REMONSTRANCE OF A HIGHLANDMAN IN BE HALF OF THE MACS. SIR, I'm an auld Highlandman, but I cannot help that: returning from a long residence abroad, I find that most of my countrymen have disguised their names, as if they were ashamed of them; maybe they have reason, but I cannot help that neither. My present purpose in applying to you, whose journal pleased me very much in Jamaica, is to ask you when and on what occasion it became unfashionable to use the noble prefix of Mac. I see nothing now but large Ms with little commas stuck up on their right shoulders, thus M', and very seldom a bit of a c, thus Mc; and would indeed, sir, be glad to learn, why I should not, without being odd, subscribe myself, as ever, Your friend and servant, 1 to the military science, 2 to history and ALEXANDER MAC ALPINE. ART. 14. REPORT OF DISEASES. Report of Diseases treated at the Public Dispensary, New-York, and in the Private Practice of the Reporter, during the month of September, 1818. ACUTE DISEASES. FEBRIS Intermittens, (Intermittent Fever,) 7; Febris Remittens, (Remittent Fever,) 9; Febris Continua, (Continued Fever,) 27; Febris Infantum Remittens, (Infantile Remittent Fever,) 8; Phlegmone, 4; Ophthalmia, (Inflammation of the Eyes,) 9; Cynanche Tonsillaris, (Inflammatory Sore Throat) 6; Cynanche Trachealis, (Hives or Croup,) 2; Catarrhus, (Catarrh,) 10; Bronchitis, (Inflammation of the Bronchia,) 3; Pneumonia, 18; Pneumonia Typhodes, (Typhoid Pneumony,) 4; Pertussis, (Hooping Cough,) 18; Mastitis, (Inflammation of the Female Mamma,) 2; Hepatitis, (Inflammation of the Liver,) 2; Icterus, (Jaundice,) 1; Enteritis, (Inflammation of the Intestines,) 2; Nephretis, (Inflammation of the Kidney,) 1; Rheumatismus, 4; Hydrothorax, (Dropsy of the Chest,) 1; Cholera, 12; Dysenteria, 23; Erysipelas, (St. Anthony's Fire,) 2; Urticaria, (Nettle Rash,) 2; Rubeola, (Measles,) 2; Dentitio, 3; Convulsio, 1. CHRONIC AND LOCAL DISEASES. Asthenia, (Debility,) 9; Vertigo, 3; Cephalalgia, 6; Dyspepsia et Hypochondriasis, 13; Hysteria, 3; Colica et Obstipatio, 8; Paralysis, 2; Palpitatio, 1; Asthma et Dyspnoea, 3; Bronchitis Chronica, 5; Phthisis Pulmonalis, 8; Rheumatismus Chronicus, 12; Pleurodyne, 2; Lumbago, 3; Nephralgia, 1; Epistaxis, 1; Hæmopty sis, 2; Hæmorrhois, 3; Menorrhagia, 1; Dysmenorrhea, 2; Dysuria, 2; Dysente ria Chronica, 6; Diarrhea, 21; Leucorrhoa, 1; Amenorrhoea, 5; Cessatio Mensium, 1; Plethora, 1; Hydrops,(Dropsy,) 2; Ascites, (Dropsy of the Abdomen,) 1; Vermes, 4; Calculus, 1; Syphilis, 6; Urethritis Virulenta, 7; Paraphymosis, 2; Hernia Humoralis, 2; Tumor, 1; Contusio, 7; Stremma, (Sprain,) 3; Luxatio, (Dislocation,) 1; Fractura, 1; Vulnus, 5; Abscessus, 4; Ulcus, 16; Ulcera Faucium, 1; Ustio, (Burn,) 3; Opacitas Corniæ, 1; Scabies et Prurigo, 8; Porrigo, 3; Herpes, 1; Eruptiones Variæ, 7. In September, the constitution of the atmosphere is generally very unequal; rapid fluctuations of temperature, fair intervals, and violent storms, or boisterous weather, reciprocally succeeding each other. The first six days of this month were warm, dry, and serene; from the 7th to the 13th, the heats intermitted, and there fell a small quantity of rain, which greatly refreshed the parched earth, and gave to the decaying verdure of the fields a temporary renovation. On the 14th, warm weather returned again, with southerly and southwesterly winds; and the 15th and 16th, were the hottest and most sultry days in the month, the thermometer reaching to 81 and 829 iu the shade. To this oppressive heat there succeeded a sudden depression of temperature, which continued, with little variation, to the end of the month, the winds blowing almost incessantly between the north and southwest; and the Equinox was ushered in with boisterous or tempestuous weather, and a severe northeasterly storm on the 19th; after which there were several frosts, and fires were agreeable, particularly in the mornings and evenings. Rain fell, in greater or less quantities, on the 7th, 8th, 9th, 17th, 19th, and 20th; the whole, amounting to rather more than three and an half inches in depth.