6i6 
Analyses of Boohs. 
[October, 
cessant roar of machinery and the stifling dust of a polluted 
atmosphere. But when power has been distributed by wire to 
this place and that, a blow will have been struck at this im- 
prisonment of men and women in the interests of capital and 
the consequent deterioration of their souls and bodies.” 
We fully admit that the factory system has made “ wealth ac- 
cumulate and men decay,” and we most devoutly hope that 
Mr. Munro’s anticipations may be fulfilled. But so far all the 
potential benefits offered us by modern science have been neu- 
tralised or turned into curses by modern greed. 
The last two chapters treat, somewhat briefly, of electricity 
as a source of heat, of eleCtro-chemical aCtion, and of medical 
electricity, — a region in which there is yet much to do, espe- 
cially as regards taking the matter out of the hands of quacks. 
The question may be asked, Why is it that electricians, having 
done so much for our hearing, have as yet done nothing decisive 
to extend the aCtion of the noblest and the most important of 
our senses ? Reports, indeed, reach us from time to time of 
inventions by means of which a picture of what is taking place 
miles away, or in a closed apartment, may be presented to our 
view ; but as yet this is not confirmed. Another improvement 
much wanted is the translation of light into some other form of 
energy, capable of affeCting the nerves of the blind, and thus 
depriving this infliction of its sting. Perhaps some future 
Edison may solve these problems, and thus eclipse the tele- 
phone. 
Mr. Munro’s book deserves our most cordial recommendation. 
Amongst its good properties we must not overlook the faCt that 
it has not been written in the interests of cram and examina- 
tionism, — the Chinese leprosy now overspreading our country. 
The volume is admirably got up, and is liberally illustrated. 
German Conversation-Grammar , in Three Concentric Courses. 
A Method for Teaching the German Language thoroughly, 
and in the Shortest Time possible. Containing Grammar, 
Exercises, and Reader, with Dictionary. By J. Sydow, 
Graduate of the University of Bonn. Paris : J. G. Fother- 
ingham. London : Kent and Co. Edinburgh : J. and J. 
Clark. 
Concerning the value of the method of learning the German 
language as here given, we can scarcely undertake to pass a 
decided judgment. The author in his Preface states that, though 
called a “ Conversation-Grammar,” his work is totally different 
from those school-books which go by this name. ... All the 
