Genre:

Abstract

Publications abstracted:

John Tyndall Tyndall, John (1820–93) DSB
Close   View the register entry >> , Fortnightly Review Fortnightly Review (1865–1900+) Waterloo Directory
Close   View the register entry >>

Subjects:

Unbelief, Imagination

People mentioned:

Thomas Carlyle Carlyle, Thomas (1795–1881) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >>

Genre:

Abstract

Publications abstracted:

Park Benjamin Benjamin, Park (1849–1922) WBI
Close   View the register entry >> , Forum Forum (1886–1900+) Waterloo Directory
Close   View the register entry >>

Subjects:

Electricity, Miracle, Technology, Light, Heat, Photography, Electromagnetism, Railways, Telegraphy

    Benjamin's 'provoking' paper, a product of the 'scientific imagination', discusses future uses of electricity. These include distant photographs that appear on a 'sensitive plate in San Francisco', but 'photographically record the event taking place in New York', railway cars that employ 'a series of electro-magnetic coils' and can reach three hundred miles an hour (33), and 'a wall-paper [...] capable of being rendered luminous by electricity, and even sufficiently warm to heat a room!' (34). Notes that miraculous electrical feats such as the 'telegraphic transmission of fac-simile writing' have 'already been achieved' (33).

Genre:

Abstract

Publications abstracted:

Arthur E Kennelly Kennelly, Arthur Edwin (1861–1939) DSB
Close   View the register entry >> , Scribner's Magazine Scribner's Magazine (1887–1900+) Waterloo Directory
Close   View the register entry >>

Subjects:

Electricity, Technology, Electromagnetism, Machinery

Genre:

Abstract

Publications abstracted:

Thomas H Huxley Huxley, Thomas Henry (1825–95) DSB
Close   View the register entry >> , Nineteenth Century Nineteenth Century (1877–1900+) Waterloo Directory
Close   View the register entry >>

Subjects:

Politics, Anthropology, Human Species

People mentioned:

Herbert Spencer, Spencer, Herbert (1820–1903) DSB
Close   View the register entry >> Jean J Rousseau Rousseau, Jean Jacques (1712–78) CBD
Close   View the register entry >>

Genre:

Abstract

Publications abstracted:

Andrew Carnegie Carnegie, Andrew (1835–1918) CBD
Close   View the register entry >> , North American Review North American Review (1815–1900+) Waterloo Directory
Close   View the register entry >>

Subjects:

Patronage, Universities, Astronomy, Observatories, Progress, Instruments, Libraries, Hospitals, Laboratories, Medical Practitioners, Gender

    Among various philanthropic suggestions, millionaires 'interested in the ennobling study of astronomy' are advised that 'the progress made in astronomical instruments and appliances is so great and continuous, that every few years a new telescope might be judiciously given to one of the observatories upon this continent' (38–39). Also 'great sums can be worthily used' for the 'founding or extension of hospitals, medical colleges, laboratories, and other institutions connected with the alleviation of human suffering, and especially with the prevention rather than the cure of human ills'. Observes that their 'employment as nurses has enlarged the sphere and influence of women', and that this class of females might provide suitable wives for senators and physicians. (39)

Genre:

Abstract

Publications abstracted:

Frances E C Willard Willard, Frances Elizabeth Caroline (1839–98) CBD
Close   View the register entry >> , Our Day Our Day (1888–94) Our Day, the Altruistic Review (1895–1900+) RLIN
Close   View the register entry >>

Subjects:

Darwinism, Sex, Socialism, Gender

    Edward Bellamy Bellamy, Edward (1850–98) CBD
Close   View the register entry >> describes his socialist plan for removing economic considerations from the mechanism of sexual selection: 'Under my system men will be chosen on their individual merit, and not because they can "support a wife"'.

