to shock this writer, but the influence of divine grace itself; for whofe operation he appears to think there is not the least neceffity or use. The holy fcriptures, which the church holds, can 'by that influence alone make men wife unto falvation, he conceives must be ftudied like a common book, and their meaning is to be investigated by the fame ordinary means. "The enquirer into the credenda, contained in the gospel, refembles the enquirer into the fundamental laws of nature, before a better philofophy had taught us the vanity of fyftem, and inclined us to adopt the humbler procefs of experiment. "We begin our refearches in theology with the affumption of a certain fet of religious tenets, and employ the most valuable hours of our existence in collecting arguments in their favour, and in vain endeavours to explain them-while every text of fcripture is in its turn perverted from its obvious meaning, in order to fupport them. "How much more reafonable previoufly to inveftigate, with patience and critical attention, the fenfe of each particular text or paffage, in the natural order of the writer, and to defer the formation of opinion, until, like a principle of found philofophy, fuggested by a numerous train of experiments, it forces itfelf with accumulated evidence on the yielding mind! "It is owing to the prepofterous method of enquiry, above defcribed, that the holy records of our faith have, very injuriously, been fuppofed to be fo loofely worded, as in fact to countenance oppofite opinions, and to justify the most fantastic doctrines. "But let us for a moment reflect—and let the reflection teach us wifdom-that the fame phoenomena of nature, which were brought in evidence of the figments of remote antiquity, were also applied to fupport the equally vain hypothefes of more modern times. The laws of the material world, in confequence of the introduction of a better method of investigation, are however now demonftrated to be confistent, fimple, and invariable, affording a juft and eafy explication of every natural appearance. If a fimilar process be observed, fimilar fuccefs may reafonably be expected to be our reward, when we explore the facred fources of religious truth." And yet Mr. Jebb in the very next paragraph talks of the "influence of the chriftian graces," under which fober, unbiaffed fearch after the truths of revelation fhould be conducted. Are the christian graces here spoken of, any thing like what has hitherto been meant by that homely old-fashioned phrafe God's grace? Or is God's grace, as it seems to be, fairly discarded from the new-fangled fcheme of chriftianity, adopted by our modern rationalists? Really we fear their chriftian graces to be little better than the old heathen ones; tho' perhaps not quite fo anti-christian and immoral as those which a late nobleman fo reiteratedly recommended to his fon. n any juft and legal attempt to remove that burden of fubfcription to human formalaries, which I esteem one of the most powerful obftructions to its progrefs. I remain, &c. ART. ART. XIX. Of the Improvement of Medicine in London, on the Bafis of Public Good. 8vo. Is. Dilly. In the first volume of our Review, we gave an account of a work, entitled Medical Memoirs of the General Difpenfary in London, published by Dr. Lettfon, Phyfician to the Difpenfary: in which account we just hinted at the nature and design of that benevolent inftitution*. We are happy to learn, from the pamphlet before us, (which, if we mistake not, is written by the fame author) that fo humane and ufeful an establishment meets with increafing encouragement. Of the progrefs of that encouragement with the general review of its plan and design we have the following account in the fe cond fection. "At the commencement of the Difpenfary, in the year 1770, it was circumfcribed to admit certain objects and diseases only; but, in its progrefs, the acceffion of fubfcribers, and the confequent increase of its income, have rendered many of those restrictions both unneceffary and improper. The governors have hitherto paid a laudable at tention to every propofal of improvement; they have lately admitted fmall pox-patients and domeftic fervants, when properly recommended, to receive the benefits of their contributions; they have elected a furgeon to attend medical cafes, wherein chirurgical affiftance is requifite; and as they seem thus difpofed to receive every reprefentation which tends to the convenience, interefts, and general good of the poor, I am induced to lay before them fuch propofals, as, from an attentive confideration of the finances of the charity, and the miseries of the poor, appear moft calculated to promote the great ends of the inftitution, Public Good. "The finances of the Difpenfary, as well as the