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XX. Notices respecting New Books. 



Elements of Astronomy. By Bobbrt Stawell Ball, LL.D., 

 F.li.S., Royal Astronomer of Ireland. 459 pages, with 136 wood- 

 cuts. Longmans and Co. 

 C\^ the text-books of Science published by Longmans none sur- 

 ^-^ pass, and we question whether any equal, this in the essentials 

 of an elementary text-book, namely, clearness of diction, simplicity 

 of exposition, abundance and excellence of geometrical figures and 

 illustrations. These features, in our opinion, make this the text-book 

 par excellence for beginners. The author of a work on Astronomy 

 naturally presupposes a certain amount of mathematical knowledge 

 on the part of his readers, but nothing more than a sixth-form boy 

 would in the ordinary course of things possess. Even without this 

 knowledge, there is sufficient to instruct and interest the general 

 reader. We readily and cordially agree with Mr. Ball, that the 

 book is adapted for the use of students in Public and Science 

 Schools ; but that it will be adopted we very much doubt. Eor, 

 owing to some reason best known to Head Masters, Astronomy has 

 never been permitted to take root in Public Schools as part of the 

 curriculum. It is only of late years that the desire for scientific 

 instruction has been properly recognized, Thousands of young 

 pupils spend several hours a week for years together over Euclid 

 without either interest or profit. This is, no doubt, in a measure 

 due to the stiff and formal language of the text-book mostly used, 

 and the unnecessary and wearisome length of the demonstrations ; 

 but it is still more due to the repulsive form in which it is set 

 before them by their teachers, who, often being mere repeaters, have 

 not the power to awaken an interest in others in a subject in which 

 they take no interest themselves. No such complaints can reason- 

 ably be made with respect to Mr. Ball's book. An hour or two a 

 week given to it could not fail to interest any class of intelligent 

 young people, and, we know from personal experience, might give 

 a fillip to many a sluggish mind. 



The book consists of twelve chapters, which are divided into 

 numbered paragraphs ; and the order and treatment of the subject 

 throughout are thoroughly scientific. The first three chapters treat 

 of Astronomical Instruments, the Earth, and the diurnal motion of 

 the Celestial bodies. Chapters IV., V., and VI. are devoted exclu- 

 sively to the Sun and Moon. Unusually well-drawn woodcuts 

 illustrate this part of the work. Chapters VII. to XL deal with the 

 Planets, Comets, Universal Gravitation, Stars and Nebulae, and the 

 Structure of the Sun. To those already acquainted with Astronomy 

 the book will be mainly prized for chapter XII., which is on Astro- 

 nomical Constants, consisting of eighty-eight pages of matter, com- 

 prising the most recent discoveries and a vast amount of valuable 

 bibliographical information, directing students who wish to pursue 

 the subject where to lay their hands on the original sources. The 

 book is in every sense creditable both to the author and publishers ; 

 and we trust it will receive the success it so well deserves. 



