435 



The London, Edinburgh, and Dublin Philosophical Magazine, and 

 Journal of Science. London, 8vo. Nos. 114, 115, for January and 

 February 1841. 



The eminent scientific acquirements, and well-known literary cele- 

 brity of its conductors, are a fair earnest of the interest and value of 

 the matters discussed in its pages. These are as various and extend- 

 ed as the title of the Journal suggests, and would lead us to expect. 

 The greater number of its pages are devoted to mathematical and 

 chemical investigations ; some on new and interesting discoveries, 

 others on subjects which have long occupied the attention of the 

 cientific world, and by progressive links hi the chain of inductive 

 reasoning, founded on experimental research, are gradually developing 

 fresh objects of inquiry, and extending the boundaries of positive 

 and practical knowledge. It would obviously be impossible then, 

 consistently with the limits of our time and space, to afford our 

 readers more than a cursory and general view of their contents. 



The two first papers are by Professor Airey, the Astronomer Royal, 

 and Mr. Potter, on points connected with the undulatory theory 

 of light, and its capability of explaining the varied phenomena pro- 

 duced by luminous bodies in different media, and under particular 

 circumstances. The calculations contained in these communications 

 are of an intricate and abstruse nature, requiring an extended know- 

 ledge of the higher branches of mathematical science, to follow out 

 and understand them. There can be no doubt, that few subjects 

 have been investigated of late years, with more skill and success, than 

 that of light, and the curious analogies presented by it to heat, and 

 the different departments of electrical science. 



The high degree of mathematical and experimental information re- 

 quired to prosecute these inquiries with any degree of credit and 

 hope of distinction, necessarily limits the number of labourers in 

 its field, while at the same time, it enhances considerably the value 

 of their exertions. Their application to the business of life, and 

 improvement of the arts, are neither their least, nor their only merit. 



The experience of centuries, and the daily progress of every branch 

 of information in our own times have taught us, that however pro- 

 found, and apparently visionary and incomprehensible such spe- 

 culations may appear, they have led, (when united with industry, 



