16. History of Modern Philosophy. By Kuno Fischer. Descartes and his School. Translated from the Third and Revised German Edition, by J. P. Gordy, Ph.D., Professor of Pedagogics in Ohio University. Edited by Noah Porter, D.D., LL.D. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons. 1887. 8vo pp. xvi,, 589. $3.50.

This is the first of two volumes by Professor Fischer on Descartes and his school, including Spinoza, for the use of English readers. As set forth in the title, it is from the third and thoroughly revised German edition. Dr. Gordy's translation is exact and faithful, preserving to us in English dress, the thought of the great German philosopher. Porter well says of the author:

Dr.

"Though he is by no means removed from criticism or controversy in respect to the interpretation which he gives of the writers and schools which he encounters, and in the positive and pronounced estimates which he does not hesitate to give of their leading positions, he is uniformly clear and spirited and exhaustive. He is also popular in the best sense of the term, being neither technical nor abstract beyond the necessities imposed by his theme, and connecting with the thorough and masterly discussion of schools and opinions as much of personal and general historic interest as could be expected or desired. For these reasons his history is, perhaps, more readable than any other, and is uniformly confessed by competent critics, whether friendly or otherwise, to be eminently attractive and exciting to the general student."

The volume before us opens with an introduction to the history of modern philosophy, in which a few pages are given to a brief survey of ancient and medieval theories, with their leading characteristics of thought, and to a showing of the manner in which the Renaissance and the Reformation prepared the way for the beginnings of modern modes of thought in Bacon and Descartes. But as this part of the work is wholly devoted to the early history of transcendentalism, Bacon and his followers in the experiential school are not here dealt with. The life of Descartes is sketched at length, and the biography is intensely interesting. The philosopher is brought before us in his early youth, and we note the several steps in the progress of his desire for knowledge, until it leads him to withdraw from the busy world of affairs for which he seemed so fully equipped, and to sacrifice everything for that outward quiet which should give his mind assurance of uninterrupted opportunity for study. Endeavoring by the most searching self-examination to rid himself of self deception, Descartes sought for the principle of certitude on which all human knowledge rests, and found it at last in the immediate knowledge we possess of our own being and our own thought, As to things outside ourselves we have, he taught, no immediate knowledge whatever. In thus teaching he gave to modern philosophy its still cherished basis of certitude; but at the same time opened the door for mere idealism and scepticism. His definition of substance as that which can exist and be known independent of anything else, also opened the way for Spinoza's theory of pantheism.

In the exposition of Descartes' doctrines Professor Fischer shows the clear relation of the former to the philosophy of our own time. This is by far the most important portion of the book. And while the development of Descartes' philosophy, as under the treatment given it by Geulinex and Melebranche it branches off to the peculiarities of Berkeley, on the one hand, and of Spinoza on the other, is brief, it is clear; his criticisms are valuable, even though we are sometimes compelled to dissent from his conclusions; and we rise from a necessarily hasty reading with a strong desire to return at once to the pages and give them closer attention and more thorough study. We commend the volume not only to the general reader, who will find it full of suggestive information, but also to the specialist in philosophical studies, who will greatly enjoy its clearness of analysis of the wonderful Cartesian theory.

17. Introduction to Psychological Theory. By Borden P. Bowne, Professor of Philosophy in Boston University, Author of "Metaphysics." New York: Harper & Brothers. 1887. 8vo. pp. xiii., 329.

Professor Bowne is too modest in his claim that this work is an "Introduction" only, to "Psychological Theory," because "it does not go into the details of the literature of the subject; " for while it is true that no just appreciation of conflicting theories can be complete until we possess some knowledge of what those theories claim as their basis, it is equally true that a discussion of the "principles," on which psychology is founded, presupposes and necessitates previous acquaintance with what psychology claims to be and to establish. The work before us might, therefore, with greater propriety be called a book for advanced students of this special science. Certainly it is not a book for beginners. No one can understand it, much less accept its novelties, unless prepared therefor by previous familiarity with the subject.

