1814.] On giving a versatile Personality to Who, &c. by temerity. (Hist. ii. 20.) The account of Suetonius Paulinus, by the same philosophical writer, very well coincides with the military conduct of this illustrious nobleman. "He hesitated and weighed matters, preferring safe measures with reason, to presumed successes, which might result from fortune. His first care was to guard against defeat, and his next to contend for victory." (Hist. ii. 26.) Vindication of the just pretensions of generals is a patriotic duty. Detraction, when applied to great commanders, is called by Livy (L. 22, c. 13,) a most pernicious practice (pessima ars) because tending to deprive the public of the benefits of their service. In all actions which excite the applause and admiration of mankind, part of the success is owing to conduct, and part to fortune. (Goldsmith's Letters on the English History. L. 63.) How very little can be ascribed to fortune, in action with a French enemy, may be easily imagined. To conquer them is incontrovertible credit. To the Editor of the Monthly Magazine. I SIR, WAS much struck with the bold assertion of your correspondent Y. in page 128 of your last Magazine, where he says that it is a latinism, or gallicism, to give a versatile personality to who, and to write who am or who art: the true old English way, the anglicism, is to write, I who is, thou who did." As this kind of construction was quite new to me, I concluded that your correspondent must be in a gross error; but in order to be convinced, I consulted some of our earlier old English writers, and find that Chaucer, Spenser, and Milton, make use of language confirmatory of my opinion to what old English way, or writers, he can allude, I am at a loss to guess. "But mercy, lady bright! that knowest well My thought, and seest what harmes that I fele." Chaucer: Knighte's Tale. "To thee that art the summer's nightingale." Spenser's Sonnet to Sir Walter Raleigh. "And thou most dreaded impe of highest Jove, Faire Venus sonne that with thy cruel dart MONTHLY MAG, No. 254. 317 Of Orel, or of Sinai didst inspire." Milton has not avoided what would now tures too have "Our Father which art in Heaven." Which passage makes equaily against your correspondent, although which, instead of either that, or who, is used. But, Sir, what shall we say to the grammatical correctness of this passage of Pope: "O thou my voice inspire, Who touch'd Isaiah's hallow'd lips with fire," when he is tried by his own writings? Whoever will give himself the trouble to read "Sappho to Phaon," and "Eloisa to Abelard," will find a continual war with grammatical construction: "Yet once thy Sappho could thy cares employ, It must be evident that Pope would not Once in her arms you center'd all your joy.” have written, you center'd, had the measure of the verse admitted thou centeredst, and had it also been equally harmonious. Again: in his "Universal Prayer," he has two false concords of the same kind as that in the line above quoted, and for the same reason, that the measure of the verse and the harmony would not admit any other construction: but we are not therefore to adopt this licence as a rule. For when Pope was completely unfettered, he wrote grammatically as well as other persons; see his works passim : Say, lovely youth, that dost my heart command." Sappho to Phaon. "Thou who shalt stop where Thames' trans lucent wave." Inscription in his Grotto Whatever may be the fault of the line, "Who touch'd Isaiah's hallow'd lips with fire," I am disposed to think that the alteration would make the remedy worse than the proposed by another correspondent, 2 T disease. disease. By the introduction of the expletive didst you certainly get rid of the false concord, but the harmony of the verse is spoiled: and in accenting Isaiah upon the first syllable, and making it besides a dissyllable, you certainly commit nanslaughter, if not wilful murder! The line, it appears to me, must always remain as it is, a harmonious one with a false concord, maugre all the efforts of your correspondents to the contrary. It is certainly singular, that Pope should have been either so inattentive, so mal-adroit, or so indifferent, as to use thou, and you, and they, and your, in addressing the same person in the same poem: but the fact is so; and it must be admitted, this is no trivial derogation from his merit; but it is evident, that neither I who is, nor thou who did, is warranted by the usage of Pope, nor, as far as I know, by any other writer. Your correspondent refers us to the Gothic dialects: unfortunately for me, I am not acquainted with those dialects. It would be kind if he would inform us to what dialects he alludes. I have consulted Wallis, who was, I presume, acquainted with the Saxon; and I should have thought that, if such a peculiarity of construction as I who is, or thou who did, existed, either in the Saxon, or was to be found in our old English writers, that he would have taken some notice of it. Upon art, in his Grammatica Lingua Anglicana, page 203, he says, that "Am est ab Anglo-Saxonia Ecm, quod forte sul unde et Latinorum Sum (prefixo s, ut sæpe, spiritus loco :) atque ab um lectuntur Are et Art quod contracte dicitur pro Ar'st (est enim st terminatio secundæ Personæ singularis.") From what has been said, I believe we shall have no difficulty in deciding, that I who is, and thou who did, are not anglicisms; nor have they ever been so at any period of our literary history; unless your correspondent is acquainted with some scriptores incogniti, who have escaped the scrutinizing search of the last three or four centuries. Huntspill, March 