Notices respecting New Books. 79 



themselves by their proficiency in their academical studies ? Where 

 are the self-taught men who have even left behind them in the race 

 others who have had the advantages of which Mr. Proctor speaks ? 

 We cannot agree with the author even in the slightest manner 

 depreciating the work of so gifted a woman as Mary Somerville ; 

 and it might have been that, had she undergone the discipline of 

 which he speaks, she might have found herself hampered, even as 

 when she endeavoured to please Mr. Murray she considered that 

 she departed from clearness and simplicity. We fully agree with 

 her own estimate, that the truths of science are in themselves not so 

 formidable as most persons imagine ; and, as regards the popular- 

 izing of science, so dear to Mr. Proctor, we much question whether 

 the course adopted and greatly patronized in the present day is one 

 calculated to extend the basis of the pyramid of knowledge. Is it 

 not rather aiming at increasing its height ? and do we not find in 

 our ordinary intercourse with mankind that the knowledge is in 

 the books and but seldom in the minds of men ? 



There are many passages in the Essays to which we should like 

 particularly to direct the attention of the reader, both for their 

 excellence and also for the controversial aspects which they bear ; 

 but our space reminds us that to the reader himself we must leave 

 them, simply advising him to use his own judgment, and to read 

 the work not as one which he would take up to while away a 

 leisure hour, but one requiring patient and steady thought, and 

 especially to weigh the author's opinions, which in some cases we 

 think he will find far from being " light." The Essays are calcu- 

 lated to advance science, not so much by the author's endeavour to 

 present it in an attractive form, as by leading the thoughtful reader 

 to test every opinion presented in them. 



Selections from the Portfolios of the Editor of the Lunar Map and 

 Catalogue. London : Taylor and Erancis. 



This Selection, in which it is intended to place on permanent 

 record observations of the physical aspects of lunar objects, contains 

 papers by the Eev. T. W. Webb, Edmund Neison, Henry Pratt, 

 and the Editor, which treat more or less on changes on the moon's 

 surface, a knowledge of which is increasing in interest. These are 

 followed by illustrated notices of recent observations, and compari- 

 sons of these with older observations. We hope this attempt to 

 bring observers of the moon into communication with each other 

 will meet with the support it deserves. Erom the great heat 

 which the moon's surface attains under its long day it is likely that 

 change is continually occurring upon it. 



