IIEYlEVrS. 
439 
at all, the key to the movement being the inequality of pressures. The 
description of the method of making a model steam-engine, however simple 
it may seem to a stoker, could not be followed even hv a boy who possessed 
considerable mechanical skill. We think, therefore, that however laudable 
the aim of this little work, the author has failed completely in its execution. 
ARITHMETIC SIMPLIFIED.* 
T PIE four rules of simple arithmetic, and vulgar and decimal fractions, are 
dealt with most intelligently by the author. The book is intended as a 
supplement to Dr. Arnott’s treatise on Physics, and for the use, not of be- 
ginners, but of those who have in some measure forgotten what they have 
learned. We know a good many well-educated people who cannot, never- 
theless, add together half-a-dozen vulgar fractions, and to whom a decimal 
fraction is somewhat of a mystery j to those we commend this volume. 
It is very simple and intelligible. 
WEATHER SCIENCE. f 
O F the degeneration of weather-students since the death of Admiral Fitz- 
roy, we have ample proof in the abundance of works like the present 
one which come under our notice. In the book upon our table we find a 
number of papers, some with authors’ names and some without, but all 
expressive of the ignorant dogmatism and flippant presumption which are 
characteristic of senility in its most intolerable stage. The intense imper- 
tinence and utter superficiality of their composition is evinced in the following 
quotation from a paper by a lady whom an adoring editor styles the “ pioneer 
of modern physical astronomy — “When good sense has banished pedantry, 
and astronomy details celestial movement according to fact , the noble 
simplicity of the science will become apparent; and the object of most of 
the phenomena within our solar system will form one and the same with the 
actuating principle of the universe — viz., the accumulation of renovating repro- 
ductiveness. The planets then, ceasing to be considered as mere retrograding 
or stationary puppets, will be registered as independent orbs in the constant 
interchange of mutual renovations.” We pause in astonishment to think 
what would become of Miss Burton’s “ accumulation of renovating repro- 
ductiveness,” were common sense even now to banish pedantry. There must 
indeed be a 11 noble simplicity ” of mind in those who, like our editor, can 
believe in such disgusting and inane verbiage as the above. There is only 
one word in our language which expresses its value, and that word is 
Rubbish ! 
HANDBOOK OF PRACTICAL TELEGRAPHY . % 
I N our notice of the first edition of this work we spoke in favourable terms 
of the method pursued by the author in the treatment of his subject. 
* “Arithmetic Simplified.” By Neil Arnott, M.D., F.R.S. London: Long- 
mans. 1867. 
t “ The Science of the Weather ; in a Series of Letters by several Authors.” 
Edited by B. Glasgow : Laidlaw. 1867. 
t “ A Handbook of Practical Telegraphy.” By R. S. Culley. Second 
edition. Longmans. 1867. 
