him, among other things, when his land does not possess a sufficient amount of mineral matter. It goes still further, and shows him the very substances it is deficient in, and consequently what it is necessary to add, and thus every farmer can at once apply the manure best suited to his land.

Numerous other examples of the importance of chemistry as an art might be stated, but we must briefly view it in its higher position as a science, enabling us to trace the effect as nearly as possible to its cause, and continuing this till we approach the Great First Cause. As a science, it explains the phenomena of naturethe causes of rain, hail, snow, dew, lightning, thunder, and when we are to expect them. Again, in our bodies the science of chemistry shows that we are "fearfully and wonderfully made." The process of the conversion of food into brain is purely chemical. It shows the mutual dependence of the parts on one another; the causes of ill health, and consequently how to keep the body in good order; and if man is so careless as to neglect to do this, the science of chemistry does still more-it points to the way of escape from the evils he or she has brought upon themselves, and furnishes man with means for preventing, in a great measure, the recurrence of such evils.

Surely the study of that which is so useful as an art, and which, as a science, has such a tendency to elevate man as a reasonable being, is worthy of the most serious attention of every individual. Even without entering into the minute details of chemistry, men might obtain sufficient knowledge of the science as would not only create an interest in the common occurrences of life, but would enlarge the sphere of their ideas, and render the contemplation of nature a source of delightful instruction.

"To me be Nature's volume broad displayed,
And to peruse its all-instructing page
My sole delight."

But such is not generally the case, inasmuch as this branch of knowledge, even in this present age of progress and enlightenment, is possessed, comparatively speaking, by very few. The science of chemistry ought to form an essential branch of education to be carried on in our educational establishments; but then the majority of teachers in public or private schools are entirely ignorant of it. We have, however, in our large towns, at least one or two places of education where the science of chemistry is taught in all its theoretical and practical principles. Even with this advantage within the reach of many, few avail themselves of it, and the reason they do not, is perhaps because they imagine that a knowledge of chemistry is not required in every-day life. Be this as it may, we can say from experience, being ourselves connected with one of the most extensive manufactories or sugar refineries in the United Kingdom, that we have derived no inconsiderable feeling of gratification in being able to understand a few of the many appliances resorted to

therein, and this resulting merely from a little knowledge of chemistry.

We trust by the foregoing remarks to have removed a few objections to the study of this science, having pointed out a few of its applications, its general use, and the necessity of its becoming an essential branch of education. It only remains for me to mention a few works which may be advantageously consulted by those readers who aim at the acquirement of substantial useful knowledge. From the very extensive list of works upon this subject I can confidently recommend the following:-Fownes' "Chemistry;" Gregory's "Manual" (2 vols.); Liebig's "Letters on Chemistry;" Faraday's "Chemical Manipulations;" Johnson's "Chemistry of Common Life;" Turner's "Chemistry," edited by Gregory, and Brandt's "Chemistry." GEORGE.

The Reviewer.

Syllabus of a Proposed System of Logic. By AUGUSTUS DE MORGAN. London: Walton & Maberly.

THE Controversy between the numericalists and the conceptionalists in Logic promises soon to have a large and illustrious literature to itself. De Morgan and Boole are the greatest of modern mathematical logicians, and Sir William Hamilton and Mansel are the most sturdy and able of their opponents. The two views might probably be harmonized by a great thinker, well trained and cultured in the sciences of quantity. There can be no doubt of the ultimate unity of all truth; but the ordinary human mind has scarcely a receptive capacity sufficient to take in the whole of any one given system of truth. There is a painful one-sidedness in man-a one-sidedness which this serial strives to reduce to a minimum, by showing that differing parties have generally good grounds-as at least they appear to themselves-for the several beliefs they entertain. This one-sidedness is greatly increased by our common methods of culture, which lay it down as a law that inclination is to be consulted in regard to what and how we study. This is the way to make a successful, not a perfect man-and success is the god of man's idolatry.

