philosopher" of its microcosm--apparently quite | Ah! I see, little bark! yes, now I can see,
content with witnessing the connubial bliss of those
around him, without adventuring his own bark on
those treacherous seas.

"What think you, my friend," remarked he to us, the last time we found ourselves in this proud Babylon of America; "what think you if I set on foot another matrimonial manœuvre, not for my own individual benefit, quod avertat Dcus, but for the good of mankind at large-for the advantage of the myriads of despairing Damsels and sighing Benediets? My first essay at match-making has succeeded á merveille, but in the great lottery, not every expectant and fair petitioner wins a HERBERT SOMERVILLE-nor, to every hopeful aspirant, comes the gift of a FLORENCE COURTLAND."

ΜΑΙΑ.

TO A PORTUGUESE MAN-OF-WAR.*
Ship ahoy! ship ahoy! O, whither away?

With thy sails all so bright and thy sides all so gay,
Painted over with colours of brilliant hue;
Thy bow, a deep scarlet, thy hull, a light blue;
While, into thy service, the rainbow is prest,

To form a rich zone to encircle thy crest.

Tiny ship! art thou not afraid of the sea?
'Tis a rough, rough place for a frail bark, like thee;
Our vessel, thou seest, is wide, deep, and long,
And with thick oaken sides; yet, 'tis nothing too strong;
And I've oft seen it tossing, and pitching, and reeling,
And loudly complaining of ocean's harsh dealing.

Why, thy sides, little ship! are as thin as thin paper,
And, I think, thou must oft cut a curious caper,
Toss'd and bandied, and roll'd quite over and over,
'Mid the high curling waves; and I cannot discover
How a little, wee thing, like thee, should be found
Far out on the sea, quite safe and quite sound.

How it comes that 'mid dangers, all's well with thee:
Preserves thee as well 'mid the mountainous waves.
The same mighty hand, that our gallant ship saves,
Our strength, and thine too, are both equally nought,
Unless each is by Him through the dark peril brought.
He makes us ride safe o'er the wild upheav'd ocean,
And thee He hides safe from the madd'nig commotion;
And, when its wild fury is over, we meet,
Both ready again, with a wide flowing sheet.
Thy strength is in Him and his sheltering arm,
And 'tis only His strength that can save us from harm.
We've heard of thy valor, O brave little ship!
And wo to the foe, thou dost once catch agrip!
And man, in his pride and his prowess, has felt
Thy vengeance, when harshly with thee he has dealt :
And
many a caution, I've heard from afar,
"To beware of the Portuguese fish man-of-war."
Then bright, tiny ship! with a terrible name,
Which so boldly dost navigate and fellowship claim;
We give it and bid thee a hearty adieu:
And gladly we'd wish thee a quick passage too,
Did we know thou art trying to make any port:
But we don't know; and guessing was never our forte.
U. S. Frigate Macedonian.
J.

MEDICAL STATISTICS OF THE STATE OF VIRGINIA.

From causes, which we are unable fully to develope, it seems to have become an established custom for the Medical Students of the Southern States, but more especially of Virginia, to receive instruction in their profession at the Northern cities, and be graduated by Northern Medical Colleges. For a series of years, such instructions were given only in Philadelphia and Boston, in which cities the schools of medicine, first founded in the United States, were located. But, as soon as similar institutions were established in the different states, they met with the patronage and enThe Portuguese men-of-war are found in all the Southern seas; but are particularly abundant in the Gulf of Couragement of the students residing in those states. A number of flourishing and highly respectable Mexico, where, in smooth weather, they are constantly in sight, and sometimes hundreds may be seen at a time. | Medical Schools, has consequently sprung up, in the When full grown, the body of the animal is about eight Northern, Eastern, Western and Southern States. inches in length: this floats on the surface of the water, The schools in the Southern States, however, with and consists of nothing more than a thin bladder filled with the exception of one in South Carolina, and perair. The shape is like that of an egg, the small end being

more elongated and pointed, and slightly curved. This haps two in Maryland, have not been so liberally end is of a dazzling crimson colour, fading gradually and encouraged by the students of the states in which soon giving place to a light blue which forms the colour of they are located; particularly those in Virginia, the sides or hull. Higher up is a dash of irised colours. Along the upper part from end to end, is a crest likewise of bladder, consisting of a succession of chambers filled with air, united, and forming a ridge, probably used as

sails. From the lower side depend a number of red, soft,

which, though conducted by gentlemen of acknowledged abilities and professional merit, and affording to the student very superior advantages, have received only about a moiety of the patronage

