SPECTATOR'S LIBRARY.

slvatri, Notes and Observations on the Ionian Islands and Malta ; with some Remarks on Constantinople and Turkey, and on the System of Quarantine as at present con- ducted. By John Davy, M.D., F.R.S.S. L. and E. Inspector-General of Army Hospitals, Sze. &c. In two volumes. Smith and Elder. Pierson, Percival Keene. By Captain Marryat, Author of "Peter Simple," "Jacob Faith. ful," &c. &c. In three volumes Colbura.

MISCELLANEOUS LITERATURE, Exercises, Political and Others. By Lieutenant-Colonel T. Perronet Thompson. Consisting of matter previously published with and without the author's name, and of some not published before. In six volumes Mises.

DR. DAVY'S MALTA AND THE IONIAN ISLANDS. Da. DAVY was employed on the Medical Staff of the Mediterranean from 1824 to 1835, and in 1840 was sent to Constantinople by the British Government to organize a medical department for our furk- ish ally. The results of his varied and extensive observation during so long a period are contained in the volumes before us, together with some second-hand matter the product of his reading ; though it is probable that a knowledge of the reality stimulated him to inquire into the history, and not the mere desire to procure materials for a book.

The Notes and Observations on the Ionian Islands and Malta contain twenty-seven chapters, treating of almost as many separate subjects ; but the contents of the work may be resolved into three classes. First, the results of original observation ; such as an account of several tours made among the smaller islands of the Ionian groupe, and the less frequented districts of the larger, or the medical investigation into the climate of the Mediterranean as regards its effects in pulmonary consumption. The second class of topics embraces scientific inquiries, or expositions involving original examination, although containing more or less of informa- tion derived from other sources : such, in physical science, are Dr. Davv's accounts of the geology, mineralogy, climate, springs, and earthquakes of the regions treated of; in statistics, the commercial, educational, and institutional information, he has collected, as well as sketches of the agriculture, horticulture, soils, and so forth, both of Malta and the Ionian Islands. The third class partakes more of the character of compilation ; as the history of the places, even from the Homeric age, and the account of the government of the Ionian Islands. Of these three divisions, the second class is by far the most numerous, and the third the smallest in number. As far as merit is concerned, those subjects which possess the most original observation are naturally the freshest and best; and as the best among the best we incline to rank those which relate to medical matters. Although a respectable writer, and a man of extensive and varied acquirements, Dr. DAVY is deficient in the are scrilendi to make travelling sketches very interesting ; and he perhaps wants the penetrating perception that separates the subordinate from the essential in scientific subjects, and the lucid style that presents the matter in a mode at once in- teresting from its clearness and force. The mastery -which a man naturally possesses in his own art, the stimulus of that active interest which he feels in it, and perhaps the attraction that any thing which concerns the body has for mankind in general, all concur to render the chapters on medical topics the most complete and satisfactory : next to them, perhaps, are the Constantinopo- litan sketches, which though limited in range are fresh, and good so far as they go. One of the most questionable as regards sound- ness is the disquisition on quarantine. What renders it more so is, that Dr. DAVY'S text proceeds upon the theory that the plague is non-contagious, but a note informs the reader that facts since received have shaken this opinion : there is therefore a long argument in the text to prove that quarantine is a useless precau- tion, which subsequent light altogether overthrows. Besides this general unsoundness, there is much that is questionable in the more subordinate arguments ; and, like all abolitionists, Dr. DAVY overlooks this—that quarantine is inconvenience to the few, but no quarantine may be death to the many. That better regulations mig_ht be adopted with perfect safety, is, we dare say, true. The chapter of the work that has most general interest and prac- tical importance is that which relates to the effects of the climate of the Mediterranean in pulmonary consumption. For years it was an unquestioned opinion that these Southern regions were favourable to pulmonary affections if taken in time, and especially if frequented with a view to avoid the severity of our winter. From Major Tur.- x.oca's celebrated statistical Report, much doubt has been thrown upon the soundness of this opinion. It appeared that the number of deaths from consumption, among the troops stationed at Gibraltar, was in a ratio of 8'2; at Malta, of 6.7 ; and the Ionian Islands, of 5.3 ; whilst at home it was only 6-6, giving a general balance against the Mediterranean, and greatly against it in those stations where invalids have usually gone. As this conclusion is contrary to Dr. DAVY'S Opinion and experience, he enters into an elaborate examination of the question, partly to support his own view, partly to explain the facts of Major Timken. And, besides the general interest of the inquiry, it exhibits incidentally a curious picture of the economy of the different arms of the services, and shows the cure which i8. requisite in drawing conclusions from mere statistics. Ad- mitting the facts, Dr. DAVY argues that a variety of circum- stances must be taken into consideration ; the first of which are the general health of the respective branches of the troops, and the nature of their employments or indulgences ; from which he infers, that the foot soldiers in the Mediterranean were what the insurance- offices call inferior lives, besides being exposed to more injurious circumstances than the cavalry, who form a large portion of the army at home.