Genre:

Abstract

Publications abstracted:

Anatole Leroy-Beaulieu Leroy-Beaulieu, Anatole (b. 1842) WBI
Close   View the register entry >> , Nouvelle Revue Internationale Nouvelle Revue Internationale (1888–1900+) BUCOP
Close   View the register entry >>

Subjects:

Exhibitions, Ethnology, Machinery, Engineers, Engineering, Progress

    This 'brilliant literary paper' presents several imaginary letters and journals by fictional foreign visitors to the Exposition Universelle de Paris de 1889 Exposition Universelle (1889), Paris
Close   View the register entry >>. These include a Shah for whom the 'groaning and hissing [...] machines' have been 'invented by evil spirits', and an American engineer who admires the Tour Eiffel Tour Eiffel, Paris
Close   View the register entry >>, but 'hurries home to draw up plans for constructing a tower half as high again'. (48)

Genre:

Abstract

Publications abstracted:

Minot J Savage Savage, Minot Judson (1841–1918) WBI
Close   View the register entry >> , Forum Forum (1886–1900+) Waterloo Directory
Close   View the register entry >>

Subjects:

Spiritualism, Methodology, Telegraphy

    An account of spiritual phenomena that remain 'inexplicable' even when tested 'ruthlessly' in accordance with 'the "scientific method"' (50). In one occurrence, the news of an aunt's death is conveyed via the spirit world before it is related by telegraphy, and a clear parallel is drawn between the two modes of communication.

Genre:

Abstract

Publications abstracted:

Robert G Ingersoll Ingersoll, Robert Green (1833–99) CBD
Close   View the register entry >> , North American Review North American Review (1815–1900+) Waterloo Directory
Close   View the register entry >>

Subjects:

Agnosticism, Unbelief, Scientific Naturalism

People mentioned:

Ernst H P A Haeckel, Haeckel, Ernst Heinrich Philipp August (1834–1919) DSB
Close   View the register entry >> Thomas H Huxley, Huxley, Thomas Henry (1825–95) DSB
Close   View the register entry >> John Tyndall Tyndall, John (1820–93) DSB
Close   View the register entry >>

Genre:

Review, Abstract

Publications reviewed:

Edward A Freeman Freeman, Edward Augustus (1823–92) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> , Contemporary Review Contemporary Review (1866–1900+) Waterloo Directory
Close   View the register entry >>

Subjects:

Human Species, Race, Descent

Genre:

Review, Abstract

Publications reviewed:

Charles W Vincent Vincent, Charles W () WIVP
Close   View the register entry >> , Nineteenth Century Nineteenth Century (1877–1900+) Waterloo Directory
Close   View the register entry >>

Subjects:

Electricity, Light, Fear

Genre:

Review, Abstract

Publications reviewed:

Samuel W Gould Gould, Samuel W (b. 1839) WBI
Close   View the register entry >> , Forum Forum (1886–1900+) Waterloo Directory
Close   View the register entry >>

Subjects:

Medical Treatment, Bacteriology, Public Health

Genre:

Review, Abstract

Publications reviewed:

George Westinghouse Westinghouse, George (1846–1914) WBI
Close   View the register entry >> , North American Review North American Review (1815–1900+) Waterloo Directory
Close   View the register entry >>

Subjects:

Electricity, Light

People mentioned:

Thomas A Edison Edison, Thomas Alva (1847–1931) DSB
Close   View the register entry >>

Genre:

Review, Abstract

Publications reviewed:

Our Day Our Day (1888–94) Our Day, the Altruistic Review (1895–1900+) RLIN
Close   View the register entry >>

Subjects:

Temperance

Genre:

Review, Abstract

Publications reviewed:

Emile L Victor, baron de Laveleye Laveleye, Emile Louis Victor, baron de (1822–92) WBI
Close   View the register entry >> , Antoine Saparta Saparta, Antoine () RR1/1/1b/18
Close   View the register entry >> , Revue des Deux Mondes Revue des Deux Mondes (1831–1900+) BUCOP
Close   View the register entry >>

Subjects:

Socialism, Darwinism, Sociology | Adulteration

Genre:

Abstract

Publications abstracted:

Frederic W H Myers Myers, Frederic William Henry (1843–1901) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> , Proceedings of the Society for Psychical Research Proceedings of the Society for Psychical Research (1882–1900+) Waterloo Directory
Close   View the register entry >>

Subjects:

Psychical Research, Theory, Analogy, Energy, Natural Law, Light, Electricity, Psychology

    A 'collection of well-authenticated ghost-stories' expounding the 'theory that apparitions are in reality the dreams of the dead men, and can be explained scientifically by the analogy of telepathy'. For Myers, 'a ghost is [...] a manifestation of persistent personal energy, or [...] a residue of the force or energy which the man generated while he was still alive'. At the end of his earthly life 'a man does not die altogether'. Rather, a 'certain shadowy semblance of himself lingers behind' and 'becomes visible to the eyes of mortals, as the slender filament of the incandescent lamp becomes luminous when the electricity is turned on'. Concludes that 'if Mr. Myers is right, we shall have to reconstruct the whole of our theory of personality'.

