IN THE MASTERTON LIBRARY.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXX, Issue 8480, 6 July 1907, Page 5

IN THE MASTERTON LIBRARY.

(Specially Written for the Wairarapa Age). No. VIII.-THE STORY SERIES. The mere mention of science conjures up in the minds of most people an appalling array of long scientific names and formidable mathematical formulae. If the question is of astronomy a vision of abstruse calculations and sheets of figures obtrudes itself, if of optics, of angles, algebraical symbols ana complicated diagrams, if of physiology, of jaw-dislo-cating and repellant scientific terms,. and so on. Or it may be that the aesthetic sense is offended,and chemistry suggests weird smells and dirty fingers,electricity darkened rooms and uncanny manifestations, zoology slimy and creeping things, and so on. But this should not be. Scientific subjects may, in capable hands, be treated in comparatively simple language and made interesting and intelligible to the general publicMany years ago a series of scientificlectures was delivered in Manchester to audiences composed largely of working people. A number of the leading scientists of the day lectured on various scientific topics to enormous crowds. The lectures were followed with the closest and most appreciative attention. It was evident that the imagination of the audiences was quickened and it was. clearly demonstrated that, not only might the general principles of science be explained in a popular form, but that once the people grasped them they experienced an earnest desire to know more of the subjects treated of. Again, most people confuse the question of the evidence in support of scientific truths with' those truths themselves. Most of those of us who are acquainted with the general principles of science have neither the time, the inclination, nor the capacity to examine into the evidence upon which these principles depend. We must take them for granted upon the word of those whose knowledge, genius and researches entitled them to draw the conclusions which they have stated for us. No man can justly call himself a thoroughly educated man who is unacquainted with the general principles of the various branches of science. Everyone of average capacity can. with comparatively little trouble, master these principles, but only those who have what may be termed a »"scientific bent," are capable of prosecuting their studies beyond this; whilst original research requires exceptional ability, opportunities, and a whole-hearted devotion to the particular branch of science selected. Now, in the Story Series we have just such a series of books as should eminently appeal to the general reader. No preliminary course of study, or previous knowledge of the subjects, is necessary. Written in simple, homely language, practically devoid of technical terms, short and pithy, and yet .pregnant with material for Eerious thought, they should be read by everyone whose soul is able to soar above the petty,, the sordid, and the vain thingsof hie. The series embraces a wide range of topics, of which the following are examples:—"Physiology," "Chemical Elements," '/Atoms," "Primitive Man," "Eclipses," "The Earth," "The Weather," "The Atmosphere," "Stars," "Life's Mechanics," "The Solar System," "Life in the. Seas," "The Mind," "Fish Life," "A Grain of Wheat," etc., and included are some topics which, perhaps, would not be classed as strictly scientific, and which are discussed under such headings as "Music" "Alchemy" "The Empire," "Extinct Civilizations of the East and West," "Rapid Ti'ansit," '"Books." "Religions," etc. With such a varied assortment to select from even the least imaginative should surely find s«mething to interest them. It is a melancholy fact that most people do not think, at least, further than is necessary to enable them to supply their wants and secure the means of ministering to their amusement. "What the greatest thinkers think to day," says a scientific writer, "the mass of thinkers will think to-morrow, and the great army of non-thinkers will accept as self-evident the day after." "The great army of non-thinkers!" What a significant phrase! What a satirejon the highest product of evolution! How much more rapidly would the world advance, how much more enlightened, and, therefore, presumably, happier would the world become if this great army could be induced to take a more intelligent interest in the marvels of Naturte with which they are surrounded, especially in that, to them, unknown world which the appliances of modern science at their disposal are in some measure able to reveal. Can anything be conceived more calculated to assist man to realize his place in the Universe than the secrets which Nature has disclosed to the votaries of science, and which, to a la r ge extent, all who will take the trouble to learn may know. Some 150 years ago a strange comet suddenly appeared in the heavens, and after a brief period disappeared into the unknown. Watchful scientists had, however, noted its course, its time of appearance and disappearance, and other details, and after long and most astoundingly elaborate calculations, one of them—the great Halley—predicted that-at a certain date, at ,a certain hour, minute and second, 75 years thence, the comet would reappear at a certain spot in the sky. The years rolled on until at the appointed time a group of scientists pointing their telescopes at the indicated place were amazed to see the comet suddenly reappear, having completed its course through the unthinkable abysses of space! What a triumph for science! Where can we point to anything which furnishes stronger testimony to the capacity—the sublimity of the human understanding than this? On the other hand can anything impress us in like degree with a sense of our helplessness, our utter insignificance than the suggestion science offers us of the infinities of time and space. It is not to be expected, of course, that any radical change can be effected in the literary taste of the middleagcd or the elderly, but much may be done for those whose tastes have not been corrupted by the literary pablum dispensed under the guise of the modern novel, and to the notice of these the fascinating and instructive story series is earnestly commended.