circumstance we regret is, that, upon | of Sierra Leone, called from them the Manthe whole, it must be rather considered as a compilation from previous writers, than as the result of the author's experience not that he is exactly on a footing with mere compilers: because every account which he quotes of scenes to which he is familiar, he sanctions by his authority; and, with the mass of borrowed, there is a certain portion of original matter. It appears also, that a brother of the author, in company with a Mr. Watt, penetrated above 400 miles into a part of Africa totally unknown to Europeans; but there are very few observations quoted from the journal kept in this excursion; and the mention of it served for little more than to excite a curiosity which is not gratified by further communica

tion.

By the neighbourhood of Sierra Leone, Mr. Winterbottom means the windward coast, or that portion of the western shore of Africa which extends from the river Senegal to the latitude of nearly five degrees north, where the coast quits its easterly direction, and runs away to the south, or a little to the east of south.

The whole of this coast is inhabited by a great number of independent nations, divided by different shades of barbarism and disputed limits of territory, plunged in the darkest ignorance and superstition, and preyed upon by the homicide merchants of Europe. The most curious passage in this section of the work, is an extract which Mr. Winterbottom has given us from a report made to a Committee of the House of Commons by the Directors of the Sierra Leone Company; and which (as we conjecture, from Dr. Winterbottom's mode of expressing himself, it has never been printed) we shall extract from his book.

dingo country. As is the practice of the professors of that religion, they formed schools in which the Arabic language and the doctrines of Mahomet were taught: and the customs of Mahommedans, particularly that of not selling any of their own religion for slaves, were adopted; laws founded on the Koran were introduced; those practices which chiefly contribute to depopulate were eradicated; and, in spite of many intestine convulsions, a great comsecurity, was introduced: population, in parative idea of civilisation, unity, and consequence, was rapidly increased; and the whole power of that part of the country in which they are settled has gradually fallen into their hands. Those who have been taught in their schools are succeeding to wealth and power in the neighbouring countries, and carry with them a considerother chiefs are adopting the names as

able portion of their religion and laws;

sumed by these Mahommedans, on account of the respect with which it is attended; and the religion of Islam seems to diffuse itself peaceably over the whole district in which the colony is situated, carrying with it those advantages which seem ever to have attended its victory over African super

stition."

Agriculture, though in a rude infant state, is practised all along this coast of Africa. All the lands must be strictly appropriated in a country, and the greater part cultivated, before any can be cultivated well. Where land is of little value, it is cheaper and better to till it slightly than perfectly; or rather, perfection, under such circumstances, consists in idleness and neglect. The great impediment to be removed from the fresh land which the Africans mean to cultivate, are those troublesome weeds called trees; which are first cut down, and then, with the grass, set fire to at a particular season of the year. This operation is performed when the Pleiades, the only stars they observe, are in a certain position with respect to At that season the "A remarkable proof (say the Directors) the setting sun. exists in the neighbourhood of Sierra Leone, fires are seen rolling in every direction of the very great advantages of a permanent, over the parched and inflammable though very imperfect, system of govern- herbage; and the blazing provinces ment, and of the abolition of those African are discerned at an immense distance laws which make slavery the punishment in the night by ships approaching the of almost every offence. Not more than coast. At this period of arson, it is seventy years ago, a small number of Mahommedans established themselves in a not safe to travel without a tinder-box; country about forty miles to the northward for, if a traveller is surprised by the

pursuit of the flame, his only safety, enter, unless his salutation is returned. consists in propagating the same evil Nay, when the door is thus slightly before, by which he is menaced behind; closed, a woman, by pronouncing the and, in trudging on amidst the fiery word Mooradee (I am busy), can prehyphen, multiplying destruction in vent her husband from entering, even order to avoid it. The Foolahs, who though he is assured she is entertaining seem to have made the greatest ad- her gallant. His only remedy is to vances in agriculture, are, however, still wait for their coming out. ignorant of the use of the plough, The explanation of these insulated though Dr. Winterbottom is quite per-pieces of superlative refinement among suaded they might easily be taught to use cattle for that purpose.