The author professes to treat the subject from the standpoint of pure psychology, without any reference to physiology or to biology. "Physiological psychology" he regards as full of materialistic tendencies and dangers, and he declares that "our complete ignorance of what takes place in the nerve is no psychological loss." The mind must be mainly studied through introspection, and the intuitional theory is the only theory which can give us reliable knowledge of what the mind is. In his energetic advocacy of this theory, Professor Bowne takes extreme ground, and seems to make no adequate allowance for what the race has gained through experience and heredity - factors which no theory can safely leave out of the account. Advocates of the experience school will not fail to see how incomplete any statement of physchological principles must be which does not take into account the actual facts of our complex life. But Prof. Bowne is a very subtle opponent, keen in detecting the weaknesses of the theory which he antagonizes, and clear and brilliant in his statements. His criticisms are sometimes tinged with injudicious and needless satire, but generally they are thorough and excellent in tone. As a vigorous and luminous thinker and writer, he has said strong and convincing things in defence of the intuitional scheme, and may be regarded as one of the most successful advocates and defenders of this side of the controversy. The advocates of its opposite cannot afford to ignore him, but should most carefully read what he has herein written. While they will find no little to criticise, we venture the opinion that they will find more that is unanswerable.

In his treatment of the moral sentiments, of the idea of God, and other topics of equal theological interest, Prof. Bowne does not hesitate to do his work with the most complete indifference as to its effect on socalled orthodox dogmas, but unflinchingly follows the leading of logical premises and avowed principles to their natural and just conclusions. He is an intense hater of all merely materialistic views of man, and believes that dead matter can never explain a human soul. Nor can the theory of the annihilation of the soul be any other than a baseless assumption.

18. The Kernel and the Husk. Letters on Spiritual Christianity. By the Author of "Philochristus" and "Onesimus." Boston: Roberts Brothers. 1887. 16mo. pp. X., 375. $1.50.

This is a singular book, charming in style, devout in spirit, intellectually quickening and suggestive, of great literary attractiveness, but fallacious in its leading thought and argument. It attempts to make possible for others what the author declares he has found for himself, "peace

and salvation in the worship of a non-miraculous Christ." And to him, as he confesses, "Christ is God." He distinguishes between the "supernatural," in which he says he believes, and the “miraculous," which he as emphatically disbelieves. Christ did "mighty works," but he did no "miracles." But unfortunately for our author and for his definitions, the New Testament employs the terms synonymously; and practically, so far as the fact is conceded that Jesus did things which men could not do, and did them to prove his commission from God, what is the difference between calling his works "mighty or "miraculous?"

The volume is made up of Letters addressed to a young, ingenuous mind that is being touched by the influences of modern negative and destructive criticism, and who is regarded by the author as a type and representative of a rapidly growing class in society. Its treatment of the Scripture account of the resurrection of Jesus is faulty and irrational, necessitating the reading of a wholly new story into the gospels and the Epistle to the Corinthians, and the throwing away of their simple narratives of pretended facts. Nor can the author keep from admitting that, after all his study and theory of the gospels, the conviction clings to him that something which took place made on the disciples the honest impression that Jesus had risen in person from the tomb. But doubtless it was a theophanic illusion! It seems to us that, after such treatment of what the New Testament teaches is the corner-stone of historic Christianity, the "Kernel" that is left is worthless, and as the source of spiritual nutriment is mere "Husk."

19. Moral Philosophy. A Series of Lectures by Andrew P. Peabody, D.D., LL.D., Emeritus Professor of Christian Morals in Harvard University. Boston: Lee & Shepard. 1887. 16mo. pp. v., 337, $1.50.

