An Hungarian Physician's Fulmination against Coffee. 147 VOL. 3.] places, three stories below each other; POMPEY'S PILLAR rests upon a stone and there is a statue much defaced in which has hieroglyphics on it. They are One of the niches. The descent is per- inverted. The mass of testimony, or pendicular, and about 14 or 15 feet; on rather of hypothesis concerning it, is, that one side of solid rock, on the other of it was erected by Pompeius, a Governor earth, threatening to fall in with every of Lower Egypt, under the reign of Diotouch. The Catacombs were originally cletian, to whose honour it was dedicaquarries, whence the cities around were ted. The Arabs call it Amoud al Sawabuilt; the rock was then formed into ry, or " The Pillars of the Colonades," crypts for the dead. From the scarcity alluding to the porticoes with which it of wood, the Egyptians could not burn was surrounded so late as the time of the bodies. Saladin,the beginning of the 12th century. DR. PETOEZ'S DENUNCIATION AGAINST COFFEE. From the New Monthly Magazine, March 1818. MR. EDITOR, Hungarian physician, Dr. Michael Petoez, HAVE heard many persons express in a work just published by him at Prestheir surprise that after the benefits of burgh; and the pertinacity with which he vaccination have been so clearly proved supports it reminds us of the paradox of by experience, there should still be so the French advocate, Linguet, who, many medical practitioners who de- forty years ago, undertook to prove, with nounce that invaluable discovery as a Hippocrates in his hand, that bread is new scourge and calamity to the human also a slow poison, but who neverthele-s race. A closer acquaintance with the continued to eat it like all the rest of the history of medicine would teach all those world. A similar inconsistency has been whose minds are so affected by this noticed in the precepts and practice of phænomenon, that the most obstinate the eminent German physician, Dr. enemies to innovations of every kind, Hufeland, who, in his Macrobiotik, or in matters more immediately or remotely Art of Prolonging Life, strongly conconnected with health, have invariably demns the eating of cheese, though there been found among physicians themselves; is not a day on which he does not conand that there is no hypothesis too absurd sume an immoderate quantity of it himto be maintained by men of that profes- self. In like manner Dr. Petoez will sion when blinded by prejudice and a probably continue to drink the liquor spirit of system. That this species of infatuation is by no means confined to any particular age or country, may be deduced from a very recent example. which he condemns, and it is to be hoped that it will cure him of that hypochrondria with which he seems to be afflicted. A few specimens of the declamations and arguments of this new enemy of coffee may amuse your readers: It is well known, that on the introduction of coffee into western Europe, a great outcry was raised against that be- "Coffee is a real poison, pernicious to verage, which was pronounced to be an all persons without exception; neither absolute poison. It was with reference age, nor sex, nor temperament, nor conto this opinion that Fontenelle, whose stitution, can authorize the use of it favourite drink was coffee, and whose which inevitably produces the most life was prolonged to very near a century, dangerous consequences."-Page 4. observed:-"If coffee is a poison, it Would you see a miserable wretch must be a very slow one, for it has been who grew old in the abuse of coffee?above eighty years killing me." Your look at the bust of Voltaire. Would you readers need not be told that a great deal learn what direction he gave to his ideas has been written since that period both by exalting his imagination by means of for and against that beverage, some pre- coffee?-read his works."-Page 11. scribing it as a medicine, others proscribing it as pernicious. This last notion has been revived by a 66 “The train of diseases which are the usual consequences of poison, manifest themselves sooner or later in every 148 Denunciation against Coffee.-The Wanderer. [VOL. 3 every species of malady, that charming female, the work ofthe crafty Prometheus, would have had occasion only to pour out coffee."-Page 23. coffee-drinker:-vapours, palpitation of the heart, restiess nights, hæmorrhage, painful and excessive menstruation, he mopthysis, trembling, vertigo, convulsions, asthenia, fainting, head-ache--such "The plague cuts off a great number are the disorders observed in all drinkers of the inhabitants of the Levant, but it of coffee. An infinite multitude of other spares the most sober Mussulmans— chronical diseases, such as obstructions, those who scrupulously obey the precepts strangury, cancer, consumption, erup- of the Koran, and abstain not only from tions of the face, excessive sterility or fe- wine, but also from every other agreecundity, abortion, prove to what a de- able beverage, and consequently from gree the use of coffee vitiates the hu- coffee."