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    Jaw. 18, 1851.] fEft * «,*<*&**? • 65

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    BOOKS ON OUR TABLE. Die Romanlische Schu...

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    Social Statics; or, the Conditions Essen...

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    NOTES AND EXTRACTS. Style.—Altogether th...

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    Wilson's Catholicity. Catliolicity—Spiri...

    ralitiee , superstitions , and absurdities that flow from our systematic theology derived from obscure and conflicting traditions , based on the doubtful words of a book / ' expounded by a wrangling priesthood . He has shown us that the soul of man cannot be satisfied with a creed that insults his intellect and degrades his nature without satisfying bis religious instincts ; and , without undervaluing the Jewish or Christian records , as monuments of the earl y piety of the world , he has asserted the spiritual privileges of all time and the ever-present Deity in the human soul : —

    " We " he reminds us , " , the present generation , though wayward triflers , sfill playing fantastic tricks before high Heaven , are in possession of all the gatherings of the past—we are as yet the oldest , the strongest , the best instructed of pur kind . We vindicate our last-born eldership agaipst every claimant by now aspiring , as never hitherto , to put away from our worship of the eternal and changeless Godhead the childish thoughts and childish speech of earlier days . " And again he says : —

    " None of us need doubt the law of generic progression who looks back upon the communities of the earth , gradually emerging from the sloughs of cannibalism , fetichism , heathenism , polygamy , slavery , sorcery , and such like . Our laws are laws of movement ; the genus homo goes on and must go on improving , till its Divine consummation justify the wisdom and goodness of the Power that made it what it is to be , ' Perfect , even as He is perfect . ' "

    Mr . Wilson clearly demonstrates the paramount importance given to the moral law in the teaching of Christ , and his uniform depreciation of Rabbir nism in all its forms ; and applies this great central truth of Christianity to the modern dogmatism of the Churches and the overweening pretensions of priesthood . He exposes , also , the actual insincerity of those Christians who glory , as they professedly do , in their own degradation , and , renouncing all other merit , make a merit of their infirmities : —

    " The same men , " he says , " that are willing in public worship to heap upon themselves certain conventional terms of scriptural opprobrium , would be deeply aggrieved by a translation of this language into a colloquial idiom , or by any lack of respect in a neighbour ' s estimate of their actions and principles . They are willing and even anxious to be distinguished amongst their fellows by appellations of the highest esteem and respect . If they are one hour wretched , miserable , and unwholesome sinners—the next they are ' reverend , ' ' very reverend , ' ' right reverend ' pastors — ' honourable , ' right honourable , ' and ' most honourable' nobles . " It is , indeed , quite evident that the popular religion has become essentially ceremonial , and that the creed of the Churches is not the creed of our

    daily life . The rounded periods of our pulpits , and the tawdry eloquence of the platform , abound in expressions of spiritual heroism and social equality absolutely unknown in our common intercourse with each other . Our " prince-bishops" and clergy are almost uniformly found in the ranks of those who oppose the enfranchisement of the people on the principles of even Christian equality . We are perfectly sure that , were the " Sermon on the Mount" now preached for the first time in St . . Taine . s's-squiure , by a houseless and poverty-stricken man ( whatever halo of divine love and inspired wisdom might hover round him ) , he would be

    immediately consigned by the Bishop of London to the custody of the police I Imagine the terrible significance of such sentences as these to episcopal curs . " Woe unto you , Scribes and Pharisees , hypocrites for ye pay titho of mint , anise , and cummin , and have omitted the wei ^ hter matters of tlus law , judgment , mercy , and faith . " " Woo unto you , Scribes und Pharisees , hypocrites ! for ye are like unto whitud sepulchres , " &< :. & c . Imagine our " princebishop" hearing from the ragged orator such . sen

    tences as these : " lie that is greatest amongst you shall be your servant . " " I its not ye called llabbi , for one is your Master , even Christ ; and ye are ( til brethren . " These things are listened to in our ChurelicH with pious reverence and devout attention ; but spokon in our . streets , they would be regarded as the ravings of fanaticism , or the declamation of an incendiary . And yet the protest of Christ against the corruptions of his national Clmreli was not a whit more just than the modern indi gnation of Milton or Carlyle .

