skill, which have brought within the reach of all hose who would know something about astronomy, so capital, so trustworthy a guide. The object of M. Guillemin has been essentially to write a treatise for the multitude. Leaving to others the glory of emulating La Place and Herschel, he aims, like M. Figuier, at being a vulgarizer of science, if we may use such an expression, and we think that he has perfectly succeeded. A quotation from the preface will shew what materials have been accessible to our author, and prove, to a certain extent, that he deserves our fullest confidence. "I have aimed at placing this attempt of popularized science on a level with the most recent and the most authentic discoveries. I have therefore addressed myself directly to the greatest astronomers both in Europe and in America. All have liberally given me the assistance of their learning; original memoirs, drawings, photographs, have been sent to me from the various centres of scientific knowledge with a generosity for which I must hero publicly express my heartfelt gratitude. Encouragements and counsels have not been wanting. The venerable patriarch of contemporary astronomers, Sir John Herschel, Admiral Smyth, MM. Warren de la Rue, and Lassell, in England; the illustrious director of the Pulkowa observatory, Otto Streue, in Russia; MM. de Littrow in Germany, and P. S. Bond, in the United States, are, amongst foreign astronomers, those to whom I owe most thanks for their generous assistance. "In France, M. Le Verrier has eagerly placed at my disposal the library of the imperial observatory, and has authorised me to take drawings of the finest instruments belonging to that magnificent establishment. MM. Laussedat, Chacornac, Goldschmidt, have helped me with their advice, and communicated to me their observations." From this statement we see that M. Guillemin has been particularly favoured for the preparation of his volume; and when we further take into consideration the resources available in the numerous bulletins, memoirs, journals, and other publications of the various scientific societies, we shall have some slight idea of the ample stock of materials he had to work from. Let us now ascertain what use he has made of them. The first part of the book, entitled the solar world, is divided into three sections, treating respectively of the sun, the planets, and the comets. The chapters referring to the moon, profusely illustrated, and containing as they do the results of the most recent and accurate observations, commend themselves particularly to the reader's attention. As M. Guillemin aptly remarks, the proximity of the moon to the earth, which it accompanies in its evolutions round the sun, renders it one of the heavenly bodies the most interesting to study and to know. What can be more curious indeed, than that little system in the vast system of the solar world; than that miniature earth, ever performing round our earth a series of movements exactly similar to those which our globe perforins round the sun? Amongst the physical peculiarities connected with the moon, we must notice the absence both of atmosphere and of water. From the former cir cumstance it follows that the lunar landscapes have a strange character. Here the shadows have always the same intensity; and the harshness of the tones is softened only by the reflections which are sufficiently numerous on a soil particularly uneven. No perspective, none of those effects of light and shade which invest our own terrestrial landscapes with so much charm. Refraction does not decom. pose white light into seven primary colours, and into a thousand various combinations. The rainbow and other phenomena of the same kind are unknown to the inhabitants of the moon. On the other hand, for them, the stars and the rest of the constellations shine brilliantly in the broad daylight. The absence of water is a consequence of the absence of air. Supposing seas, lakes, or merely streams, existed on the surface of the moon, the want of atmospheric pressure would reduce them immediately into vapour, whilst under the energetic influence of the sun, the gas thus generated would produce round the satellite a thick kind of coating. Now, observation of the most accurate description has failed to ascertain any moveable spot on the moon's disc, and therefore, we are justified in concluding the total absence of water, which we have admitted à priori. The constitution of the stars, their classification, their different groups, are fully explained in the second division of M. Guillemin's work. With reference to the physical and chemical elements of which they are formed, our author shews that, in order to ascertain these, we need not wait until the instruments employed by astronomers in their observations have reached a state of perfection, which we are scarcely justified in expecting. "Thanks," says he, "to an admirable method of analysis, by virtue of which we can conclude from the constitution of the luminous spectra to the presence or absence of certain substances in the very focus of light-thanks to what is termed spectral analysis, we may anticipate the speedy appearance of an epoch when we shall be able to say: Iron, copper, quicksilver, exists in such a star; that one contains sodium, the next manganese. Perhaps also we shall succeed in