American Nervousness. By George M. Beard, A.M., M.D. (G. P.
Patnam's Sons, New York.)—Nervousness, thinks Dr. Beard, is the product of modern civilisation. America had the honour of invent. ing it, but no longer possesses the monopoly. It is a very familiar fact, both in this country and in Germany. It is not altogether an an evil. We have a list of signs which denote its presence. Some of them are grievous enough. But then, in the midst of such a dismal train as neuralgia, nervous dyspepsia, early and rapid decay of teeth, premature baldness, and other evils, great and small, we are startled by coming to "unprecedented beauty of American women." Dr. Beard is great on the beauty of his countrywomen :—" The English beauties of national and international fame, at whose feet the Empire of Great Britain is now kneeling, in this country would be held as of average rather than exceptional excellence." A nearer view, he complains, brings disenchantment. But he has a word of praise. "Au American beauty slowly approaching, an English beauty slowly vanishing, present together a picture of human beauty the fairest that could fall on mortal vision." This is but a poor ride for English beauty to play, but it must be content. Let us hope that when we get to be more nervous, we shall also become more beautiful. Other consolations fall to the lot of nervousness. Longevity is one of them, if it is a blessing to prolong a life which is tormented by the in- cessant fear of death. We do not mean to treat Dr. Beard's volume with anything like disrespect. It deserves something far different. At times, what he says seems somewhat odd. Many strange things are mixed up together, and there are traces of eccentricity and exaggera- tion. But, on the whole, he is very interesting and instructive.
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