Its defects are equally twofold:1. Verbally-there is no distinct definition of the differing terms, and hence, unless the precise distinction is previously known, the wrong word may be as readily taken as the right.

2. Intellectually-confusing by allowing too great a choice without supplying any direction or caution.

It is, however, a valuable contribution to philosophy and composition.— R. M. A.

454. Raindrops. It is from the attraction of cohesion that the raindrops are round; this power may be shown by letting a drop of water not exceeding the size of a pea fall on a piece of wax, or any other substance which nas not an affinity for water; the drop will retain its spherical form, but if you attempt to increase its size by adding more water, the power of gravitation will overcome the attraction of cohesion, and cause the water to spread over the wax. The rain when it first descends from the clouds is in minute particles; but as these particles continue to fall they attract each other, and are held together by cohesion, thus forming larger drops; so that the greater the distance from which the rain has fallen, the larger the drops will be. Further information on this subject may be obtained from Leslie's "Treatise on Heat and Moisture," and "The Reason Why -General Science" (Messrs. Houlston and Wright, price 2s. 6d.).-W. H. B.

458. Buchner's" Force and Matter," translated from the French by J. F. Coliingwood, price 7s. 6d., is published by Messrs. Trübner and Son.-We have here the translation of a work which may at least be said to be a contribution to English bibliography, if not to English science and philosophy. Nay, in the latter point of view it is not without a certain value. Dr. Buchner's "Force and Matter" is a popular exposition of that materialism, and an

unreserved confession and advocacy of its legitimate consequences to religion and morality, which not a few men of science in our own country profess, though with reserve as to its consequences. It is well, therefore, that ingenuous minds should know what the issue of those doctrines is. There is no God, no immortality (except that of matter), no liberty, no responsibility, (except that of securing for one's self a maximum of enjoyment as long as life lasts), in fine, no thought except where there is a brain, and consequently none throughout all the universe except within very narrow limits of temperature, which we have reason to suppose to be confined to the surface of our own little planet. It may be remarked in our author's favour, however, that he does not write feelingly of these consequences. He finds no sentiments in himself at variance with them. He thinks immortality would be a dreadful infliction, and that worship is good only for the merest savages. point to be regretted in his work is his scientific arrogance-his affirming dogmatically one and the same side of every question, and speaking on the subject just as if there were no question of it at all. He grounds everything, and holds all the great questions of philosophy as settled by the recent progress of science, especially physiology. Those who know how the matter actually stands know that this is exactly the very reverse of the fact, and that never since the epoch of the founding of the Royal Society of London and the Institute of France has science existed in such a state of conflict with itself as it does at the present moment. Hence the delusiveness and the danger of Dr. Buchner's book. He builds everything upon that which is anything but true-giving it forth all the while as that which is not only true, but infallible.-M.

The

Glasgow Young Men's Society for Religious Improvement (George Square Branch).-We have received with great pleasure the syllabus of this association for session 1864-5, and think one or two points in its make-up deserve attention, and we hope that, by directing the minds of some of our readers to these distinctive features, we may promote their best interests. The society, as may be gathered from its title, has for its object the religious, moral, and intellectual improvement of its members, by the reading of essays, and conversation on Biblical and other subjects. It is based on purely evangelical principles, and recognizes no particular form of church government, and no sectarian views are allowed expression. Besides the ordinary office-bearers of such a society-president, vice-president, secretary, corresponding secretary, treasurer, and librarian,-there is also a visiting committee, whose function it is to see to the regular and punctual attendance of members, to call on absentees, and to learn the causes of truancy. The association has now existed under the same presidency for eleven years. Our early readers will remember-as they must have read with interest-an essay published in the British Controversialist in 1855, on "The Advantages to be derived from the Study of History," as well as a contribution "On Young Men's Associations." These, and various other papers, were from the pen of the president of this association, who was one of the founders of the Neophyte Literary Society, is an earnest worker for the improvement of young men, and has been-though not a cleric - an approved contributor to the Homilist. He possesses a well-cultured

men.

