violently for particular kinds of food; yet their offspring never exhibit marks of grass, of hay, of cabbages, or of turnips.' Chapter III. contains observations on the anomalous productions of Nature; and some instances are cited to prove that mules, sprung from the horse and ass, are not entirely un prolific. Remarks are also made to prove the non-existence of the Jumar, an animal supposed to be produced between the bull and mare;-after which, the author concludes the first section by shewing that an union frequently takes place between various species of small birds, and that the hybrids or mules produced by them uniformly retain their prolific powers. He then says; I close this section with remarking, that Nature seems to indulge more frolics in the mysteries of Venus than philosophers are apt to imagine; and that some animals, whom we are taught to regard as distinct and original species, may only be mules endowed with the faculty of transmission.' The second Section contains a plan for cultivating raw silk in Great Britain: but for the particulars we must refer our readers to the original. Chapter IV. treats of the varieties of man which have hitherto been discovered in every region of the globe;-Varieties in Colour,-in Stature,-in Figure and Features,-in Manners and Customs,-in Religion, Religious Opinions, and Ceremonies;-of Cannibals both antient and modern,-of Human Sacrifices in the Old and New Worlds,-of War and Warlike Instruments, of Agriculture, and the spontaneous Productions of the Earth,-of Marriages, Burials, Civil Government, Arts and Manufactures, &c. &c.-This comprehensive chapter forms more than one third of the whole work, and is (as must be supposed) a very diffuse compilation. It is impossible, therefore, for us to enter into the various particulars; nor, indeed, does it appear to be necessary. We observe, with regret, that the author has not employed much discrimination in the choice of his sources of information: but, perhaps, the immense extent and variety of the subjects to be discussed may be deemed a sufficient excuse. Speaking of Cannibals, Mr. Smellie says, (p. 311.) The Mysi, a people of Asia, in the neighbourhood of Troas, killed and cat such prisoners as they took in war Why, says Hieronymus, do I speak of other nations, when I saw, while I was da Gaul, the Scots, who inhabit a considerable part of the island of Britain, eat human flesh; and, when they found in the woods shepherds and keepers of hogs, they cut off the hips of the men and the breasts of the women, which they esteemed as the most delicious re • * Flor. lib. 4. c. 12.; and Schedius de Diis Germanis, p. 403.' past. past *. In describing the Scythians, Herodotus informs us, that to the north of a certain desert, a nation existed in his time called Androphagi, because they feasted on human flesh t. Herodotus, in the same book, makes frequent mention of these Androphagi. Antony, with a view to overturn the Roman government, took a solemn oath from his associates, which was attended with a most infamous solemnity. After sacrificing a boy, the oath was administered over his entrails, which afterwards were eaten by these conspirators .' Concerning human sacrifices, the author observes, that • Human sacrifices, even in the days of Plato, were not unfrequent in almost every district of Greece |. The goddess Diana was supposed to be incensed, because Melanippus and Cometho were married in her temple on the very night of a festival. The oracle, upon this momentous occasion, was consulted; and the response was, that, to appease her godship, a boy, and a girl of the greatest beauty, should be annually sacrificed f. To a statue of some barbarous divinity, said to have been brought from Taurica to Lacedemon, the oracle commanded that human sacrifices should be offered. But Lycurgus abolished this horrid rite q. Pelopidas, when his situation in war was critical, dreamed that the favour of the gods must be obtained by sacrificing a young virgin. Some of his generals insisted that the will of the gods should be implicitly obeyed. But others opposed the perpetration of a deed so shocking and unnatural. While, says Plutarch, the chiefs were disputing upon this more than brutal subject, and Pelopidas himself was hesitating, a young mare, leaving her pasture, ran towards the camp. Theocritus, the seer, instantly called out to Pelopidas: behold the victim the gods have prepared for you, and they expect no other virgin! The mare, with the usual solemnities, was immediately sacrificed **. It is impossible not to recollect the similarity of this event to that of Abraham and his son Isaac. A mare and a ram make no considerable variation in the two stories." These observations are concluded in the following manner: What, in the name of wonder, should have given rise to an institution so apparently contrary to every principle of human nature, and yet so universally diffused over the whole globe? That it originated from superstition is unquestionable. But that answer is too general. There