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M. G. AD. SUCKOW. 8vo. 545 pages. Leipzig. 1785.This work is defigned to enable artifts and tradesmen to conduct their operations upon scientific and folid principles, and to preferve them from the errors that fo frequently arife from unenlightened practice. All attempts to render the sciences applicable to the ufes and wants of life are truly commendable, and a work of this nature, fo well executed as the prefent, ought to be tranflated into all languages. M -

MONTHLY

CATALOGUE,

For FEBRUARY, 1787.

MATHEMATICS.

Art. 12. The compendious Measurer; being a brief, yet comprehenfive Treatife on Menfuration and practical Geometry. With an Introduction to Decimal and Duodecimal Arithmetic; adapted to the Ufe of Schools and Practice. By Charles Hutton, LL. D. F. R. S. &c. 8vo. 38. bound. Robinfons. 1786.

M

OST of our mathematical readers are, we prefume, acquainted with the treatife on menfuration formerly published by Dr. Hutton. The prefent performance is unlike that comprehenfive work, both in manner and matter. We have here a compendium of practical menfuration, accommodated to the use of the artist, or the ftudent, who wishes to acquire a knowledge of the practice, without the theory, of menfuration: our Author has in a fmall compafs brought together the most useful rules and precepts; arranged them in a convenient order, and delivered them in plain and familiar language; on these accounts they are well fuited for the purpose intended, and the better to illuftrate the rules, examples, with the work at full length, are fubjoined to each, exclufive of others that are left with the anfwers only, in order to exercise the learner, and render numerical calculations familiar to him.

To the work itself are prefixed two introductory treatifes, one explaining the operations in decimal and duodecimal arithmetic, the other containing a number of geometrical definitions and conftructions, efpecially fuch as are more immediately neceffary for the practical measurer. Thefe are neat and concife; and the fame may be faid of the arithmetical rules; yet the answers to fome of the arithmetical queftions, owing, probably, to typographical errors, are faulty, of which an inftance occurs in page 39, where the fourth foot of 2 is faid to be 1.259921, which ought to be 1.189207; the number 1.259921 is the third root of 2; this mistake is evidently owing to inadvertency, for 1.189207 occurs as the fourth root of 2 at p. 48.

The definitions of the conic fections are inferted at the beginning of the chapter which is allotted to the confideration of these figures and the folids generated by them. Thefe, like the geometrical definitions in the introduction, are in general neat and concife; we think nevertheless that the words equal to the lover one' in the definition of an hyperbola, might have been omitted. The folids gene

rated

rated by the conic fections require each a feparate rule for finding their contents; fuch multiplicity of rules is a vaft burden to the learner's memory: in order, however, to remedy this inconvenience, Dr. H. has given a few rules that are applicable to every conic fection; for instance, the 2d rule for finding the folidity of an elliptical fpindle, will ferve for any folid generated by the revolution of any conic fection; the fame may be faid of the rule for finding the folidity of a fruftum, or fegment of an elliptical fpindle,-circumftances which render the menfuration of thefe bodies extremely fimple, and which, independent of other excellencies to be met with in this compendium, are a fufficient recommendation of it to the practical measurer. a--m.

Art. 13. An Introduction and Notes on Mr. Bird's Method of dividing aftronomical Inftruments. To which is added, a Vocabulary of English and French technical Terms. By W. Ludlam, late Fellow of St. John's College, Cambridge. 4to. 2s. Sewel. 1786. When Mr. Bird wrote his treatife on dividing aftronomical inftruments, he only laid down fuch practical rules as might be useful to workmen; for he was, by the order of the Commiflioners of longitude, profeffedly writing, not to mathematicians, but to inftrumentmakers. Mr. Ludlam, whofe mathematical knowledge intitles him to a diftinguished place among the profeffors of that fcience, was, with others, employed by the commiffioners to infpect Mr. Bird's method of dividing. Mr. L. at that time, took notes of every particular that feemed wanting to render Mr. Bird's treatife complete, and to explain the principles on which the method is founded. Thefe notes are the fubftance of the prefent performance.

The reason why they make their public appearance fo long after they were firft written, is, to preferve a clear knowledge of the old way, in which the beft inftruments in every obfervatory in Europe were divided, until the new method, lately published by the Royal Society, which is different both in principle and practice from any other hitherto propofed, fhall be generally ufed, and its fuperior excellence proved by experience.

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The Public, is in fome measure indebted for this useful work to Alex. Aubert, Efq. at whofe defire, and at whofe expence (as the ingenious Author informs us in the Preface), it is published.

