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ter leaving the bath was a little deeper coloured than common Sherry or Sicily wine. Treated with the sulphat of iron, a strong purplish brown precipitate was produced." In the several succeeding experiments, the results were similar, the third excepted; in which however he remained immersed but one hour and five minutes.

In his subsequent experiments, he tested the urine voided after he had been into the madder bath by the "caustic or moderately carbonated potash, which turns urine slightly tinged with madder of a cranberry red." To detect whatever there might be of fallacy in the experiments, the caustic potash was put into urine, in which there could be none of the coloring principle of the madder, and no change took place in the color of the urine. Various other experiments were made with a view to ascertain if the change in the color of the urine could have taken place from other causes than the absorption of the coloring principle of the madder through the skin. None could be detected. No candid mind oan peruse the pamphlet of Dr. Mussey without believing his experiments have been amply sufficient to demonstrate the doctrine of cutaneous absorption. This mode of experi. menting evinces an original mind, while the variety of his experiments shew a clear and comprehensive view of the merits of his subject. With one exception, where the diction seems to savor of levity, his style is simple, precise, nervous, and in every respect peculiarly suited to the nature of his subject. We do not now recollect to have seen any similar production of a young man in our country and times, which has so much merit as has this pamphlet of Dr. Mussey, whether it be considered in relation to the originality and accuracy of his mode of experimenting, the plain, simple manner of narrating his experiments, or the importance of the fact they establish. The Lyceum of Philadelphia would do no more than justice to Dr. Mussey, were the society to award to him the premium, which they had offered to any gentleman who should satisfactorily discuss the subject after

the manner they had pointed out. It is therefore with much pleasure we recommend its perusal (in the last number of professor. Barton's Medical and Physical Journal *) to all the lovers of philosophy and medicine in our country.

Private intelligence has been received that the author of the above pamphlet has tried a number of experiments with tincture of rhubarb, and has demonstrated by alkaline, tests, that it is absorbed through the skin as well as the madder. The urine voided after immersion in the above tincture upon the addition of an alkaline test became of a bright orange color.

*In justice to the merits of the Medical and Physical Journal of Philadel phia, we are compelled to remark, that it comprises such a history of the new facts, which are daily unfolding in physics and medicine, that it deserves the perusal of all who cultivate a knowledge of those sciences.

A work is about to issue from the press of T. B. Wait, and Company, entitled, Sacred Extracts from the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments, for the more convenient attainment of a knowledge of the inspired writers-For the use of schools and families.

The following passage, from the advertisement of the editor, will show the principles, upon which the selection has been made. "He solemnly assures the readers of this volume, that in exercising his judg ment and taste, respecting the passages best adapted to interest and instruct youth, he has most religiously endeavored to avoid all bias in favour of any particular sect or opinion. He affects no indifference toward the several schemes, which are professedly derived from the sacred writings : but he conceived that this was not the place to allow his preference and convictions to appear. He has ever come to the task of preparing the copy for the press, under a lively sense that "the ground was holy;" and he has endeavored to " put off" all prejudices and preposessions. By such as examine it with a similar spirit, he rejoices in the persuasion that

uprightness of views and impartiali- highly prized, than any other com

ty in execution will be allowed him ; and this will, as it ought, be more

mendation."

LIST OF NEW PUBLICATIONS.

ORIGINAL.

Lectures on the Evidences of the Christian Religion, delivered to the senior class on Sunday afternoon, in the College of New Jersey, by the Rey Samuel Stanhope Smith, D D. Philadelphia, Hopkins and Earle, 1809.

Select Reviews and Spirit of the Foreign Magazines, No. 6, for June 1809. By E. Bronson and others.— Hopkins and Earle, Philadelphia, and Farrand, Mallory, and Co. Boston.

The Boston Directory, containing the names of the inhabitan ts, their Occupation, places of business, and dwelling-houses. With lists of the streets, lanes, and wharves; the town offices, public offices, and banks. With other useful information. Boston, E. Cotton, 1809.

