which they probably owe their freedom from the disease, for near a century paft: which muft make the account particularly interefting at this time, when it is thought prudent to take fimilar precautions in this country.

ART. 18. Obfervations on the Nature and Cure of Gout, on the Nades of the Joints, and of the Influence of certain Articles of Diet in Gout, Rheumatism, and Gravel. By James Parkinson, Hoxton. 8vo. 174 pp. 5s. 6d. Murray, 1805.

The author of this treatife, well known by feveral useful pro-. ductions, for the information of students in medicine, and for families, has here attempted the more arduous task of investigating the nature, and prefcribing for the cure of gout. For this he appears to be not altogether unqualified, his attention having been called to the fubject, he fays, firft, by the fufferings of a refpected relative, and for the last fifteen years, by having been himself feverely afflicted with the complaint. Among other remedies, it appears, that he had early and repeated recourfe to the application of cold water to the inflamed parts, but was fo far from finding the beneficial effects refulting from that practice, Dr. Kingflake has taught us to expect, that, after many trials, he abandoned it, having reafon to fear, from its continuance, the most serious confequences. In this opinion we entirely accord with the author, though his adoption of it feems to have refulted as much from a preconceived idea, that gout owes its origin to a peculiar conftitution of the blood and juices, as from any injury he had actually experienced from the practice.

"Gout (he fays) is an hereditary disease, chiefly affecting with pain and inflammation, parts poffeffing a ligamentous or tendinous ftructure, on which it depofits a concrete faline fubftance, which is fometimes accumulated in confiderable quantities, particularly on the joints of the fingers and hands." This concrete has been found, he fays, by chymifts, to be compofed of the uric acid, and foda, forming a compound falt, the lithiate or urate of foda. Having made this advance in difcovering the nature, the author proceeds to ftate the proximate caufe of gout. "This appears (he fays) to be a peculiar faline acrimony exifting in the blood, in fuch a proportion, as to irritate and excite to morbid action the minute terminations of the arteries in certain parts of the body." Admitting this conje&ure, as to the proximate caufe of gout, to be correct, the cure can only be effected by admimiftering medicines having the power of deftroying, or of neu tralizing, and rendering mild this "faline acrimony;" but as we know nothing of the nature of this acrimony, the author not pretending that it can be made palpable, or be in any way mani... fefted to the fenfes, we have no clue to guide us in our fearch for an appropriate remedy; and if fuch remedy fhould at any time be discovered, it muft, one would fuppofe, be rather the effect of

chance,

chance, than the refult of reafoning on the fubject. The author, however, feems to entertain a different opinion; and, from finding the concrete depofited by the gout on the joints, to confift of the uric acid, combined with foda, concludes the acrimony to be of an acid quality, and of course, that the proper correctors are alkali's; and, by adopting a practice confonant to this idea, has been able, he fays, to adminifter a confiderable portion of relief to many of his gouty friends. The regimen recommended by him is abfti. nence from all fermented liquors, or where, from long habits, a total abftinence cannot fafely be submitted to, that fuch wines be felected as least abound with acid, or a mixture of fpirits and water be fubftituted. Fruits, and all other articles tending to acidity, are to be avoided. By this means, the further accumu lation of acid in the conftitution will be prevented, and to destroy that already formed, fmall dofes of any of the fixed alkalis are to be given daily, and to be continued for many weeks, or months, or until the gouty matter be corrected or difcharged. The conftitution is then to be strengthened by bark, or other bitters and tonics. Some cafes illuftrative of this practice are added. We have not followed the author through the ingenious train of argu ment, or reasoning, by which he fupports his hypothefis; if the practice prove, on further experience, to be fuccefsful, it will be adopted, though the cause of gout fhould happen to be very dif. ferent from that here affigned. In the 5th chapter, the author treats of nodes in the joints, in perfons who never had a regular fit of the gout. They take their origin, he thinks, from the fame caufe, and are to be cured by the fame means as those used for the gout. In the 8th and laft chapter, he examines and refutes fome of the opinions advanced by Dr. Kingflake, particularly he hows, that the application of cold water, or of any means capable of repelling gout from the extremities, may be productive of dan gerous confequences.

