50 
KEVIEWS 
The latter part of the book contains an account of two visits to Egypt 
—one made before and one after the late war. Here we have a 
graphic description of the Suez Canal, and of the present condition of 
Alexandria. The “miles of ruined streets” in this famous city are 
the result, not of the bombardment, but of the conflagration origi¬ 
nated by native ruffians. 
Ordinary books of travel are notorious for the omission of just 
those points about which the ordinary reader would like to hear. In 
this respect Mr. Tangye’s book supplies a distinct want. The author’s 
personality shines out in every page, and we seem to follow him and 
his travelling companions as along a moving panorama. As we read 
the clear and incisive descriptions and racy “bits” and anecdotes 
which stud the pages of these “ Reminiscences,” we are tempted to 
regret that the author is a great manufacturer—he would have made 
such an excellent “ Special Correspondent.” 
To Mr. Tangye’s friends—and his noble qualities and good works 
cause them to be numbered by thousands—the perusal of this volume 
of travels will give great pleasure; but the book has even a wider 
purpose: its transparent truth and the solid information which it con¬ 
tains constitute it a valuable book of reference for the countries to 
which it relates. We are not, therefore, surprised to hear that a 
large first edition has been sold out in a few days. The original 
sketches by which the book is illustrated are clever and frequently 
amusing; they have been admirably reproduced by Mr. E. C. Mountfort. 
—W. J. H. 
The Scientific Roll. Conducted by Alex. Ramsay, F.G.S. 
This quarterly “magazine of systematised notes” commenced in 
November, 1880, and is now, w T e much regret to hear, temporarily 
discontinued for want of sufficient support. Eleven numbers have 
been issued, and only one more is needed to complete Vol. I.—a 
compact volume of some 380 pages—which will be issued to subscribers 
at the low rate of 10s.; names may be sent to the Editor, at 4, Cowper’s 
Road, Acton, London, W. Taking Meteorology as his first subject, 
Mr. Ramsay’s plan has been to give (1) a list of works, papers, etc., on 
the subject, classified chronologically, and (2) a resume of the contents 
of each. The points dealt with in this first volume include, I., General 
Bibliography, and, II., Aqueous Vapour. Of the immense utility of 
the plan it is quite unnecessary to speak, while the manner in which 
it is being carried out by Mr. Ramsay is deserving of high praise. We 
also note, in the parts which have been published, two very able 
essays: one by the editor, “On the Diurnal Periodicity,” and the 
second by Prof. E. D. Archibald, “ On the Connection between Solar 
Phenomena and Climatic Cycles.” We sincerely hope that scientists 
in general, and meteorologists in particular, will rally round Mr. 
Ramsay and enable him at once to complete the first volume of a 
work on which he has spent so much well-directed and patient labour. 
