ministered in dropsy supervening upon intermittent fever, particularly by Sydenham. This infusion, taken 
Math large draughts of warm water, readily proves emetic, and may either he employed by itself to excite 
vomiting or to assist the operation of other emetics. It has also been used as a sialagogue, in paralysis of 
the tongue, in some obstinate cutaneous diseases, and in asthma. One drachm of the root infused in a 
close vessel, with four ounces of boiling water, and made into a syrup with double its weight of sugar, taken 
in the quantity of a teaspoonful, and swallowed leisurely, is strongly recommended by Dr. Cullen to remove 
hoarseness, arising from relaxation or deficient secretion of mucus. Externally it readily inflames the skin, 
and if its application be long continued, produces blisters. An infusion of the root in milk is recommended 
by Dr. Withering, as one of the safest and best cosmetics. Horse-radish may be given in doses of a drachm 
or more of the recent root cut into small pieces, and swallowed entire. 
Off. Prep. — Infusum Armoraciee compositum, L. D. 
Spiritus Armoraciee compositus, L. D. 
“The solar year,” says a popular writer, “commences in the very depth of winter ; and I open my 
record of its various aspects under that of its unmitigated austerity. I speak now as I intend to speak, 
generally. I describe the season not as it may be in this, or another year, but as it is in the average. De- 
cember may be, I think, very justly styled the gloomiest, January the severest, and February the most 
cheerless month of the year. In December the days become shorter and shorter; a dense mass of vapour 
floats above us, wrapping the world in a constant and depressing gloom ; and 
Murky night soon follows hazy noon. — Bloomfield. 
In January this mantle of brumal sadness somewhat dissipates, as if a new year had infused new hope 
and vigour into the earth ; light is not only more plentifully diffused, but we soon perceive its longer daily 
abode with us; yet, in the words of the common adage. 
As the day lengthens, 
The cold strengthens. 
This is the month of abundant snows and all the intensity of frost. Yet winter, even in its severest 
forms, brings so many scenes and circumstances with it to interest the heart of the lover of Nature and of 
his fellow-creatures, that it never ceases to be a subject of delightful observation; and monotonous as it is 
frequently called, the very variety of the weather itself presents an almost endless source of novelty and 
beauty. 
I will conclude with one suggestion; there are some respects in which there is a resemblance between 
our structure and that of vegetables — like us, too, they live and die; but between us there is still an immense 
space. Well may it be said: 
“ Am I but what I seem, mere flesh and blood, 
A branching channel with a mazy flood ? 
The purple stream that through my vessels glides, 
Dull and unconscious flows, like common tides ; 
The pipes, through which the circling juices stray, 
Are not that thinking I, no more than they: 
This frame, compacted with transcendant skill, 
Of moving joints, obedient to my will; 
Nursed from the fruitful glebe, like yonder tree, 
Waxes and wastes — I call it nut mine, but me. 
New matter still the mouldering mass sustains; 
The mansion changed, the tenant still remains ; 
And from the fleeting stream repaired by food, 
Distinct as is the swimmer from the flood.” 
Yes, “there is a spirit in man, and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth him understanding.” This 
gift constitutes him the only being, through the whole range of the visible creation, who is able to contem- 
plate the character and works of the Almighty and Supreme Artificer. The human soul is also immortal, 
and capable of eternal progression; and it should be with us, our great end, in this brief and chequered life, 
to prepare for that which is glorious and eternal. 
