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December 1, 1855.] THE LEADER. 1159
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GOODWIN'S ENGLISH GllAMMAB. The Student'...
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THE POST OFFICE LONDON DIRECTORY. The Po...
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THREE ALMANACKS. Household IVbrds' Alman...
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We should do our utmost to cacom-aco the...
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THE <SKAiMD>IE EKrP©§3T0O3NJ MSB QTS KES...
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
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Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
Additionally, when viewing full transcripts, extracted text may not be in the same order as the original document.
The Unity Op Matter. The Unity Of Matter...
put into a new state or condition , it is chemically a . new body ; for tins new state can only be superinduced by the application of foreign elements . The doctrine , therefore , in its popular acceptation , that all bodies can exist in three distinct forms , is erroneous ; a body can only exist in one form ; when it changes its form , it is really a different body—for changes of bodies can only result from the taking up of new positions by those ultimate matters or elements of which bodies are composed . And this is agreeable to what Sir H . Davy says respecting carbon and the diamond . „ Gra . Do you mean that when a solid is reduced to a liquid , it is not the same aggregation of matter , as it was in the pre-vious state ? Merit . Yes , precisely . Nor will chemistry get out of mystery until it recognise the simple principle , that all changes of form alike result from new elemental combination , and not in any case from the action of imponderables moving behind the scenes . When a liquid form has been reduced to a gaseous , something has been added or substracted . The volume in question is not now the same chemical compoiind .
This view o a d ifferent chemical constitution in bodies assuming a diff erent state , such as water assuming the solid state of ice , or the aeriform state steam—is not peculiar to Mr . Wilson , although he makes good theoretical use of it . The reader may be glad to see it substantiated by a parallel case in organic chemistry . Albuminous compounds , it is well known , readily pass from the liquid to the solid state , a change designated by the term coagulation . The accepted doctrine is that coagulation is merely a new arrangement of the molecules , such as the formation of ice is supposed to be . But according to the latest researches recorded inLehmann ' s " Physiologische Chemie , " it is proved that in coagulation there is always an elimination of certain matters which must be taken into account , however minim the amount : thus in the coagulation of albumen there is always an alkaline substance eliminated ; in the coagulation of hematoerystalline , acid and salts are eliminated .
Returning to Jklr . Wilson ' s hypothesis we must indicate the applications it admits ; for example , to consider Light as a chemical substance , instead of a shadowy Nothing , enables him more logically to explain its action on living organism . It has been usual to consider the function of light , in regard to animal , vegetable , mineral , and other structures , as that of a stimulant , a cause exciting the activity of composition and decomposition in ordinary matter . For my part , I cannot very clearly understand wherein the ability of stimulation should existin a specific ether , or in specific particles . But if light be regarded as nothing more than the most attenuated form of the same matter as ail bodies are composed of , its functions are as intelligible as those of air or water . The sun cannot shine upon any body -without changing its molecular arrangement . Animals cannot , without sufficient light , attain to their proper development . "VYifliout this form of matter plants do not arrive at their perfection . Upon its application ¦ to photographic preparations their constitution is instantly changed . All bodies being but forms of this same matter are necessarily coloured . And these , and a thousand other circumstances which I have had to review in arriving at this interpretation of Nature , lead me to believe that these circumstances receive by this interpretation a clear and intelligible solution , which the doctrine of specific ethers can never bestow . We can easily understand why the introduction into a body of new elements assimilable to its own , should nffeefc its structure ; but how an ether , between -which and ordinary bodies no elemental tie exists , should affect these bodies , or what could Le the intelligible mission of such an ether in this world or anywhere else , I confess my entire iyuorancc . And why , in any case of change of chemical constitution , should we controvert that broad practical analogy , founded upon what , but for this assumed exception , is a universal induction , which affirms that all such change results from admixture of cognate elements ? When we see an oxide formed upon iron , fur example , by the action of the air , we admit that ~ theair has combined with the iron to produce the new compound . But when we see light effect a change on any preparation of silver , we change ground and resort to excitements , which bring nothing but mystery . The reader must seek in these pages for the arguments which justify the bold ami poetical statement that our bodies are indebted to that light which has reached our eyes from the deepest gauges of the milky way . " We are formed not only of the dust of the earth , but also of the dust of sun ami stars . "—Our purpose is fulfilled if we have called attention to an original thinker and a very suggestive little book .
