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    lions , . and requires a different and more fundamental treatment . " . The question is indeed ¦ ' not new , " and the solution wMch MivMillgives to it is familiar to all persons wlid have studied the subject of morals and government . That there are things as to which the individual member of society should be left free , and other things in -which he should be controlled or restricted / is universally adniitted . In no society , for instance , is it proposed to take away from the labouring class the disposal , according to their nonrinclinations , of their , own earnings , or to supersede such disposal by a system however wise or beneficent . of

    ! No philanthropist , anxious for the success Mechanics' Institutes or Evening Lectures , thinks of asking the Legislature to compel people to attend either . Nobody brings in a bill to oblige a sick man to take medicines , qt to prevent a clown turning double somersaults , at the risk of his neck . A rough idea of the reasons for tins sort of laissezfaire is probably in the mind of even those who have hardly thouglt upon the subject . The acts which the laws leave alone are what , philosophers call " self-regarding acts " - ^ -kcts , the consequences of which , whether good or evil , fall on the doer . The law steps in—or ought to step in—only when the act in question interferes with the rights of other persons .. it

    This is the subject of Mr . Mill ' s Essay . But s originality and principal value consists , first , in shoving that it is not the law , but a power f ar more effective and much more tyrannous , which has a tendency to overstep the limits of the rightful exercise of human liberty ; and , secondly , in pointing out the great importance ; to human progress of that liberty , and the mischief to be apprehended from the encroachments upon it by society . '' Like other tyrannies , the tyranny of the majority -was at firsti and is still vulgarly , lield in dread , chiefly as operating through the acts of the public authorities . But reflecting persons perceived that when society is itself the tyranfr-T-society collectively , over the separate individuals who compose it—its means of tyrannising are not restricted to the acts which it may do by the hands of its political functionaries . Society can and does execute its own mandates : and if it issues wrong mandates instead of rierht . or anv mandates at all-in things with

    -which it ought not to meddle , it practises a social tyranny more formidable than many kinds of political oppressionj since , though not usually upheld by such extreme penalties , it leaves fewer means of escape , penetrating much more deeply into the details of life , and enslaving the soul itself * Protection , therefore , against the tyranny of the magistrate is , not enough ; there needs protection also against the tyranny of the prevailing © pinion and feeling J against , the tendency of society to impose , by other means than civil penalties , its own ideas and practices as rules of conduct on those who dissent "from them ; to fetter the development , and , if posr sible , prevent the formation , of any individuality not in harmony with its ways , and compel all characters to fashion themselves upon the model of its own ; There is a limit to the , legitimate interference of collective opinion with individual independence * and to find that limit , and maintain it against encroachment ; is as indispensable to a good condition of human affairs , as protection against political despotism . "

    The articles of liberty claimed by Mr . Mill for the individual are liberty of conscience , liberty of thought and feeling , absolute freedom of opinion , and sentiment on all subjects , including the liberty of expressing and publishing opinions , however distasteful to others ; liberty of tastes and pursuits , and freedom \ o write for any purpose not involving Jiarm toothers . * ' No society in which these liberties are not , on the ¦ whole , respected , is free , whatever may he its form of government ; and none is completely free in which they do Dot exist absolute and unqualified . The only freedom which deserves the name , is that of pursuing our own good in our own way , bo long ns we do not attempt to deprive others of theirs , or impede tlieir efforts to obtain it ,. 32 nch is : the , proper guardian of his ¦ own health , -whether bodily , or mental and spiritual . Mankind are greater gainers by suffering each . other to live as seems good to themselves , than by compelling each to live da iseoms good to the rest . "

    No writer that wo are acquainted with has hitherto sot fort ]) with such completeness * , as Mr . Mill has in this essay , the benefits of this liberty—the real effects on the well-being of society , \ ipon which the expediency of permitting 1 it is grounded . It is only in this soil of freedom that human faculties can grow and develope themselves , " I Us not by wearing down into uniformity all that is individual in themselves , but by by cultivating it and calling It forth , within the limits imposed by the rights

    ana interests of others , that nuinnn upings oocomo a nolle and ,, beautiful object of contemplation s and as the -work ? partake the character of those who do them , by the swno process human life also beepmos rich , diversified , anil « nimfttlng , furnishing more abundant aliment to high thoughts and elevating feelings , andflt ; ronjrthoningthe tie whiqlrblnds every individual to tlto race , by making the trace Infinitely better worth belonging to . In proportion to tb > development of his individuality , onoh , person be * coWea more valuable to himself , and Is therefore cnpable « f'being more valuable to others . There is a greater ful " nees of Jifo nboufc his own oxlstenco , nnd mum thoro in

