344 Analysis of Scientific Boohs. 



ditioned river, towards which it hath an aspect by a gentle and 

 easie declivity ;" to the advantage of the gravelly soil, and to 

 the plentiful and rich supply of water, every where good and 

 abundant, our author proceeds to point out the origin and effects 

 of that " hellish and dismall cloud of sea coale, which is not 

 only perpetually imminent over her head (conditur in tenebris 

 altum caligine ccelutnj, but so universally mixed with the 

 otherwise wholesome and excellent air, that her inhabitants 

 breathe nothing but an impure and thick mist, accompanied 

 with a fuliginous and filthy vapour, which renders them ob- 

 noxious to a thousand inconveniences, corrupting their lungs, 

 and disordering the entire habit of their bodies." This is a 

 strong but not exaggerated picture of the state of this monstrous 

 grievance in the year 1661 ; and, when we reflect upon the 

 gradual increase of the evil up to the present period, we cannot 

 but hail the recent enactments of the legislature directed 

 towards the consumption of smoke, wishing that the subject 

 may receive that serious attention which it so urgently requires. 

 We regret, however, that experience justifies a doubt as to the 

 efficacy of mere parliamentary interference in a matter of this 

 kind ; whilst novelty recommends it, and the reports of Com- 

 mittees serve as a vehicle for the publication of individual 

 schemes, all goes on with eagerness and energy ; but as soon as 

 parliament is prorogued, and the smoke-burners out of town, we 

 relapse into our pristine fuliginosity, and the pretty-behaved 

 chimneys upon the river-side, which awhile seemed to have for- 

 gotten their office, again evolve their wonted columns of sable 

 smoke, " belching it forth," as Evelyn says, "from their sooty 

 jaws, and making the city of London more like the suburbs of 

 hell, than an assembly of rational creatures : so that the tra- 

 veller, at many miles' distance, sooner smells than sees the place 

 to which he repairs." We might quote, as a parallel instance, 

 the Bill for the removal of nuisances from the streets, which for 

 a time was sufficiently effective, and contributed greatly to the 

 comfort of the metropolitan pedestrian; lately, however, the 

 beggars have resumed their ancient stations, the pavement is as 

 heretofore decorated with the praises of our radical patriots, 

 written, as they should be, " all upside down ;" barrow-women 

 vociferate the contents of their moveable magazines in the most 

 audacious defiance of street-keepers, constables, and acts of par- 

 liament; hackney-coachmen quit their boxes, and carmen mount 

 their drays with unreserved impunity ; the White Horse cellar con- 

 tinues, as heretofore, the eternal and undisturbed resort of stage- 

 coachmen, jews, and pickpockets ; Carlile's shop remains open 

 for the edification and instruction of the young of both sexes; 

 stalls and olher peccant excrescencies are again shooting up at 

 street corners ; and, in short, every thing shews, that unless the 

 orders of the legislature are enforced by a respectable and well- 