ascertaining, amongst the constituent elements of Sirius, Vega, Orion, &c., the presence of substances unknown to our world. Already investigations of this kind have begun, a few data are established, and this new branch of astronomy promises the most curious, the richest harvest.” After some interesting considerations on the milky way, and the other clusters of nebulæ, M. Guillemin sums up as follows the descriptive part of unknown, from the simple to the complex; he his book: "In the depths of boundless space, numerous agglomerations of stars exist, which are, as it were, the archipelagoes of that indefinite ocean. Each one of these milky ways is itself formed of a multitude of clusters, where the suns are grouped as in so many systems, the condensation of which is more marked than in the ensemble of the nebula. "The suns are the individuals of these associations of worlds. But here again we find the tendency to the formation of groups; and the double and multiple stars reveal to us the simple systems by virtue of which two or three suns gravitate one round the other. "Here would stop what we can know of the structure of the universe, were it not for the fact that we ourselves form part of one of the simplest amongst these solar worlds, and that the study of our planetary system, with its varied organisation, shews to us the part played by one of these millions of heavenly bodies which move through space, projecting everywhere their rays and their heat." M. Guillemin has thus described the innumerable phenomena of which the firmament is the scene; he has explained and illustrated the rotation of the planets, the movements of the comets, the distribution through space of those luminous bodies which the power of God has scattered with such magnificent profusion, to engage our study and to excite our praise. It remains now that we should determine the laws that regulate the world and maintain between its constituent parts the most admirable harmony. In a treatise like the one we are now noticing, destined for general readers, it would have been, of course, out of place to give mathematical calculations, and to reproduce the learned argumen. tation of Kepler, Newton, and Lalande. M. Guillemin has merely quoted some of the fundamental propositions, and he has admirably succeeded in giving a complete, accurate, but by no means abstruse, résumé of the laws upon which the equilibrium of the physical universe is founded. The measure of the distances which separate the heavenly bodies is, as we all know, one of the most puzzling problems in astronomy, and for persons unaccustomed to mathematical methods, it seems beyond the reach of possibility. begins by shewing how we can measure the distance of an object inaccessible but placed on the surface of the earth, such as a tower, a steeple, a tree, &c.; he then demonstrates that the ascertaining of the distance between us and the moon, for example, is calculated on precisely the same principle. The theory does not, therefore, present the slightest difficulty; all the obstacles are to be met with in the application, and these can be avoided with care, patience, and a moderate amount of skill. The final chapter of M. Guillemin's book treats of the principal astronomical instruments. Whilst preparing this portion, the author has enjoyed, as we have already noticed, the advantage of examining at leisure the magnificent collections of the Paris observatory; and the woodcuts which reproduce these marvels of modern scientific ingenuity are very well done. In conclusion, we think that the popular treatise on astronomy thus added by Messrs Hachette to their already large store of educational works, deserves the strongest commendations; and we know of no other work on the same subject better calculated to excite our love for that great God, "excellent in power and in judgment, and in plenty of justice," who has "fastened the foundation of the earth, and laid the corner-stone thereof." The Great Schools of England: an Account of the This work is somewhat similar to the "Public Schools' Calendar" which we noticed some time ago. Both derive a good deal of their material from the Report of Her Majesty's Commissioners on the Great Public Schools of England, and both give information with regard to a few of the principal schools not lying within the province of the Commissioners. They differ, however, in their aims. The "Public Schools Calendar" supplies us with numerous particulars which it is necessary for those We are not to know who wish to send their sons to any of these astonished, accordingly, at finding our author de- | schools, and details the events of last year with a voting to it an entire chapter; and we need scarcely say that he has cleared every difficulty that could possibly remain in the mind of mere tyros. To measure, with the help of a standard judiciously selected, the distance at which is from us an object visible but inaccessible: such are, in all their generality, the terms of the problem, and the sup. posed obstacle is stated at once as we make the enunciation. M. Guillemin here, as throughout his whole volume, proceeds from the known to the minuteness calculated to satisfy the members of each school. The general details of these matters are also given in Mr Howard Staunton's work, but his aim is much more