Hoft Preve vertice in the vale, AIL, penfive virgin, ever hail ! And oft infcrib'd a fong to thee, When musing near yon aged tree : Nor serious, filent folitude, Didst thou despise my numbers rude. Remote from man in shady dell, Thou hearft the loud funereal bell, Or from the thronged city far, At evening count'ft each little ftar; Or by the pale moon's filver light, O'er hill and forest tak'st thy flight. Sweet Nun, who hauntft the lonely lane, Teach me that life is fhort and vain ! That grandeur! pageantry! and pow'r! Will vanish all at death's dread hour! That beauty's rofes foon decay, Like oderif'rous flowers in May! Teach me to weep for others woe, O cause the tender tear to flow! Fair Woodland nymph, when all is ftill, Thou climb'ft the high adjacent hill, And oft by Thames's ruhy fide, Delightft to hear the fmooth wave glide, Sifter of peace and piety, Sweet nun, I long to vifit thee! MARO. No. XVI. Vol. I. THE For NATURAL HISTORY OF THE HUMAN MIND. I (Concluded from Page 227.) •DIOTISM, in its various degrees, feems to be oppolite in its nature to delirium; the latter being the confequence of the impreffions on the mind being too ftrong and vivid, the former being produced by their being too weak. The caufes of idiotifm and lofs of memory appear, on diffection, to be nearly the fame. In a particular diftrict of Switzerland, a very confiderable proportion of the inhabitants are born idiots: perfons of great talents, or who spend much of their time in intenfe ftudy, often become drivellers in advanced life; and perfons labouring under diseases fometimes fall into this state. Sometimes perfons are recovered from this ftate by fome powerful ftimulus producing a great and fudden change in the fyftem; as by wine, fudden joy, &c. and in one inftance it was effected by inoculating the itch. APRIL, To be continued Monthly. and taftes, are grateful or disagreeable to our fenfes; why, for inftance, the smell of the rofe is preferred to that of the nettle. There feems to be, in many inftances, but a very thin partition between pleasure and pain: tickling to a certain degree is pleasurable; but in excefs, painful. Whether we have any pleafure in the fenfe of our exiftence, is perhaps doubtful; we are however certainly gratified in the indulgence of the appetites of eating and drinking, by which it is preferved; though not always in the objects of the other fenfes, in which the perceptions are often indifin which the perceptions are often indifferent: thus I view a triangle without either pleasure or pain. APPETITES. These we have in common with other animals, who are inftinctively excited to eat and drink for their pre servation. The inftances of depraved appetite are many, and some of them furprifing. The longings of pregnant women are well known. Thofe of perfons labouring under certain difeafes afford a strong proof of that inftinctive fagacity, which, in health, is almoft totally extinguished by the force of education and custom. The fkilful phyfician will eafily diftinguifh this falutary craving, excited by unIfhall conclude this fubject, by remark- eafy morbid fenfations, from depraved haing, that as the degrees of madnefs and folly bits of indulgence; and whilft he will graare very numerous; and as, from the im-tify the former to a degree which rigid rules perfection of human nature, the wifeft men are not exempted from a mixture of both in their compofition; fo the fpeculative obferver of human life and manners will readily accord with Damafippus, * that all men are mad in fome degree, but that in fome the fits are lefs violent, and the intervals more lucid, than in others. PLEASURE AND PAIN. It would be difficult to determine, in every inftance, what change is produced in the nerves, by which a pleasurable or a painful fenfation is excited; or why fome colours, founds * Horat. Sat. of regimen might not warrant, he will endeavour to regulate, and even reftrain, the latter, as injurious to the welfare of the patient. The appetites are connected with the WILL, which is that action of the mind by which it prefers certain conditions to others; inclining us to enjoy what is good, and to avoid what is evil, or inimical to our corporeal fafety. The will of brutes is inftinctive, and in a great degree irrefiftible; and indeed this is in fome degree the cafe with man, with refpect to fome of his appetites when very urgent; which ought 1787. Price Three-Pence. however to be under the