FRANCES POWER COBBE, one of the notable women of the nineteenth century, became celebrated through her essays on scientific, ethical, and religious topics. She is at her best in her protests against the tendency shown by some scientific investigators to develop a mechanical theory of the universe. She was born at Dublin, December 4th, 1822, and during the third quarter of the century her essays held a place in English reviews scarcely less conspicuous than those of Spencer and Huxley. Among her published works are “The Hopes of the Human Race, Here and Hereafter,” “Duties of Women,” and “Hours of Work and Play.”