ambitious. He enters into the history of each School, gives biographical notices of famous men brought up in it, describes its buildings, and adds literary and antiquarian remarks, wherever necessary or interesting. Pictorial illustrations are also used to realise the outward appearance of the places. Mr Howard Staunton prefaces the book with an introduction of some length. It is admirably written, full of profound thought tersely and gracefully expressed. In this introduction he gives a sketch of the state of education in the various countries of Europe, notices the historical rise of schools, and then passes on to the discussion of what ought to be taught in our highest schools. His statements are generally accurate, and evidently got from the best sources. Occasionally, however, we notice a slip. Where, for instance, did he get this information with regard to Greece? "In modern Greece, where, in harmony with the glory and the greatness of ancient Greece, education should be not merely universal, but nobler than everywhere else, it is deplorably neglected." A recent article in the Museum, based on the programme of studies published by the authorities of the Athenian university, gave our readers some idea of the completeness of the staff of professors in the university of Athens. And we have before us statistics collected by the Government, and discussed by professors in the university, in an Athenian fortnightly journal called the Pandora, which shew what immense strides education has made within the last few years in Greece. Mr Howard Staunton's opinions are in general remarkable for their soundness-a rare quality, we are sorry to say, in writers on education in this country. To one of them, however, we beg leave to demur. "On the other hand, while nothing of human physiology but the faintest outline, and nothing of political economy but that which operates to correct antiquated errors, should be offered as intellectual nutriment to the pupils of the great English schools, natural history should be presented incessantly and abundantly, though always as a recreation rather than as a study." The study of physiology is absolutely necessary to a scientific knowledge of natural history. Natural history is a series of classifications. These classifications are ultimately based on physiological differences, and the most important results of a study of natural history are lost if this study is not combined with that of comparative anatomy. But if we separate a general knowledge of natural history from a thorough scientific knowledge of it, then neither physiology nor political economy can be replaced by natural history. For natural history, owing to the simple nature of its facts, can be presented to the child in his earliest stages of training, while physiology and political economy present such complicated problems, that in a complete system of education they can be treated fully only towards the end of the course. They both, moreover, present modes of investigation not known to natural history as a mere series of classifications. We say this, apart altogether from the insight which both give into man's individual and social life. We refer Mr Staunton to remarks which have been made on this subject in the articles in the January number of the Museum, on "The End of Intellectual Education,” and on "The Necessity of a Knowledge of Physiology," and in the article on Physiology in the present number. We should like to extract large portions from this introduction, to give the author's opinions wider circulation, for they well deserve it. We shall content ourselves with one extract. "To make the loftier kind of education in England what it ought to be, three measures are chiefly needful: the appointment of a minister of public instruction, with somewhat of autocratic authority; the establishment of a national university; and the formation of academies and schools, corresponding to the Gymnasium and the Realschulen of the Germans, in which the business of instruction should not be monopolised, to the extent it is in our great schools, by the ministers of the church. " What fruits can such a Education in England is at present very much of a chance-medley affair. It has neither unity of object nor of spirit. The whims of individuals, the bigotry of sects, the timid interference of the Government, the tricks of charlatans, sciolism, incompetency, coarse popular feeling, and necessity, all co-mingle and counteract. system, or rather such an absence of system, bear? A minister of public instruction would not, it is true, eradicate the whole evil, would not provide a perfect remedy, but he would be an efficient instrument of a great reformation. He would potently help to bring order and unity; he would infuse energy, and would compel even the most recalcitrant and incapable to follow a comprehensive plan. In this country there is a dislike, and a very proper dislike, to that bureaucratic meddling which is the bane of continental states. But we sometimes suffer as much from the want of centralisation as other nations do from its excess. By all means let bureaucracy, which is the pedantry of despotism, be opposed. Let no dread, however, be entertained of centralisation where education is concerned, for vigorous centralisation would quicken and stimulate public instruction, enlarge