that is, by anybody not thoroughly acquainted with medical science. The practical value of these objections may be estimated from the fact, that, out of ten thousand cases of operation in which it was employed at St. Bartholomew's Hospital, not one death took place in consequence of its administration. Were this all we knew, however, the question of its influence on the ultimate result of operations, would have still to be settled; but surgeons do not appear to consider that it acts at all prejudicially in the manner here indicated.

It is alleged that the whole number of recorded "Deaths from Chloroform does not exceed twenty. In some of these no medical man was present; in others, it was administered without precaution, and in excess; in some, again, death seems to have been owing to other causes. There appears to be no reason for supposing that stupefaction by chloroform would be at all more likely to be followed by fatal results, than casual intoxication, as contradistinguished from habitual drunkenness.

The other objections to the use of chloroform are such as were raised against the circulation of the blood, and vaccination, and, possibly, against rhubarb and senna, at their first discovery. They partly proceed from a lazy dislike to learn any thing; partly from that conservative instinct, which in some minds supplies the place of intelligent circumspection as a safeguard against the dangers of innovation.

The alleged abuse of chloroform for criminal ends has attracted the attention of the Legislature, and a Bill for the Prevention of Offences has been presented to the House of Peers by Lord Campbell, in which rather prominent and discreditable mention is made of that anesthetic fluid. A well-written pamphlet, by Dr John Snow, will place this subject in a rational light before any one desirous of inves

tigating it. Here it is sufficient to remark that chloroform, in order to prove effectual, requires a voluntary inhalation of some length; that animals, to be affected by it, must be caused to breathe it by main force; and that, in short, it is no more easy to stupefy any one against his will by means of chloroform, than it is by means of brandy-and-water. There can be little doubt, that the persons who represent themselves to have been robbed under its influence were mistaken as to the cause of their anesthesia, which was, in all probability, traceable, not to the terchloride of formyle, but to a certain combination of carbon, oxygen, and hydrogen, termed technically hydrate of oxide of ethyle-otherwise alcohol, otherwise ardent spirit, in some one or other of its various forms and combinations. No doubt, a rogue may employ the terchloride of formyle in furtherance of his base designs; but it must be with that concurrence on the part of his victim which the juvenile bird-catcher finds necessary in the application of the chloride of sodium, or common salt, to fowling purposes.

It may be inquired, in what manner does chloroform produce its extraordinary effect on the nervous system? The chloride of hydrocarbon, the nitrate of ethyle, benzin, which is a bicarburet of hydrogen, aldehyde, bisulphuret of carbon, and sulphuric ether, all differ from it more or less; the nitrous oxide or protoxide of nitrogen, differs from it entirely in chemical composition; yet they agree with it in a greater or less degree in the property of producing insensibility to pain. Our ignorance on this subject is not perhaps to be wondered at, when we consider that philosophers, notwithstanding considerable experience, have not as yet succeeded in forming a perfectly satisfactory theory of ordinary intoxication.

The discovery of chloroform is one of the many proofs

which we are daily receiving of the advantage which is derived from the modern method of applying the intellect to the investigation of natural science, instead of abusing it in visionary speculations. In this discovery, the application of which to the relief of mortal suffering has been denounced by superstition, as an infringement of piety, a truly Christian philosophy should surely discern a recompense of the pursuit of truth, conducted in the desire and affection. of good; and should behold an earnest of similar rewards to follow upon perseverance in the same course and spirit. Who knows to what extent the revelation of Nature's se crets may progressively increase the amount of human comfort and happiness?-seeing in how large a measure the knowledge of chloroform has stilled the shriek of agony and pain, which is so direful a discord in "the still sad music of humanity."

"Births. Alrs. Aleek, of a Sau."

M's name and Mrs. Meek's. When I read the announce

Y name is Meek. I am, in fact, Mr. Meek. That son

ment in the Times, I dropped the paper. I had put it in, myself, and paid for it, but it looked so noble that it overpowered me.

As soon as I could compose my feelings, I took the paper up to Mrs. Meek's bedside. "Maria Jane," said I (I allude to Mrs. Meek), "you are now a public character.” We read the review of our child, several times, with feelings of the strongest emotion; and I sent, the boy who cleans the boots and shoes, to the office, for fifteen copies. No reduction was made on taking that quantity.

It is scarcely necessary for me to say that our child had been expected. In fact it had been expected, with comparative confidence, for some months. Mrs. Meek's mother, who resides with us-of the name of Bigby-had made every preparation for its admission to our circle.

I hope and believe I am a quiet man. I will go farther. I know I am a quiet man. My constitution is tremulous, my voice was never loud, and, in point of stature, I have been from infancy, small. I have the greatest respect for

Maria Jane's Mama. She is a most remarkable woman. I honor Maria Jane's Mama. In my opinion she would storm a town, single-handed, with a hearth-broom, and carry it. I have never known her to yield any point whatever, to mortal man. She is calculated to terrify the stoutest

heart.

Still-but I will not anticipate.

The first intimation that I had, of any preparations being in progress, on the part of Maria Jane's Mama, was one afternoon, several months ago. I came home earlier than usual from the office, and, proceeding into the diningroom, found an obstruction behind the door, which prevented it from opening freely. It was an obstruction of a soft

nature. On looking in, I found it to be a female.

The female in question stood in the corner behind the door, consuming Sherry Wine. From the nutty smell of that beverage pervading the apartment, I have no doubt she was consuming a second glassful. She wore a black bonnet of large dimensions, and was copious in figure. The expression of her countenance was severe and discontented. The words to which she gave utterance on seeing me, were these, "Oh git along with you, Sir, if you please; me and Mrs. Bigby don't want no male parties here!"

The female was Mrs. Prodgit.

I immediately withdrew, of course. I was rather hurt, but I made no remark. Whether it was that I showed a lowness of spirits after dinner, in consequence of feeling that I seemed to intrude, I cannot say. But, Maria Jane's Mama said to me on her retiring for the night, in a low distinct voice, and with a look of reproach that completely subdued me; "George Meek, Mrs. Prodgit is your wife's

nurse!"

I bear no ill-will towards Mrs. Prodgit. Is it likely