Leisure Readings. By Edward Clodd, Andrew Wilson, and others. (Wyman
and Sons.)—This volume contains a number of interesting essays,-originally published in the new journal, Knowledge, supple- mented sometimes by the correspondence which their appearance called forth. Mr. Proctor explains what he said about the comet which was to put an end to the earth. As a pointed reference is made here to the Spectator, we may quote again Mr. Proctor's words : —"Without saying that I consider there is an absolute danger of a similar outburst in the case of our own Sun, when the comet of 1843 shall be absorbed by him (a result which will, in my opinion, most certainly take place), I will go so far as to express my belief that, if ever the day is to come when 'the heavens shall dissolve with fervent heat,' the cause of the catastrophe will be the downfall of some great comet on the Sun." This is not a prediction, but it is certainly a suggestion ; and in its context it was something more. We never exaggerated in the least Mr. Proctor's statement. Among other papers is one by Mr. Clodd, on " The Antiquity of Man in Western Europe ;" a very amusing account, explained by illustra- tions, of common optical illusions, by Mr. Proctor ; another essay, by the same writer, on "Betting and Mathematics ;" and a skit which those who, like the present writer, have suffered many things from the solar-myth theory, will appreciate, " Nature Myths in Nursery Rhymes."
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