"Dr. Woodville stated, that seven thousand five hundred patients had been inoculated for the vaccine disease at the Smallpox Hospital, up to January last; and half of that number had since been inoculated with variolous matter, but in vain."

"The Rev. Mr. Jenner had inoculated three thousand persons with vaccine matter, without meeting with one unfavourable case; though he had inoculated at all ages, and under all cir cumstances. Upwards of two hundred of his patients had been subjected to the test of the small-pox by inoculation, and an equal number in the natural way, but without effect."

“Dr. Marshall stated, that the number inoculated under his direction was upwards of ten thousand; many of whom were afterwards exposed to variolous contagion, which they resisted."

"Dr. Nelson stated, that seven hundred persons had been inoculated with the cow-pock, at the Vaccine Pock Institution; and that a considerable number of them had since been exposed to the small-pox."

“Mr. Ring stated, that he considered Dr. Jenner as the author of Vaccine Inoculation; and the discovery itself as being, beyond all comparison, the most valuable and important ever made by man. He believes it to be a perfect and permanent security against the small-pox. He had inoculated upwards of twelve hundred persons with vaccine matter, and had reason to believe, that at least a thousand of them had been, either voluntarily or involuntarily, exposed to the infection of the small-pox, which they all resisted.

"He is of opinion, that Vaccine Inoculation is attended with no danger, unless from ignorance or neglect. He thinks that if Dr. Jenner had not divulged his discovery, his practice might have been worth ten thousand pounds per annum." In this opinion several of the principal evidences coincided.

"The Committee affirms, that those persons whom they examined, had both the most ample experience of facts, and the best means of forming a judgment upon them. They affirm, that Dr. Jenner had not reaped any advantage from his disco. very, but rather sustained a loss.

"They

« They conclude with observing, that what Dr. Jenner's gains might have been, had he concealed his discovery, as far as men in great practice themselves can form a conjecture, may be collected from the testimonies contained in their report; in which they declare," no more than justice is done to the liberality and public spirit of Dr. Jenner, who had rendered his discovery rather an object of universal utility to the human race, than of emolument to himself."

Long before this period, the new practice had been subjected to the most severe test in almost every nation in Europe; and the more strictly it was scrutinized, the more it was applauded. Not only Great Britain, but the continent of Europe, was ambitious to incorporate the illustrious Jenner with her learned societies, and to interweave his laurels with her own. America has followed her example.

As a noble instance of a nation at war spurning popular prejudice, and acknowledging merit in a rival, we shall present our readers with an extract from the address of the faculty of the department of the Somme to his excellency Marquis Cornwallis, minister plenipotentiary of England at the congress of Amiens.

"They state, that a vast number of experiments in vaccination had been made in that department; and that those expe riments had stamped the practice with the seal of infallibility. They observe, that the honour of this discovery is due to England; and that while governments wield the thunder of war, the friends of science rest in peace.

• They wish the additional glory, acquired by the result of their experiments, may be transmitted to the author of the disco very, Dr. Jenner. They maintain, that the opposition to this useful art arises from avarice and self-interest. They aver,

that

that the experiments which they have made, confirm deci sively the admirable invention, for which they are indebted to the Medical Science of England."

This beneficial practice is patronized by Jefferson in the new world, and by the Emperor of Germany, the Empress Dowager of Russia, and the King of Prussia in the old. France, that other cradle of arts and sciences, has also cherished this infant practice with maternal affection. All nations trust their health to this anchor of hope with confidence.

His Prussian Majesty was the first crowned head who fubmitted his own offspring to vaccine inoculation. The Emperor of Germany, who had offered rewards for the encouragement of the practice, followed his example.

Her Imperial Majesty, the Empress Dowager of Russia, has deigned to honour vaccination with her constant patronage, from the period when it was first introduced into Russia; and, as a token of esteem, her Majesty has sent Dr. Jenner a very valuable diamond ring by the hands of Lord St. Helen's, accompanied with a letter, of which the following is a translation.

"SIR,

"The practice of Vaccine Inoculation in England having been attended with the happiest success, which is well attested, I have eagerly imitated that example, by introducing it into the charitable establishments under my direction.

"My endeavours having perfectly answered my expectations, I feel a pleasure in reporting their success, and in testifying my acknowledgments to him, who has rendered this signal service to humanity.

"This motive induces me to offer to you, Sir, the ring sent herewith, as a testimony of the sentiments of esteem and regard

with which I am,

PAULOWSKY,

August 10th, 1802.

Yours affectionately,

MARY."

We now leave the subject of this memoir happy in the reflection, that he has conferred a singular benefit on the human race. Were we to accompany him into the recesses of private life, we should find him polite, liberal, generous and humane; but it has been our principal aim to delineate his public character. It is that which will transmit his name to the latest posterity; it is that which entitles him to all the rewards, and all the honours, a grateful country can bestow.

THE GOLDSMIDS.

CONSIDERING that Great Britain is the emporium of the wealth of the whole world, that this wealth united in a focus, in the city of London, gives action to the industry and intelligence of all civilized nations, and that, so united, it presents a phenomenon unparallelled in history, it becomes a point of obvious curiosity to know what are the means by which this concourse of wealth is brought together, and who are the agents by whom it is directed?

To form a just conception, however, of the character of individuals, it is necessary to possess a clear view of the theatre of action on which those individuals

individuals appear. It is particularly so in relation to the subjects of this memoir, as the arena on which they perform such conspicuous parts has been so foolishly shrouded in mystery by some, and so unjustly misrepresented by others, that it is by no means surprising to meet with persons actually doubting, whether the millions of wealth which pass through the hands of the Goldsmids be conjured up by some art as black as magic, or extorted by some means as despicable as the "gamester's tools."

To remove the film of prejudice from the eyes of those who have not determined that "they will not fee," was the principal inducement which caused the appearance of this article in the present volume. In the persons of the Goldsmids a fair opportunity presented itself of rescuing a most useful and respectable body of men, who form what is termed the monied interest, from that unmerited ridicule and obloquy which it has been the fashion of the present day to heap upon them.

Benjamin and Abraham Goldsmid are honourably and extensively known on the continent as merchants, particularly in the line of exchanges. As British PUBLIC CHARACTERS they are, however, principally known by their very extensive dealings at the Stock Exchange. This market, therefore, is the theatre of which we shall endeavour to give

* Foreign bills of exchange, by means of which a merchant residing in Petersburg, or any other city, is enabled to make his payments in London, or any part of the globe. In this lucrative branch of merchandize the Goldsmids are unrivalled.

1802-3.

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the