must be a progress in superstition, as well as in every other acquired affection of the mind. Whenever men, (which must have been coeval with their existence), acquired ideas of superior powers, they ascribed to them human passions, and human frailties. If they imagined that, by any action, they had incurred the displeasure of a * Hieron. adver. Jovian. lib. 2.' Herodot. Melpomene, s. lib. 4. f 18.' Dio Cass. edit. Xiphilini, 27.' Plato de Legib. lib. 6.; and Travels of Anacharsis the younger, in Greece, vol. ii. p. 348. Trans.' Pausan. lib. 7. cap. 16.' Ibid. lib. 3. cap. 16.' particular ** Plutarch, vol. ii. edit. Bryan. p. 222.' Ee particular god, or powerful being, terror was the inevitable conse quence. The next feeling was, how is this angry god to be appeased? It was not an unnatural thought, that such articles of provisions a3 were agreeable to themselves would not be unacceptable to their gods. They accordingly began with offerings of their choicest fruits. But, after a priesthood was established, it was soon discovered that such simple offerings were not sufficient. They taught the people, that the gods liked more substantial food. The animal tribes were the next objects of propitiation for sin. This new object was particularly agreeable to the priests, who in all ages were fond of good eating. They at first contented themselves with sacrificing and devouring the feathered tribes, such as turtle doves, cocks, &c. This answered very well for some time; but still it was not enough. As the number of priests gradually increased, birds alone were not thought to be sufficient to support them They, therefore, had recourse to the quadrupeds; because the sins of the land were still increasing, in proportion to the increase of population. Hence they proceeded to sacrifice lambs, kids, hogs, rams, and goats. Not satisfied still, the priests insisted that the people, in order to avert the vengeance of the gods, and procure pardon for their numerous and complicated iniquities, should feast them with heifers, bullocks, and oxen. These priests, it should appear, after tiring of birds and the smaller quadrupeds, like honest Englishmen, at last gave the preference to good roast-beef. This sacrifical progression has not hitherto been unnatural. But the step from qua rupeds to the human species is very wide; yet there are many recorded instances, in almost all nations whose ancient history has come down to us, of this diabolical practice; and we have seen that it still exists in most of the islands of the Pacific Ocean which have been visited by our late navigators. Here the theory of feeding priests may seem to fail; but it must not be entirely relinquished. In the rude stages of society, Cannibals, or eaters of human flesh, have, at different periods, been diffused over the whole habitable globe. Superstition, or rather something more gross, must have given rise to an action so generally repugnant to human nature. The dreadful institution of murdering and roasting men, with a view to appease the wrath of the gods, was soon succeeded by eating their flesh. When this was perceived by rude and often starved barbarians, the priests, or superintendants of such detestable. rites, preferred men to all other animals. This motive could not be held out to the people To them a more powerful engine was exhibited. Upon particular emergencies, when their minds were in the highest agitations of terror, whether from real or superstitious causes, the poor deluded creatures were told, that the resentment and wrath of the gods were so great, that neither birds nor quadrupeds, nor any of the inferior animals, would be effectual to avert their vengeance. There was only one step farther. Instead of birds and quadrupeds, nothing less than individuals of the human species could appease these insatiable gods, the existence of whom was firmly believed by ignorant men, and strongly inculcated by wicked priests. In chapter v. the author treats of the nature and efficient Causes of sleep and of dreaming. He is of opinion that dreams are characteristic of the dreamer; and that, instead of a diary, a nocturnal would more effectually unfold the real dispositions of men. He then says; For the sake of illustration, and to shew that this scheme is not impracticable, I shall subjoin, as a specimen, the capital scenes of a few nights' dreams which I recorded thirty years ago. "Specimen of a Nocturnal. The first night I found myself in a most tremendous situation. Alarmed by a sudden shock attended with a hollow subterraneous noise, I ran out to the streets of this populous city, in order to discover the cause. A dreadful prospect presented itself to view. The ground began to undulate like the waves of the sea; sheets of fire dazzled the eye; 'peals of thunder stunned the ears; the buildings split in a thousand directions; and, had not the native horrors of the scene soon restored me to reason, I should infallibly have been crushed to atoms. The second night's entertainment, though not so alarming, was much more extravagant and ludicrous. I was for some time diverted with a furious dispute between Dr. MONRO and Dr. WHYTT concerning the uses of the Deltoid Muscle! The combatants at length became so hot, that they were just proceeding to give the dispute an effectual termination by the intervention of the cudgel, when I awoke; and behold it was a dream! 