This is an entirely new book, and is not to be confounded with the "Manual of Moral Philosophy," prepared by Dr. Peabody nearly fifteen years ago. To prevent its being taken for that earlier work, future editions of this are to bear the title, "Christian Morals.” The lectures before us were prepared, the author says, to answer three purposes, viz., to present with scientific accuracy, yet in a popular form, the fundamental principles of Moral Philosophy; to show the inseparable alliance, at every point, of such philosophy with Christianity, which Dr. Peabody regards, "not as having its birth midway in human history, but as Truth and Right, co-eternal with God, and revealed and manifested by and in Jesus Christ;" and "to illustrate the principles of ethical science, as they are developed in its own and in human history, as they are involved in questions and subjects of current or recent interest, and as they are applicable to the concerns of daily life." These three purposes, which, in the mind of the venerable author, are one, he has fully accomplished with great intellectual strength, and peculiar spiritual freshness and helpfulness. The historical method is pursued, and the best illustrations of the truths enforced are obtained from real events. His brief statement of the history of the temperance movement in New England, is illustrated in a happy manner by his own personal recollections; and the following statement and application of a principle is true and important: "As to what is injurious in itself, or necessarily of bad example, there can be no question that abstinence is a duty, and it is on one or the other of these grounds that rests such obligation as there may be to shun entirely the use of distilled or fermented liquors." Such lectures must have been helpful to the young men at Harvard, for whom they were originally prepared, and they cannot fail to suggest the claims of duty to the general reader.

20. The Holy Bible containing the Old and New Testaments translated out of the original tongues: being the Version set forth A.D. 1611, compared with the most Ancient Authorities, and Revised. The Revision of 1881 and 1885 compared with the Version of 1611: Showing at a glance what words are common to both, and by Diacritical Marks and Foot-Notes what are peculiar to each. By Rutus Wendell, Editor of the "Students' Revised New Testament." Albany, N. Y.: Revised Bible Publishing Co. 1886. 8vo. Cloth, $3.75.

The object of Mr. Wendell's work in this beautiful edition of the Bible is most clearly set forth in the title-page: to show at a glance the changes made in the Revision of the Scriptures. In making this possible immense labor has been put upon it, but its value is beyond all computation, as will be evident to every student who examines it. By a very simple series of marks, only six in number, and very easily mastered, the reader is at once certified of all the changes, whether of omis. sion, supply, transposition, or marginal reading, made by the Revisers, as also of the proposed readings by the American portion of the revision committee and is assured by their absence that no change whatever was deemed necessary. To those who have experienced the vexatious inconvenience of attempting to consult two books at once, or of turning the eyes from one column to another where the two versions are printed in parallels, the usefulness and convenience of Mr. Wendell's work will be manifest, and, we are sure, will be appreciated. It supplies just the one thing that was needed in order to make the study of the Revised Version both easy and delightful. If our preachers will place it on their work-table they will certainly thank us for calling their attention to it.

21. Field, Wood and Meadow Rambles. By Amanda B. Harris. Illustrations by G. F. Barnes. The Interstate Publishing Company. Chicago and Boston: 4to. n.p. $1.00.

clear paper,

This is a charmingly beautiful book in appearance, large pages, numerous well-executed illustrations, and tasty binding, giving it an irresistible power of inviting us to sit down and peruse it. And once having it in hand we find its contents intensely interesting and instructive. The haunts, habits, nests, and special peculiarities of fourteen of our summer birds were made the special study of the author and are described on these pages in a graphic and pleasant way. We read them to ourself and were instructed; we read them to some of our little friends, and they were filled with delight and wonder. We consider this double test an infallible indication of the value of the book, and have full confidence that it will instruct, interest and please all who may procure it.

The same publishers also send us a box of "Literary Salad: A Game of Instruction and Entertainment, by Rose Porter." It is made up of two hundred and fifty cards, each containing a quotation from some distinguished English or American Author. The cards are numbered, and a key is furnished, on which the name of the author is set against the number given on the card. The Players repeat to each other in regular turn or order the sentences contained on their cards, and the one able to designate the greatest number of authors wins the game. It is a good exercise for the memory, and also imparts instruction. We think that all will relish such an intellectual dish. Price 50 cents.

All books noticed under the head of "Contemporary Literature" will be found on sale at our Publishing House.