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disciple of David,) representing Bonaparte, commander in chief of the army of the East, at the moment that he touches a pestilential tumour, on his visit to the hospital at Jaffa.' This singular piece introduces the notice of the heinous charge produced against Bonaparte, of having ordered his own sick soldiers to be poisoned. Instead of fulminating anathemas against the French Chief, as having unquestionably perpetrated this atrocious deed, the present writer is inclined to question the fact.

It was said (he observes) that Desgenettes, a physician who appears in this picture with Bonaparte, (and the strict resemblance was acknowledged by all Paris), was the very person who had reported that the general of the East had been guilty of this cruelty. It seems, however, little probable that in such a case the subject should have been permitted to be thus exposed to public observation and inquiry and this respectable physician has certainly not been rewarded for his silence, having no office nor emolument that can bespeak the consciousness of such an action. I have also conversed with many literary men who went with the army of the East, and who spoke with great freedom and dislike of the Syrian campaign, as an enterprise equally rash and useless, but never heard any charge upon this account. It may be said that the honour of the French name induced them to this silence; but no Frenchman forgets that Bonaparte is an Italian and a Corsican. The reader will, however, judge for himself; but those who have the best hearts will be the last to be persuaded of the truth of the accusation.'

Those who are inclined to believe any thing against Bonaparte will not thank Mr. P. for this side wind in his favour.

Though the view of the state of medicine be short, it is not unworthy of notice; and the same may be observed of the account of the French method of bathing. The hints relative to the improvement of the streets of Paris more concern the inhabitants of that city than those of London.

From the chapter on the modern Education of the French, the interesting nature of its contents induces us to make a long

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It was under the administration of François de Neufchâteau, that the new name of Prytaneum was adopted; and when Chaptal became minister of the interior, one hundred and eighty scholarships were granted at the public expence, and soon after one hundred others, all to be named by the first consul. It was at the same time permitted that other children might share the advantage of the careful education proposed, on paying a moderate salary. This institution is immediately under the care of the minister of the interior, who names the directors and professors. Mass is celebrated every morning, but no blame is attached to those who do not attend: gymnastic exercises are also mingled with instructions in the moral duties towards

their parents, their country, and the Supreme Being; but each scholar is at perfect liberty to follow his own mode of worship.

Instead of the old pedantic routine, simple and practical methods have been adopted. Instead of a general tinge of superficial knowledge, the talents and inclination of the scholars are carefully observed, and directed to such studies as they may pursue with most advantage.

The course of study is divided into three distinct parts. Children are first taught the French language and grammar, a first and indispensable branch, which is never neglected during the whole period of instruction. The Latin tongue is carefully taught by the methods of Condillac and Dumarsais, which spare the time, and sometimes prevent the disgust of the scholars. In this first course, all are taught the elements of arithmetic.

To this course, merely elemental and grammatical, succeeds another, in which the scholars are taught composition; and instituted in the elements of literature, French, Latin, and Greek.

In the third course, the education is completed by that kind of instruction which is adapted to their talents and inclinations: rhetoric, philosophy, and the mathematics, with mechanics, surveying, and the first principles of astronomy and chemistry, are laid before the students. Geography is not only studied, but accompanied with the practical art of drawing maps and plans. In history, the scholars write down the lessons, so as to form a little collection of their own composition. In the second and third course, all are taught the German and English languages; and the study of drawing is alike universal. A fencing master and a dancing master are each charged with a class of twenty five scholars, chosen for their good behaviour; but any may be taught these arts, and music, at the expence of their parents. Gymnastic and military exercises and swimming are prac tised by all, on the days of vacation. The instruction is not uniform, a plan rather calculated to enchain than to develope the faculties, but is varied according to the talents, dispositions, and future views. A select and ample library is open to the scholars.

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They are divided, according to their age and studies, into classes of twenty-five; each forming a separate habitation, with a school and sleeping rooms, under the care of an experienced teacher, who watches over their manners and conduct, assists their inexperience in literary toil, forms their character by remonstrating on their faults and teaching them their duties, sees that they read no improper books, and that they write regularly to their friends. He presides over their repasts, attends when they rise and go to bed, in short, never quita them except when he brings them to the professors, adopting every care of a good master and father of a family. A careful servant, confined to each class or division, is charged with the physical care of the children, their dress and personal cleanliness. It may not be improper to add, that they sleep alone, and are carefully watched by the teacher, who is placed in the centre of the division; and that the domestic and a night-watcher walk through the sleeping rooms, to guard against the smallest accident or impropriety.

KEV. FEB. 1807.

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The games and recreations of the children are always superintended by the masters, and their walks, in particular, are well watched. A regulation, approved by the government, forbids them to leave the house upon any pretence, except during the vacations, when they may visit their families. They are, however, indemnified by the extent of their own domains, even those at Paris passing the summer days of vacation at the large house and park of Vanvres, in gymnastic exercises, swimming, and such little exercises in gardening and agriculture, as they may choose.

Although sickness be rare, a physician and surgeon constantly reside in the house; and there is an infirmary where the sick children are attended with the same care as if they were in their own families. At the same time, every attention is paid to the general health. The halls and rooms are well aired, a regular warmth distributed in winter, the food of a salutary nature, and the beginning of any disease carefully marked and opposed.

Such is the general plan of this institution, in which there is doubtless much to be praised; but in the division of the courses, it may be doubted whether the Latin should enter into the first course, where writing might supply its place; and, in fact, this first course ought wholly to belong to the primary schools. Yet, upon the whole, the education is excellent, and the distribution of the prizes, which takes place before the summer vacation, forms a very interesting and crowded spectacle. After discourses by the director, and by the minister of the interior, or any other member of the administration named to dignify the ceremony by his presence, the names of the boys who have distinguished themselves in each branch are solemnly proclaimed, with flourishes of music, and the plaudits of the audience. The boy advances, is embraced by the minister, who places on his head a wreath of laurel, and gives him some valuable book. The catalogue of the victors and prizes is afterwards published, to the great satisfaction of parents and friends.

