IT Current Literature. ART EDUCATION.* for and no right in making any difference whatsoever in human beings on account of sex, than Nature has done; and that half of the either in their education or occupation, more troubles we find in the world arise from, and are a just judgment upon, our presumption in making any distinction between them, in fosficing the independence of the other. Let the tering the self-conceit of the one, and sacrisame education from the first to the last, physical and mental, be furnished for both sexes; let it be accepted that, as they require need the same intellectual food... The the same physical sustenance, so they will compensation which, it appears to me, Nature makes to women for the comparative withholding of muscular strength, is endowing first place, and a gift of natural aptitude and them with greater power of endurance in the quickness, which, when it exists in men, we call mother-wit." only those faculties which are common to all men. We do not agree with the author in the opinion that, the blind, idiotic, lunatic, and paralytic excepted, "exactly one hunT is not easy to define the character or pur- dred per cent" of humanity, "can be taught pose of this book, which seems to have to draw." This statement is far too sweeping. been put together in haste, and in manner and We might as well say that one hundred per arrangement does not bear out its preten- cent of men and women can be taught music sions. The author divides his work into two or mathematics, each of which branches of sections one devoted to practical informa- learning demands in him who would master it, tion about schools of art and art teaching, exceptional intellectual endowments. That the and the other to "the more general question majority of scholars can be taught to draw is of industrial education." His style is simply undoubtedly as true as that the majority can unfortunate, and of itself surely will not al- be taught to sing; but as in the latter case the lure his readers to the study of art; his sen- singing is often such as makes the judicious tences are inordinately long, involved and grieve and the sensitive stop their ears, so in ungraceful, and not seldom embody palpable the former case, the drawing is botchy, or at violations of the rules of grammar. His best a servile imitation of copies. In his vat- Mixed Schools for adults, the author thinks, Americanism is too pronounced for its age; icinations as to the advantages which are to "are the only ones which should be permitone gets tired of his iterated and reiterated result from the universal instruction of work-ted anywhere, both for the sake of education apostrophes to the magnificent possibilities of men in drawing, the author's enthusiasm car- and morals." "Fairs" he treats with goodthe young nation of whose art education heries him too far. He conveys the impression humored but meaning satire, inquiring whethhas assumed direction. Like Mr. Parton and that all branches of industry are to profit by er the fabrication of pin-cushions, lamp-mats, other Englishmen, who hope to make a living this new education, and that the national pros- and dolls' trousseaux must be regarded as the by intellectual labor in the United States, he perity is to be directly increased through it. highest expression of the feminine intellidoth protest too much. Sometimes his new Now it seems to us, that, while his theory is gence of the nineteenth century. (He says enthusiasm runs ahead of his knowledge, and sound, its application is quite limited. Per-"expression of the powers of feminine leishe makes such blunders as this: "The di-haps a dozen classes of mechanics would be ure"; but of course he doesn't mean that.) vision of the general government into sove- benefited by instruction in drawing; but many We have viewed this book in those asreign states will probably prevent," etc. others, and the largest, would receive no prac-pects which seem to appeal most forcibly to Sometimes his sentences are so slovenly as tical advantage from it. In our State, for in- the great public, and in which the general to present no meaning whatever, as in this stance, would a knowledge of drawing enable question of art education is most simply precase: "A manufactured article may be said the shoemakers of Lynn to make better or sented. The author advocates national art to possess three elements of value 1st, raw more shoes, or the mill-operatives of Lowell education, and believes that it must begin material; 2d, the labor of production; 3d, to produce better sheeting? It is worthy of with the children in public schools. He the art character. The two first, in some few note that the testimony in favor of public in- would not have special teachers of drawing, cases, are a large proportion of the value of struction in drawing, before the Massachu- but would have it taught by those who teach the whole; and where no art whatever is dis-setts Legislature, was given either by profes-reading, writing, and arithmetic. That all played, it forms the whole value." What is sional representatives of this branch of art, teachers can be speedily qualified for this the antecedent of "it"? Sometimes he pro- or by mechanical engineers, in whose special-work he does not doubt. His reason for opvokes a laugh by such a figure as this: "An- ties it is a vital element. To compel every posing the employment of special teachers is cient mechanics whose hands are stiffening scholar in our public schools to study draw- a forcible one: that it impresses children with decay." The fastidious reader will be con- ing, without reference to his or her tastes or with the belief that drawing is something so scious of annoyance at the author's frequent capacities, because perhaps one-tenth of the difficult that even their instructors cannot reference to his own 66 ' experience," which pupils may turn the knowledge thus acquired learn it, and have therefore to summon he evidently believes, with the Latin book, to to account, seems about as wise as to compel assistance. Mr. Smith is evidently an enthube "the best teacher." But we are not dis- all scholars to study Latin because some of siast, and writes often without sufficient deposed to view the book with exclusive refer- them might become apothecaries' clerks. liberation, as we have shown; but he posence to its faults; numerous though they are, sesses a fund of knowledge of his subject, they do not hide or outweigh its positive merand seems to be animated by an earnest deits. sire to benefit humanity through the practical operation of his pet ideas. While we think he claims too much for Art as a commercial and generally utilitarian agent, we think and hope that his theories will be fruitful, and produce, if not the harvest which he fondly anticipates, a general growth of culture, and a refinement of manual labor. The need of an art-training school is forcibly set forth by the author, who makes an earnest plea in behelf of the Boston Museum of Fine Mr. Smith begins his work with an argu-Arts, as a fitting nucleus of a great art instiment for industrial education, which, he tution. In this connection he makes some thinks, has been more fruitful in its influence on the happiness of mankind, than classical education. His point is a good one that, whereas the student must have made a cer very sensible observations about our lecturecourses, which he characterizes as "merely intellectual dissipation, frivolous amusements to please grown-up boys and girls who have tain advance in learning before he can take nothing better to do." Women, he thinks, hold of the sciences, in art, whose first exer- ought to be employed as teachers of art; they In addition to the chapters we have touched cises are in imitation, he cannot begin too possess, in his opinion, "the peculiar phases upon, the volume contains others which deal young. He is not sure that drawing ought of mind and disposition which are absolutely with special features of the subject, and are not to precede writing in the course of edu- necessary for the possession of the teaching full of interest and instruction. The author's cation - a doubt which, we think, few intelli-power," more fully than men. In another comparative examination of the French, Enggent persons will share with him. Drawing chapter he discusses the occupations of wo-lish, and German methods of industrial artmust always be an exceptional accomplish- men at considerable length, and with much study, will be found valuable by teachers, ment, since it depends on exceptional endow- earnestness. His opinions on this subject are ments, while writing demands in the learner set forth in the following sentences: *Art Education, Scholastic and Industrial. By Walter Smith. 1 vol. 8vo. Boston: J. R. Osgood & Co. and the chapters on Art Teaching in Public Schools, Schools of Art and Industrial Drawing, and Conduct and Management of Schools "My own belief is that we have no grounds of Art, explaining, as they do, clearly and - fully, the opinions with which the author de- those of life: we know that the apple falls simplest plants have essentially the same sires to impress the American public, deserve and that there is a law of gravitation; but of structure-cellular, without a sign of stem or the careful attention of all who love culture the cause or essence of the latter we know leaves; that higher plants- the Liverworts, and desire its popularization. Of those chap-nothing. "No one can show where the though still cellular, exhibit the beginning of ters which treat of more purely technical Inorganic world ends and the Organic be- a separation into stem and leaves; that going matters Ornamental Design, Surface Dec- gins." In this Introduction is a brief view still higher, we find in Mosses, stem and oration, Relief Ornament, etc., we have not of the literature of the Evolution theory, leaves well defined, and, pursuing the examspace to speak. We may say, however, that from which it appears that the first attempt ination, that there is proof of constant debesides their strictly artistic information, they to support it by evidence was made by scent and progress, by which the simplest furnish many valuable hints by which the Lamarck (1808-15); he was followed, in plants gradually develop into the noblest comfort and beauty of our homes may be en- 1828, by Geoffroy St. Hilaire, the famous ones. In the division of Geology, the author hanced. The volume contains a multitude opponent of Cuvier, and was supported by discovers further evidence of the progress of illustrations representations of English Goëthe and Oken. The discussion in 1830 of life on the globe, though this department and American schools of art, furniture, pot-between Cuvier and St. Hilaire gave the of science seems to contribute less than tery, etc., and some very beautiful colored theory a temporary quietus; but it was still almost any other in support of the theory plates. advocated by Dean Herbert, the author of which he is endeavoring to establish; and "Vestiges of Creation," Büchner, Herbert Embryology is made to confirm his arguEVOLUTION OF LIFE.