6 The third night, I found myself in the midst of a brilliant company of ladies and gentlemen. Cheerfulness and innocence seemed I was treated with the utmost. to beam from every countenance. affability and complaisance. My heart began to exult with the most pleasant emotions. The music struck up; each took his fair partner by the hand, and a sprightly dance immediately commenced. My spirits were much more elevated than I ever had experienced on any former occasion. I moved through the various evolutions of the dance with as much ease and alacrity as if my body had been a mere vehicle of air. But, in the midst of this enchanting scene, while setting to a young lady, my breeches fell plump to my heels! I quickly attempted to lay hold of them; but in vain. The very power of reaching forth my hand was abstracted from me. as a statue, and the dance was interrupted. company discovered how sensibly they felt my misfortune; but none In short, the feelings peculiar to such had the courage to assist me. a whimsical situation became at last so exquisitely painful, that I should infallibly have fainted away, had not sleep instantly departed, and restored me to reason and joy. I remained fixed The blushes of the The fourth night's employment was still more serious and awful. I saw a groupe of winged angels descending from the sky. One of them, who seemed to lead and command the rest, had a large golden trumpet in his hand. When near the surface of the earth, he sounded the instrument, the noise of which made all Nature shrink. and He announced the arrival of the last day, that day when the quick Ee 2 and the dead are to be judged, and receive everlasting rewards or torments, according to the merit or demerit of the deeds done by individual mortals. Astonishment and anxiety arrested all the living. They stood motionless, and looked aghast. A new scene instantly appeared. I saw the dead rising in myriads all around me. I particularly remarked, that, in the Grey-friars' church-yard, hundreds of both sexes pushed one another out of the same graves! The day was so cold and frosty, that the terrified expectants of doom were all shivering. Another phænomenon solicited my attention. I saw immense numbers of leaden pipes filled with cold water. Another trumpet was sounded, and the angel proclaimed, that, instead of being roasted in the flames of hell, the damned were to have their limbs eternally immersed in these water pipes. Terrified, and half-petrified with this frigifying idea, I got the start, and awoke. Upon examination, I found, that, by some accident, my limbs had been uncovered, and were excessively cold. This simple incident produced the whole scenery I have represented. But here I must stop, lest I should discover more of my own character than would be consistent with prudence.' We could not resist the temptation of quoting this whimsical production: but, having so done, we shall abstain from any comment on this or any other part of the reverie; leaving our readers to adopt the author's hypothesis, and judge of his character from this display of his nightly visions. Perhaps they will think that he has already discovered more' than was 'consistent with prudence;' as would most probably be the case in all such confessions of nocturnal fajth. The vith. chapter has for its title Of the Language of BEAsts,’ and the author closes it with the following curious apology for the Loquacity of WOMEN: It is a very antient adage, that Nature does nothing in vain. To women she has given the talent of talking more frequently, as well as more fluently, than men: She has likewise endowed them with a greater quantity of animation, or what is commonly called animal spirits. Why, it may be asked, has Nature, in this article, so eminently distinguished women from men? For the best and wisest of purposes. The principal destination of all women is to be mothers. Hence some qualities peculiar to such a destination must necessarily have been bestowed upon them. These qualities are numerous: Á superiour degree of patience, of affection, of minute, but useful attentions, joined to a facility of almost incessant speaking. Here, however, I must confine my observations to the last conspicuous and eminent accomplishment. To be occupied with laborious offices, which demand either bodily or mental exertions, and not unfrequently both, is allotted to the men. These causes, beside their comparative natural taciturnity, totally incapacitate, them for that loquacity which is requisite for amusing and teaching young children to speak. But the employments of women are of a more domestic kind. Household affairs, and particularly the nursing and |