-Page 24. mours of the human body. "The Arabs are the most famous "It is so true that all these diseases coffee-drinkers; for this reason, that naare occasioned by coffee, that the physi- tion which formerly produced philosocian who wishes to calculate beforehand phers who studied Aristotle and Plato, whether he shall have much to do in a whose physicians in the middle ages family which he is summoned to attend, were so superior to those of all other need only enquire whether this is their countries, is now buried in the profoundhabitual beverage: if he finds that all its est ignorance:-the heat of coffee has members, young and old, drink strong paralysed its intellectual faculties, the coffee, he may confidently anticipate fre- fire of coffee has burned up the delicate quent calls to exercise his art, and he will flowers of the understanding. have no occasion to pay them visits of ceremony."-Page 15. "Arabia Felix, a land to which nature has been so bountiful, is now inhabited only by wandering hordes, instead of being studded with flourishing towns and smiling villages which ensure competence and happiness to the industry of the inhabitants. To what influence does this nation owe its miserable condition?-To the use of coffee." -Page 44. "There is an astonishing difference between the diseases of persons who drink coffee, and those who do not. It is coffee that gives to epidemics a malignant character which they never had before this beverage was known; it is coffee that produces scrofula, inflammatory disorders, now so severe that they require frequent bleeding, a method which Your readers will be ready to exformerly was employed scarcely twice claim :-Physician heal thyself!-and for that complaint; it is coffee that they will agree with me that the author generates nervous fevers, and in short all might have employed himself more beother diseases. Did we not know that neficially for his fellow-creatures, had he Pandora had emptied her box before acquainted them with the causes of that coffee was discovered, we should say aberration of mind under which he evithat, in order to afflict mankind with dently labours. KUPHIPHILOS. THE WANDERER.* From the European Magazine, February 1818. THE next morning I awoke with feel thrown much in the company of the fair ings so different from those of the sex,) but I now felt that my affections preceding day, and so perfectly novel to vere firmly engaged. It may seem imme that I was unable to account for them, probable to some, and at this distance it the image of the beautiful girl I had seen seems almost unaccountabte even to mywholly occupied my thoughts, and the self, how so strong a feeling had been so description the French woman had giv- suddenly engendered, but it was perhaps en me of her, increased the interest I felt at my time of life that the social feelings for her. I had been totally unacquaint- seek for some object on which to attach, ed with la belle passion until this time, and repose them-elves; and the love y (perhaps owing to my not having been girl I had so lately seen, having no one left to whom the ties of nature should Continued from page 112. VOL. 3.] The Wanderer. 149 bind her, in a friendless and unprotected small and spare, his features sharp and state, which strongly resembled my own, expressive, his countenance was pale ●xcited my sympathy as well as admira- through sickness, but his eyes had an tion. Every usual occupation seemed uncommon vivacity and fire, he received to have lost its interest for me, I sat down me with great politeness, and lamenting to read, and altho' my eyes mechanically his illness, which prevented his rising, he followed the words, my mind was too requested me to be seated. much engaged in contemplating her image, who engrossed all my thoughts to have any share in my studies. I threw aside my books, and determined to walk; I had been walking some time, when I found that I had insensibly directed my steps towards the spot which I had been trying to forget. We immediately entered on the subject which had brought me, there. I said, that in the course of my studies at the University, and since my leaving, my attention had been directed to more severe subjects, and that I now wished to study the French and Italian languages, and the polite literature of each After considering with myself in every country, with a more critical attention possible light which the subject presented than the cursory manner in which, from to me, I determined on endeavouring to my chief time being otherwise employed, obtain an introduction, if it was by any I had hitherto regarded them, and that means possible; for this purpose I again it was on this account that I had sought called upon the garrulous French woman, his assistance. He said, he should be and by way of beginning a conversation, most happy in furthering my intentions, which rather embarrassed me, I enquired but that his illness, although he felt after the health of the Abbé. She said himself recovering, would, he feared, he was so much better that he expected prevent him from waiting on me this to be able to attend to his professional difficulty I with great eagerness obviated, duties in a short time: