EVILS OF COMPILATIONS. 19 



ture, where the original method — that of observation, 

 is quite the reverse. But it also, in part, and 

 very probably in greater part, ari?es from ignorance 

 on the part of those by whom the books, professing 

 to be simple and elementary, are compiled. By this 

 means, the compilation, instead of being " an easy 

 introduction" to the subject, or to the larger works 

 from which it is taken, as it generally sets forth in 

 the rubric, is not an introduction to the subject at 

 all, and it is as much more difficult than the originals 

 as it is shorter. With compilations upon scientific 

 subjects, it cannot well be otherwise; for a scientific 

 book must be very loosely written if the systematic 

 part of it admits of abridgment, as the chief object 

 and use of system is in itself abridgment, in which 

 things are made (or understood) to throw light upon 

 each other by their juxta-position, and thus shorten, as 

 much as possible, the labour of detail. Thus far, there- 

 fore, the professed abridgment is only another name for 

 mutilation, as the detached parts are much harder to be 

 understood — and very generally not at all understand- 

 able for any useful purpose, for want of the connexion 

 of the rest. Thus, the compiler, in order to produce 

 a book, which shall be read, even as a matter of 

 task and compulsion, must content himself with the 

 parts which contain the illustrations— the " picture- 

 work " of the book, as it were, and leave out all the 

 more substantial parts, which give these illustrations 

 their value. 



This is remarkably the case with all the little 

 books on natural history, which get into circulation 

 chiefly on account of the figures which they contain, 

 just as other elementary books often obtain circulation 

 because they point out something to be done which 

 shall occupy the time of the student, and which often 

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