398 Memoirs of the Life of James Wilson* 



the field of science to meet his brethren, to lay before them the 

 result of his labours, to set forth the deductions at which he has 

 arrived, to ask their examination, to maintain in the combat of 

 debate the truth of his positions and the accuracy of his observa- 

 tions. These Meetings, unlike those of any other Society, throw- 

 open the arena to the cultivators of all sciences, to their mutual ad- 

 vantage: the Geologist learns from the Chemist that there are pro- 

 blems for which he had no clue, but which that science can solve 

 for him ; the Geographer receives light from the Naturalist, the 

 Astronomer from the Physicist and Engineer, and so on. And 

 all find a field upon which to meet the public at large, invite 

 them to listen to their Reports, and even to take part in their dis- 

 cussions, — show to them that Philosophers are not vain theorists, 

 but essentially men of practice, — not conceited pedants, wrapped 

 up in their own mysterious importance, but humble inquirers 

 after truth, proud only of what they may have achieved or won 

 for the general use of man. Neither are they daring and pre- 

 sumptuous unbelievers — a character which ignorance has some- 

 times affixed to them — who would, like the Titans, storm heaven 

 by placing mountain upon mountain, till hurled down from the 

 height attained by the terrible thunders of outraged Jove ; but 

 rather the pious pilgrims to the Holy Land, who toil on in search 

 of the sacred shrine, in search of truth, — God's truth — God's 

 laws as manifested in His works, in His creation. 



REVIEWS AND NOTICES GF BOOKS. 



Memoirs of the Life of James Wilson, Esq., of Woodville, F.E.S., 

 M. W. S. By the Revd. James Hamilton, D.D., F.L.S. 

 New York : B. Carter & Bros. Montreal : B. Dawson & Son. 

 With portrait, pp. 399. 



Mr. Wilson was brother of the celebrated Professor John 

 Wilson of Edinburgh, and although of very unobtrusive character 

 yet was known among a large circle of most attached friends to 

 be a most accomplished scientific and literary gentleman. Having 

 no profession he resided on a small and beautiful property in the 

 parish of Colenton, about two or three miles from Edinburgh. There 

 he cultivated with great assiduity the zoological department of 

 Natural History. Birds, insects, fishes, and the lower forms of 



