Vi PREFACE. 



of heat, light, optics, and electricity, by means of a simple water- 

 bottle, tumbler, stick of sealing-wax, and other ordinary objects, such 

 as everyone has at hand. A series of chemical experiments, per- 

 formed by means of some phials and inexpensive appliances, completes 

 that part of the book relating to the physical sciences. 



Another kind of recreation, both intelligent and useful, consists 

 in collecting the ingenious inventions which are constantly being 

 supplied to our requirements by the applied sciences, and learning 

 how to use them. We have collected a number of mechanical 

 inventions and appliances, with which most ingenious and skilful 

 people will wish to supply themselves, from Edison's electric pen, 

 or the chromograph, which will produce a large number of copies of 

 a letter, drawing, etc., to the more complicated, but not less valuable 

 contrivances, for making science useful in the house. 



Having described some scientific toys for the young, we have 

 endeavoured to point out those interesting to persons of riper years, 

 and have grouped together curious sytems of locomotion, and in- 

 genious mechanical appliances, such as small steam-boats, ice- 

 boats, swimming apparatus, etc., under proper heads. 



In addition to the foregoing subjects, we have included some 

 of the experimental details of Chemical Science, with illustrations. 

 We have added a chapter upon Aerial Navigation and Ballooning, 

 with anecdotes of some of our celebrated aeronauts. We have also 

 enlarged upon Light, Sound, Heat, Physical Geography, Mineralogy, 

 Geology, Electrical Appliances, the Electric Light, and most of the 

 latest adaptations of electricity. 



It will be seen, therefore, that the present work is not only 

 intended for the young ; everyone, it is hoped, will find in it some- 

 thing interesting and also profitable, which, if not desired for self- 

 instruction, may at any rate be turned to account as a means of 

 teaching others that science, which is universal, can, when rightly 

 apprehended, preside even over our pleasures and amusements. 



THE EDITOR. 