    In a subsequent part of his discourse , Mr . Wilson exposes with eloquent earncMtntvsH tho dutestable doctrine of the eternity of minishiuent , showing at once its unscripturul foundation and its utter useleNKiiesN . A " reign of terror , " is assuredly , an little suited to tlm spiritual nature of man , as to bis nolitical and social development . The " faith that woikelh by lOVe" is chilled by fear , and the religious sert is as much degraded and demoralized as the political vaawal . We lmvo only Hirnco for thjH

    brief notice of these very remarkable discourses , which we strongly recommend to our readers . Mr . Wilson deserves the cordial thanks of all sincere and religious men for thus standing forward to protest against the corruptions of our systematic theology , and we hope again to meet him . in the front rank of the spiritual Reformers of the nineteenth century . We have reason to believe , that he left behind him at Norwich the affectionate regret of his congregation , to whom his various accomplishments and pulpit eloquence had greatly

    endeared him . Had the warm recommendation of his bishop , who took great interest both in his ministerial work and secular lectures , been sufficient to overcome some scruples of conscience , for which we honour him , he would , probably , at this moment , have been preacher at the Foundling . It is by recruits such as these , who are almost weekly coming to us from the ranks of the establishment , that we hope to officer the army of the " New Reformation , "—men at once distinguished by their talents and approved by their sincerity .

    Jaw. 18, 1851.] Feft * «,*<*&**? • 65

    Jaw . 18 , 1851 . ] fEft * « , *<*&**? 65

    Books On Our Table. Die Romanlische Schu...

    BOOKS ON OUR TABLE . Die Romanlische Schule in ihrem inneren Zusammenhange mit Goethe und Schiller ( The Romantic School in its relation to Goethe and Schiller ) . Von H . Hellner . Franz Thimm Every one who has dabbled at all in German literature has heard of its " Romantic school , " with a band of critics and poets in its rear ; and , although after great beating of drums and clashing of cymbals , that valorous young regiment has disappeared into obscurity once more , and the men whose ears were startled by the sound made in the streets ( causing them to rush to the w ndow to see what was going on ) are now for the most part satisfied that much of this noise is owing to the emptiness of the dru'n beaten , yet , as a matter of literary history , the romantic school will long -remain fertile in interest . It arose out of the anarchical condition of German culture . The gulf between Poetry and Life was , as Herder said , too distinctly apparent . While the provincialism of Kotzebue and the lachrymose activity of Iffiand were equally incompetent to satisfy the nation . A standard of Poetry was sought ; and Germany being the land of critics and philosophers , it was of course for them to discover the standard . Goetz von Berlichin ^ en —and the study of Shakspeare ( then becoming general ) , gave the cue . To reconcile Idealism with Kealisin

    nothing was wanted but a complete reintegratiou of Religion in Art , and , as a corollary , a full development of the Spirit of the Middle Ages—so that Romantic Art v / av . , par excellence , Christian Art . Waekcnroder , Novalis , Tieck , the Schlegels , Brcntano , and Arnim are the gre ; it chiefs of . this school ; and in spile of much detestable affectation and hollow rhetoric—in spite of considerable misdirection given to youthful earnest minds—one cannot survey German literature without acknowledging the benefits conferred by this school . in this movement

    In what was available and healthy Goethe and Srhiller hud a large share ; they acted upon it—it reacted upon them . Ilerr Ilellner ' s book undertakes to exhibit the relation in which these Titans stood to the mortals of the Romantic School . It is purely aosthetical , and may be accepted as a history of the Romantic theory in Literature . In Germany , as in France , Romanticism has produced some good collateral resulin while failing in its main object . It has directed attention to the Middle Ages ; thrown off the yoke of pedantic prejudice and narrow rules ; and has given European Art a certain solidarity which was before unsuspected .

