the remainder of our companions were Of his actual performances the "History" transferred to that vessel, and subse- and the " Philosophy of the Inductive quently shipped for home. We spent Sciences " are the most characteristic, some time most agreeably at Point de and this because his practical acquaintance Galle, receiving great kindness from the with a certain part of his great subject district judge, the ship's agent, the Church enabled him the better to deal with those of England minister, the collector of cus- parts which he had studied only in books, toms, and other gentlemen. We were, in and to describe their relations in a more fact, treated more like friends than cast-intelligent manner than those authors who aways, and are not likely ever to forget the attention we received. From Nature. WHEWELL'S WRITINGS AND CORRESPONDENCE.* WE frequently hear the complaint that as the boundaries of science are widened its cultivators become less of philosophers and more of specialists, each confining himself with increasing exclusiveness to the area with which he is familiar. This is probably an inevitable result of the development of science, which has made it impossible for any one man to acquire a thorough knowledge of the whole, while each of its sub-divisions is now large enough to afford occupation for the useful work of a lifetime. The ablest cultivators of science are agreed that the student, in order to make the most of his powers, should ascertain in what field of science these powers are most available, and that he should then confine his investigations to this field, making use of other parts of science only in so far as they bear upon his special subject. Accordingly we find that Dr. Whewell, in his article in the "Encyclopædia Metropolitana" on "Archimedes and Greek Mathematics," says of Eratosthenes, who, like himself, was philologer, geometer, astronomer, poet, and antiquary: "It is seldom that one person attempts to master so many subjects without incurring the charge and perhaps the danger of being superficial.” It is probably on account of the number and diversity of the kinds of intellectual nence that his name is most widely known. work in which Dr. Whewell attained emi have devoted themselves entirely to the general aspect of human knowledge without being actual workers in any particu lar department of it. But the chief characteristic of Dr. Whewell's intellectual life seems to have been the energy and perseverance with which he pursued the development of each of the great ideas which had in the course of his life presented itself to him. Of these ideas some might be greater than others, but all were large. he devoted himself was the elaboration The special pursuit, therefore, to which and the expression of the ideas appropriate to different branches of knowledge. The discovery of a new fact, the invention of a theory, the solution of a problem, the filling up of a gap in an existing science, were interesting to him not so much for their own sake as additions to the general stock of knowledge, as for their illustra tive value as characteristic instances of the processes by which all human knowledge is developed. To watch the first germ of an appropriate idea as it was developed either in his own mind or in the writings of the founders of the sciences, to frame appropriate and scientific words in which the idea might be expressed, and then to construct a treatise in which the idea should be largely developed and the appropriate to have been the natural channel of his words copiously exemplified - such seems intellectual activity in whatever direction it overflowed. When any of his great works had reached this stage he prepared himself for some other labor, and if new editions of his work were called for, the alterations which he introduced often rather tended to destroy than to complete the unity of the original plan. Mr. Todhunter has given us an exhaustive account of Dr. Whewell's writ ings and scientific work, and in this we may easily trace the leading ideas which he successively inculcated as a writer. We can only share Mr. Todhunter's regret that it is only as a writer that he appears in this book, and it is to be hoped that the promised account of his complete life as a man may enable us to form a fuller conception of the individu- | text-books as regards logical coherence ality and unity of his character, which it is hard to gather from the multifarious collection of his books. Dr. Whewell first appears before us as the author of a long series of text-books on mechanics. His position as a tutor of his college, and the interest which he took in university education, may have induced him to spend more time in the composition of elementary treatises than would otherwise have been congenial to him, but in the prefaces to the different editions, as well as in the introductory chapters of each treatise, he shows that sense of the intellectual and educational value of the study of first principles which distinguishes all his writings. It is manifest from his other writings, that the composition of these text-books, involving as it did a thorough study of the fundamental science of dynamics, was a most appropriate training for his subsequent labors in the survey of the sciences in their widest extent. It has always appeared to me [says Mr. Todhunter] that Mr. Whewell would have been of great benefit to students if he had undertaken a critical revision of the technical language of mechanics. This language was formed to a great extent by the early writers at an epoch when the subject was imperfectly understood, and many terms were used without well-defined meanings. Gradually the language has been improved, but it is