Bibliography. 381 
3. Life and Writings of Ebenezer Porter Mason ; interspersed with 
hints to parents and instructors on the training and education of a 
child of genius: by Denison OtmsteD, Professor of Natural Philos- 
ophy and Astronomy in Yale College. ‘New York: Dayton & New- 
man, 199 Broadway. 
A child of genius, young Mason truly was. We knew him well, and 
can fully unite with the respected author of this interesting biography, 
in the opinion that science has rarely lost two youthful cultivators of 
such eminent hope and promise, as Mason and Fisher.* 
In all branches of science Mason excelled, but astronomy was his 
favorite department, and in this he made many new and original obser- 
vations, such as would do honor to a veteran.t He was cut off at 21 
years of age, when he had already given the fairest indications of fu- 
ture fame and usefulness 
It is impossible to peruse without deep emotion, the touching tale of 
his struggles with poverty, and with infirmities, induced or greatly aug- 
mented by his watchings with the stars—by his exposure to the chills 
of midnight—by his loss of sleep, and by the exertions he made to pro- 
vide, through extra labors, for his expenses. Still, he went forward 
with courage and hope, and labored with cheerful alacrity, till death 
not only knocked at his door, but abruptly forced an entrance, and bore 
his victim away. 
The beautiful taste in which his letters are written—the rich vein of 
poetry which ran through the solid mass of his philosophy—his child- 
like purity and simplicity, and his lovely social affections, commend him 
not less to our admiration and affection than to our esteem and respect ; 
and we realize that when young Mason died, a rich a dropped out 
from the coronet of science. 
Professor Olmsted has well performed his almost parental labor, and 
this most interesting volume should be perused by the aged and the 
young—by the grave and the gay; for all may derive delight and in- 
struction from the memoir of Mason. He fell— 
« Purpureus veluti cum flos, succisus aratro, 
Languescit moriens ;—lassove papavera collo 
Demissere caput, pluvia quum forte gravantur.” 
4. Davis’ Manual of Magnetism; including also Electro-Magnet- 
ism, Magneto-Electricity, and Thermo-Electricity, with a description 
of the Electrotype Process: for the use of students and literary insti- 
tutions, with 100 original illustrations. Boston, No. 11 Cornhill; pub- 
lished by the author. 
-* He was s lost i in the packet Albion on the Irish coast, in 1821. 
t Vide his paper on Nebule, in the Transactions of the American Philosophical . 
eiciee Vol. 7, N.S., p. 165-213, with 4 plates. 
