SCIENCE AND LITERATURE.

Press, Volume XLVIL, Issue 7748, 31 December 1890, Page 5

SCIENCE AND LITERATURE.

[ . It is of course utterly impossible in the compass of a brief article like this to even enumerate the leading die-' coveries ia science or the chief books iv every department of literature brought to light during , the yeaiC We can only skim over the surface ia each case/ The announcement that Dr. Koch has discovered, a specific for consumption has undoubtedly been the : scientific sensation: of the year, and the process is still exciting the greatest interest, although its supposed eJßcjjcy ia now being' spoken of in more guarded terms than were first employed. We have heard much of the marvels of hypnotism, which is now. foe the first time being made the subject of earnest scientific investigation. The English? engineering world has reason to be proud of the successful opening of the Forth bridge, the mightiest structure of iron ever raised ia the world. The first electrio railway ia England has just commenced working. A new application of electricity in America — namely, for the purpose of inflicting capital punishmentproved a ; ghMtly failure. The horrid scene enacted at the KekmleH execution will probably prevent any attempt being again made to employ the , same agent for the same purpose. Mr Edison is reported to have made farther improvements in his wonderful phonograph, bat the instrument ia very alow in coming on the market. Stellar photography continues to reveal,, new wonders to the astronomer, and by its aid Mr. Russsu* of JSew South Wales, is stated to have discovered a " new uulveree " m the Magellan clouds. In the literary world the event of the year has been the publication of "In Darkest by Mr. H. M. Stanley. And yet on its appearance, the feeling of the pablie was undoubtedly one of disappointment. There were decided signs of harry ia its compoutkra. there were

' some graphic pieces of description, land the story of the sufferlings of ~ the rear - guard was a powerful piece of writing. Still there was not so much that was really I new, and above all there wasawt so much in the way of "adventures" as the public had expected. It subsequently turned out, however, that Mr. Stanley had kept back some of hie most sensational material. The brother of Major Barttelet, a member of the rear-guard, published the life and letters of the deceased officer, with a view of vindicating his memory from some implied censures contained in Mr Staitlet's book. Thereupon the leader of the expelition came out with his " revelations " concerning the alleged cruelty of Major Baettelot aud Mr Jahibsok, there have been countercharg3s of breach of faith and mercenary motives on the part of Mr. StaSlbt, j»nd hence a very deplorable quarrel, of which all the world has been talking. Naturally there has been quite a torrent of African literature of all sorts, and the tide is still flowing in upon us, Mr. Lrcky has published volumes VII. and VIII. of his great "History of England." in which he goes with great detail into the history of Ireland between 1793 and the passing of the Act of Union. Judging from the number of books of the sort published, there seems to have been a great accession of public interest in biographies and "Reminiscences." Among those published during the year Mr. Andubw Lang's " Life of Lord Iddesleigh," Mr. Fronde's v Life of Lord Beaconsfield," Mr. R. H. Hutton's "Cardinal Newman," Mr. Walter Besant's " Captain Cook," Mr Clabk Eussbll's "DamDier," "Leaves of a Life" by Mr. Montagu Williams, Q.C., • Schu man's Late Letters " and the " Reminiscences" of the veteran artist Mr. Cooper, K.&., may be mentioned. Sir G. Bowen's "Thirty-five Years of Colonial Life" has not been a great success, principally consisting, as it does, of a reprint of his despatches and letters—high-flown, but not of absorbing interest. . A more remarkable work than any of these from a psychological joint of view is the " journal of Marie Bashkirtseff." . The author was an artist who achieved considerable distinction in France,.but died of consumption at the early age of twenty-four. In her "Journal" she seems to have set down every aspiration of her heart, 6very thought, and every feeling; it; is, iv racfc, " the history of a human soul written without reserve." As may be imagined, it affords reading which at times is extremely painful as well as very absorbing. Mr. Andrew Lang has shown his versatility, not only in writing the life of Lord Iddesleigh already referred to, and " turn ing off" his usual quantum of leaders and verses, but in executing a prose translation of Theocritus, Bion and Moschue, which is very hurhly spokeu of. { Sir C. W. Dilke has again borne before toe public, this time with an able work entitled "Problems of Greater Britain," concerning which one reviewer remarked that "ie pricks the glittering bubble of Imperial federation, and scatters' to the winds- the Jt«rrary and political soapsuds of which it is compounded." Some commotion ,l»as been caused in , the - theological world by the appearance of " Lux Muudi," a sort oi sequel to "Eaaay.B and Reviews," being an attempt on the part of several eminent writers to connect High Church teaching with the " newer science" of evolution- and the newer criticism. .In poetry chief event haa been the publication of Mr. Bqowning's last poem li Assolando," and the public are await-, ing with interest Sir .Edwin Arnold's "Light of the World." In fictiou, Mr. Rudtard Kipling's short stories, which he certainly tells with remarkable piotureaqueuesa and power, seem to have had the chief vogue. A marked success was aleo achieved by an Australian wofK, "The Miner's Right," by Rolp Boldrewood, which was speedily followed by other books from the same pen. Mr.- Gequqe Meredith .ie giving us "-One of the Conquerors,"and Mr. Christie Murray, having completed: ''John Vale'a Guardian," one of his capital delineations of rustic "life, is publishing in serial fornv in conjunction with Mr. Herman, " He: Fell Among Thieves," now innning in the Weekly Press. FrornTMr. James Payn we have Burnt Million," and the two leading American novelists/ Mr/ W. D. UoWBttS and Mr. Henry James, have given v* samples of their characteristically delicate work —the former in "A Hazard of Two Fortunes "and the latter in "A Tragic Muse." A quantity of pleasant reading, but ho great work of the first order, is the way in which the literary products of 1890 may be Bummed up..