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which it is admitted Chemistry cannot detect— the microscope cannot reveal
while amongst the thousands the rule tras, such as otherwise indulged
perished, and those who drank the water escaped. In
other respects it must be owned, in this enquiry, he has done
service. The quality of the water he has shown to be impure; his
professional vocation has led him to dive deep, and trace the mischief to its
source. The quantity also has Wen proved defective, and in this part of his
business he has acquitted himself very meritoriously, when the complaining
witnesses have come before him, by adjudicating with a nicety on the fallingsshort
in supply from the first and second story up to the third pair back.
But here his mission ends. "Wlien he goes further, and aims at something
like universal genius, he must be reminded that this attempt is always attended
with risk, and that none have succeeded since a predecessor in this
line, three centuries or nearly ago— the Admirable Crichton. Captain
Tyler has his own peculiar excellencies, for which he has a world-wide
reputation. Therewith let him be content, and for the future not troublo
himself about pestilences, the causes thereof, and other like matters affecting
State-Medicine ; for his opinion, he may rest assured, either pro or con, will
have about as much weight with such as really do possess a claim to speak
about it, as his affirmative would have in settling that long-vexed question
amongst an influential section of the nautical profession, which connects the
origin of the Goodwin Sands with the upper portion of a certain ecclesiastical
edifice in the County of Kent.
Mr. J. W Radcliffe who has made an elaborate report to the Board of
Trade at the suggestion of Mr. Simon, the Medical Officer, is entitled to all
consideration and respect. This gentleman is not one who believes himself to
be the impersonation of all that is great in science, or any special question in
which he may be engaged, but while giving to the public a work of great
labour and research, is frank enough to admit that an objection may come
with force from an opponent, not always to be met, and who while pressing
the point, may be as anxious to perform. a public duty as himself. If then I
find it necessary in the course of my remarks to differ from this Commissioner,
it is with regret; if I aim occasionally at reversing his opinions it only
arises from the obligations of truth, and in having from the first, without time
for scientific jottings, watched the onset and course of the epidemic; and if I
arrive at another conclusion, it springs in a measure from that local