Genre:

Abstract

Publications abstracted:

Robert H Thurston Thurston, Robert Henry (1839–1903) DSB
Close   View the register entry >> , Forum Forum (1886–1900+) Waterloo Directory
Close   View the register entry >>

Subjects:

Progress, Descent, Evolution, Engineering, Transport, Telegraphy, Electricity, Manufactories, Futurism, Humanism, Light, Aeronautics

    Among the scientific advances that the future holds are a highly evolved race of men 'having a god-like intelligence of countenance' (115), a distribution of electric power that will allow a return to home-working and the breakdown of 'the present factory system' with its 'great aggregations of capital in unscrupulous hands', submarine boats that will 'insure the peace of the world', and flying machines powered by electricity (116).

Genre:

Abstract

Publications abstracted:

Jean M Charcot Charcot, Jean-Martin (1825–93) DSB
Close   View the register entry >> , Forum Forum (1886–1900+) Waterloo Directory
Close   View the register entry >>

Subjects:

Mesmerism, Photography, Supernaturalism

People mentioned:

James Braid Braid, James (1795–1860) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >>

    Charcot resists invoking a supernatural explanation for the enhanced capacities of hypnotic patients. His suggestion that 'it is possible for the mind to impress upon a blank sheet of paper a picture, visible only to the eye of the hypnotised person', if properly followed up, 'may lead us far' (117).

Genre:

Abstract

Publications abstracted:

George P Lathrop Lathrop, George Parsons (1851–98) WBI
Close   View the register entry >> , Harper's New Monthly Magazine Harper's New Monthly Magazine (1850–99) Harper's Monthly Magazine (1899–1900+) Waterloo Directory
Close   View the register entry >>

Subjects:

Electricity, Genius, Invention, Creativity, Telegraphy, Patents, Deduction, Light, Theory, Imagination, Creation, Chemistry

People mentioned:

Thomas A Edison Edison, Thomas Alva (1847–1931) DSB
Close   View the register entry >>

    Lathrop's interviews with Edison reveal details of his upbringing, working practices, and beliefs. His method of invention is to work at a theory 'till it is proved to be incorrect', and he is 'much given to dreaming' and constantly employs 'his scientific imagination'. In answer to a question on the reality of an intelligent creator, Edison replies, 'The existence of such a God can, to my mind, almost be proved from chemistry'.

Genre:

Abstract

Publications abstracted:

John W Cross Cross, John Walter (1840–1924) WBI
Close   View the register entry >> , Nineteenth Century Nineteenth Century (1877–1900+) Waterloo Directory
Close   View the register entry >>

Subjects:

Christianity, Miracle, Scientific Naturalism

    Suggests that Dante Alighieri Dante Alighieri (1265–1321) CBD
Close   View the register entry >>, 'the first Christian prophet who has given us a revelation without the pretension of any miraculous intervention', may prove 'the missing link between belief resting on theological dogmas and a coherent social faith, of which science will be the handmaiden'. In this new reformed faith, 'Men of science' will be 'regarded as the best soldiers in the ranks of the truly religious'.

