Opinion of John Woodward, Esquire, of the City of New-York, in the case of the St. Michaels and cargo, of Baltimore, vs. the King of Holland, (now styled the King of the Netherlands,)-involving a view of the legal effect of recent events upon the continent of Europe, especially as they relate to the rights and losses of neutral merchants, as connected with the change of Dynasties on that continent. This is an ingenious and learned argument on a point of great interest to the mercantile portion of this community, and does great credit to Mr. Woodward's talents and research We are sorry that the performance, which is generally written in a fair style, should be marred by several verbal inaccuracies. The Law of Baron and Femme; of Parent and Child; of Guardian and Ward; of Master and Servant; and of the Powers of Courts of Chancery. With an Essay on the terms, Heir, Heirs, and Heirs of the Body. By Tapping Reeve. New-Haven, Oliver Steele, 8vo. pp. 500. The Reputation of Judge Reeve as a Lecturer on the Common Law, is so widely spread and so justly appreciated, that we need say nothing more of the above treatises, than that they compose the substance of his didactic course, on the domestic relations. We had the satisfaction, some years siuce, to hear these lectures delivered, and though our judgment may, perhaps, be influenced by grateful recollections, and though this volume cannot carry with it the charm with which Judge Reeve's amiable manners and venerable appearance could invest every subject of which he treated, we may still venture to recommend it to the gentlemen of the profession as a highly valuable compend, containing copious references to adjudged cases, with nice distinctions of the principles decided in each. The Bridal of Vaumond; a Metrical Romance. New-York, James Eastburn & Co. 18mo. pp. 186. This is an original poem from the pen of a young gentleman of New-York, and on that ground has a claim to our attention. Our Jimits do not, however, allow us at this time, to enter upon a criticism of the performance, either in regard to its object or execution. We shall refrain therefore from the expression of the opinion we have formed of the work, till we have an opportunity to discuss its merits. A Brief Outline of the History of the Bible, and of the signal providence of God, in all ages, for preserving and diffusing the knowledge and blessings of its truth and salvation in the world: together with some remarks on Bible Societies; in a Sermon, preached in the city of Hudson, Sept. 10, 1817, before the Auxiliary Bible Society of the County Modern Book-Keeping by Double En- America, designed for mercantile young men. By Charles Gerisher. New-York, E. Conrad, 8vo. The Blind Farmer and his Children. By Mrs. Hofland, Author of The Son of a Genius, &c. New-York, W. B. Gilley, 18mo. pp. 144. This is an agreeable and affecting little story. It is the last of several written by Mrs. Hofland, with a very obvious and excellent design, to inculcate moral truth and induce good actions, by virtuous examples and self to have been induced to the invention of this tale, by the approbation which Mr. and Miss Edgeworth, and many other enlightened persons have bestowed on her former works Inspired by such praise, it is to be wished that she had more perfectly imitated the pure style and well defined thoughts of one who is a model in this kind of writing; to be the subject, however, of this praise, and to deserve it, is sufficient to prepossess the reader in favour of Mrs Hofland, and of a book which professes to improve the hearts and refine the taste of the young. The history of the Blind Farmer's family resembles in its spirit the sweetness and tenderness of Simple Susan. It exhibits the same virtues, industry, patience, and be nevolence, it commends the interest of the poor, to the protection of the rich and pow erful, and instructs that dependent class, that they may hope for the aid of the affluent, if they practise the virtues which are equally the duty of all,--and shows that the desire of mental improvement, the enlargement of knowledge, and the habit of self-cultivation, which give the highest pleasures that the rich can feel, shed comfort on the lowest state the poor can suffer. E. R elevated motives. The author declares ber Blunt's Stranger's Guide to the City of New-York. Comprising a Description of Public Buildings, Dwelling-Houses, including Population, Streets, Markets, Public Amusements, the Bay, Harbour, Docks, Ships, Forts and Fortifications;With an Account of the Literary, Philosophical, Medical, Law, Religious, and Benevolent Institutions, Commercial Establishments, Manufactures, &c. which is prefixed, an Historical Sketch, General Description, Plan and Extent of the City. With an Appendix, containing