532 Notices of Books. (October, 
of the late Prof. Rankine upon this subject. The writer develops 
the theory of arches by beginning with a consideration of forces 
acting upon a suspended chain or cord. We have no doubt that 
it will prove of great value to architects and engineers. 
Geology. By T. G. Bonney, M.A., F.G.S. London: Society 
for Promoting Christian Knowledge. 
Tue author of this little treatise has, as he tells us in the Preface, 
‘‘attempted to set down briefly the principal facts of Geology, 
and the conclusions which have been drawn from them ; to indi- 
cate the nature of the earth’s crust, the processes which have 
acted and are still acting upon it, and the probable history of 
that little portion upon which we live.” The attempt has been 
by no means unsuccessful, and the result is a work well calcu- 
lated, we believe, to lead to further enquiry. With the following 
remark we most heartily concur:—‘‘ The great aim of the 
Natural Sciences is to teach students to observe and think for 
themselves: when this result is not produced they are mere 
cram, and do more harm than good.” 
The wondrous tale written on the rocks is told here in the 
simplest possible words, and technical language, if not entirely 
avoided, is kept subordinate. The author, we should say, is not 
one of those men of science who would write a book merely for 
the sake of displaying a “ fire-new”’ nomenclature. The very 
appearance of this work, and the frank admission not only of the 
incalculable age of the world we inhabit, but of the antiquity of 
the human race, is an instructive sign of the times. Had such 
a work been issued, under such auspices, half a century ago, 
certain of our contemporaries would—if such a thing be possible 
—have out-scolded and out-shrieked Louis Veuillot and Joseph 
de Maistre. 
We wish this book a wide circulation, and feel convinced that 
it will have a good effect on the public mind. 
Fourth Annual Report of the Board of Commissioners of Public 
Charities of the State of Pennsylvania. Harrisburg: 
B. Singerly. 
Tuts report contains much interesting information on the ma- 
nagement of reformatories, criminal schools, and lunatic asylums 
in Pennsylvania. The treatment of pauper lunatics in some of 
these establishments appears to be shocking (cxlvii.). It seems 
from the “suggestions,” p. 105, that in America persons who 
have been so unfortunate as to witness the commission of a crime 
may be committed to prison—if unable to find security for their 