DIVINITY.

ART. 19. The Use and Abuse of Reason in Matters of Faith. A Sermon preached at St. Chad's, in Shrewsbury, at the Triennial Vifitation of the Hon. and Right Reverend James, Lord Bishop of Litchfield and Coventry, May 28, 1805. By Samuel Butler, M. A. Head Mafter of Shrewsbury School, and late Fellow of St. John's College, Cambridge. Crown 8vo. Price 1s. 6d. Longman. 1805.

It would indeed be happy, if they who are diftinguifhed for learning and talents, would employ both, rather, in enforcing the doctrines and duties of chriftianity, than in vain and protracted difputations; or in purfuing the fpeculative inferences which may feem to them deducible from partial and peculiar paffages of Scripture. It is the object of this difcourfe to affert and con

Arm this undeniable truth, and the preacher has done it well and ably. We agree with him alfo moft unequivocally in another pofition; that amidst all the wild, prepofterous, and impious opinions, the operation of which has defolated Europe, the prefervation of this kingdom under the Divine Providence, may be in part imputed to the fortitude, the firmnefs, the piety, and the learning of the British Clergy. This author is known and diftinguished by his works of learning and piety.

ART. 20.

A Funeral Oration to the Memory of his Royal Highness the late Duke of Gloucester and Edinburgh, delivered at Graf venor Chapel, Grosvenor-jquare, on Sunday, the 8th of September, 1805. By the Rev. T. Bafeley, A. M. Chaplain to the Right Rev. the Lord Bishop of Lincoln. 4to. Price 25. Rivingtons. 1806.

We were at first inclined to doubt the propriety of the term oration, conceiving this to be a Funeral Sermon on the author's patron; but on perufing it, we accede to its accuracy.; or perhaps it is rather a declamation. It exhibits uncommon fentiments, in Borid language, on the subject of death; but the author was evidently under ftrong impreflions of fenfibility, gratitude, and perfonal attachment.

ART. 21. The Doctrine of the Bible; or Rules of Difcipline. Briefly gathered through the whole Courfe of the Scripture. By Question and Anfwer. Corrected and revised from an antient Copy belonging to the Library of Trinity College, Cambridge. 12mo. 278 pp. 6s. Rivingtons, &c. &c. 1805.

This is the firft inftance that has fallen under our notice, of the mere republication of an old, and very common book, being made the pretence for collecting a large fubfcription. The book is of a ufeful kind, and was probably in great vogue about 150 years ago, for the inftruction of children; for we have before us a copy printed in 1699, which is ftated in the title page to be the One and thirtieth edition." Nothing but very current ufe in fchools, or families, or both, for the purpose of inftruction, could have exhaufted fo unufual a number of editions. The prefent editor chooses to call it very fcarce; but whether that can be the cafe with refpect to a book of which fo many thousand have been circulated, we leave our readers to decide. It is by no means probable that the edition of 1699 is the latest. The copy in our poffeffion coft fixpence; and we fee another, in a catalogue of the most common books, charged a fhilling. The book is anonymous, nor has the prefent. editor made any discovery of the author. But his edition is in fome refpects worse than the old ones. First, by the omiffion of the notes of Queftion and Aufwer; and fecondly, by wanting that which is fubjoined to

them,

them, called "An English Dictionary, or Bible Expofitor:" containing a brief account of the money, weights, &c. mentioned in the Scriptures. This fhould have been corrected from later authorities, but by no means omitted. As to the corrections made from an ancient copy in the Library of Trinity College, Cambridge," we have not been able to trace them. If the indefatigable art of fubfcription hunting, ufed in promcting this edition, fhould tend to revive the knowledge of a pious book, from which fome may gain inftruction, the event may be good; but we can by no means applaud or encourage what appears to us a mere impofition. The purchase of a copy would have been a fhilling; and the coft of printing, the mere expence of paper and prefs-work; what call then could there be for an extenfive fubfcription? Such an impofture furely tends to difcourage fubfcriptions of real propriety; and, after all, the book is, in many refpects, extremely inferior to "Watts's Scripture Hiftory;" the plan of which, though not the fame, is very fimilar, and the fuccefs of which has probably caufed the editions of this little book to cease.

