PUBLICATIONS RECEIVED.

BooKs.

Two medical publications are before us ; the first on an important, the second on a curious subject ; but the philosophical mind is wanting in both cases. The history and rationale of Pestilence' and the use of systematic Exercises as a means of strengthening health and curing disease, remain open subjects.

A History of Epidemic Pestilences, from the earliest ages, 1495 years before the birth of Our Saviour, to 1848; with Researches into their Nature, Causes, and Prophylaxis. By Edward Bascom, M.D.

The Prevention and Cure of many Chronic Diseases by Movements. An

Exposition of the principles and practice by these movements for the correction of the tendencies to disease in infancy, childhood, and youth, and for the cure of many morbid affections of adults. By M. Roth, M.D. Dr. Bascome's history of Pestilences wants digestion; his theory upon their origin, prevention, and cure, wa:nts grasp and originality, for the reader will learn nothing upon these last points that he did not know already. The history is a species of annals : the author begins with the plagues of Egypt, which he ascribes to atmospherical phrenomena, and the deaths of the first- born to consequent pestilence ; and then he proceeds gradually down to 1848. With the exception of the pestilences of Jewish history, Dr. Bascome follows Ins authorities too servilely in the earlier periods. He records what they say, without much of investigation or explanation, though the facts often suggest conclusions ; and he does not sufficiently correct his chroniclers. His opinions as to the exciting and predisposing causes of pestilence are those which are generally entertained : hunger, dirt, and the other accompani- ments of poverty, predispose the patient, and atmospheric influences excite the disease. The means of prevention are those hygienic precautions about which we are constantly hearing. The reader of Dr. Roth's volume will exclaim, like the Queen in Hamlet, "Mere matter with less art." The real subject of the work, when the reader reaches it, is a series of exercises, invented or more properly system- atized by Ling, a Swedish professor. They era said to be beneficial not only in giving carriage and activity, but in curing disease, as well as preserving health. We should doubt it. They strike us as being merely a species of ommasties or drill, well enough adapted to give suppleness and activity to the muscles without violence ; and that is about all that they seem likely to reach.

.Dynamies, anstruction of Machinery, Equilibrium of Structures, and the Strength of Materials. By G. Finden Warr. Illustrated with two hundred and seventy-seven Cuts.

[This work is an offshoot of the Useful Knowledge Society, and is intended as a continuation of Lardner's Treatise on Mechanics, originally published under the auspices of that body. Mr. Warr divides his work into the four parts in- dicated in the titre. He begins with the principles of dynamics ; proceeds to the construction of machinery illustrated by descriptions of the most usual machines, including the Times printing-press ; the equilibrium of structures follows, in which bridges form a conspicuous feature the tubular bridge not

ing

be forgotten. He closes with an exposition of the strength of materials,

in which are embraced the many new discoveries by experiments within the last few years. R has been an object of the author to cultivate simplicity as much as possible, by substituting logic and experience for the forms of high mathematics, wherever it with practicable.]

---Peitri, Sacred and Profane. By Jam Weight is to be gathered from the preface of this volume, that Mr. Wright is turned of forty, and that he has published, not exactly at request of friends, but to avoid their importunities for manuscript copies. We suspect the author has hit upon a true pb.n, for stopping such applications—if the volume is to be paid for.] Diamond Map of the Latin Syntax, for ready reference. By W. Hall. [A succinct summary of the rules of concord, the government of eases, and the peculiarities of Latin construction. It is a very neat typographical dis- play, and useful for reference.] " Biases Handbook to the °Yield Catalogues ; an Explanatory Guide to the Natural Productions and Manufactures of the Great Exhibition of the Industry of All Nations, 1851. Edited by Robert Hunt, Keeper of Mining Records. Volume IL The World in its Works/sops; a Critical Examination of the Fabrics, Machinery, and Works of At contained in the Great Exhibition. By James Ward. Second division.

[The completion of two cheap and useful publications connected with the Great Exhibition. Mr. Hunt's " Handhook ' is the most complete and popular view that has appeared. Mr- Ward's "World in its Workshops" is clever : the cost is only a shilling for each division.]

Ears of Corn from Various Sheaves ; being Thoughts for the Closet. Edited by Sarah Lettis.

[Extracts from religious authors, arranged under their proper heads. Sarah Lettis is catholic in her reading; she ranges from Thomas a Kempis, Hooker, Pascal, and Jeremy Taylor, down to Clamming and James Martineau.] Popery Calmly, Closely, and Comprehensively Considered, as to its Claims, its Character, its Causes, and its Cure, &c. By the Reverend It. Weaver.

[The common objections stated in a commonplace way.] Mordecai, or the Jew Exalted; aDramatic Poem, in five acts. [Written after the fashion of Sheddan's Critic.]

The three new editions are of a kind to supersede remark. The work of Sir Howard Douglas has not only stood its ground for thirty years and more, but (harder task !) has operated on the Admiralty : the new edition con- tains an account of all the improvements that have taken place in the theory and practice of naval gunnery since the appearance of its predecessor. Of the sixteenth edition of Mr. Fortune's "Public Funds," addressed to a class proverbially wide awake, nothing need be said ; nor of the sixth edition of Mr. Cox's "Registration and Elections."

A Treatise on Naval Gunnery. By Lieutenant-General Sir Howard Douglas, Bart., G.C.B., &c. Third edition, revised and enlarged. Fortune's Epitome of the Stocks and Public Funds, English, Foreign, and Amerman, &c. To which is added, an Account of the English and Foreign Railways, and the principal Joint Stock Banks. Six- teenth edition. Arranged and revised by D. Morier Evans, Author of the "Commercial Crisis, 1847-48."

The Law and Practice of Registration and Elections ; comprising the Registration of Electors Act, incorporating the Reform Act and the recent Statutes, &c. By Edward W. Cox, Esq., Barrister-at-law. Sixth edition.

PAMPHLETS.

Letter to his Grace the Lord Archbishop of Dublin, on the Subject of the Ecclesiastical Titles Act, and the Charge addressed to the Clergy of Dublin in 1851. By Lord hionteagle„ F.R.S.

Church .Extension. An Appeal in behalf of a newly-proposed Plan for supplying the Spiritual Destitution of the Country.

Lectures on the Present Position of Catholics in England: addressed to the Brothers of the Oratory. By John Henry Newman, D.D.Lec- ture IX. [We have also received a complete copy of the series of Lectures, as a bound volume.]

Prince Albert's Speech at the Mansionhouse, in English, German, French, Italian, Turkish, and Arabic. Speech of Carlo Poerio, late Minister of Public Instruction, in his De- fence before the Grand Court Extraordinary at Naples. Translated from the Authentic Original. The Present Crisis in Egypt, in relation to our Overland Communication with India. No. I.

The Bramah Lock Controversy.