revolution. We had intended to refer in this article to the proper method of inhaling those remedies that are known to alleviate the symptoms of consumption. Some very extraordinary results have certainly been attained by that process, and we doubt not that those who are capable of receiving any benefit from medicine, would find it with far greater certainty by that method, than by poisoning the stomach and injuring the digestion, thus destroying the powers of that great conservative organ which is, next to the lungs, the great source of life.

SCENES IN SOUTHERN PRACTICE.

KING DEATH IN HIS YELLOW ROBE-THE PROUD MERCHANT THE LOVELY
CREOLE WIFE.

THE days were very beautiful, though intensely hot, and the sun-dried air brought but little refreshment as it came sweeping off broad gulf and bay. It had not rained for forty days! God help the fever-sick! Green leaf of plant. and tree was scathed-the ground cracked open, and became an ashy dust, that rose whirlwind high in the parched airand the little birds no longer sang, for there was no early morning dew to sparkle, and bid welcome to the great red. sun. Vegetable and animal life were oppressed; plant-sap and blood were dried up by that fevered atmosphere.

Is there any one who passed through this dreadful season of '39, that will cease to remember it? Will he forget the weakening nights, the scorching days, and hub-high dust to graveyard, where coffins of unburied dead lay in offensive heaps, awaiting the time when officials and friends could find strength and heart to hide them in the yet undug earth? To the piny woods ran some-to the gulf and bay shore, to the north, to the highland plantations, fled others, in hopes of escaping the dread fever-pestilence that mowed them down like cannon.

When the frost came, some returned to tell how others had died when not far on their flight; and how others,

whose safety seemed secured, had hid within them the seeds of the plague, and died most miserably, untented and unhoused.

Some, when the fever first broke out, shut up their houses, and departed immediately, whilst others remained, hoping it would not rage high, and that they would escape. But in a few days such hopes were blighted, for all were fast losing relatives and friends. Young and old, new comer and the native, alike fell before the increasing pestilence. Some scarce lived six hours from the invasion! In the night before, perhaps, they had made merry with their friends-had carelessly passed the jest, that whoever died the others would bury; and before the second night had come, their sportive speech was verified! In one instance, five had so merrily jested; on the fifth day but one remained to tell the tale. Where some two lived together, their friends, alarmed at seeing the windows remaining closed, would enter, and find the work of death was doing, or had been done.

Life seemed a sport! The wine-cup or card-table was sought to drown harrowing care; and many died in rooms in which the grossest dissipation was entered into, to drive away the horrors of the scene.

With many others I had fled to P, near the gulf, where a beautiful bay, on the shores of which the hotel was situated, offered both amusement and security. The rainless days and dewless nights were rapidly drying up all signs of vegetation; here and there the wide-spreading bay tree remained triumphant in dark green leaf, whilst the tall pine and lowlier cedar, day by day were losing their color, and parching by the heat of the unrelenting sun.

When forest and wood, streamlet and spring, withered and wasted, is it a wonder that man's blood should grow thick and fever-charged? Yet, free from the infected cities, the traveller, when he arrived, would thank God for his

ape, and bear bravely with the heat, for the bay waters.

were sparkling in the right merry sun, and the air did not bear the wing of the angel of death.

But, alas with some their rejoicings were too-early born, for the fatal seeds of the fever were ripening within them. Some drooped and died shortly after arrival; others remained apparently secure, when of a sudden, a pain, covering a spot not larger than a marble, would seize them in the back, head, or neck, or a singular death-like chill would crawl down their spines, taking away strength from marrow and muscle, whilst brain and bowel burnt as though in a kiln.

Sometimes the unfortunate man would tell you he felt quite well, save for that pain in the back of his head; indeed, his spirits were rather high, and he only thought he might be sick because his pulse "ran so fast." Then the pain would increase, the skin become fire-hot, unlike any other fever heat when touched. Yellow, and deeper yellow, would grow the skin, the lip-uncovered teeth become sordes dark, and the whole countenance in quickening changes tell how busily death worked within.

Some would become offensive before they died, and retain their senses to the last; whilst others would walk wildly about, raving like maniacs, and die with curse, incoherent prayer and speech, or ribald song, upon their blackened lips. When the vomit attacks, it is not thrown off as in bilious fevers, with sickness and convulsive effort-it boils up, as some hot spring, from the stomach, running like coffeegrounds over the lips and chin, or is forcibly jetted out to the distance of several feet, plashing against wall or floor on its hearse-like course.

The self-devotion, the true-hearted charity, the Christ acting feeling of many whom the fever had not attacked, cannot be appreciated unless witnessed; and although some deserted their kindred and their friends when struck by the dread fever, and left them, in their flight for self-preser

vation, to die with raving brain and parching throat, uncared for and uncoffined--yet, thank God, there were others who, fearless and firm, and but too often victims, came alike to friend, to stranger, and to foe, administering to their fevered wants, and registering their latest wishes. Bands of gentlemen left their homes and their occupations, and joined in this brotherhood charity, while the Sisters of Mercy, high in their catholic duty, came like angels to all classes who needed their service, and at the expense of health, and by forfeit of life, performed those duties which can never be forgotten by the living, and were blessed by the dying.

The day had been unusually hot, the sea breeze had failed, and the huge red disk of the sun, as it went down, gave still the promise of a morrow alike suffocating. We were sitting lazily enough at our doors-for who had energy?-wondering if the next coming day would be alike stifling, and pitying the poor fever-sick of our distant city. Coming slowly along the bridge, that extended half a mile into the water of the fronting bay, we perceived - Mr. D, with fishing-rod and basket in hand. He had been trailing in that hot sun since noon. His swarthy countenance seemed a little flushed, and his eye was more restless than usual. He passed quietly to his rooms, followed by his servant, bowing austerely to those he knew. The world had prospered well with him-a large fortune had been amassed, but not enjoyed, for the everlasting love of greater gain haunted him. He was an atheist -gold his only god! Life to him was all-hereafter a starless blank.

Yet, the man so grasping, so austere, and so hopeless, loved and was married to a most beautiful Creole, whose very soul he seemed to hold. She was a zealous Catholic, and by her ardent charity and womanly humanity had rendered softer the rough angles of her husband. In figure she was full but graceful, with luxuriant hair, which, when