John Dalton and the Rise of Modern Chemistry. By Sir
H. E. Roscoe. (Cassell and Co.)—No one is better fitted to estimate the work of Dalton than Sir H. Roscoe. Doing this with characteristic aptitude in this volume, he adds a sympathetic sketch of the man's character,—of its excellencies and its limita- tions. Lord Playfair tells an amusing story of his later days. Dr. Playfair, as he then was, had sent him a pamphlet containing two lectures on agriculture, and received in return a message asking him what was its pecuniary value. On being informed that it was a shilling, Dalton said that he had intended to give him all his works, but could not exchange more than thirty- shillings' worth for a one-shilling present. Playfair must send a priced list of all he had written. This was done, the amount being thirteen shillings. Dalton's works were sent, but with a request for the balance of seventeen shillings. It must be remembered that his mind was then failing. When he was him- self, he was frugal but not mean.
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