still open to objection. In after years, when his authority in scientific terminology was widely recognized, we find Faraday, Lyell, and others applying to him for appropriate expressions for the subject-matter of their discoveries, and receiving in reply systems of scientific terms which have not only held their place in technical treatises, but are gradually becoming familiar to the ordinary reader. Is it not true," Dr. Whewell asks in his address to the Geological Society, "in our science as in all others, that a technical phraseology is real wealth, because it puts in our hands a vast treasure of foregone generalizations?” Perhaps, however, he felt it less difficult to induce scientific men to adopt a new term for a new idea than to persuade the students and teachers of a university to alter the phraseology of a time-honored study. and scientific accuracy, and if many of those which have been published since have fallen behind in these respects, most of them have introduced some slight improvement in terminology which has not been allowed to be lost. Dr. Whewell's opinion with respect to the evidence of the fundamental doctrines of mechanics is repeatedly inculcated in his writings. He considered that experiment was necessary in order to suggest these truths to the mind, but that the doctrine when once fairly set before the mind is apprehended by it as strictly true, the accuracy of the doctrine being in no way dependent on the accuracy of observation of the result of the experiment. He therefore regarded experiments on the laws of motion as illustrative experiments, meant to make us familiar with the general aspect of certain phenomena, and not as experiments of research from which the results are to be deduced by careful measurement and calculation. Thus experiments on the fall of bodies may be regarded as experiments of research into the laws of gravity. We find by careful measurements of times and distances that the intensity of the force of gravity is the same whatever be the motion of the body on which it acts. We also ascertain the direction and magnitude of this force on different bodies and in different places. All this can only be done by careful measurement, and the results are affected by all the errors of observation to which we are liable. The same experiments may be also taken as illustrations of the laws of motion. The performance of the experiments tends to make us familiar with these laws, and to impress them on our minds. But the laws of motion cannot be proved to be accurate by a comparison of the observations which we make, for it is only by taking the laws for granted that we have any basis for our calculations. We may ascertain, no doubt, by experiment, that the acceleration of a body acted on by gravity is the same whatever be the motion of that body, but this does not prove that a constant force produces a constant acceleration, but only that gravity is a force, the intensity of which does not depend on the velocity of the body on which it acts. But even in the elementary treatment of The truth of Dr. Whewell's principle is dynamics, if we compare the text-books curiously illustrated by a case in which he of different dates, we cannot fail to recog-persistently contradicted it. In a paper nize a marked progress. Those by Dr. communicated to the Philosophical Society Whewell were far in advance of any former of Cambridge, and reprinted at the end of his "Philosophy of the Inductive motion in the bodies; and as we have Sciences," Dr. Whewell conceived that just been reminded by Mr. Todhunter, he had proved, à priori, that all matter the method of comparing quantities of must be heavy. He was well acquainted matter by weighing them is not strictly with the history of the establishment of correct. the law of gravitation, and knew that it was only by careful experiments and observations that Newton ascertained that the effect of gravitation on two equal masses is the same whatever be the chemical nature of the bodies, but in spite of this he maintained that it is contrary not only to observation but to reason, that any body should be repelled instead of attracted by another, whereas it is a matter of daily experience, that any two bodies when they are brought near enough, repel each other. The fact seems to be that, finding the word weight employed in ordinary language to denote the quantity of matter in a body, though in scientific language it denotes the tendency of that body to move downwards, and at the same time supposing that the word mass in its scientific sense was not yet sufficiently established to be used without danger in ordinary language, Dr. Whewell endeavored to make the word weight carry the meaning of the word mass. Thus he tells us that "the weight of the whole compound must be equal to the weights of the separate elements." On this Mr. Todhunter very properly observes: : Of course there is no practical uncertainty as to this principle; but Dr. Whewell seems to allow his readers to imagine that it is of the same nature as the axiom that "two straight lines cannot inclose a space." There is, however, a wide difference between them, depending on a fact which Dr. Whewell has himself recognized in another place (see vol. i., p. 224). The truth is, that strictly speaking the weight of the whole compound is not equal to the weight of the separate elements; for the weight depends upon the position of the compound particles, and in general by altering the position of the particles, the resultant effect which we call weight is altered, though it may be to an inappreciable extent. It is evident that what Dr. Whewell should have said was: "The mass of the whole compound must be equal to the sum of the