The Vocabulary will be found of fingular ufe to English readers of French books on the fubject of practical mechanics, fince the technical words and phrafes occurring in them are not in the common dictionaries of the language. R-m Art. 14. The Univerfal Calculator; or the Merchant's, Tradefman's, and Family's Affiftant. Being an entire new and complete Set of Tables, adapted for Dealers in every Branch of Trade by Wholesale or Retail. 8vo. 4s. bound. Dilly. 1786. Works of this kind can only be useful when they are accurately computed; we discover no errors in this, which we have examined in feveral places; and we therefore conclude, that it may be accurate throughout the whole. The tables fhew the amount or value of any

See an ample account of this work in Review, vol. xxxviii. p. 260, and vol. xl. p. 95.

number

number or quantity of goods, from 1 to 10,000, at all prices, from a farthing to 30 fhillings each. There are alfo tables which fhew the price of the parts of the whole, with others of feveral kinds relative to brokerage, commiffion, exchange, falaries, &c. &c. R— m.

ANTIQUITIES.

Art. 15. Hiftorical, Monumental, and Genealogical Collections, relative to the County of Gloucefter. Printed from the original Papers of the late Ralph Bigland, Efq. Garter Principal King of Arms. No. I. Folio. 2s. 6d. Wilkie. 1786.

Mr. Bigland, about 30 years before his death, made a collection of monumental infcriptions, with a view to obtain certain information relative to the pedigree of families. This work, which was left unfinished by the father, is now completed and published by Mr. Richard Bigland, his fon. To the curious in monumental infcriptions, and church-yard records, this performance will afford entertainment, and may be accepted as a fupplement to Mr. Rudder's General History of Gloucestershire,' which we noticed in our Review, vol. Ixiii. p. 10.

MEDICAL.

2:

Art. 16. A Treatise on the Influence of the Moon in Fevers. By
Francis Balfour, M. D. 8vo. 1s. 6d.
Printed at Calcutta,

Edinburgh reprinted, and fold by Robiníons, London. 1786. Experience and obfervation form the bafis of medical practice, and unfupported by thefe, the moft fpecious theory avails but little. The prefent performance is purely the refult of obfervations made in the courfe of fourteen years extenfive practice, confirming the following propofitions relative to fevers :

I. That, in Bengal, fevers of every denomination are, in a remarkable manner, connected with, and affected by the revolutions

of the moon.

II. That, in Bengal, a conftant and particular attention to the revolutions of the moon is of the greatest importance in the cure and prevention of fevers.

III. That the influence of the moon in fevers prevails in a fimilar manner, in every inhabited part of the globe, and, confequently, that a fimilar attention to it, is a matter of general importance in the practice of medicine.

IV. That the whole doctrine of the crisis of fevers may be readily explained from the premises eftablished refpecting the influence of the moon in thefe diforders, at the full and change.'

It is impoflible, by any abstract, to lay before our readers the feveral facts on which the Author eftablishes thefe principles: his long practice in a country, where bilious fevers are very frequent, furnished him with feveral cafes, which were uniformly affected by the moon's revolutions; the intermittent bilious fever, for example, whether it appeared under the form of a quotidian or tertian, or what is more rare, under that of a quartan, was invariably obferved to make its firft attack on one of the three days which immediately precede or follow the full or new moon. obferved alfo, that the full and new moon are no lefs remarkable for Dr. Balfour has inducing the first attack than for occafioning a relapfe; and he afferts, that, in fome cafes, he is able to prognoflicate the return of

fever, at these periods, with as much confidence as he could foretel the revolution itself. The remittents, as well as intermittents, are obferved, both with regard to their first attack and their exacerbations, to be fubject to the fame influence.

In the cure of thefe fevers, Dr. B. has found, that after proper evacuations, the bark always fucceeds, but more efpecially and effectually during the interval between the full and change, and the change and full moon; but for particulars we must refer the medical reader to the book, where he will meet with much information, and many curious, as well as ufeful, remarks.

The fubject is undoubtedly of the utmost importance, for we have no difeafe which is more frequent, and attended with more danger, than fevers in general; and whoever inveftigates their nature, or attempts to unfold a principle, on which a fuccefsful mode of practice may be eftablished, iuftly merits the thanks both of the physician and the patient. D: Art. 17. A Reply to Dr. Berkenhout's Dedication to each individual Apothecary in England, prefixed to his Symptomatology. By Somebody, who is a Friend to Candour. 8vo. IS. Riving

tons. 1786.

