Katechismus der Meteorologie Dritte Auflage, gänzlich umgearbeitet

Abstract

THE object of the author of this little book is to present as briefly and intelligently as possible the fundamental principles of meteorology, in a manner which will enable the public to form for themselves an independent judgment on the meteorological conditions prevalent at the moment, and to make the knowledge so obtained available for the purposes of daily life. The author, who is well and favourably known as a popular writer on meteorology by his Lehrbuch, thinks that this eminently practical object can be best effected by placing his information in a catechetical form; a method of conveying instruction which appears to find great favour in Germany. This particular work is already in its third edition, and is the sixtieth of a series which in its entirety probably comprises more than twice that number of works devoted to the culture of science, art, and industry, and all forming part of the “Illustrierte Katechismen.” This form, however, is not one that commends itself generally to the writers of English text-books, at least in modern times. It is believed that the fascinating style of the ingenious Miss Mangnall endeared her writings to an earlier generation, but the peculiar form of which she was so admirable an exponent has not found many imitators. But the case seems to be different in Germany, to judge by the number of works and editions in this catechetical series, to which we have referred The author contends that the form of the work is suitable, and in his recent revision he has preferred to retain it. But if the questions in a slightly altered shape were made to fill the place of marginal notes, and the information were presented in a continuous readable form, it would, to an English eye at least, be preferable to that adopted, which has all the appearance of a collection of conundrums without their interest. But apart from this question of form, there are two reasons why we are inclined to dissent from the judgment of the author. Meteorology has hardly crystallised into that definite shape in which a cut and dry answer can be given to every definite question. The author seems to take some praise to himself that every hypothesis has been most carefully excluded. But this is a very doubtful merit. It has the immediate effect of excluding much that gives a charm and interest to the study, and without a knowledge of which one can hardly be said to be instructed in meteorology. Working hypotheses, recognised as such, have a distinct value, especially in a science where much is, of necessity, tentative and experimental. The other objection which might be urged against the style arises from the fact that, in the present instance at least, it does not lend itself readily to the description of diagrams. Perhaps this explains why the book is not more profusely illustrated. It was doubtless felt that diagrams did not greatly add to the clearness of description.

Katechismus der Meteorologie. Dritte Auflage, gänzlich umgearbeitet.

Von Prof. Dr. W. J. Van Bebber. (Leipzig: J. J. Weber, 1893.)