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Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
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/- 1≫*X_^1^ ^ -Illiirillltri ;»• 4-4-V * -U-4-A4-4- *- ? •
Xiltminxt .
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If the direction of our speculative inquiries were always determined by the facts and exigencies of the passing hour , there can be no doubt that at present a considerable proportion of the scientific intellect of Europe would be engaged in perfecting a theory of cholera . It requires but a glance at the shoals v of dissimilar receipts for the treatment of the disease brought forward in tlie newspapers , to see how far short Practical Medicine is of any certain knowledge of the mode of dealing -with the disease , in its developed stage . But this uncertainty of medical practice in the disease is only an indication of the deeper ignorance -which exists as to the nature and conditions of epidemic diseases in general . Heckeb ' s celebrated book on tlie Epidemics of the Middle A . ges , is little more than a compendium of historical
information respecting notable epidemics ; it contains nothing of any speculative value as to the theory of epidemics . This field of inquiry is still open for men of science . Occasionally , we see a hint or suggestion on the subject ; but no man seems to have devoted himself perseveringly and exclusively to the investigation . With regard to Cholera , there ' seem to be two favourite tracks of hypothesis . One set of speculators evidently suppose a specific atm ospheric virus , a cholera-poison generated in spots and propagated ; and some go so far as to affirm that this virus consists of floating organic matter , a fungus , which the microscope could render visible ^ On the other hand , many take refuge in phrases about ' * electricity having something to do with it "—electricity , as is well known , being , in our present state of science ,
a convenient limbo for all unknown causes . We remember seeing m a medical journal an electrical . theory ¦ of disease in general , tlie purport of which was , that all the diseases to which flesh is liable might be divided into two classes—one class , consisting of diseases of the . fever kind up to rabies and madness , forming a scale of positive electrical derangements , in which the human electricity of the subject was unduly raised or augmented in relation to surrounding objects ; the other , consisting of diseases of the prostration order , terminating in cholera , plague , and such like , forming a corresponding negative scale . This is hopeless-looking enough ; but we see the electrical theory appearing vaguely in various other forms—as in tlfft talk of those who maintain that the cholera influence , whatever it is , is as
much telluric as atmospheric . On the whole , all that can be safely said , is that there are times when , over great tracts of the earth , or even round the entire planet , there creep such alterations of the conditions , chemical , electric , and oth er , necessary to human life , that a per centage of the human beings then aliye sink before the stroke . Sometimes , as in those great epidemics of which we read , that destroyed entire communities , and more than decimated the human race , it seemed as if the earth , as a whole , were relapsing-, so to speak , into the pre-Adamite state . After such shocks , however , the rebound was always remarkable . Human energy and activity of every kind seemed increased . On such hints , indeed , one might generalise farther . If there are
alterations for the worse—apparent relapses towards the pro-Adamite condition of the planet , may there not be alterations for the better—tentatives of the earth , so to speak , after an ensemble of conditions , chemical and electrical , favourable for the efflorescence and outburst of Humanity into something higher ? May not the ensemble of tlie planetary conditions amid which wo live be changing from day to day and from generation to generation ? And , as it is axiomatic that from the inmost mineral core of the earth outwards to the last thoughts and poesies and philosophies of its human
inhabitants , there must be a correspondence and connexion , why may not the moral alternations we seo in history—from ages of revolution to ages of calm , from ages of intellectual fecundity and originality to ages of intellectual sterility and commonplace , from a seventeenth to an eighteenth century—rest ultimately on an unseen basis of cosivncal undulations and vicissitudes ? There may bo a scientific meaning , after all , in the stringing together by ancient writers of such phenomena as wars and pestilcnoes , and famines , and great comets , and ( lights of locusts , and murrains among cattle , and violent earthquakes .
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The sting of Mr . Kusicin ' s eloquent pamphlet on the Crystal Palace , is contained in the following passage : — " It is indeed impossible to limit , in imn ^ iiuiLion , the beneficent results which may follow from tlio undertaking thus happily Uegun . For tho ( irtit time in tho history of tlio world , a national museum i » formed in -wfiich a wholu nation is interuHtud ; formed or » a souk which parmits tho exhibition of inomunonta of art in unbroken syininolry , and of tlio productions of naturo in unthwaited growth , — formed under tlio auspices of aeienco which ciui lmnlly err , and of wealth -which can lutrdly bo cxIiuustU'd ; and placed in tho dose nci ^ hbout'hood of a motropol ' iH overflowing with a population weary of labour , yet lli ' irating lor knowledge , whoro contemplation may bo «<» iiMHtaut with rest , and instruction with enjoyment . It is lmpouHiblo , I repent , to culiumlo tlio mllm'uoo of ouch uu inntitution on tho mimU of tlio ¦ working- omhboh ^ How many liours oncu vuated may now bo prolltably riudicutod lo i » iruuitH m which interest wan fir » t awakened by uomo accidental ilirtiilay in tlio Norwood jmlHCo ; how nmny constitutiima , almost broken , may bu restored by tlio jiealtliy temptation into tlio country uir , —how inmiy intellect !) , onco dormant , may bu roused into activity within tlio orytital walls , and how Umibo noblo leaulcs may go on multiplying and increasing and jcarlriK taut mivcmty timon aovun fold , an tho nation puraueu its cavvor , —arc quoalkoita ua lull ot hope au incapable of culeulation . Hut -with all tliu » o grounds for ht . po thvro mro otUora