regulation of reafon. fon. Thus, a man, in gratifying his hunger or thirst, ought to top thort of that excefs in the indulgence of either as may be injurious to him. But what fhall we fay to the wanton abufe of nature, by creating and indulging artificial inclinations, to the utter perverfion of our natural appetites ? Do we not daily anticipate our natural cravings, by eating without hunger, and drinking without thirft? The will alfo excites us to seek thofe con ditions or fituations which may conduce to our eafe, and to avoid whatever may be hurtful to us; but as what may be apparently beneficial, may be really injurious, we are endued with the faculty of comparing and judging concerning caufes and effects. But here also the will is mifled by erroneous conclufions, or the arbitrary influence of the paffions; and we often choose prefent gratification, though confcious that it will be followed by future inconvenience, diftrefs, or danger. Though it is admitted in general by phyfiologifts, that many of our functions are performed without the interpofition of the will, and merely by re-action in confequence of ftimulus, as when the heart acts when excited by the heat, bulk, &c. of the blood; yet fome alledge that the will or mind, without our being conscious of it, fuperintends, and with the utmoft wisdom and fagacity, directs all the operations of the economy, whether in health or difeafe; in the former cafe filently, in the latter often perceptibly, and even powerfully. This fuperintending power has been called Nature, a term which has been often a refuge of ignorance. But is Dame Nature fo fapient as always to direct for the best purpofe? When fear is excited by a fenfe of danger, what more abfurd effect could be produced, than tremour and debility, which difqualify us from exerting ourselves either to refift or to flee from danger? It is alledged, that when the body is attacked by a morbid cause, nature excites motions beft fitted to remove it.. But the | into real difeafes; whereas a phyfician of very reverfe is the cafe; for when a concretion blocks up the gall-duct or kidney, inftead of widening the paffages to promote its removal, she excites pain to ftraiten it, and prevent its paffage. What benefit do we derive from epileptic and other convulfions? No benefit, but much injury. She promotes, fay they, the beneficial crifis of fevers; this is not true, otherwife why are fo many deftroyed by fevers, without the affiftance of the doctors. The PASSIONS, or affections of the mind, being as it were emanations of the foul, and of a nobler nature than the appetites; though they are poetically called the gales of life, are more frequently the hurricanes and whirlwinds of it; and manifold are the evils, both phyfical and moral, which refult from their excess or perverfion. The influence of the paffions on the organs of the body are very great, even in health. They may be divided into the ftimulating or exciting, and the fedative or depreffing paflions. Among the former we may reckon joy, hope, anger, love, ftudy, which is a fpecies of this affection, and fhame. The depreffing are, pity, grief, fear, terror, anxiety, defpondency, averfion, and hatred. Thefe effects are, however, often of a mixed kind, according to the degree. The paffions are manifefted by various changes of the countenance and voice, but especially of the eye, which may be truly deemed the index of the mind; hence the foundation of phyfiognomy, a study very neceffary to medical men. The paffions not only produce many discafes, but they exceedingly exasperate them. There are many inftances on medical record of the furprising and dreadful effects of violent paffions; and many have been inftantaneously destroyed by them. As they chiefly and more immediately affect the brain and nervous fyftem, and, through them, every other organ and function of the body; fo on infpecting the bodies of those who have died from violent paffions, there were the fame appearances of difeafe in the brain, as are enumerated under delirium, madness, and melancholy. With refpect to those diseases which are ufually deemed imaginary, many of them may be fo at their commencement; but fuch is the influence of the mind over the body, that the latter is eventually affected, and an imaginary is converted into a real disease. This ought to be a powerful incentive to hypochondriacal perfons, to refift, or divert, thofe workings of the imagination, which