OPINIONS OF THE PRESS.
‘The present little work, which is specially addressed to children, is written in so pleasant and easy a style, and its descriptions of life on the earth are on the whole so simple and accurate, that we can heartily recommend it to the attention of those who seek such a guide. The illustrations are good, and the general appearance of the book such that it may compare most favourably with other primers of geology.’
Geological Magazine.
‘Written in clear and simple style, especially attractive to children. It includes an account of pre-historic man, and shows in many other ways that the writer is familiar with some of the latest phases of geological thought.’
Academy.
‘The avowed object of this charming little book is to place the results of these researches within the grasp of children, by presenting them in language at once clear, simple, and winning.... In this hard task Mr. Nicols has succeeded admirably, without resorting to that base subterfuge—the attempt to clothe instruction in the guise of fiction.... This is true education, for it teaches children first to observe and then to reason.... Though the style of this delightful book is simple and childlike, it is as far as possible removed from being childish.’
Pall Mall Gazette.
‘The language is plain, the descriptions are lucid, the illustrations apt, and the broad facts of the science are very correctly stated. The work, too, is free from all attempts at fine writing.... We wish the book success as at any rate an attempt to lay before the young fact instead of fiction.’
Quarterly Journal of Science.
‘The book is a successful attempt to explain the simplest facts of geology, and of the succession of life on the earth.’
Westminster Review.
‘The idea is a happy one, and will recommend itself to children; and we are bound to say that Mr. Nicols has carried out his idea remarkably well, and produced a work which will do much to spread sound notions upon the gradual development of our earth and its inhabitants to the condition in which we now see them.... We can safely recommend Mr. Nicols’ little book as one that will have a most beneficial effect in opening the minds of its young readers.’
Popular Science Review.
‘This is a good little book, cleverly written by an able geologist, and well adapted for children. We can recommend the volume as a present to any intelligent boy or girl.’
Lancet.
‘This book appears to be, in style, language, and scope, eminently adapted for its purpose, which is to awaken among the little folks an interest “in the history of life upon the earth,” and “give them the taste for more extended study in after years.”’
Illustrated London News.
‘“Though these pages are designed for young persons,” says the Author, “other readers, perhaps, who are not familiar with the subject, may find some interest in them, if they are not deterred by the necessarily simple style,”—which, we venture to say, they most assuredly will not be.... To many grown persons, therefore, as well as their descendants, will this book be a great boon, which, if they are at all liberal-minded, they will advocate as well as appreciate.... Like the Science Primers of Professors Huxley, Roscoe, Balfour Stewart, &c., if duly read and weighed, it will tend to unravel and sweep away a deal of baneful superstition.’
Land and Water.
‘That Mr. Nicols has succeeded in the object he proposed to himself may be safely affirmed. He has done his work briefly and lucidly, and has produced a book capable of arresting the attention, not only of children, but of those from whom they receive their earlier lessons.’
The Country.
‘A perfect “Open Sesame” for young scientific students, and so cleverly composed as to make students of those who are not scientific: not merely the young, but older people too. Mr. Nicols thoroughly understands his work.’
Notes and Queries.
‘Easily and attractively written for young people.... The treatment of so wide a subject, and the condensing it into a volume of 150 pages is no light task. We can, however, congratulate Mr. Nicols upon having accomplished it in so judicious, perhaps, better still, so suggestive a manner; and we have no doubt that his little book will become a well-worn favourite in the hands of all thoughtful and intelligent children who may be so fortunate as to possess it.’
Engineer.
‘The manner in which the pieces of the puzzle—fossils—are found, put together, and interpreted, is related in language readily understood by children; the description of the vegetable, animal, and human parts being peculiarly interesting. The illustrations are the best of the kind with which we are acquainted.... We strongly recommend it.’
Schoolmaster.
‘It is the puzzle as to the history of life on the earth unravelled in a manner to interest and enlighten the minds, and to develop the observing and reflecting faculties of children.... The results of costly and laborious investigations in many different branches of science are concentrated in these free and easy lessons or colloquial lectures to young children.... Calculated to arouse an interest in all but the dullest and most indifferent juvenile minds.... Will be found invaluable to teachers and a great help in the rational cultivation of the intelligence of the rising generation.’
School Board Chronicle.
‘The statement of these facts, though made with all the sobriety due to a scientific discourse, has all the interest of a story for the young; and the narrative, if we mistake not, will interest other readers than those for whom it is primarily written. A word of commendation must be given to the illustrations, which are exceedingly well drawn.’
Educational Times.
‘To place the “simple truths of science” in rivalry with fairy tales and merry picture-books is not so hopeless as at first sight may seem; and certainly the simple, attractive style in which the marvels of the physical world are here set out must not only interest, but charm every bright child of eager intellect. Simplicity is observed to the utmost, but it is the simplicity of truth, so that the child is not interested at the expense of having afterwards to unlearn what he has read or listened to.’
Liverpool Weekly Albion.
‘Mr. Arthur Nicols has attempted a task which at first sight seems extremely difficult, but which he has successfully achieved.... Children can scarcely help understanding and being interested in the wonderful story of the earth’s crust, and of past organic life upon it, which he unfolds. There is nothing childish about his style, yet he writes with perfect simplicity.... A better book to put into the hands of thoughtful children, or for use as a text-book by persons engaged in the private tuition of the young, it would be difficult to find.’
The Scotsman.
‘Facts are stranger than any fancies which emanate from the writers of even fairy tales, and when they can be brought home to youthful students by ocular demonstrations the facts are invariably preferred to the fancies.... The illustrations which adorn the book are well drawn, and sufficiently numerous for the purpose.... The Author is a genial and reliable guide to a solution of the puzzle of life.’
English Mechanic.
London, LONGMANS & CO.