and balanced mind, has a special gift for systematizing, and with welltrained business habits in every-day exercise, he brings to the work of the presidency, we do not doubt, a managing faculty which must be a blessing to those under its influence. The effects of his systematic mind are visible in this syllabus, which differs from most others, we see, in being vital, because organic. Instead of the usual mode of each member taking up his own pet topic, and treating it in his own pet style, the whole of this syllabus of a year's study for the members consists of a set of pearls of thought strung upon a single thread-or rather, several strings of pearls-possessing a definite unity and purpose; for provision is made for three separate meetings of studious youths and young The first sheet shows that for seven years the same topic, "The Great Biography," has been found replete with instruction and interest. The chief heads for the present year being "The Attributes of God, considered as manifested in the Person and Character of Jesus;" the first meeting of each month being devoted to the consideration of a single attribute, and the remainder, exclusive of quarterly prayer meetings, employed in its illustration. The second sheet contains a series of topics on "The Commandments," with illustrations of their obedience or enforcement by Jesus, in the same systematic manner. The third sheet presents for its monthly series "The Lives and Characters of the Patriarchs," as illustrative of some special teaching of Christ. To each of these there is attached a syllabus of "Books of Reference" on the subjects.

Besides these there are two classes, one for "The Study of English Grammar and Composition," in its second session -passing now through the study of syntax, prosody, and style-with voluntary exercises in writing. Arrangements are also in progress for the establishment of a junior class in October; and another for the study of "Moral Science," the plan of this class being careful reading of Wayland's "Elements of Moral Science," as a text-book by the members; examinations, oral and written, by the president, in a systematic and thorough manner; and mutual subsequent crossexamination and conversation among the members of the class themselves. The society has gathered together a choice and select library of suitable books, and rejoices in being the parent of two junior branches-one stretching to the west in Anderston, and another extending to the east in Calton. All

this is kept up by the voluntary efforts, labours, and subscriptions of the members, without appeal to any extraneous source except the library, to which friends of such schemes may contribute either books or money.

In these two points we regard this society as specially laudable:-1st. It is self-working and self-supporting. 2nd. It is systematic in its efforts and claims on the labours of its members. Both of these elements of this society may readily be applied to any other Improvement Association; and we presume the members of this assemblage of fellow-labourers would gladly give their aid to others desirous to 64 go and do likewise," either sacred or secular, and hence we take the liberty of quoting for our readers' benefit the following item:"Corresponding Secretary, Mr. John Izat, 94, North Frederick Street, Glasgow, N.B." S. N.

BUTLER'S ANALOGY, Chap. II.What imparts personal importance to the question regarding man's future state? What analogy shows the probability of a future state? Wherefore does man's happiness or misery depend on himself? What is government? What constitutes the perfection of government? Does the assertion that the course of nature provides for man's pleasure or woe, satisfy the conditions of a correct answer to the question regarding man's future state? Is it correct to believe that, because we have got faculties capable of enjoyment, all enjoyment derivable through them is legitimate and innocent? Does pain borne in this life constitute always adequate punishment for moral offences? What analogies may be traced between

punishments in this life and those religion threatens in the future? Is it wise to leave the question of a future state uninquired into?

GRAMMAR.-Write over each word in the following sentence an indication -word, letter, or figure-of the part of speech it is:

The Scripture is by no means an irrelative system of moral and divine truths; but stands connected with so many histories, and with the laws, opinions, and manners of so many various sorts of people, and in such times, that it is altogether impossible to arrive at any tolerable knowledge of it without much exterior inquiry."

Point out the prepositions in the foregoing and in the succeeding sentence:

"Alfred descended with dignity from the king to the artist. It is refreshing, in the midst of such a gloomy waste of barbarism and desolation, to fall upon so fair and cultivated a spot as Alfred's reign,"

Quote the sentences having in each of them one or other of the same prepositions respectively.

Arrange the following words in their right places in the verses quoted below. The figures included in brackets indicate the part of speech to be inserted: -[1] noun, [2] adjective, [3] adverb; to this the student will attend.

[1] Age, angels, beacon, bliss, child, clouds, death, fright, love, mists, night, regions, war.

[2] Bright, immortal, joyous, latest,

sunny, worn.

[3] Afar, bravely, when.

Thus [2] life dissolves the [1] of [1]

As [2] morn dispels the [1] of [1] [3] the [2] body yields its [2] breath The soul [2] wakes in [1] bright, And as this [1] o'er [1] has shed youth's light,

S [1] wait, to guide to realms [3] Those who have [3] fought life's glorious [1].

Their motto [1], their [1] truth's [2] star;

What endless [1] and peace is won by such a [1]

Arrange the following passage into rhyme:

66

Hope is the gipsy queen of life, revealing Fortune's hidden light; whispering, in the depths concealing the clouds, better stars are rife. She at many gates is seen, to her many sighs are given; straight from heaven she has her knowledge, if we credit all she states, Gipsy Hope!"

Allowable licences-Hope's for hope is, and she's for she has.