embitter life, and muft infallibly produce those very evils, which as yet exift only in imagination. Such unhappy perfons are frequently the dupes of knaves, who often convert ideal fkill and candour will readily diftinguish the caufe, and if he difcovers it to be real, he will ufe his utmoft endeavours to procure speedy and effectual relief; if imaginary, his knowledge of the human heart, and of the influence of the mind on the body, will enable him to alleviate those perturbations of mind, which are the fources of much anxiety and distress. For the COUNTY MAGAZINE. STANZAS, TO ILL-NATURE. END abhorr'd, mankind's worst foe! Fence, thy darkfome crew among Hafte-and with thy jaundic'd brow, Oft the hapless Mufe hath borne Mark thy hideous hateful form. Difcord is thy fole employ, Baffi'd malice, all thy pain, Seated rancour, all thy joy. Does the Mufe with sportive power, Does the flow of joy, or ease, Some endearing scenes fupply; Every little wish to please Roufes thy malignity;Humble genius, flender grace, Small defert may wait the Muse, Yet if any spark we trace, Thy fevereft hate enfues. Blacken'd by thy foul report, Mirth is mischief, laughter guile; Snares are seen in every sport, Perfidy in every fmile. Still thy arts, malicious fiend, Still thy hell-born schemes would fail, Did not oft the valued friend, Liften to thy fpecious tale. Vain were each infidious charge, Effort feeble as unjust, Did not oft the fecret lie Break the bond of private peace, Bid domeftic comfort fly, Love fubfide, and friendship cease: Did not oft thy breath destroy Fair Contentment's blooming flow'r, Wither ev'ry focial joy, And corrode life's dearest hour: Did not oft thy poison'd shaft Pierce the breaft that most we prize, And on fading faith engraft Doubt, constraint, and fad furmifeLucklefs is that child of care, Who beneath thy scourge must live, Doom'd from early youth to bear All the torments thou can't give. Once thy fatal influence spread, Candour takes no further part; Ignorance fufpects the head, Prejudice belies the heart. Fiend relentless-Tyrant grim- Thou wilt be observ'd no more, Where in his well-earn'd bleft abodes Chatham addrefs'd his brother gods, On India's fate debating : "Soon fhall the British fceptre cease "To rule o'er India's vaffal race, "Their freedom vindicating: "Since Leadenhall with difcord rings, “ And Rulers feel their pinion'd wings, "By dull Directors clipp'd ; "Unpunish'd Begums faction spread, "Rajahs no longer Haftings dread, "Of fovereign power stripp'd : "Jaghires and fubfidies no more, "Subjection keep thro' India's shore, "Cheyt fhall himself be King; "Suffrein fhall triumph o'er the feas, "And Hyder Ally reign at ease, "Not e'en Cornwallis fearing: "And thou, whose wife and active foul, "Victorious spread from pole to pole, "The wreaths of British fame; "Sav'd the bright gem in George's crown, "When Britain, finking in renown, "Wept her diminish'd name: "Wept! when she saw with fad regret, "Her Western Sun for ever fet, "Sunk in Rebellion's waves; “ Yet Britain's fons, ungrateful band, "But future ages shall deplore, "That thou! great Haftings! art no more, "Thy country's fure falvation. "When heaven fhall clofe thy well-fpent days, "Worn out with toil, beneath the rays "Of Titan's fcorching flame; «Deeds unrewarded here shall shine, "And thou receive from hands divine "Crowns of immortal fame." W. J. EGHAM, SURRY. For the COUNTY MAGAZINE. VIRTUE AND PLEASURE. AN O D E. From DR. FORDYCE'S POEMS. INFORM me, Virtue? is it true? Does Pleasure really dwell with you? The fons of fenfe fay, No. They say, that all who mind your rules, Are gloomy fuperftitious fools, And every joy forego. They say, and openly maintain, And while on heaven you preach, At beft 'tis but a phantom fair, And heaven fhall never reach. feel Or tell me, Pleafure! what you Speak honeftly, nor aught conceal; The matter is of weight. Pleasure, sweet power, to nature dear! I never wifh'd to be auftere;" I seek the happiest state. Pleasure replies, with modest smile, 'Let not a name thy heart beguile. · My name the fons of sense 'Have oft affum'd: but, trust me, they From happiness are far aftray: 'Tis all a mere pretence. To me they boaft alliance near; 'As men of pleasure, men of cheer, • If you will them believe. • Meanwhile they are of Circe's crew, "Wretched, defil'd; with painted hue, 'Weak mortals to deceive. 