361 
i88^.] Analyses of Books. 
brain-workers. Again, even the most exclusive specialist, be he 
entomologist, fungologist, museologist, or the like, has, as a 
rule, a passionate love for the beautiful in Nature far more 
intense than is found in average mortals. So that whilst his 
intellectual life is quickened, his aesthetic being also is maintained 
in activity. 
But we can fully admit that we as a nation, though we do less 
brain-work than one at least of our neighbours, expend more 
brain-power, in consequence of our unhappy system of competi- 
tive examinationism. Here lies the national danger. The 
champions of this system should be called upon to show why it 
will not, in our case, result in the same mental stagnation which 
has resulted from it in China. We can never bear too clearly in 
mind that all the world’s best brain-work is non-competitive. 
Mr. Greatheed, in his reply to Miss Naden, brings forward 
some points which ought not to be overlooked. 
“ An Unreported Debate ” is a strange production. We have 
the “Apostle of Sociology ” moving a resolution “ that man is a 
degenerated frog,” whilst the negative and affirmative sides of 
the question are upheld by the “ Man of Character,” Hypatia, 
Demosthenes, “ 1001 Gems,” “ The Bookworm,” the “ Queen of 
Hearts,” and others, the motion being ultimately carried by a 
large majority. 
An interesting debate on the difference between Reason and 
InstinCt is somewhat briefly reported, and by a misprint we read 
“ that the difference between Reason and Intellect is one of 
degree.” 
We are happy to find that the Physiological Department of 
the Mason College is in an active condition, and that the in- 
struction given is of a thoroughly practical character. 
The Popular Science Monthly. Vol. XXII., No. VI. April, 
1883. 
In the issue before us of this valuable organ of scientific opinion 
there are certain papers which justify an especial notice. 
Mr. McElroy’s remarkable memoir on the “ Economic Func- 
tion of Vice” is, in one of its phases, discussed in an article in 
our current number. We cannot help, however, noticing with 
regret that the writer seems to recognise but one motive for 
effort, that is to say the “passion for worldly advancement.” He 
writes : “ The humblest work incessantly to lift themselves into 
the ranks of the middle classes. The middle classes strive as 
earnestly to make themselves plutocrats, aristocrats, and lord- 
lings. When a man at last reaches the social summit he desists 
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