Sight and Touch. An Attempt to Disprove the Received Theory
of Vision. By T. K. Abbott, M.A., Fellow and Tutor of Trinity College, Dublin. (Longman and Co.)—A bold repetition of Mr. S. Bailey's attempt to overthrow Bishop Berkeley's famous theory. Mr. Abbott is certainly a reasoner of no mean powers, and expresses himself through- out with temper and moderation. His book deserves perusal from any one who takes an interest in a question small in compass but of the utmost philosophical importance. Without entering into the controversy, we may say that Mr. Abbott has perhaps been induced to re-open it by the conviction, which he expresses, that Berkeley's theory is "the stronghold of scepticism." A man is easily convinced of the truth of a position which he desires to maintain. For ourselves, we do not share Mr. Abbott's faith in consciousness as the ultimate court of philoso- phical appeal. The Bench is a very largo ono, and the members of it can so seldom agree.
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