Notice of Jackson on Geographical Arrangement, ^c. 129 



same importance to statistics with those of France, Germany, and Prussia, 

 the data for the decision of the question would be, fron\ the attention paid 

 to religious instruction, very ample ; and, we are inclined to believe, would 

 exhibit the important difference between the effects of instruction and the 

 benefits of education, meaning, by instruction, the teaching the ordinary 

 branches of knowledge; by education, a similar process^ but with the im- 

 portant addition of religion. 



The returns touching the crime of suicide, with which M. Guerry con- 

 cludes his A'olume, are full of interest; its prevalence, in the different 

 regions, has been already pointed out. Suicide is found relatively to in- 

 crease, as we approach nearer to any of the great cities of France ; and it 

 is a remarkable fact, that in proportion as attempts upon the lives of others 

 are common, self-destruction is rare ; and the contrary. 



M. Guerry has added a list, in the order of their frequency, of the 

 motives by which suicides have been incited to commit the act, and of their 

 last sentiments, both gathered from the papers left behind them. 



Among the causes which incite to suicide, it appears, contrary to the 

 usual opinion, that lotteries are not among the chief. The passion for the 

 lottery does not produce that sudden and unforeseen ruin which urges men 

 to desperation ; it only cripples their resources, accustoms them to severe 

 privations, and after having destroyed their characters, reduces them to 

 subsist upon public charity. Gambling, on the contrary, produces effects 

 far more deadly. 



■\Ve cannot but recommend the observations of M. Guerry, and the few 

 reflections in wliich he indulges, to the serious attention of our readers. 

 The subjects of which he treats are of great importance to this country, in 

 which political power has been placed in hands not too well qualified to use 

 it beneficially. Public attention is awakening to the subject, but we have 

 few means of forming any just conclusions. M. Guerry has executed his 

 task concisely and clearly ; and we indulge in a hope, that, in this country, 

 the materials for a similar work will be collected, which indeed might be 

 rendered far more interesting, if the returns of the different charitable 

 societies were added to it. 



Notice of Colonel Jac/tson's " Hints on Geographical Arrangement and 

 Nomenclature." Transactiotis of the Royal Geographical Society, 

 rol. ir. Art. V. 



Considering the evils which have befallen every important branch of 

 natural science, from the want of clearly defined terras and well-arranged 

 systems of luiuienclaturc, as well as from the ill-contrived and patched-up 

 inetiiuds which have gradually prevailed in their stead, we are glad to take 

 advantage of the appearance of Col. .Jackson's paper, to lay the substance 

 of his remarks before our readers ; and we do this the more readily, that 



No. 2.— Vol. I. s 



