phens from the carping of that unreasonable criticism which would "fault him," in the expressive phrase of the Irish,

for not sitting down to philosophize, when, as we contend, he ought to be doing just what he did, taking heedful note of all things curious, novel, or wonderful, that came in his way. His business was to collect materials for others to philosophize upon, if they chose; and have we not shown how successful he was in the gathering? Here, in our limited range of extracts, and that, too, without even alluding to the ruins, we have presented him discoursing of the most interesting philosophical topics; manners, morals, cookery, political economy, gambling, lovely women, surgery, slavery, currency, fortitude under suffering, universal suffrage, democracy, the credit system, the administration of justice, revolutions, and natural history; and if there had been room, we could have gone on extending the catalogue indefinitely. Macte virtute; if Mr. Stephens will take our advice, he will go on making just such books as he has made hitherto, and beware how he burns his fingers with "inductive philosophy."

ART. IV. The Northern Lakes a Summer Residence for the Invalids of the South. By DANIEL DRAKE, M. D., Professor in the Medical Institute of Louisville. Louisville, Ky. T. Maxwell, Jun. 1842. 8vo. pp.

29.

THIS is a work of few pages, but it opens a subject of very broad bearings. Dr. Drake's character as a literary and scientific man is known throughout the country. His reputation has grown with "the West," and he has been a most attentive and intelligent observer of its moral and physical developments. To him the public is indebted for many. valuable collections of facts relative to the Indian history, habits, &c., arresting them as they were fleeting by, likely to be lost for ever. He has also been an industrious chronicler of those events which prepared the way for that magnificent progress of population and improvement, that has marked the last fifty years of the trans-Alleghanic region.

These have been the mere diversions of his active mind,

his regular profession having probably furnished the main occupation of his matured years. Led by motives arising principally from this profession, he made, the last summer, a tour over the "Northern Lakes" in such a leisurely way, as enabled him to treasure up many valuable observations on the characteristics of disease, as modified by climate, geographical influences, and other causes, with a view to form clear and satisfactory opinions respecting the chances of health and long life, that are presented by several of the broad divisions of our country. This more elaborate result of his tour has not, as yet, been published; though, we trust, the expectation of its appearance, in due time, will not be disappointed. In a country where such continued changes are taking place, and a part of the population appears to have no abiding place, it is well to have something like a hygeic chart, showing the promise of salubrity held out by different regions. Foresight or prudential calculations do not govern in many cases, where a restless spirit of adventure prompts and goads on to change. There are other cases, however, where there is a desire to examine all the influences for good or for ill which may hang over the future. And we have no doubt, that, should Dr. Drake present to the public such a work, as his experience, range of observation, and nice discrimination, will enable him to prepare, after a very general and careful consideration of many latitudes and longitudes, in their bearing upon this important subject, it will be sought after with much eagerness, as one of those guides in emigration, which may dissipate doubts and fears so naturally suggested where so much is put to hazard.

The present discourse is not intended, we presume, even as a preliminary to the important work here alluded to. It was addressed to the pupils of "The Medical Institute of Louisville soon after the return of the author from his tour, and appears to have in view merely a general outline of the objects that had attracted his attention, and their particular bearing upon "valetudinarians of the South," who may leave their warmer latitudes for the North. The opening of his discourse will best bespeak his views in delivering it, and is as follows.

"Much having been written on the comparative fitness of different places in the South, as winter residences for the inva

lids of the North, we propose to say something for the benefit of the valetudinarians of the former. Their present places of resort are chiefly the following: 1. The Virginia Springs, where they can drink mineral waters of different kinds, and must breathe a mountain air, which, although not in a high latitude, is invigorating. 2. The New York Springs, in a higher latitude, but on a lower level. 3. The Harrodsburg Springs of Kentucky, where art has contributed munificently to the comfort of invalids and the amusement of the gay, but the advan tages of high latitude and alpine scenery cannot be enjoyed. 4. Long Branch, Newport, Nahant, and other marine watering and bathing places; to which may be added, 5. A trip to the Falls of Niagara, and 6. A voyage on the St. Lawrence to Montreal and Quebec. It is not our intention to declaim against any of these resources, but to add another, which we cannot but regard as superior to either, and, in reference to certain invalids and fashionable ennuyés, preferable to the whole. Before proceeding, however, let us inquire, what is necessary to give effect to a sojourn in the North by the classes of persons whose tastes or infirmities demand it. In the first place, as the majority are citizens, they should, in travelling for health or recreation, seek for places and scenes that will be in contrast with their homes. The invalid cannot recover, nor the fashionable rusticate, in a crowd. 2d. The places now frequented are not so far north as to give many of the advantages of a cool climate. 3d. They offer but few novelties. 4th. They do not abound in historical associations. 5th. Although the springs of New York, Virginia, and Kentucky are valuable in several forms of chronic disease, they are useless in others and injurious in some, while the invalid seldom proceeds to drink of their waters understandingly. 6th. The amusements and dissipations in which they abound often tempt the infirm into unhealthy indulgences. 7. It is, we believe, an admitted truth, that, in general, but a part of the benefit which results from visiting mineral springs comes from the use of their waters." pp. 5, 6.

