86 Notices of Scientific Works. [Jan., 



newest character, is given ; the original papers on the various sub- 

 jects as read before the learned societies being copiously quoted. 

 As the author is almost bound, he gives full details of the various 

 illusions and scientific tricks, ghostly and tangible, which have 

 tended so much to popularize the Institution with which he is con- 

 nected. The illustrations are numerous, and valuable in many 

 cases, possessing an interest to men of the highest attainments in 

 their respective spheres ; and the initial engravings to the chapters 

 are in many cases portraits of eminent philosophers. Thus, on 

 page 197 we have James Watt, with autograph ; at 392 is one of 

 the best portraits we have ever seen of Sir Charles Wheatstone; on 

 page 527 is an excellent portrait of Faraday ; and at page 578 is 

 one of Sir David Brewster. In addition to these, there are over 

 530 woodcuts, some of most elaborate description, and a chromo- 

 lithograph as frontispiece, in which the author is exhibiting to an 

 astonished audience the wonders of spectrum analysis, on a scale of 

 magnitude never before witnessed. 



Taking all things into consideration, we have no hesitation in 

 saying that 'Cyclopaedic Science' is one of the best books for boys 

 we have ever met with. Its intrinsic attractiveness will do much 

 to give a taste for science, and lead to a spirit of inquiry which will 

 not be satisfied until the young philosopher possesses an experi- 

 mental laboratory of his own. 