masses of the separate elements." This statement all would admit to be strictly true, and yet not a single experiment has ever been made in order to verify it. All chemical measurements are made by comparing the weights of bodies, and not by comparing the forces required to produce given changes of Our Thus, then, we are led by experiments which are not only liable to error, but which are to a certain extent erroneous in principle, to a statement which is universally acknowledged to be strictly true. conviction of its truth must therefore rest on some deeper foundation than the experiments which suggested it to our minds. The belief in and the search for such foundations is, I think, the most characteristic feature of all Dr. Whewell's work. J. CLERK MAXWELL. From The Economist. THE TURKISH ATROCITIES. FOREIGN policy does not easily seize hold of the imaginations of Englishmen, and it is with great difficulty that either the intellectual interests or the moral sympathies are fixed upon the confused and complicated incidents of a warfare, such as is now being waged upon the borders of Servia. But when a view of any such controversy does get hold of the popular mind, it is apt to be fierce and persistent, for it is not modified by any direct weighing of evidence. It is most frequently through the emotions that such a view of distant events acquires power, and being almost beyond the pale of reasoning, it is likely to become a dangerous force in politics. Thus, we believe, the Crimean War was the direct consequence of a popular impulse, which had its root in the inaccurate judgment of the English people upon some ambiguous acts and expressions of the emperor Nicholas, for the explanations and modifications of which no hearing could be obtained. We are not without apprehension that the present temper of the public mind is now as dangerously bent upon the opposite course. moral effect produced by the history of the Turkish atrocities in Bulgaria has been rarely paralleled in this country. While foreign critics, who generally miss the point of popular movements in England, are declaiming against the English government as the protector and patron of the Turk, the real danger is not that England may plunge into war or involve herself in diplomatic meshes in defence of the Ottoman government, but that she may be forced into a military or political The tion, and to prevent its exacerbation, ought Even intervention, abounding in risks and responsibilities, for the humiliation or subjection of the Turks; and this is a penal measure to satisfy the boiling anger and indignation of our countrymen. We need not say that we trust so injurious and illconsidered an impulse will be resisted as well by the leaders of the Liberal party as by the Conservative ministry. It must be admitted that the danger is not imaginary when distinguished Liberals below the gangway insist that it is Mr. Disraeli's duty to send the British fleet at once from Besika Bay to the Golden Horn, there to punish or terrify the ministers of the Porte. The debate raised by Mr. Anderson on Monday was renewed by Mr. Ashley on Friday, and in the interval Mr. Bourke had to reply to a searching ques-ent opinion, which I trust hereafter to be tion addressed to him by Mr. Ritchie. able to modify, is that about twelve thouThe agitation out-of-doors is even now sand Bulgarians have perished. Sixty significantly vigorous, and if the stories of villages have been wholly or partially outrages like those perpetrated by the burned: by far the greater portion of them Bashi-Bazouks and Circassians, in Bulga- by the Bashi-Bazouks." But in this acria, should be repeated during the progress count, and in the official reports of the of the Turkish invasion, we may see the Turks, the worst abominations are denied ministry forced by an irresistible wave of or slurred over. It would be more in the public feeling into a war, with aims and interest of the Porte to confess them issues that never entered into their calcu- | frankly, and to show a desire to expiate lations. We can only hope that those them by the punishment of the guilty, and who influence the popular sentiment will a sincere endeavor to suppress any siminow be firm, sober, and careful in their lar atrocities in other quarters. It is said estimate of consequences; that the minis- that the Turks, in reply to the repeated try will take precautions to free itself from remonstrances of our government, have any further responsibility, such as has given assurances that they will do, that been perilously incurred by Mr. Disraeli's they are doing, all in their power to mete levity of language, and Sir Henry Elliot's out exemplary punishment to the crimiapathy or incompetence; that the govern- nals, and to suppress sternly any further ment at Constantinople will see the neces-outrages at the seat of war, or in the dissity and possess the power of restraining tricts where the insurrection has been the armies that have invaded Servian ter- subdued. But even if these assurances ritory from the abominable practices which disgraced the irregulars let loose upon Bulgaria; and finally, that with the least possible delay the truth may appear. It is essential that the whole story should be disclosed in all its detail as soon as may be, and we cannot understand why, for the public interest and for their own, they have not hastened the publication in this country of Mr. Baring's full and final report. The telegraph is as much at the disposal of the government as at that of the newspapers, and if Mr. Bourke could present a complete statement of what Mr. Baring declares he ascertained for himself, he would silence much conjectural, but not less injurious criticism. But