    A Manual of the Geography and History of huro . ne , lust and Present . By Francis 11 . Un ^ owiUer , l , I ,. l ) . Thomas Dell ' . Dr . Ungewitter is a Gorman who hart published several geographical works in his naiivo country , and now presents the public with one comprehensive in its plan and careful in execution . It liejjina with a genur . il . survey of Europe , its mountain ranges , inland seas , bays , straits , Siv .., its lakes , its rivers , and its independent states . Then follow Portugal , Spain , Italy , Switzerland , Fiance , Great Britain , the Nc herlands , ( iermany , Denmark , Sweden , and Norway , Kus-ua in Kur > p ( ' » Ionian Islands , Greece , and Kuropei . n Tin key . History and peo ^ raphy i >; o hand in hand , while , a very copious index fie . ilitates the use of this valuable book of rclerenoe .

    Momentary Anatoiny and Phy , iol <> xy . for tie / toots und I ' rumtn Instruction . ll ' itn Lessons < m Diet , Intoxicating Drinks , Tobacco and Disease . H y William i . «> v « -U . 1 Ihmt nii . il wnli ten ooloui-. ul plutuH . 1 ' aitoij mid C . i . Mr . Luve . tt in » teacher , and bus druwn up these lessons for his own private < : onv « 'iii < 'iii : c ; finding them to bisuccessful he has given them publicity . Tli .-y arc clear , oiief , and untochnioal ¦ --compiled from the lust an tbor iticH , but arranged in u new and intelligible form . Th < pUtes ure very UHeful illustrations . It . i . s a book every one concerned in tuition nhould possess , Ihe iinpnrtune . e of . some elementary knowledge of tin : subject , being indisputable . An Introductory Lecture on Happiness in its relations to Work anil Knowledge . Uy Julin 1 '< hI > oh , M . I ) . Smiili uiut I ' . liler .

    l ) r . Forbes delivered this excellent lent ure before the ( Jliicliester Literary Society and Menh mi . s' Institute , and is now published at . flu : request of the members , for tin- benefit of a wider public . Peter Little and tho Lucky Sixpence ,- the , b ' ' n Lcctaro ; and other Stories . A vciuo book lor my children anil t . lu-ir plaivutule . x . Kidtfway . I ' retty little utorios in verse , having an easily appreciated moral . It i » dtnigned for young children , und some of that public pronounae it amiming .

    Catholicism , the Religion of Fear , contrasted with Rationalism , the Theory of Reason . With Eight Plates . By George Jacob Holyoake . Watson . In the various contests with which the public have lately been occupied on the Catholic question , we have seen no contrast between it and what many regard as ita legitimate opponent , Rationalism . In this little work the contrast is made . The strength of the Catholic lies in his detecting and exposing the extremes of Rationalism , which are usually evaded or overlooked by the advocates of what are called Liberal principles . But here we have

    a writer who distinguishes and admits the extravagances , the caricatures to which the right of private judgment is liable , and who points out its principle of selfcorrection , and submits it as the perfectly satisfactory substitute of the effete rule of authority . Ihis book has eight plates , from a very remarkable Catholic work , illustrating the terrors of that religion , in a manner which no verbal description could . The tone of this exposition is reverent both to Catholic and Christ inn feeling , and yet independent iu its maintenance of rear : son and humanity .

    The English-Republic Edited by W . J . Linton , London : Watson . This is a new monthly , almost entirely from the pen of the Editor . It has more than the ability of earnestness , and bearing Mr . Linton ' s name , we need " not say it is issued with great taste . We do not agree with the Editor that any will " grow pale with rage or fear " the announcement of Republican proposals . Put forth , with so much sincerity , and enforced with so much , reason , we should think all would pause to consider ,

    although they might not accept without scruple , the views that this Magazine sets forth . What Dumont was to . Bentham , Mr . Linton aspires to be to Mazzini ; and all who wish to comprehend the idea of Republicanism held by the great political teacher last named , will find this Magazine of interest . We hope Mr . Linton ' s appeal to Young Men will find a response from them . Despite some peculiarities of language and some passionate invectives , Mr . Linton ' s pages contain sentiments of duty , aspiration , and heroism very rare in the modern Literature of English Republicanism .

