Morning herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1837-1840, 1839-07-04

- SlrrIre rsa Ny MINrArURE.-Fsr several dsys
have been sitting for my miniature to Mr.. South
worth, young artist Of Boston, who resides At pre-
sent at No. 10 Park Place M
This 10 the frat time ever could be prevailed up
by male female, to sit for nay picture, painting,
portrait or long nose. But the truth is, several lit
tie miniatures of Mr.. Southwick were shown me by
friend, which were exquisitey done that could
not resist the desire.
The process of sitting is droll affair, the various
novel steps Of which we will sketch another day.
First the painter throws of few rude sketches of
the forehead, nose, hair, and outlines, while the sit
ter changes his left for his right leg and locks away
to ths west as far into eternity human life will per-
nit Next day, the painter puts light into the eye,
hangs an expression on the cheek and pins piece
OF frmness upon the lip, while the sitter, getting
used to it, begins to talk and go his past life.
On the third day. the painter breathes the broad
preston OF the soul over the long face, makes the
eyes tighten up with something intellectual, gives
feeling to the lips and gradually brings out of few
colors by brush dipped in little tumbler of fresh
water, the whole inward man.
But more of this anon, when the miniature is fin
ished.
New York JOURNAL OF MEDICINE AND SUR
GERY.-For some time past we have been anxiously
anticipating the appearance Of the On. Y Journal
of Medicine and Surgery" for the medical talent Of
the city being promised in it. and being the sole
medical journal in the field, we had most ardently
hoped that it would assume high literary rank and
to elevate the medical character of our distin
guished metropolis. But, alas! alas! most griev-
ously have we been disappointed.
In the first place, how do we find it introduced to
the medical community? Why, not as we had
right to expect, by racy, entertaining, well written
and appropriate article, telling of its origin plan
purposes, &C., but by tedious, dull, most common
place one, the progress Of medicine in America,
without particle Of neutrality-suspicious.
well written sentence, or striking thought through
out t-a reiteration of things that every med-
cal reader knows, and which have been told hum
dred times, and in a much more agreeable manner
Such is the introduction to the light of this antic
pated periodical and in which is to be concentrated
all the medical talent Of New York. Heaven deli
yer us from such talent, il this be a sample OF it.
Then comes a terrible surgical case, the poor pa
tient dying, is but too common in these mighty
operations. There is objection to this case, as
case but the writer Of it is manifesy unused to put
his Thoughts into written words and sentences, his
style being awkward and clumsy enough.
Passing by one short article, we next meet with a
long, prosy cancer Of the uterus, in which
the members of the profession will find nothing new
instructive, interesting, and few, probably, except
such read every sentence and word in journal,
lest they should get all their money worth, will
take the trouble to wade through But it is not my
purpose to notice all the worthless and common
place matter, in this neophyte, and think may
safely add ephemera in medical literature; for know
your columns are otherwise and Better occupied than
they would be by such a review i will therefore
make but few further observations.
Under scientific intelligence we find twenty six
pages devoted to the 3ongs OF two medical societies
| Of New York, which few know any thing
about and these doings any thing but useful or
instructive; In short, nothing is told us in them
worth the trouble of reading Thus have extracts
I Id &.
taken from the Greek alphabet, but we tight
venture TO question whether many members of the
iaton know it. In these scientific &C counts we
very gravely informed that Dr. - rose, and
"mentoned a case Of paralysis Of the muscles of the
throat and pharynx following syphilis"
" - rose we pyesume-thoush this is not
particularly stated-and spoke Of case Of hydro
cele in which he had puhctured and drawn Of near
ly three pounds of fluid" Very edfying, indeed
But then the end is served, viz: Of introducing
names to the public which would never otherwise be
heard Of.
The concluding address, an "epiiogus," is, il any
thing, even poorer than the prologue; it is lamey
written, tame and unmeaning, and all we infer
from II IS that the journal is TO consist mainly Of
American practical matter-that is, / suppose, the
cases Of American Doctors. All theories, "however
brilliant and well written" are to be excluded;
cases. cases. practical cases, and from young
for they are the principal who will take the
trouble to detail cases-are to fill up this scien
the constellation Of Manhattan Even foreign mat
ter is to be mostly excluded. Heaven help the
editor to ill up, and find readers for his journal But
TO conclude, we unhesitatingly pronounce the under
taking faiure-a perfect abortion, and disgraceful
TO the medical character Of this fair metropolis II
will probably live yea, or until the term Of the
present subscriptions have expired, and then die
natural DEATH many Of its have done.
We cannot leave, however, without complimenting
the publisher for its mechanical Sxecution-in this
part ~ il fault be found. The public are not
told who is the editor Of this produ tionwho is the
father who the fathers Of this abortion. Well
they show their good discretion to keep silent on
this head.