the Time of Sailing, and Departure of Steam-Boats, Stages, &c. with the Fares: Rates and Regulations of HackneyCoaches, Carters, Porters, Chimney. Το ers: Sweepers, Weigh-Masters and MeasurMarket Regulations, Assize of Bread, Money Tables, Corporation Laws and Ordinances, Inspectors of Native Produce, Masters and Wardens of the Port, Pilots, Slave Regulations, &c. &c. Embellished with a Plan of the City, and Engravings of Public Buildings. New-York, Printed for, and Published by Edmund M. Blunt, 24mo. pp. 303. This is a very useful publication; full and accurate. The body of the work is important to the stranger, as it points out what ever is worthy of examination in the city, and, also, the readiest means of access to the repositories of literature and the arts. The appendix contains an abstract of the municipal regulations of New York, and will be found a great convenience both to the resident and foreigner, as it enables them to guard against imposition, and points out the proper modes of redressing the injuries, to which every person, ignorant of the law, is continually liable. It contains well-executed engraved views of some of the most considerable public buildings, and is accompanied by an excellent map, which exhibits not only a plan of the city, but also a directory to all the public buildings of every descrip tion. T. Placide, a Spanish Tale; translated from Les Battuecas of Madame De Genlis, by Alexander Jamieson. New-York, Kirk & Mercein, 12mo. pp. 143. The Adopted Daughter; A Tale for Young Persons. By Miss Sandham, Author of the Twin Sisters, &c. NewYork, W. B. Gilley, 18mo. pp. 172. This tale seems to have been written for very young persons,-to such it may be interesting. and Descriptive; with the Author's reSketches of Lower Canada, Historical collection of the soil and aspect; the morals, habits and religious institutions of that isolated country; during a tour to Quebec, in the month of July, 1817. By Joseph Sansom, Esq. Member of the American Philosophical Society, Author of Letters from Europe, &c. NewYork, Kirk & Mercein, 12mo. pp. 316. volume, which from the setting forth of the We have not yet had leisure to read this title page. claims more consideration than we should be able to give it in this catalogue. ART. 16. REPORT OF DISEASES TREATED AT THE PUBLIC DISPENSARY, F ACUTE DISEASES. EBRIS Intermittens, (Intermittent Fever,) 13; Synocha, (Inflammatory Fever,) 1; Febris Continua, (Continued Fever,) 8; Febris Infantum Remittens, (Infantile Remittent Fever,) 12; Hernia Humoralis. 3; Phlegmone, (Inflammation,) 3; Otitis, (Inflammation of the Ear.) 1; Ophthalmia, (In flammation of the Eye,) 4; Cynanche Tonsillaris, (Inflammation of the Throat,) 1; Bronehitis, (Inflammation of the Bronchiæ.) 1; Pneumonia, (Inflammation of the Chest,) 4; Pneumonia Typhoides, 1; Mastitis, (Inflam mation of the Female Breast,) 1; Splenitis, (Inflammation of the Spleen.) 1; Rheumatis mus, (Rheumalism,) 3; Cholera, 2; Dysenteria, (Dysentery,) 5; Erysipelas, (St. AnthoEny's Fire,) 3; Vaccinia, (Kine Pock,) 5; DenTitio, (Teething,) 2. CHRONIC AND LOCAL DISEASES. Asthenia. (Debility,) 3; Vertigo, 6; Cephalalgia, (Head-ach,) 6; Dyspepsia, (Indigestion,) 15; Gastrodynia, (Pain in the Stomach,) 6;; Enterodynia, (Pain in the Intestines,) 5'; Colica, (Colic,) 3; Obstipatio, (Costiveness,) 15; Paralysis, (Palsy,) 1; Epilepsia, (Epi lepsy,) 3; Hysteria, (Hysterics,) 3; Ophthal mia Chronica, (Chronic Inflammation of the Eyes,) 3; Cynanche Tonsillaris Chronica 1; Catarrhus, (Catarrh,) 1; Bronchitis Chronica, 5; Asthma et Dyspnoea, (Asthma and Difficult Breathing,) 2; Phthisis Pulmona lis, (Pulmonary Consumption,) 6; Hepatitis Chronica, (Cronic Inflammation of the Liver,) 1; Rheumatismus Chronicus, (Chronic Rheumatism,) 8; Pleurodynia, 3; Lumbago, 9; Hæmoptysis, (Spitting of Blood,) 2; Dysenteria Chronica. 12; Diarrhoea, 27; Amenorrhoa, 9; Ischuria, (Retention of Urine,) 1; Dysuria, (Difficulty of Urine,) 1; Lithiasis, (Gravel,) 1; Plethora, 2; Anasarca, (Dropsy,) 1; Hydarthrus, (White Swelling) 3; Vermes, (Worms) 15; Syphilis, 16; Urithritis Virulenta, 8; Phymosis, 1; Tumor, 3; Hernia Inguinalis, 2; Luxatio, 2; Stremma, (Sprain,) 1; Contusio, (Bruise.) 