When special aptitudes receive special culture, and the eye ist constantly turned away from one phase of the truth, and as continuously turned towards the other, there cannot but be a growing incapacity of, as well as dislike to, admitting that in that which we have not studied, or do not think, or think about, there is anything really meritorious; and so we go on, with self-blinded eyes, to pursue each his own course. Habit completes the evil that inclination began, and culture strengthened, and at last we become sceptical of every view but our own. This is a dishonest style of culture, and ought to be repudiated. What we dislike most is

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that, in general, which we have most need to learn. The poet despises the careful savingness of the man of business; the merchant contemns the ideal beatitude of the versifier-neither is right, for they have only seen and felt half truths each. Most controversies originate in this same failing, and sustain their living power by the steadfastness with which we shut our eyes against the views opposed to those we hold. This is not the place to enter into a review of the stirring battle of the Logics, which we have indicated as having been, and as still being, carried on-for we do not here judge of or decide upon controverted points; but upon merit, whether pro or con.-worth is to be the object of our search.

Professor De Morgan is a man of large mind and wide culture, and his contributions to the literature (if we may so call it) of That singular clearness Mathematics are extensive and valuable.

of thought and aptness to hit upon the punctum saliens of an idea, which he has acquired by long and close and keen mathematical concentration of faculties, do not in him operate in only one direction -though they always maintain the associative tendency to do so. He sees mathematics in everything, it is true; but he also sees more than mathematics. This a feeble-minded man could not do. The heavens would be to him an equation, chemistry would be a series of proportionals, and history a chronological problemquantity and number would be the all in all. De Morgan is a man superior to these foibles, or rather feebleness of the mind. He is profound and subtle as a thinker, and clear, concise, and explicit as a teacher. This small tractate of 72 pages, at one shilling, contains an excellent, intelligible, brief, and useful synopsis of mathematized logic. It touches upon many points of deep concernment to logical science, and it does so with a singular expertness of style and quick dissective incisiveness-to read it is no small training in practical logic. It is so arranged and expressed, that students even of conceptional logic may easily follow its form, and readily acquire a knowledge of the significant phraseology in which it is couched. The forms of propositions and of syllogisms, and their various capabilities, are clearly noted; the distinctions between species and genera are acutely marked; and the whole work is distinct and mind-bracing. Being only a syllabus, it is not exhaustive in its treatment of the many topics it discusses. It is a porch to the author's formal Logic, and it places within reach of the public the results of several scattered productions of the learned, published in the "Cambridge Transactions" and elsewhere. Through the kindly courtesy of the author, we have been favoured with copies of most of these; but we must say we relish the explicit and unified treatment the subject has received in this small pamphlet better than papers the cursive and discursive discussions which the dismembered contained. Readers of logical treatises would do well to add this to their stock-and would do better if they would fix many of its truths by daily familiarity in their minds. Whatever side of the controversy he may take, he will find this author a man worthy of studious attention, respect, and love.

Essays contributed to the Quarterly Review. By the Rev. J. J. BLUNT, B.D. London: Murray. 1860. 12s.

THESE essays are fourteen in number, have no connection of subjects, and are not arranged in systematic order. Though some of them were written upwards of thirty years ago, their re-publication is very opportune at the present moment, since they refer to subjects of increasing interest and importance. The first essay is on" The Church in India," and is mainly occupied with an account of the labours of that eminent divine and faithful christian minister, Bishop Heber. "The Reformation in Italy," the subject of another essay, is also discussed at length, and in an able and suggestive style, and will be read with pleasure by all who are interested in the great cause of truth and justice. The other essays, with the exception of those on "Village Preaching," "Village Schools," and "Church Rates,' are biographical, and embrace variety of character sufficient to satisfy the general reader. We may instance especially those on "Milton," "Paley," and "Bishop Butler," as being remarkable for the depth of their criticism.

