which is in 49° 27′ 50′′ north latitude and ob 34′ 6′′ eaft longitude from Greenwich. Obfervations of a Solar and Lunar Eclipfe. By M. M. De Grauchain. An eclipfe of the fun at Newport in the State of Rhode Inland, Oct. 27, 1780. 10h 58′ 52" A. M. True time. 1h 40′ 41′′ Latitude of the place of obfervation 41° 30′ 20′′ N. An eclipse of the moon at the fame place, Nov. 11, 1780. 10 24 39" True time. Beginning 13h 16′ 57′′ Account of the Tranfit of Venus over the Sun, June 3, 1769, observed at Newbury in Massachusetts. By the Rev. Samuel Williams, A. M. Ingrefs {External contact 2 30 14" Apparent time. contact 2 48 44 Latitude of the place of obfervation 42° 37′ N. An Account of the Tranfit of Mercury over the Sun, Nov. 9, 1769, at Salem in Maffachufetts. By the Same. External contact Ingrefs {Internal contact 2h 54′ 40′′ Apparent time. 2 56 No latitude and longitude of the place. Obfervation of the Eclipfe of the Sun, Nov. 6, 1771, at Bradford in Maffachusetts. By the Same. Beginning End 1 36′ 42′′ Apparent time. 3 47 2 Aftronomical Obfervations. By D. Rittenhouse. The first fet of thefe obfervations is on the geocentric place of the new planet (Herfchel's) through two retrogradations, viz. from its being ftationary in 7° 21′ 18′′ on October 15, 1782, to being stationary again 3° 15′ 0′′ on March 10, 1783: and from its being ftationary in 11° 53′ 10′′ on October 15*, 1783, to its being ftationary again March 14, 1784, in 7° 46′ o'. The oppofition in 1782, was in 5° 2′ 30′′; that in 1783, in 9° 47′ 25′′. Then follows an obfervation of the tranfit of Mercury over the fun, Nov. 12, 1782, at Philadelphia. External contact Ingrefs Internal contact Egrefs External contact {Internal contact 9h 34′ 50′′ 9 40 10 51 30 10 57 35 Greateft diftance of from fun's limb 31". } Mean time. We fear that there is a typographical error in one of these dates— perhaps in the former. The The next feries contains eighteen obfervations of the right afcenfion and declination of the new planet, which Mr. R. calls Pluto: the fame number of the right ascension and declination of Geminorum; fourteen of the right afcenfion of the new planet, eight of the right afcenfion of & Geminorum, two of the right afcenfion of y, one of E, 12 of 5, and 4 of μ Geminorum, and four of the right afcenfion of Sirus. These are a valuable collection, as they afford data for determining the theory of the new planet, which, though already established by feveral foreign aftronomers, may require a few corrections. The obfervations begin Jan. 29, 1784, and are continued to April 2, 1786. * See the Appendix to the 68th volume of our Review, p. 630. and Appendix to volume 70. p. 519. (To be continued in our next.) ART. VI. A Treatise upon Gout, in which the primitive Cause of that Disease, and likewife of Gravel, is clearly afcertained; and an eafy Method recommended by which both may be with Certainty prevented or radically cured. Small 8vo. 2s. 6d. Cadell. 1786. f O malady, in the whole catalogue of diseases, has had more attention paid to it than the gout; nor has any fubject been fo variously treated by medical writers, in all ages and countries; fcarce any two of them concurring in affigning to it the fame caufe, or prefcribing the fame method of cure. We have here a new theory of the disease, established on prabable grounds, and a method of cure recommended in confequence of it. The importance of the gout (for it is attended with both pain and danger, and great numbers are afflicted with it) demands attention; we fhall, therefore, endeavour to lay before our readers a general view of this Author's opinions. After a confutation of former theories, our Author affirms calcareous earth in the fluids to be the predifponent caufe of Gout. What induced him to form this opinion, we learn from the following paragraph: the confent between gout and gravel, with the frequency of their concurring together, at first led us (he frequently speaks plurally) to imagine that they originated from the fame caufe. The remedies, which are of fervice in the one, proving beneficial in the other, gave ftrength to the fufpicion. Farther inveftigation convinced us, that they depend upon the fame circumftances, are capable of being prevented by the fame means, and of being cured by the fame remedies.' Having determined that a preternatural quantity of calcareous earth is the caufe of thefe two difcafes, he proceeds to fhew in what manner, a quantity