flesh-like fibres, generally about fifteen inches long, though of the students of the state. some of them are a yard or more in length. These have To those who are desirous of the advancement the power of producing a severe stinging sensation, and and improvement of the community, these instituare doubtless intended to act both as ballast and for de-tions are objects of deep interest, and they are not fence. They are armed with innumerable sharp needles, the less objects of concern, to those who regard so small as to be imperceptible to the eye, and yet capable

of producing great pain and even blisters when drawn over thein merely as a means of increasing its wealth; the naked skin. This animal is sometimes confounded both of which are the legitimate and necessary with the paper nautilus, but is entirely a different thing. consequences of their successful operation. They

require the services of men possessing the most dents from this state matriculate annually in Mediextensive intellectual acquirements, whose influ-cal Colleges in other states.

ence and example tend to elevate the character of But a further examination of these "statistics" the community in which they reside, and affording shows, that 1238 medical students from Virginia facilities for acquiring knowledge, and inducements matriculated in the different Medical Colleges in the to labor in the pursuit of it. United States from 1833-134 to 1838-39 inclusive. They also increase the business, and contribute However, the number of matriculates in the Jefto the wealth of the community, by giving employ-ferson Medical College, for one winter, (1838–39,) ment, and often a competency, to a number of in- is not given in the "statistics;" the average andividuals in different capacities; and, through the nual number of students (39) from Virginia for this students instructed in them, an immense revenue institution, should therefore be added to 1238, is drawn by one section, from other sections of the making a total of 1277 students from this state in country. six years.

Of this number, 288 attended on lec

tures within the state, and 989, or 165 annually in other states. The sum withdrawn from the state by its medical students is therefore estimated to have been $494,500 in the six years above named, or $82,500 annually.

There were, in the city of Philadelphia, during the last winter, three or four Medical Schools in full operation, with an aggregate of about 700 students. In the University of Pennsylvania and the Jefferson Medical College, there were 572, according to the catalogues of these institutions, for For how long a period of time this sum has 1841-42-the only ones to which we have access been withdrawn from the state through this medium, from that city. Estimating the sum expended by we cannot accurately determine. But in 1830-31, each student at $500, we have the sum of $350,000 there were 147 students from Virginia in two carried into Philadelphia by 700 students, or Medical Schools in the United States: viz. in the $286,000 by the number known to have been in University of Pennsylvania 124, and 23 in the that city. Of the number in the two schools above Medical Schools of Transylvania University. If, named, one hundred and thirteen were from Vir-however, the number of students supplied by a ginia; and a similar estimate made respecting state, bear any constant relation to its population, them, gives $56,500 as the sum withdrawn by the number supplied by Virginia, has increased them from the state. If to this sum we add $5000, the estimated expenditure for ten students from Virginia, who were in New-York, we shall have $61,500, as the sum paid by the state last winter for medical instruction, so far as we have means of ascertaining it. This, however, is only an approximation to the sum really withdrawn from it, for there is reason to believe that a much larger number of students annually leave the state for the purpose of pursuing medical studies.

According to "Statistics of the Medical Colleges of the United States; by T. Romeyn Beck, M.D. Transactions of the Medical Society of the State of New-York, vol IV.," 924 students from Virginia, matriculated in the University of Pennsylvania from 1830-31 to 1838-39 inclusive, or 1023 annually. Consequently the sum of $462,000 was withdrawn from the state, in nine years-or $51,322 annually.

Within the same period 108 students from Virginia, matriculated in the Medical School of Transylvania University, through whom $54,000 was withdrawn from the State, in nine years-or $6000 annually.

only to a small extent since 1820; but from 1800 to 1820 it increased much more rapidly. In the absence of documentary evidence on this point, the reader can make such estimates as may be deemed correct. This much appears to be beyond dispute― that Virginia has contributed with her accustomed liberality, to the prosperity of the Medical Schools of other states. In all probability, this contribution has amounted, in the last ten years, to $800,000.

If medical knowledge could be obtained on no other terms than those on which the physicians of this state have preferred to be educated, the students of medicine would still be under the necessity of availing themselves of the same dearlybought opportunities. But since the facilities for acquiring both a collegiate and a medical education in Virginia, are fully equal to those offered elsewhere, no reason exists, so far as the excellence of the respective institutions is concerned, for going abroad.