* Spencer, and others, down to 1858, when It is IN this volume, the author has undertaken Mr. Darwin's first work appeared. to collect and present, in a condensed worthy of mention that the Natural Selection and orderly form, the evidence in favor of doctrine was discovered by Alfred Wallace, the Development theory of the origin of and that his paper discussing it and Mr. species. The work, which is very well done, Darwin's, were brought out simultaneously will meet a popular want, for, notwithstand-by the Linnæan society. ing the multitude of books, pro and con Mr. Darwin's theory, which have been published since 1858, the general reader, who has not time or opportunity to study the subject exhaustively, still possesses only vague and unsatisfactory information as to the grounds of the Developmental theory. In this the author is a firm believer, and in this book he endeavors to justify the conclusions thus stated: ments. In the chapter on Natural Selection, Mr. Darwin's reasoning is reproduced and clearly explained, with the purpose of showing how the animal and vegetable kingdoms have been developed out of a morad. The author is not enthusiastic in his advocacy of this doctrine; but contends that, whether it be true or not, the theory of evolution is still demonstrable. Dr. Chapman arranges his work in these divisions: Zoology, Botany, Geology, Embryology, Natural Selection, Anthropology. The closing chapter, on Anthropology, We shall not attempt to follow him in his will be found most interesting by the genpresentation of evidence under these heads, eral and unscientific reader, for in it is disbut will endeavor to convey a general idea of cussed-directly and not remotely, as in the his method. The fact that there are beings preceding chapters the momentous queswhich partake of animal and plant nature, tion of man's origin. The points to be justifies the belief in an intermediate original determined, the author says, are whether kingdom, out of which the plant and animal man is an animal, and whether the difference worlds have been evolved; and in this, as between him and the members of the animal “That man has descended from an animal; the main root, of which animals and plants kingdom is one of kind or only of degree. that the remote progenitor of man was an ape, resembling the gorilla and chimpanzee; are diverging branches, he seeks the origin All naturalists agree that man is a vertebrate that the birthplace of man was situated of life. He then proceeds minutely to des- and a mammal, but authorities differ as to somewhere between Southern Asia and East-cribe some of these beings, the Monera which order of mammal he belongs to. The ern Africa, in Lemuria, if such a continent "The doctrine of the Evolution of Life has this, then, in its favor: that it is a comprehensive theory of life, a theory on which can be based a scientific Ethics and a scientific Politics; and as all happiness depends on duty to one's self (Ethics), and therefore duty to one's neighbor (Politics), it follows that a theory which offers a basis for the development of these social sciences, must immeasurably benefit mankind." existed; that myriads of years have rolled (the simplest forms of life), Sponges, Zoo-author regards man, the gorilla, and the by since man appeared on the earth; that phytes, Actinozoa, Hydrozoa, etc., express-orang, as members of the order of monkeys, the primitive men exhibited a grade of or-ing incidentally the opinion that spontaneous and ranks man among the Catarhine monkeys, ganization lower than the lowest of exist-generation does take place under favorable on account of the position of his nostrils ing savages; that the different races of men have descended from a common stock; and conditions. Passing over the sections which (downward, Kata) and the number of his that the physical, mental and moral im- treat of Worms, Echinodermata, Articulata teeth. In support of the position that the provement of man is the necessary conse- (spiders, etc.), and Mollusca, we come to mental powers of some men are inferior quence of the Evolution of Life. the Vertebrata, of which the skeleton is the to those of some animals, he quotes from most characteristic feature. The author Büchner and other writers of his school, tells us that the gulf between the Vertebrates and claims to have shown that the differand Invertebrates has recently been bridged ence between man and other animals is over by the discovery of the identical de- only one of degree. The difference between velopment of the Amphioxus (the simplest a Newton and an Australian, he thinks, vertebrate, an animal about two inches long, is much greater than that between the lat without head, brain, eyes, or limbs, yet ter and the higher apes; and concludes that having a rudimentary back-bone and marrow) if a