December 1, 1855.] The Leader. 1159
December 1 , 1855 . ] THE LEADER . 1159
Goodwin's English Gllammab. The Student'...
GOODWIN'S ENGLISH GllAMMAB . The Student ' s Practical Grammar of the Enqiish Luiujiuiye . Jiy Thomas Goodwin . l' -A Law ., This grammar is what it assumes to be , clear , full , and practical . Mr . Goodwin , however , adds to the ordinary contents cf a school grammar , a critical analysis of the English language , upon a plan , to which , as the Principal of one of the most successful proprietary schools in the kingdom , he has , himself , given effect . The various parts of speech are treated theoretically , as well as technically , —and the . soundness of this portion of Mr . Goodwin ' grammar , we < lo not undertake to guarantee . 15 ut the plan is excellent , the student being led by n graduated series of questions , from the simpler to the more recondite departments ; and severely examined at every step . The rules are thus fixed in his mind , and he is prepared to appreciate Mr . Goodwin ' s grammatical analysis of the first book of " Paradise Lost ;^ n chapter which is interesting , in a literary and critical point of view . The book is well-constructed , superior in style , and admirably adopted for the use of schools and self-educating students .
The Post Office London Directory. The Po...
THE POST OFFICE LONDON DIRECTORY . The Post Office London Directory ., J 85 G . The Fi / ti / scraith annual publication . London . Kolly and Co . Th b appearance of the " Post Office London Directory" reminds the metropolitan public that they are approaching the close of another year , while the increase in the thickness of the well-known volume , the improvement of some of its arrangements , and tin : immense labour bestowed on its preparation , assure them that the yi nr which ia passing away has not been uselessly spent by the Editor or his staff . From a circular letter , which lms been issued by tin : printers , we learn that the attempt to establish a new Directory 1 ms not been persevered in , and that the " Post Office Directory " is the only Directory for the present year . We hnve no doubt that all interested in its success will beur in mmd hat this result lias been attained by the enterprise and energy which have
characterised its direct ors , and by the care and pains which have been taken , year by year , that each year ' s publication shall be more complete than its predecessor . In addition to the great extension of the matter , we may note , for the benefit of such of our readers as have not seen the Directory for 1856 , that the external indication of the portions of the massive volume devoted to the different heads has been very materially improved , and that it is now clear and well marked , without detracting from the appearance of the volume , and that the map of the metropolitan district is an useful and excellent one . We have tested the lateness of the period up to which it has been corrected , by referring to changes within our own knowledge , and we are bound to sa } r that in every case we . have found that the Director } ' has recorded the change , although some of them have been of very recent occurrence . Messrs . Kelly have only to continue in the course they have hitherto followed , and they need fear no rival . They have commanded success , because they have " deserved it .
Three Almanacks. Household Ivbrds' Alman...
THREE ALMANACKS . Household IVbrds' Almanack . Parker ' s Church Almanack . Norton ' s JYew Farmers' Almanack . All , almanacks , except the prophetic , contain information . Their general fault is , that they give information for which most persons would be content to consult an encyclopaedia . Household Words' Almanack is contrived on a new plan , so good , that it shall be our almanack in future . It is a publication to be kept on the table —every page presents , besides the monthly calendar , a variety of really " , serviceable " memoranda—social , historical , miscellaneous , —not facts only , but suggestive ideas . Parker ' s Church Almanack has been carefully framed for the use of the class it addresses . Norton ' s Farmers' Almanack is also special , and will serve such agriculturists as do not keep the Calendar and its appendix in their memories .