If, indeed, the knowledge of medicine, necessary to admit a candidate to an examination for the degree of Doctor of Medicine, can with any correctness be estimated by the time occupied in atFrom 1833-34 to 1837-38 inclusive, 195 stu- tending upon public lectures, the students who dents from Virginia matriculated in the Jefferson graduate in Virginia and South Carolina, are more Medical College, or 89 annually. There was of thoroughly instructed, than those who take their course a withdrawal from the State of $97,500 in degrees from colleges in other states of the Union. five years-or $9,500 annually. The period of time required by all the Medical

According to this estimate, $76,822 are annually Colleges in the United States to be devoted to the withdrawn from the state of Virginia, and expended study of medicine, before a candidate can be adin other states for medical education; and 153 stu-mitted to an examination for the degree of Doctor

"We republish the subjoined statement of the law, in relation to graduates and licentiates from other states practising in New-York. The action of the State Medical Society, in the premises is important, and if the directions which are there given to the County Medical Societies, are rigidly followed, and we believe that a compliance with them is unavoidable, graduates from schools out of this state will hereafter find it very difficult, if not impossible, to obtain the right to practice in the State of New-York. For our

of Medicine, is (with one exception) three years, the comments of this Journal, which may be reunder the supervision of a respectable practitioner, garded as the interpretation of it, in New-York, including attendance on two courses of public lec- are first given. tures. But, in the University of Virginia, an attendance on three courses of lectures, of ten months each, is required; the supervision or instruction of the private practitioner being dispensed with. The time occupied by the course of lectures in the different Medical Institutions in the United States, varies from three to five months; in the majority of them, it is either four months, or sixteen weeks, the latter period being most common. But in the Medical College of South Carolina, the course of lectures occupies five months, (Beck ;) and (unless recently altered) it occupies the same period in readers will remark, that the County Societies are the Medical Department of Hampden Siduey Col-directed not only to examine every candidate, but lege at Richmond. to require the same credentials as to time and terms of study as are required by the laws of this State before proceeding to an examination."

The act of the Legislature is as follows: "And no person coming from another state shall practice physic or surgery in this state, until he shall have filed a copy of his diploma in the office of the clerk of the county where he resides, and until he shall have exhibited to the Medical Society of that county, satisfactory testimonials of his qualifications, or shall have been examined and approved by its censors.”

The Medical Society of the State of New-York adopted a preamble and resolutions, of which it is necessary to give only the resolution defining the mode in which the above law is to be executed:

If the number of medical students which Virginia sends annually to other states, were to enter one of her own Medical Schools (that at Richmond for example), and remain in it five months, it is obvious that an increased activity would be given to every kind of business. The various wants of these individuals, and of the friends who, in all probability, would accompany or visit them, must be supplied. They would, to a greater or less extent, be in need of the offices of every profession, trade, and calling. The farmer also would experience in some degree, the beneficial effects of such an event; and in meeting with better prices and a demand for an increase of his products, the tradesman would be partially remunerated in kind, for any encouragement he might give to the institu- Resolved, "That the several County Societies tion in question. And a mutual interchange of be, and they are hereby directed to instruct their kind offices between individuals from different parts respective censors to require the examination of of the state, would produce those kindly feelings all persons bringing diplomas from other states, as which tend to unite a community in the bonds of the only satisfactory evidence of their possessing friendship and good will. From these considera- the requisite qualifications; and that the same cretions, it seems to be incumbent upon the Medical dentials as to time and terms of study shall be reStudents of Virginia and the people of the State quired before proceeding to such examination, as generally, not only to encourage their own Medical are required by the laws of this state in licensing Schools, but also to elevate their character to the physicians and surgeons." highest possible standard.

Physicians, who are not graduates of a NewThe medical students of the State of New-York, York Medical School, will hereafter be effectually have been, to a limited extent, in the habit of at- excluded from the exercise of their profession in tending upon medical lectures in the New-England that State, by this mode of carrying the act of the States; either because medical knowledge, in the Legislature into effect. For, in being graduated latter, could be obtained at less expense; or be- by an Institution out of the State, the medical stucause the instructions given were of a superior dent of New-York, to all intents and purposes, character. Perhaps both of these causes operated forfeits any right which he may be considered as to the detriment of the New-York schools. But possessing, to practice in his own state. The prithe Legislature of this State being mindful of the vileges enjoyed by this class of persons in the other interests of her own schools, and the advantages states, are therefore somewhat abridged in Newwhich result from encouraging them, recently, in York. The students who reside in it, can neither conjunction with the Medical Society of the State, consult their own interests, nor be guided by the attempted to restrain this kind of absenteeism. dictates of their own judgment, nor obey the preFor this purpose, the following act was passed, ferences of their own inclinations, in selecting the which is copied from The New-York Medical Ga- Institutions in which their studies may be pursued, zette of March 23, 1842. But, in order to insure but at the hazard of being denied, eventually, the a better understanding of the whole proceeding, 'right of practising in their own state. Should