Newton could be developed from an In his Introduction he defines the Evolu- and the Ascidia, a sac-worm. One of the ancient Briton, an Australian could be detion of Life to be the gradual development of strongest evidences that the Vertebrata have veloped from an ape. The power of articulife as distinguished from its special and a common origin is found in the structure of late speech, which is peculiar to man, is not sudden creation, and affirms that plants and the skull, which in all vertebrates is fun- inconsistent with the theory of his animal animals are descendants of pre-existing organ-damentally composed of the same bones descent. Language, or the expression of isms, not the unchanged posterity of similar arranged in the same manner. Next, Fishes, thoughts, is common to man and the lower forms of life originally specially created. Batrachia, Reptiles, and Birds are examined, He meets the objection that the origin of and the division of Zoology ends with a very Life is not a legitimate subject of study, like interesting chapter on Mammalia. The the origin of races, of languages, etc., by author has endeavored to trace, in this diciting the fact that the ultimate causes of all vision, the main trunk of life, which begins phenomena are equally mysterious with in Monads and ends in man. *Evolution of Life." By Henry C. Chapman, M.D. Svo. Philadelphia: J. B. Lippincott & Co. In the division of Botany the same policy is pursued, in the effort to show that all the animals. If there are no ideas to be expressed, words are naturally wanting. The language of savages and of young children is extremely poor; the latter, beginning to talk, employ no verbs, prepositions, or conjunctions only nouns and adjectives. In this fact is found an argument in support of the philological theory that language is pro a gressive, not an art, but a natural growth born of the need man feels of some means of communicating his ideas. Primitive man, according to Schleicher, had no language except the natural cries inherited from his ape ancestors. On this point Darwin says that we might as well say that the crow is not a bird, because he croaks while the nightingale sings, as that animals cannot have common origin with man, because he speaks and they only bark or howl. The remains of primitive man, discovered in various parts of the globe, confirm the theory of his animal descent. From what particular ape man is descended it is impossible to determine; each of the anthropoids differs from him considerably, and it is most probable, the author thinks, that they are his distant cousins, like him the posterity of an ancestor of extinct form, whose remains have not been discovered. that others should do to us; if we see that he is instructed in that which we believe to be right, he may become a useful part of us. Teachable he certainly is; a far more civilized being, or, rather, a far less savage creature, than many we get from Christian Great Britain. "But if we choose to pass him by on the alien from our manners, habits, customs; igother side; to let him live among us as an norant of what we hold as the best, highest, most sacred, and of most importance to our liberty and civilization, John may prove a more troublesome and dangerous creature than any we have yet taken on board our ship." One of the pleasantest chapters in the book is that which describes Sonora. The life of the residents of that decayed mining town, as sketched by the author, has a charming lotoseating flavor. "If you stay in Sonora two weeks, you'll come back; and if you come back you will stay all your life, they say; and it seems to be true." Not inferior in interest is the sketch of an old Californian rancho; and the picture of Californian life in ante-American days, seems like a scene from Utopia, "whose people were, perhaps, the happiest who ever dence in the case that overpowers the first unfavorable presumption, and strengthens your conviction that he is dealing with facts. Mr. Nordhoff gives a very agreeable account of the overland journey to California, an account which is not only pleasant to the reader, but useful to the traveller, for it is as full of instructive details as a guide-book. There may be a trifle too much of Pullman in it, and a tendency to overlaud the great corporations which manage the trans-continental railroad; but we may perhaps charge this exuberance of eulogy to the general exhilaration of the journey. His rapid glance at the Mormons epitomizes — if we may use the word - that strange people, and gives us as clear an idea of their present condition and probable future, as is to be gained from all the books that have been written about them. His sketch of the Central Pacific Railroad though highly-colored, and likely In conclusion, Dr. Chapman insists upon to be subjected to severe criticism by Califorthe consistency of the ape theory with the nians who were familiar with the enterprise development of morality, and indulges in in its early stages — is effectively done. The some interesting speculations as to the birth-fourth chapter tells the reader what are the place and antiquity of man. He writes most notable sights in California, and the lived upon the face of the earth." To the cliconfidently, but without undue enthusiasm, most agreeable routes thereto, with a