Reviews.

This remark is nofc preceded by any reasoning more potent than that developed in fche sentence about Epicurus . Ifc is observed afc page S that so many boys were unsuccessful because , in regard to the schools they were sent to ,

" They knew full well that the knowledge to be got in those schools was not the sort of knowledge they would require in after life . " Is ifc nofc absurd to suppose that boys , when sent fco school , can know AA'hafc sort of knowledge they will want in thafc after life of which fchey can have had no experience ? Ifc is astonishing that any one could have held

such an idea seriously , though , by the way , the book is not seriously Avritten , some facetious remarks being attempted , which savour somewhat more of the common music hall than of fche student ' s closet , as in

rage 33 . — " But before I or ' any other man , ' can or will attempt to do that . " Which refers fco the revision of Euclid ' s works , & c . In this case it appears also presumptuous on the part of the practical (?) author to so positively state the inability ol ! others : his OAVU AVC do not doubt . Page 16 . — "Thafc warfare as carried on in our days is entirel

y different from that spoken of in the classics . " So Ave are not to read history , because iu effect AVO can only get the history of tho past . Tf AVC fob disposed to be very critical . Ave might say something about the beaked vessel and our rams , but there is no need to seeh for inaccuracies .

Page 22 . — " Look not for inspiration in ancient Avritings , for Racine is Avell nigh forgotten , and Milton scarcely read ; Schiller , Dante , and Shakspeare more spoken of than perused . Few care for Homer or Virgil ; and Gil Bias , as Avell as Telemachus , has had the fate of Don Quixote . "

This passage docs possess the merit of originality , and its matter fully accounts for the professed scholar by Avhom ifc Avas penned appearing nameless in the literary lists . Page 2-1 . — " Indeed , most boys must grow to be almost young men before they can be convinced of the advantages to be derived from a thorough knowledge of any one subject—natural

science excepted . " This hardly agrees with the passage we quoted from page 8 . As to making natural science an exception , that is accounted for by fche pleasing phenomena Avifck Avhich ifc is associated in the minds of boys AA'ho usually first have ifc brought before them afc some lecture devised to show it in its brightest colours . Speaking of the age

betAveen boyhood and manhood our author says—Page 27 . — "Fencing , boating , boxing , smoking , ay , and drinking too , are now more favourite themes than classics , or even divinity . "

We can see no harm in the proper physical development Avhich is aided so much by manly exercises , and which giA'es the desideratum the " mens Sana in corpore sano . " We must be excused for giving ivay to this small quotation , but Ave must not exceed the capacity of the work to which AVC are referring , lest our classical knowledge should be offensive . The assertion as to the

admiration of drink in the rising generation might have been omitted Avith better taste than that which has dictated . its introduction . On page 29 AVC are treated to a catalogue of machines and sciences , of Avhich the ancients arc assorted to have known nothing . " BloAving" and " pumping" machinery they certainly hadalthough it would , of course ,

, be crude in form ; and , moreover , Ave much mistake if Thales , the philosopher , Avas not the discoverer of electricity : — Page 20 . — "What should Ave do now without glass ? Did the ancients know it ? " Glass AA-as certainly known to the Phronicians , and it

Reviews.

has been found formed into urns near Herculaneum and Pompeii . Page 30 . — " The workman is at once made lo work at that which is practically useful ; thus he is almost a perfect workman at the age of tAventy . " This is simply incorrect . A few weeks passed in an engineer ' s shop will prove the matter . We can scarcely

ever find a man of tAventy years Avho is a good hand for both turning and fitting . On page di , the old style of talking about the accomplishments of the fair sex is adopted , but so worked out as to be not only absurd , but contradictory . Now , for instance , can Ave reconcile fche idea of a portfolio of drawings taking up the length of time implied , if the

works are actually executed by the masters ? What evil is there in dressing in good taste , ancl having a graceful style ? We know of many highly-acconiplished ladies who do not neglect domestic matters . We turn from our subject Avith a feeling of weariness , vexed that wo can find no redeeming features to relieve the irritation caused by the frivolous and inconsequent system ( a Avant of system ) Avhich pervades the pamphlet .

To confute it would be a Avork of supererogation . The author , in conclusion , tells us he is about to publish "The Life and Times of Albert the Good . " We most sincerely trust that he will adopt a more dignified mode of expression than that exhibited in his remarks on education , for ifc -would be a great pity if a work on a subject so dear to all intellectual Englishmen should teem with

childish rhapsodies and shalloAV arguments . If no other good may be derived from a sound classical education , it is very certain that it imparts a tone to conversation and description , the Avant of which in the illiterate is so repulsive to those Avho are well read , and which alone furnishes a clear and distinct manner of expressing our thoughts as they arise .

Lefc it be understood that in no Avay do we wish to decry the value of scientific knoAvledge , but it is a certain fact that many commercial meiiAvill more strongly object thafc scientific knowledge is more useless to their clei-ks than classical reading ; for AA'hilo the former so absorbs the mind as in many cases to cause au abstraction detrimental to the readiness which is indispensable to the commercial man , the latter improves his address and Avidens the scope of his knowledge of humanity .

Poetry.

Poetry .

SOXGS OF YORE . Oh , Avake again thafc dormant strain That long hath slept in silent cells : Sound forth that olden strain again , For of a joy ifc tells ; AA ' e must not let the music sleep , That ever gave a gladdening thrill ; But rouse it from its slumber deep

, That ifc may vibrate sweeter still . Time cannot dim the spirit eye , Nor break the Avondrous heart of soul , Though it may long neglected lie , And weary years may onward roll ; The human heart is ever like An old " Cremona , " Av . iiting till

Some master-hand its strings shall strike To make our hearts with passion thrill . 'Tis ever thus—the same old tale—The same old story told before ; The heart that long hath lived to wail Smiles afc the sound of songs of yore ; For memories come thronging in , Borne by the magic of the song , And Avaking echoings within The bosom that have slept so long .