22 JANUARY 1887, Page 22

A Treatise on Nature. By the Rev. H. Collins. (F.

V. White and Co.)—Mr. Collins gives us here an elaborate argument on the doctrine of "design." He has evidently an extensive acquaintanoe with the

facts of natural history, and his book, though it will scarcely con- vince antagonists, may be read with interest and profit. It is a pity that the style is not more careful and correct. "The winds as necessary agents in the system of the atmosphere, are evident," is a specimen. We give the punctuation as it stands. The punc- tuation of the book, indeed, is simply the most astonishing that we have ever seen. Here is a sample :—" The picture, which the celestial sphere, presents to the eye, of an ordinary observer," &o. We should very much like to know whether it is the author's own, or the result of a perfect frenzy of mischief in the compositors.