The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1807-07-21 00:00:00

rottic titi.slZ/.S.

These A ss;zcs commenced on S.tnrdAy se'nnight.
Samuel Par smear. ot 5;31..b,1C, aas charged
with feloniously assaulting and viol.oing the person
of Muia Hobson, a female ; and also with an
attempt to violate the person of Hannah Cowley,
both under the age of ten years.
Mr Serjeant Cocast.t. ripened .he case, by
stating. that the prisoner, SArhirei Par4inoUr, a man
seventy years of age, tired in C ver-lane, at Si.ef-
field, where he occupied a single arai tnient, aid
that he had been in the habit ot enticing female
children to room, where he treated them with
the most unheard of indecency; particularly Maria
Hobson and Hannah Cowley, the former being
ses•en, and the ►atter eleven years of age.
The mother of Maria Hobson was first exa-
mined. She stated that she lived near the prisoner
in C -lane, and that on Monday, 251 d of Jove,
lier daughter complained of being ill, and that she
was, tram the nature of the child's indispos;tion, in-
flects-I to examine her person. On being interro-
toed by her mother, the child related the treat-
s, ent she had received from the prisoner, which
d her parents to call in a surgeon. The case
v. a lolly proved by Mr. Mootlsonse, sotgenn, Maria
Henson herself, and Hannah Cowley ; but the par-
us are too horrible and disgusting for recital.
Mr. Nloorhouse being again examined, said, the
a• coin• Is hell the children had given to him of the
ti I!•.ttt,.n, corresponded with the evidence they
had given in Court.
The Prisoner called no Witnesses, and scarcely
d:nied the charge; I•ut said he hoped Mercy would
be extend-d to swim, because fie had been 47 years
i the army, and had two sons then in the ser-
vice of th.• country., of whom had been wounded.
The it:not recapitulated the evidence with great
minineness, and directed the attention of the Jury
so those points it was most material for them w
cimsider.

Tde dory retired for a short time, and when they
returned into Court, the Foreman delivered the
vetch& in the following terms:—" We have ma-
tw+ly considered every circumstsnce, and unani-
mously tiact the P:isoner—Gmilty."

At an early hour on Saturday morning, a ming
lady, VI years of age, the daughter of en independ-
ent retired tradesman, was missing from her home
in Piccadilly, and it was ascertained that a chaise
was waiting near Half-moon-street before day-break,
which conveyed away a gentleman in a naval on-
dn.., and a lady. '1 he fugitives were pursued. and
oats is isscutaisbed.

VI CCIY 47":01V.

IMPORT Of 1116 NOVAL COLLIDE or rioreci4ms
OF LONM,N, ON V ACCIN•Tioh.

(C•mclu•led frmu a f•xmer Papar )

In. The Colley of Physicians, in reportirg
their observations and opinions on the evidence ad•
duced in support cf vacci•iatien, fed thernsdviss
authorised to state, that a body of evidence so
large, so temperate, and 'o consistent, was perhaps
never before colleCted upon a medical question. A
discovery so novel, and to which there was nothing
analogous known in nature, though resting en the
experimental observations cf the inventor, was at
first received with diffidence ; it was not, however,
difficult for othcrs to repeat his experiments, by which
the truth of his observations was confirmed, and the
doubts of the cautious were gradually dispelled by
extensive experience. At the commencement of the
pratfice, almost all that were vaccinated were after-
wards submitted to the inoculation of the small
pox; many underwent this operation a second, and
even a third time, and the uniform success of these
trials quickly bred confidence in the mew discovery.
But the evidence of the security derived from vac-
cination against the small pox does not rest alone
upon those who afterwards underwent varinlous in-
oculation, although amounting to many thousands;
for it appears, from numerous observations commu-
nicated to the College, that those who have been
vaccinated are equally secure against the contagion
of epidemic small pox. Towns indeed, and dis-
iris% of the country, in which vaccination had been
general, have afterwards had the small pox preva-
lent on alt sides of them, without suffering from
the contagion. There are also in the evidence a
few examples of epidemic small pox having been
subdued by a general vaccination. It will not,
therefore, appear extraordinary that many who have
communitated their observations should state, that
though at first they thought unfavourably of the
prallice, experience had uow removed all their
doubts.

