Abbildungen der Seite
PDF
EPUB

ney, not liable to smoke, and should be kept particularly clean. No foul linen, dirty vessels, or remains of food should be left in it; nor should any persons sleep in it, except those necessary to attend on the child. The candles burnt in a nursery should be particularly free from bad smells, and the nightlight as small as possible. When the bedroom is washed, the child should be removed into another for the night; unless in the heat of summer, when, by having the floor washed with boiling water early in the morning, and the windows left for several hours, it will, proopen bably, be quite dry before evening. There is nothing more necessary to guard against than dampness, which has occasioned the deaths of many infants. When children are not accustomed to it, it gives them cold; and when they are so used to it as not to be affected in this manner, it often produces still worse consequences. The overcleanliness of washing rooms, in bad weather, where children are obliged to sleep, has often done irreparable injury.

The manner of holding a young child is a matter of no small importance, as the foundation of maladies depending on the internal structure may be laid within the first weeks of its existence; and some careless or awkward mode of handling it, at this time, may be the occasion of future disease or deformity. By being held always on the same arm, an infant may easily be made crooked; by always being put to sleep on the same side, a similar effect may be produced: but these are trifling in comparison with the harm which may be done by making a child sit up before its neck is strong enough to support the weight of its head. When in fants are robust and wellproportioned, they may perhaps escape injury, notwithstanding the manner in which many nurses choose to hold them sitting up before they are able to keep their heads erect; but if a child happens to have the head a little too

heavy, or the spine a little too weak, it is impossible to calculate the extent of evil which may be produced by a foolish attempt to force it too soon into the most unnatural and unwholesome posture to which the hu man frame is habituated. The best way to avoid this danger, is not to put an infant to sit up at all till after two months old, but always to support it, either when on the lap or in the arms, in a reclining posture, with the hand or arm behind its neck, so as never to let the bead hang forward or fall back.

These may appear to many unnecessary, and perhaps absurd precautions, since we have often seen children grow up very healthy and free from all the dreaded evils, who have been made to sit up, with their heads hanging like flowers too heavy for their stalks: but we have also seen many die of unknown maladies, and of convulsions, the causes of which were not apparent, and which may possibly have proceeded from some injury to the spinal marrow, unobserved, and irremediable if it had been observed.

When we consider the number of infants who perish in the first two months of their existence, it is surely well worth the attention of a mother to prevent even the most remote cause of harm to their delicate frames. There is the same reason for avoiding to make children sit up, as there is for not swathing them like Egyptian mummies, in the manner customary in so many parts of Europe: the greater number of those who have been dressed in this way are as straight and well made as those who have not; but the practice is better to be shunned, on account of the injuries which may, and sometimes do, happen in consequence of it. Children will by degrees acquire strength to hold up their heads, and some much sooner than others; but it is better not to run risks by anticipating the progress of nature when it may be retarded without danger.

Though infants should not be taken out till after they are a month old, as the open air can afford them no advantage or amusement, and may do them harm before this age; yet the atmosphere of their rooms should be constantly changed, and even in the coldest weather, if not damp, the windows ought to be left open for a quarter of an hour every day. The child should be taken into another room during this time and not brought back to its own till the air has been warmed again by the fire. Of course this should be understood of a child in health: in cases of illness everything must be conducted in a different manner. It is scarcely necessary to say, that in dry, warm weather, the windows of a nursery should be often opened during the day; the hours being adapted to the season and climate.

Infants should be brought by de grees to endure the cold air, as any sudden transition is injurious to them. Those born in winter require particular attention: they should not be taken out so soon as those born in summer; and it would be better to have the air of their rooms kept warm, than to load them with heavy clothing.

It should always be remembered that it is by no means safe to take young children into the open air too soon. Till a month old they can scarcely derive any advantage from going out; and, even after this age, it should depend on the time of year and the country where they are born. The pleasure they begin to show on being taken out at five or six weeks old, proves that exercise in the free air is then good for them; and, therefore, if the weather be fine, they should enjoy it every day; but with their bodies sufficiently covered to prevent them from feeling cold, and their eyes carefully guarded against the impression of strong light. As soon as the child shows any fatigue or uneasiness, and especially if it appears to suffer from the cold, it should be brought into the house;

[blocks in formation]

HONEY A CURE FOR THE GRAVEL.