multi-mate and hygienic advantages of the country and has arranged the evidence in support of tude of itinerary particulars set forth with the author is never weary of recurring; they Mr. Nordhoff"'s des- have a tribute on almost every page of the his theory in a very attractive and convincing wonderful conciseness. form. We do not discover any new pointscription of the Yosemite is very calm and book, and very often the reader pauses and in his book; indeed, he does not undertake matter-of-fact, and is evidently written by lingers over such pretty and suggestive pasto supply any original arguments; but he one who does not share the erroneous opinion sages as this: - that the wonhas presented the plaintiff's case in Darwin common to literary tourists "As I drove out from Los Angelos into versus Universal Opinion with clearness and ders of Nature can be adequately described; the country on a January morning with a force, and his book is well worth reading by he supplies ample facts and illustrative com- friend, we met a farmer coming into town those who trouble their heads about what parisons, which prepare the reader for actual with a market-wagon of produce. It was a seems to us the comparatively unimportant observation, but for this latter he offers no cloudless, warm, sunny day, and the plain where we met him was covered with sheep question of man's origin. The book is beau- substitute. His suggestions as to the con- suckling their lambs, for in January it is altifully printed, and its illustrations materially servation of the Valley, by the State, deserve ready lambing-time here. The farmer's little aid the reader in understanding the text. the attention of Californians: but we do not girl sat on the seat with him, a chubby bluesee the need of three distinct paragraphs in eyed little tot, with her sun-bonnet half which the employment of Mr. Olmsted as di-hiding her curls, and a shawl which the careful mother had wrapped about her shoulders, rector is recommended in almost the same carelessly flung aside. To me, fresh from the language. This is one of several instances snowy Plains and Sierras, and with the chill of repetition: in speaking of California with breath of winter still on me, this was a pleasreference to health, the author compares the ing and novel sight; but the contents of the man's wagon were still more startling to my Southern part of it with Nice, Mentone, and Northern eyes. He was carrying to market Aiken, at least a dozen times. oranges, pumpkins, a lamb, corn, green peas in their pods, sugar-cane, lemons, and straw CALIFORNIA.* The chapter on the Chinese presents what seems to be a perfectly fair statement of the characteristics of John Chinaman, and his value to the State as an element of wealth. Mr. Nordhoff is not satisfied with an external view of the question; he does not "gush" in panegyric upon John, though he cordially recognizes his good qualities, and in summing up the case unmistakably leans in his favor. Following lively sketches of Chinese life in San Francisco, and a rapid statement of John's capabilities in American society, are these paragraphs, which present the question of "Chinese cheap labor" in a nutshell: berries. What a mixture of Northern and Southern products; what an odd and wonderful January gathering in a farmer's wagon! IF F California has any faults, Mr. Nordhoff either did not find, or has not reported them. He saw everything in the Golden State through couleur de rose spectacles; and every day's experience seemed to confirm his opinion that California is "the best part of the American continent, either for health or for profitable and pleasant living in any industrious pursuit." When he adds At least half of the volume is devoted to that "you have nowhere in the United States the agriculture of California, which is treated seen so complete a civilization in all material with singular fulness of detail, and with such points, at least," and that "the cost of living practical wisdom as one would hardly look is to-day less in California by a third than in for in the writings of a professional literary any Eastern State," you begin to distrust his man. The agricultural resources of the counenthusiasm; but, having read his book, end try have never, we are sure, had so clear and by yielding to and sharing it. With every convincing a statement as Mr. Nordhoff here page your confidence in the thoroughness of makes; and the value of this is materially his information, and the honesty of his opinincreased by his simple, yet comprehensive, ions, increases, and what, in the earlier chapdirections to intending settlers. Mechanics ters, may have seemed extravagance, takes, "John is inevitable. He has discovered who struggle hard to win a poor subsistence farther on, the shape of deliberate and trust-America and finds it a good country. We in the Eastern States will find "something to worthy statement. For there is internal evi-shall not keep him out. But it is ours, and not their advantage" in this book; and the achis, to determine whether he shall be a curse *California: For Health, Pleasure, and Residence. or a blessing to us. If we treat him as Chris-count of the Anaheim colony embodies facts By Charles Nordhoff. 