C UR RENT LITERATURE • The Earth's Crust. A Handy
Outline of Geology. By David Page, F.R.S.E., F.G.S. (W. P. Nirame.)—The author's object is to "diffuse knowledge" by a "pleasant and perspicuous outline." Details are irksome to untrained minds, and are " worse than useless" to those who have not "the leisure nor necessity to acquire them." Young men, men in business, and ladies may here got information which, itnot very extensive, is accurate so far as it goes. If any one could effect this object we readily admit it is Mr. Page. This little volume of 120 12mo. pages does give a clear accurats outline of geology, but its utility in diffusing knowledge we doubt. All the classes of whom Mr. Page speaks will get nothing from it but a smattering, and though the book is accurate their knowledge will be very inaccurate. We believe that there is nothing more useless than dabbling in science, and that if a. man has not time, or, to speak more correctly, industry and perseverance enough to master details, he had better let the subject alone. Why, at all events, we would ask Mr. Page, are they worse than useless to people who have no necessity to acquire them ? The fact is, without a knowledge of details the principles of no branch of learning can bo fully grasped and the student of handy outlines can be no more than a dilettante and a sciolist. Handbooks are in their place when they are used to simplify the approaches to a difficult subject for immature minds. Grown men do not need them if they are serious, and if they are not had better not waste their time.
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