Genre:

Abstract

Publications abstracted:

Lippincott's Monthly Magazine Lippincott's Monthly Magazine of Literature, Science and Education (1868–70) Lippincott's Magazine of Popular Literature and Science (1871–85) Lippincott's Monthly Magazine (1886–1900+) WaterlooDirectory
Close   View the register entry >>

Subjects:

Soul, Eschatology, Medical Treatment

Genre:

Abstract

Publications abstracted:

Thomas H Huxley Huxley, Thomas Henry (1825–95) DSB
Close   View the register entry >> , Nineteenth Century Nineteenth Century (1877–1900+) Waterloo Directory
Close   View the register entry >>

Subjects:

Controversy, Morality, Government

    Huxley's argument that the 'natural rights theory' of Jean J Rousseau Rousseau, Jean Jacques (1712–78) CBD
Close   View the register entry >> and Henry George George, Henry (1839–97) CBD
Close   View the register entry >> is 'merely reasoned savagery' and must be restrained by moral and social law is a 'specimen of lively and sprightly and sledge-hammer polemic'. This 'knock-down method of controversy suggests the thought that [Huxley's] natural vocation was the prize-ring'.

Genre:

Abstract

Publications abstracted:

Lancet Lancet (1823–1900+) Waterloo Directory
Close   View the register entry >>

Subjects:

Anaesthesia, Medical Treatment, Experiment, Vivisection

    The Hyderabad Chloroform Commission's Hyderabad Chloroform Commission
Close   View the register entry >> conclusion that 'chloroform may be given in any case requiring an operation with perfect ease and absolute safety' is 'so unexpected and so sweeping in condemnation of the hitherto accepted view' that an abstract of the report 'may be of interest outside of medical circles'.

Genre:

Review, Abstract

Publications reviewed:

Edinburgh Review Edinburgh Review (1802–1900+) Waterloo Directory
Close   View the register entry >>

Subjects:

Military Technology | Exploration, Steamships, Discovery, Heroism

Genre:

Review, Abstract

Publications reviewed:

St George J Mivart Mivart, St George Jackson (1827–1900) DSB
Close   View the register entry >> , Dublin Review Dublin Review (1836–60) Wiseman Review (1861–85) Dublin Review (1885–1900+) Waterloo Directory
Close   View the register entry >>

Subjects:

Darwinism, Christianity

Publications cited:

Wallace 1889 Wallace, Alfred Russel 1889. Darwinism: An Exposition of the Theory of Natural Selection, with Some of the Applications, London: Macmillan & Co
Close   View the register entry >>

Genre:

Review, Abstract

Publications reviewed:

Primitive Methodist Quarterly Review Primitive Methodist Quarterly Review (1879–1900+) Waterloo Directory
Close   View the register entry >>

Subjects:

Darwinism, Religion, Natural Theology

People mentioned:

Charles R Darwin Darwin, Charles Robert (1809–82) DSB
Close   View the register entry >>

Genre:

Review, Abstract

Publications reviewed:

William H Hudson Hudson, William Henry (1841–1922) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> , Nineteenth Century Nineteenth Century (1877–1900+) Waterloo Directory
Close   View the register entry >>

Subjects:

Natural History, Hunting, Extinction

Genre:

Review, Abstract

Publications reviewed:

John W Powell Powell, John Wesley (1834–1902) DSB
Close   View the register entry >> , Forum Forum (1886–1900+) Waterloo Directory
Close   View the register entry >>

Subjects:

Archaeology, Human Species

Genre:

Review, Abstract

Publications reviewed:

Camille Flammarion Flammarion, Camille (1842–1925) DSB
Close   View the register entry >> , North American Review North American Review (1815–1900+) Waterloo Directory
Close   View the register entry >>

Subjects:

Astronomy

Genre:

Review, Abstract

Publications reviewed:

G Frederick Wright Wright, George Frederick (1838–1921) DSB
Close   View the register entry >> , Scribner's Magazine Scribner's Magazine (1887–1900+) Waterloo Directory
Close   View the register entry >>

Subjects:

Ethnography | Engineers, Military Technology | Geology

People mentioned:

John Ericsson Ericsson, John (1803–89) CBD
Close   View the register entry >>

Genre:

Review, Abstract

Publications reviewed:

Camille Flammarion Flammarion, Camille (1842–1925) DSB
Close   View the register entry >> , Deutsche Rundschau Deutsche Rundschau (1874–1900+) BUCOP
Close   View the register entry >>

Subjects:

Psychical Research

Institutions mentioned:

Society for Psychical Research Society for Psychical Research
Close   View the register entry >>

Genre:

Abstract

Publications abstracted:

