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THE REFLECTOR.
VOL. I.
M1LLEDGEVILLE, G. TUESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 1817.
NO.
MISCELLANY.
A CLASSICAL NOMENCLATUUE.
In a late number of tlio American Monthly
Magazine, Mr. Biglow lias reported, among
other transactions of the learned societies in
N. York an abstract of a paper read by one
of our scientific countrymen, on tho subject
of a classical nomenclature, invented and ar
ranged for the more easy discrimination of
the various branches of the. science of dissec
tion. The author has not merely compre
hended in his system that part of science
which relates to the dissection of tho human
body, but has with great propriety extended
it to the various inferior grades of animal life.
The utility of thus extending our researches
in this most useful branch of the sciences, is
obvious. We know that the most perfect
harmony and symmetry pervade all the works
of nature ; and although man has been intel
lectually endowed with faculties of an exaltod
nature, yet in his animal system, and its o-
perations, he approximates the brute, and in
many respects the vegetable creation—e.g.—
In infancy, he feeds on milk like the calf—
grows upwards like, a tree—spreads outward
like a cabbage—feeds on vegetables like the
ox—on meat like the wolf.—eats like the
horse—drinks like the, fish—feeds himself
like the monkey—winks like the hawk—
sleeps like the bear—lias as many cars as an
ass—eyes as an owl—legs as a goose—choaks
Without drink—starves without food—-is
warmed by r the heat—chilled by the cold—
sickened by disease—and dies like the dog.
Indeed such an affinity seems to exist between
.them, that it lias often been observed that
from habitual intercourse in the society o
each other, they assimilate even in disposi
tion, habits, and relative condition. Thus a
poor man has a lean dog—a fat butcher sell's
fat meat, and a lazy man always has a lazy
horse. The comparison if pursued, would be
extended beyond the limits of a newspaper
communication. However, an idea deserving
particular notice, has been started by Dr,
Lavater, which, if diligently pursued other
learned doctors, might lead to a complete de
velopment of the arcana and mysteries which
abound on the hitherto unexplored confines
which separate the intellectual from the ani
mal world. He has discovered many strik
ing analogies between the human and brute
physiognomy, and has suggested a theory
that the quantum of intelligence and sagacity
with which any animal is endowed, is in di
rect proportion to the approximation of the
skull to the human cranium. From my own
observation I am inclined to believe that this
theory, however fanciful it may at first ap
pear, will on further investigation be found
to be an important link in the great chain
which connects together all the orders of ere
ation. Since, then, such is the close and inti
mate connexion between those works of na
ture, seemingly most distant from each other,
and such may be the utility of pursuing the
science of dissection until all their various
analogies, similitudes and approximations to
each other shall be fully discovered and de
veloped, nothing can render greater facility
in arriving at this acme of that truly noble
art, than this ingenious nomenclature. Since,
however, like the first experiments in all oth
er great inventions, it may admit of many
useful improvements, I would with all due
dcferrcnce suggest one, which in my judg
ment would more widely diffuse the benefits
of this grand desideratum. The terms in
this vocabulary arc chiefly derived from the
Greek and Latin—and as few undci-stand
these languages, and none among us speak
them, so that these terms can only be acquir
ed and retained . through great labor, study
and attention, all of which might be saved by
substituting others derived from various more
familiar sources, I have prepared a nomen
clature formed on another plan, graduated to
the understanding of the great mass of tfic
community, which I lately had the honor to
read before “ The Rustic Society for the lev
elling of the Arts and Sciences.” From this
I subjoin a few terms, hoping that should it
reach the tables of the learned societies in N.
York, it will meet with their friendly attention.
Yours, HUMBUG-OLOGY.
I7orni-thology,relating to the dissectionlof horn
ed cattle, generally.
Boo-atomy, of bull.
Mno-otomoj, of cows.
Cornu-otomy, of unicorns.
Rhino-cerology, of rhinoceroses.
Baa-otomy, of sheep.
Scratch-otomy, of cats in general,
Mow-ow-oiogy, of the male cat.
■Mew-otomy, of the female cat.
Bow-wow-otomy, of dogs.
As-tronomy, ol asses.
Ptg-ology, of pigs.
Snake-otumy, of snakes.
Snake-Ann-otomy, of Capc-Ann snakes.
Tweedle-tweedle-otomy, of Canary birds.
flea- otomy, of fleas.
Mitchell-otomy, of streaked bass,
Babel-ology, of brick bats.
Bob-mac-ulogj, canvass-back, duck, &c. 8cc.
[Albany flatly Adv.
