414 
Analyses of Books. 
rjuly, 
remarks the rather because the author estimates the Anti-Vivi- 
secftion “ movement ” at its just value, as one of the manifesta- 
tions of the retarding spirit in our midst. 
The following passage should give ample scope for serious 
reflection : — “ When famines result from insufficiency of solar 
heat, instead of investigating the conditions of the sun’s surface, 
to enable us to predict their occurrence and provide accordingly, 
we allow them to come upon us in our unprepared state, and 
produce their fearful effects. When contagious disease overtakes 
us, what do we do ? Instead of previously employing and paying 
scientific investigators to make experiments in physiological and 
chemical science, to enable us to combat it successfully, we vainly 
attempt to apply our present stock of chemical and physiological 
knowledge to ward off the difficulty. When high price of fuel in- 
tervenes, instead of previously giving discoverers the means of 
finding new principles relating to heat and to chemical and elec- 
trical adlion, we ineffectually endeavour by means of invention 
to economise fuel. These are the pottering, short-sighted, and 
ignorant ways in which ‘ the great English nation ’ temporises 
with great evils, and permits national welfare to be sacrificed to 
private gain.” This is an unpleasant, a humiliating picture, but 
is it not too true ? 
In one part of his work Dr. Gore gives an interesting specimen 
list of inventions wanted. To one of these we must take em- 
phatic exception. The author thinks it desirable “ to find larger 
uses for phosphorus.” We hold, on the contrary, that the only 
legitimate use for phosphorus is as plant-food in the state of 
phosphoric acid, and that its appropriation to other purposes, 
limited as the supply is, should be checked by heavy penalties. 
Dr. Gore contrasts the enormous sums of money expended in 
this country upon gwasi-philanthropic movements with the tiny 
driblets which are forthcoming for scientific research. What are 
the sums thus disbursed by the Royal Society, the British Asso- 
ciation, &c., in comparison with the incomes of the Anti-Vivi- 
sedtion, Anti-Vaccination, and other “ anti ” organisations ? 
This negledt, our author thinks, is due to the ignorance of the 
wealthy classes. The following passage from a letter from the 
Duke of Somerset throws some light upon this widespread 
ignorance : — 
“ The hindrances to scientific studies in this country are very 
many. The gentry are almost invariably educated by the clergy, 
and the clergy have seldom had time or opportunities for any 
scientific study. They usually take pupils or become tutors as 
soon as they have taken their degrees, and can only teach the 
Latin and Greek which they have themselves learned. The 
commercial classes value what they call practical science : this 
means some application of science for the purpose of making 
money. Competitive examinations may promote a superficial 
acquaintance with the elements of science, but are unfavourable 
