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    put into a new state or condition , it is chemically a new body ; for this new state can only be superindviced 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 clia-nges 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 niean that when a solid is reduced to a liquid , it is not the same aggregation of matter , as it was in the previous 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 compound . This view of a different chemical constitution in bodies assuming a different state , such as water assuming the solid state of ice , or the aeriform state of steam—is not peculiar to Mr . Wilson , although he makes good theoretical use of it . The reader may he glad to see it substantiated by a parallel ease 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 in Lehmann ' s " Physiologisehe 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 hematoerystalliroe , acid and salts are eliminated . Returning to Mr . 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 nas 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 veiy clearly understand wherein the ability of stimulation should existin a specific ether , or in specific particles . Exit if light be regarded as nothing more than the most attenuated form of the same matter as all 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 . Without 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 affect its structure ; but how an ether , between which and ordinary bodies no elemental tie exists , should affect these bodies , or what could be the intelligible mission of such an ether in this world or anywhere else , I . confess my entire ignorance . 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 , i . s a universal induction , which affirms that nil such change rcsulis fiom admixture of cognate elements ? When we see an oxide formed upon iron , for example , by the action of the air , we admit that ^ the air hns combined with the iron to produce the new compound . But when we see light effect a change on any prepsuation of silver , we change ground and resort to excitement . * , which bring nothing but mystery . The reader must seek in these pages for the arguments which justify the bold and 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 and stars . "—Our purpose is fulfilled if we have called attention to an original thinker and a very suggestive little book .

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    THREE ALMANACKS . Household IVords 1 Almanach . . Parker ' s Church Jllmariaclt . JYorton ' s JVcw Farmers' jHmanack . 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 p . 'ige 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 ngriculturists as do not keep the Calendar and its appendix in their memories .

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    n ™« 7 ™ m 7 w 1 1 fi /»/ i / l THE DEADER . T lftQ

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    GOODWIN'S ENGLISH GRAMMAR . The Student ' s Practical Grammar of the English Language . By Thomas Goodwin , B . A Law . . This grammar is what it assumes to be , elenr , full , and practical . Mr . Goodwin , however , adds to the ordinary contents << f n school grammar , a critical analysis of the English language , upon a pl » n , 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 arc : treated theoretically , as well as technically , —and the soundness of this portion of Mr . Goodwin ' s grammar , we do not undertake to guarantee . Hut the plan is excellent , the student being led by a graduated series of questiona , 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 hook of " Paradise Lost ; " a chapter which is interesting , in a literary nnd critic-til point of view . The book is well-constructed , superior in style , nnd admirably adapted for the use of schools and self-educating students .

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    THE POST OFFICH LONDON DIRECTORY . The Post OJ ia : London Directory ., 18 CG . The Fifty-sen nth annual publication . London . Kully mid Co . The appearance of the " Post Office London Directory" reminds the : metropolitan public that they arc approaching the close- of another year , while the increase in the thickness of tlu : well-Known volume , the improvement of some of its arrangements , and tlio immense labour bestowed on its preparation , assure them that the year which is passing away lias not been uselessly spent by the Editor or Ins staff' . From a circular letter , which has . been issued by the printers , we learn that the attempt to establish a new Dirt-dory has not been persevered in , and tliat the " Post Office Directory " in the only Directory for the present year . We have no doubt that nil interested in its success will hear in mind hat tliis result has been attained by the enterprise and energy which have

    characterised its directors , 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 } ' that in every case we have found that the Directory 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 thev have deserved it .

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    Wo should Jo our utmost to cnconriif ' O t , ho . Beautiful , fur I ho I ^ rl'ii encourages if . 3 < jif . — Goethe . TIME ( GM »! E EXPCSnraora A 5 N 1 ED UTS miESlillLT © . The 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 catcgoiy we include those who report upon such matters for the daily press , and who , having no special knowledge cither of Science or Art , expect everything to be either a Triumph or a Puppet-Show . For this reason the British public began by conceiving a very unjust notion of the l'reneh 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 m loud and indiscriminate condemnation , that the errors were of form rather than ot substance , and that the collection contained within it a larger clement ot excellence than did any of its predecessors—that of 18 f > 1 not excluded . It was with some satisfaction , therefore , that we perceived our brethren of the press slowly coming round to our opinion ; but we must , confess that we ""< "iUl have respected their conversion more had it taken place before the gilt had been put upon the gingerbread , before the Palais had assumed the appearance of n ba / . nar , 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 winch belong to a former age , and that they have scarcely advanced a step in the last eciitiiiyl were dazzling all eyes , and exciting the admiration of the gapers . John Bull is , however , proverbially slow in h » l > ibing an idea , as he is equally alow in getting rid of one , and it is , therefore , not an ui . coii . mon occurrence to hear persons state that they did not . visit the Exposition , because they understood it to be a failure and a mistake . This is one great reason why the Gbandb Imposition has been , comincrrinlly , a failure . That of " iWil opened on the 1 st ot May , in the highest state of perfection , nnd enjoyed a How of uninterrupted prosperity for five months and a half . The world wr . s at peace , and all nations flocked over to take a part in the grand Olympic of modern Civilisation . How d , crent the circumstances withwhieh the late undertaking had to contend l ^ Jub . tors were backward in sending their goods , and , despite all the efforts ot the Imperial Commission , the building had to bo opened in form ' before it was half filled , or even before its contents were nearly arranged . I < or t « o months after that opening the collection was imperfect , and the sums received for admission were not nearly milHcicnt to defray the bare ™ l *™* £ mannKcinoiit . Add to this the war , and its inniu-iiec m keep B v . sitms away-some for economy ' s sake , and others from motives of ,. O ~' t' jJ fe =: sti !^ S *! z ^ ix ^^^ rr ^ ^ - «* £ * *• measure of success which has actually fallen to it- " » y nmertUtn > t j mt , nS a We Lave heretofore shown , and we « ow < ; Nineteenth perfect display of the condition of ind . * y " » J- "' , . || eforo ftttcmptcd . Century , this has been incomparably * ., p o " >» Exhibiting space , in It exceeded the Great Exhibition iii the t £ me" fte ' vnrious the number of Exhibitors . ' ^^ " ^^ Lntion was neither totter branches of industry were ulustrutuu .

• Citation
  • Leader (1850-1860), Dec. 1, 1855, page 1159, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse2.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2117/page/19/