65 
REVIEWS. 
THE UNIVERSE.* 
T HIS is the epoch of luxurious scientific publications, and this year is 
almost its acme. Never, within our recollection, have we seen so many 
editions en luxe of scientific treatises as the past twelve months have pro- 
duced, and to conceive of anything which can in future years surpass in mag- 
nificence those of 1869 would be simply impossible. It is in no ecstatic 
spirit that we employ these words. Exaggerated as the praise may seem, it is, 
in fact, but a “ plain unvarnished” statement of the extravagance in mecha- 
nical execution to which English publishers have recently gone. In one 
sense the circumstance is to be rejoiced in, as it shows that enterprise receives 
encouragement, but in another sense it is to be regretted, for it tells us the 
too apparent truth, that the popular scientific works, with elaborately gilt 
covers and illustrations which are artistically excessive, are the necessary 
bait to induce the British public even to nibble at the hook which philo- 
sophy throws out to capture superstition. 
Of all the exquisitely “ got up” books that have come under our notice, 
this work of M. Pouch et’s, which Messrs. Blackie have issued, is, in its 
English garb, the most splendid. Whether we look to the type, the paper, 
the binding, or the multitude and quality of the engravings, we are still bound 
to confess that in these respects it cannot be surpassed. This is more than 
can be said even for most of the books of this class, for when we come to 
the “ matter” they contain, we generally observe a quantity of garbled facts 
ill assorted, badly conveyed, often at variance with each other, and fre- 
quently misunderstood by the reckless compiler, who has written the book 
“ to order.” This expression of opinion would apply to a very considerable 
number of the popular scientific treatises which have of late been im- 
ported into this country from France. But let us clearly state that it 
would not at all apply to the present work, which is really a sterling book, 
notwithstanding that it attempts an account of all the natural objects which 
surround us. We fear that a great many persons — even of those who think 
themselves educated — will be disposed, from the external features of this 
book, to rank it with M. Figuier’s successful rechauffees. If this should 
occur, it will be a great mistake, and one much to be regretted. We have 
* “ The Universe ; or, the Infinitely Great and the Infinitely Little.” By 
F. A. Pouchet, M.D., Corresponding Member of the Institute of France. 
Translated from the French. London: Blackie and Son, 1870. 
VOL. IX. — NO. XXXIV. 
F 
