New-York tribune., 1873-05-13

THE WESTMINSTER REVIEW. Aph. Leonard Scott Co.
An admirable statement Of the National
Importance OF Scientific Research is given in the open
ing article OF this number The writer takes the ground
that nearly all great scientific discoveries have been
made by persons devoted experimental observation,
ana have been hit upon by accident In many cases.
long and difcnlt "egoesy ~ me estaD
isbeDt of truth Thus Prestey discovered oxygen by
experiments with mercury. Crookes discovered
thallium after several years of labor from
suggestions by the spectroscope. Apparently
trivial experiments in original research have
led TO important inventions The cont1actons OF
frogs leg the experiments of Gavau and the move
men Of magnetic needle in those Of Oersed have led
20 the expenditure of many millions of money in laying
telegraph wires The invention Of the mariners com
pass has rendered possible the crcumnavgaon of the
globe revealing the maritime geography OF the whole
world. The discoveries Of the Portuguese by means OF
the magnet changed the balance OF power and wealth
among the nations of Europe. They gave a fatal
blow TO Italy and the Mediterranean cities by transfer
ring Eastern commerce 10 Spain and Portugal.
Original research the parent of industrial Inventions.
The experiments of Volta Faraday, and other nvestiga
tors have led TO the process OF eeetrOpane the Of
electric lights for lighthouses and the vast system of
telegaphy. The invention OF photography is due in the
first instance, to the experiments of Davy and Wedge
wood regard to the action Of light upon salts Of silver
The discovery OF zinc by Paracesus was followed by the
invention galvanic batteries and galvanized iron The
Of German silver due TO the discovery Of nickel by
Cronstedt The modern processes OF bleaching found
ed the discovery of chlorine by Scheee The discovery
Of phosphorus has led the of cer ches all
the earth The decomposition Of light by Sir Isaac New
ton has led to the invention of the spcctroscope the
Of that instrument in the Bessemerse process to
the discovery Of four new metals and to the knowledge
of the composition of the sun, and the distant heavenly
bodies Why then, inquiries the writer, is scientific
research little encouraged in England and other civil
ha IL ia
great national value is not fully known. It would be
hard TO find a subject Of great magnitude
so little understood The inspiring motive of
scientific research is the love OF truth preference TO
anything else. But this is principle which few persons
understand, aDd still fewer practice. The love Of truth
for truths sake very weak in most men, and but few
make the public good their chief object in life New
scientific knowledge is generally less valued than the
inventions which result from iAmOng other articles
OF interest in this number, may refer 10 piquant
criticism on Mr.. GladstOnes Defense Of the Faith"
sketch of the Life OF Henry Murgcr, the Bo-
hemian," aud an able and discriminating paper
on the subteTanean influence Of Baron Stock
mar on the British Government The depart
ment OF Contemporary Literature" which is always
ample and instructive in tins Review has kindly no.
tce of Never Again." by our distinguished country
man, DIR. Mayo, from which take a single paragraph
"Dr Mayo's English friends have, fear by their ex
eessye laudatons done him positive injury. Such is
the perYers1y OF human nature that when told
that anything is full OF beauties then 90 to IL simply
TO pick out the faults Dr. Mayo readily admit is
very clever, and his book is full Of smart things But
ceyerness and smart writing do not make a novel.
There is plenty Of ceverness the world-rather too
much Of 1t. We should describe Dr. Mayo as sort OF
Polyglot Dickens. And a polyglOt Dickens means
Dickens spoilt. Fortunately for himself Dickens was
not scholar Had he been he would probably have
written In DR.. MaYO's piebad style HI would have
loaded bis pages with Latin, Greek, and Italian ard
said'as Dr. Mayo does OF "a fashionable lady that she
possessed a certain aura OF bon ton'"
HISTORICAL SKETCHES or PLYMOUTH LUZERNE co PENN
By HssDSioK b. WRIGHT limo. PIP. Az. 4. b. Peterson q
BrOthers
The famous Old Colony Plymouth of the
Pilgrims find friendly rival in the ofshoot OF her
memorable Rock whose history s related present
volume. II settled about hundred years ago by e
grants from New,Engand. who brought the name from
their ancient homesteads In Connecticut the shores OF
the susquehannah. Although of a comparatively recent
date IL is already rich in antiquarian interest The Indian
wars prior TO the Revolution In which her people took
an active part afforded fruitful materials TO the pen OF
the historian which not failed 20 excellent
account The bloody Of the Revolution also
depicted with graphic effect. To most readers, Nj.
Wrighps description Of the local manners and customs