'Let braggart finners loudly boaft: To joy, to peace, to comfort lolt, True heart they do not know. They dare not face rich folly's frown: To faucy greatness they bow down. Held fast in paffion's chain < They talk of liberty: 'tis prate, The flaves of appetite and fate, They start at every pain. 'Left death their trembling fouls fhould feize, Their blood with mortal horrors freeze, And all their profpects end. At that inevitable hour, In life, in death, I follow her: 'From heav'n together first we came ; For the COUNTY MAGAZINE. REFLECTIONS ON ELOQUENCE as a pre-eminent accomplishment; and on the value of an UPRIGHT Orator. TO WHICH IS PROPOSED, A Question, deducible from the Subject; addressed to the Confideration of any Perfon who has a defire to display his Abilities. T BY TROWBRIDGIENSIS. HE orations of a Demofthenes and a Cicero, with the pandects of learning they contain, cannot fail producing, to a contemplative mind, the most rational pleasure and improvement. Through the tudy of their orations we become acquainted with the most renowned and illuftrious perfons the world ever produced. We become acquainted with their legiflators-we become acquainted with their philofophers.We are led through this courfe of ftudy, to admire thofe legiflators who strengthened the bands of fociety, and gave ftability to empire; and those philofophers, who triumphed over barbarity to the reformation of mankind. In contemplating the orations of those great luminaries, all the powers and faculties of the mind undergo an expanfion. The imagination participates the glowing fire, the vehemence, and the patriotic paffions of the fpeaker; in a word, it feems fo interefted in the fate of the oration, as to transport itself into the venerable and facred forums. Is not an exercife of this nature admirably adapted to unfold, ripen, and expand the powers of the understanding? An exercife of this kind, entered on by a perfon of a good memory, add to this good parts, cannot but retain the most ample and refined food, philofophical and hifto This paper is divided into 11 columns, containing the names of the prifoners, their ages, punifhments, crimes, when committed, when difcharged, total earnings, expence of clothes and extra food, expence in county allowance for bread, behaviour, and general remarks. A fingle inftance will illuftrate this table: Jofeph Farifh, aged 19 years, committed to hard labour for four years, for a highway robbery,, March 10, 1786; his fentence afterwards remitted by his Majefty, on account of his good behaviour, to three years and a half. Total earnings 14. 10s. 8d. clothes and extra food 61. 6s. 4d. allowance for bread 31. 2s. 6d. induftrious, now at hard labour." rical, for reflection; and this reflection difplayed, in his fenatorial actions, incor-ers under confinement, and fentenced to never fails producing literary riches to the ruptibility. Glorious was his eloquence hard labour, in the caftle gaol and Bridemind it in a wonderful manner makes the in the fenate. He, influenced from prin- well of the county of Oxford; with an acheart glow with fervent emulation to rival ciples of true patriotifin, avowed his fen- count of their earnings, expence of mainthe perfections of the boafted eloquence of timents frankly. The magnanimity of his tenance, materials for work, clothes, overthe ancients. Who then will fay eloquence mind taught him to fpurn illiberal actions looking, &c. from January 23d, 1786, to is not a pre-eminent accomplishment?- and illiberal fenators. If we take a view January 17th, 1787." Among all the purfuits of active man, that of him as the great judge of the nation, we of eloquence appears the moft noble, from are abforbed in admiration at his fuperlaits being fo finely adapted to adorn the hu- tive abilities. Europe beholds him with man mind.-Eloquence perfuafive, winning aftonishment. A Mansfield never equalled eloquence, hath fuch an afcendancy on all in Britain for a knowledge of the municithe human powers, as to leave more last-pal laws of her conftitution: never, pering impreffions on them than any other haps, equalled for his powers in eloquence branch of literature befides. The unfuf- and univerfal erudition. But is a Mansceptible imagination of the rude and un- field the only orator Britain has produced? cultivated ruftic is touched with the thun- No.