applications of the fick, have gradually increased fince its firft establishment, which has induced the governors to inquire after a more fpacious edifice for the purpose of conducting the bufinefs of it; the prefent, therefore, feems the most eligible opportunity for addreffing them upon a fubject now under their contemplation, and upon the methods most conducive to its advantage and improvement; and if it should appear that opening the Difpenfary to furgery in general, and to every diseased object that may apply for relief, properly recommended by a fubfcriber, would form the broad bafis of public good, I doubt not but this addrefs will meet with that reception and fupport, which has hitherto been manifefted upon other occafions. "The governors at prefent do not amount to 1000; but at the increafe, though gradual, has been great, there is the faireft reafon to conclude, that the number will foon be doubled. This, however, I fhall take for granted, and proceed in my calculations upon fuch a fuppofition; but whatever number of fubfcribers be admitted, the proportional expences will nearly quadrate, and therefore no mifcontruction can refult from adopting two thousand inftead of the prefent number, London Review, Vol. I. page 102. The particulars of its plan, which, as far as we can judge, is as excellent as it is extenfive, is given at large in the first section of the prefent pamphlet. M m 4 Not 13 "Not two years ago the governors of the Difpenfary found the the house first occupied for conducting the bufinels of it too small, they therefore took one more commodious; and this is now as much too little as the former had been two years before: hence it is hoped they will not pay too fcrupulous a regard to economy, when they have found the public encouragement fo much furpass their most fanguine expectations. For this reafon 1 have offered a plan of a Difpenfary furnished with baths, and proper apartments for every ufeful contingency, with an estimate of all the expences that are likely to accrue : and as there are many old buildings in Alderfgate-ftreet, and in its vicinity, the governors may execute whatever plan they are pleased to adopt; and, with fuch opportunities and advantages, we may hope to fee perfonal convenience, fimple elegance, and public utility, at once united." Sect. 3. treats of the ftate of the finances of this difpenfary and its probable improvements; from which flate it appears that it will annually afford relief to about twelve thousand patients, which is nearly double to fome hospitals in London, whose revenues are four times greater. In Sect. 4, we have an humane and pathetic description of the state of the poor in the city of London; for which we refer our readers to page 102 of our first volume; it being here reprinted from the Medical Memoirs abovementioned. In Sect. 5, are pointed out the advantages of the difpenfary to do meftic fervants, in the fame ftile of philanthropy as that of the preceding fection. "Sickness, fays our author, is the lot of humanity; and this ufeful as well as numerous part of the community, who intereft themselves in their different departments for the profits and pleasure of their masters, have a natural claim upon them for relief, when rendered incapable of labour by the attacks of fickness. The female fex, in particular, conflitute the majority of domestic fervants in this city they have been accustomed to the plenty of their master's table; and frequently receive indulgencies to which the abject poor have not been used: by this, and a continual intercourfe with people of decent manners, they acquire a degree of delicacy of body, as well as fenfibility of mind, that renders them lefs able to undergo cdifficulties, or expofure to the wide world. Many of them who are born with tender frames, and delicate conftitutions, exert themfelves fo much in the discharge of their duty, as renders them liable to numerous ailments; and unwilling to complain for fear of incommoding a family, or incurring an expence which they themselves are unable to fupport, they patiently linger on, till difeafe becomes too deeply fixed to be eradicated. I have, indeed, been witness to the moit -Jaudable inftances of humanity in matters and miftreffes of families, who, as foon as they have difcovered the fickness of their female fervants, have evinced the tenderest care of them, engaging the advice of the family physician or apothecary, and taking upon them felves every expence that might accrue; and where fervants meet with fuch treatment the aid of the Difpenfary is not requifite. In fome families peculiar circumftances may occur, and fervants may be feized with certain difeafes, particularly of the infectious kind, which may render it highly expedient to remove them