7; Vulnus, (Wound,) 5; Abscessus, (Abscess,) 3; Uleus, (Ulcer,) 17; Fistula in Perineo, 1; Odontalgia, 12; Sepra Venerea, 1; Ptoriasis, 1; Ptoriasis Gyrate Venerea, 1; Euythena, 1: Urticaria, (Nettle Rash,) 1; Impetigo, 3; Por rigo, 4; Scabies et Prurigo, 11; Herpes, 1; Aphthæ, 1; Eruptiones Varicæ, 5. The change of of temperature during September, has been considerable, but not frequent. A prolongation of the summer heats, with occasional calms, marked the first twelve days: on the 13th the weather became more cool, and continued temperate, or moderately warm, throughout the remainder of the month. The winds, though mostly from the south and southwest, have been somewhat various and irregular, as is usual about the time of the autumnal equinox, when more or less revolution and commotion take place in the whole atmosphere, accompanied, generally, with one or two storms. The whole quantity of rain that has fallen in this month was equal to 4 inches and 6-10, being little more than half the quantity for August -Showers occurred on the 5th, 11th, 12th, 17th, and 27th; a considerable rain through the night of the 14th, a more heavy one on the 15th, and 16th, and again on the 23d and 24:--no thunder storms, but incessant lightning during the evening of the 11th. The highest temperature has been 83°; lowest 48°; greatest diurnal variation 18; mean temperature of the morning, 60° and 3-100; of the afternoon, 71o and 70 100; at sunset, 67° and 83-100;-greatest eleva. tion of the mercury in the Barometer, 30 inches and 35-100; greatest depression, 29 inches, and 36-100. Both the diseases and the mortality of this month have, in the aggregate, increased, but not to any considerable extent, or so as materially to impair the public heatth.-The autumnal season, in this climate, generally brings with it an augmentation of diseases, and is particularly favourable to the extension, or at least to the continuance of fevers, dysentaries and diarrhoeas. Among the more obvious causes that contribute to, and tend to produce this morbid influence of the autumn, may be reckoned the impaired energies of the constitution itself, induced by the debilitating power of excessive heat, continually operating during the preceding summer months; the diminution of perspiration; the sudden reduction of external temperarature; the variable state of the weather; and lastly, the impure condition of the surrounding atmosphere. which, at that time, is more generally loaded with noxious miasmata, exhaled from large quantities of decay ing or putrifying animal and vegetable mat ter. The diseases that have principally prevailed, during September, were fevers, and disorders of the primæ viæ, chiefly in the form of dysentery, diarrhoea, and dyspepsia. with most of its consequent affections. There has also been some intermixture of inflammatory and especially rheumatic complaints. Cholera, though on the decline, was not unfrequent in the early part of the month; but it rapidly diminished after the cessation of hot weather, and has almost entirely disappeared within the last two weeks Dysentary and diarrhoea have, on the contrary, rather increased in frequency, but have ex hibited no very obvious change of character, except a great proneness to degenerate into the chronic form. Some cases of diarrhoea were accompanied with large dejections of bile; but in the majority of instances, the complaint was without any preternatural increase of biliary secretion, and oftentimes seemed to be owing principally to a want of dae tone in the intestines themselves. And indeed, a relaxation of weakness or the intes tines, produced by the hot season, may be considered as the most general predisposing cause of these autumnal complaints of the bowels. Hence it is, that dysentaries and diarrhoeas with us, seldom begin to prevail much till towards the conclusion of summer or beginning of autumn, when the hot wea ther constantly acting for several months together, has had its full influence in debili tating the animal system;--and they do not cease before the approach of winter, when the corroborant power of atmospheric cold! has braced up the solids and implanted new vigor in the constitution. Fevers have continued to make their appearance under a variety of forms; and have more frequently shown marks of degeneracy, or a stronger tendency to assume the characteristics of the malignant or putrid type. Some have exhibited malignant symptoms from the very commencement, being attended with anxious and difficult respiration, hot and offensive breath, brown dry tongue, pungent heat of skin, violent pains of the head, confusion of ideas, or stupor. In some few cases of remittent and continued fevers, a diarrhoea accompanied them during the three or four first days, and probably arose not merely from congestion, produced during the cold fit, but also from the usual tendency of the humours to flow towards the intestinal canal, when in a relaxed and debilitated state. In one instance in which this symptom existed, it was almost immediately relieved by venesection. The remittent, judging from Dispensary Practice, has been the most general form of fever; and has assumed, in different individuals, a sub inflammatory, bilious, or putrid diathesis. In the two former kinds, the use of the lancet was, in a few instances, bad recourse to in the beginning of the