phagus. My pulse seldom exceeds 70, or 75, and the only deviation I can perceive in it from the healthy character, is, that it feels somewhat contracted. My tongue, in the morning, is thickly coated with a tenacious fur, sometimes of a white, and at others of a yellow colour, and at times I have observed it more so on the right side, and indeed it appears at times as if there was a distinct linear division from the base to the tip, the right side being much more loaded than the left. There is no redness, either at the tip or sides. There is a considerable degree of cutaneous irritation, and a pricking sensation frequently over the whole body. My hands and feet are always cold or nearly so, and the skin looks loose and puckered. I am generally overwhelmed with lassitude, and have very little spirit for those active exertions which a wide and extensive practice requires. There is at present that extreme degree of irritability of the stomach, that severe pain is excited by food and drink of almost any kind, however small in quantity, or unirritating in quality. There generally prevails great constipation of the bowels, and the motions are seldom of a natural colour, being generally very dark, sometimes of a greenish hue, and often nearly white. I cannot say that my pains are increased by pressure; indeed I may rather term the sensation I feel on kneading myself in various parts of the abdomen, an impatience of pressure rather than absolute pain. I have latterly found horse exercise to seriously exasperate my ailments; and occasionally my pains are so severe, that the mere act of putting the foot to the ground in walking excited a painful concussion of the whole system. My complaint, at times, distresses me most at night, at other times, in the day time; and it is a curious fact, that frequently for weeks together, the pain attacks me at certain hours of the day, and but little at night; then again the reverse takes place-I have most pain in the night, and comparatively little in the day time.

The medicines I have resorted to consist of those which I have thought best adapted to lessen irritability, such as prussic acid, hyosciamus, stramonium, &c. On one occasion I took, by the mistake of one of my pupils, 2 grains of belladonna, for 1; and it is a very curious fact, that after having suffered severely from the peculiar effects of this powerful narcotic, I had no return of

pain for two months! The effects produced, however, deterred me from its continuance, The prussic acid seemed to exasperate the pain--stramonium, nor hyosciamus did nothing for me, nor do large doses of opium. But I will now mention a remedy, but for which I think I must for a long time since have yielded to the enemy. It is magnesia, which I take invariably on the accession of the paroxysm; and it does not appear to be of any consequence whether I take it in a calcined or the common form. Another article of diet I am still more indebted to, and that is milk. Either of these articles acts on me like a charm-in less than ten minutes after swallowing either, I am perfectly free from pain for three or four hours. To milk I give the preference on two accounts: first because no harm can accrue from it; next because it relieves me more certainly. Now the conclusion I draw from this fact is, that the pains I feel are occasioned by vitiated secretions; that magnesia absorbs these secretions, and milk obtunds their acrimony. I consider then that these depraved juices act on the mucous membrane of the stomach precisely the same way as they do the corrosive and irritating poisons, inasmuch as they are relieved by the same remedies. I have also occasionally tried sugar and water, and albumen, and both of these produce relief, though not to the extent of milk and magnesia. These are curious facts, I think; and I hope you will not for one moment consider that I am influenced either by imagination or prejudice in detailing them, but that you will consider them as the result of personal experience. Blue pill has never appeared to relieve me-nor rhubarb-nor, in fact, any tonic; at least of the vegetable kind, but produced, as I should have expected, à priori, increased pain and irritation.

Now, my good Sir, I hope you will feel for a labourer in the same vineyard, and give me the best advice you possibly can in my case; for I am assured you will feel for me."

Our readers will perhaps recollect that, in a former number of this Journal, we mentioned the remarkable effect of milk or cream, in allaying the distressing sensa

tions of cardialgia. The reason why we have taken the liberty of publishing the foregoing extract, which we are sure our patient will excuse, is to state that, more than two or three instances have since occurred, where the milk had a similar effect. We should be inclined to exhibit the magnesia in milk. As to the distressing complaint above-described, we are convinced that it is a neuralgia, and of the intermittent or remittent character. The passage which we have marked in Italics proves this. But there is no doubt that some poisonous, corrosive, or highly irritating secretion takes place at the time, which aggravates tenfold the pain in the epigastrium. We shall probably give the sequel of this interesting case on a future occasion.