its scope, and hasten its march. A national university in or near the metropolis is one of the most urgent national needs. This might be the noblest university on the earth. The British empire is not limited to the British islands, and British influence is not limited to the British empire. London is the centre of the world's material commerce; it might be the centre of a diviner The cosmopolitanism commerce-that of mind. which would destroy earnestness and efface nationalities is not to be commended, but how desirable a point would that be, where what is best in all nationalities could meet." Public and Middle-Class School Education: what it is and what it should be. By a PRACTICAL MAN, Master in a Public School, for many years Principal of a Classical and Commercial Academy, Author of various works on Education, &c. London: Virtue, Brothers, and Co., 1 Amen Corner, Paternoster Row. 1865. We suspect we are not fit to criticise this work. We have a kind of idea that it is awfully clever, but we have to confess that we do not fully understand it, and we are occasionally uncertain whether the author is serious or ironical. However, we shall let our readers judge by specimens. Here is the dedication: "There is the same difference between a thinker and a learned man, as there is between a book and its table of contents. "I admire learned men, but I keep all my love for thinkers; to the latter, therefore, do I beg to inscribe the following pages. That they may prove acceptable to many is the earnest wish of their humble writer." proper he should know. Thus it is a sin to try to know God's own words! But, oh, are we better than they when we pronounce a man to be an infidel because he obeys God's bidding, by looking at his works as well as words; because he studies the lessons that the physical world was intended to teach him; because he would ascertain that that very Creator is far mightier, far wiser, far more benevolent, just, and merciful to man than any words can ever represent him to be? "If so, what a depraved man I must be accounted who have spent all my leisure moments, and also all the money I could dispose of, in trying to fathom as many of nature's secrets as lay in my power to investigate. Can I expect mercy after all my experiments in chemistry, physics, anatomy, and physiology? after all my geological researches? and after all the consequent musings and reflections in moral philosophy? Is there any hope for me, who find that the more I see, the more I want, and will endeavour, to know? for me, who am convinced that were my natural life to last for ever, for ever, too, would the whole of my energies be devoted to His account of Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle, the study of God's works, which teach me so well, Epicurus, and Zeno is as follows: I "Then came Socrates and all his doubts. wonder whether the author of the Cartesian philosophy had more misgivings about the reality of his own existence than Socrates. Yet the latter was continually urging man to know himself, for he, alas! believed in an immortal soul, the proclamation of which creed left him no doubt as to the mortality of his own body, on which the grateful Athenians made a most deadly experiment with hemlock, when the noble philosopher's life was all but nearly spent. How are those now treated who openly profess the contrary opinion? Why, they are outlawed! "Plato, too, distinguished himself by propounding his theory of innate ideas, which we disbelieve, while we admit the testimony of the senses, which he wisely (?) discarded. "Aristotle was the real founder of sound philosophy. There was some logic in him, though we do not share all his conclusions; yet I cannot help thinking I have heard more genuine philosophy expressed by men who never heard of that philosopher, nor ever were at any school, than Aristotle ever knew of. "Epicurus refused to recognise the noble aspirations of human nature. His name is now a by-word by which the sensualist is known to many of us. "Zeno, a Stoic, though once a Peripatetician, had truly faith in a Providence, but he had the misfortune to deify Fate." Here is a specimen of his treatment of science: "In Roman Catholic countries he is still considered as a bad man (unless he be a priest) who dares read more of the Bible than the Church thinks ay, better than any sermon, how unworthy I am of his mercy, and how much I need his grace to save me from despair? "Permit me now to state briefly the reasons why scientific men are thus despised, or rather feared, by many. "1st. The pulpit ever waged war against the physical sciences in favour of the metaphysical; no wonder, then, that physicists of all descriptions and merits should, at the same time, be run down in the minds of the prejudiced by the sweeping assertion that experimental philosophy is atheistical.' "2d. The earth was formerly believed to be a fixed plane or flat body, longer from east to west than from north to south, resting on, and environed by water (the infernal regions being where the word implies). A man, never mind who, his name is legion now, expressed his opinion that the earth is not a plane, but a globular or spheroidal body, not fixed, but turning round itself at a most tremendous rate, while the velocity with which it travels elliptically round another body of