When we consider the large number of persons whose comfort is concerned in this matter, we are disposed to place all efforts to give it a proper direction high on the list of benevolent plans. There is a constant interchange between the North and the South in respect to invalids. We do not know that any one has undertaken to sum up, even with approximate accuracy, the number of those who leave the North, as the chills of autumn give out their warning of

the approach of winter, for the more genial South; or of those who, as the high temperature of summer parches up the South, shrivels its foliage, and lifts up each evening a humidity from its streams and marshes, that descends in poison upon man, however it may refresh the withered herb, of those who "flee as a bird unto the field," or to the cooler breezes and purer atmosphere of the North; but we have no doubt that they constitute a class whose sum and substance may claim the kindest regards of the philanthropist..

The invalids of the North have little choice, as they turn towards the lands of perpetual verdure. If they stop short of the West Indies, the maritime skirts of South Carolina, Georgia, or Florida gather them within their tepid folds. They have but one object in view, and that centres upon a point. They seek repose beyond the boundaries of frost, and gladly pause upon the first spot which promises to afford such amenity of climate. Not so with the Southerner, who generally looks to the North for an agreeable and healthy sojourn of a few weeks. His object is rather to fly from disease, than to seek for health. The whole North is before him, where to choose. Attractions radiate in every direction, almost bewildering him with their multiplicity, and, in his doubts and indecision, he resolves to follow where others have led, though the trace run the same round, until it has become tiresome from monotony. This remark applies more particularly to those who come up the coast.

Dr. Drake places the "Virginia Springs Virginia Springs " at the head of his enumeration; not, we presume, from any superiority of attraction, though they offer many allurements to a large class of invalids. The waters are salutary, and of

It has, of late years, particularly during the Florida war, been the habit of individuals, laboring under pulmonic complaints, to resort to St. Augustine, which certainly offers many inducements to such to winter there. Its climate, compared with that of all northern positions within the United States, is bland and restorative. Still, it has many days which are harsh to the consumptive patient; many winds which make him shrink within his cloak, and aggravate his complaint. There are positions on the River St. John's nearly free from these objections. They are rather in the interior, and yet not so far from the coast as to lose the influences of the sea-breeze. Probably Pilatka, a site occupied by the troops, about a hundred miles up the river, and twenty-five miles in a direct line (the intervening land being flat) from the ocean, and where there will be ample accommodations of such kind as answer in that mild climate, will soon become a favorite haunt for northern invalids.

extraordinary efficacy in many complaints. The air is invigorating, because it blows over mountains, which improve the atmospheric currents almost as much as those of water. If more of the Southern invalids were persuaded to stop short of this point, more of them would probably be benefited by their journeyings; as many, in going farther, only fare the worse. But the "New York Springs," the second in his enumeration, have long been first in popularity. They have been the cynosure of neighbouring, as well as of more distant eyes, for years; the fashionable ordeal through which all must pass, who wish to avoid a mortification like that of Sterne, when he was piqued into the undertaking of his "Sentimental Journey."

A great change has come over this American Spa within a few years. We can remember the time when it affiliated with the surrounding country only by a few lines of stages, put upon the route only during the "watering season"; private equipages, extras, exclusive extras, &c., forming the principal means of conveyance for the crowds that concentrated there. Even the Carolinian and the Georgian, having in view only a few weeks' stay at these springs, would begin their long journey in a private carriage, undiscouraged by the prospect of bad roads, almost impassable streams, and slovenly accommodations; deeming the exhibition of themselves for such a brief time there a full compensation for all perils and privations encountered while outward and homeward bound. The classification of these crowds was then most distinctly made out, the mode of reaching the place marking with the most obvious discrimination the various grades of wealth, if not of respectability, prevailing among the visiters. Those who arrived in a coach and four were wheeled up in the brightest hour of day, and when the balconies were most likely to be thronged with spectators, feeling an assurance that all eyes would be turned on them with curiosity and consideration, the latter being readily paid in advance upon such unquestionable claims to receive it. The way was promptly opened to the party, which slowly descended the steps of the carriage and ascended those of the hotel, and the saloon was reached in a sort of triumph, where all was bustle and obsequiousness on the part of the host and his attendants, spreading out before them the choice of accommodations. The genealogy and