400 Notices of Books. (July, — 
the formation of establishments of this kind under Mr, Ewart’s 
Act has been opposed—and in too many instances successfully— 
by the interests now dominant in the House of Commons. Our 
‘“system of instruction,” if “organised” at all, seems arranged 
rather for the aggrandisement of parties and interests than for 
training up thinkers and discoverers. Did not Lord Sandon, in 
his place in Parliament, lately oppose a project for extending the 
curriculum of elementary education, by asserting that the purpose — 
of the movement was to ‘‘ crowd out” theological teaching? In- 
stead of regaining the ground we have lost in competition with 
foreign nations, it may be gravely questioned whether we are not 
falling further and further into the rear. This is a melancholy 
prospect for those who are aware of what is going on, and who 
find their words of warning drowned amidst the uproar of the ~ 
‘‘ interests.” 
Legal Responsibility in Old Age. By G. M. Bearp, A.M., M.D., — 
New York: Russell. 
THE title of this thoughtful, interesting work is far from con- 
veying a full idea of its nature and contents. There is a very 
common notion that the mind attains its maximum development 
long after the maturity of the body; often, even, after the vigour 
of the latter is plainly on the decline. Hence wisdom is regarded 
as no less a normal attribute of old age than is strength of youth. 
This view the author has subjected to a careful criticism, and, as 
~ 
the conclusion of his researches, has pronounced it unwarranted ~ 
by facts. His method—the only one applicable in the case—has 
been to prepare ‘‘a list embracing nearly all of the greatest 
names of history whose lives are recorded in sufficient detail to 
be of value in such an investigation,” and to note ‘‘the age at 
which they did the original work by which they have gained their — 
fame.” From a comparison of these data he has deduced ‘ the 
period, the decade, and the year of maximum productiveness, 
and the various grades between this and the period, the decade, 
and the years of the least productiveness.” The enquiry has 
been extended to great men of all departments, scientific, artistic, 
and practical. 
As a general result, the author finds that 70 per cent of the 
work of the world is done before the age of 45, and 80 per cent 
before that of 50. Going into more exact detail, Dr. Beard 
divides the active portion of human life into six decades :— 
The golden decade is between 30 and 4o. 
The silver ‘s 40 and 50. 
The brazen ,, e 20 and 30. 
The iron si as 50 and 60. 
The tin mn i 60 and 70. 
The wooden __,, a 70 and 8o. 
