strive to refrain from drawing in your breath whilst under the water, and to keep your head raised as much as you can, and gently, but constantly, move your hands and feet in a proper direction, there may be a great probability of your keeping afloat until some aid arrives.

The following singular instance of a man's life being gaved by very simple instructions given him at the moment of danger, is related by Mr Nicholson, in his Philosophical Journal. "The ship Worcester was moored off Culpee, in the Ganges, in November, 1770. One of the men, who was employed in some occupation forward about the cables, slipped into the water, which I am sure was running seven or eight knots (or miles) an hour, which is very common in that river. On the alarm being given, most of those who were upon deck ran aft, where we saw the man's head rise above the water, at the same time that he held up both his hands, and after a few seconds splashing, sunk again. Soon afterwards he rose a second time; and at that instant the commanding officer, who had a hand trumpet in his hand, called out to him-Keep your hands down in the water.' He did so, and remained a considerable time afloat, while one of the boats which were riding astern, was got alongside and manned; and this relief was also retarded by a blunder from too much haste, by which she was cast off without oars on board.* His fears must naturally have increased, as his distance from the ship became greater every moment; and I suppose this impression made him forget his newly acquired art; for he renewed his elevation of hands and dashing of the water, and again sunk; but soon rose again, and for a short time obeyed the incessant and unvaried instruction which was vociferated to him through the trumpet. Whenever he deviated [from this advice] he sunk; and he had disappeared in this manner at least five times

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* When a man falls overboard at sea, the moment that the alarm is given, the ship's helm should be put down, and she should be hove in stays; an object that can float should also be thrown overboard as near the man as possible, and carefully kept sight of, as it will prove a beacon, towards which the boat should pull as soon as lowered down. A grand primary object is having a boat ready to lower down at a moment's notice, which should be hoisted up at the stern most convenient; the lashings, falls, and tackle, to be ever kept clear, and a rudder, tiller, and spare oar, ever to be kept in her, and when dark she should by no means go without a lanthorn and a compass. There should also be kept in her a rope with a running bowline ready to fix in, or throw to the person in danger, coils of small rope with running bowlines, should also be kept in the chains, quarters, and abaft, ready to throw over, as it most generally occurs that men pass close to the ship's side, and have been often miraculously saved by clinging to ropes.

times; and had been carried almost out of hearing before the boat took him up; which, however, at last happened, without any injury to his health, as he took an oar, and assisted in rowing back to the ship.*

Method of rendering assistance to a person in danger of Drowning.

IF you are present, without being able to swim, and can make him hear you, direct him, as in the case of the seaman of the Worcester, to keep his hands and arms under water until assistance comes: in the mean time, as "Drowning men catch at straws:" be as active as possible in throwing towards him a rope, or a pole, or any thing which may help to bring him ashore; you need not doubt, therefore, that he will eagerly seize whatever you place within his reach to assist him thus you may succeed, perhaps, in drawing him to shore, and rescue him from his perilous situation. Indeed this desirable object appears attainable by the proper use of a man's hat and pocket handkerchief, which, being all the apparatus necessary, is to be used thus: Spread the handker chief on the ground, and place a hat, with the brim downwards, on the middle of the handkerchief; and then tie the handkerchief round the hat as you would tie up a bundle, keeping the knots as near the centre of the crown as may be. Now, by seizing the knots in one hand, and keeping the opening of the hat upwards, a person, without knowing how to swim, may, fearlessly, plunge into the water with what may be necessary to save the life of a fellow-creature.

The best manner in which an expert swimmer can lay hold of a person he wishes to save from sinking, is to grasp firmly. his arm between the shoulder and the elbow: this will prevent him from clasping you in his arms, and thus forcing you under water, and perhaps causing you to sink with him.

6

See Bosworth's Accidents of Human Life'

* If a person should fall out of a boat, or the boat upset by going foul of a cable, &c. or should he fall off the quays, or indeed tall into any water from which he could not extricate himself, but must wait some little time for assistance, had he presence of mind enough to whip off his hat, and hold it by the brim, placing his fingers within-side the crown, and hold it so, (top downwards) he would be able, by this method, to keep his mouth well above water till assistance should reach him. It often happens that danger is descried long before we are involved in the peril, and time enough to prepare this or the above method; and a courageous person would, in seven instances out of ten, apply to them with success; and travellers, in fording rivers at unknown fords, or where shallows are deceitful, might make use of these methods with advantage..

RULES OF THE HUMANE SOCIETY

FOR RECOVERING DROWNED PERSONS.

