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XCII. Reviews, and Notices respecting New Books. 
The Principles of Hydrostatics. By Thomas Webster, M.A., of 
Trinity College, Cambridge. 1835. 
The Theory of the Equilibrium and Motion of Fluids. By the same 
Author. Cambridge, 1836. 
N the Preface to the first of these works Mr. Webster states that he 
has ‘¢ endeavoured to develop the principles of the science of Hydro- 
statics with the use of none but the most elementary mathematics ; 
so that the student, who now either partially or wholly neglects this 
beautiful branch of natural philosophy from the uninviting character 
which analysis presents, to those who are not familiar with it, may at 
once proceed to its study if he is only acquainted with the first prin- 
ciples of algebra and mechanics. It is not from thinking other me- 
thods preferable or even comparable with the analytical that I have 
adopted this plan, but with the view of bringing the subject within 
the reach of those who have not been initiated in analysis.” By pur- 
suing this plan the author has produced a work of more general utility: 
than if he had introduced more analytics, since many that might not 
have ability or inclination to follow a train of reasoning conducted by 
mathematical symbols, would take interest in and receive benefit from 
an exposition of the principles on which such reasoning may be 
founded, and by a statement of facts and results. Besides which, 
the nature of the work admits of the introduction of subjects which 
in the present state of science do not admit of exact mathematical 
treatment, and which are nevertheless fully as useful in a practical 
point of view, or instructive as branches of natural philosophy, as 
many of. those that do, These subjects are, Steam and its applica- 
tions ; the mechanical application of the Motion of Fluids ; Dalton’s 
law of the diffusion of Gases coexisting in the same space ; Winds ; 
Trade Winds ; Evaporation; Theory of Rain, &c., which will be found’ 
to be clearly and concisely treated in this work. It adds, however, 
to the confidence we place in works of this description to know that 
they are written by mathematicians. Mr. Webster establishes a 
claim to being considered such by the able manner in which the se- 
cond of the above-named treatises is composed, which is purely ma- 
thematical, being intended to carry the student to the highest analy- 
tical deductions from the first principles of hydrostatics and hydrody- 
namics that could be prudently introduced into an elementary work. 
Accordingly, besides the usual propositions, treated for the most part 
in the usual manner, there is additional matter on subjects that have 
scarcely yet acquired a standing in elementary treatises, viz. Laplace’s 
Theory of Capillary Attraction, Specific Heat, and the Law of Cool- 
ing, in the statical part; aerial vibrations and their propagation, 
considerd as the immediate causes of sound, together with musical 
vibrations in cylindrical tubes, in the dynamical part. In these por- 
tions of the work Mr. Webster has drawn largely from recent me- 
moirs both of foreigners and our own countrymen, and has endea- 
voured to make their productions more accessible to the mathematical 
student by breaking up the simpler parts into distinct propositions. 
