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ART. XIV. A Philosophical and Practical Treatise on Horses, and on the Moral Duties of Man towards the Brute Creation. John Lawrence. 8vo. pp. 400. 78. sewed. Longman. 1796.

A DECLARATION in the preface, that this work has been written under the pressure of many disadvantages, in consequence of two of the most powerful incentives in nature,' (one of which we can easily guess,) is sufficient to disarm criticism; and we are inclined, with little farther consideration, to acquiesce in the author's maxim, that it is scarcely possible, for a man, who is tolerably acquainted with his subject, to write such a number of pages without furnishing hints adequate to the price of the book, in the contemplation of a reader who is interested in it. It is true that the various topics here discussed are for the most part superficially treated; and on all of them, perhaps, it would be necessary to seek elsewhere for thorough information; yet we have perused the volume with entertainment, and, as we think, with instruction. We do not, indeed, hold in high estimation a part on which its popularity is evidently meant to be founded, the chapter on the rights of beasts; since all that is valuable in it is already well known to those who wish to be humane, and does not surpass the simple text "the merciful man is merciful to his beast" nor can we much approve the proposed interference of the legislature, to enforce a conduct which nothing but habits and principles of benevolence can effectually regulate. Besides, Mr. L. is professedly an amateur of the turf, a friend to docking and cropping, to such feats as trotting 16 miles within the hour, &c., so that even philosophy has not quite secured his consistency, though we readily believe him to be, on the whole, a man of humanity. He writes, too, like a man. of education; and his style, though not in perfect good taste, is lively and expressive. There is a considerable sprinkling of odd cant terms of the turf and stable, some of which have puzzled us as much as the word moldy-warp does him; which last we should have thought a reader of old books would readily have found out to mean a mole *

Without analysing this book, we shall give a taste of it, from a part in which we think the author as much at home as any where. It is in the chapter on the Equestrian Art.'

The present times, mature however they ought to be in the science, are far enough from deficient in caricatures in horsemanship. Observe that tall, thin figure, riding up Rotten Row, bolt-upright upon his horse, as though he were impaled, his stirrup-leather of an

* Want, or Wunt, is another common name for this under-ground inhabitant of the earth, in the midland and northern counties of England.

REV. JULY, 1797.

excessive length, the extremity of his toe barely touching the stir rups, as if afraid of it; his lily hands adorned with ruffles volant, and his head with a three-cocked hat, as sharp as a north-easter; the head of his steed decked out with extraordinary trappings, and the stern secured by a crupper. This is a Toe-jockey, or a taylor on horse-back.'

• Some you will see, who, under the mistaken notion, that it is the go, to lean forward, because they have seen something like it, at a race; hang quite over their horses necks: these equestrians make a small mistake, by bending at the hip joint instead of the middle of the spine, which, by protruding their postic parts, gives them the semblance of being just in the act of offering an oblation to the necessary goddess. Others thrust their legs out from the horses sides, in defiance of all ordinary gate-ways. Behold that knowing dog from Rumford, or the interior of Essex, with a quid in his mouth, an Indiaman waving from his squeeze, his horse shuffling along, dót and go one, or budging forward in that delightful rack, between trot and gallop; the rider's whole foot, and part of his leg, thrust through the stirrup, and his toe projecting downward, as if he meant to dig a hole in the road; he rows the living engine along, by alternately striking the flank and shoulders with his heel and toe, whilst his arms in unison, beat the devil's tattoo against his own sides.

The modern seat on horse-back, and it seems to have owed its establishment to reason, confirmed by experience, is, to set naturally and easily upright upon your saddle, as you would in your chair; your knees about as much bent, and turned inward, your toes somewhat out, and upward, your leg falling nearly straight, and your foot home in the stirrup; your back-bone prepared to bend in the middle, upon occasion, your elbows held close to your sides, your rather above the horse's withers, or the pommel of the saddle, and your view directed between his ears. This is the true turf or Newmarket seat, and the best exemplification of it, that I am able to give, is the portrait of Samuel Chifney, the jockey, upon a horse named Baronet, once the property of his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales.