A Discourse, delivered before the Lieutenant Governor, the Council, and the two Houses composing the Legislature of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, May 31, 1809; being the day of General Election. David Osgood, D. D. Pastor of the church in Medford. Boston, Russell and Cutler, 1809.

By

A Farewell Sermon, preached May 28th, 1809, at Newark, New. Jersey, by Edward D. Griffin, D. D. Newark, N. J. E. E. Gould, 1809.

NEW EDITIONS.

A Practical Treatise on Bills of Exchange, Checks on Bankers, Promissory Notes, Bankers' Cash Notes, and Bank Notes. By Joseph Chitty, Esq. of the Middle Temple. A new dition, from the second corrected and enlarged London edition; with

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the addition of recent English and American cases. By Joseph Story, Counsellor at Law. Boston, Farrand, Mallory, and Co. 1809.

The Life of Petrarch, collected from Memoires Pour La vie de Petrarch, by Mr. Dobson. The first American from the seventh London edition. Embellished with two handsome engravings. Philadelphia, A. Finley, and W. H. Hopkins, 1809.

Memoirs of an American Ladys with Sketches of Manners and Scenery in America, as they existed prev. ious to the revolution. By the author of "Letters from the Mountains," &c. Two volumes in one. Boston, W. Wells, T. B. Wait, and Co. Hastings, Etheridge, and Bliss, 1809.

The Rudiments of Latin and English Grammar; designed to facilitate the study of both languages, by con necting them together. By Alexander Adam, LL. D. Rector of the high school of Edinburgh. Boston, William Andrews, 1809.

IN THE PRESS.

Collins and Perkins of New-York, have in the press, a Dissertation on the Mineral Waters of Saratoga. Second edition, enlarged, including an account of the waters of Ballstown, embellished with a Map of the surrounding country, and a view of the Rock Spring at Saratoga. By Valentine Seaman, M. D. one of the Surgeons of the New-York Hospital.

Lincoln and Edmands, Boston, have in the press, Murray's Sequei to the English Reader.

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We have received from the Rev. Dr. Kendall a further communication on the subject of our review of his Sermon, and our remarks on his Address to the Reviewers. To this review and these remarks, we refer our readers, who wish to re-examine this subject. In addition to what we have already said to relieve the Doctor's mind, as to the charge in which he supposed himself involved, by a passage in our remaks, introductory to the review, we willingly say, because we respect his character, and wish to promote his usefulness, that, while we adhere to the correctness of the following, as general remarks, viz. "The popular cry against confessions, though specious in its pretensions, we can view in no other light, than that of a masked attack upon the doctrines of grace," and that," in general it is aimed at the prostration of evangelical truth"-and while we repeat the expression of our regret, that Dr. K. should have placed himself in a situation to feel him. self implicated,” by the above remarks; yet, as we originally intended to make it depend upon himself, whether or not they should apply to him, after a personal interview with the Dr. and a frank disclosure on his part of his views of the evangelical doc' rines of the Gospel, we have great satisfaction in expressing our full belief, that the remarks alluded to are not applicable to Dr. K. While we dissent from the Dr. in his opinion of the expediency of Creeds and Confessions, and lament his having joined the public hue and cry against them, at a time when so many have departed from "the faith once delivered to the Saints," we yet believe, because he has declared it, "that his general views of the doctrines of the gospel," correspond with those of the "learned and pious Dr. Doddridge ;" and that such as this amiable divine believed to be the truth of God, are the doctrines, which it is his aim to preach and defend; and in pursuing this course, he has our sincere wishes for his success.

We have received several communications, which shall have due attention. Correspondents are requested to forward their favors, early in the month.

* See Panoplist and Magazine, Vol. I. Pages 125, and 227.

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SOME ACCOUNT OF SIR ISAAC NEWTON.