"There came, (says the Doctor) during my residence at the colony, a chief of considerable importance, from the river Gambia, attracted by curiosity, and a desire of information. The man, whose appearance instantly announced a mind of no common cast, was so much struck with what he saw

there, that before he went away he engaged

in his service two of the most ingenious mechanies in the colony, one of whom, a carpenter, among other things, was to make a plough, and the other was to teach his people the art of training oxen for the draught, and fixing them to the yoke. For a further account of this person, see the Report of the Directors of the Sierra Leone Company. London, 1795.

savages, frequently is, that they are not mere ceremonies, but religious observances; for the faith of barbarous people commonly regulates all the frivolous minutiae of life, as well as its important duties: indeed, generally considers the first as of greater consequence than the last. And it must be a general fact, at all times, that gross ignorance more tenaciously adheres to a custom once adopted, because it respects that custom as an ultimate rule, and does not discern cases of exception by appealing to any higher rule upon which the first is found.

The Africans are very litigious; and display, in their law-suits or palavers, a most forensic exuberance of images, and loquacity of speech. Their criminal causes are frequently terminated by selling one of the parties into slavery; and the Christians are always ready to purchase either the plaintiff or defendant, or both; together with all the witnesses, and any other human creature who is of a dusky colour, and worships the great idol Boo-Boo-Boo, with eleven heads.

It is curious to remark, that where any instance of civilisation and refinement is discovered in the manners of a barbarous people, it exists in a much higher degree than the same virtue in nations generally refined. There are many single points of barbarous courtesy much more rigidly adhered to than the rules of European politeness would require. We have often remarked this in the voyages of Captain Cook, among No great division of labour can of the islands of the Indian Archipelago; course be expected in such a state of and there is a very remarkable instance society. Every man is a city in himof it among the natives of this coast. self, and is his own tailor, hairdresser, The houses (says Dr. Winterbottom) shoemaker, and everything else. Among have seldom any other opening than the Foolahs, however, some progress the door, of which there are usually has been made in the division of emtwo opposite to each other. These serve the purpose of keeping up a current of air; they also admit the light; and afford an exit to the smoke of the fire, which is made in the middle of the floor. The entrance of a house is seldom closed by anything but a mat, which is occasionally let down, and is a sufficient barrier against all intruders. The most intimate friend will not presume to lift the mat and

ployments. The tanner and the blacksmith are distinct trades; and the ingenuity which they evince in overcoming obstacles, by means so inadequate to those which Europeans possess, may convince us what a stock of good qualities human nature has in store for cases of emergency. They put to sea canoes of ten tons' burthen hollowed from a single tree; and although they are ignorant of the use of

the potter's wheel, make earthen pots | cence by submitting to an ordeal. If fit for every domestic use. Dr. Win- he is burnt by red-hot iron, or scalded terbottom thinks they may have learnt by boiling oil, he is immediately hurtheir pottery from Europeans; but if ried to the gallows, with a zeal proporthis is true, it is rather singular they tioned to the force and perspicuity of were not instructed by the same masters the evidence. In the neighbourhood in the use of the potter's most conve- of Sierra Leone, a curious species of nient and most prominent instrument. pharmaceutical tyranny is resorted to The common dress of the men consists for the purpose of ordeal. The bark of in a shirt, trowsers, woollen cap or hat, a particular tree, of purgative and which they buy of Europeans. Those emetic qualities, is infused into a large who can afford it, are fond of deco- quantity of water, of which the prirating themselves in all the second- soner is to drink about six calabashes hand splendour they can purchase at quite full. If this judicial and inquisithe same market; and Monmouth tive drink take a superior direction, Street embarks its decayed finery for and return by the aperture through the coast of Africa, where Soosoo rakes which it is admitted, all is well; but if and loungers are joyfully vested in the the least honourable and elegant of its habiliments of their Bond Street pre-powers predominate over the other, and decessors. The dress of the Pagan it evince a disposition to descend, all African is never thought complete, un-opportunity of changing its line of less a variety of greegrees, or amulets, egress is prevented, by the immediate be superadded; these are to guard elevation of the accused person to the against every possible accident; but, gibbet. as Dr. Winterbottom observes, are such very cumbersome protectors, that in all real dangers they are commonly thrown away. The Mahommedan religion is inimical to dancing, singing, and all the lighter species of amusement. Riding on horseback is the only exercise of those Africans who have adopted this dull faith. Sedentary amusements, such as reading and writing, which flatter the literary pride with which they are puffed up, are most congenial to their habits. The collation of manuscripts, which they perform with industry and accuracy, takes up much of their time. The Pagan African, on the contrary, is commonly a merry, dancing animal, given to every species of antic and apish amusement; and as he is unacquainted with the future and promised delights of the Arabian prophet, he enjoys the bad music, and imperfect beauty of this world, with a most eager and undisturbed relish.