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The decline of Riding-house forms in this country, and the universal preference given to expedition, fully confirm the superior use and propriety of a jockey-seat. Indeed, our riding-schools are now considerably reformed from the stiffness of ancient practice, in all respects. But the reader, on a reference to Hughes's publication, will find we do not entirely agree in all points. It was the practice formerly in the schools, and, indeed, pretty generally upon the road, to ride with the tip of the toe only in the stirrup; as if it were of more consequence to prepare for falling with safety, than to endeavour to sit securely. Those who preserve a partiality for this ve nerable custom, I would advise to suspend a final judgment, until they have made a few more essays upon a huge, cock-tail half-bred; of that kind, I mean, which "cannot go, and yet wont stand still;" and will dart from one side of the road to the other, as if they really desired to get rid of their burden. Nor is the ball of the foot a proper rest; chiefly, because inconvenient to that erect, or rather almost kneeling posture, which is required in speedy riding. The riding

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house seat is preserved, by the balance or equipoise of the body, solely; that recommended here by the firm hold of the knee, which is obviously strengthened by the opposite directions of the knee and toe, the one in, the other outward. The use of a fixed seat is to enable the rider to give his horse the proper pulls, without which every experienced jockey knows he can neither go steadily and well, nor last his time. It is not the custom of the schools to spur the horse with a kick; but spurring is always so performed, upon the road and field; as the military mode of giving that correction would quite derange a jockey-seat, and would be on other accounts inconve nient.'

The writer's introductory chapter contains a survey of Eng. lish works on farriery, which is entertaining, though slight, and seems principally intended to introduce some criticism on Mr. Taplin. This latter gentleman undergoes some pretty severe strictures, both as to matter and style; probably intended to prepare the way for Mr. L.'s second volume, which, by the anticipation of the contents, we see is to treat on farriery properly so called. The subjects of this are chiefly horses in general, their kinds and paces, and the arts of riding and shoeing.

ART. XV. Medicina Nautica: An Essay on the Diseases of Seamen: comprehending the History of Health in His Majesty's Fleet, under the Command of Richard Earl Howe, Admiral. By Thomas Trotter, M. D. &c. &c. Physician to the Fleet. 8vo. 78. Boards. Cadell jun. and Davies. 1797.

THOUGH we cannot but think the title of this work some

what too assuming, since it might lead to expect a complete system of naval medical practice, instead of an account of the occurrences, with respect to health, of the channel fleet for three years, yet the volume appears to us to contain various things well worthy of notice; to those, especially, who are immediately concerned in preserving the health of seamen. Dr. Trotter's merits, as a careful observer and an active promoter of improvements in this department, are well known to the public; and the present work is characterised by the same spirit which distinguished his former efforts. It commences with two discourses; the first, chiefly addressed to the new medical board of the navy, and proposing several improvements; among which that of additional emolument to the medical attendants is not forgotten:-the second principally relates to the character of a British seaman; and as this is a subject at present peculiarly interesting, we shall make some extracts from a description taken from the life, and bearing all the marks of truth.

That courage which distinguishes our seamen, though in some degree inherent in their natural constitutions, yet is increased by their

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habits

habits of life, and by associating with men who are familiarized to danger, and who, from national prowess, consider themselves at sea as rulers by birth-right. By these means, in all actions, there is a general impulse among the crew of an English man of war, either to grapple the enemy, or lay him close aboard: Frenchmen shudder at this attempt; and whenever it has been boldly executed on our part, they run from their quarters, and are never to be rallied afterwards. Nor does this courage ever forsake them; we have seen them cheer. ing their shipmates, and answering the shouts of the enemy, under the most dreadful wounds, till, from loss of blood, they expired.

