bition, " to spend his life in the ftudy of the fcriptures, "in order to promote the glory of God and the happiness "of mankind."

ART. VII. A Differtation on the Theory and Cure of the Cataract: in which the Practice of Extraction is fupported; and that Operation, in its prefent improved State, is particularly defcribed. By Jonathan Wathen, Surgeon. 8vo. 39. ftitched. Cadell. London, 1785.

THE

HE disease of the eye denominated the cataract, has been known from very remote times, though the nature of it was not clearly understood before the beginning, and the most approved method of curing it not until the middle, of the prefent century. This difeafe is diftinguished into the true and the fpurious; of the latter of which there are three fpecies. A true cataract confifts in an opacity of the crystalline lens. When this opacity is only partial, the fight is depraved; but when quite transfufed over the lens, the power of vifion is totally obftructed. The caufes of the cataract are numerous, and the disorder has been observed in every stage of life; but it is moft incident to perfons advanced in years. It generally begins in the center of the cryftalline lens, and is firft perceived a little way behind the iris and pofterior chamber of the aqueous humour. The first internal symptom of an incipient cataract is a dimness of fight. In this ftage of the disease the patient fees clearer in the dufk of the evening than in the brighter light of the day; the reafon of which is, that when the light is less the pupil is more dilated, and affords fufficient room for the rays of light to pass through the yet tranfparent circuinference of the cryftalline to the retina. But, when the light is ftrong, the pupil contracts itfelf, and hides the transparent part of the cryftalline behind the iris; thus preventing the tranfmiffion of the rays of light to the bottom of the eye.

After a general account of the disease, and a defcription of the eye, Mr. Wathen delivers the remarks by which to diftinguish the true cataract, and its fitnefs for operation. The former of these is a problem fometimes attended with difficulty; but the latter is delineated with greater precision. "To prove it fit, it is neceffary," fays the author,

1. That the eye fhould be capable of difcerning a light light, though it be blind as to all ufeful purposes.

2. That

2. That the pupil fhould immediately contract, on a fudden expofure to light; and as readily dilate, on a removal from it. This is neceffary to demonftrate the fenfibility of the retina, without which there cannot be the leaft hope of fuccefs.

6

3. That the eye retain its natural figure and fize.

4. That the cataract be of a pearl, or light grey colour; for thefe indicate a found and healthful ftate of the eye in other refpects.

5. That the obfcurity, hanging over objects as perceived by the patients, be that of a cloud or miftinefs; and that this miftinefs increafe, as the eye becomes more affected, till the fight is entirely loft.'

We fhall present our readers with the author's account of the three fpecies of fpurious cataracts.

The firft fpecies of the fpurious cataract is called the opake capfula cryftallina; and, because it ufually follows another, that is, the true cataract, it is therefore also called the fecondary cataract.

In this fpecies of the fpurious it is effential, to render it a fit fubject of operation, that the opacity does not extend beyond the fore-part of the capfula cryftallina; and alfo, that there be ao adhesion to the iris ; for, if the pofterior portion of the capfula be affected, the operation cannot reach it; and adhesion will manifeft fuch a disordered state of the eye in other refpects, as would defeat the end of extraction. The immediate cause of opacity, of which I have been fpeaking, is inflammation, or the internal opthalmy. But this may be brought on by various causes, both internal and external; and none is more frequent than the operation itself which hitherto has been commonly ufed for the cure of the cataract; I mean, that of couching.'

The fecond fpecies of the fpurious cataract is independent of the capfula cryftallina; and, as it fuppofes the formation of a foreign membranous fubftance in the pofterior chamber of the aqueous humour, may, I think, not improperly be thence denominated-the adventitious membrane. The primary caufe of this, as of the two other falfe cataracts, is an inflammation of the interior parts of the eye: but the immediate caufe of it, and alfo of the third fpecies, as distinct from the firft, is the formation of pus or matter, in confequence

of inflammation.

It was before remarked, that when matter is deposited in the pofterior chamber of the aqueous humour, the longer it remains there, the more it will thicken; and will of confequence, in general, cause the contiguous parts affected by it to adhere more strongly to each other. The adhefion, however, it must be here particularly noticed, is not the fame in all cafes. It is, for inftance, confiderably lefs where the pus forms itfelf into the appearance of a membrane, in which the adhesion seldom goes further than round the outer edge of the membrane. The certainty of this, as a fact, is not to be difputed; and it is plain, that there must be fomewhat in the quality of the matter in this cafe which renders it lefs adhefive; but from what particular saufe that difference arifes, I will not take upon me to determine. This membrane in the circumference or outer edge, which

1

is the feat of its attachment, infinuates itself into the interftice, be-
tween the larger circle of the iris, and the termination of the ciliary
proceffes. Hence it expands itself in such a manner, between the iris
and cryftalline lens, as to divide the pofterior chamber of the aqueous
humour into two diftinct parts, between which it floats according as it'
is acted upon; agreeably to the ideas which the ancients entertained,
though erroneously, of the true common cataract. In this cafe, when
the pupil is contracted, and the pofterior chamber is by that means
leffened, the aqueous fluid behind the fpurious membrane not being
able to escape into the anterior chamber, as it always does when not
obftructed, carries the membrane or cataract forward, and forces it
into the pupil, in the form of an hernial fack; by which the further
contraction of the pupil is prevented. As foon as the pupil is again
dilated, the projection difappears, the membrane refumes its former
fituation, and becomes plain as before. From the remarks already
made it is evident that this membrane must be fituated confiderably
nearer the pupil than either the real or fecondary cataract, and there-
fore eafily to be diftinguished from both. It is found sometimes to
vary in its confiftence; but, in general, it is thick, tough, and smooth.
And it is alfo to be observed, that though it is always attached in the
outer edge, and that only, yet the circumference is of lefs extent, in
fome cafes, than above described.