this gave me a and proposed that I would visit him at hint which I did not hesitate to profit by. his own house for the purpose of receivI said that I was very glad to hear it, for ing his instructions. He appeared that I wished for his assistance in study- gratified at what he called my kindness ing the languages, and that I should call in preventing him so much trouble; and the next day, when I hoped to find him after some general conversation on the recovered, as I said this, the woman literature of the day, in which I found smiled as I thought incredulously, but he was extremely well versed, and having perhaps it was only a sensation of con- arranged the order of my future visits to scious shame at the duplicity with which him, I took my leave. I felt I was acting. I then asked after the young lady, "Oh, Monsieur," said she, feeling at once the drift of my visit and enquiries," she is very well, and much happier than yesterday, in consequence of the Abbé's recovery." I now felt, that upon this subject I should have little command of myself, and that this woman, who already seemed to penetrate into my feelings, would know what she at present only guessed. I therefore left a card with her for the Abbé, and promising to call the next day, I return ed home. Upon reflecting on the events of this visit, although much disappointed at not having seen the lady who was the object of it, my vanity consoled me by suggesting that I had made as great a progress in the Abbé's favour as could be expected from so short an acquaintance. After I had regularly visited the Abbé for several days, and had at each time been grievously disappointed by not seeing the lady, I was one morning forunate enough to find her with him, when he introduced her to me as Mademoiselle Jacqueline de Montville; a I lost no time in repairing the next general conversation ensued, and I found day, and on enquiring for the Abbé, I her manners as engaging as her person was informed that he was sufficiently re- was lovely. I prolonged my stay as covered to sit up, and had desired to see much as was possible, and took leave of me when I should call. I was shewn to her with those sentiments of respect and him. He was sitting, supported by pil- love which I had before entertained, lows, in an easy chair-his figure was perfectly confirmed. Not to dwell 150 The Wanderer. [VOL. 3. I then took leave of Jacqueline and longer upon these circumstances, the more I saw of the young lady, the more the Abbé, and retired to consider in I loved her; and at an interview which what way I should make my applicaI had shortly after with her, when I tion to Lord Trevayne; about which I found her alone, I disclosed those sen- felt some perplexity. However, I detiments to her, and without any more termined not to delay, and the next day coyness than gave a lustre to her mo- I waited on him.-After some prelimidesty, she referred me to the Abbé.- nary conversation, I said that I resolved I immediately went to him, and ex- to marry, and that previously to my plained to him the state of affairs, add- doing so I thought proper to acquaint ing, that Mademoiselle Jacqueline had him with my intention. referred me to him. His Lordship, fixing his eyes on me, “My dear sir," said he, "as the only appeared not to understand what I had living protector of that amiable girl, you been saying, and asked me what I meant: may suppose that I feel much anxiety I instantly comprehended that what I as to her welfare, and I will confess to had said did not meet his approbation; you, that I know no one to whom I and this stratagem, which, perhaps, was would more willingly confide her happi- intended to terrify, and certainly to conness than yourself; but there are considerations which should prevent your rashly engaging in such a connexion as that which you now contemplate; you are nearly related to a noble family, who will perhaps offer some objections to your alliance with Jacqueline, on account of the adverse circumstances in which she is placed, although in point of birth, she may equal the proudest." fuse me, had quite a contrary effect, for, perceiving he wished to exert an authority to which I was by no means inclined to submit, I calmly and determinedly repeated my former conversation. "And pray, sir," said his Lordship, "who is this person to whom you are going thus suddenly to ally yourself." "She is," I said, " of the French noblesse; her parents are both dead. She, I bere interrupted him by saying, with her mother, took refuge in this that the situation in which I stood with country soon after the commencement my family, was not of that nature which of the French Revolution; in fortune made it necessary for me to consult she is certainly deficient, but to that I them upon such a subject. have no right to object; and, in point of birth, she is, I conceive, unexceptionable." But, said the Abbé, it is at all events necessary that you should make your intentions known to them, and in the event of their disapprobation, you can only act as you would have done before. "Yes, Monsieur," I replied; "but shal! I not in some degree forfeit