EXTRAORDINARY ELEPHANTS.
The astonishing evidences afforded by dai
ly observation of the intelligence, shrewd
ness, and sagacity of tho Elephant, would
appear like romance, if they were not estab
lished by the most iucontestible facts. Tlicrb
seems, from man downwards, a sort of gra-
lation of intellect, until it becomes finally
extinguished, and we do not think it too much
to say, that the elephant stands next to the
human species.
The following copy of an official letter from
the odlcor coinmamfng the Ramghur battal
ion, in Bengal, to the magistrate of that zil-
lan, (division,) is we understand, new to the
public.—•“ i have the honor to state to you,
that on the 24th of March, at midnight, I re
ceived information that two elephants of an
uncuinmon size, had made their appearance
within a few hundred yards of the cantonc-
moots, and close to a village, the inhabitants
of which were in the greatest alarm. I lost
no time in despatching all the public and pri
vate elephants at the station in pursuit of
them, and af day break of the 2'itli, was in
formed that their very superior size and ap
parent fierceness, had rendered all attempts
for their seizure unavailing, and that the
most experienced 'driver was dangerously
wounded, the elephant having been struck to
the ground by one of the wild ones, which
with its companion, had afterwards retreat
ed to a sugar plantation adjoining the village
of Jusipoor. I immediately ordered out the
guns of this place ; hut very desirous in the
first instance, to try every means of catching
them, I assembled the inhabitants of this
neighborhood, with the assistance of Ragah
Ragnaut Sing, and caused two pits to be pre
pared on the edge of the sugar cane planta
tion in which our elephants and people, with
the utmost difficulty contrived to retain the
animals during the day. When the pits were
reported ready, we repaired to the spot, and
they were with much difficulty driven into
them ; but unfortunately one of the pits did
not prove sufficiently deep, and tho elephant
that escaped from it, in the presence of many
witnesses, assisted his companion out witli iiis
trunk ; both were however, brought hack
witli much trouble, to the sugar cane planta
tion, aud no particular instance of vice or
fierceness having appeared in tho course ot
the day, 1 was anxious to make another trial
to catch them. The pioneers therefore set to
work to deepen ttie old, aud prepare new
holes, aga.nst day break, when 1 proposed
making the final attempt. At 4 o'clock ot
the morning of yesterday, however they hurst
through all iny guards, and making for a vil
lage three miles distant, entered with so much
rapidity, that the horsemen who galloped in
front of them, had not time to apprise the in
habitants of their danger ; and i regret to
say, that one man was torn limb from limb,
and a child trodden to death, and two women
wounded. Their destruction was now be
come absolutely necessary, and as they ap
pcared to show no inclination to quit tiie vil
lage, we gained time to bring up the dour
pounders, from which they soon received
round shot, and abundance of grape each.—
The largest of the two was soon brought to
the ground, by a round shot in the head, hut
after remaining there a quarter of an hour
apparently lifeless, he got up as vigorous as
ever, and the desperation of both exceeded
all description—tliey made repeated charges
nearly witli one hundred yards of the guns,
and had it not been for the uncommon steadi
ness and bravery of the artillerymen (who
more than once turned them off by shot in tiie
head when within a few yards of them,) many
casualties must have happened. We were
now obliged to desist for tiie want of ammu
nition, and before afresh supply could he ob
tained the elephants quitted tue village, and
though streaming with blood fromone hun
dred wounds, proceeded with a rapidity ol
which I had no idea, to Hazarabang. They
were at length brought up by the horsemen
and our elephants, when withiu a very short
space of a crowder, (Bazar,) and ultimately,
after many renewals of their most formidabli
attack on the guns, they gave up the contest
with their lives. Thirty-six four pound shot
were taken out of their bodies. 1 have been
thus particular, both because I think the
transaction worthy of being recorded, and
also from a hope, that you will concur with
h the propriety of an application to go
vernment for a compensation for the damages
suffered by the ( owners of the villages of Ju
sipoor and Orad,from the destruction of much
grain, &c. I enclose a correct measurement
of one of the elephants which will be read
with surprise. 1 am of opinion they must
have escaped from fjydrapad or some part of
the Decan, for I have never heard of, or seen
animals of this size in this part of India.