RATIONALE OP RECRUITING AND DUTY IN CAVALRY AND INFANTRY.

The cavalry may be considered as the least disposed of any description of troops to contract pulmonary disease& Their recruits are generally a better description of young men than those of the infantry ; they are better clad; they have more regular and less fatiguing exercise ; they have less night-duty; their average age is greater ; and they have a greater facility of invaliding than troops on foreign stations. It may not be amiss to dilate a little on some of these particulars. That the recruiting of the cavalry is carried on in a more severe manner, and a superior description of men obtained, are notorious. They are selected cilitly from the country, from the agricultural class ; whilst the majority of the recruits for the infantry are from towns. The superiority of the one over the other is perhaps tolerably well indicated by the ratio of rejection of those who inlist. It appears that, of the country recruits, the rejected are to the approved, on me- dical examination, in about the ratio of twenty-five to one hundred ; and of town-recruits, in the ratio of seventy-seven to a hundred. In some cavalry regiments it is understood that there is even a fastidiousness of selection. I have heard of one into which none but farmers' sons were admitted, and each was required to have a certificate of good character from the clergyman of his parish.

Their being better clad, too, is equally notorious, especially in the Dragoon Guards and the Household Cavalry. Indeed, from their kind of clothing, they are more likely to experience inconvenience from the excess of heat than from chills and coldness; and in this respect are strongly contrasted with the troops of the Line, who, a good part of the year, wear white trousers without drawers, better fitted to carry off warmth than to confine it.

As regards exercise and fatigue on duty, the difference between the cavalry and infantry is strongly marked, and that both when in quarters and in the field. The one, having the care of his horse, has much to do requiring only moderate bodily exertion, in such a degree as is conducive to health; and when on active service, being carried, he is spared excessive exhausting fatigue. The other, when in quarters, has more idle time, more time for drinking and dissi- pation. Even on march the exertion required of him is great ; having to carry, when in heavy marching order, not less than fifty pounds weight. The pressure the soldier of the Line is exposed to is well marked in the frame of the veteran. If stripped, there is no difficulty in distinguishing between the chest of the old cavalry and the old infantry soldier: the former is well expanded, and convex in front ; the latter has a crushed, contracted, peculiar appearance, especially its upper portion, which is more or less bent in. This remark is offered as the result of pretty extensive experience; after having examined, in the course of five years uninterruptedly, about ten thousand invalids in the manner just mentioned.

The effect of the more youthful age at which infantry recruits inlist in inducing consumption, is not so clear, because the greater mortality occurs at a time of life when we believe few men are willingly received in either arm. The greatest ravages of the disorder are between twenty and thirty- six; the numerical ratios being, at twenty years 14 deaths, and at thirty-six years 11 deaths, the intermediate ages varying from 8 deaths at thirty-one to 36 deaths at twenty-four, but seldom falling below 20. It is no doubt an established fact, that the frame of the growing youth is less adapted to resist the demands of the military service than the mature man : but we do not see that these circumstances could operate to any considerable degree, at least it would be very diffi- cult to appreciate their operation. An effect resulting from a differ- ent circumstance is obvious enough : soldiers abroad are often re- tained in the service till they die ; soldiers in Great Britain are dis- charged to die : and the explanation given in the following passage shows the caution with which facts without their circumstances should be received.

The last circumstance to which I shall call the attention, is the greater facility of invaliding at home than abroad. The troops of the Line on home ser- vice part with their inefficient men twice yearly, namely, at the time of the half- yearly inspections, and the Guards at shorter intervals, commonly monthly. On foreign service, although the inspections are half-yearly, the men then brought forward, considered unfit, are commonly detained many months; hitherto invalids from the Mediterranean stations have been sent home more commonly once than twice annually. An unavoidable difference in relation to- the mortality as returned is consequent on this; a larger proportion of the cases of phthieis occurring in the troops serving in the United Kingdom, die among their friends, after having been discharged the service, than in the corr serving abroad ; thereby augmenting the proportional mortality from this dis- ease in the returns of the latter."

