In the April number we criticised the psychological side of Dr. Maudsley's work in this volume from the point of view of a merely idealist, or, as he would call it, “metaphysical” theory of knowledge.

Various bills affecting the treatment of lunacy having been introduced in the present Session of Parliament, a brief abstract of each will probably be of interest to those members of the Association who may not have obtained them.

For the notes on this case I am indebted to my colleague, Dr. Savage.

At a meeting of the London Hospital Medical Society, held on January 10, 1879, at the house of Mr. Hutchinson, Cavendish Square, a very able and interesting paper was read by the host on the medical poet, Keats, which was followed by a lively discussion. The Poet's chief composition, “Endymion,” was of course discussed by the essayist, who made various discriminative remarks upon its meaning. The question might have been asked whether Keats himself caught the psychological belief hidden in the ancient myth upon which this remarkable work of genius is founded? As no reference was made to this aspect of the question, we may say that Keats makes no allusion to the idea which we suggest underlies the fable. We beg to supply the omission. Every one knows that the Greeks regarded Selene as the cause of madness. It was under this influence Endymion fell. The form of his unwisdom for which he suffered need not be a matter for conjecture. Young and ardent he had gained a giddy height. Ambition beckoned him thither. Success turned his head. The kiss of Selene shadowed forth his fate.

The last class includes the so-called “general paralysis without mental symptoms.”

The Annual Reports of the Commissioners in Lunacy possess a special interest to those who are engaged in the care and treatment of the insane, taking, as they do, a comprehensive survey of facts which can ordinarily be viewed only from a limited standpoint; and they have a general interest for the public, because these facts bear a distinct and an intimate relation to questions which materially affect the wellbeing and progress of society. At no period has this been more the case than at the close of a year, which has been marked by a concentration of public attention upon the seclusion and treatment of insane persons such as has not occurred since the passing of the Lunacy Acts towards the middle of the century. Moreover, the burden of insanity has been yearly increasing, and its fiscal relationships have assumed an importance which the diminished prosperity of the country has brought into more than ordinary prominence.

We have received a very interesting and able paper on the above subjects, read by the author (formerly a member of the Medico-Psychological Association) at a meeting of the Bengal Social Science Association, on the 13th of June last.

Many cases have come before me in which there was great restlessness; the patient could not be still for a moment; was alternately excited and depressed; slept badly, or not at all; was intensely hysterical, and could not attend to business; while others have complained of failing memory; of want of power of attention; of suicidal thoughts; of intense melancholy; others of sounds in the ears; voices, sometimes distinct, sometimes not; and some or all of these of long continuance; but yet all disappearing under treatment upon the hypothesis I have mentioned. These symptoms often alternate with, or accompany, those which I mention next.

Mr. W. Irving Bishop, an educated and able young American gentleman, who is now visiting Scotland, has, at the request of many of the Professors of the Universities of Edinburgh and Glasgow, and many other influential citizens of these towns, been giving several “Exposures of Spiritualism” before very large audiences. By means of a careful study of the mode in which the most famous professional conjurors amuse and deceive their audiences, through a knowledge of the automatic and reflex action of the brain, and by great perseverance and practice in performing the “tricks,” he has been able to rival the most celebrated mediums in befooling an audience. His peculiar anatomical construction enables him to do feats which no ordinary man could do. He offers to pay one hundred pounds, and a well-known American physician adds a thousand to this, if Mr. Bishop cannot do any “manifestation” whatsoever done by any medium, or Spiritualist, after he has been allowed twice to see it done by such a “medium.” His offer has not yet been accepted, either in America or Europe.