first stage of the fever, and with decided advantage. From a review of the diseases of the three last months, it appears that we have had fe vers, which have assumed all the different forms, or types, that usually occur in this climate. The writer is happy to have it in his power to state, that we have Lot, in addition to these, been alarmed by the appearance of that occasional visiter and scourge of our city, the yellow or pestilential fever. The unfavourable state of the summer season, being accompanied with great and contioned beat, along with frequent, and oftentimes heavy rains; the early occurrence of yellow fever in the West-India Islands; its subsequent appearance in some of the southern ports of the United States, and the report of L: ** Report of Diseases. the existence of some cases at our Quaran- As the avowed object of these Reports, is a history of the weather and prevailing diseases, with details of practical facts and observations, the writer forbears to enter upon any formal discussion or examination of the important questions which have divided the medical profession of this country, as to the nature and origin of this pestilential disease: whether it be contagious or non-contagious; whether it be a foreign or domestic production; a disease of a peculiar and specific character, originating only in tropical elimates, or merely our common autumnal remittent, rendered more violent and fatal from local impurities, from a deranged state of the atmosphere, or from other accidental circumstances. It may, however, be proper to add, that our city, during the last season, has been under the influence of all the causes which the advocates for domestic In These causes are a continuance of heat and moisture, with a quantity of decaying animal and vegetable matter. to the two former of these, it must suffice to With regard observe, that it will scarcely be denied that they have, during the last season, existed to an extent quite equal to that of some of the years in which yellow fever has appeared:and as to animal and vegetable filth, it may safely be said, that our city has seldom, if ever, presented a greater abundance! addition to other nuisances, our streets, docks, wharves and market places, have been notoriously foul. So great, inded, was the annoyance, and so serious the apprehensions from some of these sources ef disease, that we witnessed the extraordinary and unusual occurrence of a presentment of the Grand Jury," in behalf of the people of the city and county of New-York, actually preferred against the guardians of the public health, the Mayor and Corporation, for dereliction of duty, in not interposing their authority, in order to remove and prevent, as far as possible, these several nuisances, so obnoxious to the health of the city. In the said "presentment of the Grand Jury," among other things, it is remarked that, "at no time for many years has the public health been exposed to greater danger, from pools of stagnant water, carcases of dead animals, and large heaps of street manure, which are suffered to remain in the very heart of this 77 origin, have considered neccessary for the production of yellow fever, and yet it has not occurred; from which the conclusion must follow, that either these causes are not in themselves sufficient, or else that "similar causes have, in the present instance, ceased to produce similar effects." of mortality for September, are as follows: The deaths recorded in the New York bills Cancer, 1; Caries, 1; Child Bed, 1; Cholera Abscess, 1; Apoplexy, 3; Asthenia, 1; Morbus, 2; Consumption, 51; Convulsions, 20; Diarrhea, 9; Drinking Cold Water, 1; Dropsy, 5; Dropsy in the Head, 9; Dropsy in the Chest, 1; Drowned, 5: Dysentery, Fever, 2; Hectic Fever, 1; Remittent Fe23; Inflammatory Fever, 1; Intermittent Hæmoptysis, 1; Hæmorrhage, 2; Hives, ver, 3; TyphusFever, 21; Infantile Flux, 6; 3; Inflammation of the Bowels, 5; Inflammation of the Brain, 2; Inflammation of the Chest, 2; Inflammation of the Liver, 4; Inflammation of the Stomach, 1; Insanity, 1; Mortification, 2; Nervous Disease, 1; Old Intemperance, 5; Killed, 1; Marasmus, 3: Age, 10; Palsy, 2; Peripneumony, 1; Quinsy, 1; Rickets, 1; Scrophula, 3; Sprue, 7; Tabes Mesenterica, 4; Teething, 3; UnStill Born, 17; Sudden Death, 1; Suicide, 1; known, 4; Worms, 1.