The prevalence of consumption among the troops in Malta is also attributed to another circumstance—their unfavourable social and physical position. It is a question of high interest, how are our troops in Malta so subject to tubercles and tubercular phthisis ? This is matter for speculation. The na- tives, it would appear, are comparatively, in a great measure, exempt ; and the English residents are, I believe, equally so. DI tiring the whole time I was in the island, I recollect only a single individual a victim to phthisis; and his habits of life were careless and untavourable to health. This marked difference is somewhat analogous to what is witnessed at home in the Foot Guards, com- pared with the Household Cavalry, the station of both of which is commonly London. It may be asked, are the circumstances and habits of life of the troops in Malta at all similar to those of the Foot Guards in London? I am of opi- nion that they are. In Malta, the troops are collected in Valetta and its sub- urbs; and, excepting a small party detached to Gozo, they never quit the city— the regiments merely exchange barracks yearly. The opportunities and facili- ties fur dissipation in Valetta are probably as great as in our own metropolis. Wine and writs are extremely cheap—tempting to excess; and the large num- ber of loose women, belonging to a proportionally excessive population, needy in the extreme, and abject, lead to excesses of another kind., and consequent disease. That dissipation, by injuring the general health and debilitating the constitution, conduces to tubercular disease, can hardly be doubted; at the same time the degree of its influence is not easily appreciated. In another respect the condition of the troops in Malta and the Foot Guards in London is very similar—that of severe sentinel-duty, and much exposure on this duty to the night-air—to the wind, and to currents of air ; and at the same time to vicissitudes of temperature much greater than might be expected, considering the character of the climate ; the guard-rooms during the summer and autumnal months being commonly oppressively hot, inducing perspiration, which is sud- denly suppressed in passing into the open air." The returns of the deaths among the native population in Malta are subjected to a similar scrutiny ; and Dr. Remy shows that they do not support the unfavourable inference as regards the climate which Major TULLOCH drew from them ; for the native practitioners return as " consumption " what is called marasmus—a general wasting of the eyetem without disease of the lungs—which reduces the ratio from 51 to something less than 3. As to the practical point for the public—the general character of the climate and its suitableness for invalids—Dr. DAN,: has the following sound and sensible remarks, which are not without: application to all climates though the closing passages, relating to cold, are novel, and perhaps must be decided by the feelings of each individual patient. We .stispect when cold nips an invalid, it can never strengthen.

OLIMATE Or MALTA.

Now that facility of communication with Malta is greatly increased in consequence of steam-navigation, we are becoming more and more in- terested in the nature of its climate in relation to invalids. There is no question respecting its summer climate : even were it wholesome, its great heat would render it disagreeable. Of its spring and winter climate I think favourably, especially for those who are in delicate health, who are likely to be benefited by a mild atmosphere, and are in easy cir- cumstances, so as to be able to command good accommodations, and to use horse or carriage exercise, as may be thought most advisable. During the last few years, and especially since the visit of the Queen Dowager, the influx of strangers has been great ; and this has given rise to the improvement of the hotels and lodging-houses and their increase, insuring comfort to the invalid immediately on his arrival. The best time to proceed there is in the latter -end of October or beginning of November : it is good for the voyage ; the climate of the Mediterranean then is generally delicious. The chief objections to Malta as a winter-residence, are the strong winds to which it is subject, and the common description of dwelling-houses, better fitted for its summer than for its winter climate : but these are comparatively of little importance to that class to whom alone I consider it suitable, who, as before observed, have the means of engaging warm comfortable apartments, and of using car- riages. Many invalids, happily so situated, I have known benefited by passing the winter there.