Let me not be accused of being tedious on a subject of such infinite importance as practical education, the subject of innumerable books, but of difficult execution, as what seems true and salutary in theory, often, in practice, proves false and detrimental. Nor shall an apology be offered for some further illustrations of this interesting topic, and which, though sometimes minute, may be of lasting consequence to the community.

The board at the Prytanée, now the Lyceum of Paris, is nine hundred francs a year, (not thirty eight pounds sterling), but each boarder must pay quarterly, and by advance. Each boarder must bring a trunk, containing the following articles :

A great coat of broad cloth, colour, iron grey-the uniform of the school. An uniform coat of iron grey, with blue collar and sleeves. Two waistcoats, &c., of the same. Two white waistcoats, one of cloth, the other of dimity. Two pair of sheets, of ten ells. One dozen napkins. One dozen of shirts. Two bedgowns. Twelve handkerchiefs. Six cravats of double muslin, and two of black silk. Six pair of cotton stockings, of mixed blues,

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and two white. Six cotton night caps. Two hats, one three cornered. Two pair of shoes. Two combs, and a comb brush. A clothes brush. A plate and goblet of silver, or other metal, at the choice of the parents, and marked with the number of the scholar, which is also put on his other effects, that no other may use them.

After this first equipment, no further expence is incurred for the children, whether sick or in health. The dress and all the other articles are renewed at the expence of the institution, during the whole course of the studies, except losses positively ascertained to have been made by the scholars themselves. For books, maps, and paper, used in the third course, there is an additional charge of twenty five franks, or a guinea a year. The trunk, except the sheets and napkins, is returned when the scholar leaves the Lyceum; and as only French manufactures are permitted, the articles, in case of difficulty, may be easily procured at the house.

The boys educated at this seminary are very numerous, generally appear stout and healthy, and possessed with an interesting emulation. The military part of their education is rather to be regretted; but it is to be feared that the ambition of France will render it necessary in other countries.'

As "Education forms the common mind," and as the character of a people must be in a great measure impressed by their systems of instruction, it is impossible for the sensible part of our readers not to reflect with seriousness on the account presented in the foregoing quotation. France may be considered as a military academy; and if, under this impression, we calculate her population, what may we not apprehend from the fostering care of this martial spirit? We ought maturely to weigh the tendency of this mode of education, as being more a cause of alarm than all the present conquests and acquisitions of our enemies.-The speech of Fourcroy, director-general of public instruction, delivered in August 1805, receives some comments from Mr. P. which ought not to be overlooked:

'When the orator proceeds to shew the advantages of a mixture of military education, his judgment seems to be warped by the necessity of pleasing a military monarch. He observes that all the French are, by the law, called at a fixed age to the defence of the state; and that this law cannot be considered as unjust, as by some years' fatigue and danger, the repose and security of life are procured, as by the payment of a part of property the remainder is preserved. He praises the conscription as the guarantee of the extent of the French empire, and preserving equality by equality of service. "In the feudal times," says he, "we were divided as it were into two nations, the people and its masters, and the former could not pretend to military dignities. But at present officers are appointed only by merit; the career of honour is open to every man of courage; titles are only to be acquired by service, and service alone gives a

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right to distinction. Hence, he adds, the inequality of ranks is totally destroyed, and even the last vestiges of feudality have disappeared the heirs of ancient families not being respected for their birth, though many of them continue to be honoured for their ser vices to the empire. Nor does the new order of things permit the transmission of hereditary dignities, but the heir must distinguish himself before he can aspire to the glory of his father; whence France is certain of seeing brave leaders at the head of brave armies."

Notwithstanding the general decline of commerce, and the complaint in the cities of the weight of taxes, it is asserted that the grand staple of France, agriculture, has certainly been benefited by the revolution. More land, we are told, is actually cultivated than before, the farms are more divided, greater skill and industry are exerted, the stock of cattle is increased, and greater comfort prevails among the peasantry. The revenue of France is computed to be thirty-two millions of pounds sterling.

Among the topics not necessarily connected with Recollections of Paris, are 'Considerations on a commercial treaty with France; but, though this chapter might have been spared, we do not object to the nature of its contents. If the two nations were in a temper adapted to the fair discussion of its merits, both would feel themselves obliged to Mr. Pinkerton for his hints but, as things are, he will be thanked by neither, and his remonstrances will be poured surdis auribus. As, however, it may not be altogether useless to record good advice, though for the present the parties concerned are not disposed to follow it, we shall copy a small part of these considerations:

Anger and enmity are indeed the blindest of all the passions, and will sometimes incur even great personal injury, in order to hurt an adversary. But wicked and designing men, who wish to rob during the conflagration, can alone desire to encourage or prolong such diabolical passions, attended with consequences abhorrent to hu manity, not to speak of christianity, between the two most powerful nations of the globe, and formed by nature for mutual assistance, intercourse, friendship, and esteem. It is time that an end be put to the collision of the mean and ridiculous intrigues of concubines, priests, and pretended statesmen; and that the voice of nature and nations be heard. Above all, if we wish for durable prosperity, we must, instead of combating against the decrees of providence, learn to avail ourselves of repeated lessons, and of the existing circum. stances. Where the events can no longer be controlled by counsels, wisdom will seek to accommodate the counsels to the events. oriental proverb declares, that a wise man may change his opinion, but a fool never and it is indeed in the very nature of ignorance, not to know the real nature and influence of the events, and of obstinacy, its most usual concomitant, to endeavour a vain struggle against them..

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