EE VIEWS. 
359 
the works of Nature ; but we feel confident that, however good an author’s 
intention may be — and of the excellence of Mr. Gosse’s motives we do not 
for a moment doubt — ^there are many who regard the constant interlarding of 
scientific matter with scriptural phrases and quotations, as indicating at 
best a desire to be thought religious. Waiving these objections, the volume 
is an exquisite one, and is illustrated by thirty-six admirably executed 
coloured plates, in which the animals described in the text are, with a few 
exceptions, most truthfully delineated. 
TEREESTRIAL PHYSICS.* 
W HEN in any department of science we find certain laws established 
and almost universally admitted, and that the most celebrated men 
in the branch in question not only give credence to these laws, but constantly 
bring forward facts to support them and bear them out, we are not a little 
surprised to find some one who asserts that these laws are unfounded. In the 
little book which Mr. Hopkins has just issued, we are somewhat astounded to 
find that hitherto we have been travelling in darkness. Our knowledge has 
been faulty and full of error, and our mode of framing inductions has been 
unsound. Mr. Hopkins, however, in the true spirit of philanthropy, has- 
determined to enlighten us. No longer shall we stray from the paths of truth, 
with the guiding light of his genius to point out the way. It is, indeed, a, 
melancholy reflection, that in this, the second half of the nineteenth century, 
we have made such a slight advance toward a knowledge of the Statute-book 
of Nature. Is it not humiliating to find such men as Lyell, Eamsay, 
Murchison, and Logan existing in a very mire of ignorance ? Yet that such is 
the case Mr. Hopkins has assured himself. What Galileo did for Mechanics^ 
Harvey for Physiology, and Newton for Astronomy, Mr. Hopkins bids 
fair to achieve for the future of Geology. The author of the volume before us 
returns to his native land, after a minute survey of the universe, including, 
of course, the less-distant planet, and, for the benefit of humanity, he 
expounds the comprehensive generalizations which his genius has unfolded. 
He does not do so from any desire of distinction. Friends who will read 
former essays occasionally press hard upon an author, and compel him, nolens 
volens, to appear again in the arena of literature.. So did it fare with 
Mr. Hopkins. Anxious, after a lifetime spent in the investigation of natural 
phenomena, to retire, like another Cincinnatus, from the field of his fame, 
he was driven by friendly pressure to appear again before the public. 
“ Having observed and studied these subjects for many years almost in every 
part of the world, solely for the love of scientific truths, he feels pleasure in 
communicating the results of his labours, for the benefit of those who have 
not had the opportunity of studying the world as it is,” and “ in order to 
show that the actual operations of terrestrial physics and geological changes 
do not warrant the extravagant speculations now entertained by geologists.” 
If we were to proceed step by step through the several theories which our 
author proposes to substitute for existing ones, it would argue an absolute 
“ Cosmogony ; or, the Principles of Terrestrial Physics.” By Evan 
Hopkins, C.E., F.G.S. London : Longman & Co. 1865. 
