556 Reviews. [ July, 
mission of such an instrument into her house, as she believed it was not 
the intention of the Creator that we should see the things it revealed, 
or He would have enabled us to do so with the naked eye! 
It may be considered ungallant to criticize the views of a lady, but 
we cannot help saying that such a remark exhibits a great want of con- 
fidence in the Creator, who has not only enlightened us by means of the 
microscope on many obscure points in Natural History, instructed us 
how to detect that adulteration which, like a false balance, must be 
“abomination to the Lord,” and enabled man to prolong the precious 
gift of life; but has taught us through this medium that His relations 
are as intimate with the minutest objects of His creation as with the 
highest ; for, as the telescope has revealed to us His power in the 
distant worlds, so has the microscope proclaimed his goodness in the 
water-drop ! 
It is not surprising, then, that the numerous practical uses of the 
instrument, coupled with its efficacy as a means of educating the mind 
and of pleasing some of our highest intellectual tastes should have 
caused it to be regarded with such great favour, and should have led to 
its extended manufacture ; and it would have been a matter of astonish- 
ment, if, with its increased fabrication and employment, the world had 
not been favoured with numerous works upon the principles and mode 
of its construction, and the methods of its application. This has fol- 
lowed as a matter of course, and each season produces a number of 
works of more or less merit, and tending in a greater or less degree to 
diffuse the love of microscopical studies. 
Amongst the treatises for the use of advanced students, the fore- 
most in rank are Dr. Carpenter’s ‘Manual, and the ‘ Micrographie 
Dictionary’ of Dr. Griffith (the author of one of the works about to be 
considered) and the late lamented Professor Henfrey. Many others of 
great merit might be added; but if we were asked to recommend an 
elementary text-book for a young beginner, or for the use of amateurs, 
we confess that we should have great difficulty in selecting one that 
might fairly be considered complete in itself. 
Even in the present incipient stage of the science, it would be 
difficult to embrace all that is desirable in such a treatise. A few hints 
as to the selection of an instrument, with an account of its chief parts, 
and how they should be manipulated; directions for securing and 
mounting useful objects in the most approved manner; a clear de- 
scription and systematic classification of easily-attainable objects im 
the inorganic and organic realms of nature, to lead the young student 
unconsciously from “philosophy in sport” to “science in earnest,” 
and cause a pleasant diversion to become the foundation of a lifelong 
study,—these are the desiderata in an elementary text-book; and such 
a treatise, we believe, has yet to be composed. 
But, although it is by no means perfect, the one before us, written 
by the surviving author of the ‘ Micrographic Dictionary, commends 
itself strongly to our favourable notice. It bears the impress of 
thoughtful care, extended knowledge, and a thorough acquaintance 
with the subjects of which it treats. Its contents are scientifically 
arranged, and the reader is made conversant with the elements of every 
