the difference in the mental power of individuals it is the cultivation of the mind alone which directs to distinction. John Hunter was as remarkable for his industry as for his talents, of which, his museum alone forms a most extraordinary proof: and if you look around and contemplate the history of those men whose talents and acquirements you most esteem, you will invariably find that their superiority of knowledge has been the result of a proportionate quantity of labour and diligence. Dr. Baillie has justly observed, "that success as well as character depends on attention to education. It is an ill-founded notion, arising from deserved disappointments, to say that merit is neglected. It is sometimes joined to circumstances that may have a little influence in counteracting it,—as an unfortunate manner or temper; but generally it meets with its due reward. The world are not fools; every person of merit has the best chance of success, and who would be ambitious of public ap probation, if it had not the power of discriminating:"

"All is the gift of industry;

Whate er exalts, embellishes.

Or renders life delightful."

THOMPSON.

JOHN HUNTER.

[Vol. i. page 164.]

DR. BAILLIE has truly characterized John Hunter's mind as

bold and inventive, treading constantly in a path of its own, without regard to the common track which had been followed by others. This was aided by an industry and enthusiasm of which it would be difficult to find any superior example; with such singular endowments for the cultivation of science, his progress was proportionably great. He considered no subject to which he did not add new light. His industry was very great. He only allowed himself four hours' sleep at night. When Mr. Thomas arrived at London, he presented a letter of introduction to Hunter; to his great surprise he requested Mr. Thomas to call at five the next morning. "Having," says he, "already the highest respect for Hunter's great professional talent, it may easily be imagined to what a height my curiosity was raised by so extraordinary an appointment no one will doubt my punctuality of attendance. found him in his museum busily engaged in the dissection of insects. The interest which he appeared to take in his employment-the sagacity of his observations on it-the acuteness of his general remarks upon whatever subject was stated— the almost blunt manner in which he questioned me respecting my medical education, united to the kindness of his admonitions relative to my future plans, made a very fortunate impression on my mind; it was a mingled feeling of profound respect, surprise, and admiration."

I

Hunter is said to have made but one pun in his life, and that was when lecturing in Windmill Street on the jaw bone, which he observed, was known to abound in proportion to the want of brains. Some students at the time were talking instead of at

tending, which made Mr. Hunter exclaim, "Gentlemen, let us have more intellect and less jaw."

QUACKERY.

[Vol. i. page 304.]

It is well observed by Dr. Cowan, that advertising is the main spring of empirical success, and it is only necessary to be in possession of sufficient funds for the purpose of ensuring the sale of any remedy. Thousands are occasionally risked in giving publicity to a nostrum, and the returns are in proportion to the courage of the speculator, his happy adaptation of his remedy to what he knows to be prevalent diseases and popular impressions, and to his more or less indifference to truth. The facilities for extensively advertising are, however, far greater than is generally supposed. The leading journals of the metropolis insert very few quack advertisements, for the simple reason that the preprietors themselves are not vendors of patent medicines, and because they require cash for quack as well as for all other announcements. It is chiefly in the provincial papers, and in the less influential London journals, that the quack advertises, the proprietors of these frequently becoming joint-stock partners in his trade. The newspaper office is virtually his shop, and the sale of the nostrum is often the sole security for the payment of advertisements, the proprietors per

sisting in zealously advertising as the only means of securing remuneration. Many of the latter have large stocks of medicines on hand, which occasionally become valueless by the rapid sale of some more successful competitor for public favour. Journals just commencing, or of very inferior circulation, not only insert puffs of the empiric on those terms, but, sometimes deduct from the proceeds of sale only sufficient to meet the duty, and even this is occasionally paid by the newspaper proprietor himself, who seizes upon a quack advertisement as the only means of filling up his empty columns, and giving to his paper a fictitious appearance of importance and wide circulation. It is evident from this that the quack wields a fearful power in the public press, his expences are often little more than nominal, while he secures the agency and interests of the newspaper proprietor in his behalf; and thus the very means by which the public mind should be directed and enlightened, is converted into a source of incalculable mischief. It is to Government—not to the press-that we must look for improvement-journalists are but men; and the temptation must be removed, before the evil is effectually remedied

The following is a correct statement of the profits which government derives annually from the sale of patent medicines :

Stamps (about 3 millions annually)

£30,000

From the following circumstance, we may conclude that quackery does sometimes accidentally produce good. A celebrated charlatan used to go about with his pockets filled with prescriptions. When he was consulted, he would tell the patient to put his hand into his pocket, and he would be sure to take out the best prescription for his complaint. A lady with an abscess in her throat was advised to consult this nondescript ninny, who told her to dive into his pocket for a prescription. After fumbling for some time, the lady drew one out, which recommended something so extremely ludicrous, that she burst into a loud fit of laughter, and in doing so, burst her abscess and recovered.

A certain quack used always to carry with him a large bos full of medicines; and when he was consulted by a patient, put his hand into the box, and drew out the first that came, exclaiming at the same time, "May Heaven be pleased to send the right one!"

Nothing could exceed the impudence of a quack, who declared that his medicine cured "hurries, and bashfulness, would eradicate corns and increase genius."

THE PLEASURE OF BEING CHEATED.

[Vol. i. page 306.]

There is an infinite deal of humour, as well as a great deal