though they are all false and borrowed; and by that means composes a vision entirely natural and pleasing.

15. I have translated this allegory for the benefit of the youth in general; and particularly of those who are still in the deplorable state of nonexistence, and whom I most earnestly intreat to come into the world. Let my embryos shew the least inclination to any single virtue, and I shall allow it to be a struggling towards birth.

16. I do not expect of them that, like the hero in the foregoing story, they should go about as soon as they are born, with a club in their hands, and a lion's skin on their shoulders, to root out monsters and destroy tyrants; but as the finest author of all antiquity has said upon this very occasion, though a man has not the abilities to distinguish himself in the most shining parts of a great character, he has certainly the capacity of being just, faithful, modest, and temperate.

THE

FAMILY PHYSICIAN.

Selected from the most emminent authors in various parts of the globe, of which Wm. Buchan is the chief. With preventatives as well as cure of diseases, with the most particular instructions in the administration of the different medicines; so that any person belonging to the family may with the greatest safety administer any of the within medicine to any patient whatever.

TO PREVENT SICKNESS IS MUCH PREFERABLE TO CURE.

The best method of fortifying the body against the changes of the weather, is to be abroad every day. Those who keep most within doors are most liable to catch cold. Such persons generally render themselves so delicate as to feel even the slightest changes in the atmosphere, and by their pains, coughs, and oppressions of the breast, &c. they become a kind of living barometers.

Wet Clothes.

Wet clothes not only by their coldness obstruct the perspiration, but their moisture, by being absorbed, or taken up into the body, great

W

ly increases the danger. The most robust constitution is not proof against the danger arising from wet clothes; they daily occasion fevers, rheumatisms, and other fatal disorders, even in the young and healthy.

It is impossible for people who go frequently abroad to avoid sometimes being wet. But the danger might generally be lessened, if not wholly prevented, by changing their clothes soon; when this cannot be done, they should keep in motion till they be dry. So far are many from taking this precaution, that they often sit or lie down in the fields with their clothes wet, and frequently sleep even whole nights in this condition. The frequent instances which we have of the fatal effects of this conduct, ought certainly to deter others from being guilty of it.

Wet Feet.

Even wet feet occasion fatal diseases. The colic, inflammations of the breast and of the bowels, the iliac passion, cholera morbus, &c. are often occasioned by wet feet. Habit will, no doubt, render this less dangerous; but it ought, as far as possible, to be avoided. The delicate, and those who are not accustomed to have their clothes or feet wet, should be peculiarly careful in this respect.

Night Air.

The perspiration is often obstructed by night air; even in summer, this ought to be avoided. The dews which fail plentifully after the hottest day, make the night more dangerous than when the weather is cool. Hence, in warm countries, the evening dews are more hurtful than where the climate is more temperate.

It is very agreeable after a warm day to be abroad in the cool evening; but this is a pleasure to be avoided by all who value their health. The effects of evening dews are gradual indeed, and almost imperceptible; but they are not the less to be dreaded we would therefore advise travellers, labourers, and all who are much heated by day, carefully to avoid them. When the perspiration has been great, these become dangerous in proportion. By not attending to this, in flat marshy countries, where the exhalations and dews are copious, labourers are often seized with intermitting fevers, quinseys, and otherdangerous diseases..

Damp Beds.

Beds become damp either from their not be ing used, standing in damp houses, or in rooms without fire. Nothing is more to be dreaded by travellers than damp beds, which are very com

mon in all places where fuel is scarce. When a traveller, cold and wet, arrives at an inn, he may by means of a good fire, warm diluting liquor, and a dry bed, have the perspiration restored; but if he be put into a cold room, and laid on a damp bed, it will be more obstructed, and the worst consequences will Travellers should avoid inns which are noted for damp beds, as they would a house infected with the plague, as no man, however robust, is proof against the danger arising from them.

ensuc.

But inns are not the only places where damp beds are to be met with. Beds kept in private families for the reception of strangers are often equally dangerous. All kinds of linen and bedding, when not frequently used, become damp. How then is it possible that beds, which are not slept in above two or three times a year, should be safe? Nothing is more common than to hear people complain of having caught cold by changing their bed. The reason is obvious; were they careful never to sleep in a bed but what was frequently used, they would seldom find any ill consequences from a change.

Nothing is more to be dreaded by a delicate person when on a visit, than being laid in a bed which is kept on purpose for strangers. That ill judged piece of complaisance becomes a real injury. All the bad consequences from this