-Total, 259. age of 1 year; 37 between 1 and 2 years; New-York, September 30th. 1817. populous city, and at this season of the year, when the Board of Health invite the serious vided by law for the purpose of guarding attention of the citizens to the means pro against malignant and pestilential diseases;' that at the intersection of Orange and LeoAnd the Jurors, aforesaid, do further present,› nard streets down to Collect street; in Collect street down to Canal street; in and across Canal street nearly to the foot of Hester street, down to the river, diverse miry, offensive and unwholesome places remain, public health, and annoyance of the people and are permitted, to the great danger of the thereabout inhabiting; and so the Jurors, aforesad, do present the Mayor, Aldermen and Commonalty, of the city of New-York,' for permitting the said places and streets of the good people, and to the great scandal aforesaid, which remain to the great danger of the city of New-York." 17. CABINET OF VARIETIES. HERE nothing more derogatory The English Courts of Justies, than their being obliged to sustain actions founded on bets. Besides the countenance thereby given to a pernicious system of gambling, the transactions themselves are frequently too base or contemptible for grave investigation. Among those disgraceful suits which learned Judges have been obliged to decide, was one between two young fashionables, on the lives of their fathers, running them against each other, and calculating the bet in proportion to the chances of longevity. He whose father died first was to pay a forfeit. It turned out that the father of one of these hopeful youths, was dead at the time his dutiful son was making this wager, though both the parties were ignorant of it. He refused to pay the stipulated sum, which was, however, recovered at law. A bet was made as to the sex of the Chevalier D'Eon, but lord Mansfield refused to try it, as affecting the feelings of a third person.' An action was lately brought to recover a bet won on Joanna Southcot's non-delivery of a male child, before the 1st. of November, 1815; but it appearing that Joanna Southcot was not a married woman, the learned justice dismissed the suit, as involving too delicate a subject of inquiry,-though he admitted, if she had been a married woman, it would have been a strictly legal wager! We think the Supreme Court of Massachusetts took the proper ground in regard to this species of litigation. On the first attempt to inforce a contract of this kind, the Court disclaimed all cognizance of questions of this description, as unworthy of their notice. It was well observed by the present Chief Justice of that Commonwealth, that from being the umpires of such controversies, it would be but a slight descent to become the stake holders of the parties. The following trial will show what English courts can stoop to. Chester Assizes. Sir T. Massey Stanley. Bart. v. Hodgson. This was an action against the defendant, a gentleman of the first respectability on the turf, for the amount of a bet which was refused to be paid, as being against the laws of the turf. The case had been argued before, in a court of another description, but although a court of honour, (the Jockey Club), the members had no power to issue writ or process, to compel the execution of their judgment. The case was as follows: In 1811, a party of sporting gentlemen dined at Colonel Barnston's in Chester, among whom were the plaintiff and the defendant, a gentleman of fortune at Liverpool. They had each a filly a month old, and it was agreed by the parties they should run a match at Chester races, 1813, 8st. each, for 100 guineas. hf. Sir Thomas brought his filly to the post, but no horse of the defend ant's made its appearance. Sir Thomas's jockey weighed, and it afterwards came out that the defendant's filly was dead. The learned counsel observed, that the stipulation of the half-forfeit was to guard against accidents, which horses as well as men were subject to. The wager had been won up to the extent of one half of it; and the law of England would show that the defendant was bound to pay the 50l. for the recovery of which the action was brought The Attorney General submitted to the court, that the act of Gad had rendered it impossible for the defendant to fulfil bis part of the contract; and that such rule of law was equally as applicable to brutes as to mankind. Chief Justice-"Here not so, undoubtedly; | a man undertakes that he will doso and so, and binds himself to the performance of it: he is responsible for the non-performance of his agreement. So with a horse; a man may bind himself that his filly shall perform a stipulated task, which it cannot do. The responsibility certainly lies upon the con traet." Verdict-For the plantiff. damages 501. Chief Justice- Gentlemen of the Jury, you will recollect that _pounds are always guineas on the turf!"-The verdict was accordingly altered to guineas. From the European Magazine for Aug. 1817. Statement of the Value of different Sees, ac- Canterbury-the Duke of Rutland's Durham-Lord Barrington's uncle St. Asaph-Duke of Beaufort's tutor £ 20,000 14,000 24,000 18,000 12,000 9,000 5,000 4,000 5.000 4.000 4,000 5,000 6,000 3,000 P G 8 |