that independence which I have most coveted to preserve uninfringed, by asking permission to do that which a refusal cannot prevent my doing." The Abbé said that he thought in this instance the objection could not hold, and that he thought it would shew a respectful attention which was due to Lord Trevayne. As I saw that he particularly wished it to be done, I resolved to sacrifice my own scruples to those which he entertained, of course, considering it only as a compliment to be paid to Lord Trevayne, but not by any means a request which he could refuse. "Perhaps, sir," said his Lordship, "I may be of a different opinion: but has she no name: for, in these times when the Revolution is used as a pretext for the creation of imaginary noblemen, it may be necessary to know something of her title." She is the only child," I said, " of the Comte de Montville, who fell in the French Revolution. Her mother has died very lately, and she is under the protection of a clergyman who was of the establishment of her father's family, and who accompanied the Comtesse into England." "And may I ask you, sir," said his Lordship, "if you have thought of the means you will possess of maintaining a wife and the expenses of a family?" "Yes, my lord, my professional exertions yield me a sum which, with economy, I consider quite ample to those pur poses, and this I may very reasonably suppose will not decrease."" 151 those of regret: he died gloriously in the service of his country: and, had he lived, the society of his amiable wife (whose birth and virtues rendered her in every respect a suitable alliance for him, and one in which the honour of this family could not be said to be sacrificed), would have rendered his life as happy as he deserved. But," I added, "I fear your Lordship has mistaken the purpose for which I came to you; it was not to ask your permission on a subject which I have already well considered, and on which I have fully determined, but it was Mighty well," said his lordship, "but listen to me; I had expected better things from your good sense and prudence, than to be thus led away by the artifices of the first woman who has caught your fancy; even if the tale you have been led to believe should prove true; but which you will allow me to doubt, she is still beneath you, who, with your own abilities and my influence may reasonably look much higher-but, sir, there are more weighty considerations: the honour of your family is not to be sacrificed to your roman- to acquaint you of an event of importance tic feelings; it has already suffered enough to me, and which I therefore held it right in your unhappy father's imprudence, that you should be informed of." whose fate may read you the consequen- During this latter part of the converees of such rashness. I must hope that you will think better of it, and give up your present purpose." sation his Lordship had been several times on the point of interrupting me, and his eyes showed the passion with which I had restrained my feelings during his he was agitated: on a sudden, however, Lordship's speech, and when he finished, he seemed to grow calm, and without with as much coolness as I could sum- making any direct reply to me, hesaid, mon, I said to him: "You are unac- "At all events it will be proper for me to quainted with the lady whom I have had make some enquiries about this lady, and the honour to mention to you, or you I will therefore trouble you for her adcould not have implied to her any thing like artifice and, as to the fate of my revered father, it was such as I contemplate with very different feelings from dress." This I immediately gave him, and desiring to see me the next day, he abruptly withdrew. To be continued. NATURALISTS' DIARY FOR MAY. Returning Spring, MAY can be conceived; a serene sky, a re freshing fragrance arising from the face of the earth, and the melody of the feathered tribes, all combine to render it inexpressibly delightful, to exhilarate [AY is usually considered as the the spirits, and call forth a song ol most delightful month in the whole grateful adoration. Yet May, like its year, and has long been the Muse's fa- predecessor April, is often very changeful, vourite theme; altho' much that is said and cold winds and a gloomy atmosphere of its beauties applies better to more have, of late, usurped the place of a elear southern climates, or, indeed, to our blue sky, and an enlivening sun. Unpromonth of JUNE, which is, commonly, en- mising as this revolution in our clie titled to all the praises that the poets have may appear to our limited views, we lavished upon MAY. This month, how- must still console ourselves with reflectever, is remarkable for the profusion of ing that we can never be sufficiently verdure which it exhibits: nature's grateful for the thousand blessings that carpet is fresh laid, and nothing can be we still enjoy, and be contented to more grateful than to press its velvet commit the care of the Seasons to HIM, surface. The scenery of a May morning is, who knows best how to rule them in his not unfrequently, as beautiful as possibly consummate wisdom. |