whatever means may be taken to allay the public excitement upon this ques should be found untrustworthy, as so many Turkish promises have been before, we hope it will be remembered that the effect of an English menace to the Turkish government, such as Mr. Jacob Bright and Mr. Whitwell call upon the government to use, would be to dissolve at once the whole fabric of Turkish government, to set half-a-dozen new wars and insurrections on foot, and to compel us to undertake responsibilities in the restoration of peace, the cost of which we have not calculated. Our intervention would probably, in the first instance, lead to a vast increase in the destructiveness and the horrible character of the war in the East, and would involve us in risks for which we see no compensating advantage to the victims of Ottoman oppression. From The Pall Mall Budget. THE WHOLE DUTY OF WOMAN FROM A CHINESE POINT OF VIEW. herself against the sword that threatened her husband; of the mother of Ao, who, being too poor to buy books, taught her THE other day a learned judge, charged son to read by tracing letters on the sand; with adjusting the more serious differences and of other worthy examples. "Women," that arise between married couples, deliv- he observes, "should know how to keep ered a long disquisition on the marked accounts in order to be capable of manchange that has taken place of late in the aging a household," a circumstance well habits and manners of young persons of understood out of China. And women, the softer sex. Ladies, in his opinion, are he insists, "should study books of filial gradually assuming a freedom of action piety and morality in preference to amatory and demeanor from which a little while poetry, should not store their memories ago they would have shrunk with whole- with songs and anecdotes, nor listen to some aversion. Unfortunately, however, relations of romances; in other words, he indicated no remedy for this state of should eschew Mudie literature. He is things, although few persons are better evidently sensible of the difficulties of the qualified to offer advice upon a subject so task he seeks to impose, for he observes closely connected with domestic happiness. that "effort upon effort must be made to Had he the requisite leisure he might em- follow these injunctions." "The merit of ploy it with advantage in the compilation a woman," remarks this Celestial Solomon, of a work similar to one which, it seems," consists, above all, in being reserved, and enjoys high favor among the Chinese. It not meddling too much in other people's is known as the "Nuu Shun; or, Instruc- business. A man should not speak of his tions to Women," and has lately been home affairs, nor a woman of outside matbrought home to us in a French transla- ters." "There are circumstances," he tion. admits, "under which a woman ought to speak;" but he advises her to do so "with softness and moderation, and never to let bad or angry words escape her." The Chinese golden rule that "to speak little is a fine accomplishment," will be unwelcome to European or transatlantic belles with a reputation for brilliant small talk; but in these days of lath and plaster villas the wisdorn of the recommendation that “if a visitor is in the drawing-room the mistress of the house should be careful not to speak too loud in the kitchen," will be very generally recognized. In this popular vade mecum the whole duty of woman is set forth with all the minuteness of detail dear to the natives of the Celestial empire. At the beginning young ladies are cautioned how needful it is for them to observe the duties of politeness, to implicitly regard the injunctions of their parents, never to act from caprice, and to learn to make due distinction between persons of different positions. Young girls are, moreover, enjoined always to preserve a seemly demeanor, not to look round while walking, invariably to retire when male visitors make their appearance, and, above all, not to regard the latter too curiously. They are prohibited from going to the pagoda, counselled always to be provided with a lantern when unavoidably out at night, and enjoined to rise in the morning at cock-crow. Hilarity is evidently not considered becoming, giggling young ladies being but little esteemed by the Chinese. Neither is garrulity approved of, gossips creating, we are assured, not only mischief among others but ample annoyance for themselves. Reading and conversation are treated of at length. "If," says our mentor to his disciples, "you do not read the books of saints and sages, how will you know the rites, the duties, the four virtues, and the three obediences" namely, of the young girl towards her parents, of the wife towards her husband, and the widow towards the eldest of her sons? And he cites the example of Isoun, who threw Our Chinese mentor expresses himself briefly but to the point on matters relating to the toilette, and English husbands will certainly approve of his maxims: "Study simplicity and neatness. If you are painted and dressed in bright-colored garments, men will stare at you. Do not use rouge and powder every day. Be not too fond of gold, silver, pearls, and jade — all very expensive articles. Be careful of your embroidered and silk attire, and do not wear it excepting when necessary." A careful woman will dress usually in cotton stuffs, but we are not so sure that she "ought not to throw them aside even when they become soiled." She might wash them at least. Parental respect is strongly inculcated. "The brother and sister, though of different sexes, owe the same respect to their parents; they should behave towards them both morning and evening in an amiable manner, ask them if they are warm or |