It is in all cafes neceffary to render this membrane a fit subject
of operation, that it preferves its feparation from the capfula; and
alfo from the iris, fo much as not to prevent its action; both which
circumstances are pre-requifites fo effential to the fuccefs of the ' oper-
ation, that without them there cannot be the smallest hope of it.'

Mr. Wathen defcribes with accuracy both the operation: of couching, and that of extracting the cataract; the latter of which he justly reprefents as by much the most eligible method. He writes with the perfpicuity of one who is acquainted with the practice; and his treatise will afford fatisfaction to furgical readers.

ART. VIII. A Hermit's Tale, recorded by his own Hand, and
found in his Cell. By the Author of the Recefs., 4to. 25.
titched. Cadell. London, 1787.

THE beginning of this "tale of the times of old” is fo-
lemn and ftriking in a high degree,

From prime of youth to hoary age
In this lone cell I've dwelt;

Here fought, by tracing Nature's page,
To footh the pangs I felt.

ENG. REV. Vol. IX. June 1787,

Ee

The

1

The mofs-wove oaks that near my cave
In fullen grandeur ftand,
And o'er its broken fummit wave,
Were acorns in my hand.

Those time-fhook tow'rs, which all forfake,
Erect and gay I've seen;
And half of yon tranflucent lake,
A flow'r-enameli'd green.

When fhall my penitence and pray'rs
Obtain the boon I crave?

When fhall my thorny bed of cares
Become my peaceful grave?

Oh worshipp'd reliques! holy book!
Detain my mental eye;

Nor let it ever backward look
To trace fad memory.

Ah! let me eafe it then, and fpeak
The long, long-treafur'd tale;
What bitter griefs firft bade me feek

The filence of this vale.'

An aged hermit, who had planted the oaks which waved around his cave, and who had witneffed the gaiety and magnificence of the caftle which flood before him in ruins, afflicted with forrow, agonizing with remorfe, and recording his own fad tale, is a ftriking poetical figure, and strongly interefts our feelings. The ftory which is afterwards related bears too near a refemblance to CARTHON, the most fublime and tragic of all the poems of Offian. The ingenious authorefs often forgets the affumed character of the hermit, and speaks in her own perfon. Hence fancy is fometimes fubftituted for feeling; refinement and conceit for the language of nature and the heart. What idea does the following fimile, or rather couple of fimiles convey to the reader?

Like a rich group of yellow fheaves,

In ringlets wild, her hair

Play'd on her breaft - thus autumn leaves
Hang on the lily fair.'

The following epigrammatic turns are ill adapted to a work where the fimplicity of the antique ftyle ought to prevail:

My foul as with an ague fhook,

At once both froze and burn'd.
This youth

Has from its feat that being torn

Which gave him first to be.

She feem'd a beauteous flatue wrought
To grace her own sad tomb.'

There

There are other faults, and even grammatical errors, in this poem, which we fhall pass over. Mifs Lee poffeffes fancy and invention; but the is too fond of the wild and the eccentric; and fometimes feems to mistake the gloomy and the tremendous for the affecting and pathetic. Elegant melancholy is as remote from the fhocking and the horrible; as elegant mirth is from ribbaldry and farce.

ART. IX. The Hiftory of Great-Britain; from the Revolution in 1688 to the Acceffion of George the Firft. Tranflated from the Latin Manufcript of Alexander Cunningham, Efq. Minifter from George I. to the Republic of Venice. To which is prefixed, an Introduction, containing an Account of the Author and his Writings, by William Thomson, LL.D. Published by Thomas Hollingbery, D.D. Archdeacon of Chichester, and Chaplain in Ordinary to his Majesty, F.R.S. and S.S.A. 4to. 2 vols. 11. 16s. boards. Cadell. London, 1787.

[Concluded. ]

THE period of time which Mr. Cunningham's Hiftory comprehends has been properly denominated the Auguftan age of England, and produced immortal monuments of excellence both in arts and in arms. The establishment of liberty at the Revolution gave an energy and a spring to the spirit of the nation; and the generous defign begun by King William, and purfued by Queen Anne, to deliver Europe from the domination and tyranny of France, produced a group of great men, and difplayed a combination of military and political talents, that has feldom been equalled in the annals of England. At the fame time that English valour triumphed over France, English genius, now allied to tafte, and conforming to the rules of criticifm, began to difpute fuccefsfully the prize of fame with the ancients and their French imitators. While science explained the phenomena, and traced the laws of nature, elegant literature was cultivated, and fpecimens produced in the fine arts, which are ftill the objects of applause and imitation. While Newton measured the heavens, and afcertained the laws of the universe; while Locke explained the economy of the mind, and difclofed the fecrets of the intellectual world; Addifon, Pope, and Swift refined English literature, and prefented models of elegant tafte undebafed with the barbarism of former times. On this period of our history we look back with pleasure and with pride, and love to dwell

E e 2

on