90 Monthly Review of Literature. 



we have seen for general purposes, both as respects the choice of matter and 

 the arrangement, and appears to contain more than the Almanacs of previous 

 years. 



The Companion for 1837 is, as usual, replete with most useful information 

 of a very varied character, and more especially Statistics. We may mention, 

 however, as being especially valuable, Mr. Lubbock's second paper on the 

 Tides ; the early history of Astronomy ; occultations of planets and fixed 

 stars by the moon ; remarks on the registration and marriage acts ; account 

 of different railways of Great Britain, &c. &c. 



The Companions, of which there are now eight, contain altogether a large 

 mass of scientific and statistical knowledge whose accuracy is unimpeachable. 

 To such as cannot afford the more expensive and more systematic works of 

 Mr. M'Culloch, his Dictionary, as well as his lately published ' Statistics of 

 the British Empire/ we recommend this collection of Companions to the 

 Almanac. 



' The Statistics ' of Mr. M'Culloch is a valuable addition to modern litera- 

 ture. The names of his co-operators ensure the respectability of the work. 

 We have read some of the articles, those more particularly on the geography 

 and geology of the country, and can speak favourably and with competence. 

 The other parts appear to be equally well got up : indeed it has seldom been 

 our lot to examine a book of this kind that has so much pleased us. Its 

 Editor has been long justly regarded as a sound economist, capable of ad- 

 vising and directing the state-economy of the country ; and we trust thatfour 

 present government will as soon as possible adopt his advice on the subject 

 of free trade in one department at least, manufactures and manufacturing 

 materials. 



Mr. M'Culloch's book should be the vade-mecum of every parliament-man 

 in the kingdom, of every manufacturer, every merchant, every man of wealth, 

 nay, of k every British subject that can afford it and understand it when 

 bought. It is not a book of pretence and show, made for the present hour 

 only : it is one whose value will be more felt as time enables its readers to 

 perceive the truth of the author's observations and predictions. 



British Annual, and Epitome of the Progress of Science. By Robert 

 D. Thomson, M. D. Bailliere. 



THE British Annual as a work of constant reference should find a place upon 

 the library table of every man who possesses a taste for science. This little 

 volume is extremely well got up, and abounds in the most interesting and 

 valuable information. An epitome of modern discovery has long been a de- 

 sideratum in the scientific world. The undertaking was a task of no ordi- 

 nary labour ; and those who could the most have wished it shrunk from the 

 difficulties of the attempt. We therefore feel ourselves personally indebted to 

 Dr. Thomson and offer him our cordial gratulations on the successful manner 

 in which he has performed this act of kindness to society, assuring him that 

 it has not been for a long time our pleasant duty to peruse a work so amply 

 stored with extensive learning and profound research. 



The Annual opens with an almanac for 1837, enriched with elaborate 

 calculations of the sun's declinations, moon's phases, and planetary con- 

 junctions. 



Next follows a succession of useful things, such as a list of the principal ob- 

 servatories in the world ; height of mountains and mountain passes, and in- 

 habited places ; lowest limit of snow in different latitudes ; weights, measures, 

 and coins throughout the world, ancient and modern ; comparison of the Centi- 

 grade, Fahrenheit and Reaumer's thermometers ; tables for calculating the 

 heights of mountains by barometric observations ; table of specific gravities,, 

 atomic weights, universities of Europe and America. The last contains the 

 annual income of the different professors in the Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aber- 

 deen, and Paris universities, with a short abstract of the curriculum and fees of 

 the student. The learned societies of London, Statistics, and a variety of other 



