276 
Analyses of Books. 
[April, 
The Victorian Review. No 2, December 1, 1879. 
We must plead guilty to no small amount of disappointment on 
examTnTng the goodly number before us. Save a brief account 
of the results of a journey of exploration in Western Australia, 
there is not here a single paper which, even if we were desirous, 
we could discuss in the “Journal of Science.” We cannot help 
expressing our deep regret at finding that the deluge of politic^ 
agitation which has for some years overspread the home king- 
doms, diverting public attention from discovery and from mven- 
tion, has extended even to Australia, 
Urania. A Monthly Journal of Astrology, ^Meteorology, and 
Physical Science. Vol. i., January and February. 
It may perhaps stagger the British public no little to learn that 
in this^much belauded but somewhat sceptical nineteenth century 
there is aflually a journal published which earnest } ^ 8ob * rl y- 
with evident sincerity, claims for Astrology the ran 
Science. Some of us will perhaps feel indignant at the fadl, a .™j 
will begin to reflea whether— according to the new system which 
regards an appeal to the police-courts as the ultima ratio m 
treating a scientific difficulty— the publication and sale of such a 
work may not be brought within the provisions of a well-known 
statutTanent “ palmistry” and subtle devices. But how many 
of us L these days could render a reason for reding astrology 
and for pronouncing it in the orthodox manner a mere tissue 
imposture and delusion ? Let us take the simplest case .-It is 
asserted that the weather is influenced by the conjunaions of 
the planets, or by their position in their orbits, a proposition 
surely which, A priori, commands neither our assent nor our 
dissent. How many of us could meet it by an appeal to fatf:, 
and prove from attual and accurate observation that no smdi in- 
fluence exists ? The fa<ft is that we are too rash alike in our 
beliefs and disbeliefs. If, however, the writers of “ Urania are 
not in error, it would surely be easy for them to P roduce ev ' de "^ 
which cannot be gainsaid. A forecast of the weather 
next twelve months, which should be found to agree witn fafts, 
will serve their purpose better than any quantity of discussion. 