WHEN in the stream, by accident, is found

A pallid body of the recent drown'd,

Tho' ev'ry sign of life is wholly fled,
And all are ready to pronounce it dead,
With tender care the clay-cold body lay
In flannel warm, and to some house convey:
The nearest cot, whose doors still open lie
When mis'ry calls, will ev'ry want supply.

Is it a child, yet weak in strength and age,
Then let thy thoughts the gentlest means engage;
In some warm bed between two persons laid,
Infant or child may claim no further aid.

If woman, man, or youth, attendance claims, Then mark the rules that sage experience framics.. First, lay the body on a couch or bed,

With gentle slope, and lightly raise the head.

Do winter's cold or damps extend their gloom,
Let moderate fires attemper soft the room.
Or does the sun in summer splendour stream,
Expose the body to its cheering beam..

And when with tepid cloths it well is dried,
Let friction soft, with flannels be applied;
These lightly sprinkle first, ere you begin,
With rum or brandy, mustard, or with gin.
Bottles, or bladders, fill'd with water hot,
And heated tiles, or bricks, should next be got:

These

These wrap in flannel, with precaution meet,
And then apply them to the hands and feet;
Nor with the heated warming-pan be slack,
But move it lightly o'er the spine and back..

Let one the mouth, and either nostril, close,
While through the other the bellows gently blows.
Thus the pure air with steady force convey,
To put the flaccid lungs again in play.

Should bellows not be found, or found too late,
Let some kind soul with willing mouth inflate;
Then downward, though but lightly, press the chest,
And let th' inflated air be upward prest.

But should not these succeed, with all your care,
With vigour then to different means repair.
Tobacco-smoke has often prov'd of use;
Nor proudly thou the potent herb refuse.

Th' enlivening fumes with watchful patience pour
Into the bowels thrice within the hour.
If this should fail, tobacco-clysters ply;
Or other juice, of equal energy.

Mere agitation oft assistance gives,
And slumb'ring life awak'ning, oft relieves.
Let some assistant hands, with sinews strong
The undulating force awhile prolong.

Shouldst thou these means a tedious hour pursue,
Yet not one gleam of life returning view,
Despond not; still for kind assistance fly

To brewhouse, bakehouse, or to glasshouse nigh:
Haste, haste, with speed, the remedy embrace;
In ashes, grains, or lees, the body place.
There let it cover'd rest; there gently meet
The latent blessing of attemper'd heat:
On health's true standard all are well agreed,
The heat should not that measure much exceed.
Great good from hot-baths, if with ease obtain'd,
With early care applied, is often gain'd.

Sometimes, though life is cold in ev'ry vein,
And death o'er all the powers may seem to reign,
Th' electric fluid, nature's purest fire,
The soul-reviving vigour can inspire,
Breathe through the frame a vivifying strife,
And wake the torpid powers to sudden life.
Yet more: this shock of life is oft the test,
Though all who look may be of doubt possest.

Let

Let fly the sudden shock; if life remain,
Spasms and contractions instantly are plain:
No longer doubt, no more the case debate,
You see the body in a living state.

J

When these or other pleasing signs appear,
Oh! then rejoice, returning life is near.
Proceed, proceed: if he can swallow aught,
Pour lukewarm water careful down the throat;
Give brandy, rum, or wine, a small supply,
Whatever he can bear, or may be nigh,

Now see your patient snatch'd from instant death,
Restor❜d to draw once more the vital breath;
Go then convey him with a friendly arm,
And let him feel, in bed, the comforts warm.
Ah! cease from noise; his half-shut eye-lid shews
He wants the soothing of a sweet repose.

Soon, soon again from slumber shall he wake:
Soon, soon again of cheering health partake.
And now, restor❜d to partner, child, or friend,
Shall bless your name to life's remotest end,
But, ah! a fatal error oft has been,

When life, though latent, was not quickly seen.
Then thinking that the conflict all was o'er;
That life was fled, and could return no more;
Who much have wish'd, and yet despair'd, to save,
Too rashly doom'd the body to the grave.
More patient thou, with ardour persevere
Four hours at least: the gen'rous heart will fear
To quit its charge, too soon, in dark despair;

Will ply each mean, and watch th' effect with care:
For should the smallest spark of life remain,
Life's genial heat may kindle bright again.

BENEVOLENCE.

FROM the low prayer of want and plaint of woe,
O never, never turn away thine ear!

Forlorn in this bleak wilderness below,

Ah! what were man, should Heaven refuse to hear!
To others do (the law is not severe)

What to thyself thou wishest to be done.

Forgive thy foes; and love thy parents dear,

And friends, and native land: nor those alone;

All human weal and woe learn thou to make thine own.

BEATTIE,