We would especially observe also, that by extending the power of signing certificates of lunacy to every one who denominates himself a surgeon or an apothecary, is giving wide play to an evil which requires rather to be circumscribed. There is nothing more ambiguous than the tokens of insanity: many madmen go at large who are never suspected to be lunatics, and many harmless fools are shut up who deserve to be at large.. The observations of Mr. Parkinson on this point are very pertinent.

Speaking of the act of parliament, he says,

"One of the most important regulations in this act, is that which is intended to prevent keepers of mad-houses from receiving patients without having an order, in writing, under the hand and seal of some physician, surgeon, or apothecary. But it appears doubtful, whether this clause, as at present worded, yields that security which was expected from it, owing to its admitting the validity of an order, signed by any person, whose claim to be considered a member of the medical profession rests only on his designating himself an apothecary. Such persons are not legally recognised as fit judges of the maladies to which the human system is subject. Those only can be, and, indeed, are so considered, as have received such a professional education as has enabled them to undergo the examination ordered by law, and have in consequence received from those appointed to examine them, a regu lar permission to exercise the duties of their profession.

"How peculiarly competent a physician is to sign the order here required, need not be pointed out; and with respect to surgeons, it is only necessary to remark, that it is hardly possible, that one who has passed through the professional education, necessary to qualify him for an examination as a surgeon, can be incompetent to decide on the sane or insane state of a patient's mind.

"But how widely different is it with respect to some of those persons who call themselves apothecaries, and thence presume to judge respecting diseases. Their abilities have been examined by no prescribed test, nor have they received any authority to take on themselves the delicate and important task of judging of, or of practising upon, the disease either of the body or of the mind. That in this

metropolis, and in many parts of the em pire, there are many very respectable persons who with the designation only of apothecaries, possess every acquirement which is requisite for the successful exercise of their profession, is well known. But it is equally well known, that there is hardly a neighbourhood which is not infested with some ignorant and illiterate being, who having learned the names of many medicines, and of some diseases, seeks a livelihood by putting the lives of his neighbours at hazard, by pretending to remove the diseases with which they may happen to be afflicted.

"Should the range of such men be encalamities with which they are now able larged? Should they, in addition to the

to inflict the families around them, be empowered, at their will, and on their judgment, to decree the confinement in a mad-house of any one, who from their ignorance, their pliant servility to a superior, or their easy yieldings to interested and well-managed importunities, they may be induced to term insane? A decided negative to these questions must surely be given after considering the possible, nay, the probable consequences of such a permission.

"In places somewhat distant from the metropolis, characters of such a description are most likely to be found, and there are they enabled to occasion the greatest injury. For, supposing that any person of this description should improperly but according to the best of his judgment, and under circumstances artfully contrived to secure his compliance, grant a certificate of lunacy, the subject of that certificate may directly be consigned to a mad-house; and if the house to which he is thus con. signed should not be within seven miles of the metropolis, or within the county of Middlesex, the keeper of such house is not required to give notice of the receipt of such person, but within fourteen days. For a period of this length, therefore, a person manifesting only an eccentricity of manner, perhaps even the consequence of a superior degree of intellect, may, from caprice, interested motives, or ill-judged timidity, be condemned to the horrors of a mad-house, without an opportunity, being cut off from all communications with society, of claiming his release; and without a chance of any of his relations or friends obtaining information of the place of his concealment.

"But what takes place even at the expiration of the fortnight?-the keeper of the house sends notice of having received a patient of such a name into his house,

We will quote another instance, which may amuse our readers:

"A lunatic having committed in his own house several acts of violence, the family obtained a police officer from a neighbouring office to restrain him until the keeper from the mad-house arrived. When the keeper came he inquired particularly how he should know the patient, on his first entering the room, that he might immediately secure him with the waistcoat, to prevent any dangerous strug gle. He was told that he had on a brown coat, and that he would know him by his raving. He therefore glided into the room, where the police officer, who also had a brown coat on, sat with his back

towards the door, remonstrating with the patient, who on seeing the keeper enter, with the waistcoat in his hand, became immediately calm, and with a wink and nod, so completely misled the keeper, that in half a minute the police officer, in spite of his resistance, was completely invested with, the strait jacket, the patient mani. festing his enjoyment of the trick by a violent burst of laughter."