20, 1814. J. JENNINGS. To the Editor of the Monthly Magazine. SJR, T has often appeared to me rather liberal encouragement it has received, as well as by the exertions of those whose labours, in different parts of the globe, have enriched our own country with so niany of their natural productions, no material improvement that has come within my knowledge has been made in securing these beautiful, but perishable, objects, from the destruction of various species of insects, which, without the most vigilant and constant care, will soon destroy the fruit of years of careful and persevering assiduity, and render the acquisitions of the most zealous naturalist, even before he can convey his treasures to his native country, for the investigation of scientific observers, completely of no avail to the advancement of this charming science. I am led to this reflection by the cruel and vexatious loss I have recently sustained in a small but valuable collection of birds, which has been completely destroyed by these destructive and dreaded pests to the collector, not one specimen out of above sixty remaining in a state fit to be kept. For convenience in travelling, these specimens had been disposed on trays in two large boxes, and it is a matter somewhat curious, that they were both destroyed in different ways: in the one the whole work of devastation had been accomplished by the larva of a species of the Linnean Dermestes, which I cannot now recollect, but it must be too well known to the naturalist; in size it is somewhat less than a grain of corn, and has the segments of the abdomen with fine rufous ciliate hairs, with a fringe of the same at the anus: this insect had fed on the dried skin, and few remaining bones of the wings, legs, and head, leaving the feathers for the most part untouched. The specimens in the other box had been destroyed in quite a different way, for the feathers had entirely disappeared, leaving the naked skin, bones, &c. quite entire : these, from the numerous cases of the larva still remaining, had been eaten by a species of Tinea, (I believe T. Flavi frontella,) and a few of the Lepesma saccharina I found at the bottom of the case. From various avocations I had not inspected this unfortunate collection for near twelve months, at which time however they were in perfect good order, I astonishing, that in an age so pecu- having (to prevent such an accident) put liarly conspicuous for its many discove ries and improvements in every branch of science as the present, and in which that of natural history has been so eminently advanced by the munificent and them then all into an oven, sufficiently heated to have destroyed any insects at that time in them. The method I adopted in their preser vation had been to remove every part of the 1814.] On the Cure of Herpes, &c. the animal substance possible, leaving only the terminal bones of the wings, those of the legs and head; and after slightly sprinkling the skin with a composition of alum, wormwood, tobacco, and pepper, stuffed the body with cotton; I should add however, the antiseptic had frequently been omitted. I am acquainted with several compositions for preserving birds, such as those given in the "Instructions," &c. of Mr. Donovan, and "the Naturalist's Companion" of Dr. Lettsom; but they are generally expensive, and can seldom be procured in travelling, or in foreign countries. I should feel most sincerely obliged to any of your intelligent readers or correspondents who can give me any information on this point, which from observation or experience they may be acquainted with, and for this purpose beg the early insertion of this letter in your widely circulated and excellent miscellany. I have frequently thought that a liquor might be composed, which the cotton or tow used in stuffing should be impreg nated with, and besides any inward antiseptic, a powder should be sprinkled between the feathers, whose strong quali. ties would prevent the approach of these destructive vermin. It certainly is a subject well worth the attention of chemists, anid the vast improvements of that science. How many rare and valuable specimens are annually lost to museums and private collections by the want of a specific of this description! I beg leave here also to remark, that I have made use of the solution of mercury in spirits of wine for the preservation of dried plants, as recommended in the excellent introduction to Botany of the learned. Dr. Smith, but without effect; my Herbarium having been again attacked and much injured by the larva of Ptinus fur, in less than six months after having washed the entire collection with this liquor. W. S. Malta, Dec. 20, 1813. To the Editor of the Monthly Magazine, B EFORE chemistry gave her powerful assistance to the healing art, no wonder that some cutaneous diseases were not subdued without great difficulty and perseverance; for even now, many cases occur, that require the most skilful treatment and the most potent reme dies; nay, that frequently baffle the practice not only of empirics, but of men the most distinguished by their ex 319 tensive experience, and for their im provements in medical science. Pliny informs us, that the Mentagra broke out in the reign of Claudius; it was a distemper brought from Asia to Rome, and then appeared for the first time, affecting only men of the first quality, leaving women, the lower class of the people, and slaves, entirely free; beginning at the chin like a tetter, and spreading itself all over the face, except the eyes, and then the neck, the breast and hands soon appeared in branny scales, that were exceedingly offensive, though