A number of years ago, says a correspondent, I was much afflicted with the gravel, and twice in serious danger, from small stones lodged in the passage. I met with a gentleman who had been in my situation, and got rid of this disorder by sweetening his tea with half honey and half sugar. I adopted this remedy and found it effectual. After being fully clear of my disease about ten years, I declined taking honey, and in about three months I had a violent fit of my old complaint. I then renewed my practice of taking honey in my tea, and am now more than three score, and have not, for the last twentyseven years, had the smallest symptoms of the gravel. I have recommended my prescription to many of my acquaintance, and have never known it to fail.-Political Exam.

PACHA.

The words pacha, pasha and bashaw which so often occur in the accounts from Greece and Turkey, are the same in signification, being all derived from a word used by the Turks for governor or viceroy. There are two orders of pachas or bashaws; the first are called pachas with three tails, because three horses tails wave on their standards; their authority in their respective districts is almost as unlimited and despotic as that of the Grand Seignior. Pachas of the second order are allowed but two horse tails to their standards, and their power is somewhat limited. The captain pacha is governor of the islands of the Archipelago, and the first admiral of the Turkish navy.

A province governed by a pacha is called a pachalic, of which there are 17 in Asiatic Turkey. The whole of Palestine is included in the pachalic of Damascus, with the exception of Gallilee, which belongs te

he pachalic of Acre -The distant prchas yield a very dubious homage to the Grand Sultan.-Hampshire Gazette.

LECTURES AT THE PANTHEON HALL.

Mr Evans proposes to deliver a course of 12 Lectures on Geography and its kindred sciences. Termssingle tickets to the course, $3; for a lady and gentleman, $5; a family of four persons, $7.

The Lectures are to be given on the evenings of Monday and Friday at 7 o'clock. The subject of his lecture on Friday evening next is Asia. Mr E. has an extensive apparatus for illustrating his Lectures. The gra tuitous specimens he has given of his course have been quite satisfactory to those who have witnessed them. These exhibitions promise to be a very pleasing mode of obtaining a comprehensive view of the various countries of the earth, and of the rare and interesting works of nature and art. So much we say in favor of Mr Evans, because we have

attended his Lectures and seen his apparatus, and think them both interesting and instructive. Mr E. has had much practice as a teacher, and has been constantly improving himself, as well as his maps,views, &c. &c.

DARTMOUTH COLLEGE.

By a catalogue just received, it appears that the number of medical students is 154; seniors, 53, juniors, 51. The under graduates are 165; of whom 38 are seniors, 48 juniors, 41 sophomores, and 38 freshmen. Of the under graduates, New Hampshire furnishes 67; Vermont 30; Maine 1; Massachusetts 30; Connecticut 2; New York 4; Pennsylvania 1. Whole number at the College, 269. The annual expense is $ 101 87.

A gentleman on his deathbed promised a friend of his, that he would remember him in his will if he would write an epitaph for him, consisting

[blocks in formation]

thorpe, Leicestershire, died January The Rev. Mr Hagemore, of Cal1,1746, possessed of the following effects, namely: £1000, in ready and cossacks, 58 dogs, 100 pair of money, £700 per annum, 30 gowns breeches, 100 pair of boots, 400 pair of shoes, 80 wigs, yet always wore his own hair, 80 carts and wagons, and mares, 200 pickaxes, 200 spades 80 ploughs, yet used none, 60 horses and as many walking sticks as a toy. and shovels, 75 ladders, 340 razors,

man in London offered his executors £8 for. He kept one servant of each sex, whom he locked up every night. His last employment every evening was to go round his premises, let loose his dogs, and fire off his gun.

A Remedy for Chincough. "Lay a plaster of gum albanum over the chest. If it will not adhere sufficiently, put some Burgundy pitch on the edge."—Newspaper.

Another, equally infallible for an empty and hungry Stomach.

Take precisely two ounces of aqueduct, or distilled water; if this should not answer every purpose in half an hour, add to the above one ounce of cold bread, and the relief will be perfect.

TO MADAM DE STAEL.

Written after reading Corinne ou l'Italie. Wert thou not gifted from on high? O WOMAN, greatly gifted! why What had that noble genius done

That knew all hearts-all things, but one,

-Had that been known? O, would it BOSTON, TUESDAY, DEC. 5, 1826.

might

Be whispered, ere she took her flight! Where, where, is that fine spirit hurled, That seemed unmeet for either world?

While o'er thy magic page I bend, I knew thee-claim thee for my friend : With thee a secret converse hold, And see my inmost thoughts unfold. Each notion crude, defined-expressed; And certain, what I vaguely guessed. And hast thou taught, with cruel skill, The art to suffer better still;Grief's finest secret to explore, Though understood too well before? Ah well, I'd thank thee if I might; Although so wrong, thou art so right! While I condemn, my heart replies, And deeper feelings sympathize.