ART. 22. An Admonition against Lay-Preaching. By Edward Pearfon, B. D. Rector of Rempstone, in Nottinghamshire. 12mo. 51 PP. 6d. Tupman, Nottingham; Hatchard,

- London, 1805.

Mr. Pearfon's arguments, in this little tract, are excellent; but, alas, they are fuch as, we fear, will not be admitted by thofe whom he wishes to convince. The analogy between the first and fecond covenant, however certain, is a matter too refined for the confideration of fuch teachers. We recommend it, however, as excellent in itfelf, and very ufeful to those who will confider it. The following text, and the note upon it, are perhaps as likely to gain confideration as any part of the tract.

"As they miniflered to the Lord, and fafled, the Holy Ghoft faid, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work, whereunto I have called them. And, when they had fafted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they fent them away. Acts xiii. 2. By this text, the famous Mr. Skelton once filenced, if not convinced, a Methodist preacher. What commiffion, Sir, faid Skelton, have you to preach the Gofpel? A commiflion from above, replied the preacher. By whom were you ordained? By the Spirit, he anfwered. Well, Sir, fuppofe you have got the Spirit, as you fay, it is ftill neceflary, that you fhould be ordained by the laying on of hands, before you attempt to preach. Paul and Barnabas, it is allowed, had already got the Spirit, but they were not permitted to go abroad to preach, 'til they were firft ordained by the laying on of hands. Hence your preaching, without being ordained, is con

trary

trary to the practice of the apoftles. The man, being con founded by this objection, made his efcape as faft as he could." P. 28.

AGRICULTURE.

ART. 23. On the Landed Property of England, an elementary and practical Treatife, containing the Purchase, the Improvement, and the Management of Landed Eftates. By Mr. Marshall. 4to. 444 pp. 11. 11s. 6d. Nicol, &c.

1804.

On fome former occafions, we have spoken favourably of this author's works; particularly on the fcore of refpect for the laws and inftitutions of his country. He has now thought fit to begin a new score with the public, and we muft do the fame with him. He has joined the herd of agricultural writers, in vilifying the laws and customs of his country; generally, with much igno rance concerning them; and (which is certainly far worse) in la. bouring to bring the holy fcriptures into contempt, by applica tions of them, witty (no doubt) in his judgment, but in ours ftupidly profane. If there be a fet of men upon the earth, who ought to be affected beyond all others at every ftep which they take, with a profound fenfe of the power, wifdom, and perpetu ally renewed mercies of the Deity, tillers of the ground are thofe men. But what can we fay of a writer who thus extols landed property, in what he calls an analytic view of the subjects: On it alone, mankind can be faid to live, to move, and have their being," p. 1.-Farmsteads, built in a wrong manner, are faid to be "without form, and void." P. 158.

When the word of God is thus treated, they who preach it, and their concerns, will expect no favour. "It ftands part of

the ftatute-law, I believe, that lands, which have never been under tillage, fhall not pay tithes during the firft feven years of their cultivation." P. 122. That Mr. M. and his agricultural patrons, are willing to believe this, is very probable. But the tatute, 2 and 3 Ed. 6. c. 13. which is doubtless here referred to, fpeaks of barren, heath, or waste ground, which, before this time, have lain barren, and paid no tithes by reason of the fame barrennefs." The question, in these cafes, is not, whether lands have been actually under tillage or otherwife, but whether they be in their own nature barren. "In the cafe of Stockwell and Terry, July 14, 1748, it was held by Lord Hardwicke, that fuch land only is within this claufe, as above, the neceffary expence of inclofing and clearing, requires alfo expence in manuring, before it can be made proper for agriculture; and he decreed tithe to be paid, on its being proved, that the land bore better corn than the arable land in the parish, without any extraordimary expence in manure, 1 Vezey, 115."-" The clergy, in G their

BAIT. CRIT. VOL. XXVII. JAN. 1806,