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We wish we could add our favourable testimony to the essay on "Robert Hall," in which Mr. Blunt says, that, though quite unconscious of party feelings, and certainly having opened Hall's works with many prepossessions in favour of the writer, we cannot altogether submit to charges so intemperate, and lick the hand upheld to lay low what of earthly institutions we most estimate." The whole essay is an elaborate but bad-tempered attack upon a great and good man. The other essays, on "Dr. Parr," "Cranmer," and "Adam Clarke," will well repay a thoughtful perusal. Essays in Ecclesiastical Biography. By the Right Hon. Sir J. STEPHEN, K.C.B. Fourth Edition. Complete in One Volume; with a Biographical Notice of the Author, by his Son. 8vo. Pp. 680. Price 14s. London: Longmans and Co.

THOSE who know anything of Sir James Stephen, or his works, will, we are convinced, hasten to enshrine his memory in this edition of his essays, now published in so accessible a form. Ten of the twelve essays are biographical, one critical, and one speculative. When we remember the multifarious character of their author's engagements during a long and important public career, we cannot but express our surprise that these " essays, written during the intervals of business," should contain so much condensed thought, and be alike remarkable for their scholarly finish and profound learning.

The biographical essays all relate to persons whose lives are interesting in a theological or ecclesiastical point of view. Five of them relate to Roman Catholics, and five to Protestants. Of those which relate to Roman Catholics, two are concerned with individuals, namely, Hildebrand and St. Francis of Assis, whilst three describe groups of characters connected by the objects or the habits of their lives.

The mind of Sir J. Stephen was of greater depth, and, taken as a whole, of richer combination than that of Lord Macaulay.

In the volume before us there are passages which, as examples of condensed power, and of clearness and vigour in expression, could not be surpassed. Sir James was a large-hearted Christian, full of sympathy for nobleness wherever it was to be met with: and this disposition frequently led him to pass somewhat lightly over evils that he should have branded; and some of our readers will think neither the Roman system nor Roman saints are entitled to anything like the leniency he has shown them.

We cordially commend this volume to the intelligent student, satisfied that it will abundantly repay a careful reading.

Songs of the Covenant Times. By an AYRSHIRE MINISTER. Edinburgh: Nimmo. London: Simpkin & Co.

SONG and legend have embalmed in the memories of men the doings, sayings, and sufferings of the Puritans of Scotland-the Covenanters. The nobleness of faith is always a pleasing theme of thought. Faith is not only the essence of religion; it is also a large ingredient in poetry. Imagination is only the earth-bounded vision of faithand poetry is the expression of imagination. There are two schools of poetry which are ever at variance, though they are strictly and closely allied-they may be respectively defined as the realization of the ideal-e.g., dramatic, epic, descriptive, and some sorts of narrative poems; and as the idealization of the real-e.g., most narrative, many descriptive, all lyric, and didactic poems. Chaucer, Shakespere, Dante, Milton, Coleridge, Scott, &c., are examples of the one sort; Tasso, Goethe, Crabbe, Wordsworth, Tennyson, &c., may be regarded as instances of the other.

As poetry is, in reality, thought so permeated by emotion as to acquire a seeming vitality and objective being-it is evident that any circumstance, feeling, or event, which deeply and strongly excites the emotions and the thoughts, must be likely to result in poetry— if the emotioned thought is expressed. The power which "bodies forth" such ideas is imagination-the seeming eye of the mind. There is an unquestionable grandeur in heroism; but when heroism is sublimated into self-sacrifice, and that devotion is shown in submission to death for a belief, because faith so markedly reveals the unseen to the soul that earthly objects fade upon the vision in comparison-the sublimity of the act is unquestionable. Heroes, saints, and martyrs, have been in all ages held as being among the earth's worthies. When, however, the three are fused into one, the essential nobility of the act is intensified. Among the Puritans of England, the Lutherans of Germany, the Waldenses of Italy, the Albigenses of France, and the Covenanters of Scotland, heroism has often taken this its noblest form, and "for the faith that was in them," when not suffered to "render a reason," they have offered themselves.

The memory of the Covenanters is dear in Scotland-and in all