New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-10-31
NEW PUBLICATIONS
rIcKERING's PHYSICAL MANIPULATIoNs.

EDWARD e. PlChEklNO, lhafer ffoioecOf Ol fbyb
ics In the MASSACHUSETTS, lDstule Of Technology.
syo. pp $50. Hurd & Houghton.
II ia 80 short time since physics has been
varded as q suitable means Of education that the
early controversies still ringing In ears. We
may fairly assume, however that its claims now
acknowledged among us. and that the OF our
technical schools has convinced all but small frac
ton Of the former skoptcs. II has required great
deal of intellectual work from many of our abest
mon TO bring about this result but TO the youngest
generation the fact is accomplished whether
Tor good i'll, and it is destined to have vast In
,euence on the development of our young men.
Mathematical astronomy, mechanics, and strictly
lnathematioal physics have obtained foothold
everywhere, but this has been gained and is now
held by them only because they serve as an extern
sion to the mathematical courses proper. But the
method Of original workers in physics is not
purely mathematical one; and the distinctive
difference between tho old methods and the new is
ghat the necessity of o training in experimental
physics IS considered to have been proved For
ample tho mathematical treatment of canstic curves
rs not difficult one. The student is given law
cOrdng which, he is told reflection Tor refractonl
takes place. and from bis data he evolves the neces
gary result He derives from the exercise, 1st,
AN addition 70 his mathematical skill, and, ID.
certain TACT his belief in which rests on his in
structors statement. If in the experimental schools
austics are TO be studied the law is proved by eX-
perimonts which the pupil himself makes and the
phenomena he himself and in this case he has
gained 1st certain addition to his skill in manipu-
Baton, and. I'd. knowledge of law which is certain,
bor he has himself proved it,
Now, il is easily seen that neither Of the two
otudents we have considered is thoroughly
acquainted with bis subject. One has made an adj
mission of law, which if correct must be followed
by certain definite consequences which he can de-
Huce. The other has obtained acquaintance with
n law of nature which produces certain effects In
The case which he has considered One, then lacks
Fpocial knowledge and tho other should feel the need
of generalizing power. The theory of the modern
archaeological school is the combination of these two
methods and the book before MS is an attempt
soward training the observing faculties of the
student. the suppOsiuOn that his mathematical
FRAMING il simultaneously attended TO.
We purpose to consider the book somewhat in de-
Nail as il is almost tho first of it's kind which we
Have from American authors. The "Lecture-Notes
On Physics of Prof. A. NJ. Mayer admirable as they
were, hardly cover the ground, and the Euro
pean books on physical technics are also not
strictly comparable with this. Its object Is pri-
rmarily to cultivate the formation Of exact obsery-
bng powers in student of physics. who is supposed
no study at the same time tho mathematical sides of
hhe subjects treated, and secondly, to inform this
student "a TO the methods of modern research and
las 10 the principal facts aud laws now known IN
EbyScs.
! Tho principal divisions Of the book are;
L. The General Methods Of Physical Investigation
Ynd General Experiments preliminary 10 accurate
kYork in The various branches of Physics.
l III. Experiments in Mechanics Of Solids and |
ElQnids
I'LL Experiments on sound and light.
The opening section is concerned with general !
Ia VIII al md
graphical methods Of treating in the observa-
lions Of phenomena.
: In seven paragraphs tho following subjects are |
Lronc,sey treated: The authmetical mean the prob
bls error the weighing of observations, the prob
lalle error OF two or yariables, equations OF
condition and the formation of normal edaations
and their solution, PeiTees ana ChauNehets cllteia
Dor tho rejection Of doubtful observations space
If "a pages is given to these subjects aud although
lbs statements are accurate yet an air OF confusion
seens TO peryade these pages, which perhaps could
cot haye been avoided without allowing greater |
,rnace 20 such important matters. II seems to us |
6hat this should have been gwen, and more logical
treatment adopted. We notice IN the account |
,of Peirces and Chauyenets cnterla that the |
,suthor has fallen into mistake, quite natural per
naps I'm cursory view of the subject but not al all
sifioult a. avoid. He says Up. O. Another criterion
plas been proposed by Chauyenet, which, though less
sTbe orteron of Chauyenet refers TO the rejection
10 single observation and is based directly on the
Sundamentl formula Of the method of least squares,
md for the rejection of one doubtful observation VI
4 correct: that is admitting that any analytical
te,t Of a doubtful observation can be given The
NEXT subject (of Interpolation can hardly be
vcrardod as very clear; it requires little more
ypace than given to it, and If we may so phrase H.
:. seyerer treatment. The effect on students mind
can scarcely fail to be confusing.
From this point onward there is very little IN the
sext that does not call for praise both as to arrange
ent and elearness. In the first section the remarks
ON computation, the grphic method, physical
,neasuronents in general aud the division OF gradu-
ted circles are excellent and calculated to give
a studept a clear idea of what he has to deal with.
A,oJloEipg these general considerations are
ne exercises such as the insertion OF cross wlresln
surveying instruments, the method OF suspending
,naVnets Of testing thermometers, celebration
of Tubes &C. which are extremely useful AS exer-
ises for the student have also the estimation OF
senths of the division of graduated scales and OF the
senths Of the second of time. Whether the method
az Grating chronometers," which Immediately fol-
COWS the above subjects belongs at ali III ueatlse
on Physical Manipulation, Is matter OF doubt; but
AZ il does belong there, we protest IN the name OF
sho,ougbne,s against SO summary a treatment.
The description of the balance, and OF the proper
ethod of weighing in this section, is Of great ex-
1elence for its cearness, mnuteness. and for that
s,eouliar presentation of q subject which incites
student TO think about his work. instead of perform
Gng ID in a mechanical way. The same praise may
well be given to the account of the microscope, and
10 the description Of dividing engines.
The subject of mechanics, both of fluids and sol
Ads. Ia one which permits an almost exclusively
mathematical treatment and the sections referring