A Mr. Sheldrake has lately been adorning the "invaluable" with what he terms "LECTURES," de omnibus rebus et quibusdam aliis. After writing more than we mean to read, on crooked feet, fencing, gymnastics, &c. the worthy "LECTURER" (we should like to see his class) has kindly taken dancing under his wing, and descanted with equal learning and length on the boundless advantages which spring from the use of "the light fantastic toe." Mr. Sheldrake's definition of dancing is rather comprehensive, for "he only intends to consider it as something that either has or may have, peculiar effects upon the health, as well as upon the form of those who practise it," which indeed would be equally true of a broken head, or any other mode of diversion under the sun! In the history of dancing which is given, and which is absolutely necessary, of course, in order to point out its advantages to the health of those who engage in it, we are greatly astonished, and profoundly grieved to find that the Lecturer goes no farther back than the times of Louis

Quatorze. Did not the Children of Israel dance before the GOLDEN CALF, (an example which the children of this generation are somewhat too apt to follow)? Did not DAVID dance before the Ark? Did not MINERVA, the blue eyed maid, dance for joy after thrashing those radical fellows the Titans, who attacked the Royal College of Divinities with stones even larger than the one Mr. PARTRIDGE could not extract? Were not CASTOR and POLLUX Lacedæmonian dancing masters? Did not Socrates, Athen's wisest son, learn to dance of Aspasia ?

Surely a discourser on DANCING must have consulted the immortal "ESSAI HISTORIQUE SUR LA DANSE" of Cahusac; the work of MERCURULI, "de Saltatoriæ Effectibus," as well as ROUSSEAU'S Advice to Young Ladies rather to imitate the climbings and skippings of the wild goats, than the grace. ful steps of the Opera dancers. A lecturer indeed of Mr. Sheldrake's calibre should have mounted at least to the flood.

Although, however, the history of dancing, with what we must designate frightful indifference, is only commenced with Louis XIV. yet some highly important reflections are made for all that. Thus the Lecturer informs us, that when the ministry of the Grand Monarque, found they could not conquer Europe by arms, they determined in revenge to beat it in dancing, and accordingly erected a Royal Academy, in which it was taught "in the most perfect manner," and "raised to the dignity of a science." We would earnestly invite the attention of ministers, especially of his Grace of Wellington, to this point, for although he may not raise the blockade of the Dardanelles, yet think how he might silence opposition, and throw Waterloo and Vittoria into the shade by founding a Royal Academy of posture-masters, and erecting dancing into a science! In such a case Mr. Sheldrake assuredly deserves, and no doubt will obtain, for this valuable hint, the directorship, or some of the other good things in the gift of the premier. We quite envy Mr. S.

by tracing its principles to their very found ation." Now all men unfortunately, have an opportunity of tracing the principles of dancing to their very foundation, but Mr. Sheldrake had, for he knew, nay more, was even "familiarly acquainted" with Mr. Birch, and Mr. Birch knew Madame Simonet, and Madame Simonet, and Mr. Birch, and Mr Sheldrake between them, got to the very foundation, or as Virgil would term it, ad ima, of the principles of dancing, in a drawing-room belonging to one of the illustrious individuals! For the sake of mankind, and womankind especially, we subjoin the morceau, which Mr. Sheldrake makes so much of. Mr. S. Loquitur, and Madame

Simonet is the heroine of the tale.

"She successively learned to stand flat and firm upon both her feet, with her legs quite straight, and the whole of her person quite upright, but not stiff; then to lift one foot from the ground, and keep it so, for some time, without moving any part of her body; she then replaced that foot on the ground, and raised the other in the same manner. These simple actions were repeated till the pupils were quite familiar with them; they were then directed to keep the body quite erect, but not stiff, and, bearing firmly upon one leg, to raise the other from the ground, gradually and slowly, by bending the thigh at its junction with the pelvis, at the same time making the knee straight, and pointing the toe to its proper extent, but no more. The foot, after it had been kept in this state for some time, was returned to the ground from whence it was taken, and the other foot treated in the same manner when quite familiarized to these actions, they were directed to walk (march, as some people will call it) slowly, performing the same motions with the feet alternately.

"The next lesson was to keep the foot turned out to a proper extent at the anclejoint, (a circumstance which will be particularly explained in another place) to raise the foot more than is necessary in walking, keeping the toe pointed, the knee straight, but making a semicircular motion with the hip-joint, so as to turn the toe outwards, and carry it round and backwards as far as the natural flexion of the hip-joint will allow it to go: these motions should be made by each leg, first moving the toe forwards and

round till it was carried backwards, and then throwing the foot out backwards, and bringing it gradually round, till it is placed upon the ground in the front. These may be called the elementary motions of the legs; and this mode of exercising them, may, not unaptly, be called the rudiments of muscular action, as it should be used in the practice of dancing.

