"The philosopher whose distinguished name gives weight and influence to this volume, has given in its pages some of the finest specimens of reasoning in all its forms and departments.
There is a fascination in his array of facts, incidents, and opinions, which draws on the reader to ascertain his conclusions.
The coolness and calmness of his treatment of acknowledged difficulties and grave objections to his theories win for him a close attention and sustained effort, on the part of the reader, to comprehend, follow, grasp, and appropriate his principles. This book, independently of its bearing upon sociology, is valuable as lucidly showing what those essential characteristics are which ent.i.tle any arrangement and connection of facts and deductions to be called a _science_."--_Episcopalian._
"This work compels admiration by the evidence which it gives of immense research, study, and observation, and is, withal, written in a popular and very pleasing style. It is a fascinating work, as well as one of deep practical thought."--_Bost. Post._
"Herbert Spencer is unquestionably the foremost living thinker in the psychological and sociological fields, and this volume is an important contribution to the science of which it treats.... It will prove more popular than any of its author's other creations, for it is more plainly addressed to the people and has a more practical and less speculative cast. It will require thought, but it is well worth thinking about."--_Albany Evening Journal_.
VI.
The New Chemistry.
By JOSIAH P. COOKE, Jr.,
Erving Professor of Chemistry and Mineralogy in Harvard University.
1 vol., 12mo. Cloth Price, $2.00.
"The book of Prof. Cooke is a model of the modern popular science work. It has just the due proportion of fact, philosophy, and true romance, to make it a fascinating companion, either for the voyage or the study."--_Daily Graphic._
"This admirable monograph, by the distinguished Erving Professor of Chemistry in Harvard University, is the first American contribution to 'The International Scientific Series,' and a more attractive piece of work in the way of popular exposition upon a difficult subject has not appeared in a long time. It not only well sustains the character of the volumes with which it is a.s.sociated, but its reproduction in European countries will be an honor to American science."--_New York Tribune._
"All the chemists in the country will enjoy its perusal, and many will seize upon it as a thing longed for. For, to those advanced students who have kept well abreast of the chemical tide, it offers a calm philosophy. To those others, youngest of the cla.s.s, who have emerged from the schools since new methods have prevailed, it presents a generalization, drawing to its use all the data, the relations of which the newly-fledged fact-seeker may but dimly perceive without its aid.... To the old chemists, Prof.
Cooke's treatise is like a message from beyond the mountain. They have heard of changes in the science; the clash of the battle of old and new theories has stirred them from afar. The tidings, too, had come that the old had given way; and little more than this they knew.... Prof. Cooke's 'New Chemistry' must do wide service in bringing to close sight the little known and the longed for....
As a philosophy it is elementary, but, as a book of science, ordinary readers will find it sufficiently advanced."--_Utica Morning Herald._
VII.
The Conservation of Energy.
By BALFOUR STEWART, LL. D., F.R.S.
_With an Appendix treating of the Vital and Mental Applications of the Doctrine._
1 vol., 12mo. Cloth. Price, $1.50.
"The author has succeeded in presenting the facts in a clear and satisfactory manner, using simple language and copious ill.u.s.tration in the presentation of facts and principles, confining himself, however, to the physical aspect of the subject. In the Appendix the operation of the principles in the spheres of life and mind is supplied by the essays of Professors Le Conte and Bain."--_Ohio Farmer._
"Prof Stewart is one of the best known teachers in Owens College in Manchester.
"The volume of THE INTERNATIONAL SCIENTIFIC SERIES now before us is an excellent ill.u.s.tration of the true method of teaching, and will well compare with Prof. Tyndall's charming little book in the same series on 'Forms of Water,' with ill.u.s.trations enough to make clear, but not to conceal his thoughts, in a style simple and brief."--_Christian Register, Boston_.
"The writer has wonderful ability to compress much information into a few words. It is a rich treat to read such a book as this, when there is so much beauty and force combined with such simplicity."--_Eastern Press._
VIII.
Animal Locomotion;
Or, WALKING, SWIMMING, AND FLYING.
_With a Dissertation on Aeronautics._
By J. BELL PETTIGREW, M.D., F.R.S., F.R.S.E., F.R.C.P.E.
1 vol., 12mo. Price, $1.75.
"This work is more than a contribution to the stock of entertaining knowledge, though, if it only pleased, that would be sufficient excuse for its publication. But Dr. Pettigrew has given his time to these investigations with the ultimate purpose of solving the difficult problem of Aeronautics. To this he devotes the last fifty pages of his book. Dr. Pettigrew is confident that man will yet conquer the domain of the air."--_N. Y. Journal of Commerce._
"Most persons claim to know how to walk, but few could explain the mechanical principles involved in this most ordinary transaction, and will be surprised that the movements of bipeds and quadrupeds, the darting and rushing motion of fish, and the erratic flight of the denizens of the air, are not only a.n.a.logous, but can be reduced to similar formula. The work is profusely ill.u.s.trated, and, without reference to the theory it is designed to expound, will be regarded as a valuable addition to natural history."--_Omaha Republic._
IX.
Responsibility in Mental Disease.
By HENRY MAUDSLEY, M.D.,
Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians; Professor of Medical Jurisprudence in University College, London.
1 vol., 12mo. Cloth. Price, $1.50.
"Having lectured in a medical college on Mental Disease, this book has been a feast to us. It handles a great subject in a masterly manner, and, in our judgment, the positions taken by the author are correct and well sustained."--_Pastor and People._
"The author is at home in his subject, and presents his views in an almost singularly clear and satisfactory manner.... The volume is a valuable contribution to one of the most difficult, and at the same time one of the most important subjects of investigation at the present day."--_N. Y. Observer._
"It is a work profound and searching, and abounds in wisdom."--_Pittsburg Commercial._
"Handles the important topic with masterly power, and its suggestions are practical and of great value."--_Providence Press._
X.
The Science of Law.
By SHELDON AMOS, M.A.,
Professor of Jurisprudence in University College, London; author of "A Systematic View of the Science of Jurisprudence," "An English Code, its Difficulties and the Modes of overcoming them," etc., etc.
1 vol., 12mo. Cloth. Price, $1.75.
"The valuable series of 'International Scientific' works, prepared by eminent specialists, with the intention of popularizing information in their several branches of knowledge, has received a good accession in this compact and thoughtful volume. It is a difficult task to give the outlines of a complete theory of law in a portable volume, which he who runs may read, and probably Professor Amos himself would be the last to claim that he has perfectly succeeded in doing this. But he has certainly done much to clear the science of law from the technical obscurities which darken it to minds which have had no legal training, and to make clear to his 'lay' readers in how true and high a sense it can a.s.sert its right to be considered a science, and not a mere practice."--_The Christian Register._
"The works of Bentham and Austin are abstruse and philosophical, and Maine's require hard study and a certain amount of special training. The writers also pursue different lines of investigation, and can only be regarded as comprehensive in the departments they confined themselves to. It was left to Amos to gather up the result and present the science in its fullness. The unquestionable merits of this, his last book, are, that it contains a complete treatment of a subject which has. .h.i.therto been handled by specialists, and it opens up that subject to every inquiring mind.... To do justice to 'The Science of Law' would require a longer review than we have s.p.a.ce for. We have read no more interesting and instructive book for some time. Its themes concern every one who renders obedience to laws, and who would have those laws the best possible. The tide of legal reform which set in fifty years ago has to sweep yet higher if the flaws in our jurisprudence are to be removed. The process of change cannot be better guided than by a well-informed public mind, and Prof. Amos has done great service in materially helping to promote this end."--_Buffalo Courier._
XI.