Literature. | 591 
favour of Christianity, provided all the divine element is 
eliminated, and they, the Rationalists, are permitted to pro- 
mulgate a new faith, in which they are willing to retain the 
name of Christ as an honoured teacher of their own type 
and calibre. We venture to say, that no one who reads 
Dr. Hurst’s book will be beguiled by the flimsy pretexts 
of the Rationalists. Therein rationalism appears stripped | 
of its disguise, and as the uncompromising foe of 
Christianity. 
A Handy-book of Meteorology. By ALEXANDER BUCHAN, 
M.A. Blackwood and Sons. 
WE have real pleasure in recommending the above valuable 
work on one of the most important departments of natural 
philosophy, which although in a comparatively infant stage 
of development has, of late, received a great impetus 
in growth, and is engaging the attention of scientific men, 
amongst whom our author holds a high place. We havea 
large amount of extremely useful information ina con- 
densed form. The historical sketch of the invention of 
meteorological instruments and the more conspicuous dis- 
coveries in this direction is full of interest. 
A well merited tribute of praise is given to Commo- 
dore Maury and the late Admiral Fitzroy, for the services 
they have rendered to navigation, the former by his ocean 
charts, and the latter by his system of storm warnings, with 
which indeed the name of the late Admiral will always 
be associated, warnings afforded by practical observance of 
the barometer, the direction of the wind and the cirrus 
cloud (horse tail), and although it is impossible, on our 
coast, to predict, with unerring precision, the coming of a 
storm, it isin our power, by careful observation, to warn 
our seaports of its probable burst. 
A very elaborate description of the various barometric 
instruments, for measuring the pressure of the atmosphere, 
at different altitudes, is given, and the improvements for 
ensuring more exact readings areminutelytreated. The ther- 
mometer and the distribution of terrestrial temperature are 
discussed—hygrometry receives its share of attention—the 
production of mists, fogs, clouds, rain, winds, &c., is ex- 
plained, and under the respective heads we: have an ex- 
haustive account of their various causes. 
The question of storms as they occur in all climates is 
philosophically handled, and excellent charts to illustrate 
the subject are given, which are explanatory of the direc- 
tion and force of the winds. 