'Whether the climate of Malta is fit for those who are decidedly labouring tinder pulmonary consumption, is a distinct question, and not easily answered. When the disease is decided, it is advanced, and is incurable. On this point the best judges are agreed; and the removal then of a patient from home, espe- cially to a distant country, is of very doubtful propriety, and can hardly be re- commended merely with a view of affording temporary relief and palliating symptoms; all that appears to be practicable in that stage, and which may commonly be effected with less risk by the use of medicine and the regulation of diet and of temperature. If the disease be not advanced, its nature is almost always doubtful: it may not be tubercular phthisis, but chronic bronchitis, or some obscure affection of the lungs, coming under the vague designation of asthma. If either of these, I am of opinion that the winter climate of Malta may be very serviceable to the invalid. But if tubercles do exist, and are even in their early stage, I am not warranted to say that the same might be expected. What description of climate is best for those who have tubercles in this stage, with a view to their removal, (if that he possible,) is a very important problem which I fear must be confessed is yet unsolved. Whatever conduces to the general health and vigour of consti- tution, 'teems to be the best cheek to the tubercular diathesis. This seems tp be proved by,the comparative exemption from plithisis of those who follow occupations which are carried on entirely or principally in the open air, requiring a good deal Of muscular exertion, and who are not confined to one .pot,—as fishermen, watermen, and butchers. The analogy of what is witnessed in animals, in sheep, and rabbits, is very strong on this point. When we con- sider the invigorating Effect of a very cold dry atinGspbere, the excellent health enjoyed by the Arctic voyagers and travellers when breathing air many degrees below zero, and the robust health and fine forms commonly witnessed in the peasantry of the higher Alps, it seems probable that a very cold and dry atmo- sphere is most likely to have the effect desired, and that more good may be ex- pected from wintering in Canada than in Malta or Madeira, and that the Grand St. Bernard is better fitted, as a summer station, for the consumptive patient in the earliest stage of the disease than Albano or the baths of Lucca. And certain physiological and pathological considerations are rather in favour of this view : the more an organ is exercised commonly, provided the exertion made is not excessive, the stronger and more vigorous that organ is rendered. The most common situation of tubercles is in accordance with this: it is to- wards the summit of the lungs, where the motion to which the lungs are sub- jected is trifling indeed in comparison with their inferior margin contiguous to the diaphragm, where the extent of movement is obviously great. These re- marks, however, are entirely conjectural, and deserving of no attention except- ing in connexion with inquiry ; by which alone, conducted in a philosophical spirit, this and many other problems connected with this fatal, most important, nd mysterious malady, can be resolved. Although much novelty cannot be looked for after the numerous publications of late years respecting Constantinople, more will be found than was expected. Dr. DAVY'S attention was officially directed to points that escape the common tourist ; and he carried with him a medical eye, which prompted him to test the climate of the city and the habits of the Turks by some more tangible qua- lities than mere likings. The boasted climate he found variable and irregular. To some of the Oriental habits he is more than friendly.

• PANEGYRIC ON TURKISH DRESS.

The Oriental dress may well be advocated against the Western, as founded On principle and reason, and approved by experience—not the production of caprice or fashion. The intent of it appears to be to defend the head, for which the turban is so well adapted ; to keep the feet dry and moderately warm ; the bins well girded and warm ; the chest free and cool ; and the neck free, with- Out any pressure on its blood-vessels, depending for warmth on the beard. All who have made trial of the Turkish costume have, I believe, expressed approval of it ; regarding merely their comfort, its suitableness to the climate, the ease with which it is worn, independent of its beauty and picturesqueness of effect. As regards the feet, it secures from corns and bunions ; which, until the intro- duction of the tight boot, were unknown among the Turks. As regards the loins, the folds of the shalwar and the pressure there applied by the waistband are a good protection from lumbago and dysentery. The turban is equally a defence from the sabre, the sun's rays, and the cold blast. The dress of the Turkish women continues unaltered : indeed, whilst I was in Constantinople, a suspected disposition to expose more of the charms of the face was opposed by an edict expressly on the subject, requiring a strict observ- ance of the ancient rule of propriety. In principle, the female costume is simi- lar to the male ; avoiding ligature, excepting about the loins ; allowing the limbs to be free in their movements; and affording a graceful drapery, not de- signed to display the form of the individual limbs, and well suited to decorum and a modest nature. The yashmac, the veil of the women, holds the place of the manly turban : it Covers the head, the neck, and the whole of the face, ex- cepting the errs and nose ; and the feridjee, or loose cloak or mantle, performs the same service for the rest of the body, excepting the hands and feet. The under-clothing of both sexes is very similar; and, whether shirt or waistcoat boddice or drawers, is on the same plan of easy looseness. The form of Turkish drawers is well fitted for the dressing-room : having no opening in front, and of ample dimensions, it is milk slipped on on rising; and confining a large quantity of air, it is well fitted to prevent the lower part of the body from being chilled; on which account it is not undeserving of the attention of persons of delicate constitution and of invalids, especially when travelling. It answers very well even when made of muslin, so as to occupy very little space in a carpet-bag or portmanteau. The Turkish shirt may be mentioned with commendation as an excellent night-shirt, without collar, nicely fitted to the shoulders, with ample sleeves.