    Lectures by Ernest Jones . Canterbury versus Rome . Dippla . These lectures are in course of publication in weekly numbers . The patience and research which they display contrast very advantageously with the political orations which Mr . Jones is accused of delivering . The opening is both eloquent and able , and we shall further notice them when their publication is completed .

    Social Statics; Or, The Conditions Essen...

    Social Statics ; or , the Conditions Essential to Human FI / ippincss Specified , and the First oj than Developed . By Herbert Spencer . John Chapman . Historic Certainties respecting tho . Early History of Jlmerica , developed in a Critical Examination , of the liookoj the Chronicles of the Land of Ecnarf . 15 y the Reverend Aristarctius Newlio-lit . J- W . Parker . The First .-ln < jeh A Novel in 2 vol .-. Saunters and Ot ! oy

    Notes And Extracts. Style.—Altogether Th...

    NOTES AND EXTRACTS . Style . —Altogether the style of a writer is a faithful representative of his mind ; therefore , if any man wish to write a clear style , let him be first clear in his thoughts ; and if any would write in a noble style , let him fi'sr possess a noble soul . — Goctlie ' s Conversations with Kckarmann . Lovk . —The things that we love in a young lady nre something very different from the understanding . We love her beauty , youthfulness , playfulness , trustingne . ss , her character , her finite , her caprices , and God knows what . "jo lie sais quoi" besides ; but we do not love her understanding . We respect her understanding when it ; is brilliant , and by it the worth of a girl can be infinitely enhanced in our eyes . Understanding may also serve to fix our affections when we already love ; but the understanding- is not that which is capable of firing our heart s and awakening a passion . — ( joethe ' a Conversations with lickcrmann .

    The'Zo'is't for January is again rich in fact , in philosophy , and refutation of ignorance . It appears , with respect to Mi * n Martineau ' a remarkable experiment on a cow , critics hold that , the doctor who had been aftendintr in vain upon it , had really effected the cure . Oi iticisms oh -mesmeric eases are very curious . If you call in a doctor the euro is ascribed to him . If you do not call in a doctor , it is Baid that nothing was the matter . The world has olten desired to know who in tho in / allihla doctor who is sure , to cure you . Wo . have found it out . It is the last doctor who gives you up before you call in the nsesinorizcr . //« it is who always cures you . You don ' t , know it- -you are dying in ijjnorancc ! of it . I 5 nt /«; is the man . When the inesineri / . er has restored you to health , the critics find out . that t . h < s docor did it . — Keasotier .

    Study ok tub Pant .- —Wo nre in bondage to tornri and conceptions which , having had their root iu conditions of thought no longer existing , hava ( leaned to possess any vitali'v , and are for us as spells which have lost their virtue . The endeavour to spr < ad enli ^ htciu d idens i . s perpetually nounttiacted by these idoltt theutri , which have ullied themselves , on I lie one hand wit h nun ' s lietti r sentiments , anil on the other with iiiHtitutionn in whose defence are arrayed tho pillions mid tire interests of dominant olnuHfH . Now * thout'li the teaching of punitive

    truth iu the . grand mount * of expelling error , the . procoHB will bo very much quickened if the negative argument Hcrve ns its pioneer ; if , by a survey of the past , it can be hIiowd how each nge and each rnne . him had a faith and u Hynibolism suited to ita need nnd itu Hl . ago of development , and tliut for m \ needing ages to dream of retaining t . li (! upirit along with , he forms of the pns » t , i « na futile an tho embalming of the dead body iu tho hope that it may one day be remaned by tho living eoul . — Westminster und Forau / n Quarterly Itevioto .

• Citation
  • Leader (1850-1860), Jan. 18, 1851, page 17, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/cld_18011851/page/17/