i8o 
Correspondence . 
[March, 
our perceptions and our powers constantly increasing as we ap- 
proach, without ever reaching a universe of space of oo dimen- 
sions. This universe is inhabited by One Being only, who is, in 
virtue of that sole fadt, omnipresent, omniscient, and omnipotent. 
I am not prepared to develop, much less to demonstrate, this 
hypothesis, but beg merely to put it forward for the consideration 
of your readers — I am, &c., 
V. 
CARLYLE AND THE DARWINS. 
To the Editor of the Journal of Science . 
Sir, — A certain Mr. Henry G. Atkinson writes — “ Carlyle says 
that the three Darwins — grandfather, father, and Charles — were 
atheists; and as he knew them all, his statement may be taken 
as thoroughly reliable.” You will rate Carlyle’s testimony in 
this matter at its exadt value if you refledt that he was six years 
old when Erasmus Darwin, the grandfather, died, and that we 
have no proof that the two ever came - within a hundred miles of 
each other. — I am, &c., 
C. F. 
ARTIFICIAL LIGHT IN THE PAST. 
To the Editor of the Journal of Science. 
Sir, — In proof of the small use of artificial light in former 
times, referred to in your last number, I beg to inform you that 
country people in the North of England, even down to the 
middle of the last century, had no candlesticks but home-made 
ones, moulded of clay. Such were duly made every autumn, 
and as duly thrown away in the beginning of February. A very 
old lady whom I met with when a child told me that, in her 
young days, boys used to go about on the 2nd of February 
singing— 
“ It’s Candlemas Day, 
Throw your candlesticks away.” 
Mottram St. Andrews. 