Mr. Parkinson, towards the conclusion of his pamphlet, suggests some very judicious topies of consideration relative to the amelioration of the condition of patients. Among these the following are deserving of notice:

"A circumstance, which is but little known, requires a particular consideration, whilst agitating the question respecting the period at which a patient should be liberated from confinement. It is from repeatedly noticing this circumstance, that those who are accustomed to luna tics will uniformly give that opinion, which is generally supposed to be entirely the result of interested considerations that no patient should be liberated until sufficient time has elapsed to allow of determining that the cure is, for that time at least, complete. The circumstance to which I allude is, that patients are themselves unable to form a judgment as to the period at which their restoration to reason takes place; but generally reckon it from that period when the disordered mind becomes so far relieved from the influence of maniacal impressions, as to recur with anxiety to domestic comforts and interests. Still incapable of detecting the fallaciousness of the delusory notions which the disease excites in the mind, and, therefore, supposing themselves to be in the full possession of their reason,

they dwell only on the supposed cruel restraints under which they are kept, and their painful detention from their homes.

"At this period, they consider and speak of themselves as the most persecuted creatures existing; and if now removed, their language and reasoning is, 'I have been perfectly well, as I ain now, for a long period, and still my relations unjustly confined me, and I suffered a series of unnecessary restraint and cruel treatment.' In most of these cases, the cure not proceeding, the resentments thus excited continue through life; the rela tions and keepers are never forgiven, and it becomes an unvarying request, should anything of the kind ever afflict them again, that they may not be sent to the

same house. On the other hand, it is almost uniformly the case, that if the confinement is continued until a recovery is established, the anxiety for liberation di when cured, the patient, who a little beminishes as the amendment proceeds; and fore was complaining of his unjust imprisonment, becomes diffident of his own powers, and willingly agrees to the proposal, and even himself suggests the propri ety of a few days more trial, before he again mixes with the busy world. In these patients who have been thus withheld from

society, until their cure has been complete, a greatful regard for those who have had the care of them is very frequently found, and immediately on their perceiving, which is frequently the case, the first feelings of the next attack, they will immediately request to be taken back to their former place of confinement.

"Cases are perpetually happening, that proves the justice of these remarks. Patients, on the first feelings of a recurring disease, will, of their own accord, resign themselves to houses where they have been before confined, and been detained until completely cured; but, on the following day, perhaps, or as the derangement advances, will demand their freedom with the utmost violence and abuse. Others, again, whose importunities have gained their liberation before a cure has been effected, will themselves, if their cure proceed, be able, as their judgment im proves, to detect little wanderings of their mind, which will induce them frequently to require their friends to dispose of them as they think proper.

"There is no situation more painful and delicate to the relations, and even to the keeper, than that in which they are placed during the tedious convalescence of a patient. The patient considers himself cured, and clamorously requires hi

liberation, the less intelligent of his friends joining in the demand; whilst the near relatives who have witnessed the serious progress of the disease, feel the danger of à removal, until they are convinced of the cure being complete. Wearied at last by the impertinent interference of those, perhaps no ways interested in the concerns of the patient; and by the cruel insinuations and calumnies of the host, who gratify their meddling disposition under the assumption of charitable sympathy, the relatives apply to the keeper for his opinion. If the cure is not complete, the keep er of course says, "I know that the opinions which I shall give, may be suspected of originating in interested motives; but I must say, that, although I know the patient may, to you who see him seldom, and but for a short time together, appear to be well, I know him to be not so, and fear, that on feeling himself free from restraint, he will rapidly become worse.'Relations, who, though possessing sense and fortitude sufficient to despise the chattering of those around them, severely feel the necessity either of appearing to, perhaps, a beloved and respected relative, as his inflexible persecutor, or of fearfully shrinking from the performance of an af flicting duty, are thus placed in a distressing situation.

"An obvious mode of proceeding here

indeed presents itself:f:-a reference may be made to a physician, on whose opinion the decision may be made; but who is to nominate this physician? By whichever party he is nominated, the other may find objection to the appointment; and if another should be called in, and a difference of opinion should arise, what is then to be done? It may be said, that a commission of lunacy may be obtained; but, independ ent of the expense of such a proceeding the case is assumed to be of such a kind, as to render this mode improper, since the patient is supposed to be either convalescing or cured. In such cases, should not the opinion of one of the commissioners under this act be rendered attainable on payment of a certain sum, &c. and without previous application to any of the courts of law? the opinion thus obtained being efficient for the protection of the relation, as to that particular act, or for the liberation of the patient, unless notice within a certain time is given, of claiming the opinion of the whole board, or of bringing the case before the jury.”

