Greeks did little but scatter about his thunderbolts, not sparing even the oaks dedicated to himself. The Serapis of the Egyptians not only carried on his head the vessel of abundance, but was the healer of all maladies. To each of his temples was annexed a Serapeum, containing apartments for the reception of the sick of every kind, baths, and whatever was necessary for the cure. These were in reality hospitals, and the only establishments of the kind known in antiquity: and though the cures performed were ascribed to the immediate interference of the Deity, his priests were no doubt actual physicians, who possessed all the medical and chirurgical science of their time and country; and whose simple and natural remedies, probably, as baths and frictions, which modern physicians have too much neglected or decried, with a proper attention to regimen, were efficacious in a number of diseases. It is much to be regretted, that we have so little authentic information on this subject. Of late it seems to be the fashion, to resolve all the hieroglyphical remains of ancient Egypt into astronomical records: but is it not highly probable, that medical science also had a considerable share in them? ABBE CHALIEU. T.O.C. When Mr Millin, the cele. brated antiquary, was at Tain, in his tour through the South of France, he spent much of his time in company with this worthy clergyman, but he could never prevail on him to sup with him, because the rules of the church forbid a clergyman to drink in a tavern. "I urged to him," says Mr. Millin, "that an inn is in reality the house of a traveller; and that it cannot be considered as a tavern, when we eat and drink in it only at regular meal. times: but in vain. I parted from him with regret, that this scruple deprived me of so much of his society: but I could not help thinking, that a man who carries to such a length the strict observance of the duties of his state of life, is far more deserving our esteem, than they who are always finding some frivolous pretence for dispensing with them." The search after antiquities was the grand passion of the Abbé. As the eyes of the astronomer habitually turn to the skies, the Abbé Chalieu, with body bent, and neck stretched out, was continually exploring the earth, in search of the wealth of its ancient masters. His assidious attention procured him a pretty considerable collection of medals, sta tues, and basso relievoes; but he absolutely lost the faculty of standing erect. SIR WALTER RALEIGH. T.Q.C "It is reported," (says Winstan ley)," of Sir Walter Raleigh, that. being a prisoner in the Tower, and expecting every hour to be sacrificed to the Spanish cruelty, some few days before he suffered, he sent for Mr. Walter Burre, who had formerly published his first volume of the History of the World, whom, taking by the hand, after some other discourse, he asked him how that work of his had sold. Mr. Burre returned this answer, that it had sold so slowly that it had undone him. At which words, Sir Walter, stepping to his desk, reaches the other part of his history to Mr. Burre, which he had brought down to the times he lived in; and, clapping his hand on his breast, he took the other unprinted part into his hand, with a sigh, saying, "Ah! my friend, hath the first part undone thee? The second volume shall undo no more, this ungrateful world is unworthy of it!" When immediately going to the fire-side, he threw it in, and set his foot on it, till it was consumed." A FASHION IN LITERATURE. There is a fashion in literature, Tame insipidity characterizes the present tone of public opinion. If a book exceed this low proof, it is condemned and rejected; if it seek to improve. by affording substantial information, it will be styled dull and unentertaining; if it speak bold and unpalatable truths, it is styled inflammatory, and laid aside, lest the sullen spirit of apathy should have its repose disturbed. Instances might be given of other books, of which, like Sir Walter's history, the times in which they were published, were not worthy. Yet posterity sometimes is just; succeeding times have awarded the need of merit to Sir Walter Raleigh. The envy of contemporaries is in some instances compensated by the juster decisions of succeeding ages. The sing-song of modern fashionable Jullabies may delight for a time the indolent votaries of the present standard of opinion, and please those who are "too weak to bear the un supportable fatigue of thought," but the reputation of those who write merely to please, and for the purposes of a temporary applause, will be as ephemeral as the authors are deficient in intrinsic merit. The witlings of the days of the second Charles bad their turn, but they have now nearly passed down into the gulph of oblivion. As they now are, so probably will Scott, and some other fashionable writers of the present day, soon be. NEWSPAPER PANEGYRICS ON THE DEAD. К. In reading Newspaper accounts of deaths, we are sometimes astonished to find, that persons who were mere NOVATIOΝ, IN A writer in the Gentleman's Ma- A PRACTITIONER OF PHYSIC FOR A physician should be decent in his external deportment. His manners should be grave and his conduct moderate. In the intimate re lations to which he is placed by his profession, with regard to the sex, it is incumbent on him to show great reserve and respect, and to have the sanctity of his function always before his eyes. He ought not to be envious or unjust towards his brethren, nor absorbed in the love of gold. He must avoid show. ing himself a great talker, but, at the same time, be always ready to answer the questions which are asked him with mildness, and simplicity. He ought to be modest, sober, patient, dextrous, and ready to perform every office appertaining to his art without feeling in the least discomposed, or hurrying from timidity, and following rather than preceding nature. He ought to be pious without superstition, and honest in all the affairs of life as well as in the exercise of his profession. In short, he ought to be a perfectly good mau, and to join to the purity of an upright heart, prudence, genius, talent, knowledge and address, which alone can render the practical application of his art pro- A PRACTITIONER OF PHYSIC FOR LON- IN London, a man may almost infallibly succeed in this honourable profession, if he possess in it great skill, unwearied diligence, patience to await chearfully the slow approaches of encouragement, vigilance to watch and seize its slightest fayours, humility to disdain no honest gain of which he is in want, as too mean or small; ambition at the same