-The Barometrical range is from 29.03 to 30.15 inches. The highest temperature of the mornings, at 7 o'clock, was 68°, lowest 43°, mean 59°; highest at 2 o'clock, P. M. 82o, lowest 58°, mean 719; highest at sunset 78°, lowest 56°, mean 66. Greatest variation in 24 hours, 179. Mean temperature of the whole month, 65°. There was an Aurora Borealis on the evening of the 20th. To children under two years of age, this month has been less fatal than the preceding; but as it respects adults, the general quantum of disease has rather increased. The sudden fluctuations of temperature, together with the inclement and boisterous state of the weather at the equinoctial period, has made a strong inflammatory impression, so that in addition to the usual endemic complaints of the season, such as Choleras, Dysenteries, Diarrhoeas, and Fevers of different kind, there has been an unusual number of diseases of the class Phlegmasiæ. In the latter part of the month, Peripneumonies, Rheumatisms, Ophthalmies, and Erysipelatous swellings were quite frequent; and many persons were affected with Coughs, Corizas, and inflammatory sore throats. Owing to this state of the weather, Hooping Cough has also assumed a more aggravated character, the pulmonic irritation being much increased; and in two instances, the Reporter has seen the disease terminating in Cynanche Trachealis or Croup. Typhus has somewhat increased during this month, and in many instances has been complicated with sub-inflammatory affec. tion of the Bronchiæ and lungs, together with severe pain in the head, and much disturbance of the sensorium. These variations in the character and features of the disease have demanded corresponding changes in the mode of treatment, and have especially required a more strict adherence to the antiphlogistic plan, with the employ ment, sometimes, of the lancet. The administration of wine, and other cordial and stimulating remedies, in the early stages of typhus, though a common practice, is fraught with much mischief, even in the most simple forms of the disease. The phantom debility, still haunts and enslaves the minds of many medical practitioners. So long as there is universal excitement, cordial and stimulating medicines cannot fail to add to the febrile heat and irritation, and, instead of arresting, hasten on, the debility they were intended to counteract. The abstraction of every extraordinary stimulus, and the more free use of active evacuants on the onset of the disease, would, we are convinced, not only diminish the number of deaths, but the "sickening spectacle of a lingering convalescence, where the shattered powers of the system can scarcely rally themselves even with all the appliances of permanent and diffusible stimuli," would also be in a great measure avoided. The New-York Bills of Mortality for September, give the following account of deaths from different diseases: Abscess, 1; Apoplexy, 3; Asthma, 1; Burned or Scalded, 2; Cancer, 1; Casualty, 3; Chlorosis, 1; Cholera Morbus, 12; Consumption, 57; Convulsions, 10; Diarrhoea, 9; Dropsy, 5; Dropsy in the Chest, 6; Dropsy in the Head, 11; Drowned, 6; Dysentery, 49; Dyspepsia, 1; Fever, 11; Fever, Bilious, 1; Fever Puerperal, 1; Fever, Typhous, 25; Flux, infantile, 23; Hæmorrhage, 2; Hæmoptysis, 1; Hives, 2; Hooping Cough, 28; Inflammation of the Brain, 2; Inflammation of the Chest, 8; Inflammation of the Stomach, 2; Inflammation of the Bowels, 4; Inflammation of the Liver, 1; Insanity, 3; Intemperance, 2; Jaundice, 1; Locked Jaw, 1; Lumber Abscess, 1; Marasmus, 2; Measles, 3; Old Age, 9; Palsy, 2; Scrophula or King's Evil, 3; Sprue, 10; Still-born, 12; Suicide, 1; Tabes Mesenterica, 10; Teething, 7; Unknown, 5; Worms, 3.-Total 358. Of this number there died 84 of and under the age of 1 year; 71 between 1 and 2 years; 28 between 2 and 5; 7 between 5 and 10; 17 between 10 and 20; 29 between 20 and 30; 40 between 30 and 40; 18 between 40 and 50; 22 between 50 and 60; 11 between 60 and 70; 8 between 70 and 80; and 7 between 80 and 90. JACOB DYCKMAN, M. D. New-York, September 30th, 1818. ERRATA. Page 63. The first line of the extract from the tenth Elegy of Arden's Ovid, being incorrectly printed in some of the copies, should read thus: Ï have a bark to urge along her way. ART. 1. The Backwoodsman. A Poem. By J. K. PAULDING. 12mo. pp. 198. Philadelphia. M. Thomas. 1818. THAT, HAT, in the revolution of ages, the much-calumniated term, but one we do Muse of America will compete with not hesitate to use, because in its true her predecessors of Greece, Rome, and sense it applies to a feeling, the source England, must be the conviction not less and spring of all that exalts and ennobles of reason than of patriotism. The pro- the character of a nation. Among the gress of society in the western world is many excellencies of the constitution, visibly preparing the way for a more sub- we would select, as the one conferring lime and perfect developement of mental upon it its highest value, and most indipower than has yet been beheld, and we cative of the wisdom of its framers, the may confidently anticipate the period, provision made for its gradual and temwhen the eyes of Europe will be turned perate amendment. The recognition of with astonishment on the superior culti- the principle on which this provision is vation by her ancient colonies of the founded, appears to us one of the firmest higher qualities of genius, as she now bulwarks of American liberty-the surest gazes in wonder on their advance in the safeguard against the evils of anarchy on useful arts, and, in one particular of un- the one hand, and on the other, the more speakable importance, begins to perceive destructive effects of despotism. More their present superiority. The spirit and than other branches of knowledge-meinfluence of her political institutions seem chanics, astronomy, mathematics, &c.