The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-11-15

debted for this admirable work is perhaps one of the
most interesting and peculiar known in the history OF
science II Is rare that we thus rising from
mechanical labors by the simple force OF genius,
and acquiring so enviable position among the philoso
pliers OF an empire eminent in science and in Letters
The boy who worked and loosened rude slabs Of stone
in Scottish quarry noticed the curious Impressions
made in the MATERIAL and laid aside from their matrices
thousands OF shells and gnes and the huge ferns and
reeds OF the carboniferous periods Fifteen years thus
spent in the accumulation OF curious facts terminated his
laborious duties stone and he was promoted
to position suited TO his worth. The years thus
spent in toll enabled him to overturn the established
opinion that the old red sandstone deficient in
ganc remains and TO prove conclusivey that il
richly JossiiJsrous Years were then still required 10
arrange and classify the results OF his labor and nves
cations Among these il may suffice that curious
fossil the winged fish, verified and named by Agassiz
the Ptenchthys Meri, in honor OF its discoverer
In the present work. worthy OF his genius, he treats
of the fossil geology Of the Orkneys, and discusses the
development or hypothesis OF natural law and, by the
philosophical reasoning and illustration. strips his
skepca opponents of every plausible fact proving
clusively that the One Great Cause did his hand
work into space, freed forever from the exercise OF his
functions and power
A work so beautifully written, filled with such Gu
rous new. and interesting facts and breathing in every
page the purest philosophy and Christianity, could scarce
y meet with adequate praise in our limited space Il
should be added 10 the library Of every one and we
think that the learned editor Agassz) and its pub
fishers have conferred benefit reading public
worthy OF all commentator.
The Prs-Adamds Earth. BY JOHN Harris, ID. ID. l2mo,
PIP. 800. GOULD, KKEDA.L. IL LINCOLN. Boston.
This the first OF series OF contributions to theolog
cal science, by very distinguished divine, has been
heraded by the unbounded praises OF those compe
tent TO judge OF its merits. As with number OF recent
publications, its object is show the progression OF cre
alton, and to examine what the real relations between
theology and the true science Of Nature Thus he rec.
onciles the facts proved by preadamie geology with
those OF revealed theology work Of this character
the result Of long reflection, by sound logican scruti-
nzing Observer learned theologan. and sincere Christ
ian, require the closest examination and study for
its proper appreciation Those who have toled in the
with HIMSELF and know The strong and weak
points OF either side, bear testimony. in OF nnqual.
fled appreciation, to the success OF his efforts.
Truth Stranger than Fiction. By Catherine Z BEEcHKR
limo, PIP. 296. PHlLLIrs SAMSON, IL Co, Boston,
This work. with rather enigmacal title, purpors TO
be "a narrative of transactions involving inqui.
in regard to the principles of honor, TRUTH and JUS
tcc which obtain in distinguished American Univer.
sy." The author appears to be DESTROYS to avoid ex
tending the circulation of the book further than the seat
of the evil The subiect-matter TO be an eccesi
asica Investigation concerning something "breach
of promise in which friend of the authoress con-
cerned AS the injured party and the locality Of the
incident, perfectly unknown 10 us here, would de-
cline entering into the merits Of which can only
present local and individual interest.
We lay the work aside, however, without say
ing that il is written under the earnest conviction Of
wrong sustained and with great ability Its pages cannot
fail to leave impression of the injured ady's TALENT
well respect for her defenders acumen and
almost legal ability.
The Poetry Of Science. BY RoBERr HUn. IL mo-, PIP.
1888. Could, KENDALL. 81 LINCOLN, Boston,
In this admirable production Mr. Hunt offers beau.
fuia IF fha nh NJ
which, from their ultimate facts he leads bis reader by
nduclve processes the contemplation OF vast eternal
truths Taking for his theme that 1.-THE is beautiful"
he examines the mysteries OF Nature, and shows how
the end OF midnight toll in the chemists laboratory and
the start watch lead truths their ap
proprate rewards Making truth the soul OF the poets
thought" he holds that to be forever the science
OF poetry-he revelation of truth the poetry Of science"
We do not remember TO have read work 90 devoid OF
pretension pedantry, in which, with such good
ase display has been sacrificed to the attainment OF the
general effect Though full OF information, the facts
cited in his pages are not collected solely because they
are such, but with philosophical acumen 10 build
up the edfce and if curious or rare they are selected
merely to strengthen the position in which they are
placed.
In addition to these lucid applications to his subject
cannot fail to express surprise at the immense
series Of phenomena examined in these pages. In $50
pages he has given admirable resume of the geaeral
forces; crystaogenic forces solar and terrestrial heat
light; chemical radiaions; electricity, &C.; chemical
forces and phenomena; geological phenomena time;
the phenomena OF animal and vegetable life, with gen.
era conclusions.
To all this we may add. Mr.. H. has interpreted his
philosophical facts and theories with the poets thought
expressed in the language Of poet
Icomoeraphie Eaeyeiopafia No Is RUDoLrH GAxKieuE
New York.
We happy find that this extremely valuable work
s still progressing in the admirable style The il.
rior style OF art.
We are happy TO learn that the publication is exceed
ngly popular and hope that both editor and publisher
will reap harvest worthy OF their labors.
For the preceding works return thanks to the pub.
lsbers through Messrs. Taylor Naury. Pennsylvania
avenue.
The Races Of Men. BY RoBsRr Knox, M. ID, &c I2mo
Up 313. LIZA Il BLANCHARD, Philadelphia.
We cannot sufficiently admire the apiomb with which
author lays down the law in regard TO his subject
With ouistrecbed and erect he proudly pro.
claims himself the Luther OF science, the reformer OF
physiology. geolagy, theology and all the other ooges
ad nnfu He undertakes the task OF clearing out ef.
ete matter, compared with which the Augean labor Of
the strong dwindles into nsign6cance. We feel
perfectly certain that il here, he could. in the penude
Of bis wisdom, perform that hitherto impossible task Of
setting the Potomac on FIRE" the climax Of his efforts
He that his fragment has for its subject that human
character, individual and national solely raceabe to
the nature Of that to which the individual belongs"