A poor attempt to refute the judicious remarks which Dr. Berkenhout, in the dedication to his Symptomatology, made on the ftate of medical practice in England *. 'The Author of this reply is doubtlefs confcious of the juftice of the Doctor's cenfure; he feems to feel the lafh with impatience, but he wants ftrength fufficient to repel the attack. D. Art. 18. The fingular Cafe of a Lady, who had the Small Pox during Pregnancy, and who communicated the Difeafe to the Fetus. By William Lynn, Surgeon. As read at the Royal Society in February 1786. 8vo. 6d. Macrea.

This we cannot think a fingular cafe; it has often occurred in practice, and is confiftent with the general theory of the difeafe. See Philofophical Tranfactions for the year 1749, where fix fuch cafes are recorded.

:

Art. 19. A Syftem of Anatomy, from Monro, Winflow, Innes, and the latest Authors, arranged, as nearly as the Nature of the Work would admit, in the Order of the Lectures delivered by the Profeffor of Anatomy in the Univerfity of Edinburgh. 8vo. 2 Vols. with Copperplates. 15s. bound. Edinburgh, Elliot. London, Robinfons.

Such is the title of the work before us. Turning over the advertifement of the editor, and the table of contents, we met with another: A Syftem of Anatomy, Part I. containing the Anatomy of the Human Bones, by the late ALEXANDER MONRO, M. D. F.R $ &c. Going on towards the middle of the 1ft vol. we found another titlepage: A Syftem of Anatomy, Part II. containing a Defcription of the Human Mufcles, chiefly as they appear on Diffection, together with their feveral Ufes, and the Synonyma of the best Authors, by John Innes. And fo on. The compiler has made choice of the moit approved writers, yet we think the authors themfelves, without mutilation,

* See Rev. vol. lxxiv. p. 315.

preferable

preferable to this mode of edition. The copperplates are in many places confufed and obfcure; the fcale on which they are drawn is much too fmall, and the engraving is coarse.

Art. 20. The Domeftic Phyfician; or Guardian of Health. Pointing out, in the most familiar Manner, the Symptoms of every Diforder incident to Mankind; together with their gradual Progrefs and Method of Cure: particularly adapted to the Ufe of private Families, though equally eff ntial to the Faculty. By B. Cornwell, M. L. 8vo. 7s. 6d. bound. Murray.

Conftructed upon the plan of Buchan's Family Phyfician, but miferably executed. The compilation is injudicious; and every page affords falfe fpellings, typographical errors, or inaccuracies of language. Do

POLITICA L.

Art. 21. An Answer to the Woollen Draper's Letter on the French Treaty; addreffed to the People of England, but more especially to the Woollen Manufacturers. 8vo. Is. 6d. Brooks. 1787. We do not find one of the Woollen Draper's arguments invalidated by this abufive anfwer: and we think the principles of the Author are as contrary to the manufacturing and commercial interefts of the country as his language is to decency and good manners. He would have artificers mind their own bufinefs, and truft to the fuperior knowledge of miniftry for procuring a market and suitable price for the productiuns of their labour and ingenuity.

The Author's attack on the political conduct of Mr. Wedgwood, is unjust and illiberal in the highest degree. No Art. 22. A Reply to "A Short Review of the Political State of Great Britain," &c. 8vo. is. 6d. Bell.

A felling pamphlet (efpecially in the political line) always produces an answer: if it be a very felling performance, it ufually excites more than one opponent: the grand question is, who shall ftart first, and away the competitors dash-" The devil take the hindmost!"

Thus circumftanced, it is no wonder that we commonly find thefe headlong Anfwers, Replies, Rejoinders, Refutations, &c. &c. to be crude and defective; and that while the hafty criticifer is plentifully loading the original writer with charges of ignorance, error, or the wickedness of wilful falfehood, the accufer lays himself open to recrimination; and his own performance is perhaps more reprehenfible than that which he is fo alert in attacking.

This is pretty much the cafe with the prefent political prizefighter, who was the firit to take the field against the " Short Reviewer;" and who appears to have been fo much in an hurry to turn out first, that, we fuppofe, he did not even allow himself time to revife his manufcript before he fent it to the prefs; for, if he had taken that precaution, he could not furely have ftumbled on the following egregious Irifhijm.-It is the etiquete of the British court, he fays, on the difmiffion of a Minifter, to blacken his character.

It is done by his fucceffors, for the fame reasons that the princes of Barbary cut off each other's heads.'-It must be a curious fight to behold one of thefe illuftrious and dextrous Africans, without a head, wield the glittering faulchion, and, in his turn, whip off that of his beheader.

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