— to hold out to America the promise of a why the science of legislation and governliterature richer and more abundant than ment should remain stationary, we prothat of any nation either of ancient or fess our inability to discover. At present, modern times. The fabric of her laws the United States afford the single and and government, beautiful as it is, will, admirable example of a people already no doubt, yet receive considerable im- powerful in numbers and wealth, flourishprovement from the increasing intelli- ing, and in a manner unparalleled in the gence of her citizens, and their expe- history of mankind, under a government rience of the advantages of innovation, a more positively popular than that of any VOL. IV.-No. III. 21 of the ancient republics, adequate to every purpose of domestic improvement or foreign defence, of which the highest as well as the least consequential stations are open to every member of the community, administered-and, surely, this is not the least of its merits at an expense to the state that clearly proves how slender is the cost of all the legitimate business of a nation, and whose proceedings are necessarily concordant with the opinions and feelings of the country. In America-and this can be predicated of no other part of the world-the law is sovereign, and, from the head of the republic to the most obscure and indigent individual, every citizen is bound to render to its dictates respect and implicit obedience. Yet does not this supremacy of the law affect in the remotest degree the indefeisible sovereignty of the PEOIn truth, it is only as the recorded expression of their will, that it operates; the direction of that will it obeys with the undeviating fidelity of a river to its bed, and whenever the majority of the nation decides upon altering its course, it flows, per necessitatem, in a new chan PLE. nel. The consciousness of their possession of this power to alter and meliorate the constitution, must, we humbly conceive, act upon the people as a perpetual stimulus to look into, and examine with deep attention and scrutinizing interest, the component parts of the constitution. It is a subject deserving, above any other, the study of each and all. More, much more than is generally supposed, of the prosperity and happiness of a people depends on the powers of its government, as well as the manner in which those powers are exercised; and the experience of history-which too frequently exhibits the degrading picture of the sacrifice of a nation's welfare to the passions or caprices of a few individuals warrants us in observing, that, from the moment the public functionaries are suffered to assume the power of acting independently of those to whom they owe their stations, the liberty (i. e. the sove reignty) of the people subief, even in th disease. tionable diminution. It is not our intention to enter at present into the discussion of this important and very interesting topic. To some of our readers it may appear that we have digressed from the subject in hand, and it may perhaps seem somewhat strange to commence a critique on a poem, with remarks upon political topics. A more attentive examination, however, will, we think, show that we have not erred so widely as might be imagined. Our object was to show, that, for a considerable period at least, much of the spare time of the people on this side of the Atlantic will be devoted to politics, and that the literary talents of the country will naturally follow the bent of the national taste, and devote themselves to subjects engrossing universal attention. The justness of our sentiments in this respect is not, certainly, contravened by facts. The literature of America is chiefly political, though a few poems may be mentioned, that deserve to be better known than they are at present. Among them we would particularly select Trumbull's “M'Fingal," and a portion of the works of the late R. T. Paine. Mr. Pierpont's "Airs of Palestine," display great richness of fancy, and a melodious facility of versification, that frequently reminds us of Pope and Campbell. Still these are to be cited rather as exceptions to the general rule, honourable, indeed, to their authors, and the country in which they were produced, but