58 Catalogue of Works on Rural Affairs. 



precisely those which we should quote for approbation. We recollect a 

 similar case in the Edinburgh Review, some years ago, where, in a review of 

 the London Horticultural Transactions, a paper on Seton's numbering- 

 sticks {Encyc. of Gard. § 1578.) was singled out as frivolous, and fit to be 

 ridiculed, which we considered, and do still consider, as the best in the 

 volume which contains it. Mr. Finlayson's Reviewer states the following, 

 as " too chemical : — ' The nearer the surface, the less tannin, the less 

 acidity ; the more ligneous fibre, fecula, mucilage, saccharine matter, and 

 other principles.' (p, .55.)" Again : " 'Lime in combination with carbonic 

 acid, forms all the varieties of marble, limestone, chalk, and marl ; and with 

 sulphuric acid, gypsum, alabaster, plaster of Paris, &c.' Too classical : — 

 Our author is determined to let us know the Latin for red fog and common 

 sorrel ; for, three times does he hammer out their scientific names (bryum 

 purpureum, aut rumex acetosella) into our aching heads, until our patience 

 is quite exhausted, (p. 548.)" 



Now, in the first place, we entirely approve of what the Reviewer calls 

 too chemical ; — because it contains four distinct substantive ideas, instead 

 of the one vague idea of " riches," or some such word, which the Reviewer 

 would probably have substituted. If the agricultural reader is not suffi- 

 ciently conversant with chemistry to assign ideas to these words, he will 

 thus learn the necessity of directing his attention to that study ; and having 

 directed his attention to it, we know that the result will be to his benefit. 

 Secondly, we are confident that every person who knows any thing of 

 botany will agree with us, that there is no certainty in any names of plants 

 but the scientific names. The man that would seriously use red fog and 

 common sorrel, when discussing a subject scientifically, can have had no 

 botanical experience. That this is the case with our Reviewer is evident ; 

 for rumex acetosella is not the classical name of common sorrel, but of 

 sheep's sorrel, a very different plant, and indicative of a very different soil, 

 " We trust," continues he, " that on the publication of a second edition, 

 the style maybe brought down to the capacity of the reader." We, on the 

 other hand, trust, no such thing will be attempted ; and our able and 

 talented contemporary, whoever he may be, will excuse us for saying that 

 his advice, if generally followed, would lead to the stagnation of all im- 

 provement. Instead of books being brought down to the capacity of 

 readers, the minds of readers should be elevated to the science which ought 

 to enter into all books of useful knowledge. It is fitting that the rich and 

 the curious should have any sort of books they like, and be allowed to 

 disguise or dress up ideas in any way they choose. Their reading may be 

 as various as their cookery or their dress ; but all that is essential for the 

 progress and happiness of society should, like air, water, bread, and butcher's 

 meat, be exactly the same for all classes. It is highly necessary that every 

 individual in society should have a tolerable knowledge of chemistry, 

 natural history, and natural philosophy ; by the judicious employment of 

 time, the humblest individual may easily acquire this ; but if nothing is stated 

 in books but what they already can easily comprehend, the motives for farther 

 self-improvement are done away with. There is a medium in this matter, 

 as in every thing else. We rejoice to see that the Society for the Diffusion 

 of Useful Knowledge produce their treatises in language neither darkened 

 by useless technicalities, nor rendered imperfect from an idea that their 

 readers ought to be treated as children, or beings of inferior capacity. 



The reviews of Testimonies in favour of Salt as a Manure, by the 

 Rev. B. Dacre, and of various pamphlets on the corn laws, with agricultural 

 intelligence from every part of the country, sporting affairs, markets, and 

 agricultural obituary, we must pass over; and conclude by bearing testimony 

 to the great improvements which have taken place in this Magazine, which 

 we heartily wish success, and are happy to hear of its extensive sale. 