SIR ISAAC NEWTON, a most celebrated English philosopher and mathematician, and one of the greatest geniusses that ever appeared in the world, was descended from an ancient family in Lincolnshire, where he was born in the year 1642. His powers of mind were wonderfully comprehensive and penetrating. Fontenelle says of him; "" that in learning mathematics he did not study Euclid, who seemed to him too plain and simple, and unworthy of taking up his time. He understood him almost before he read him: a cast of his eye on the contents of the theorems of that great mathematician, seemed to be sufficient to make him master of them." Several of his works mark a profundity of thought and reflection, that has astonished the most learned men.

He was highly esteemed by the university of Cambridge; and was twice chosen to represent that place in parliament. He was also greatly favored by queen Anne, and by George the first. The princess of Wales afterwards queen consort of England, who had a turn for philosophical inquiries, used frequently to propose questions to bim. This princess had a great Vob. II. New Series.

regard for him; and often de clared, that she thought herself happy to live at the same time as he did, and to have the pleasure and advantage of his conver. sation.

This eminent philosopher was remarkable for being of a very meek disposition, and a great lover of peace. He would rather have chosen to remain in ob. scurity, than to have the serenity of his days disturbed by those storms and disputes, which genius and learning often draw upon those who are eminent for them. We find him reflecting on the controversy respecting his optic lectures, (in which he had been almost unavoidably engaged,) in the following terms: "I blamed my own imprudence, for parting with so real a blessing as my quiet, to run after a shadow."

The amiable quality of modesty stands very conspicuous in the character of this great man's mind and manners. He never spoke, either of himself or others, in such a manner, as to give the most malicious

censurers the

least occasion even to suspect him of vanity. He was candid and affable; and he did not assume any airs of superiority over those with whom he associated.

He never thought either his merit or his reputation, sufficient to excuse him from any of the com. mon offices of social life. Though he was firmly attached to the church of England, he was averse to the persecution of the Non. conformists. He judged of men by their conduct and the true schismatics, in his opinion, were the vicious and the wicked. This liberality of sentiment did not spring from the want of religion; for he was thoroughly persuaded of the truth of Revelation; and amidst the great variety of books, which he had constantly before him, that which he loved the best, and studied with the greatest application, was the Bible. He was, indeed, a truly pious man : and his discoveries concerning the frame and system of the universe, were applied by him to demonstrate the being of a God, and to illustrate his power and wisdom. He also wrote an excellent discourse, to prove that the remarkable prophecy of Daniel's weeks, was an express prediction of the coming of the Messiah, and that it was fulfilled in Jesus Christ.

The testimony of the pious and learned Dr. Doddridge to the most interesting part of this great man's character, cannot be omit ted on the present occasion. "According to the best informa. tion," says he, "whether pub. lic or private, I could ever ob. tain, his firm faith in the divine Revelation discovered itself in the most genuine fruits of substantial virtue and piety; and Consequently gives us the justest reason to conclude, that he is now rejoicing in the happy effects of it, infinitely more than in all the applause which his philosophical

works have procured him, though they have commanded a fame lasting as the world."

The disorder of which he died, was supposed to be the stone in the bladder; which was, at times, attended with so severe parox. ysms, as to occasion large drops of sweat to run down his face. In these trying circumstances, he was never heard to utter the least complaint, nor to express the least impatience.

He departed this life in the eighty-fifth year of his age; and in his principles and conduct through life, has left a strong and comfortable evidence, that the highest intellectual powers har. monize with religion and virtue; and that there is nothing in christianity, but what will abide the scrutiny of the soundest and most enlarged understanding.

How great and satisfactory a confirmation is it to the sincere, humble Christian, and what an insurmountable barrier does it present to the infidel, to perceive in the list of Christian believers, the exalted and venerable names of Bacon, Boyle, Locke, Newton, Addison, and Lyttelton! men who must be acknowledged to be ornaments of human nature, when we consider the wide compass of their abilities, the great extent of their learning and knowledge, and the piety, integrity, and beneficence of their lives. These eminent characters firmly adhered to the belief of christianity, after the most diligent and exact researches into the life of its Founder, the authenticity of its records, the completion of its prophecies, the sublimity of its doctrines, the purity of its precepts, and the arguments of its adversaries. Murray.

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