8vo. New York: Harper & tianity teaches that we ought to treat our which students of the labor question cannot fellow-men; if we do unto him as we would afford to ignore. Brothers. THE OFF THE SKELLIGS.* Donaldish - reminding the reader of the ently by the teachings of a saint-like lady, early pages of "Wilfrid Cumbermede," though Miss Braithwaite, she elaborates a plan of it is more natural and winning. It forms an action: she will go to London, acquire admirable introduction to the story, though some trade, earn money, and spend it in eduit raises in the reader's mind expectations cating young girls and fitting them for selftouching Tom which are by no means real-support. This plan she carries out in its ences, exceedingly interesting of itself, is further noteworthy as illustrating the peculiar ideas of the author in the matter of helping the needy. We commend it to the attention of philanthropists as suggesting a simple and apparently practicable method of befriending the poor of great cities. Dorothea learns wood engraving, earning the cost of her lessons by service as a daily governess, and devotes all her surplus income to her charitable schemes. By and by Valentine appears, HE first novel from the pen of one of the most popular poets of the age - written, too, in the author's maturity, when her name is almost exclusively associated with verse, so far as literature is concerned, and there-ized; and in this, as in many other points, main features, and the account of her experifore to be regarded as a deliberate work, and the book is inartistic. The "Curlew," Mr. one in which she challenges the decisive Rollin's yacht, is almost constantly at sea, judgment of the public-will be read with visiting many ports along the English coast, universal and eager interest. Some of Miss and Dorothea, having got her sea-legs on — Ingelow's admirers were disturbed by the an- if we may use a somewhat inelegant, but exnouncement that she was writing a novel, pressive phrase, enjoys keenly the life which is fearing, not without reason, that the intel-in such strange contrast with her recent pulectual powers which had been such graceful pilage, and which is admirably described. and efficient ministers of the spirit of poesy, While off the Skelligs a huge rock off the might be found unequal to the demands of a north coast of Ireland - the "Curlew" comes strange service. We say not without reason, within sight of a burning ship. Boats are because there were discernible in Miss Inge-sent out, but only one man is rescued. Mr. reminding her of her promise to give a final low's poetry but faint traces of those qualities Rollin perseveres in his search, and two days answer to his petition for her hand, in a year's of mind which are essential to the making of later, a raft containing thirty men, women,time, and very unwisely, as it seems to the a good novel. But it is easy to prophecy and children, is encountered. Among its reader, she says yes. after the fact the reader will detect in this passengers a man named Giles Brandon, young couple shall get married and go out to book and the author's poems, a strong family almost lifeless from burns and exhaustion, New Zealand, and Giles is helping his resemblance, which we shall not undertake falls under the especial care of Dorothea, brother to the extent of his power. The to define, but which is based on the spiritual who is active in ministering to the sufferers. wedding-day is fixed; and all her preparations sweetness of her nature, a sweetness from If Miss Ingelow had written nothing else in made, Dorothea goes back to the Mortimers which, as from a fountain, all her writings her description of this event prose, the to be married. Valentine is away, but is exare irrigated. It is not our purpose, how sight of the burning ship, the despatch of the pected to return at once. He does not come; ever, to dwell upon this resemblance; but boats, the long hours of suspense, the suc- the family begin to wonder; the wedding-day those who have reached the heart of Miss ceeding days of search, the arrival of the res- arrives, and there is no bridegroom. It turns Ingelow's poetry, and bathed, so to speak, in cued persons, and above all, the story of the out that the boy had seen a girl whom he its tenderness, will need no other incitement voyage of the raft, would entitle her to high liked better, and had deliberately run away to read her novel than the assurance that the rank among descriptive writers. Compare it from the marriage. The reader may imagine same atmosphere is common to her verse and with Charles Reade's account of a somewhat the state of things occasioned by his pusillansimilar event in "Foul Play," and note the imity; he can easily imagine, also, that Giles difference between simple, natural narrative, and Dorothea at last came to a fair underwhich impresses by its verisimilitude, and standing, found they loved each other, and "sensationally" dramatic "situations" which were married. fascinate only by their improbability. prose. -- Another common characteristic should be noted at the outset; that is, the simplicity which scorns to avail itself of what is known as literary license, and the dramatic tricks Boston: Roberts Brothers. It is settled that the There are many points in this book, blemishes as well as beauties, that invite mention; but we have space only for a brief consideration