Anne I Ritchie Ritchie (née Thackeray), Anne Isabella, Lady (1837–1919) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> , Harper's New Monthly Magazine Harper's New Monthly Magazine (1850–99) Harper's Monthly Magazine (1899–1900+) Waterloo Directory
Close   View the register entry >>

Subjects:

Observation

    Recounts John Lubbock's Lubbock, Sir John, 4th Baronet and 1st Baron Avebury (1834–1913) DSB ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> assertion that John Ruskin Ruskin, John (1819–1900) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> had 'undoubtedly done very much more [...] for science' than Johann W von Goethe Goethe, Johann Wolfgang von (1749–1832) DSB
Close   View the register entry >>. Even 'without any pretensions to profound scientific knowledge', Ruskin had 'an extraordinary natural gift for observation, and seemed to know by instinct what to observe'.

Genre:

Abstract

Publications abstracted:

Grant Allen Allen, Grant (Charles Grant Blairfindie) (1848–99) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> , New Review New Review (1889–97) Waterloo Directory
Close   View the register entry >>

Subjects:

Periodicals, Hypothesis, Evolution, Botany, Zoology

    Notes that Allen, 'the most indefatigable of all mags-men', has been spreading his journalistic talents too thinly. The only current article 'worthy of his reputation' propounds 'a hypothesis as to the way in which animals were evolved from plants'.

Genre:

Abstract, Extract

Publications abstracted:

Mark S Bell Bell, Mark Sever (1843–1906) WBI
Close   View the register entry >> , Proceedings of the Royal Geographical Society Proceedings of the Royal Geographical Society (1855–92) Geographical Journal, including Proceedings of the Royal Geographical Society (1893–1900+) Waterloo Directory
Close   View the register entry >>

Subjects:

Ethnography, Imperialism

Institutions mentioned:

Royal Geographical Society Royal Geographical Society
Close   View the register entry >>

Genre:

Abstract

Publications abstracted:

Annie Besant Besant (née Wood), Annie (1847–1933) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> , Universal Review Universal Review (1888–94) Waterloo Directory
Close   View the register entry >>

Subjects:

Mesmerism, Animal Magnetism, Light, Force, Soul

    When hypnotised a subject's bodily powers are pacified allowing the more powerful Inner Self to reveal itself as a light 'called Odic force'. Because perception is always based upon sensation, the force vibrations produced by the Inner Self may become visible to people with 'abnormally sharpened senses'.

Genre:

Abstract

Publications abstracted:

Emilio Castelar Castelar, Emilio (Emilio Castelar y Ripoll) (1832–99) WBI
Close   View the register entry >> , Nouvelle Revue Internationale Nouvelle Revue Internationale (1888–1900+) BUCOP
Close   View the register entry >>

Subjects:

Analogy, Natural History, Natural Law, Human Species

    In the natural world 'Equality is the general law, inequality the particular exception'. For example, 'When you know one insect you know all of its species'. This 'clever argumentative' article, although yielding the 'rational to the splendid', locates the question of equal suffrage within the 'one eternal harmony' of the universe.

Genre:

Abstract, Extract

Publications abstracted:

James T Knowles Knowles, Sir James Thomas (1831–1908) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> , English Illustrated Magazine English Illustrated Magazine (1883–1900+) Waterloo Directory
Close   View the register entry >> , Chamber's Journal of Popular Literature, Science and Arts Chamber's Edinburgh Journal (1832–53) Chambers's Journal of Popular Literature, Science and Arts (1854–97) Chamber's Journal (1898–1900+) Waterloo Directory
Close   View the register entry >> , Hardwicke D Rawnsley Rawnsley, Hardwicke Drummond (1851–1920) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> , Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine Edinburgh Monthly Magazine (1817) Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine (1817–1900+) Waterloo Directory
Close   View the register entry >> , Industries Industries (1886–1900+) Waterloo Directory
Close   View the register entry >>

Relevant illustrations:

wdct.

