266 
inexperience in the art of teaching. At 
the end of every section a series of triple 
questions are introduced, not only not cal- 
culated to exercise the understanding of 
the pupil, but arranged in the exact order 
of the text, so as to call for neither labour 
Nor ingenuity in preparing the answers. 
Perhaps Mr. Prattent meant to engraft on 
his book the Interrogative System of In- 
struction; but in his humble imitation he 
has completely missed the object. Such 
an abortion will not, we trust, be coun- 
tenanced by the masters of Eton school, 
or by any discerning tutor. Questions, 
in the order of the text, we repeat, for 
the hundredth time, are as ridiculous as 
useless. 
Mr. J. MARSHALL, to whose indefati- 
gable industry and laudable public spirit 
we are indebted for so many accurate 
financial details, and economical calcu- 
lations, has just published his third Expo- 
sition of the Votes of Parliament during the 
Preceding Session. We have introduced 
two of them to our readers in the Supple- 
ments to the two last volumes, and we 
cannot adduce a higher procf of our opi- 
nion of their great interest and merit. 
Perhaps we have done enough to expose 
the bad spirit of our lower House, and we 
shall therefore content ourselves for the 
future in noticing Mr. Marshali’s annual 
publi¢ation, and in earnestly recommend- 
ing it to the patronage of all true pa- 
triots, and to circulation among electors 
generally. 
The well-known ‘Practical Essays 
on Mill-Work,” by the late Rozert 
BucHAnAN, have received very important 
illustrations and additions, in a second 
edition just issued, prepared by Mr. 
Tredgold, the author of ‘*An Essay on 
the Strength of Cast Iron,” and several 
other writings, wherein mathematical 
theory and mechanical practice are most 
happily blended. The best form for the 
teeth of wheels is now shown to be attain- 
able, by combining the arcs of circles ina 
new manner: it is shown how to cause 
the chief action of the teeth to take place, 
after they have passed the line joining the 
centres of the wheels: the theory of 
bevelled geer is much simplified, and 
practical rules are derived, far more. cor- 
_ rectly setting out and finishing bevelled 
teeth, than heretofore has been practised. 
The nature of mechanic foree is considered 
unger some new points of view, tending to 
facilitate the calculations of machinery : 
the ascertainment of the best sets of num- 
bers for the teeth of wheels and pinions 
is explained and illustrated by examples. 
From a new investigation, the Editor is 
led to the conclusion, that a water-wheel, 
to produce the maximum of effect, from a 
given fall of water, should be made so 
much greatey in diameter than the height 
of that fall, as to receive the water upon 
List of New Publications in September. 
fOct. 1, 
the wheel, at 524° distant from its vortex : 
that the velocity of the wheel’s circum- 
ference, answering to this maximum of 
effect, is not a constant quantity, as here- 
tofore has been assumed, but is dependant 
on the height of fall in each particular 
“case, and for the most part exceeds 
considerably the limit assigned by Mr. 
Smeaton, as has long been known to some 
of the practical mill-wrights of our 
‘northern counties. Thoughout the work, 
the Editor’s notes supply important cor- 
rections or additions, to the text; and we 
can with confidence recommend this edi- 
tion to the notice of mechanics, and to 
readers upon this subject. 
*,° Weare assured that the Essay on 
Homer, noticed in our last, is not the 
Prize Essay of the Royal Society, but a 
speculation, so printed and titled as to 
mislead the unwary. We expected little 
from the society, and therefore were taker: 
in by the aspect of the pamphlet. Its 
title runs as follows, ‘* A Dissertation on 
the Age of Homer; his Writings and 
Genius; and on the State of Religion, 
Society, Learning, and the Arts, during 
that period. Being the Prize Question 
proposed by the Royal Society of Litera- 
ture, for his Majesty’s Premium of One 
Hundred Guineas, for the best Disserta- 
tion on the subject.”—If really designed as 
a hoax on the society, we give the author 
credit for much ingenuity and great sati- 
rical talent. 
—— 
ANTIQUITIES. 
Interesting Roman Antiquities recently 
discovered in Fife, ascertaining the scite 
of the great Battle fought between Agri- 
cola and Galgacus, &c.; by the Rev. A. 
Small. 8vo. 10s..6d. 
BIOGRAPHY. 
Memoirs of the Baron de Kolli, relative 
to the secret Mission on which he was em- 
ployed by the British Government in 1810, 
for the purpose of effecting the liberation 
of Ferdinand VII. King of Spain, from 
Captivity at Valencay. Written by him- 
self. ‘To which are added, Memoirs of 
the Queen of Etruria. Written by herself. 
With a portrait and vignette. 8vo. 
10s. 6d. boards. 
The. Life of Isaac Walton: including 
Notices of his Contemporaries; by Thos. 
Zouch, D.D. F.L.s. with plates, flscap. 12s. 
An Account of the Life and Writings of 
Sir Thos. Craig, of Riccarton; by P. F. 
Tytler, esq. F.R.S. 9s. 
Memoirs of Philip de Comines : contain- 
ing the History of Lewis XI. and Charles 
VIII. of France, and of Charles the Bold 
Duke of Burgundy. 2 vol. 8vo, il. 1s. 
CHEMISTRY. 
A Series of Lectures upon the Elements 
of Chemical Science, lately delivered at the 
Surrey Institution; comprising the Basis 
of the New Theory of Crystallization, and 
Diagrams 
