guess as well as we can under the circumstances. The question is whether she had angular curvature, lateral curvature, or no curvature at all. If the first, angular curvature, you must consult such authorities as Bryant, Dewitt and the rest. If you are not satisfied with these modern writers, all I have to say is, as I have said before when asked whom to consult in such cases, "Go to Pott," to Percival Pott, the famous surgeon of the last century, from whom this affection has received the name by which it is still known, of "Pott's Disease," for if a doctor has the luck to find out a new malady it is tied to his name like a tin-kettle to a dog's tail, and he goes clattering down the highway of fame to posterity with his æolian attachment following at his heels. As for the lateral curvature, if that had existed, it seems as if the Apostle Eliot would have said she bulged sideways, or something like that, instead of saying the backbone bunched out from beginning to end. Besides I doubt if lateral curvature is apt to cause paralysis. Crooked backs are everywhere as tailors and dressmakers know, and nobody expects to be palsied because one shoulder is higher than the other as Alexander the Great's was, and Alexander Pope's also.

I doubt whether Mary Chase had any real curvature at all. Her case looks to me like one of those mimoses, as Marshall Hall called certain forms of hysteria which imitate different diseases, among the rest paralysis. The body of a hysteric patient will take on the look of all sorts of more serious affections. As for mental and moral manifestations, a hysteric girl will lie so that Sapphira would blush for her, and she could give lessons to a professional pickpocket in the art of stealing. Hysteria might be described as possession, possession by seven devils, except that this number is quite insufficient to account for all the pranks played by the subjects of this extraordinary malady.

I do not want to say anything against Mary Chase, but I suspect that, getting nervous and tired and hysteric, she got into bed, which she found rather agreeable after too much housework, and perhaps too much going to meeting; liked it better and better, curled herself up into a bunch which made her look as if her back was really distorted, found she was cosseted and posseted and prayed over and made much of, and so lay quiet, until a false paralysis caught hold of her legs and held her there. If some one had "hollered Fire," it is not unlikely that she would have jumped out of bed as many other such paralytics have done under such circumstances. She could have moved, probably enough, if any one could have made her believe that she had the power of doing it. Possumus quia posse videmus. She had played possum so long that at last it became non possum.

66

Yours very truly,

O. W. HOLMES, M.D.

Hon. James M. Barker was appointed to write the memoir of the late Paul A. Chadbourne, which was originally assigned to the late Rev. Dr. Egbert C. Smyth.

Mr. Charles C. Smith communicated by title for Mr. WORTHINGTON C. FORD, a Corresponding Member, "Some Notes by Alexander Hamilton of Debates in the Federal Convention of 1787." Mr. Smith also communicated for Mr. JAMES F. RHODES, who was unavoidably absent, the memoir of the late Edward L. Pierce, which Mr. Rhodes had been appointed to write for the Proceedings.

Alexander Hamilton's Notes on the Federal Convention of 1787.

The following notes of debates in the Federal Convention were taken by Alexander Hamilton, and are contained on a few undated sheets of paper among the Hamilton Papers in the Library of Congress. I was of the opinion that they might have been notes for the Federalist essays, taken from Madison's records; but a more careful examination showed that they were independent memoranda, and often adding a little to what Madison wrote down in his capacity of self-appointed reporter. To show the connection I have drawn off the corresponding sentences in the Madison notes, using the excellent edition of Mr. Gaillard Hunt, which in thoroughness and accuracy is much in advance of any previous issue. There is enough of original matter in the Hamilton notes to justify the publication. They show the bent of his mind, and the difference between the mental tastes of Madison and himself, demonstrating why Madison was so much the better reporter of debates. But a further point is made: the notes made by Paterson have just been printed, and it is known that Jackson, the secretary to the convention, made copious notes. May it not be conjectured that other members followed the course of Madison, Yates, King, Paterson, Jackson, and Hamilton, and that we have not yet exhausted the material in existence on this most interesting convention. Professors Jameson and McLaughlin have shown what can be done towards illustrating the documentary history of that assemblage, and in the same spirit I offer these notes of Hamilton.

June 6, 1787.

PRINCIPLES.

I. Human mind fond of Com

promise. Maddisons Theory

Two principles upon which republics ought to be constructed.

I. That they have such extent as to render combinations on the ground of Interest difficult.

II. By a process of election calculated to refine the representation of the People.

Answer. There is truth in both these principles but they do not conclude so strongly as he supposes.

The Assembly when chosen will meet in one room if they are drawn from half the globe & will be liable to all the passions of popular assemblies.

If more minute links are wanting others will supply them. Distinctions of Eastern middle and Southern states will come into view; between commercial and non commercial States. Imaginary lines will influence, &c. Human mind prone to limit its view by near and local objects.

Paper money is capable of giving a general impulse. It is easy to conceive a popular sentiment pervading the E. States.

Observ. large districts less liable to be influenced by factious demagogues than small.

Note. This is in some degree true but not so generally as may be supposed. Frequently small portions of the large districts carry elections. An influential demagogue will give an impulse to