2 APRIL 1836, Page 19

The object of Mr. MUDIE'S Astronomy for Schools, Families, and

Private Learners, is to furnish an outline and general view of the .cience, of so clear and popular a kind that any one who can read the book shall be able to comprehend it, and either ac- quire a sufficient knowledge of astronomy for common purposes, or be in a fit condition to study more elaborate works with pleasure and profit. Looking at the abstruse nature of the subject, and the mathematical mind which it requires satisfactorily to follow out the simplest diagrams, it cannot be expected that Mr. Mums should fully have succeeded in popularizing the heavenly science to the extent he proposed. At the same time, we have met with nothing in his little book which cannot be mastered by common ability conjoined with patience and close attention, whilst the greater part of it is plain to the meanest capacity. Indeed, of all the different volumes of this indefatigable writer which have come before us, we incline to prefer the present for distinctness of aim, fulness of matter, and clearness of expression. It is a capital in- troduction to astronomy.