New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-01-08

otrTr fVrc or ACTpONOWY ~ Irrirr A Al 12no.
ID. 4lJ. Boston: Gun Brothers.
Tie author of this work, who occupies a
post in the Observatory OF Harvard College is ardent
m advocate practical astronomy that nc attaches but
little importance TO any knowledge the science that
ean be obtained from the study OF books. II the views
which he forth in Ic preface correct the publ
cation of his b. counted supeyaalty No
study Of scientific facts he maintains, that learned
from books can imparI a knowledge Of the science TO
which the facts relate. 1t give merely crude,
disconnected, picked W. hash OF niorm'tOn 0ut no ex
ae knowledge. Hence, few persons undertake any
serious study OF astronomy for want OF the necessary
pliaces AS far as relates the acquisition Of knOwl
edge, II is useless 10 commit to memory the state
ments OF a book. No good purpose, for instance can
be served by learning the meaning Of 8Zmuth 10y heart
But II student calculates a few angles Of azlmuth
81 his day work, he will fo get what the word
means. According 10 This view, 1t is evident that the
study Of scientific treatise rs at best but little more
than an elegant BIT the principle,
would easy set aside the advantage OF devotion
20 any branch Of literature. The benefit letters
the enlargement OF personal experience by the expert
eDce Of others. In this way, we attain posses
sion Of the intellectual wealth OF centuries OF
Thought 1! the extent OF human knowledge
were limited TO the sphere Of actual experiment
and observation, the world would become bank
rupt. We may know great deal Of history, although
VIC have never taken part in battle, been present at
n cabinet council II is not necessary to explore the
MYERS and mountains OF country in order to obtain
idea of its geography late eminent juris Of
Massachusetts who had never been In England was
better acquainted with the localities Lon
don than persons who had passed all their lives
In that capital Every candid traveller will testify
that his knowledge OF foreign lands would DO compar
atvey small. If be did not fOrtify his OBJ
scrvato 3s by the reports OF previous visitors
In the case, he receives general impress
sions the other. he gains accurate knowledge.
Ia n1p ~
more value than the isolated experiences Of single
individual THIS holds Of the pursuits Of science
As well the exercise OF observation. Few persons
become original discoveries, few learn TO analyze
chemical compound. to dissect brain, or to handle
telescope but every intelligent reader enrich his
mind with the discoveries OF specialists, and accumulate
a OF knOwledga, which however imperfect is more
precious gold diamonds The studies Of Newton
and Lapace OF vOisIer and Dagy Of Cuvler Agas
not for their personal advantage alone, but
have created the nObest treasures OF civiliza-
uon. The education OF a school Of experts, which
must be founded on personal observation is
not the complete and generous education" which
sbies man TO perform Justly, sgully and magnsni-
InOusly all the duties and functions OF life. With this
view able 10 place the volume before US In
higher rank than Is claimed fer IL by the author
himself II is of the clearest, imost COM
prebensive, and most informing expositions OF the
principles and facts OF astronomy tina: to be
found IN the language The student who has made
himself master OF ats contents will be In pos
session Of an amount OF knowledge for the attainment
"a which he might cheerfuy pay high price, and for
which be would have been enved by the late
graceful American historian. who could never clearly
comprehend the difference between the ecDts and tue
EQUATOR Compared with the popular scientific reatlses,
which swarm 10 such exteHt England, the present
bears the palm both for exscDess Of method soIdy Of
information, and appropriateness OF expression
REMAINS OF LOST EMPIRES. ByP r. AIERs, A. NJ STO.
pp. 53l. Harper Broshers
The author of this work has already been
fsvoraby Introduced 10 the pubic by his sketches OF
South American travel which, In conjunction with his
brother the late Henry NJ. Myers, published by
him few years since under the Of Life and Ma
ture under the Tropics" The brothers were
Of Expedition sent out By the Lyceum OF Natu
History Williams College In 1857 10 explore the
tropical regions OF south America second Expedi-
tOn 70 Central America afterwards organized, OF
which Mr. II. NJ Myers the leader The experience
ssiDed Oh these journeys Quickeued an early taste
scs tAs natural seienees especially botany. and