Genre:

Notes, Drollery

Subjects:

Societies, Scientific Practitioners, Geology, Commerce, Spectroscopy, Natural History, Zoology, Archaeology, Ethnology

People mentioned:

George Rolleston

    Begins by making some droll observations on the 'Report of the Earthquake Committee', including the claim that the members of this committee must 'present an Earthquake once a year'. Proceeds to give 'Hints for a few other Papers' which poke fun at the ambiguity of terms used in scientific reports. For example, suggests a paper on '"Researches on the Spectral Analysis of Stars", delivered by a Ghost at midnight at the Shades; licensed for spirits', and the '"Last Report on Drudging in the British Isles" by a Maid-of-all-Work'.