Length from one end of the trunk to the
end of the tail 26 feet and 9 inches ; height
11 feet; round the body 17 feet and 8 inch
es ; length from the crown of the head to be
neath the jaw 7 feet and 8 inches. The other
elephant was rather smaller.”—•London paper,
to us all, that useful hints will be accepted—
take these suggestions, proceeding from a
sensible and liberal mind.—“ In our progress
through the world a thousand things stand
continually in our way. Some people meet
us full in the face, with opposite opinions and
inclinations. Sonic stand before us in our
pursuit of pleasure or interest, and others
follow close upon our heels. Now we ought
in the first place, to consider that tho road
is as live for one as for another,, aud there
fore sve have no right to expect that persons
should go out of their way to let us pass, any
re than we out of ours. Then if we do
not mutually yield and accommodate a little,
it is clear that we must all stand still, or be
thrown into perpetual confusion of squeezing
and jostling. If, we are all in a hurry to go
oil as fast as possible to some point of plea
sure or interest in our uiesv, and do not occa
sionally hold hack when the crowd gathers
and angry contentions arise, we shall only
aug.ncut the tumult, ^without advancing our
own progress. On the whole, it is our busi
ness to move onwards steadily hut quickly ,
obstructing others as little as possible, yield
ing little to this man’s prejudices, that
mail’s desires, and doing every thing in oui
power to mako the journey of life as easy
as possible to all our fellow travellers as to
ourselves.”
MEDICAL.
The march nf Life, is so truly interesting
of the college, the custom of smoking was
never so general as of late years ; that it was
conceded by all, that individuals never car
ried the practice to such excess before ; that
it was confessed by ail, that the sons of Har
vard never appeared so languid and unheal
thy ; that he,could say as a physician, that
during the three and twenty years he had
been a professor in the college, he had never
seen so many marks < f dedining health, Hbr
ever knew so many hectical habits and con
sumptive affections, as of late years ; and
that he could trace this alarming ill road on
their tender constitutions to the pernicious
custom of smoking segars, and its equally
pernicious concomitants.
Although this lecture was replete with so
lemn advice, and was in some passages a
strong invective against darling fashion; yet
the students immediately requested a copy
for the press, which we hope, will be the
means of checking a very serious evil.
U. S. Gazette.
CONGRESS.
DR. WATERHOUSES’ LECTURE
On the pernicious effects of Smoking Segars.
The professor of die theory and practice ol
physic finished his discourse by a public lec
ture in the Chapel of Cambridge, which has
justly excited no small attention without as
well as within the walls of the college. We
shall not attempt ail analysis of it, but simply
mention sonic of its most striking features.
l’he subject is indeed interesting to the com
munity, being a comparative view of the
health of the scholars at present, and iu years
past. It is clearly proved, that instances ot
depraved health had increased, and were iii-
rcasing ; and that there were more hectical
end consumptive complaints within three or
four years past, than for upwards of twenty
years previous, during wuicfi time the profes
sor made his observations. He aduccd this
striking fact, that the table set for the fresh
men in the hall, was generally cleared of its
ontents ; while those students three or four
years in advance, left nearly half that was
set before them. If a keen appetite he a cri
terion of health, tiiere was something of late
years in a college life, which depraved the ap
petite ; inasmuch as those who come in rud-
ly, hale and hungry, go out pale languid,
smoke dried, and dispectick. The cause ol
this declining health was sought lor, when it
was found to originate principally from an
ndolent or sedentary habit of life, brought
on and continued by the very prevalent and
nearly universal custom of smoking segars.
It was rendered evident, that these two caus
es co-operated and aggravated each other ;
that the relaxing habit of smoking disinclin
ed them from exercising in the open air, as
was the custom before the filthy fashion of
smoking segars became so general. The
professor then descanted on toe narcotick ef
fects of tobacco, which, lie said, like rum or
brandy, first stimulated and then stupitied ;
that when chewed, it was a consolidated or
dry dram. He then explained the importance
of the saliva to digestion ; especially iu
young persons who had not attained their full
growth, by ejecting it. It was said that inor
dinate smokers were iu danger of becoming
tiplers, from the unnatural tfiirst created by
the process of hot fumigation and that to re
move the fainting and sinking of the stomach,
incident to young smokers too mhny iiad re
course to stimulating drinks. The professor
held up to view the picture of intemperance
aud contrasted it witli the picture of juvenile
health and vigor; he entreated the young
gentlemen in an affectionate manner to guard
against, and resist the first inroads upon their
youthful constitutions, and pointed out, in a
forcible, hut delicate manner, the effects of
that folly, “ which most easily besets them.
