_REVIEWS._
We do not usually in the _Age of Science_ intrude on the province of
the sixteen leading daily Scientific Newspapers devoted to critical
notices of the books which pour from the press on Electrology,
Physiology, Astronomy, Geology, &c. We are tempted to depart from our
rule, however, so far as to offer our meed of applause and
congratulation on the publication of the last of the six splendid
volumes forming the magnificent monograph on CHEESE-MITES, and the
still more costly and exhaustive treatise on the great mystery of the
FORMATION OF DUST IN DISUSED APARTMENTS. THE ANALYSIS OF THE DUST BIN,
which constitutes Book VIII. of this noble work, is a triumph of
scientific investigation and (to employ an obviously appropriate term)
of industry. In the inferior non-scientific walks of Literature we
find that no Histories have been published during the last
twelvemonth, and only one _Historical Essay_, namely:—
_The Fall of the Church of England._ By the late (and last) Dean of
Westminster. The author of this book composed it, we are informed,
during his retirement in the Isle of Anglesea, whither, like most of
the clergy, and the Druids in former ages, he retreated after the
great victory gained by Science, when the Cathedrals and Churches were
made over by Parliament to the Medical Profession. The Dean traces the
fall of the Anglican Establishment to the disrepute into which it had
sunk in consequence of the folly of a party in the Church, who, in an
age of doubt and transition, when religion needed to be presented in
its most spiritual shape, made it appear by their practices a matter
of rites and forms altogether childish. It is quite possible that
these idle doings may have contributed to make sensible men impatient
and contemptuous, but we are persuaded that the abolition of the
Churches was due to a deeper and more widespread cause, namely, the
growth of that sound philosophy which recognises Matter as containing
itself the germ and potency of every form of life, and, of course,
dismisses the dream of a Soul in man, which might enjoy existence
after death. As soon as this great truth had had time to penetrate the
minds of the masses, the collapse of Religion obviously became
imminent. The sole attention and hopes of all classes have since been
confined to the preservation of health and the extension of life to
the utmost term of old age. That we have _bodies_, nobody can for a
moment question, and we properly recognise as our guides and masters
the Doctors who remedy their diseases. We have satisfied ourselves
that we have no _Souls_, and it would be truly absurd to expect of us
to maintain an order of clergy to undertake their “cure.” The
endowments originally devoted to the latter profession have been
naturally and fitly transferred to the former.
_POETRY._
_The Loves of the Triangles._ Reprinted from the _Anti-Jacobin_. We
rejoice to see the merits of this Poem recognised at last, and the
stupid idea of some dull critics that it was intended as a travesty
exploded in this graver age. With the exception of the _De Rerum
Natura_ of Lucretius, and of Darwin’s _Botanic Garden_, it is almost
the only poem bequeathed to us by the past worthy of retaining a place
in our libraries.
_The Gout, and other Poems._ By the Poet Laureate. We warmly commend
this beautiful and affecting volume, especially to our youthful
readers. The accuracy wherewith the peculiarly poignant pangs of
Arthritis are delineated is beyond praise. We should, however,
recommend the omission of the episode of the patient’s marriage to his
shampooer. It is a tribute to that false taste which requires Poetry
to deal with Romance instead of with the facts of Science.
_FICTION._
_The Precession of the Equinox, and other Tales._ By Wilkinson
Collinson, Esq. This is a highly sensational story, and will sell like
wildfire at the bookstalls. The interest of the plot turns on the
phenomenon in question, but embraces subsidiary problems respecting
the sun’s path through the Zodiac.
_Daniel Allround._ By George Evans. The chief attraction of this book
lies in the abstruse technical terminology which the author has
employed to illustrate profound observations of men and things. From
this point of view the work has a certain scientific value, but too
much space is lost by delineations of characters without tracing them
to the laws of Heredity.
_Edwin and Angelina._ By J. Fitzparnell. Taking for his guidance the
observation of the immortal Bain, that the Tender Emotions are
exclusively Glandular Affections, the author of this charming novel
has afforded his readers a perfect study of the effects of each of the
passions—Pity, Sympathy, Regret, Disappointment, Hope, and Love—on the
various glands which they respectively affect. A simple love story
naturally describes each emotion in its turn, and allows us to pause
and acquaint ourselves with its physiological results. The lucid
explanation of the physiological reasons why Mothers love their
children is particularly valuable, as calculated to explode the last
stronghold of the superstitious reverence which was once paid to
parents among semi-civilized nations.
After these critical Notices of Books, the _Age of Science_ proceeds to
offer the following remarks on Art and the Drama:—
_EXHIBITION OF THE ROYAL ACADEMY OF ARTS._