of calcareous matter, fufficient to produce them, can be conveyed into the circulation. • The The principal, or rather the only caufes of calcareous earth being contained in the fluids, are ACIDS. This is an affertion which may at first appear extraordinary; but the more it is confidered, the better it will be confirmed. That they are the fource of a calcareous habit is certain the manner in which they operate fo as to produce it is doubtful. Perhaps the ftomach and inteftines are never free from a mixture of calcareous earth; it may be taken in by accident, with a variety of substances which we eat and drink, or it may be formed by the process of digeftion; but this I do not take upon me to affert pofitively, having never made experiments to obtain the proof. Calcareous earth is a folid fubftance, and on that account little adapted for being abforbed by the lacteals: therefore it may exist in the prima via, without getting into the blood-veffels. But if it meets with an acid, it will unite with it fo as to form a falt which will be diffolved by the aqueous fluids in the alimentary canal, and carried with them into the blood-veffels. In the fluids of the body, there is always contained a quantity of volatile alkali, which is certainly produced by the operations of the animal economy; acids have a ftronger attraction to calcareous earth, than to volatile alkali. If fuch earth pure and uncombined with fixed air, is applied to a compound of volatile alkali with an acid, it will unite with the acid and diflodge the alkali. But if fixed air is admitted, a very different effect will take place; the volatile alkali will take poffeffion of the acid, and the calcareous earth will unite with the gas. This is a peculiar compound elective attraction, which is learnt from experience, but could not have been foreseen. The volatile alkali in the body is combined with fixed air; it will therefore be the means of precipitating the earth from its compounds with acids. This is the manner, perhaps, in which acids bring on the calcareous habit.' The chemist muft contels, that there is ingenuity in this theory, but the rational and fcientific phyfician cannot admit of the probable, the may be, and the perhaps. The prevention, and method of cure are contained under the following heads: ift, Abftinence from the ufe of acids. 2dly, The prevention of acidity in the ftomach and inteftines. 3dly, The refraining from water and other liquors, in which are contained any of the compounds of calcareous earth and acids.' After particularly confidering each of thefe head, our Author fpeaks of the effects of alkalis, which he ftyles the most fashionable remedies, in overcoming and deftroying acidity; and highly ecommends the use of them: concluding, that- By thele means it is certain, that a cure may in every inftance be effected; but we are not fanguine in expecting that many cures will take place. Although a greater latitude with refpet to regimen is allowed, than was ever permitted in gout, and no part of the fyftem can be attended with inconvenience, yet there are very few who will have resolution to persevere in it with an exactnefs that shall entitle them to fuccefs. The remedies are as certain as mercury in the venereal difeafe, or as bark in an intermittent: but like thefe, if improperly employed, they will fail in their effects.' Were the Author's method of cure confirmed by experience, we should be more ready to acknowledge its excellency; for though his theory is ingenious and may be a true one; yet, in the practice of medicine, many errors are daily committed, by a man's having a bigotted attachment to a favourite fyftem, unsupported by demonftrative or experimental evidence: we wished, therefore, that a few cafes, confirming the practice he recommends, had been laid before us. ART. VII. Advice to the Clergy of every Denomination and Degree with the Evulgation of the Refolutions of a late Congress held in Germany, for the Purpose of abolishing Christianity throughout Europe. 12mo. 3s. fewed. Baldwin. 