rect and relative considerations which have been adduced, and which might be corroborated by quotations from other authorities; the practice has been proved to be not so safe as trusting mainly to the operations of nature.

"For never in her march doth nature halt, Nor cease undeviating way to treadGuided and govern'd by unerring hand!"

Unpublished Poem.

As it is an irremediable sentence"I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children:" what hope can possibly exist of evading it by the mere arts and contrivances of man? The travail is incident to the state of matrimony, the pains are incident to the travail, and relief succeeds as a natural incident after, and as a consequence of the delivery; cause and effect successively; nor can any art of man counteract the decree! And, should the sentence seem in any degree severe, does it

become the creature to vent a murmur against the will and ordinance, or to doubt the providence, of the Creator? But not severe is the "Father of Mercies!" as he " tempereth the winds to the shorn lamb," so he puts not upon any a punishment greater than can be borne. It is but to turn back to the pages of the second chapter, and again to read the professional avouchment of comfort, made by Dr. Smellie, to revive the consoling knowledge which his testimony has imparted, that not one case in a thousand will be one of any difficulty or danger; whilst Dr. Hamilton adds his testimony, that "In the greatest number of cases women are delivered without much difficulty or danger; such labours are therefore styled natural ;”— so true it is that

"In nature there is nothing melancholy." Should more be necessary to set doubt at once to rest, it is presented in the follow

ing words of Dr. Hamilton :-" Perhaps no circumstance in nature is better calculated to prove the existence of an omnipotent guardian power, than the admirable provision which is made for the delivery of the child."

It now remains for the public, upon due consideration, to form opinions as to the art and mystery of man-midwifery, countenanced in society in days of refinement, of which humanity in a state of nature would be ashamed!

"But let us now, as in bad plight, devise What best may for the present serve to hide The parts of each from other, that seem most To shame obnoxious, and unseemliest seen; Some tree, whose broad smooth leaves together sew'd,

And girded on our loins, may cover round Those middle parts; that this new-comer, shame, There sit not, and reproach us as unclean." PARADISE LOST.

The various and interesting bearings relating to the subject, have been treated of rather fully, in order to excite a

merited attention; and the considerations have been advanced, as they should in truth be entertained, without refe rence to distinction in ranks or condition in society; every member of the great family of mankind being susceptible alike of receiving and imparting the natural influences, and equally open through them in all but as regards a few adventitious circumstances, to good or evil consequences.

"For homeliest garb hath oft been found, When typed and moulded to the shape,

To deal such shafts of mischief round

As wisest men can scarce escape."

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ST. CHRYSOSTOM.

Huge Python and his power" disclosed in all the circumvolutions wherein society is involved by specious beguilements,

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fold above fold, redundant”—

which realize the classic fable of the Laocoon, fatal alike to parent and to offspring! the subject is closed. If when

examined and considered in a spirit of candid investigation, divested of prejudice and apprehension, the practice of man-midwifery is judged not to be consistent with natural feelings, nor conformable with the proprieties of individual conduct, but on the contrary, shall be deemed to be obnoxious to the animadversions which the preceding pages have passed upon it, let it be forthwith scandalized and abjured; as every worthy man would wish to preserve his marital privileges free from invasion, to possess to himself, unshared by any, the beauties, the enjoyment, the affection, and the innocencies of the wife of his bosom; or, (as infinitely better expressed by Milton,) as he may prize

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those graceful acts,

Those thousand decencies that daily flow From all her words and actions mix'd with love And sweet compliance; which declare unfeigned Union of mind, or in us both one soul."*

"Drink waters out of thine own cistern; and