to lodgings; but the hu mane interference of masters and miftreffes may ill be conducted with no lefs advantage and fecurity to fervants than if they were at home. There are, however, many heads of families, whofe humanity does not rife to fuch complete efforts of genuine compaffion. The tender domeftic, whofe fickness is often occafioned by an anxious defire to please the family, is either left to discharge the expences of jt, or turned out of the house at its first commencement, for no other reason, but becaufe fhe is fick, and may poffibly die in the family. If we are made to afflift and to do good to each other in the daily and common occurrences of life, how much more fhould the tendereft emotions of fympathy be excited, and the most effectual relief be adminiflered, in fuch affecting fituations? If we ferve our fellow-creatures fo far only as it creates us no trouble, where is the prevalence of Christianity over felfishness? The removal to ftrange lodgings, the ideas of anxiety thence excited, and the numerous fears which are apt, in fuch a perplexed state, to crowd in upon the mind of an inexperienced girl, who may have laboured for years without faving many fhillings, all contribute to augment the firit malady, and protract the cure. "Thus abandoned and out-caft, what a scene of woe do the first returns of health exhibit? Perhaps far from her native home, without one real friend, but fürrounded with many falfe ones of both fexes, how unexpectedly do the misfortunes of a frail conftitution, and the neglect of thofe who fhould have fuccoured her in distress, introduec her into a scene of life, to which, however shocking, neceffity compels her to fubmit at first, and habit afterwards reconciles her beyond redemption. "To fervants, thus dangerously fituated in families, I know that the Difpenfary has been an useful and noble fuccour. It has induced mafters and miftreffes to admit that relief, by which no expence is incurred.; and, for the fame reafon, has encouraged fervants to apply early for a cure, before their diforders were too deeply rooted in the conftitution. "Thus not only the health but the morals of young people of both fexes, have been preferved, and that tie betwixt mafters and fervants which humanity and justice have formed, has become firmly ftrengthened; and, as I have generally obferved, every kind affiftance that domeftics receive, is amply repaid by their fidelity, economy, and industry." But we must here take leave of this little pamphlet, with our best wishes for the fuccefs of the inftitution it recommends, as in every fenfe truly laudable and deferving extenfive encouragement. BOOKS and PAMPHLETS, Published this Month, of which a more particular account is deferred.. ART. 20. The Hiftory of the Province of Moray, extending from the Mouth of the River Spey to the Borders of Lochaber in Length; Length; and from the Moray-Frith to the Grampian Hills in Breadth and including a Part of the Shire of Banff to the East; the whole Shire of Moray and Nairn; and the greatest Part of the Shire of Inverness; all which was anciently called the Province of Moray, before there was a Divifion into Counties. By the Rev. Mr. Lachlean Shaw, Minifter of the Gospel at Elgin. 4to. 12s. Donaldson. ART. 21. A Hiftory of the Island of Anglefea. To which are added, Memoirs of Owen Glendowr. 4to. 3s. Dodfley. ART. 22. Effays relating to Agriculture and Rural Affairs. In Two Parts. Illuftrated with Plates. By A Farmer. 8vo. 6s. Cadell. ART. 23. The Second Part of Modern Improvements in Agriculture. Illuftrated with Copper-plates. By A Practifer of both the New and Old Husbandry, 2s. 6d. Wilkie. ART. 24. Obfervations on the Art of Brewing Malt Liquors. By a Practical Brewer, 2s. Wilkie. ART. 25. A Treatise on the Nervous Sciatica, or Nervous Hip Gout. Illuftrated with a Copper-plate. Tranflated from the Original of Cotunuz, M.D. 3s. Wilkie. ART. 26. An Apolegy to the Public, for commencing the Practice of Phyfic. By Daniel Smith, M.D. 6d. Carnan. ART. 27. The Family Preacher. By D. Bellamy, M.A. 2 vol. 4to. l. is. Law. ART. 28. The Scotch Preacher. Vol. I. 2s. 6d. Cadell. ART. 29. Sermons. By the late Rev. Edward Sandercock. 55. York, Ward.-London, Nicoll. ART. 30. God's Controverfy with the Nations. By T. Hartley, M.A. Rector of Winwick, in Northamptonshire. 1s. Conant. ART. 31. A Vindication of the Apamean Medal. By the Author of the Analyfis of Ancient Mythology. is. Payne. ART. 32. Memoirs of a Demi-Rep of Fashion: or, the Private ART. 34. Remarks upon the Refolutions of the House of Commons, ART. 37. Afmodeus; or the Devil upon Two Sticks. A Tale. 15. Wilkie. ART. 38. The Oddity, an humourous Poem. By Tantarabobus. Is. Bew. ART. 39. Emma; or the Child of Sorrow. 2 vol. 12mo. 6s. Lowndes. |