no way dangerous. The physicians were at a great loss to cure it, therefore some were sent for from Egypt, who, by the help of cauteries, got the better of it. Some of the Roman physicians, especially Pamphilus, found out a medicine afterwards, that did as well;* for which, it is almost incredible to think what vast sums were given: Manilius Cornutus, the governor of Aquitain, having agreed with his physicians for his cure, if Pliny does not mistake, at the rate of two hundred sesterces, that is, about 1600l. sterling. This historical fact was recalled to my remembrance, by seeing a letter to the Editors of that useful record of medical transactions and opinions, the Medical and Physical Journal, (No. 149,) in which "Philan thropus" solicits "the favour of commu nications from their intelligent corre. spondents, for the best method of treat ing ring-worm of the head, a disease that had occasioned a school broken up," (such was the fact in regard to the pupils of one of the most sensible governesses in this parish) and that, "though he is an old practitioner, he has not discovered any remedy, producing permanently good effects in ring-worm." to be Enquiries to the same effect have been more recently made by a correspondent, whose letter appeared page 224, of the present volume of your celebrated miscellany; who, under the signature of " A MOTHER," requests to be informed of specifics for the "ring-worm." Those who are best acquainted with the virtues, properties, and powers of medicines, know that there are much fewer specifics than are generally ima gined, and that even those do not always answer the purpose for which they are recommended; however, to allay the amiable anxiety of " A MOTHER,” and for the benefit of that numerous and * See Galen's fifth book, chap. iii. where he treats de excoriatoriis Lichenum. 2T 2 valuable valuable class of families, that cannot apply for assistance to any of the philanthropic establishments by which this renowned island is distinguished, yet who are bereft of the power to pay for medical assistance to cure so contuma bell-coomb§-and lately a surgeon at Maryport, in Cumberland, informed Dr. Duncan, of Edinburgh, that "he was successful in the cure of ring-worm, and other cutaneous affections, by the use of oil of wheat, (Col. tritici,) prepared by cious a malady, I will, Sir, with your gently pressing a quantity of wheat be permission, mention all the medicines tween two heated plates of iron, which that I at present recollect to have been produces an oily empyreumatic fluid." employed, whether in foreign or domestic In favour of the application of the arpractice, as specific antidotes for this ticle last mentioned, we have the tesspecies of Herpes, or pustulatory erup- timony of Galen, "being used warm," tion, viz.-The juice of celandine-of saith he, "I have known many to be fresh garlic-of fumatory, scabious, cured of ring.worm." Thus we see the and sorrel, mixed with vinegar-of truth of Lord Bacon's observationhouseleek*. oil of yolks of eggst "He" (saith his lordship) "who looks mushroom catchup-black inkt attentively, will find many matters worthy of observation in what seems vulgar." In Germany, they wash the diseased part with the urine of a boar, taken out of the bladder, and some apply pitched caps, mixed with arsenic. * Sedum, that is, houseleek, though not of any note in the present practice, is thus directed by Dr. Willis to be taken in "the running scab," in which he includes "ring-worm," and all tetterous diseases. Take leaves of great houseleek two handfuls, bruise and boil them in three pints of fresh milk, till it is turned to whey and curd, strain the liquor. The Dr. directs a pint of it to be taken twice a-day. An old niedicine, which had long a place in Pharmacopoeias, and is still retained in that of Stockholm. It is said to have been invented, with some others, by MUSA, who cured Augustus, when labouring under a weak habit of body, by cold bathing, and afterwards killed Marcellus, the Emperor's nephew, by the unskilful use of the same remedy. If on any emergency the following anecdote prove useful but to one of your numerous readers, I shall be happy, in having introduced it to your pages. Diemerbroeck says, "W. Simmons was melting a good quantity of rosin, upon a quick fire, which being too hot, the flame got hold of the kettle; as he was going to put out the flame, and cover the kettle with a pillow, unwarily he thrust his hand into the boiling rosin; the same misfortune happened to him who went to help him to put out the flame, so that both complained most grievously of the pain their hands were in. A present remedy was requisite, but having none at hand, I bethought my self of a whole bottle of ink, that I had in any study; this I poured forth into a pot, and bid them both plunge their hands into it, and for some time wash and foment, which when they had done for half an hour, the heat and pain ceased, nor did any blister arise, nor did they receive any damage by so terrible a scald." The cook in a gentleman's family lately scalded her foot with boiling water; she was ordered to apply as a lotion, the contents of a bottle of ink; no inconvenience whatever ensued. Herpes serpigo, or, according to the nomenclature of the late acute and liberal Dr. Willan, Porrigo scutulator, popularly termed the ring-worm of the scalp, is a different disease from scalded head (Porrigo favosa); they are both contagious, and sometimes give way to similar treatment; the former is, how. ever, considered as a disease of warm climates, where it attacks different parts of the human body. About five and twenty