VOL. VIII-82

Medical Schools out of this state, in their opinion, | scarcely be willing that a measure of such doubtafford facilities for attaining to professional excel- ful propriety, should be adopted in their behalf. lence, superior to those afforded by the schools Located as the New-York Medical Schools are, within it, these facilities cannot be enjoyed, except under the above-named disability. Neither can they avail themselves of any pecuniary advantages which may be obtained elsewhere, either from the smallness of the fees, or the cheapness of living, or from both conjoined.

near the centre of that part of the United States which is fond of considering itself in the possession of about five sixths of the wealth of the whole Union, it would naturally be supposed that any superiority which they might possess, would be quickly found out, and amply encouraged. It would also be inferred, that the students of this section of the country, would be willing (as students generally are,) to give ample compensation for the privilege of enjoying these superior advantages. And moreover, that neither a diminution of the pecuniary equivalent for medical instruction elsewhere, nor any other extraneous circumstance, would at

It would perhaps be uncharitable to attribute to the Society any ill-will to institutions located in other states, or any desire of injuring them. No such motive is ascribed to that body; though after all, this action of the Society, is one that would not be expected from men, whose ruinds have been liberalized by the cultivation of science.

The disabilities under which graduates from Medical Colleges out of the State of New-York, labor in that State, are the result of the mode in which the act of the Legislature is carried into effect. The Legislature doubtless intended that the testimonials of respectable Medical Colleges should be taken as evidence of the possession (by a candidate) of the requisite qualifications. Otherwise, all affect them. this body would have directed the examination of all candidates, and said nothing about testimonials. Examination was to be resorted to, only in cases in which a reasonable doubt existed, respecting the possession of the requisite qualifications. But the Medical Society have directed that the testimonials of Medical Colleges in the other states, shall entitle a candidate for practise in New-York, only A conviction on the part of the Society that these to an examination. Now, the power of excluding schools are inferior to those of other states, and a graduate of a school in another state, from practi- that they are incapable of sustaining themselves sing medicine in New-York, is lodged in the on their own merit, by a fair competition, furnishes hands of individuals, whose pecuniary interest and the only sufficient reason for their action in this professional reputation are more or less involved in the issue. Fears will therefore be excited, and apprehensions roused, lest the admission of another practitioner into a county, should lead to the sharing of the business, and a consequent diminution of the professional employment and emoluments of placed them, are always seeking extraneous aid. some of the physicians already in practice. Should the candidate possess abilities and an extensive acquaintance with medicine, he will be still more certain to be "examined out," as the phrase is. For, however excellent qualifications may be in themselves, and however praiseworthy it may be to obtain them, in a competitor, they only increase the list of his offences, and by these "censors," they would be regarded in the same light that superior beauty in a woman is said to be viewed by her own sex-with envy and malevolence.

matter. The Society was doubtless well acquainted with their condition; for many of the professors are members of that body. And institutions of an inferior grade, like men who are unable to fill, with credit, the situations in which influence may have

Both forever want boasting. By discrediting the testimonials of the Medical Colleges of other states, and by subjecting the graduates of these institutions to the risk of being denied the right of practising in New-York, the students of this State, are to be intimidated into patronizing her Medical Schools. And doubtless their catalogues will be enlarged by this mode of infringing the privileges of a large class of individuals, and violating the civilities of a liberal profession.

If the resolution of the Medical Society were intended to apply only to licentiates, this class of practitioners alone, should have been designated. Before Medical Schools were generally established in the United States, laws were passed in the Northern and Eastern States, giving the power, either to certain censors appointed for the purpose, or to the Medical Societies of the states respectively, to grant license to practice physic and surgery to such individuals, as had fulfilled the requirements therein made, and who, by an examination, had been ascer tained to be qualified for discharging the duties of the profession. Practitioners authorized in this

This proceeding of the Medical Society of the State of New-York, does not countenance the idea that the Medical Schools of this State, are superior to those situated elsewhere. Neither does it lead to the opinion that the Society so considered them. When institutions offer about equal facilities for obtaining, either a collegiate or a profes sional education, extraneous circumstances generally determine the amount of patronage any particular one may receive. But as soon as one rises superior to the rest, these circumstances have but a small degree of influence, and it is encouraged in consequence of that superiority over others. way, are called licentiates. Besides, institutions of a superior character, would Upon the introduction of Medical Schools, the

HOPE.