time, sufficiently bold and lofty to aspire to all that is, in honour or emolument, the greatest; modesty to withhold him from offending the pride, the prejudices, the jealousies of those with whom he may have to contend, and converse in his professional career, yet such love of fame as to suffer none of his merits of any sort to miss of notice ; good health withal, and an inextinguishable ambition of excellence still higher than what he has attained, and this even independently of regard to the extrinsic advantages which may be connected with it. Only this rare assemblage of qualities existing in complete and harmonious union cau absolutely ensure success. It becomes doubtful if but one of these be wanting. NATURE OF SOILS. By the supply of animal or vegetable manure a temporary food only is provided for plants, which is, in all cases, exhausted by means of a certain number of crops; but when a soil is rendered of the best possi ble constitution or texture, with regard to its earthy parts, its fertility may be considered as permanently established. It becomes capable of attracting a very large portion of vegetable nourishment from the atmosphere, and of producing its crops with comparatively little la. bour and expense. The earths composing soils are chiefly silex, alumine or clay, calcareous, magnesian, animal and vegetable matter in a decomposing state--saline compounds and oxide of iron, but great differences obtain in the proportions even in the same field, particularly in vallies, and where the beds of rivers have changed one part of the field may be silicious and another calcareous. In plains greater similarity takes place. Clayey soils most absorbent and retentive of water, next to these the calcareous, and least of all the siliceous. Magnesian lime is bad for cultivation, slowly soluble in acids and very hard. Too much vegetable matter a cause of barrenness, until removed by much pulverization, and exposure to the air by paring and burning, and by fresh quick-lime. The most productive soils depend on a properly proportioned mixture of clay and calcareous matter in a finely divided state along with a certain quantity of vegetable and animal matter. Clay 3, river sand, lime stone for wheat. Bulbous roots require soil more sandy, and less absorbent than grasses. In rich soils there is found phosphat of lime; and bones make a good manure. ACGREGATE MEETING IN THE CURRAGH OF KILDARE. It is proposed that to avoid the penalties of the convention act, in the choice of delegates or representatives, the Catholic community should meet under the sanction of Mr. Pole, in the Curragh of Kildare. This fine plain consists of about 4000 acres ; there are about 4840 square yards in each acre, so that allowing two or even three square yards to each individual, 5 or even 6 millions will easily find room to perform the business of the day. The whole number is, according to the meaning of the term aggregate, to be divided, like the Merino sheep in the pastures of Spain, into distinct flocks. The petition may be recited by speaking trumpets from a balloon held at a proper height by cords, and floating along to different quarters. Votes to be collected by casting shamrock leaves into large baskets Some regiments of horse may scour the outskirts of the plain to preserve the or der of the day, and then the people may follow in the trodden path, and disperse to their respective homes. POETRY, Science, letters, when they are not made the sole business of life, may become its ornaments in prosperity, and its most pleasing con‐ solation in a change of fortune; but, if a man adicts himself entirely to learning, and hopes by that, either to raise a family, or to acquire what so many wish for, and so few ever attain, an honourable retirement in his declining age, he will find, when it is too late, that he has mistaken his path; that other labours, other studies are necessary, and that unless he can assert his own independence in active life, it will avail him little to be favoured by the learned, esteemed by the eminent, or recommended even by Kings. It is true, on the other hand, that no external advantages can make any amends for the loss of virtue and integrity, which alone can give a perfect comfort to him who possesses them. Let a man, therefore, who wishes to enjoy what no fortune or honour can bestow, the blessing of self-approbation, aspire to the glory given to Pericles, by a cele brated historian, of being acquainted with all useful knowledge, of expressing what he knew with copiousness and freedom, of loving his friends and country, and of disdain ing the mean pursuits of lucre and interest. This is the only career on which an honest man ought to enter, or from which he can hope to gain any SOLID HAPPINESS ARGUMENTUM AD HOMINEM. "A curious stratagem was related to me in Norway, as practised upon the Laplanders, by a person commissioned to take from them their magical drums and idols. Having procured information of any Laplander who kept such things concealed, he first requested to have them brought forth. This their owners refused. After having long used entreaties to no purpose, he laid hold of one of the Laplanders' arms, slipped up the sleeve of his jacket, and so contrived at length as to open a vein. The Laplander, when near fainting, entreated him to spare his life, and BELFAST MAG. NO. XLI. promised to bring the drum required; upon which the arm was bound up immediately. This plan has been frequently pursued with success. "A notable method this of converting these poor people from Pagan and of exemplifying superstitions, the mild and just spirit of the Chris This bleeding was tian religion! as effectual as that practised by the grand inquisitor upon a king of Spain, who showed symptoms of humanity at an Auto da fè; even without the flogging superadded in the latter which the pious crusader against Lapland drums did not find case, necessary. Linnaus' Tour in Lapland. A COOLING FOR ENTHUSIASM. "The poor Laplanders find the church festivals, or days of public thanksgiving, in the spring of the year. very burthensome and oppressive, as they are in general obliged to pass the river at the hazard of their lives. The water at that season is neither sufficiently frozen to bear them, nor open enough to be navigated; so they are under the necessity of wading frequently up to their arms, and are half-dead with cold and fatigue by the time They must they get to church. either undergo this hardship, or be fined ten silver dollars, and do penance for three Sundays; which surely is too severe. Linnæus' Tour in Lapland. |