* * * * *

The following tractate first appeared in the form of a literary review in a supplement of the ATLAS; but two impressions of that journal having been long since exhausted, and inquiries still continuing numerous and urgent, the proprietor has granted permission for the article to be reprinted in a separate, more convenient, and perhaps enduring vehicle than that of a newspaper.

Few works of a scientific import have been published that so promptly and deeply fixed public attention as the Vestiges of Creation, or elicited more numerous replies and sharper critical analysis and disquisition. Upon so vast a question as the evolution of universal creation differences of opinion were natural and unavoidable. Many have disputed the accuracy of some of the author's facts, and the sequence and validity of his inductive inferences; but few can withhold from him the praise of a patient and intrepid spirit of inquiry, much occasional eloquence, and very considerable powers of analysis, systematic induction, arrangement and combination.

In what follows the leading objects kept in view have been—first, an expository outline of the author's facts and argument; next, of the chief reasons by which they have been impugned by Professor SEDGWICK, Professor WHEWELL, Mr. BOSANQUET, and others who have entered the lists of controversy. These arrayed, the concluding purpose fitly followed of a brief exhibition of the relative strength of the main points in issue, with their bearing on the moral and religious interests of the community.

It is the fourth and latest edition that has been submitted to investigation. In this impression the author has introduced several corrections and alterations, without, however, any infringement or mitigation of its original scope and character. More recently appeared his "Explanations," a Sequel to the "Vestiges of the Natural History of Creation;" in which the author endeavours to elucidate and strengthen his former position. This had become necessary in consequence of the number of his opponents, and the inquiry and discussion to which the original publication had given rise. Of this, also, a lengthened review was given in the ATLAS, which has been included; so that the reader will now have before him a succinct outline of a novel and interesting topic of philosophical investigation.

In the present reprint a few corrections have been made, and the illustrative table at page 34, and some other additions, introduced.

London, January 1, 1846.

op: 4em">THE ATLAS,

A General Family Newspaper and Journal of Literature.

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This Periodical, which may be justly called a Weekly CyclopÆdia of Politics, Literature, Arts, and Science, is published every Saturday afternoon, in time for the post, containing the News of Saturday.

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THE ATLAS

IS DIVIDED INTO TWO PRINCIPAL DEPARTMENTS,

NEWS AND LITERATURE,

And these are subdivided and classified with care and industry into heads of easy reference, so that each particular subject is preserved distinct and entire. The dimensions of the sheet, which folds into sixteen large quarto-sized pages, containing forty-eight columns, afford this classification facilities which few other publications possess.

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NEWS.

PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES reported on a scale of magnitude far exceeding other weekly Journals.

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The attention that is observed in the purity of language and selection of subjects, down to the minutest paragraph in the ATLAS, recommends it especially to the use of families and the guardians of youth; and the copious details it affords of Military and Naval Affairs, invest it with valuable attractions for the members of these professions, and the residents in the Colonies.

LITERATURE.

The Contributions to this department are from the pens of Professors and Gentlemen of acknowledged reputation, and are classified under the following heads:—

1.—ORIGINAL ESSAYS ON MEN AND THINGS, embodying a lively commentary on passing events and men and manners.

2.—THEATRICAL CRITICISMS upon the written and acted Drama, in which both are reviewed in a spirit of truth and perfect candour.

3.—REVIEWS of all new works of ability, with numerous extracts. Independent and free from all literary and personal prejudices, the opinions of the Reviewers in the ATLAS may be consulted with confidence in their integrity.

4.—LITERARY MEMORANDA, notes of all novelties in literature abroad and at home, and summary criticisms on all works of minor importance.

5.—MUSIC AND MUSICIANS, or scientific criticisms on vocal and instrumental performers, operas, and new music, on the Continent as well as in England, with occasional engraved illustrations.

6.—FINE ARTS, Weekly notices of pictorial exhibitions, and critical descriptions of paintings, drawings, and engravings, with commentaries on all new works of art.

7.—SCIENTIFIC NOTICES, or descriptions of improvements in Mechanics and the experimental Sciences, illustrated occasionally by diagrams, with an account of New Patents, Meteorological Tables, Proceedings of Literary and Scientific Institutions, &c.

The Literary division of the ATLAS in the various branches has formed an era in the class of publications in which it ranks; and exhibits a remarkable union of the essential features of the more elaborate Reviews, with the popular and practical objects of the General Newspaper.

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Published for the Proprietor, at the office, 6, Southampton-street, Strand, London.—Price Eight Pence. Orders received by all Newsmen throughout the Kingdom.

In one volume octavo, cloth lettered, price Five Shillings,

NATIONAL DISTRESS,

ITS CAUSES AND REMEDIES;

A Prize Essay

AS ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN "THE ATLAS."

* * * * *

By SAMUEL LAING, Esq., Jun.,

Late Fellow of St. John's, Cambridge.

* * * * *

PART I.

Chap. I.—General Considerations—Absence of the usual Historical
Symptoms of National Decline—Definition of the Evils which Threaten
Society.

Chap. II.—Official Pauperism and Unrecognised Destitution—Evidence respecting the Condition of the Lower Classes in Large Towns.

Chap. III.—Extent of Destitution in Large Towns—Condition of Hand-loom
Weavers and other Classes of Unskilled Manufacturing Operatives.

Chap. IV.—Condition of Class of Agricultural Labourers.

Chap. V.—Condition of Classes of Labouring Population employed in
Mines, Fisheries, Canals, Railways, &c.

Chap. VI.—Condition of Classes Superior to Common Labourers—General
View of Society in Great Britain.

PART II.

Chap. I.—General Views—Modern Theories of Society—Effect and
Paramount Importance of Moral Causes.

Chap. II.—Economical Causes—Population—Theory of Malthus.

Chap. III.—Economical Causes, continued—Revolution in the Course of
Industry effected by Machinery—Extension of Manufactures—Factory
System, &c.

Chap. IV.—Foreign Competition.

PART III.

Chap. I.—Free Trade, Corn Laws.

Chap. II.—Free Trade, continued—New Tariff, Provisions, Sugar, &c.
Reciprocity System—Commercial Treaties.

Chap. III.—Taxation.

Chap. IV.—Currency and Banking.

Chap. V.—Emigration.

Chap. VI.—Poor Laws.

Chap. VII.—Sanitary and Building Regulations, &c.

Chap. VIII.—Education.

Chap. IX.—Conclusion.

* * * * *

LONDON:

Published by Longman and Co.; Simpkin and Marshall; And Whittaker and
Co.

also,

At the Atlas Office, 6, Southampton-street, Strand.

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