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volume of this work has never been published in England, owing, probably, partly to the in-
correctness of the translation of the first volume, and partly to the circumstance that the
second volume of the original, did not appear until more than a year after the first. It has
been also boldly asserted that Dr. Elliotson, the translator of Blumenbach, is the author of
the English translation of Magendie. They know of no higher authority than Mr. Webster's,
for asserting this. Even admitting it for a moment, as he has put his name to one work of
this kind, we cannot imagine any other motive for his not having done the same to this, but
his consciousness of its inferiority, and from his being ashamed of it. They, however,
take this opportunity of informing the public, that they have a copy of said work, and
that is is anonymous.

It is not the intention of the subscribers to reply to all the hints and innuendos
thrown out in the handbill for the purpose of injuring the sale of their work, though
this would be an easy task, if the limits of this communication would permit. There
is one part, however, which they cannot pass over in silence; it is the assertion, that the
English translation was the one first announced, and its superior claim to public patronage
on this ground inferred. In reply, they would observe, that more than one half of the Ame-
rican translation was completed, and a written request sent to the editor of the Medical Re-
corder, of which Mr. Webster is the publisher, to have it announced, before the intention of
republishing the English translation was advertised. For certain reasons, however, the re-
quest was countermanded for that number, no suspicion being then entertained, that any one
was disposed to interfere. But it seems, that Mr. Webster had his advertisement inserted
in this very number of the Recorder, without informing the editor of it. The translator is
in possession of a letter, since received from that gentleman, in which this fact is mentioned.

They will not stop now to inquire, how far it is becoming in a foreigner, enjoying the hos-
pitality of our country, and living upon the Medical profession, to make every effort in his
power to discourage and put down a laudable scientific enterprise. The question, however,
is fairly before the profession, whether they will prefer an English work, the principal claim
of which to public patronage consists, in its being republished in this country by an English-
man for the avowed purpose of prostrating an American publication, declared by persons
eminently qualified to judge, to be vastly superior to it. This is the question at issue, and
they wait wihout solicitude for the result.

E. J. Coale & Co.

Balt. Feb. 1822.

Baltimore March 5^th 1822

Dear Sir, By the above communication of Mr. Coale
you will see that my translation of Magendie is published, and ^that though it
it is but a fortnight old, an attempt has already been made to destroy ^it. All
this arises from Webster's rage at my not continuing my connection with the
Recorder. Since this was published his "Reply" has appeared, in which every
thing contained in Coale's communication is directly or indirectly admit
-ted. He does not pretend that the second volume has been translated in
England, though he gave out four months since that he actually
had a copy. Altho he has taken pains to advertise through the coun-
-try that D^r Elliotson is the author, and giving him a long list of titles
which the Doctor never assumed, yet when pressed for his authority
for so doing, he says it is derived from the letter of a gentleman, with
-out a name, in N. York. Allow me at this time to return my thanks
for your poite letter. Mr. Coale intends sending a few copies to Lexington
by the first good opportunity. - But my particular object in writing
you at this time, is to inform you that I am still going on with the
sulfur fumigations, and to inform you of my intention of
publishing a short account of the remedy in such a form as will
be generally accessible to persons out of the profession. What with engagements
writing Magendie [ac.?] and ill health have prevented my paying as much atten-