Curiosities of Science, Past and Present / A Book for Old and Young

“There have been in the history of Art, four grand styles of imitating Nature—Tempera, Encaustic, Fresco, and Oil. These, together with the minor modes of Painting, we propose arranging in something like chronological sequence; but our design being to offer an explanation of the Art derived from practical acquaintance, rather than attempt to give its history, we shall confine ourselves for the most part to so much only of the History of Painting as is necessary to elucidate the origin of the different practices which have obtained at different periods.”
By this means, the Authors hope to produce a work which may be valuable to the Amateur, and interesting to the Connoisseur, the Artist, and the General Reader.

LONDON:
KENT & CO. (late Bogue), FLEET STREET.

MOUTH OF THE GREAT ROSSE TELESCOPE, AT PARSONSTOWN.

FROM A PHOTOGRAPH.

Things not generally Known
Familiarly Explained.

CURIOSITIES OF SCIENCE,
Past and Present.
A BOOK FOR OLD AND YOUNG.

By JOHN TIMBS, F.S.A.

AUTHOR OF THINGS NOT GENERALLY KNOWN; AND EDITOR OF THE
YEAR-BOOK OF FACTS.

Model of the Safety-Lamp, made by Sir Humphry Davy’s own hands;
in the possession of the Royal Society.

LONDON:
KENT AND CO. (late BOGUE), FLEET STREET.
MDCCCLVIII.

The Author reserves the right of authorising a Translation of this Work.

LONDON:
PRINTED BY LEVEY, ROBSON, AND FRANKLYN,
Great New Street and Fetter Lane.

Gentle Reader,

The volume of “Curiosities” which I here present to your notice is a portion of the result of a long course of reading, observation, and research, necessary for the compilation of thirty volumes of “Arcana of Science” and “Year-Book of Facts,” published from 1828 to 1858. Throughout this period—nearly half of the Psalmist’s “days of our years”—I have been blessed with health and strength to produce these volumes, year by year (with one exception), upon the appointed day; and this with unbroken attention to periodical duties, frequently rendered harassing or ungenial. Nevertheless, during these three decades I have found my account in the increasing approbation of the reading public, which has been so largely extended to the series of “Things not generally Known,” of which the present volume of “Curiosities of Science” is an instalment. I need scarcely add, that in its progressive preparation I have endeavoured to compare, weigh, and consider, the contents, so as to combine the experience of the Past with the advantages of the Present.

In these days of universal attainments, when Science becomes not merely a luxury to the rich, but bread to the poor, and when the very amusements as well as the conveniences of life have taken a scientific colour, it is reasonable to hope that the present volume may be acceptable to a large class of seekers after “things not generally known.” For this purpose, I have aimed at soundness as well as popularity; although, for myself, I can claim little beyond being one of those industrious “ants of science” who garner facts, and by selection and comparison adapt them for a wider circle of readers than they were originally expected to reach. In each case, as far as possible, these “Curiosities” bear the mint-mark of authority; and in the living list are prominent the names of Humboldt and Herschel, Airy and Whewell, Faraday, Brewster, Owen, and Agassiz, Maury, Wheatstone, and Hunt, from whose writings and researches the following pages are frequently enriched.

The sciences here illustrated are, in the main, Astronomy and Meteorology; Geology and Paleontology; Physical Geography; Sound, Light, and Heat; Magnetism and Electricity,—the latter with special attention to the great marvel of our times, the Electro-magnetic Telegraph. I hope, at no very distant period, to extend the “Curiosities” to another volume, to include branches of Natural and Experimental Science which are not here presented.

I. T.

November 1858.

Clyx.com

CURIOSITIES OF SCIENCE, Past and Present. A BOOK FOR OLD AND YOUNG.

CURIOSITIES OF SCIENCE,
Past and Present.
A BOOK FOR OLD AND YOUNG.