There is subjoined to the work a correction of those misstatements to which we have already alluded, and which Mr. Parkinson was very right in laying before the public.

1809.

THE various and important information which we have of late years received on the subject of Egypt, is alike honourable to the courage, the sagacity, and the learning of our countrymen. It is true indeed, that this region exhibits an inexhaustible field of research to the spirit of enterprise, but it is to this spirit, as exerted by Englishmen, that with respect both to the ancient and modern state of Egypt, many new discoveries have been made, many obscurities explained, and an infinite number of valuable illustrations introduced. Among all

the publications, however, which have hitherto appeared, either in this country or in France, this work by Mr. Hamilton will ever claim preeminent distinction. The reader is not to consider him merely as a candidate for an honourable place in the list of those who as writers of travels excite and satisfy general curiosity. Mr. Hamilton's Memoirs are really scientific, and he cannot fail of being considered in his narrative as an accurate observer, a profound scholar, and enlightened philosopher. Whether the French shall or shall not publish to

the extent they formerly promised, the result of these investigations which they made under every possible advantage, we cannot say; but whether they do or not, the volume before us will befound indispensably essential, whenever Egypt, and more particularly Upper Egypt, shall be a subject of inquiry.

We shall pursue our accustomed course of placing before our readers a brief analysis of the work, and a few specimens of its execution. From this course we see as yet no cause to deviate, as it appears to render an equal act of justice to the author and the reader.

We could indeed easily fill our pages with didatic observations on certain portions of this or any similar volume; we could enter into controversial arguments on others; we could elicit cause of dispute from some passages, and make others the vehicle of our own literary opinions or political prejudices. But to us, this seems neither compatible with the office of a reviewer, nor beneficial to the cause of literature. We proceed therefore to exhibit the contents of Mr. Hamil

ton's interesting volume. It consists of twelve chapters, in which the following subjects will appear to be ably discussed.

The state of Egypt in the autumn of 1801. The motives and extent of the author's travels in Egypt. The state of the country above the cataracts. Antiquities above Es Souan, and between Es Souan and Thebes. Description of Thebes. Voyage from Thebes to Dendera. Observations on the state of Egypt, when a province of the Roman empire. Voyage from Dendera to the northern frontier of the Thebaid and to Alvi. Voyage across the Oxyrynchite Nome to the Bahhr Jousouf; from Benesouef to Cairo, Memphis, and the pyramids; round the Delta from Rosetta to Cairo, thence to Damietta, Rahmanie, and Alexandria. An appendix is subjoined, containing

some very learned and valuable annotations; and a postscript exhibits the transcript of the Greek copy of the decree recorded on the celebrated Rosetta stone, with an English translation.

The plan pursued by Mr. Hamilton has our entire approbation. He gives, first, an outline of the whole of his travels, that the reader may at once see the extent to which he penetrated, and the places which he visited, and he afterwards communicates more detailed observations on the antiquities, geography, and peculiarities of the country.

The chapter, perhaps, which by the general reader will be perused with the liveliest satisfaction, is that which details the intercourse of the travellers with Elfy Bey near Es Souan, and from this we shall extract a portion.

"The only information of any kind we could procure while at Es Souan, of the interior parts of Africa remote from Egypt, was given by two Moors, who were passing by, with a large body of their countrymen, on their way to Mecca. As they were able to make themselves intelligible to our pilot, who spoke the Coumouss and Berberi languages, we learned from them, that they belonged to a very extensive nation known to themselves and here by the name of Secroua, and that they inhabited a country called Demourki, at the distance of five months* journey from Egypt, and of two months from Sennaar and the Nile: that they were now engaged on a pilgrimage to Mecca, subsisting as they travel, on the charity of those they meet; according as fortune favours or frowns upon them, they go from Kenneh to Cosseir, and thence straight to Jedda by sea; or it they cannot pay their passage, they go round by Cairo and the Desert on foot. This expedition and their return generally take them four or five years. When at Mecca, they receive from one of their countrymen (an African Moor) who has some eminent office there, a large kaouk, or high turban, marked with his seal, which they ever after wear on their heads, or carry on their shoulders, to show their

countrymen that they have a right to the re

spect and esteem usually paid in Mahometan countries to the character of a pilgrim