“The work is another interesting addition to Norfolk literature, and the plan for the conservation of our Northern shores, is worthy attention, as coming from a gentleman, who, to some experience at least, adds the claim of having paid considerable attention to a subject of no little importance to the Northern and Eastern districts of the County.”
Norwich Mercury.
“The subject of this Essay is indeed of prime importance—First in a national point of view, as embracing particularly the interest of the public, and concerning in the closest manner the preservation of all the property of individuals situated on the contour of the coast of Norfolk, from the North Westerly point at Wells, to the Haven of Great Yarmouth.
“The main object of the enquiry is to discover the best plan of restraining the ravages of the sea, during the periods of extraordinary high tides; and on this point we entirely agree with Mr. Hewitt’s general view, and are strongly inclined to believe that it will answer in most cases where it may be judiciously carried into effect”
Norfolk News.
“The publication of this volume may be considered well timed. It contains much information respecting the tides and currents of the ocean—the formation of the Norfolk Coast—the damage done by irruptions of the sea, &c. We are no engineers, therefore we do not pretend to pronounce upon the merits of Mr. Hewitt’s plan for the construction of jetties, breakwaters, &c.; but it appears feasible, and merits the consideration of those whose property has been, and is threatened to be injured by the incursions of the ocean. And we consider the work (which is dedicated to the Lords of the Admiralty,) to be creditable to the industry of the Author.”
Norfolk Chronicle.
“The author is a gentleman, whose profession (a surgeon,) could hardly be supposed to allow him much time to devote to a subject such earnest thought and investigation, as the one he has here attacked. Mr. Hewitt, however, has evidently applied himself to this question con amore, and the work now before us evinces that he has brought to its consideration, a mind capable of patient and careful research into the many and varied causes that bear upon it. Though undertaken more especially with a view to searching out and propounding a remedy for the locality of which it immediately treats, a considerable portion of the work refers to the Encroachments of the Ocean generally, upon all exposed points of the coast, and there is much in it that would apply to the Southern, as forcibly as to the Eastern coast
“Mr. Hewitt describes the plan which he recommends as the best mode of imposing a check to the Encroachments of the Ocean, and shows the supposed elevation of the beach from the deposit of sand likely to be caused by the inventor’s plan.
“The work is written in an earnest, but modest and unpretending style, and the aim of the author is so good and praiseworthy, that should it fail to make the impression on head quarters, desired by its writer, he will, under all circumstances, have the satisfaction of feeling that he has laboured in a good cause. While other minds may perhaps entertain different views as to the utility or practicability of his scheme, they cannot fail to admit Mr. Hewitt deserves the thanks of his country, for the benevolent motives which have actuated, and the patient and diligent care which has directed his efforts in the field in which he has thus become a labourer.”
Sussex Advertiser, and Surrey Gazette.
“A remarkable ‘Essay’ which has met with the usual attention bestowed upon Cassandric warnings.”
Dickens’ Household Words.
FOOTNOTES.
[7] Those havens that lie towards France, and have been thought by our kings to be such as ought most vigilantly to be observed against invasion. In which respect, the places where they have a special governor or keeper, called by his office, Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports; and various privileges granted to them, as a particular jurisdiction; their Warden have an authority among them, and sending out writs in his own name. The Ports are Dover, Sandwich, Rye, Hastings, Winchelsea, Romney and Hithe. Some of which as the number exceeds five, must either be added to the first institution by some later grant or accounted as appendant to some of the rest.
[17] Vide Sewell, on the Law of Coroners.
[28] What were the tests applied, to prove that Laudanum had been administered to the infant? If the child did not die from the effects of Laudanum, what caused its death?
[32] Lord Lyndhurst, in a recent case, laid down the following rule:—
“In these cases there is no difference between a licensed physician or surgeon, and a person acting as physician or surgeon without license. In either case, if a party having a competent degree of skill and knowledge, makes an accidental mistake in the treatment of a patient, through which mistake death ensues, he is not thereby guilty of manslaughter.”
“But if where proper medical assistance can be had, a person totally ignorant of the science of medicine—takes on himself a violent and dangerous remedy to one labouring under disease, and death ensues in consequence of that dangerous remedy having been so administered, then he is guilty of manslaughter; or a man may be guilty of manslaughter if, notwithstanding he has a competent knowledge of medicine, he be guilty of gross rashness in the application of a remedy or gross negligence in attending his patient afterwards. Also, where a man doing a lawful act, which is at the same time dangerous, he neglects to use proper caution, death ensues, if it takes place within a twelve month and a day; but if his life exceeds that period, the law will presume that his death proceeded from some other cause than the wound.”—1 Hawk, P. C. 23 s. 90.
“If a man be sick of a disease which in all likelihoods would terminate his life, and another give him a wound or hurt which hastens his death, this is such a killing as would constitute murder.”—See 1 Lord Hale, 428.—Vide Sewell, on the Law of Coroners.
[39] A term given to a fluid attending suppuration, one of the consequences of inflammatory action.
[46] In the course of the enquiry, the coroner remarked he did not know who might have got up that inquest, and that had he been apprised of it, he should have appointed some person unacquainted with the deceased and the circumstances, to have made the post mortem examination. Mr. Webber observed, “Sir, you cannot be in doubt upon that score, as you must admit, on the 15th of May, I enclosed you a note from Mr. Pilgrim, your brother coroner, to whom, supposing him to have been the coroner for the district, I mentioned all the circumstances connected with the deceased, and he conceived it was a proper case, in justice to all parties, that an inquiry should take place; and sir, I apprehend I have done your friend, on your left, no injustice, by getting his own friend Mr. Coleby to examine the body, for you cannot suppose, that the very cordial manner in which you saw Mr. Coleby shake Dr. Bell by the hand, he could have had any unfair or ill feeling towards him.”
[49] This was a new instrument, admirably adapted for the detection of stone, lately invented by Mr. Webber, and manufactured by Ferguson, of Smithfield.