Subjects:

Engineering, Engineers

    Digest of various articles, as well as a sonnet, celebrating the 'greatest engineering achievement of our time' (203)

Genre:

Abstract

Publications abstracted:

Albert Shaw Shaw, Albert (1857–1947) WBI
Close   View the register entry >> , Century Magazine Century (1871–77) Scribner's Monthly (1877–81) Century Magazine (1881–1900+) Waterloo Directory
Close   View the register entry >>

Subjects:

Socialism, Industry, Transport, Light

Genre:

Abstract

Publications abstracted:

Light Light (1881–1900+) Waterloo Directory
Close   View the register entry >>

Subjects:

Spiritualism, Monographs, Reading, Periodicals

    Annotated list of books appropriate for a spiritualist's library. Notes that 'of some half dozen journals appearing regularly in all parts of the world to chronicle the phenomena and defend the doctrines of spiritualism [...] Light is the best'.

Genre:

Abstract

Publications abstracted:

William R Thayer Thayer, William Roscoe (1859–1923) WBI
Close   View the register entry >> , Atlantic Monthly Magazine Atlantic Monthly Magazine (1857–1900+) Waterloo Directory
Close   View the register entry >>

Subjects:

Christianity, Rationalism, Heterodoxy

    Many conflicting verdicts have been passed on Giordano Bruno Bruno, Giordano (1548–1600) DSB
Close   View the register entry >>, but for the nineteenth century 'when the growing bulk of rationalism casts a pessimistic shadow over so many hopes, it is encouraging to know that the rationalist Bruno saw no reason for despair'. Nevertheless, he is still regarded by the Vatican as 'devil-possessed' and if Popes were as influential as they were in Bruno's day 'they would have found reason enough to burn Mill Mill, John Stuart (1806–73) DSB
Close   View the register entry >> and Darwin Darwin, Charles Robert (1809–82) DSB
Close   View the register entry >>'.

Genre:

Review, Abstract

Publications reviewed:

William L Courtney Courtney, William Leonard (1850–1928) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> , Albert J Mott Mott, Albert Julius (fl. 1870) WBI
Close   View the register entry >> , National Review National Review (1883–1900+) Sullivan 1984
Close   View the register entry >>

Subjects:

Psychology, Phrenology, Physiology, Gender | Darwinism, Materialism, Soul, Instinct, Religion, Neurology

Publications cited:

Wallace 1889 Wallace, Alfred Russel 1889. Darwinism: An Exposition of the Theory of Natural Selection, with Some of the Applications, London: Macmillan & Co
Close   View the register entry >>

Genre:

Review, Abstract

Publications reviewed:

Frederick Greenwood Greenwood, Frederick (1830–1909) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> , New Review New Review (1889–97) Waterloo Directory
Close   View the register entry >>

Subjects:

Evolution, Human Species, Morality, Humanism

Genre:

Review, Abstract

Publications reviewed:

George Fleming Fleming, George (1833–1901) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> , Prince Peter Kropotkin Kropotkin, Prince Peter (1842–1921) CBD
Close   View the register entry >> , Harvey Goodwin Goodwin, Harvey (1818–91) ODNB
Close   View the register entry >> , Nineteenth Century Nineteenth Century (1877–1900+) Waterloo Directory
Close   View the register entry >>

Subjects:

Disease | Education | Darwinism, Design

Genre:

Review, Abstract

Publications reviewed:

John W Powell Powell, John Wesley (1834–1902) DSB
Close   View the register entry >> , Forum Forum (1886–1900+) Waterloo Directory
Close   View the register entry >>

Subjects:

Archaeology, Human Species

Genre:

Review, Abstract

Publications reviewed:

William Thomson Thomson, Sir William (Baron Kelvin of Largs) (1824–1907) DSB
Close   View the register entry >> , North American Review North American Review (1815–1900+) Waterloo Directory
Close   View the register entry >>

Subjects:

Electricity, Light, Fear

See also:

Anon, 'The Regulation of Electric Lighting', Review of Reviews, 1 (1890), 304

Genre:

Review, Abstract

Publications reviewed:

Horatio C Wood Wood, Horatio Charles (1841–1920) DSB
Close   View the register entry >> , Century Magazine Century (1871–77) Scribner's Monthly (1877–81) Century Magazine (1881–1900+) Waterloo Directory
Close   View the register entry >>

Subjects:

Psychology, Sound, Analogy

Genre:

Review, Abstract

Publications reviewed:

Prof. Hensoldt