The Doctor allowed that smoking was cor
dial and comforting to elderly people, in cer
tain situations, and under certain circum
stances. He said he should be unwilling to
deprive the laboring man of the soporilerous
regale, after a hard day’s work; or the grief-
worn weary negro, after he has finished his
hard task on the plantation, & whose wretch
cd condition excites a wish “ to steep his sens
es in forgetfulness.” Nay, said he, I would
light the pipe myself, for this dark son of af
fliction, if its fumes would induce him for a
moment to forget his wretchedness. But for
a young person, a young gentleman, not yet
arrived at the perfection of his growth and
faculties, and who is, or ought to be, all life,
activity, alertness and neatness ; for him to
wish “ to steep his senses iu forgetfulness,”
is, if not a vice, a shameful depravity—abso
lutely unworthy the blooming energies of
youth.
The professor likewise remarked that it
was allowed by all, that since the foundation
THE PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE.
Washington City, flee. 2, 1817.—This day at
12 o’clock, the President of the United States,
transmited, tobotli Houses of Congress, by Mr.
Joseph Jones Monroe, his secretary, the following
Message :
Fellow-Citizens of the Senate,
and of the House of Representatives,
At no period of our political existence had we
so much cause to felicitate ourselves at the pros
perous and happy condition of our country. The
abundant fruits of the earth have filled it with
plenty. An extensive and profitable commerce
has greatly augmented our revenue. The public
credit has attained an extraordinary elevation
Our preparations for defence,in case of future wars,
from which, by the experience of all nations we
aught not expect to be exempted, are advancing,
under a well digested system, with all the dispatch
which so important a work will admit. Our free
government, founded on the interest and affec
tions of the people, has gained, and is daily gain
ing, strength. Local jealousies are rapidly yield
ing to more generous, enlarged and enlightened
views of national policy. For advantages so nu
merous and highly important,it is our duty to unite
iu grateful acknowledgments to that omnipotent
Being from whom they are derived, and in unceas
ing prayer that he will endow us with virtue and
strength to maintain and hand them down, in their
utmost purity, to our latest posterity.
I have the satisfaction to inform you, that an ar
rangement, which had been commenced by my
predecessor, with the British government, lor the
reduction of the naval force, by Great-Britain
and the United States, on the lakes, has been con
cluded ; by which it is provided, that neither par
ty shall keep in service, on lake Champlain, more
than one vessel; on lake Ontario, more than one ;
and on lake Erie, and the upper lakes, more than
two ; to be armed, each, with one cannon only ;
and that all the other armed vessels, of both par
ties, of which an exact list is interchanged, shall
be dismantled. It is also agreed, that the force
retained shall be restricted in its duty, to the in
ternal purposes of each party ; and that the ar
rangement shall remaiu in force until Bix months
shall have expired, after notice given by one of
the parties to the other of its desire that it should
terminate. By this arrangement, useless expense
on both sides, and what is of still greater impor-
tance, the danger of collision, between armed ves
sels, in those inland waters, which was great, is
prevented.
I have the satisfaction also to state, that the
commissioners, under (he fourth article of the
treaty of Ghent, to whom it was referred to de
cide, to which party the several islands in the bay
of Passamaijuoddy belonged under the treaty of
one thousand seven hundred and eighty-three,
have agreed in a report, by which all tiie islands
in the possession of each party before the late
war have been decreed to it. The commissioners
acting under the other articles of the treaty of
Ghent, for the settlement of boundaries, have al
go been engaged in the discharge of their respec
tive duties, but have not yet completed them.
The difference which arose between the two go
vernments under that treaty, respecting the right
of the United States to take and cure fish on the
coast of the British provinces north of our limits,
which had been secured by the treaty of one
thousand seven hundred and eighty-three, is still
in negotiation. The proposition made by this go
vernment, to extend to the colonies of“ England
the principle of the convention of London, by
which the commerce between the ports of the U.
States and British ports in Europe, had been plac
ed on a footing of'equality, has been declined by
the British government. This subject having been
thss amicably discussed between the two govern
ments, and it appearing that the British govern
ment is unwilling to depart from its present regu
lations, it remains for Congress to decide wheth
er they will make any other regulations, in conse
quence thereof, for the protection and improve
ment of our navigation.
T.he negotiation with Spain, for spoliations on
our commerce, and the settlement ot boundaries,
remains, essentiaffy, in the state it held, by the
communications that were made' to Congress by
tny predecessor. It has been evidently toe policy
«t the Spanish governmeet to keep the negotia-
tio.n suspended, and in this the U. States have ac-
quiesced, trom an amicable disposition towards
Spain, and id the expectation that her government
would) from a sense of justice) finally accede to
such an arrangement as would be equal between
the parties.. A disposition has been lately shewn
by the Spanish government to move in the nego
tiation, which has been met by this government,
and, should the conciliatory and friendly poliev,