for despondency , giving rise to a group of melancholy thoughts , of which I cau neither repress the importunity nor forbear the expression . " For three hundred years , the art of architecture lias been the subject of the most curious investigation ; its principles have been discussed with all earnestness and acuteness its models in all countries and of all ages have been examined with scrupulous care , and imitated with unsparing expenditure . And of all this refinement of inquiry , —this lofty search after the ideal , —this subtlety of investigation and sumptuoiisness of practice , —the great result , the admirable and long-expected conclusion is , that in the centre of the nineteenth century , we suppose ourselves to have invented a new style of architecture , when we have magnified a conservatory . "
We think this a wholesome and nmch-needed protest . Not so most people , however . The last sentence is calculated to give great offence ; and there are many who , after it , will relish the onslaught made on filr . Ruskin by Mr . Percy Jones , in his " Spasmodic Tragedy" of Firmiliun Two victims of the Spanish inquisition are led to tbe stake in the " Tragedy " —the one an Anabaptist of the Low Countries , named Teufelsdrockh ( our readers will recognise who that is } , the other a heretical " Graduate , " accused of having blown up a church . The " Graduate" is , of course , Mr . Ruskik . His behaviour at the stake is thus described : — *¦ ' SECOND GENTLEMAN . " Yet was he quite calm : A little pale , perhaps , but noway mored By all their hooting . When he readied the pile , He craved permission of the Inquisitor , To say a word or two . That being granted , He turned him straightway to the raging crowd , Which , at his gesture , stilled itself awhile , And spoke in parables . " FIRST GEUTLEMAN . . ' " flow mean you . sir ? : Did he confess Ms guilt ? " SECOND GENTLEMAN . " Ta faith , not he ! His speech "was worse than auy commination . He Curs'd the city , aad he curs'd the church ; He curs'd the houses , and he curs'd their stones . He curs'd , in short , in such miraculous wise , That nothing was exempted from his ban . Then , sir , indeed the people ' s wrath was roused . And a whol « storm of cats came tumbling in , Combined with baser missiles . I was fain , Not wishing to be wholly singular , To add my contribution to the rest . Yet he curs ' d on , till the Familiars gagged him—. . . Bound him unto the stake , and so lie died . "
Will it be believed that some newspapers have fallen into the trap prepared for them by Professor Attoxjn , in his clever preface , and actually reviewed the Tragedy as a serious poem by Mr . T . P . Jokes , a new candidate for poetic honours , living at Stieatham ! No doubt , this auto da , Jc ofBtr . Ruskin is in grateful remembrance of his Edinburgh Lectures .
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The subscriptions raised for Professor Wilson ' s monument , to be erected in Edinburgh , amount to 900 Z . : the sum required is 150 OJ . ; and it is sup ~ posed the difference will soon be made up .
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The late decision in the House of Lords has again unsettled the whole question of the rights of foreign authors over their works in this country . By that decision no foreigner can have copyright in this country . Accordingly , our republishers are again let loose upon American works , and may print Mrs . Stowe , or Bancroft , or Prescott , or Emerson , without let or hindrance . For some time past British publishers have been purchasing the works of American authors ; and Messrs . Bout * and others have had . to make atonement and apology for attempts in certain cases to issue other
editions of the works thus purchased . Now the tables are turned . No British publisher need now pay an American anything for his book—it is common property . Naturally enough , our booksellers -will revel in tlie opportunity of retaliation thus afforded on the Americans for their free and easy appropriations of tho fruits of British authorship . But it is disgraceful that such a state of things should exist . That it may the sooner be put a stop to , it is perhaps well that the pirating should now go on at a brisk rate —till all parties become roused .
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A RUSSIAN VAMl'HLET . * The Russian Question is already rich in curiosities of literature . The bulletins of the Invalidc Jiiussc , and of the Journal ( h St . Pctcrsbourg , in which tho discomfiture and ' disappearance ' , of the sacrilegious forces ot th « allies arc duly reported with a fertility of invention worthy of a happier theme , reply almost nntistroplucnlly to tho business-like despatches of our own commanders . It must be confessed , that from tho declaration of war to tho end of July , the exploits of our Bulgarian Cliobhani , and tho promenades of our blockading squadrons , have loft so much undone as to justify
tho imaginative ) pecans of tUo unpunished aggressors . On tho other hand , there has been no slackness in the operations of the aiiti-Kusaian press . Tlio . Eastern Question has boon ransacked , and sifted , and turned inside out , with so dexterous an adaptation of facts to theories and feelings , that it bus beuonio a question with many , where did the . Hastern Question begin t No doubt there arc many ingenuous politicians who fancy tlmfc it began with tlio mission of Princo Mcnschikofl ' , in tlio spring of last year . Many , too , will be surprised to hoar Hint whilo tho AVentoru prosa has poured iorth vials of imlimmlion on tho disturber of European poacc , and the reckless violator of treaties , Ruwsia Una employed iha leiBuru of iier diploniutists anajliu ~ Jm GMorre ' aVrlont . " fcfciTo « uaoH ~ er iiis " < JoiiBfciuoiicc < i . Par On Habitant do FEwopa Contiiicntnla . IJruxolk'B , 1631 .
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Critics are not the legislators , but the judges and police of literature . They do not make laws—they interpret and try to enforce them . —Edinburgh Review .
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August 19 , 1854 . ] THE LEADER . 785
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Leader (1850-1860), Aug. 19, 1854, page 785, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse2.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2052/page/17/
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