Set the misplaced words in the following sentence right:

The scanty genius of Burns, inspired on poetic learning and nourished by Nature herself, who will furnish a text for the philosopher speculates on the

learning of book-acquired influence on first minds of the gifted order."

Paraphrase the foregoing sentence, giving it in one instance the interrogative form.

HISTORY.-Junior-Outline the life of Alfred the Great. [See Mallet and Thomson's masque of " Alfred," and the play on the same subject by James Sheridan Knowles.] On what grounds does Alfred merit the title Great? What was the state of Saxon society in Alfred's time? What was the value of life in his age?

Senior-What were the characteristics of the sovereigns, the aristocracy, and the people of England in the early and middle ages? Describe the policy of the Tudors. What effects had the Reformation in England? What were the relations of the English Church and the English Crown? What were the relations of Ireland and Scotland to England under the Stuarts? How did England lessen as a European power under the early Stuarts? Illustrate the following phrase historically:-" Roman Catholic Europe and Reformed Europe were struggling for death or life." [See British Controversialist for 1862, vol. ii.; 1859, vol. ii.; 1855, p. 232, &c.]

LITERATURE.-Give a notice of the life and works of William Caxton; of John Lydgate; of James I. [also of Wm. Dunbar, if possible]. Write a notice of ballad poetry. Write notices of Tyndale, Cranmer, and Latimer.

MORAL PHILOSOPHY.-What ideas do we attach to law? What do we mean by morals? What is the nature of moral law? What is implied in obedience to a moral law? What is the difference between formal and real obedience? Is moral law conventional? Indicate, if possible, a distinction between natural and moral law? Is law the foundation of all science? Is moral philosophy a theoretical or a practical science?

GERMAN.-Write into German characters, commit to memory, and translate into rhyme the following passage from "Faust:"

Wenn ihr's nicht fühlt, ihr werdet's nicht erjagen,

Wenn es nicht aus der seele dringt,
Und mit urkräftigem behagen
Die herzen aller hörer zwingt
Sitzt ihr nur immer, leimt zusammen,
Braut ein ragout von andrer sehmaus,
Und blast die kummerlichen flammen,
Aus eurem aschenhäuschen raus!
Bewund'rung von Kindern und Assen.
Wenn auch darnach der gaumen steht
Doch werdet ihr nie herz zu herzen
schaffen

Wenn es euch nicht vom herzen geht. If you feel it not, yours it will not be by hunting.

If it does not through the soul gush,
And with original delight

The hearts of all hearers subdue,
Sit at it only ever-glue together—
Cook a hash from others' feasts,
And blow the paltry flame
Out of your own small ash-heap,-
The marvel of children and asses,
If also therefor the stomach stands you;
But you will never heart to heart shape,
If it also does not from the heart go.

Professor Blackie's verse translation runs thus:

What is not felt, no force of art may gain;

True eloquence must from the full heart pour,

And, with an innate sweet persuasive power,

The hearts of all that hear enchain.
Go to! sit still! together still to glue
Your petty piecework; dressing your
ragoût

From others' feasts; your piteous flames still blowing

From sparks beneath dull heaps of ashes glowing

Vain wonderment of children and of

asses.

If with such paltry meed content thou art,

The pliant heart to heart he only shapes, Whose words persuasive flow from heart to heart.

Lewis Filmore supplies the following version:

If inward power you cannot feel,
No search, no toil will lead you right;
If from your soul it does not steal,
And to your hearers' hearts appeal,
Subduing them with new delight,
Sit at your task for ever, if you will;
Combine, and join, and tack together;
still

Cook up your hash from others' feasts, and blow

Your worthless cinders to a paltry glow;
Children and asses may wonder much
If to such praise your taste incline;
But others' hearts it will not touch
Unless it flow all fresh from thine.

Decline the nouns, and write out the conjugation of any verb in the passage.

A NEW volume of Poems, by Robert Browning, is announced by Chapman and Hall.

The Rev. C. A. Swainson, Hulsean Lecturer of 1857, has been appointed Norrisian Professor of Divinity at Cambridge.

The Burnley Prize (£100) has been conferred on John Francis, B.A., St. John's, Cambridge, for an "Essay on

the Proofs that the Author of Nature is a Being endowed with Liberty and Choice."

It is expected that the "Commentary of the Forty," under the editorship of Rev. F. C. Cook, suggested by the Speaker of the Commons, will be ready for publication within a year.

Francis E. Smedley, author of "Lewis Arundel," "Harry Coverdale's Courtship," &c., died May 1, aged 49.