118 Professor Low's Remarks on the Review of his Work. 



again. In one case only he seems to direct attention to the 

 matter rather than to the author, though it has no bearing 

 upon the argument. In his last paragraph but one he points 

 out an inaccuracy. Any one who would read a page of the 

 work would see that the mistake was one of inadvertence, and 

 no more to be founded upon than an error of the press. This 

 strange production was only brought under my notice within 

 these two or three days. I shall have an opportunity soon of 

 extending my work in preparation for a foreign edition, and 

 of answering all fair objections; but it is impossible, you will 

 see, to answer mere ribaldry and personal abuse. 



Now, my dear Sir, your high and honourable name is placed 

 in connexion with the work in which this article appears. Such 

 a name is an assurance to the world that the work will be a 

 faithful record of the progress of science, and that it will not 

 be abused to unworthy ends; 1 therefore confidently appeal 

 to you to procure me redress for the injury which has been 

 sought to be done me, and which can only be through the 

 medium of the work itself. To any fair criticism I could have 

 no right to object, but the article in question is in no sense, 

 as you will see, a criticism, but a mere libel under the guise 

 of a review. 



It has been suggested to me that it has been written by 

 some concealed enemy, who has abused the privilege of being 

 a contributor. I am unwilling to believe that any one could 

 have been so ungenerous. If it has been written by the editor, 

 under the opinion that it is more easy to demolish an author 

 than his arguments, I hope he will, on reflection, see that he 

 has probably misconceived my argument, and which, if it is 

 good for anything, cannot be stifled by the means of attack 

 which he employs. 



Craigleith House, by Edinburgh, ■*• ^™> SiC.i 



June 6, 1844. David Low. 



NOTE. 



That blame may not attach where it is not due, I avow myself the author 

 of the so-styled " libel under the guise of a review," and am responsible for 

 the "ribaldry and personal abuse" which it is alleged to contain. 



That the review proceeded from no enmity, either open or concealed, on 

 my part, must be granted when I assert, that I knew not of the existence 

 of Prof. Low till I saw his work; this confession he will of course consider 

 a humiliating one, as arguing myself unknown. 



When leisure will permit me, I intend to offer a few observations on the 

 Professor's communication. 



July 10, 1844. RicHAW) Phillips. 