fashion with respect to the manner of obtaining
medical knowledge, changed. The instructions of
private practitioners, which had hitherto been re-
garded as all-important, were almost entirely neg-
lected, it being considered, that public lectures
would afford to medical students, opportunities for
acquiring all the information necessary to prepare
them for the exercise of their profession. The
laws in relation to the licensing of practitioners,
were therefore so modified as to include, in their
requirements, an attendance on one course of lec-
tures. These requirements in the State of New-And all mortals look'd up to thank him ;-but, lo!
York, and in most, if not all the States, differ from
those necessary to obtain the degree of Doctor of
Medicine, in the attendance on public lectures; the
candidate for license being required to attend on
only one course. Should this requisition not be
fulfilled, another year's study will be required of
him, making four years spent under the instruction
of a private practitioner. There may however be
a slight modification, but not a material one, of these
requisitions in some of the States. Few however
avail themselves of this mode of becoming prac-Rose up to that clear and brass-cover'd sky,
titioners, and only those whose pecuniary resources
are very limited. A student residing in one state,
cannot, (as we understand it,) avail himself of the
license-laws of another state, to enter the profes-
sion. The licentiate enjoys, apparently, all the
privileges enjoyed by the Doctor of Medicine, but
does not appear to occupy quite so high a rank, at
the examination for degrees.

Hope pass'd o'er the realm on his silvery wing:
Hope came to the peasant-Hope came to the king ;—
He was ev'ry where chided, call'd false and called vain ;
And he went up to Jove, filled with wrath and disdain.
He obtain'd a decree,-with it hastened to earth-
'Twas that every wish should be met at its birth,
With a knowledge that soon it should have all its will,
And each mortal his own cup of blessing should fill ;--
He came to the earth; he produc'd the decree ;-
He was answer'd by shouts of mad ecstasy;-

It is incumbent on the Students of a State to encourage the literary institutions, located in the State to which they belong, so far as accords with their interest and that of the community of which they are members. But this is a matter which must be regulated by the circumstances and feelings of each individual. Testimonials of proficiency from acknowledged and legally constituted authorities, are all that can, in fairness, be asked of a physician or any other professional man, before admitting him to the exercise of his vocation. The cost of a medical education is too great, in money, time, and labor, for the right of practising to be jeopardized, because a practitioner may not have been graduated by one of a particular set of Medical Schools.

strong;

He was gone; and the sky too was rob'd of his bow.
The sun too was gone-though the sky was all clear,
Like brass, bright and hard; and there crept a cold fear
Through all hearts-fear was left, and the passions, all
And these, all now broke out,-a wild, fearful throng.
And each had its way, and gallop'd and whirl'd;
And chaos soon rul'd o'er the pale, 'frighted world;
And ennui's dead sea, like a deluge again,
Swell'd up, gulfing fast both mountain and plain.
And all hearts were sick; and a sad, wailing cry
They call'd upon Jove to restore his old reign;
And most they entreated, that Hope might again
Come back to their hearts. He came! O what joy

Fill'd the earth; men look'd up ;-once more in the sky,
Was the sun; and they hail'd with shouts long and loud,
Hope's glorious bow, though 'twas hung on a cloud!
Frigate Macedonian, 1841.

LIFE OF P. CORNEILLE.

BY FONTENELLE.

J.

Pierre Corneille, born at Rouen in 1606, was son of Pierre Corneille, master of woods and forests in the vis-county of Rouenne, and of Martha Le Pesant. He pursued his studies under the Jesuits at Rouen; and, on that account, was always very grateful to the whole society.

He first tried the bar; but, having no taste for the profession, he did not succeed. A slight incident developed in him genius of quite another kind; and this incident originated in love. One of his young friends being in love with a girl of the same town, took him to see her; the new comer rendered himself more agreeable than his intro

TO A ROSE BLEACHED BY THE SUN. ducer. The pleasure of this adventure discovered

Versified from the German.

The Day-God gave thy cheek its bloom,
Pale, pale Rose-

But too warmly did his lip at noon

On thine repose.

O like, most like to us art thou,

Pale, pale Rose-

When the spirit that maketh man's heart to glow,
Draweth to its close!

Over the Human and perishing Flower,
Death hath the same almighty power!

E. J. EAMES.

in M. Corneille a talent of which he had before been unconscious; and, on this slight subject, he wrote the comedy of Melite, which appeared in 1625. In this, the public discovered a character of originality, and conceived that comedy was advancing towards perfection; the confidence felt in the new author just making his appearance, caused the formation of a new company of actors. This will doubtless surprise most persons, who consider the first six or seven first plays of Corneille so