TURKISH HOUSES.

The Turkish houses in Constantinople, as it is well known, are commonly of wood. The best of them, of ample dimensions, gaily painted, are pleasing to the eye ; and all of them, however poor, are, from their form, invariably pictu- resque. Even the most splendid of the palaces of the Sultan are of the same i destructible material. The preference s given to wood by the Turks, not chiefly on account of economy, but from the persuasion that it is more whole- some than stone, and also, it is said, from a feeling of humility; it being con- sidered by them presumptuous to dwell in buildings like their Mosques, made, as it were, for eternity, and keeping no measure with the frailty of the occu- pants. The idea of the unwholesomeness of stone buildings is not, perhaps, without foundation in such a climate. The stone houses in Galata, built by the Genoese, with walls of extraordinary thickness, are of bad repute. 'Unless the rooms are kept warm in winter, they must be damp in the spring and early summer: so long as the walls are cold on the occurrence of a southerly wind, they will act as refrigeratories, and oc- casion a precipitation of moisture from the humid warm air. The thin walls of wood, on the contrary, conform more to the temperature of the atmosphere. None of the sittmg:rooms of the houses have fixed fire-places or chimnies; they are heated in winter chiefly by a charcoal-ire, contained in the open tnangal, or covered tandour. The mode of warming their rooms is also suitable to the manner in which they are constructed. The crevices in the wooden work allow of a certain admixture of common air and escape of carbonic acid gas, sufficient to prevent any dangerous accumulation of the gas, so that the rooms are easily warmed, and kept warm and dry, without risk of life.

Were the doors and windows of Turkish rooms suddenly made air-tight and the fissures in the wood-work closed, there being no chimney to give vent to the fixed air, half the population of Constantinople might be suffocated any winter night between sunset and sunrise.

COFFEE, TURKISH FASHION.

People of all classes in Constantinople use these drinks. A good cup of strong coffee may be bad for a farthing, and a glass of sherbet for little more. Their coffee is made in a simple, easy manner, and most expeditiously. When a single cup is called for, the attendant in the coffee-house pours hot water into a little copper pan, or rather pot; puts it over a charcoal-fire fur an instant to make it boil; then adds a proportion of well-ground or pounded coffee, either alone or mixed with sugar ; returns it again to the fire to boil for an instant ; and the coffee is made. It is poured, boiling hot, into a small porcelain cup, and handed to the customer: the coarser grounds quickly subside in a few seconds, whilst cooling down to the drinking-point. Disagreeable at first; a taste for this strong unclarified coffee is soon acquired. It is an excellent and safe substitute for a dram.

HAIR-GLOVES.

The effects of the bath are twofold ; one connected with the perspiration ex- cited, the other with the perfect cleansing of the skin. The former is not without danger to persons of a full habit disposed to apoplexy. The latter may be considered always salutary. It is effected by friction, by means of a glove made of the silky hair or wool of the Angora goat. The form of the glove is that of a bag just large enough to hold the baud. It is an article which might be introduced into this country with advantage, as a substitute for the coarse harsh horse-hair glove at present in use for the purpose of friction, better fitted (as was remarked to me by a distinguished physician) for the hide of the rhi- noceros than for the human skin. So cheap is the bath-glove in Constanti- nople, that it is within the reach of the poorest people; one costs half a piastre, little more.than a penny. If imported, it might be sold with a large profit at fourpence or sixpence a pair. It is equally fitted for the purpose of ablution with soap and water, supplying the place of a sponge, and for dry-rubbing, in place of the flesh-brush.

These quotations will give an idea of the better parts of Dr. DAVY'S publication, or rather, of those parts which from their subjects are of most interest to the reader. Many of the other topics are treated with equal acumen ; and the book altogether may be taken as a useful and agreeable addition to our knowledge of the British possessions in the Mediterranean.