47 



ether and chloroform in surgical and other cases, and in par- 

 turition, the paper concluded. 



A discovery such as this is sure to make its way, if experi- 

 ence should not prove that it is attended with counteracting 

 disadvantages. All that its advocates can fairly demand is an 

 impartial trial of its merits. The irrepressible desire in 

 human nature to escape from pain will compel this, even 

 though it may be opposed by the timidity, prejudices, dulness, 

 indolence, or callousness of individuals. The practice numbers 

 amongst its supporters names of the highest rank in the 

 medical profession, — men who will carry on the investigation 

 of its applicabdity and suitableness to the various cases of 

 human suffering with the ardour and perseverance wliich the 

 importance of its claims demand, but whose judgement and 

 intelligence •will not allow them to admit these claims, except 

 to such an extent as may be warranted by the experience 

 arising from a judicious observation of facts, the only substan- 

 tial basis on wliich we can ground its title to be called an 

 important addition to the healing art. 



Mr. J. B. Yates brought forward some Archceological Notices 

 respecting Paper used for writing and printing, dlustrating his 

 remarks with a rich collection of ancient specimens of various 

 dates. 



"It was not his design," he said, "to enter into the details 

 of the invention of paper, or of its progressive manufacture; 

 but, by the exhibition of actual specimens, to enable his hearers 

 to form a compendious idea of both. 



"The papyrus, composed from the fibres of the reed of 

 that name, was used in Egypt long before the Christian era; 

 but it was evident that, simultaneously, much writing was 

 executed upon simple leaves of palm, plantain, &c. Indeed, 

 tin; word folium, leaf- — anciently used, and still retained in 

 modem languages — would lead to the conclusion that this 

 more simple vehicle for writing maj claim I he priority. In 



