REVIEWS. 
69 
as water glass. Compounds made by fusing excess of silica, usually sand, with 
alkali-carbonate and a little charcoal to facilitate reaction, &c. Proportions 
taken variable, ordinarily such as to yield compounds K 2 0.4Si0 2 and 
Na 2 0.4Si0 2 . Resulting fused mass having appearance of ordinary glass, 
powdered and then boiled for some hours in water, until completely dis- 
solved.” We need quote no further. Of this unconnected character is the 
whole work ; and while, as we have said, it is invaluable for its condensa- 
tion of a huge mass of facts, its conciseness renders it a very unreadable 
work. 
DREAMS.* 
I F tbe scientific portion of this volume does not exhibit that acquaintance 
with the philosophy of the subject which a modern student of psycho- 
logy should possess, the literary portion, which is clipped from almost every 
writer whose works are extant, will compensate most people for this defect. 
Mr. Seafield has conceived the idea of forming a sort of common-place book 
of everything that has been said and written in regard to dreams, and what- 
ever we may think of the value of such a compilation — and our opinion is 
certainly not a high one — the general public like a work of this kind, as is 
proved by the circumstance that the volume now issued is one of a second 
edition. Physiology is not even yet prepared to explain the phenomena of 
dreams thoroughly, for the very simple reason that it does not yet under- 
stand even the simplest action of the brain. It is useless for us, then, to 
criticise the notions of Sir H. Holland, and a few others, whose ideas are 
given by Mr. Seafield to his readers. The fact is, that such notions are 
purely speculative. They are hypotheses which, though they may give an 
explanation of dreams, do not necessarily convey the real explanation, but 
like a host of other possible hypotheses, meet the leading facts. Just in the 
same way might we start a host of speculations to account for the commis- 
sion of a dreadful murder. But justice would not be satisfied with mere 
possibilities. So of Mr. Seafield’s book, in so far as its science is concerned. 
Of its literary merits, there is not much to be said. Most of the work is 
quotation from well-known authors, ancient and modern. The compiler 
does not thrust himself forward very often, and when he does appear, we wish 
him off the stage again as soon as possible. To the philosophy of the question 
he adds nothing, and his style is painfully characterised by mannerism and 
affectation, which he mistakes for fine writing. On the whole, the book is 
not a satisfactory one, viewed from our stand-point. 
PHYSICAL SCENERY FROM A GEOLOGICAL ASPECT.f 
S OME men ride their hobby a little too fast, so that they are unable to 
see what lies around them, and are utterly lost in their own way of 
looking at things. Such an one is the author of this book. Mr. Mackintosh 
* u The Literature and Curiosities of Dreams.” By Frank Seafield, M.A. 
2nd edition. London : Lockwood, 1869. 
t “ The Scenery of England and Wales, its Character and Origin.” By 
D. Mackintosh, F.G.S. London : Longmans, 1809. 
