COURSES OF STUDY.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13209, 16 February 1905, Page 10

COURSES OF STUDY.

Edited by John" M. Robertson*. Lon- ; don: Watts and Co. 8s 6d net.. (Rhvikwf.d by Dikop.xis.)

These "Courses of Study" can best bo introduced to the notice of. readers by their intellectually unflagging editor. In his introduction Mr Robertson says they "were first planned, and in part printed, 10' or 12 years ago, in a monthly journal, many of whoso readers wore wont to ask ' the editor for advice as to lines of reading on subjects which interested them. It was evident that some guidance of the hind was a commonly-felt need, and it teemed to the editor that a compilation yhicli gave it systematically, covering most fields of study with a view to the /wants of non-specialists, would -be of service to average culture." In fact, the demands were so many and the appreciation so great that the present work has been designed with intent to furnish in'a single volume such assistance as may enable the "ordinary, unlearned man' to nvail himself of the stores of knowledge which lie around him in books." It is explained that the aim of the compilation is not to provide bibliographies, or even specifications of " the best books," but simply to encourage and assist private students to acquire knowledge in all the main branches of liberal culture. Also that, "the experiment being substantially new, the choice and arrangement of subjects are tentative." The : " Courses" cover anthropology, .... mythology, hierologv (with special courses on Judaism and Christianity), mental and moral philosophy, psychology, logic, philology, sesthetics, history (in an extensive series nf special courses), political economy, sociology, histories of literatures, aiid the natural sciences. Due.mention is made of the few attempts previously entered upon to provide "guide books to books," from wliicli, however, the present work essentially differs. It would, of course, bo absurd for' one man to attempt, single-handed, an important labour of this kind. The editor has had a great deal of assistance frpm teachers and specialists, the net results filling over 500 pages, and appearing to be very well contrived for the purposes intended. It is, of course, cut of the question that anyone should be expected to read right through a vast directory of this Short of that, I have done what to hunt up particular omissions, with but moderate success. As some of tlie books I do miss are certainly of importance, I mention them, feeling certain that the editor will include them in the next edition that may be called for. It certainly staggered me somewhat to find that the department of "Anthropology" did'not include "Ethnology" and "Man: Past aud Present," by Dr A. 11. Keanc (Cambridge University Press). Ilow the widely-read editor of this great directory to., all knowledge came to overlook these works seems to me inexplicable, embodying as they do by far the best presentment of the entire subject in English, by a.mind entirely modern and wide-awake to its needs. Another book that well merits prominence in the same department, is Dr Robert. Munro's "Prehistoric Scotland" (Blackwood). " Prehistoric Problems," by this renowned authority, is cited, as also is Dr Munro's work on " Ancient Scottish Lake Dwellings," but the first-named .book should certainly have had citation. As an introduction to all Scottish history it is simply indispensable. Passing to the subject of "Invention," a somewhat noticeable jneagrcness of reference is to be found. Perhaps this may be due to the actual absence of suitable literature, but at anyrate the inclusion of Dr Otis T. Mason's "Origins of Inventions" (Contemporary Science Scries) would have supplied a very desirable clement of enrichment. It would be most unreasonable to expect that a work of this magnitude should be turned out free from a few oversights, and in alluding to the probable occurrence of such the editor says he must take the blame, but he pleads, with jus-. tice, that- he has not spared labour. As showing how some, of the courses may be taken without exacting severity, I may quote the following paragraph from among the many divisions into which the subject of zoology is split up;— j " Among the many works of naturalist travellers which afford one of the most interesting and natural ways of approaching natural history we may note the following:—Darwin, 'Voyage of tlie . Beagle'; Alfred Russel Wallace, 'Malay 'Archipelago,' 'Tropical Nature,' and 'Island Life'; 11. W. Bates, 'Naturalist on the Amazons'; T. Belt, 'Naturalist in Nicaragua'; Wyville Thomson, 'The Depths of the Sea' and 'Voyage of the ; v Challenger': H. N. Moseley, 'Naturalist on the Challenger'; S. J. Hickson, 'Naturalist on the Celebes'; Alfred !Alcock, ' Naturalist on the Indian Seas'; . R. Scmon, 'In the Australian Bush.'" If such a delightful run through ; pleasant and instructive books happily increases the reader's longing for more intimate knowledge of life's marvels, tlie advice given is still good. If, for in- ,' itance, some idea of development—development of ihe individual from the ovum— : is desired, the proccss may be readily i observed within three weeks per medium of a score of incubated eggs of the common I fowl. With the help o£ the "Elements of I Embryology," by Sir Michael Foster and Mr F. M. Balfour, this study may,- as ' the editor says, prove most instructive, especially so if the various stages are fixed and sanctioned. | For brevity I have omitted dates of I publication and publishers' names; these, however, are appended to the titles of all liooks, etc., alluded to. In a great many cases, wherever called for, brief expressions of opinion, condemnatory ■or commeudatorv, are given, the editor's re- i marks in this connection being always ' pithily expressed and to the point. To 1 any young man or woman wishing to take : up solid courses of reading the help here given should prove a valuable light by ' the way. Librarians, masters, and teachers in high and other schools, journalists, and hosts of other people should find ihe compilation of great use and,value. "Courses of Study" has met with a chorus of approving welcome from the Home press, even the London Times having "bestowed its blessing upon the enterprise," while several of the leading libraries have subscribed for a number of copies. Local readers of the riglit calibre should provide themselves 'with copies against the opening of the free! library, Dunedin.