spiritual authority of the Pope over Kings and Princes is no longer acknowledged. His blessing or his malediction is no more than nominal, in the view of modern politicians. He is only the High Priest in the Catholic church. The Popes have, generally, been men of learning, and sometimes of virtue. But among the dignitaries of the Romish church, there has seldom been a Fenelon, or a Cheverus.

A new expedition to the Polar Regions has been undertaken by Captain Ross of Great Britain, who is represented to be uncommonly intelligent and enterprising. He engages in this adventure at his own and his friends' expense: and will have the absolute, uncontrolled direction of the voyage. The British government neither aid nor direct in the plan. Its consent, no doubt, is readily given. Captain Ross has visited the Arctic seas before. He is an intrepid and resolute character, and of great experience in nautical enterprise. There are two ships in the expedition, and they carry three years provisions. The number of men is about seventy. It appears to be the opinion of practical men, however, that the results can never compen sate for the expense and hazard of the enterprise. If there is a passage through the Arctic Ocean, north of the American Continent, it must be in such a high latitude, that the ice will be a perpetual obstacle and barrier to its successful navigation. In that region there is severe and eternal frost. As a matter of discovery, the undertaking is, perhaps, rather to be encouraged. But commerce will not be benefited; nor will science, probably, receive any great advantage from

it.

On some former occasion, a bold adventurer approached within seven and a half degrees of the Pole. Two years ago, Captain Parry left his vessel, after proceeding as far as possible, and travelled six hundred miles on the ice; and suffered more than death by

A French traveller who has been in Egypt and Nubia thirteen years and lately returned, is said to have made very numerous collections in the branches of natural history and antiquities. The number of his drawings amount to 6000. He found sixty-six statues, and disinterred six temples and edifices in Thebes. He copied and has translated 200 inscriptions, several of which were in hieroglyphics. He made maps also, to illustrate the geography and topography of the countries he visited.

The inhabitants of India are known to be polytheists and idolators. But according to Sir W. Jones and other learned men, who

have studied their most ancient books and

writings, the first people of the country believed in the Supreme Deity, as an infinite spirit. That part of Asia was originally setled by Lud, a grandson of Noah and son of Shem, according to the most authentic and prevalent tradition. For several generations his descendants had similar views on religion But in process of time, their system of theoloto those cherished by the Jewish patriarchs. gy became very erroneous and corrupt.

Suttees in India. It appears by a late writer, that the horrid practice of widows burning themselves on the decease of their husbands still continues in India, and almost every paper received from Calcutta contains an account of such an inhuman sacrifice. It is proof of what outrages superstition and false religions may produce. It is stated, that seven females thus devoted themselves to death, on the exit of a great man, whose wives they had all been. One would suppose, that the English would attempt and might prevent this unnatural practice. The writer alluded to is of opinion, that an end might be put to the custom, if proper efforts were made. Humanity calls loudly upon the English, who have command of the country, to use every possible exertion for discouraging this cruel rite.

A stone, with an inscription in Runic characters, has been lately found on the west coast of Greenland, with the date of 1135.

An Italian Improvisatore. The occult mysteries of spontaneous poetry, he thus explained, with much frankness and candor.I have always under immediate command, a store of common and favorite subjects, suitably wrought. For instance, the death of Adonis, the loves of Cupid and Psyche, the Sacrifice of Iphigenia, the chastity of Lucretia, the Death of Cesar, the cruelty of Nero, &c. I have also in readiness a number of pompous speeches and gorgeous descriptions, which are easily interwoven in poems on

every subject, and relieve weaker passages by their glowing diction; as an eulogium on the city of Rome, a deprecation of the passions, a storm scene, the delights of spring, with other popular and generally applicable subjects. It also has a happy effect to interweave with the common-place subjects so often proposed, introductory remarks and conclusive moralities of universal application.'

