EEVIEWS. 
495 
FROST AND FIRE * 
HE relation between force and matter forms one of the most interesting 
problems for solution by the philosopher. Indeed, the investigation 
of force, with a view to discover whether matter has any existence, is an 
inquiry of the highest mterest. There appears to be good reason for the 
supposition that either of the two has only an abstract being. If, for example, 
we in imagination remove all force from anything which we call matter, Ave 
shall find there is nothing left. Let us deprive a common stone of the light- 
force which gives us a retinal sensation, and of the mechanical force which 
gives to our tactile sense the materials for an idea, and what becomes of the 
stone ? If, then, Vv^e regard all phenomena as simply the manifestation of 
force, our studies must be confined to force alone. This would appear to be 
the change which our modern natural philosophy is passing through. Grove’s 
admirable essay upon the correlation of the physical forces was the first 
dawning of enlarged views hi physics. To it, we may say, that we oive the 
knoAvledge that all forces are convertible, and that heat, light, electricity, 
magnetism, and mechanical power are all the result of the operation of one force 
which pervades the universe. After Grove’s essay came Tyndall’s grand treatise 
upon heat as a mode of motion, and now it is pretty generally believed that 
all varieties of force have a common basis. The author of “ Frost and Fire ” 
has chosen a sublime subject for his work, but ive fancy he has not dealt 
with it satisfactorily. Those who are ignorant of geological physics would 
hardly have imagined the nature of the work from its title, yet the latter is 
Avell and aptly chosen. Frost and fire, the two extreme exemplifications of 
the most powerful form of force, have had much to do in shaping out our 
globe and giving it its present form. The causes which operate in the 
formation of sedimentary rocks would, if left entirely uncontrolled, result in 
rendering the surface of our globe a perfectly level one. They are, hoAvever, 
counteracted by the effects of “ fire,” or volcanic force, which tilts up the 
surface mto mountains, and by “ Frost,” which, in the production of glaciers, 
grooves out these mountains into raAunes, chasms, and lake-basins. These 
effects of frost and fire are well demonstrated and explained in Mr. Camp- 
bell’s volumes, and are illustrated by the Avriter’s sketches, which in some 
instances are very prettily executed. There is nothing in the pages before 
us which has not been put before our readers in a thousand diftefent ways 
before, but the author is original in his style, and if we think that he has 
not arranged his matter in a sufficiently systematic manner, we admit that in 
doing so he has made it more readable than it would otherAvise have been, and 
most persons will forgive him on that score. There is, hoAvever, one fault of 
which he has been guilty, and Avhich is less excusable, and that is the adoption 
in some parts of his work of a series of symbols descriptive of form. It may 
“ Frost and Fire. Natural Engines, Tool-Marks, and Chips : Avith Sketches 
taken at Home and Abroad.” By a TraA^eller. 2 a^oIs. Edmburgh : 
Edmonston & Douglas. 1865. 