It has been already mentioned, that the evidence
is not universally tavout able, although it is in truth
nearly so. for there are a few who entertain senti-
ments differing widely from those of the great ma-
jority of their brethren. The College, therefore,
deemed it their duty. in a particular manner, to in-
quire upon what grounds and evidence the opposers
of vaccination rested their opinions. From personal
examination, as wed as from their writings, they en-
deavoured to learn the full 'extent and weight of
their objettions. They found them without experia
enee in vaccination, supporting their opinions by
hearsay information, and hypothetical reasoning ;
and, upon investigating the faits which they ad-
vanced, they found thous to be either mitapprehensi.
ed or misrepresented ; or that they fell under the
description of cases of impeded small pox, before
noticed, and which the College have endeavoured
fairly to appreciate.
The practice of vaccination is but of eight years
standing, and its promoters, as well as opponents,
must keep in mind, that a period so short is too li-
mited to ascertain every point, or to bring the art
to that perfation of which it may be capable. The
truth of this will readily be adinitte.l by those ac-
quainted with the history of inoculation for the
small pox. Vaccination is now, however, well un-
derstood, and its charatier accurately desciihed.
Some deviations from the usual course have occa-
sionally occurred, which the aulscr of the practice
called spurious cow pot, by which the public have
been misled, u if there were a true and a false cow
pox; but it appears,that nothing more was rneant,than
to express irregularity or difference from that com-
mon form and progress of the vaccine pastille (roe'
which its efficacy is inktred. Those who perform
vaccination ought therefore to be well instructed,
and should have watched with the greatest care the
regular pi ogress of the pustule, and learnt the most
proper time for taki.:g the matter. There is little
dount that fume of the failures are to be imputed to
the ii.experieure of the early vaccinators, and it is
not unreasonable to raped that farther obs ion
will yet suggest many improvements that will reduce
the number of anomalous cases, and flirnish the
means of determining, with greater precision, when
the vaccine disease has been elfedually received.
Though the College of Physicians have confined
themselves in estimating the evidence to such faits
as have occurred in their own country, because the
accuracy of them could best be ascertained, they
cannot he insensible to the confirmation these receive
from the rein-iris of the successful introdnetion of
v iccination, not only into every part of Europe, but
thri.ughout the vast Continents of Asia and America.

IV. S-veral CAUP'S have had a partial operation
in retArdir,g •he genetal adoption of vaccination;
some writers have ready undersaloed the security
it atiqrds, wails otoin have considered it to be of
a temporary nature only ; but if any reliance is to
be placed on the statements which have been laid
before the (:ollege, its power of proteding the hu-
man body frt,m the small pox, though not perk.%
indeed, is abundantly suificietit to recommend it to
the prudent and dispassionate. especially u the
small pox, in the few instances when it has subse-
quently occurred. had been generally mild and tram.
sient. The opinion that vaccination affords but a
temporary security, is supported by no analogy in
nature, nor by the faits which have hitherto occur-
red. Although the experience of vaccine inocula-
tion be only of a few years, yet the same disease,
contrafted by the milkers of cows, in same districts,
has been long enough known to ascertain that in
them, at least. the um.usceptibility of the small pox
contagion does not wear out by time. Another
cause is the charge against vaccination of produc-
ing various new diseases of frightful and monstrous
appearance.
Representations of some of these have been ex-
hibited, in prints. in a way to alarm the feelings of
parents, and to infuse dread and apprehension into
the minds of the uninformed. Publications with
such representations have been widely circulated,
and though they originate either in gross ignorance,
or wilful misrepresentation, yet have they lessened
the confidence of many, particularly of the lower
classes, in vaccination ; no permesent arras, how.
ever, in retarding the progress of vaccination., need
be apprehended from nigh causes, for, as soon as
the public shall view them coolly, and without me.
prise. they will excite contempt, mid not feu.
Though the College of Physicians are of opinion
that the progress of vaccination be. bees retarded

in a few places by the above came. yet they eon-
! ceive that its general adoption bas been prevented
by closes far more powerful, and of a nature wholly
diffetent. The lower orders of society can hardly
he induced to adopt precautions aghast evils which
may be at a eistance; nor can it be expo led from
them, if these precautions are attended with ex-
pen.e. Unless therefore, from the hunt bate dead
of epidemic small pox, neither vaccination nor ino-
culation appear at any time to have been general,
and when the cause of terror has passed by, the
public have relapsed again into a state of indiffer-
ence and apathy, and the salutary pra3ice has come
to a stand. It is not easy to suggest a resn'dy for
an evil so deeply imprinted in human nature. To
inform and iustruft the public mind may do
much, and it will probably be found that t' e
progress of vaccination in different parts of the
United Kingdom will be in proportion to the.
instruction. Were encouragement given to Va:c—
nation, by offering it to the poorer classes without
expense. there is little doubt but it would in time
supersede the inoculation for the small pox, and
thereby various sources of varialous infer:bon would
be cut off; bnt till Vaccination becomes gereral, tt
will he impossible to prevent the constant recurrekce
of the natural small pox by the means of those who
are inoculated, except It should appear proper to
the Legislature to adopt, in its wisdom, some mea-
sure by which those who still, from terror or preju-
dice, prefet the small pox to the vaccine dise.t.e,
may, in thus consulting the gratification of their
own feelings, be prevented from doing mischief to
their neighbours.
From the whole of the above considerations, the
College of Physicians feel it their duty strongly to
recommend the praitice of vaccination. They have
been led to this conclusion by no preconceived opi-
nion, hut by the most unbiassed judgment, formed
from an irresistible weight of evidence which has
been laid before them. For when the number. the
respeaability, the disinterestedness, and the exten-
sive experience of its advocates, is compared with
the feeble and impeder* testimonies of its few op-
po •rs ; and when it is considered that many, who
were once adverse to vaccination, have been con-
vinced by further trials, and are now to be
ranked among its warmest supporters. the truth
seems to be established u firmly as the nature of
vich a question adrisits i • so that the College of
Physicians conceive that the Public may reasonably
look forward with some degree of hope to the time
when all opposition shall cease, and the general con-
currence of mankind shall at length be able to pat
an end to the ravages at least, if not to the existence,
of the small pos.
LUCAS Paves, President.
Royal College of Physicians,
10th April, 180.