of two or three of them. There is a lack of incident in the story which will be deemed a serious fault by the average novel reader, but which harmonizes well with the general character of the book, whose interest lies not in events, but in persons. The dialogues are too numerous and by far too long, though some of the conversations are delightDorothea, and repeatedly offers himself to fully bright and well sustained. The scenes her; but she, regarding him as a rattle-brained at the Mortimers occupy too much space; boy, persistently declines the honor. Some they are unconscionably spun out; and rich complications ensue between herself and in thought and beauty though they may be, Giles, who deems it necessary to warn her are unquestionably tedious. The action of against cherishing any tenderness toward the latter half of the story would have been himself, an admonition which she very prop- far more effective if it had been comerly resents. For some reasons which are by pressed within narrower limits. Finally, there no means clearly set forth, Mr. Rollin and is a vagueness pervading the entire book, Tom suddenly go to Norway; the former writes an occasional inconsequence, very frequent to Dorothea that he has arranged for the an-ellipses, and many loose ends that an experinual payment to her of £180, and that she can find a home where she pleases. This cavalier proceeding on the part of Mr. Rollin, who has manifested a warm affection for his niece, is utterly unaccountable. Dorothea, of course, is very miserable. She cannot remain at Mr. Mortimer's, and has no friends who can give her an asylum. Finally, influenced appar enced writer would have gathered up and bestowed. It will be seen from these counts, that we confine our censure to the artistic side of the book; the faults we have pointed out are those of inexperience, and are almost inevitable in a first novel. It is hardly necessary for us to say that the story is admirably written; Miss Ingelow's poetry is a guaranty of the excellence of her style. Her descrip- Roof, etc., etc. Preceding them is a long account of the formation of the soil of the tions of violent action, as in the burning Preface, which is even more valuable to the earth, presenting no new facts, but grouping ship episode, are uncommonly vigorous, and general reader than the lectures themselves. the old ones in most effective order, and her dialogue is generally sufficiently viva- In it Mr. Kingsley explains his plan, and illustrating them with remarkable force and cious. We were surprised to find so few makes a forcible plea in favor of scientific felicity. His enforcement of the principle of sketches of natural scenery in the book, to- education - - the most forcible plea, indeed, trying to explain the unknown by the known, ward which the author's poetical temperament that we have ever seen, regard being had to and thus learning science by common sense, and experience would seem naturally to pre-its persuasiveness upon the popular, un- is an admirable piece of reasoning, and a dispose her; but these few are so beautiful as scientific mind. His object, he says, is not very helpful introduction to the task of exto make the reader wish for more. Of the per- to teach the facts of geology, but to furnish plaining the changes that seem to have taken sonages in the story, we can say but little. the student with a key to it-to help the place in the world in past ages by those that Mr. Rollin is a mere fragment — an incomplete uneducated as well as the learned to obtain are now taking place. His illustration of character; he fascinates us on brief acquaint- a clear, practical and profitable knowledge of the cleaning out of a pond, designed to clear ance, and then drops below the horizon. it. He would have all study natural science, up the question of the superposition of soils, Tom is disappointing; as a boy he promises but advises that they begin with geology, is not less happy and forcible. In this lecto be brilliant, but he turns out simply com- because it is the simplest of all physical ture, the mechanical and chemical action of monplace, and nobody cares when he, too, sciences, appeals more directly to men's rain is described with wonderful simplicity. disappears, as it were, "between two days." common sense, requires less previous knowl- The titles of the lectures above-mentioned Valentine is the most amusing character edge, fewer difficult and expensive apparatus sufficiently indicate their subjects, and we of all in the story, which, but for him, and experiments is, indeed, the poor man's shall pass over them, to dwell briefly on "The would be wholly devoid of humor. He is, science. One of the grounds on which he Coal in the Fire." we think, an original creation - a compound urges the necessity of general knowledge of of incongruous elements such as we have natural science seems to be new, and is never before met in fiction. Of Dorothea we certainly suggestive. He tells young men will simply say that she successfully illus- that in acquiring scientific knowledge they trates feminine character as we see it in real attain such freedom and social equality as life, not in books; she is a real woman, and birth or wealth cannot secure. Freedom of a very lovely one, whose silliness in consent-action and of speech is not enough; we ing to marry Valentine we readily forgive. should have freedom of thought; we should be Brandon fairly offsets Dorothea, representing able to form our own opinions, and not accept the best every-day practical manhood. We those of other men, and to let our thoughts have read this book with constantly increasing"play freely around" all questions, thus pleasure. It is a novel with a soul in it, that imparts to the reader an influence superior to mere momentary entertainment; it is not didactic, but it teaches; it is genuine, fresh, healthy, presents cheerful views of life, and exalts nobility of character without seeming to do so. MR. TOWN GEOLOGY.