The desire of penetrating into futurity, and the belief that some persons are capable of doing it, is as difficult to eradicate from the human mind, as is the belief in an immediate Providence; and consequently, the Africans not only have their ordeal, but their conjurors and magicians, who are appealed to in all the difficulties and uncertainties of life, and who always, of course, preserve their authority, though they are perpetually showing, by the clearest evidence of facts, upon what sort of foundation it rests. But the most singular circumstance in the history of barbarians is, that tendency to form interior societies, comprehending a vast number of members, and rivalling the govern ment in their influence upon public opinion. Such is the Areoy Society at Otaheite, and such the Society of the Purra in Africa. Every person, on entering into this Society, lays aside his former name, and takes a new one. There is something so natural, and They have a superior, whose commands so closely derived from human govern-are received with the most profound ments, in the notion of the immediate veneration. When the Purra comes interference of Providence, that man-into a town, which is always at night, kind are only weaned from it by centuries of contradiction and discussion. In all cases, where crime is alleged, the accused is obliged to prove his inno

it is accompanied with the most horrid screams, howlings, and every kind of awful noise. The inhabitants, who are not members, are obliged to secure

themselves within doors. Should any

(E. REVIEW, 1806.)

A Comparative view of the New Plan of Education promulgated by Mr. Joseph Lancaster, in his Tracts concerning the Instruction of the Children of the Labouring Part of the Community; and of the System of Christian Education founded by our pious Forefathers for the Initiation of the Young Members of the Established Church in the Principles of the Reformed Religion. By Mrs. Trimmer. 1805.

one be discovered without, or peeping TRIMMER AND LANCASTER.* to see what was going forwards, he would infallibly be put to death. Mere seclusion of females is not considered by the Society as a sufficient guarantee against their curiosity; but all the time the Purra remains in town, the women are obliged to clap their hands, to show they are not attempting any private indulgence of espionnage. Like the Secret Tribunal which formerly existed in Germany, it punishes the guilty and disobedient, in so secret a manner, that the perpetrators are never known, and, from the dread of the Tribunal, not often inquired for.-The natives about Sierra Leone speak of the Purra men with horror, and firmly believe that they have all strict and incessant intercourse with the devil.

THIS is a book written by a lady who has gained considerable reputation at the corner of St. Paul's Churchyard; who flames in the van of Mr. Newberry's shop; and is, upon the whole, dearer to mothers and aunts than any other into the mouths of babes and sucklings. author who pours the milk of science Tired at last of scribbling for children, and getting ripe in ambition, she has and selected for her antagonist as stiff now written a book for grown-up people, a controversialist as the whole field of

This account of Africa is terminated by a single chapter on Sierra Leone; a subject on which we cannot help regretting that Dr. Winterbottom has not been a little more diffuse. It would derive a peculiar interest from the present state of St. Domingo, as the dispute could well have supplied. Her perils with which West India property opponent is Mr. Lancaster, a Quaker, is now threatened must naturally aug- who has lately given to the world new ment curiosity respecting the possibility and striking lights upon the subject of of a pacific change of that system; and Education, and come forward to the we should have read with pleasure and notice of his country by spreading instruction the observations of so intel-order, knowledge, and innocence among ligent and entertaining a writer as Dr. the lowest of mankind. Winterbottom, who is extensively acquainted with the subjects on which he writes, and has a talent of selecting important matter, and adorning it. Dr. Winterbottom says he has been in Africa some years, and we do not doubt the fact; he might, however, have written this book without giving himself that trouble; and the only diffe-perienced at Mrs. Trimmer's book, was from the patronising and protecting rence between him and a mere compiler air with which she speaks of some small is, that he sanctions his quotations by authority, and embellishes them by his ingenuity. The medical volume we have not yet seen, but this first volume may be safely purchased.

in his book; and therefore her answer Mr. Lancaster, she says, wants method to him is without any arrangement. The same excuse must suffice for the desultory observations we shall make upon this lady's publication.

