206 



• KNOWLEDGE * 



[Sept. 5, 1884. 



upon it, are subject to the same laws of perspective as other 

 objeots. 



For experiment, if he will arrange his row of equidistant and 

 similar posts against a wall, which may be called the " Plane of the 

 Picture," then trace the outline of eaeh on the wall with chalk, 

 and remove the posts, there will remain a perspective representa- 

 tion in harmony with the recognised rules ; and which yet, from its 

 parts being at different distances from the spectator's " station- 

 point," will show the same variations from crnde regularity as the 

 original objects themselves. R. R. 



[1383] — By returning to the charge, T. E. (E.) Jones proves that 

 this question is not yet satisfactorily disposed of. Does not the 

 solution of the difficulty lie in the fact that a picture containing the 

 element of perspective can only be seen properly from one point — 

 which is technically known, I believe, as the '* point of station ? " 



Of course, the post / (in Mr. Jones's diagram) appears shorter 

 than the post a, "because it is more distant" ; but its counterfeit 

 presentment in the picture will also appear shorter for the same 

 reason ; and, if properly drawn, exactly in the same proportion. 



The accompanying figure is intended to represent the posts in 

 perspective. A a is at right angles to a/. The post /will then 

 subtend a smaller angle at A than, for instance, the post c. of c' f 

 is the ground-line of the posts as represented in a picture. A is 

 still the position of the observer. It will then be seen that the 

 post/' must be represented as exactly the same length as the post 

 c' in order that their apparent sizes may correspond with those of 

 / and c ; and the line y' x' must be drawn parallel to the line / a' in 

 order to appear to converge as y x and / a appear to do. 



Of course, the post a must be supposed to be towards the centre 

 of the picture ; but the field of view would never in practice be 

 made to include so large a lateral angle as twice / A a. 



J. H. D. 



[1384] — In my letter (1359, August 15th) which appeared in 

 Knowledge, I should have added, "If an observer standing at any 

 point on the line AB parallel to af, proceed to move either to his 

 right or left, still keeping on the parallel line, he will observe the 

 effect described. 



Perhaps you will kindly allow me to point out (with a view to 

 setting this question at rest) that if any one who doubts what I 

 have said about the false perspective of rectangular solids, will 

 place himself on the pavement in Gower-street, Lancaster-gate, 

 Portland-place, or some similar street where the window and door 

 lines, &c., are sufficiently even, and then walk along the curbstones 

 until he can just catch sight of the houses in a side street opposite, 

 he will have before him (supposing the streets to be at right angles) 

 two sides of a parallelepiped, whose top and bottom edges trend 

 away (or seem to trend away) to their respective vanishing point. 



R. (not "T. E.") Jones. 



" MOSES AND GEOLOGY." 



[1385] — I have only this morning been made aware of your 

 article in Knowledge of Aug. 15, and must say that it has greatly 

 surprised me. You call upon the members of my committee to 

 furnish you with the names of the eminent scientists who have 

 re-examined my work. I herewith send you them, and also enclose 

 copies of their letters, the originals of which I shall be happy to 

 show you at any time, and as you have attacked me so virulently 



and charged me with " orass ignorance," you will no doubt feel 

 bound in honour to print these letters in full in your next edition. 



You state that my ridiculous blunders have been thoroughly 

 exposed. Permit me to say that 1 have clearly proved in my 

 replies to my antagonists that I have been on all occasions mis- 

 represented and mi f quoted, and in most instances it was quite 

 evident that my opponents had not even read my book. 



I would venture to think, from what you have written, that yon 

 also have not done bo. Therefore I have desired Messrs. Cassell & 

 Co. to send you a copy, and I must beg of you, as an act of justice 

 to me and to the whole scientific world, that you will kindly 

 read at least what I have written npon astronomy, after which I am 

 sure you will be led to do your best to neutralise, as far as lies in 

 your power, the article before me. Samcel Kinns. 