similar form, though millions of times larger, is beyond comparison with any motion of which man may have an idea. That man offended the church and creed of his day: he was a bad man. "3d. The blissful ignorance of the ancient interpreters of God's word led them to think that the blue to be seen overhead in a cloudless sky, was a solid vault (firmament) resting on pillars beyond the waters that surrounded the earth: that the sun took a quiet walk by day, and the moon by night, along that immense vault, and that the stars were heavenly spirits, or guardian angels, watching by night over the souls committed to their care. Ingenious and poetical though such suppositions are few of the famous passages omitted. They are might be, they found sceptics who would not rest well adapted for committing to memory. The notes till they had proved their absurdity. Galileo, Kep- are judicious, and generally short. Altogether, the ler, Tycho Brahe, Leibnitz, Spinoza, Bacon, Newton, book will be found of great use in schools. Descartes, Laplace, &c., go and hide yourselves: you are all very bad men. "4th. A universal deluge was (and is still) one of the favourite errors in which children are led to believe, by means of those beautiful arks, full of all manner of grotesque animals, and in which men were and are kindly allowed to remain. Away with you, all ye exceedingly bad men, who either deny the existence of the flood gates in heaven, or who, like Hugh Miller, of learned but tragical memory, dare call "the testimony of the rocks," and of every living thing, against such a "time honoured" creed as that of a universal deluge. Away with you, we say, we will none of you." A Handbook of British Plants, designed especially for Schools, Science Classes, and Excursionists. By W. LOWNDES NOTCUTT, author of "Handbook of the Microscope," "The Geography of Plants," &c. London: Longman, Green, & Co., Paternoster Row. Cheltenham: Norman & Sons, Clarence Street. 1865. This handbook supplies a desideratum which many students of botany must have felt. All those treatises which enable beginners to find out the name of a plant are half-a-guinea or upwards; but here he may have a convenient and accurate guide for three shil. lings and sixpence. Mr Notcutt has accomplished this saving of space and money by a judicious plan. He gives in as few words as possible those features of plants which will enable the beginners to recognise all the British species. In a short introduction, Mr Notcutt describes the principal parts of a plant, and the classification of plants, and gives directions how to examine and dry them. He then analyses the natural orders of British plants; he then gives the characteristics of the genera, and then of the species, and he concludes with a copious glossary. The work contains descriptions of every known British plant and fern. It will be found exceedingly useful to the young botanist, as he can easily carry it in his pocket; and its arrangement is so clear and its descriptions so careful, that he will not have to turn over its leaves long before finding what he wishes. Shakspeare for Schools; being Passages from his The title of this book gives an accurate idea of its contents. The passages are well chosen, and there Easy Arithmetic for Young Beginners. In Lessons tion. We give this little work our heartiest commenda. Its aim is to introduce young children to the study of arithmetic. The writers understand tho roughly the nature of children, and accordingly the exercises given are exactly such as will lay a good foundation, and will make arithmetic a real educating power. We trust it will displace many of the books which are now used as first arithmetic books; for while they violate the ascertained principles of edu cation, this little work is based on them, will render the study interesting, and will make progress sure. The exercises extend to simple division. The Applications of Geology to the Arts and Manufactures. Being Six Lectures on Practical Geology, delivered before the Society of Arts, as a part of the "Cantor" Series of Lectures for 1865. By Professor D. T. ANSTED, M.A., F.R.S., &c., &c. London: Robert Hardwicke, 192 Piccadilly. 1865. These lectures are exceedingly interesting and instructive. The facts are collected from a great variety of sources, and relate to a great variety of things and places, and they are presented in a clear and attractive form. The work consists of six lectures:-I. On Agricultural Geology; II. On Springs and Water Supply; III. On Minerals obtained from Superficial Deposits, Sands and Stream Ores, Clays, Cements and Artificial Stones; IV. and V. On Materials obtained from Stratified Deposits, Stones used in Construction, Fuller's Earth, Salt, Bitumincus Shales, Ironstone, and Coal; and VI. On Minerals obtained from Mineral Veins and Mining. The work contains a great number of useful tables, and is illustrated by diagrams. Teachers will find it very useful in helping them to throw a little interest into their geographical lessons. School Series. Edited by the Rev. G. R. GLEIG, M.A., Chaplain-General to H. M. Forces. Ques tions to W. Hughes's Geography for the use of Beginners. London: Longman, Green, Longman, Roberts, & Green. 1865. The preface of this little book states almost every. thing that we need say of it, except that the ques |