304 
POPULAR SCIENCE REVIEW. 
in animals would long since have been admitted to be due to electric con- 
ditions, but scientific progress has been prevented by these barbarisms of 
hypotheses. 
The descriptive portion of the book is, as might have been expected, re- 
markably clear and correct, and is full of anecdotal matter of an interesting 
and amusing character, so that pleasure and profit may be gained in its 
perusal. We would refer especially to the accounts given of the modem 
appliances by which the telegram is electrically printed at the u receiving 
station.” No form of apparatus is omitted, and those varieties described are 
carried home to the reader’s mind by the assistance of the admirable woodcuts 
which accompany the text. The chapter on the application of the telegraph 
in railway signalling, should be read by all who wish to know how it is 
that trains may follow each other at full speed, and at short intervals of 
time without the least danger of accident by collision. Of the immense 
advantage of the telegraph in railway operations, the following facts recorded 
in the present volume will amply demonstrate. “ On New Year’s day 1850 
a catastrophe which it is fearful to contemplate, was averted by the aid of 
the telegraph. A collision had occurred to an empty train at Gravesend; and 
the driver having leaped from his engine, this latter started at full speed for 
London. Notice was immediately given by telegraph to London and 
other stations, and while the line was kept clear, an engine and other ar- 
rangements were prepared as a buttress to receive the runaway. The 
superintendent of the railway also started down the line on an engine ; and 
on passing the runaway he reversed his engine and had it transferred at the 
next crossing to the up-line so as to be in the rear of the fugitive ; he then 
started in chase, and on overtaking the other he ran into it at speed, and the 
driver of his engine took possession of the fugitive, and all danger was at an 
end. Twelve stations were passed in safety ; it passed W oolwich at fifteen 
miles an hour ; it was within a couple of miles of London before it was 
arrested; had its approach been unknown the mere money value of the 
damage it would have caused might have equalled the cost of the whole 
line of telegraphs. They have then . paid, or in a large part paid for, their 
erection.” 
Dr. Lardner’s book is full of other similar facts, illustrating the benefits 
which the telegraph has conferred on humanity at large. The de- 
scription of the telegraph from the House of Commons to the Opera, shows 
what curious services electricity is made to perform. The progress of busi- 
ness in parliament is regularly reported in the Lobby. So that “ Young 
England has only to lounge out between the acts to know if Disraeli or 
Lord John Russell is up, and whether he may sit out the piece or hasten 
down to Westminster.” We have said enough to show the highly interest- 
ing character of Dr. Lardner’s volume, and we now therefore leave it, trust- 
ing that our readers will take it up and judge of it for themselves. 