The great Canal from Amsterdam to the sea, and the largest in Europe, is 50 miles in length, 124 feet in width, at the surface, and 21 and a half feet deep. It is on a level with the high tide of the sea-it has only two locks and those at the extremities; and there are eighteen draw-bridges over it. It is wide enough for two frigates to pass each other.The passage usually occupies eighteen hours. It was finished in 1825, and was six years in being constructed. The expense was five millions of dollars.

Letters have been received in Paris from M. Champollion and his learned colleagues in Egypt, giving some account of their examination of the ancient monuments in that country. As yet, however, little is known of the discoveries they will probably make, or have before this time made. The obelisks, called Cleopatra's Needles, offered several facts, which had not before been noticed by M. Champollion. They were originally erected by Moeris; the lateral inscriptions were placed there, as he concludes, by Sesostris; and some on the face by his successor. Thus three epochs are marked upon these monuments.

They have visited the quarries, above Cairo, whence the stone was taken to build Memphis. Several inscriptions were found here; but not all of the most ancient times: one was of the fourth year of Augustus, one of the seventh year of Ptolemy Soter. One inscription was very ancient, relating to the repairs of Memphis, 1900 years before our era; and therefore about 400 years after the Deluge, and more than 100 years before the time of Joseph. Some account is given of the ruins of the sacred edifices of Memphis. A magnificent piece of Egyptian sculpture was also found at this place. The head of the great Sphynx is said to be a portrait of Thoutmosis, who lived 1700 years before Christ, and who was sometimes called Meris. Champollion says, no people, either ancient or modern, ever conceived the art of architecture on so grand and sublime a scale as the ancient Egyptians. But their sculpture, he allows, was very bad. He observes, that Thebes was the oldest city in the world. We do not know his authority for this. And probably, Babylon and Nineveh were built at an earlier period.

From Thebes, Champollion and company proceeded up the Nile, in December last, to the borders of Ethiopia. In this route, they

frequently landed, to view the ruins of ancient temples and monuments. On most of these, they found inscriptions in hieroglyphics, which Champollion thinks will afford important information relative to early events.Some of them relate to the earliest Roman Emperors, and some to more ancient periods. He proposes visiting several places in Nubia; and on his return, to examine with more leisure, the ruins of Thebes.

A late English writer supposes, that a Mr. Lloyd, who was private Secretary to Lord Grenville, was the author of Junius' letters.He states several circumstances and facts, in support of his opinion-but those who have attributed these celebrated letters to other individuals, have mentioned facts, which rendered their belief equally plausible and wellfounded.

German publications for 1828, offered at the two great fairs of Easter and Michaelmas, (a portion of which, however, were foreign books) amounted to 7110. The German amounted to 5650, and were recent publications. In 1814, the number was 2500.

Some MS. letters of the celebrated John Locke, never yet published, have been lately found. They are addressed to distinguished men of his time; and several were written when he was in exile on the Continent of Europe. They are on literary and political subjects, and cannot fail to be very interesting.

A work is preparing for the press, on the antiquities and hieroglyphics of Mexico. The publication is expected with a good deal of curiosity. The hieroglyphic paintings and writings of that people have never been fully examined; and it is well known, that there are several MSS. in the libraries in Spain, written on the subject by those who early visited Mexico, and which have never yet been published. Many of the Mexican hieroglyphics which were seen by the Spaniards in 1520 and 1550, have been lost or wantonly destroyed.

Number I. of volume XVI. of the American Journal of Science and Arts, by Professor Silliman of New Haven, was published in April. This valuable periodical is occupied chiefly by articles on Chemistry, Geology, Mineralogy, Mechanics, and Physics. The last number contains an interesting article on Polar expeditions. We rejoice to hear, that the Journal of Science and Arts has a more extensive circulation than formerly. The Editor is a man of great learning and of indefatigable industry.

The Christian Examiner and General Review, is published in somewhat of a new character. It is not to be exclusively theological.