"When the pupils were quite familiarized to perform all the simple motions of the legs, with the greatest ease and activity, they were again directed to stand upright, with the feet close together, the body firm, erect, and motionless upon the pelvis; and, in this situation, they were directed to give every motion to the arms and to the body, without stooping, that the natural structure of the joints, and the natural actions of the muscles, would admit of. These, as in the case of the legs, were practised with every variation, till they were quite familiarized to them; they then were qualified to go to what may be called their finishing exercise; that consisted in placing themselves in any atitude they were directed to, at the instant the direction was given, and to change from that to any other, however opposite it might, to the uninitiated observer, appear

to be."

Now these fundamental principles of dancing are just what every dancing-master knows much better than Mr. Sheldrake can tell him, and therefore the latter gentleman might have saved himself the trouble of spinning out so roundabout a story respecting Mr. Birch and Madame Simonet. Mr. Sheldrake has a crotchet in his head respecting what he denominates "muscular tension," and he believes that the elder Noverre and Mrs Garrick lived, the one eighty years, the other ninety-nine, merely through "a modification" of this same muscular tension, which modification is the essence of those preparatory exercises described above, and practised by those who follow the profession of dancing! Fudge!

"It is upon the same principle only (a modification of muscular tension) that we can account for the fact that soldiers are well formed, and always healthy, unless they are made otherwise either by accident or disease. (!!) I have never seen a soldier with spinal curvature, or other personal deformity, or a stage dancer of either sex, with a

deformed person; it is perhaps impossible that such things should exist, for the plain reason that the exercises which they begin to practise early in life, and continue regularly though its whole course, render it impossible for them to become so."

There is just one other principle besides that of a regulated modification of muscular tension, which accounts for the fact of soldiers being well-formed, (it never crossed the head of Mr. S., good easy man,) we mean, a REGULATED RECRUITING DEPART

MENT ! Which of the two principles, Mr. Sheldrake's or our's, has the most to do with the matter, a corporal would very soon decide. It is not a bad idea of Mr. Sheldrake's, though certainly its novelty admits of question, viz. that soldiers are always healthy, unless they are made otherwise by accident or disease. Mr. Sheldrake has probably seen people (not soldiers) unhealthy, without either accident or disease! The logic of the passage we have quoted is nearis nearly as good as the rest of the precious affair-it is impossible, quoth he, that dancing people should be ill-formed, for the plain reason that it is impossible! certes, a very profound deduction."

After these preliminary remarks on the preliminary steps of the "science" of dancing, Mr. Sheldrake takes a bolder flight, and soars into the regions of the ballet, and the differences between the French and Italian modes! He informs us that the French are better dancers than any other nation, and occupies nearly half his lecture in proving what our grandmothers knew full as well as Mr. Sheldrake. To ascribe this, however, merely to the system pursued in France, is downright twaddle, because when adopted elsewhere it does not and will not produce the same results. The French, as a people, are constitutionally dancers, just as the Italians are naturally musicians, and the Hollanders neither. We should like to see Mr Sheldrake make a figurant of a burgomaster, notwithstanding all the preparatory manœuvres disclosed to his ravished optics by Madame Simonet, or the finest modification of regulated muscular tension invented by himself. Goldsmith, who, we readily admit, is not to compared to Mr. Sheldrake, has observed of France

"Alike all ages: dames of ancient days
Have led their children thro' the mirthful maze;
And the gay grandsire, skill'd in gestic lore,
Has frisk'd beneath the burthen of threescore."

It is not the system that has made the French dancers-but the French, being dancers, that have made the system. The distinguished lecturer recommends, and "a gentleman, who is a very eminent teacher of dancing," fully agrees with him, that all young ladies and gentlemen should begin with the minuet, that. being the very best ground to go upon. Coming from such quarters, the recommendation will no doubt be acted on forthwith throughout civilized Europe at least. In "conclusion," we are favoured with the following remarks, which, tion, and scientific reasoning, are perfectly for grammatical construction, lucid descripunrivalled. We would not, for the universe, withhold them from our readers.