nevertheless confirming, by the small proportion they bear to the body of her literature, the opinions we entertain concerning some of the causes of the slow advances of poetry in America. The mind of the nation is too busily engaged in other objects, objects most intimately connected with its highest interests, to feel any very urgent sympathy in the efforts of mere imagination, and it seems probable, that a considerable period will elapse before the Muse of Columbia will meet with that warmth of encouragament indispensibly necessary to the production of strains that will place her upon the samé eminence with the Muse of Europe. At the present moment the national taste leans another way, and prose has the advantage of verse. An eloquent essay on some important legal or political topic, a well-written pamphlet on a mechanical subject, or an able disquisition on an agricultural or commercial question, would, we think, excite an interest very considerably beyond what a poem of equal merit would have a chance of creating. America, we take it, is a country rather of business and strenuous hardy exertion, than a land of elegance and imagination. Her sons are too seriously engaged in the stern and laborious cares of real life, to have leisure to wander through the bowers of fiction. They are a good deal like what, in the earlier period of the Repubhic, we can imagine the Romans would have been, had the Romans, instead of an agricultural and martial, been a commercial and peaceful people. Good sense and a certain clear-headedness are equally the characteristics of each ;- -a disinclination, not to say aversion, to works of mere taste and fancy-a steady and habitual attachment to the useful rather than the ornamental—a quick and accurate perception of the proper objects of public or individual policy, and an unrelaxing perseverance in their cultivation of them-these we conceive to be features belonging not more to the Roman than to the American character. Nor are these the only points in which the two nations may be compared together. Fortitude and magnanimity-the patient and unmurmuring endurance of unforeseen evils, and a liberality of soul that, satisfied with success, disdains to insult a vanquished foe-are not more the attributes of the Roman than the American people. Above all the nations of antiquity, the Romans were distinguished by their sa cred and unswerving regard to the duties of religion and morality; and all the great men that adorn the early periods of their history, were as conspicuous for their piety and private virtue as for their public tadents. In these respects, also, we think it cannot be disputed that the Americans stand equally high. If the one had their Numa, Fabricius, and Cincinnatus, the other may be justly proud of their Washington, Hamilton, and Adams. The parallel, we conceive, might be carried a good deal farther; but it was not our intention to enter into a minute investiga-, tion of the character of either people, and we mentioned the Romans chiefly, to show that causes of pretty nearly the same nature as prevented their cultivation of poetry, exist, and in all probability will for a long time exist, in America, and keep dormant, or direct through other channels those talents which, in different circumstances, might have shone with no inconsiderable lustre in the field of poetry.. Undismayed, however, by the comparative indifference of his countrymen to the efforts of their native muse, the distinguished author, whose last work now lies before us, has ventured upon the publication of a poem which, though unquestionably unequal in its composition, is calculated to make a livelier impression on the mind and feelings of the country than any, perhaps, that has yet issued from the American press; and the favourable reception it has already met with from the public might, on the first view, seem to contradict, in some measure at least, our assertions respecting the coldness with which that public has hitherto treated its indigenous poetry. On this point we shall presently have occasion to say a few words, but at the moment shall content ourselves with observing, that Mr. Paulding's case is a peculiar one, and attended with circumstances of a much more favourable description than could be reasonably expected by any general candidate for poetical fame. This eminent individual has been long and deservedly regarded by his country. men as one of the principal ornaments of American literature. As one of the au thors of “ Salmagundi," his name will long continue to hold a high place among those who have devoted their talents to satirical composition. The lively wit of that most amusing book, the facility, and, not infrequently, the elegance of the verse, uni |