It is only men of such description that could undergo the fatigues and perils of a sea life; and there seems a necessity for being inured to it from an early age. The mind, by custom and example, is thus trained to brave the fury of the elements, in their different forms, with a degree of contempt, at danger and death, that is to be met with no where else, and which has become proverbial. Excluded, by the employment which they have chosen, from all society, but people of similar dispositions, the deficiencies of education are not felt, and information on general affairs is seldom courted. Their pride consists in being reputed a thorough bred seaman; and they look upon all landmen as beings of inferior order. This is marked, in a singular manner, by applying the language of seamanship to every transaction of life, and sometimes with a pedantic ostentation. Hav ing little intercourse with the world, they are easily defrauded, and dupes to the deceitful, wherever they go: their money is lavished with the most thoughtless profusion; fine cloaths for his girl, a silver watch, and silver buckles for himself, are often the sole return for years of labour and hardship. When his officer happens to refuse him leave to go on shore, his purse is, sometimes, with the coldest indifference, consigned to the deep, that it may no longer remind him of pleasures he cannot command. With minds uncultivated and uninformed, they are equally credulous and superstitious: the appear ance of the sky, the flight of a bird, the sight of particular fishes, sailing on a certain day of the week, with other incidents, fill their heads with omens and disasters. The true-bred seaman is seldom a profligate character; his vices, if he has any, rarely partake of premeditated villany, or turpitude of conduct; but rather originate from want of reflection, and a narrow understanding. Hence he plays the rogue with an awkward grace, though the degree of cunning which he occasionally practises towards his creditors bespeaks art: but from them he has learned the way to over-reach; and it ought to be remembered, that they have a particular interest in emptying his pocket as quickly as possible; for his bargains with the world are limited to his landlord and slop-seller. In his pleasures he is coarse, and in his person slovenly; he acquires no experience from past misfortunes, and is heedless of futurity.'

• Some new traits are engrafted on the character, by coming on board a man of war, and to be traced to the custom of impressing them. This is apt to beget a sulkiness of disposition, which is gradually overcome, when he recollects that he only resigns his own Jiberty for a season, to become a champion for that of his country. It, however, often preserves a determination to watch every oppor tunity

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tunity for effecting his escape: it is also the source of numerous deceptions, by making him assume diseases, to be an object for invaliding. Hence he employs caustics, to produce ulcers; inflates the urethra, to give the scrotum the appearance of hernia; and drinks a decoction of tobacco, to bring on emaciation, sickness at the stomach, and quick pulse. Under trials of this nature, there is exercise for both patience and discernment on the part of the officer and surgeon; but there is rarely occasion for punishment. A well-regulated ship soon reconciles all disaffection. This war has been singular for few desertions; and general punishments have scarcely been known in the Channel Fleet. His real diseases spring from causes peculiar to a sea life; laborious duty, change of climate, and inclement seasons, bring on premature age, and few of them live to be very old.'

Some observations are added to this section, relative to raising men for the navy, dress, diet, &c.

An abstract of the state of health in the Grand Fleet from Jan. 1794 to Dec. 1796 follows; which, consisting of particular narrative, affords us no matter for observation. The most important circumstances are afterward noticed under distinct heads.

Contagion is the important subject of the next section. We do not find any thing either very new or very precise in the author's theoretical notions on contagion: but there are some practical remarks relative to it which deserve attention. Dr. T. is a decided enemy to the project of destroying contagion by fumigations, and he particularly objects to the use of the nitrous acid as proposed by Dr. Smyth for this purpose. With a view of preventing a trial of this method on board a ship infected by a contagious fever, Dr. T. wrote a letter to the Secretary to the Admiralty, of which he fairly gives the copy; as also of that of Drs. Blair and Blane, containing some remarks on it. Readers will judge for themselves respecting the propriety of his conduct on this occasion: but we are rather disposed to question some of the chemical principles of Dr. T.'s letter, and to think that it has somewhat of the appearance of artifice designed to infuse a prejudice against the method recommended by Dr. Smyth. That a friend to improvement should interfere to preclude a fair experiment, whatever may be his private opinion of the probable success, is certainly not to be expected; and such interference will naturally be ascribed to some other reason than disinterested regard to the public good. We do not mean, however, to assert that Dr. T. has not, on the whole, sufficient grounds for a greater reliance on his own plan for extinguishing contagion, which consists in the immediate separation of the sick from the sound, cleanliness, free ventilation, and the proper use of fires to correct cold and moisture.

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