I do not know any author, who has reckoned man among the amphibious race of animals, neither do I know any animal who better deserves it.  Man is lord of the little ball on which he treads, one half of which, at least, is water.  If we do not allow him to be amphibious, we deprive him of half his sovereignty.  He justly bears that name, who can live in the water.  Many of the disorders incident to the human frame are prevented, and others cured, both by fresh and salt bathing; so that we may properly remark, “He lives in the water, who can find life, nay, even health in that friendly element.”

The greatest treasure on earth is health; but, a treasure, of all others, the least valued by the owner.  Other property is best rated when in possession, but this, can only be rated when lost.  We sometimes observe a man, who, having lost this inestimable jewel, seeks it with an ardour equal to its worth; but when every research by land, is eluded, he fortunately finds it in the water.  Like the fish, he pines away upon shore, but like that, recovers again in the deep.

Perhaps Venus is represented as rising from the ocean, which is no other then a bath of the larger size, to denote, that bathing is the refiner of health, consequently, of beauty; and Neptune being figured in advanced life, indicates, that it is a preservative to old age.

The cure of disease among the Romans, by bathing, is supported by many authorities; among others, by the number of baths frequently discovered, in which, pleasure, in that warm climate, bore a part.  But this practice seemed to decline with Roman freedom, and never after held the eminence it deserved.  Can we suppose, the physician stept between disease and the bath, to hinder their junction; or, that he lawfully holds, by prescription, the tenure of sickness, in fee?

The knowledge of this singular art of healing, is at present only in infancy.  How far it may prevent, or conquer disease; to what measure it may be applied, in particular cases, and the degrees of use, in different constitutions, are enquiries that will be better understood by a future generation.

AIR.

As we have passed through the water, let us now investigate her sister fluid, the air.  They are both necessary to life, and the purity of both to the prolongation of it; this small difference lies between them, a man may live a day without water, but not an hour without air:  If a man wants better water, it may be removed from a distant place for his benefit; but if he wants air, he must remove himself.—­The natural air of Birmingham, perhaps, cannot be excelled in this climate, the moderate elevation and dry soil evinces this truth; but it receives an alloy from the congregated body of fifty thousand people; also from the smoke of an extraordinary number of fires used in business; and perhaps, more from the various