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We Should Do Our Utmost To Cacom-Aco The...
We should do our utmost to cacom-aco the Beautiful , for the Useful encourages itself .- Goethe .
The <Skaimd>Ie Ekrp©§3t0o3nj Msb Qts Kes...
THE < SKAiMD > IE EKrP ©§ 3 T 0 O 3 NJ MSB QTS KESlilLTSTiie Grande Exposition of 1855 has but just closed , and we shall take the liberty of offering to the consideration of the thoughtful a few remarks upon its general tendency and results . As a display of the present condition of the Industrial Arts , it began by disappointing the expectation of the sight-seers , in which category we include those who report upon such matters for the daily press , and who , having no special knowledge either of Science or Art , expect everything to be either n Triumph or ji Puppet-Show . For this reason the British public began by conceiving a very unjust notion of the trench Exposition—a mistake from which it never thoroughly recovered . Without arrogating to ourselves any uncommon share of credit , we may remind our readers that in these columns the real merits of the Exposition
were recognised from the first . We pointed out , immediately after the opening ceremony , and when the remainder of the English press vied in loud and indiscriminate condemnation , that the errors were of form rather than of substance , and that the collection contained within it a larger clement ot excellence than did any of its predecessors-that of 1851 not excluded . It was with some satisfaction , therefore , that we perceived our brethren ot the press slowly coming round to our opinion ; but we nmstcon es . that we ; should it taken lace before the gilt had
have respected their conversion more had p been put upon the gingerbread , before the Palais had assumed the appearance of a bazaar , and before the unprecedented display of Gobelins tapestry and Sevres porcelain ( which had nothing whatever to do with the real purpose of the Exhibition-seeing that they are arts which belong ; to a former age , and that they have scarcely advanced a step m th « last-cent ury were darling all eyes , and exciting the admiration of the gapers . Johni Bull is , however , proverbially slow in hnb . bing an idea , as he is equally lovm getting rid of one , and it is , therefore , not an uncommon occurrence to hear persoifs state that they . lid not visit the Exposition , because they understood
it to be a failure and a mistake . This is one great reason why the Guandk Exposition has been , commercially , a failure . That of 1851 opened on the 1 st of May , in the highest state of perfection , ami enjoyed a flow oi uninterrupted projpi » £ " r fiv * months ami a half . The world was at peace , and all nations floe ej ° vtr to take a part in the grand Olympic of modern Civi lisation . How «»«™ "J * £ « ciremnit . u 7 . eeH with which the late undertaking had to contend ^ J . ^™ were backward in Bendiug their goods , and , despite all the cffortH ot ITlnSd ^ f i ntnts rlarranged ^ ortwo
it was Imif filled , or even beore ts coe were neay , nontlis if cr that opening the collection was imperfect , and the sums received r " adn ^ on were ,, ol > ne . riy sufficient to defray the ^ ^ i ™™* management . Add to this the war and its influence in k « - K vigroaway-some for economy ' s sake a n * others from inotiv « o * ^ J ^ aider , too , that provisions have been dear , and th "™ lJ ™ £ . £ ' nH which French provincial ., from indulging in J » |« i o tnim ' « ^ , vy drawour Great Exhibition made so fiuAwnable w . ' «¦ ^ ™ £ cnjo / C ( , the backH , and the wonder , if any , is , that tho i . xj »«" measure of success which has actually fallen to ita 10 . ioIl j thftt > M B We have heretofore shown , and w e » ow . " { £ . nii < Id | t , « , f the Nineteenth perfect dionlay of the condition o * ; »*» % ? ™™ uythii . fr before attempted . Sridto r . M ^^
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Citation
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Leader (1850-1860), Dec. 1, 1855, page 19, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/cld_01121855/page/19/
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