The first sensation of disgust we ex

part of Mr. Lancaster's plan. She seems to suppose, because she has dedi

Lancaster invented the new method of education. The Church was sorely vexed at its success, endeavoured to set up Dr. Bell as the discoverer, and to run down poor Lancaster. George the Third was irritated by this shabby conduct, and always protected Lancaster. He was delighted with this Review, and made Sir Herbert Taylor read it a second time to him.

the sagacity of multitudes than we do, I throw the person rubbed into a very who would convert this into a reason copious perspiration. A patient in of belief. Whoever thinks it so easy typhus, who was given over, recovered to get at truth in the midst of passion, after this discipline was administered. should read the various histories of the recent rebellion in Ireland; or he may, if he chooses, believe, with thousands of worthy Frenchmen, that the infernale was planned by Mr. Pitt and Lord Melville. As for us, we will state what appears to us to be the truth, should it even chance to justify a man in whose lifetime Europe can know neither happiness nor peace.

The boldness and enterprise of medical men is quite as striking as the courage displayed in battle, and evinces how much the power of encountering danger depends upon habit. Many a military veteran would tremble to feed upon pus; to sleep in sheets running with water; or to draw up the breath of feverish patients. Dr. White might not, perhaps, have marched up to a The story of the poisoning is given battery with great alacrity; but Dr. by Dr. Wittman precisely in the same White, in the year 1801, inoculated desultory manner as that of the mas- himself in the arms, with recent matter sacre. "An individual was pointed out taken from the bubo of a pestiferous to us as the executioner of these diaboli-patient, and rubbed the same matter cal commands." By how many persons upon different parts of his body. was he pointed out as the executioner? With somewhat less of courage, and by persons of what authority? and of more of injustice, he wrapt his Arab what credibility? Was it asserted from personal knowledge, or merely from rumour? Whence comes it that such an agent, after the flight of his employer, was not driven away by the general indignation of the army? If Dr. Wittman had combined this species of information with his stories, his conduct would have been more just, and his accusations would have carried greater weight. At present, when he, who had the opportunity of telling us so much, has told us so little, we are rather less inclined to believe than we were before. We do not say, these accusations are not true, but that Dr. Wittman has not proved them to be

true.

Dr. Wittman did not see more than two cases of plague: he has given them both at full length. The symptoms were thirst, headache, vertigo, pains in the limbs, bilious vomitings, and painful tumours in the groins. The means of cure adopted were, to evacuate the primæ viæ; to give diluting and refreshing drinks; to expel the redundant bile by emetics; and to assuage the pain in the groin by fomentations and anodynes; both cases proved fatal. In one of the cases, the friction with warm oil was tried in vain; but it was thought useful in the prevention of plague: the ⚫ immediate effect produced was, to

servant in the bed of a person just dead of the plague. The Doctor died; and the Doctor's man (perhaps to prove his master's theory, that the plague was not contagious) ran away.

-The bravery of our naval officers never produced anything superior to this therapeutic heroism of the Doctor's.

Dr. Wittman has a chapter which he calls An Historical Journal of the Plague; but the information which it contains amounts to nothing at all. He confesses that he has had no experience in the complaint; that he has no remedy to offer for its cure, and no theory for its cause.* The treatment of the minor plague of Egypt, Ophthalmia, was precisely the method common in this country; and was generally attended with success, where the remedies were applied in time.

Nothing can be conceived more dreadful than was the situation of the military mission in the Turkish camp; exposed to a mutinous Turkish soldiery, to infection, famine, and a scene of the most abominable filth and putrefaction; and this they endured for a year and a half, with the patience of apostles of

* One fact mentioned by Dr. Wittman appears to be curious;-that Constanti the interruption of its communication with nople was nearly free from plague during Egypt.