in a great measure explained:* and the cases of their having performed cures are attested by too many respectable characters, both in Europe and America, to render it pos sible that they should be an illusion. I likewise found that though by many they were condemned as the offspring of quackery, their most bitter opponents were generally men who deserved to be ranked with the Solomons and Brodums who disgrace the profession of physickt.

Justice requires that I should acknowledge my obligations to some friends in London, for many materials which

* I am tempted in this place to present the reader with a quotation from Cavallo, which shows that metallick substances have a powerful effect on animals.

"The principle phenomena of animal electricity, viz. the property of being put in motion by a metallick communication between the nerves and muscles is not peculiar to a few animals, but must be a property of all; a law of nature which admits of few exсерtions, and these of a very doubtful nature. The experiments have already been tried with a great variety of terrestrial, aerial, and aquatick animals. The human body, whilst undergoing certain chirurgical operations on its recently amputated limbs, has been convulsed by the application of metals. From the ox and the horse down to the fly, the effects of metallick applications have been re peatedly and unequivocally observed, with the same power."

† Many respectable English reviews spoke in favourable terms of the tractors. I shall here quote the authority of the Anti-Jacobin Review, the reputation of which is so well established that we cannot suppose it possible that its conductors would give any thing like quackery the sanction of their authority. In a review of a satyrical work of one Corry who had written against the tractors, they observe, "with equal avidity, though certainly with but little knowledge or skill, does our angry satirist fall upon Perkins's metallick tractors. Much as we detest and reprobate quackery of every description, we do not feel ourselves authorized to restrain or suppress the extension of scientifick discovery; and considering the tractors to be constructed on known philosophical principles, they do not appear so contemptible as this author affects to represent them." Anti Jacobin Review for April, 1802, p. 399.

composed the London edition of the following performance. The verse, with the exception of about half a dozen stanzas, is mine, with no other assistance but such as conversation with those friends afforded me by occasionally supplying hints and topicks, which I afterwards displayed in rhyme. Some of the notes were printed with but little alteration from matter furnished me by correspondents. As many of these communications, however, are of a personal nature, I do not feel at liberty to divulge the names of their authors without their consent.

Such was the origin of the English editions of the following work. I thought it proper briefly to narrate the circumstances, which led to its publication, in consequence of inaccurate statements, which have been circulated. The present edition contains nearly double the quantity of matter published in the last English edition, the satire is more general, and it is hoped the additional matter will be thought not inferiour to what has repeatedly obtained the sanction of British and American professional criticks. My object has been not only to disclose the follies of philosophy, falsely so called, but to give publicity to such inventions and improvements as are really useful. I have the highest reason to be satisfied with the reception which the performance has met in Europe and America from men of literature and candour. It is true that some pitiful attempts have been made to persuade the publick, not only that this poem, but the immortal work of which this is an imitation is "gross and nauseous." But such malignant and sorry criticisms will serve merely to render their authors ridiculous, and their folly will ever serve as an antidote to their malevolence.*

* I allude here to a critique upon this poem and Democracy Unveiled, written by a pitiful American scribbler for Philips's Monthly Magazine, London, and republished with much ostentation, as the opinion of British criticks, by an editor of a very contemptible paper at New York. This man, not contented with abusing my poems,

In preparing the additional matter I have had no assistance except such as libraries and the conversation of men of science and literature have afforded. The urbanity of gentlemen of those descriptions, in this metropolis, and the readiness with which they have afforded me access to the sources of intelligence in their possession, will live in my remembrance and be at all times acknowledged with gratitude.

has attacked the immortal works of Butler. He seems not to possess powers for discriminating between doggrel rhymes and Hudibrastick poetry; for he declares that " to make verses of this kind," to wit, like Butler, " is one of the lowest orders of intellectual employments." If we may judge, however, from some specimens of this critick's own verse, "the lowest order of intellectual employments" in his hands would be "likely to be lower!!" But Pope has hit his case so exactly that we will dismiss him with a quotation from that writer, whose productions he will doubtless pronounce "gross and nauseous."

"Some have at first for wits, then poets past,
"Turn'd criticks next, and prov'd plain fools at last."

Philadelphia, June 18, 1806.

1

/

INTRODUCTION

TO THE

LONDON EDITION.

THE demand for a second edition of CAUSTICK'S PETITION, within the short period of two months from the publication of the first, has excited so much vanity in the author as to induce him to believe that his efforts have not been altogether unacceptable, and to hope that his objects may ultimately prove not to have been altogether unaccomplished. With such a reward for former exertions, and such an incitement for future, it will be thought natural in him to have used his endeavour for a continuance of publick favour.

{

The present edition, which contains more than double the quantity of matter that composed the last, will plead the virtue of industry, even should the merit of the new matter not justly lay claim to that indulgence with which the former was honoured.

Besides enlargement, this edition will be found, especially in the first canto, to be materially altered.

The aim of the alterations has been to avoid, as much as the subjects necessarily enlarged upon would admit, every

sentiment and expression, which would offend the heart of innocence, or the eye of delicacy. Addressed, as the poem originally was, to professional men, there was, perhaps, little cause to complain of too great a licence in this particular. The circulation of the work proving, however, to be by no means confined to the medical profession, and promising to be still less so in future, it has been the author's study to savour this to the more general palate as well as to enlarge the scope of its objects..

Of one, among other advantages, which may generally be derived for the improvement of second editions, viz. the criticisms of monthly journals, the author is in a great measure deprived. Two only (the Antijacobin and Monthly Register) have yet committed the deeds of Dr. Caustick to the test of their tremendous ordeal.

The sweet drops of their approbation, which, in their great clemency, they have allowed him to taste, instead of the bitter pill which the trembling poet feared might have been his dose, inculcates a hope of a survival of the affray, without a broken heart through his own chagrin, however great his danger of a broken head through the chagrin of others.

Thus far I had proceeded in remarks, which are applicable to this second edition only, and hesitated some time, before I resolved on the expedience of pursuing my observations, and offering something like an explanation of the motives, which led to the present publication. This delay has enabled me to mention a third review of the first edition (by the British Critick). Like the former two it has indulged Dr. Caustick with encomiums on his " ingenious burlesque,” his " humorous notes,” his " happy ludicrous compounded rhymes, and many other qualities to ensure no trifling success in doggrel verse." &c.