1786. IN 'N imitation of that excellent fatirift, Dr. Swift, the Author of the prefent performance gives ferious advice to the clergy; he takes up his young pupil at a very early period, conducts him gradually to the fummit of ecclefiaftical dignity, and then leaves him in poffeffion of Lambeth palace. He fets out with inftructing parents how they ought to perform the part of education which neceffarily falls to their fhare: he advifes them to be very attentive to the genius and difpofition of their children, and to chufe the moft ftupid for the church; for in any other profeffion his want of understanding might prevent his fortune, in this it will be of no difadvantage. The embryo divine having obtained his ne plus ultra, as to the English language, under the tuition of a fpectacled dame, is placed on the foundation at a public school, where the study of Latin and Greek is to ingrofs the whole of his attention. The Author, now fuppofing his pupil, who is about 8 or 10 years of age, to be capable of receiving advice himself, addreffes him very affectionately, and endeavours to confole him under his prefent afflictions of being a fag, and unmercifully flogged by the tyrant of the school. Then follow mifcellaneous inftructions for the school-boy, in the feveral stages of his progrefs to the highest class. The third Chapter is intitled, Advice to a Student in Divinity. We find here much fevere fatire; after making fome remarks on the dignity and confequence of a Student at one of our univerfities, the Author points out to his pupil the moft proper method of profecuting his ftudies. He conceives the cultivation of what is called fcience to be a mere wafte of time, fince, in the opinion of many of the learned fages, a competent knowledge of Greek and Latin, with the mechanifm of ancient verfification, is the utmoft extent of human erudition. As to attending lectures of any kind, it is a bore. He then recommends the fort of company which the ftudent ought to prefer, and gives fome good directions for the enjoyment of life in every refpect, and the attainment of fuch qualifications as muft reflect dignity on the clerical character. The next Chapter contains Advice to a young Divine. After giving fome general inftructions on the nature and defign of divinity, our Author proceeds to delineate the outlines of his pupil's conduct on his firft appointment to a curacy. Drefs makes a confiderable article in this chapter, where our Author enters into the difcuffion of all the minutiæ that are to be observed on this head. He then confiders other particulars which are of no lefs confequence, and gives full inftructions for the young curate's behaviour as a companion for the squire, a toast-mafter at a christening, and other characters in which there is a probability of fhining, or promoting his intereft toward obtaining the higher ranks of clerical dignity. In this part of the work the Author's fatire is fometimes mifemployed in perfonal attacks, true fatire always directs its weapons to the vices either of mankind in general, or of a certain clafs of men among whom particular vices or foibles are most apparent. In the conclufion of this chapter, the Author relates the fuppofed tranfactions of a Congress of deputies from the feveral ftates of Europe, met for the purpose of abandoning Christianity, and establishing paganifm in its ftead. Here we are reminded of Swift's ironies; but Swift is not excelled by his imitator. In confequence of a proper attention to the admonitions contained in the preceding chapters, the clerical monitor fuppofes his pupil a canon of Windfor, or a prebendary of Durham, Canterbury, Winchefter, or fome other opulent cathedrals his objects and wishes are not however yet fatisfied; much inftruc tion is neceffary, in order, not only to fill his prefent station properly, but to direct him in the road to a bishopric. "Give me leave,' fays the Author in the beginning of his 6th Chapter, to congratulate your Lordship on having, at once, ftept over every commoner in the kingdom, and on being honourably feated among the Peers in the Upper Houfe.' He then recommends to his Lordship the urgent neceffity of attempting the great work, viz. to abolish Chriftianity. Proper fubjects for fermons are pointed out, and excellent directions are given for compofing them. The line of political conduct which every bishop ought to pursue, is next marked out; by a steady obfervation of which, his Lordship is tranflated to the fee of Canterbury. Our Author having thus feated his pupil on the higheft pinnacle of ecclefiaftical eminence, puts a final period to his admonitions, with recommending fuch measures as may tend to convert the king to paganifm. Such is the outline of this performance, which undoubtedly contains many original thoughts: the fatire is fevere, and, in general, |