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First, the feet should always be kept directly under the legs, and not to allow them to turn or twist beyond what, for want of a better term, is called the natural form. In this state, the foot has its greatest motion directly backwards and forwards; of this motion, the greatest use is made in dancing. It has, likewise, a motion in the ancle joint; it is made by turning the great toe inwards. The foot has another motion at the ancle joint; it is made by turning the toe outwards. As much and serious injury is often sustained by persons who do not understand the structure of this joint and the proper way of managing it, to produce the effect they desire, it will be well to explain it here.

"If a person stands upright, with his heels close together, and his toes so placed, that a perpendicular line, passing through the middle of the patella down the leg and foot, by the inside of the great toe, his feet will be in the strongest position it is possible for them to take; they will be capable of making greater exertions, and for a longer portion of time than they can make in any other position. This is the position in which the skaiter places his foot, when he is preparing to strike with the full power of all the muscles of his thigh, leg, foot, and toes; being prepared for this action, he strikes, with all his force, the inside of his great toe against the ice, and thus drives himself forward, whilst he stands firmly on his other foot.

"This action of the great toe is likewise of great importance in dancing; the dancer, indeed, often has occasion to turn his toes outwards, much more than the position that has been described; but when he does so, if he understands how he should proceed to perform it, he keeps his foot firmly in the position that has been mentioned, and turns his leg outwards by the hip-joint, which is so formed, that it is one of the strongest of the human body; it allows of more motion, in every direction, than any other.* We have seen one French dancer, who was so completely master of himself in this respect, that he stood perpendicular upon the great toe of one foot, bent his body downwards upon one side, and raised his leg on the other, and thus balanced himself in the form of a T square, and in that situation turned his piourette in a manner that was really astonishing."

There is only one thing more astonishing than the T square of this mountebank, which is, that one person could write and another could seriously publish such rigmarole as is here transcribed. We are told above all things, to keep our feet directly under our legs, which, considering that people in this country are not in the ordinary habit of walking on their heads, seems a very reasonable and proper request. We do not therefore quarrel with this observation nor yet with the discovery that a motion in the ankle-joint is made by turning the great toe inwards, or the reverse, though we freely confess our utter inability to understand how moving the great toe can affect the ankle-joint at all. If we point the toes inwards or outwards, then the above-mentioned joint is affected, but even in this case a considerable share of the action produced depends upon inversion and eversion of the hip-joint, as any one may ascertain in his

own person. This serves to show how much Mr. Sheldrake knows about the matter, but let it pass. We cannot for the life of us comprehend how an individual standing upright, with his heels close together, and his toes so placed that a perpendicular line passing (laud we the grammar) through the middle of the patella down the leg and foot by the inside of the great toe," will be capable of making exertions both greater and longer than he could in any other position whatever.* We cannot conceive why it should be thus, and we know that it is not. An indivividual in such a position is really fit for nothing, unless indeed for a sawyer, and could scarcely move his upper extremities without being in danger of losing his balance. The position of firmness and stability is with one foot advanced, like the boxer, or fencer when not making his lunge. This also serves to show how much Mr. Sheldrake knows about the matter. The description of the skaiter is perfectly unique. "he strikes with all his Being fully prepared, force, the inside of his great toe against the ice" (!!) and thus drives himself forward, while he stands firmly on his other foot!!! We can tell Mr. Sheldrake, that the skaiter is not such an ass as to to engage his great toe in any such Quixotic quarrels with the ice, nor can he by any possibility, unless it be an Irish possibility, be driving forward with one foot, and standing still upon the other! This latter exploit of the Lecturer's skaiter, is only surpassed by that of the amphibious animal," at Bartholomew Fair, which the showman informs the spectators, can't live on the land, and dies in the water." !

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Seriously, since the Lectures on the

*Has the hip-joint more motion than the shoulder-joint? Mr. Sheldrake would be infinitely better employed in attending lectures than in writing them.

The sapient lecturer will oblige us by explaining how any one could stand perpendicularly with his body down on one side and his leg cocked a-kimbo on the other! Secondly, it would give us great pleasure to learn how a T can be square?

*This passage is expressed with that happy degree of obscurity in which Mr. Sheldrake peculiarly excels. We find on reading it over attentively, that by placing the feet in this position, they (the feet) will be capable of the strongest and longest exertions! How in the name of King Log, can any human being, except Mr. Sheldrake, "stand upright," with his feet in one position and be making exertions with those same feet at the same time ? We say again -Fudge !