conducive to the reader's information and instruction. Yet new principles and new subjects of investigation are not to be looked for in a work which professes only to detail the discoveries and improvements of preceding writers, of machinists, of artificers, and manufacturers. For it is certainly more worthy the time and labour of youth to gain some knowledge of those arts and sciences with which they may become acquainted with a view to after life, than to harass them with exploded theories, and researches merely speculative. Guided by these views in the selection of his materials, the Author was enabled to give more latitude to his arrangements and classifications of the excellent models he bad before him; and in no instance is he aware of having introduced any novelties at the risk of simplicity or the expense of truth: perspicuity and conciseness being as essential as variety of matter or accuracy of illustration. Moreover, it has been his intention to render these volumes a source of useful and active entertainment to young persons, and at the same time that they opened their minds to enlarged views of nature and the universe, the true methods of reasoning in philosophy, and upon the powers of man, might be pointed out; thereby teaching them to distinguish what is sound and solid from what is hollow and vain; to lead youth on the verge of manhood from a consideration of the works of God to acknowledge and reverence his power, wisdom, and goodness. The Author's aim has been, in the compilation of these volumes, to present to ingenious youth the most useful RECREATIONS in the ARTS and SCI, ENCES. This idea suggests at once that his "UNIVERSAL SCIENCE," ought to be considered as a PRESENTATION BOOK for youth who are somewhat advanced in their studies; and which may be advantageously put into their hands while finishing their education, or given away as a prize at school, or a Christmas present. In this light it may be conceived as adapted to either sex. Nor should its applicability be overlooked, to refresh the memory or instruct the mind of adults, who may have partially, or at an earlier period, studied the subjects of which it treats. Conscious that his intentions have been sincere, and his motives pure, to advance science, to promote truth, happiness, order, and peace, the Author trusts to receive the approbation of those he has attempted to instruct, and the indulgence of those who are better judges than himself of Philosophy, Science, and the Arts. Natural Bridge of Angaraez, South America.. Causes of the Crystalline Forms of Minerals. ........ Formation of Strata at the Bottom of the Ocean. Account of the Mammoth, or fossil Elephant, found in the Ice at the Mouth of the River Lena, in Si. beria Porousness of Bath Free Stone....... Excavation in a Rock near Nottingham.... Living Lizard found imbedded in a Seam of Coal. Clouds, 84.-Rain, 85.-Of Dew, 87.-Of Fogs, ib. ..... II. Meteorological Phenomena Aerial Vortex cabo...... ......... ............... .............. Showers of Red Snow and Rain which fell in Italy. Meteoric Stone which fell near Chantonnay in France 96 Asiatic Aërolite.... |