* R. KINGSLEY could hardly make a dull book on any subject, if he tried. His style takes hold on the reader with singular force, by reason of its vivacity, we think, rather than of its rhetorical beauty or vigor. His frequent employment of the interrogative form is very effective; instead of stating a dry fact, he asks a question. The process which goes on in the mind of one reading his books on any moderately abstruse topic is like that of sub-soil plowing the whole field of the reader's knowledge and experience is turned up to the sun, and its riches disclose themselves almost without volition on his part. This method of teaching belongs properly to the lecture-platform, but in competent hands, like Mr. Kingsley's, it may be advantageously employed in a book, as is shown by the volume under notice. "Town Geology" comprises a half-dozen essays or lectures on geological subjects, such as are indicated by these titles: The Soil of the Field; The Pebbles in the Street; The Stones in the Wall; The Slates on the Town Geology. By Rev. Charles Kingsley. 16mo. New York: D. Appleton & Co. The author begins this lecture by explaining the composition of coal, showing that it is really the leaves and stems of ancient plants and trees. The stages by which he approaches this conclusion are clearly marked, and the whole process is simply beautiful. He tells us that we may see in England, and, of course, also in America, every gradation between coal and the growing forest: the living trees; the same dead and turned into peat; the same in sunken forests, visible avoiding grooves and bigotry. To this end below high-water mark on the coast; gradathe inductive habit of mind which the study tions between these and beds of lignite, of natural science gives is the most efficient between lignite and bituminous, and between means. The desirable social equality which bituminous and anthracite coal- all having scientific study tends to promote, is the a common origin woody fibre. If this giving an equal chance of education to every theory be true, if coal has all been vegeman, and every child, of all ranks. "If I table soil, -some vegetable fibre must be had my way," says Mr. Kingsley, "I would found in it; and the author proceeds to speak give the same education to the child of the at length, and in a very interesting manner, collier as to the child of the peer." In of plant remains, of Coal-ferns, Calamites, natural science the poor can compete fairly Lepidodendrons, which have dwindled in our with the rich; the latter have neglected it in time to Lycopodiums, or club-mosses, etc., their schools, and therefore have not got etc. The old theory of a carboniferous or the start of the poor, as in other branches of coal-bearing era he rejects without hesitaknowledge; and besides, it is a subject tion, and contends that all epochs are coalwhich one cannot learn by paying for teach-bearing, that coal is of every age, and ers; it is a subject in which self-teaching is is now forming in many places on the earth, indispensable. A poor man can obtain better where man is not obstructing the processes scientific books now than the richest peers of of Nature by draining the marshes and emhalf a century ago; and the coöperative plan banking the rivers. He next explains how will supply him with all the appliances of the forests were covered up to be transscientific study at insignificant cost. To formed into coal, and briefly touches upon know the facts of Nature, and to be able to the chemical processes of transformation. use them, is to be truly great: strong with The coal on the fire, and the table at which true strength, wise with true wisdom, and he writes, are, he says, made of gas and sunfree with true freedom. beams. The closing pages of this Preface are occuAs specimens of the inductive method of pied by a spirited denial of the common study, these lectures have a high value. are inclined to esteem them statement that science is antagonistic to re- Indeed, we ligion. If we look at all created things as rather as intellectual exercises than as revethe expression of God's mind and will con-lations of science. One cannot read them cerning the universe, as they are, we shall without being conscious of a sharpening of not fear physical science, for we shall be his mental faculties. Of geology itself, Mr. sure that the more we know of it, the more Kingsley tells us little that is not found in we shall know of the works and the will of treatises on that subject; but he shows us God. how to study it, and his lectures constitute a In the first lecture, the author gives an fitting and useful preparation for that study. |