Life as an Engineer. By J. W. C. Haldane. (E.
and F. N. Spon. 5s. net.)—This volume would make an excellent present for a lad with a taste for mechanics, or for a young man thinking of an engineer's occupation. The " Lights, Shades, and Prospects " of the profession form part of the subject. The reader learns something not only of the marvels of machinery, such as the feat of shearing a steel locomotive axle, but of the likelihood of earning a living in this particular line. One word of caution we may quote. Let parents be quite sure whether the opening that a hopeful may seem to have secured is not really a cul de sac (v. p. 78). The author has given an autobiographical form to his book, relating his experiences at various great centres of industry, as at Glasgow and at Birkenhead. Wherever he has been, he seems to have observed to good purpose. The writer of this notice must own that, not having any special concern in the subject, much the most interesting passage of the book to him is Mr. Haldane's idea of the duties of a scientific witness. There is a quite admirable naivete about it. Other witnesses are bound to " tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth." The scientific witness represents a client whom "he is expected to favour and protect in every possible and legitimate way." " Whatever evidence he gives may either make or mar the interests "—of the public ? certainly not—" the interest he represents,"—i.e., of his client. " He will be exposed to a great many hard questions, which he can answer most confidently, so long as they are in his client's favour, but, at the same time, be reserved on points which are not to his advantage." How about "the whole truth " ?
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