120 Scientific Reviews. 



sought to obtain every honour and every place. But their attempts 

 have been futile, and disgrace is reflected on them from their me- 

 ditated injuries. The editors of the Annates des Sciences d'Oh' 

 servation are triumphant, and we with pleasure add a branch to 

 their laurels. We hold forth the hand of fellowship to these free- 

 men, and will show to them that they have found worthy associates. 



Arcana of Science and Art, 8^c. In 8vo. Pp. 296. With En- 

 gravings. John Limbird, Strand, London. 



If science and art make any progress, and of this we think there 

 can be no doubt, a register must be of extreme utility, and, when 

 demanded, is the characteristic of an age of improvement. The 

 little work before us is cheap, — is printed with a type that admits 

 of the accumulation of much interesting matter ; and, being the only 

 work of the kind, is indispensable to the cabinet and library. We say 

 —being the only work of the kind — because we think, that with the 

 same materials which modern genius and invention yearly afford, a 

 work of a more striking character might be produced. The pro- 

 gress of art is simple, and consists in indicating the improvements 

 of machinery, and the career of invention ; but the progress of sci- 

 ence, which the work also professes to delineate, is complicate, and 

 the collection of facts which the compiler has given, are like drops 

 of water scattered in the atmosphere, and which require to be 

 united in the form of clouds, before they can fall and fertilize the 

 earth. Their relation to other facts, and to the opinions of men, 

 (and in this lies the only labour of an editor,) must be established, 

 and they must be strung on the golden thread of philosophy, ere 

 they can any way tend to assist in the progress of science. The 

 chapter on Expeditions of Discovery, which is derived from the 

 sole source of information on that subject, we mean the " Edin- 

 burgh Journal of Natural and Geographical Science," would have 

 been infinitely improved by the use of a little method. We often, 

 for example, follow travellers in their labours, noticing them as far 

 as is in our power, every month. The analysis of these separate ar- 

 ticles would furnish a concise and interesting account of their re- 

 sults ; but it is a labour which the editor has not been at the trou- 

 ble of undertaking. 



We trust that these remarks will lead to more care, and conse- 

 quent perfection in the ensuing volume of this little miscellany, 

 which is certainly well conceived, and calculated to become emi- 

 nently useful to the crowds who yearn for that amusing, and un- 

 connected, scrappish information, which marks the taste of the 

 present day. In the mean time, we recommend to the popular 

 reader the purchase of the " Arcana" for this year, as a bouquet 

 adorned with pleasant flowers from many a gay parterre, and a 

 wreath as expertly woven as most publications of that class. 