NAVAL INTF.I.LIGENCE.

PORTSMOUTH. JULY 18.

Captain Beresford has taken the comm sad nt the
never. Admiral Montagu has struck his flAg fix
a few days; and Sir Isaac Caen hAs shif:cd his to
the Royal WAIN', as Comaim der-in•Chicf.

The Ulysses of 44 guns, Captain Nesharn, will
sail in a day or two with specie on board for the
West Indies. The Laurel frigate, Captain Wool-
combe, and the Otter' Captain Davies, with a con-
voy fur the Cape of Good Hope and South Aun-
tie a 4 and the aria/ore, Capt. Stupart, with a eon-
voy for Halifax and Quebec, Tennis at Spithead.
Sydalle frigate, Capt. Upton, and the Peeme-
th,ms fire-ship, Capt. Hyde Parker, are ordered to
sail imm-diately for the Downs, to join tha Beet
for the Baltic.

Capt. Liroehe's Court Martial commences on
M siday; he will be assisted in his defence by F.
A. Machin, Esq.

JULY 19.

Arrived His Majesty's ship ilroglr, from the
Mediterranean, with about 40 mil .it vessels under
convoy, V 4 sail of which are transports; also arrived
His Majesty's ships Recruit and Shddrake, from a
cruise; also the Preiew, Walsack, from Plymouth
for Wo with; she wet captured off theiPars,light,
by a Fr,tsch lugg-r privateer, and retiFen by His
Majesty's ship Decade, of Dieppe.—Wind S.W.

PLYMOUTH, JULY 18

Yesterday came in the Warrior, 74. guns. Capt.
Spranger, who took in a number of bullocks for the
deft, and sailed again for Torbay.
Arrived the A,rirrehi frigate, 96. Capt. F. Mait-
land, from a cruise off Cape Finisterre, and the
Preik 'charm. r.

Yesterday Admir 11 Young set off for London,
and gave up the command at the Port to Admiral
Sutton, who was saluted by the Right Honourable
Admiral De Courcy, on board the 7 _iusuaa., and
returned from the Satualir del klandu, by Admiral
Sutton, in the usual form.
This day Rear-Admiral Sir Thomas Duckworth
hoisted his flag on board the Royal Gearze, when a
similar ceremony of salutation took place between
him and the Port Admiral.

Capt. Buller, of His Majesty's ship Malta, arrived
yesterday, eta Falmouth, and brought the unplea,
tent news of the death at Rear-Admiral Sir Tho-
mas Louis, at Aleaandria. It is generally supposed
that the gallant Admiral, and his Steward, who
diet soon alter him, were both poisoned.

•Airouru, JULY 17.

Arr;vrd this day, the Princess dada; packet. St
days from Jamaica. On the 14th inst in lat. 48.
29. long. 11. 57. spoke His Majesty's ship Mermaid.
from Halifax, with seven transports under convoy.
having on board the Myth Regiment ; His Majesty's
ship Elephosi, with convoy for England. wire ex-
peaed to leave Jamaica about the 29th June. Pas-
sengers per the Princess eteorlia—Mr. Robinson. Mr.
Bayley. Mr. Chamberlain. Mr. and Mrs. Griffiths.
Mrs. and Miss Gould.

DtAL. JULY 19.
Arrived the Prince fr Wars from the Westward,
and remains in the Downs with the ships as per List.
Y. S. The squadron under the command of Sir
Samuel Hood ate just under sail.

TORRAT. JUL 1r 18.
Sailed yesterday. for Portsmouth. the P,ifere of
IVsk:, 9tt guns. Captain Martin, supposed to be
rat to the Baltic. Also the Rare sloop. Capt.
"Fwith Dispatches for the Fleet off Rochfort.
IZs morning sailed, under command of Vice
Admiral Sir James • Siumaraz, for the station off
Ushant. the Riker/via, Fult4event, Dreadneighls
Jlsaa►rh, Celassae, Dragon, Clampion, and Atrium&