years ago, M. Bonnel, a member of the Royal Society of Sciences at Montpellier, published a Memoir concerning the use of a new remedy "contre les Dartes," (ring-worm,) giving an account of several cases cured, by giving his patients, night and morning, for two months, a grain and a half of the extract of black Hellebore, twice a day, and by using a decoction of hyosciamus and ci cuta, as a lotion. In the Leeward Islands they give the patient genuine Petroleum, inwardly, as § Bell-coomb is an unctuous matter taken from the sockets in which church bells swing. Some mothers, in and near Lon, don, procure it from Oxford; I have seen it fail in curing ring-worm of the head, but as it is sometimes useful in (Herpes Zoster) shingles, I take leave to mention a yet more efficacious ointment, which may easily be procured by all. Take acetate of copper, finely pow dered, two scruples. Simple ointment, two ounces. Mix well, and apply half a dram night and morning. Zoster zona, or Herpes exedens of the præcordia, Dr. Swan tells us, has been conquered in fourteen days by mild dia phoretics, taken internally, and oil of eggs applied to the part affected. a sudorific 1814.J Portrait of Somerville the Poet. a sudorific; and it is outwardly applied, blended with an equal proportion of liquor, or solution of potass. In some other parts of the West Indies, they cure by giving the patient nitric acid, and the outward application of lime juice. In the East Indies, when the ring-worm discharges a thin watery fluid of an acrid nature, which by its virulent properties extends the disease along the skin, we are informed by Sir Everard Home, that it is usual to apply vinegar saturated with borax. The natives also employ the juice of some plants which is sold as a secret medicine; about twenty or thirty years ago it was made by an Hindoo doctor at Vizagapatam, and sold at the different presidencies in India. This medicine is of a very acrid nature, giving the patient excruciating pain, but removes the disease in a very short time. For the cure of this distemper, which is extremely tormenting during the rainy season, and particularly affects Europeans, Dr. FREER, of the Bengal establishment, has since cured cases that had resisted the different preparations of lead, sulphur, and even mercury, by a decoction of a common shrub, the cassunda, (Cassia sophera of Linnæus,) in vinegar: an ounce of the fresh bark, roots, tops or flowers of the cassunda, cut small and boiled in a pint of good winevinegar, in an earthen vessel, to eight ounces. This vinegar, when cooled and strained, is to be kept for use in a glass bottle, well stopped. A dram or two of the vinegar, thus prepared, and applied to the parts affected two or three times a-day, washing with soap and water, and drying the parts with a towel previous to each application of the vinegar, is generally sufficient to remove the disorder. But the cassunda vinegar does not always prevent a return of the complaint the succeeding year; and sometimes cases do occur so obstinate and inveterate, as to be little affected by it. How the MOTHERS of Britain may treat their offspring when attacked by this troublesome cutaneous affection, with safety and advantage, shall be the subject of another, but I trust a more concise communication. JOSEPH BROWN. Queen's Head Lane, Islington, December 31, 1813. To the Editor of the Monthly Magazine. 321 ingenious correspondents, where I can find a portrait of Somerville the poet, as there never has been one of him engraved. In Lady Luxbrough's Letters to Shenstone, she says, "I return Mr. Somerville's picture (the poet); I think it very like Worledge's, and indeed like Mr. Somerville; but methinks it scarcely does him justice, as some of the least agreeable features in his face are rather too strongly marked, as under the eye, &c. and I think, as he was very fair, the pencil might be fainter; but upon the whole, had I not another of him I would not give this for a great sum." Who was this Lady Luxbrough, who the preface to my book says was so well known?and who was a Dr. Wall, who made designs for Hervey's Meditations? London street. A. C. R. For the Monthly Magazine. ACCOUNT of a FEMALE found on the HIGH MOUNTAINS of the CANTON of VIEDESSOS. A * T some leagues from the hamlet of Suc, at the foot of mount Calm, which has an elevation of more than 3000 yards, and bears on its front eternal ice and snow, a dark and silent valley presents one of those scenes which arrest and strike the mind of the observer in the vast amphitheatre of the Pyrenees. Numerous waterfalls, discharged from a lake on the heights, hurry down the side of the mountain, and are precipitated, in murmuring cataracts, into the midst of this dreadful chaos. A scanty vegetation, which marks the traces of their uncertain course, is the only mark of vegetable life which nature has suffered to exist within those bounds which she ap pears to have consigned to eternal ste rility. Some intrepid hunters having extended their search even into this formidable enclosure, were seized with astonishment on seeing, on an opposite cliff, a female figure entirely naked. This female ap peared tall, her complexion was dark; a long head of hair, her only covering, was scattered over her shoulders; she stood erect on a jetting rock, which seemed suspended on precipices, the immense height of which this rock surmounted. The hunters ran towards her; but see. ing them the female took to flight, setting up at the same time the most frightful cries. Carried away by her terrors, she hurried *Translated from the Journal de l'Em pire of the 17th of January, 1814. down |