-Ever fertile in raifing genius, ever der of eloquence. Hiftorians of all ages emulous in keeping pace with the ancients, dwell on no subject with fuch apparent the has given birth to (befides many others rapture as eloquence. Their page tranf-perhaps equally meritorious) a Chatham, mits the name of the eloquent man to the a Sheridan, and a Burke.The great lateft pofterity. queftion that arifes here is, whether a felection can be made from the noble names juft enumerated, to be claffed as rivals in claffic eloquence to a Demofthenes or a Cicero-Whether or not the juftly celebrated orations of the refpectable Grecian againft Philip, and the no-lefs-admired orations against Cataline, &c. by the noble Firft then with refpect to the fenate. Roman, are unrivalled to the prefent day What man is a greater ornament to hu--And whether there have not been speeches man nature, to fociety, and to the community of a nation, than an incorruptible and finished orator? By the rapid thunder of his oratorial powers, the fons of corruption and venality are configned to their deferved fhades of infamy and oblivion. By the ftrength of his reafoning, added to a magnanimous foul, the efforts of unprincipled oppofition are crufhed to pieces. Nations refpect and admire-Nations pay an implicit confidence in the integrity of his proceedings. In the fenate, thefe are the commands of a found and just talent of elocution; but in the court of justice he is arrayed in a more fublime view. Here the guilty culprit, from the pathetic addreffes of the eloquent judge, finks into the most abject horror and felf-annihilation, To the Editor of the COUNTY MAGAZINE. Total earnings Thus then have I touched on eloquence as a polite art, and of the improvement derivable from a ftudy of it; I fhall now proceed to point out the great value an upright orator is to his country. I fhall fpeak of him in the fenate-I fhall fpeak of him as the officer of justice. from a fenfe of his guilt, delineated with the colourings of eloquence. While the awful business of conviction is about, it at leaft works on the mind repentance. Divine operation! What is there too great for an eloquent man! To mollify the calJous adamantine heart seems referved for a being more than human. But this is effected by certain well arranged words, uttered by dignified man. Eloquence appears in a more amiable and philanthropic light, when exerted to revive the injured and the innocent. And is there not a living character in Britain, in whom all the defcriptive excellencies of an upright orator, and a great judge, in a peculiar manner belong? Every reader muft anticipate the venerable name of Mansfield. Has not this great ornament to his age and country delivered in the British fenate, by the above I SIR, The number of prifoners committed in the above period to hard labour was 45; and many of them for leven, four, three, two, and one years, and for great offences. On looking over the columns of offences and general remarks, I obferve, that 37 are defcribed as induftrious. Of many of thefe, it is further faid, that they have been very diligent, and remarkably good; that they have been rewarded, and had whipping and part of their terms remitted by his Majefty, on a favourable report made to him of their good behaviour by the vifiting magiftrates. Their general account ftands thus: £. s. d. 58 19 Expence in bread Ditto in clothes and extra Total expence Balance faved to the county ever O 85 I 91 22 10 II 11 178 1 93 198 I II 178 19 20 0 1 Five of the best of these convicts were employed as a porter, a mason, a carpenter (in the new buildings) a taylor, and a cook. The mafon earned 10s. a-week, and the carpenter as much. BELIEVE there is now little occafion to imprefs upon the public fenfe, the great neceffity of a speedy and thorough reformation of our prifons, and the execution of the penitentiary act of the 19th of the prefent King. The writings of Mr. Howard and Sir George Paul, and the labours of the late Mr. Juftice Blackftone, and the Right Hon. William Eden, have One Mofes Hutton, aged 29 years, comproduced a general conviction in the minds mitted for 12 months, and to be feverely of all ranks of people on thefe great points. whipped for felony, was fo remarkably It may, however, be of fervice to point good, that he was appointed porter, and out the fuccefs of the fcheme of punish-had the whipping, and half of his time rement, by folitary imprisonment and hard mitted to him, by the mercy of the King, labour, where it has been tried. I have and at his difcharge was rewarded and now before me, "A printed lift of prifon- completely clothed. |