Thy view of life-that painful view, How false it is!-and yet how true! "Life without love-a cheerless strife; Yet love so rarely given to life." And why must truth and virtue, why, This mighty claim of love deny?

-What was this earth, so full, so fair? A cheerless desert, bleak and bareGod knew it was-till love was there. Say, has the heart a glance at blissOne-till it glance or gaze at this? Ah no! unblessed, unsoothed the lot, Fair though it seem, that knows it not! 'Tis true!—and to the truth replies A thousand joyless hearts and eyes ;Eyes beamless-hearts that do not break--They cannot-but that always ache; And slowly wither, day by day, Till life at last is dried away.

[blocks in formation]

Aloft she flew, yet failed to see
Aught but an earthly deity.

The humble Christian's holy love,
O, how it calmly soars above
These storms of passion!-Yes, too much
I've felt her talent's magic touch.
Return, my soul, to that retreat
From sin and woe-thy Saviour's feet!
There learn an art she never knew,
The heart's own empire to subdue;
All to resign that He denies ;-
A large, but willing sacrifice.
To Him in meek submission bend ;
Own him an allsufficient friend :
Here, and in holy worlds above,
My portion-and my only love!

September, 1822. JANE TAYLOR.

We feel obliged to the two medical friends who have furnished the original matter in this week's paper, and hope their good examples will be followed by others. If the physicians who even now take the Intelligencer would severally send three communications a year to this jour nal, they would benefit themselves and the public, for the information of all would thus become the property of each, and would give success to the editor's efforts to lessen the existing and sad amount of sickliness and loss of health in the community, all arising from causes which might be foreseen, and prevented, or coun teracted. Communications of this kind need not be long nor difficult to make up; the simple record of some practical fact, of some incident, mistake, or casualty, resulting from igno rance, carelessness, or some false no. tion about health and sickness---would often afford valuable hints and suggestions for admonition and instruction.

ESSAYS ON POPULAR EDUCATION

Have recently been published here by James G. Carter. These essays relate to a subject of more interest and importance to individuals, families and the public, than any other which the writer could have selected, and it is treated in a manner which deserves the general attention. Education, in its broad sense, embraces everything men can do for themselves and for one another. there is anything solid, good, or desirable, or ornamental in the world, they all spring from good education

If

Everything bad among men; every thing deformed, frightful, wretched, -comes from no education, bad education, or good education perverted to wicked purposes, Good education, then, is the best treasure any man can possess. Good education is a thing which admits of different and various degrees of excellence; extending from the institution which does no harm and the least assignable degree of good, to that which without any admixture of error or evil, produces the greatest degree of benefit. If this is true, it is incumbent on every man who has any influence over himself, his friend or neighbor, to extend the means of good education as far as he can. If he thinks the object worth attaining, and knows not how to accomplish bis purpose, let him read these essays, and if by doing this he should imbibe their generous and philanthropic spirit, and feel the value and practicability of the improvements suggested by Mr. C., he will perceive that he has acquired new facts, and arguments and reasons to work with, and that he has acquired also a disposition to bring his new resources into their proper operation.

Our legislators should read this pamphlet for what has Massachusetts done for education these forty years past? Nothing to what her early ancestors did before her, considering the different circumstances of the two cases. We are numerous, in easy circumstances, at peaceand doing nothing. They were few in number, scattered, surrounded by difficulties and perplexities, and with emall means, but they were actuat

ed by a noble zeal, and were strendously active. They accomplished what has placed us where we now are, and doing this, have placed us also under the obligation of carrying on and completing the glorious work which they so well begun.

Much might be said of teachers, what they are, what they ought to be, and what they might be made; but we cannot at present, even if our readers would consent, pursue the subject further.

THIS AND THAT.

This refers to what is last mentioned, to what is nearest in time, or place; that to what was first named, or is more remote in time or place. This is often equivalent to the former, and that, to the latter. This distinction, in the use of these words, cannot be disregarded without producing more or less of doubt, inaccuracy, or hesitation,—and yet there is not more than one writer in twenty, from the best to the worst, in England or America, who habitually attends to the different import of these two little, though often significant words. For instance :-

"The king of France has sent a gold medal to Mr. Williams, in token of his admiration of that artist's Views of Greece. His Majesty has, at the same time, written a letter, collections of the kindness which he expressing in feeling terms, his rereceived in Scotland, in adverse times."-Lon. Lit. Gazette, &c.

Why that artist? but one has been named, and nothing since his being named had intervened to throw him out of the immediate recollection, or sight and touch, as it were, of the speaker.

« ZurückWeiter »