[I willingly print Dr. Kinns's letter, and those of his " eminent 

 scientists." I read attentively through a former edition of his 

 book, at the time of its appearance ; and will re-read the astro- 

 nomical portion of the present edition with equal care. Mean- 

 while, 1 note that in his printed testimonials his sole astronomical 

 authority is Mr. W. T. Lynn (he seems, somehow, to have dropped 

 Mr. Dunkin), a gentleman who has written a nice little book or 

 two, and who occupied a subordinate position in the Royal Observa- 

 tory for some years. Whether Mr. Lynn was responsible or not 

 for the abnormal refraction business, I do not know. If so, singu- 

 larly little deference need be paid to his opinion as to the logical value 

 of the rest of the book. If, however, names are to be quoted (like 

 texts) as decisive, it might be curious to speculate what Dr. Kinns 

 thinks of the dicta of one of the very greatest astronomers now 

 living. Sir George B. Airy (with whom Mr. Lynn could scarcely be 

 compared, even by Dr. K. himself), as expressed in his " Notes on 

 the Earlier Hebrew Scriptures," published by Longmans & Co. in 

 1876. One would also, by the way, like to know how far Dr 

 Kinns's ideas are endorsed by such members of the staff of the 

 British Museum as Sir Richard Owen, Drs. Giintherand Woodward, 

 or Messrs. Carruthers, Butler, Etberidge, and Fletcher ? — Ed.] 



"the scientific accuracy of the bible. 

 " In reference to the correspondence which appeared some few 

 months ago as to Dr. Kinns' work, ' Moses and Geology,' we tmst 

 we may count upon your giving insertion to the accompanying 

 letters which have been called forth by the publication of the 

 Seventh Edition, and bear important testimony to the accuracy of 

 the statement of scientific and other facts in the work. We are 

 very desirous that this act of justice should be done to an author 

 who was subjected to the painful ordeal of so much unfair and 

 injurious criticism, to which it was diflicult at the time to give a 

 complete answer. We may add that the cordial reception of the 

 lectures and addresses which Dr. Kinns has continued to give in 

 various towns throughout England, bear witness to the esteem in 

 which he is held. — On behalf of the Committee, we are. Sir, very 

 truly yours, Shaftesbury ; R. N. Fowler, Lord Mayor ; Thomas 

 Chambers, Recorder; R. Payne Smith, Dean of Canterbury; 

 Henry White, Chaplain in Ordinary to the Queen." 



" British Museum, London, April 12th, 1884. 

 " Dear Dr. Kinns, — Having examined the proof-sheets of the 

 Seventh Edition of ' Moses and Geology,* now in the press, we 

 consider the intrinsic merits of the work as very great, and that 

 you have compiled the scientific, historical, and other facts with 

 much care and accuracy. — Trusting that the book may continue to 

 have the success which it deserves so well, we remain, yours most 

 truly, S. Birch, LL.D., Theo. G. Pinches, Department of Oriental 

 Antiquities, British Museum." 



" Royal Astronomical Society, Burlington House, Piccadilly, 

 " May 12, 1884. 



" Dear Dr. Kinns, — At your request I have examined the astro- 

 nomical portions of ' Moses and Geology ' for a Seventh Edition of 

 the work. Great credit is, I think, due to yon for the care, dili- 

 gence, and accuracy with which you have brought the scientific 

 information up to date, as well as for the thorough revision which 

 the book has now again undergone, rendering it still more worthy 

 of the perusal of those who take an interest in its important sub- 

 ject. — Yours sincerely, W. T. Lynn, B.A., P.R.A.S., late Super- 

 intendent of the Calculating Department, Royal Observatory, 

 Greenwich." 



"Athena3um Club, Pall Mall, S.W., 21st May, 1884. 



"My deae De. Kinns, — Having examined the proof-sheets of the 

 geological portion of the Seventh Edition of your work. ' Moses 

 and Geology,' I can testifv to your having exercised great care and 

 pains in the arrangement and statement of the facts which they 

 contain. — With kind regards and good wishes, believe me, dear 

 Dr. Kinns, yours truly, H. W. Beisiow, F.K.S., Senior Director of 

 H.M. Geological Survey." 