    more life in the units there is mOre in the mass which is composed of them . As muchcompressioa as is necessary to prevent the stronger specimens of human nature froth encroaching on the rights of others ' ^ cannot be dispensed with j' but for this there is ample compensation even in the point of view of human development . The means of development which the individual loses by being prevented from gratifying his inclinations to the injury of others , are chiefly obtained at the expense of the development of other people . And even to Irnnseirthere is a full equivalent in the better development of the social part of his nature , rendered possible by the restraint put upon the selfish part . To be held to rigid rules of justice for the sake of others , developes the feelings and capacities But to

    which have the good of others for their object . he restrained in things not affecting their rood , by their mere displeasure , developes nothing valuable , except such force of character as may unfold itself in resisting the restraint ; If acquiesced in , it dulls and blunts the whole nature . To give any fair play to the nature of each , it is essential that different persons should be allowed to lead different lives . . In proportion as this latitude has been exercised in any age , has that age been noteworthy to posterity . Even despotism does not produce its worst effects , so long as individuality exists under it ; and whatever crushes individuality is despotism , / by whatever

    name it may be called , and whether it professes to be enforcing tfie will of God or the injunctions of men . " We have attempted no more than to indicate the character and object of Mr . Mill ' s work , which is too full of thought to be abridged , or even exemplified by extracts . All who take an interest in such subjects will give to the work itself a careful perusal The publication derives a peculiar interest from . the tribute , paid by the writer in his preface to the memoriy of his wife , whose recent death was deeply regretted by the large circle of intellectual women of which she was a distinguished ornament .

    Essays , Biographical , Critical , and Miscellaneous . By Peter Bay ne , A . M . James Hogg and Sons . This is a volume of eloquent essays by an American author , the largest portion of which has npt been yet published . Their pervading spirit is a religious brie , but which , while upholding the principle of faith , does not disdain the use . of rational , weapons , and uses them skilfully . The book starts from a high point , the philosophy of " Plato , " and the author sho-ws both an appreciation of the sage , and a capacity to deal with his system . Plato lie calls upon us to acknowledge as the centre figure of Greek specu-r lation . " He made all Ayho went before his teachers ; all who came after were , with more or less of intelli ^

    gence and originality , his . pupils . " In an essay on the " Characteristics of Christian Civilisation , " have , as it were , an-application of the author ' s principles . One profound remark he makes . It is this : While the . revival of literature in the latter half of the fifteenth century had no tendency whatever-to revive the Papaoy , or to re-awaken moral life , in Rome and in Europe , it was , in a true and literal sense , the fact that " the very Papacy was saved by Protestantism . " Christianity was in peril of extinction wheli a Tetzel was found preaching the Gospel for money , which a Paul had , offered for acceptance freely- —selling " a pardon from himself" while selling ani indulgence to another . Luther saved Christianity—but he saved Catholicism too . The Papacy ,

    truly says Mr . Bayne , " was actually falling back into Paganism ; it was rotting away ) and that at the very time when the treasures of knowledge , which so many more or less explicitly believe and avow to be the one means of moral lite for nations , were poured , with unprecedented exuberance ,, into the la . p of Christendom . " Again , " Popery , startled by the shock of the Reformation , roused itself in the sixteenth century to a new activity . It shook off the Paganism of the Lcos and Bembos , Protestantism thus—as I suppose even Roman Catholics would in a sense admit—was the means of saving Romanism from sheer putrescence and destruction . But the history of the Papacy since the Reformation has

    proved that the resuscitation of its life was ho sound and ¦ complete resuscitation , but rather a specious , an outwardly imposing , but an indubitable , lapse into a deeper disease . By associating itself with Jesuitism , it brought the aboinynojion of desolation into the tomplo ; and by allying itself universally , oven in these days , with European despotism ,, it has denied the unity of truth- —truth social and truth religious , and visibly abdicated its right to lewd the Human intellect . " In this , and other ossays , wo cannot but percoivo the oxtonsive influence possessed by tho Gorman ovor

    the American literature . An essay on " Wellington , " however , shows a genuine English fooling ; and unothor on " Napoleon" a due estimate of ICuropean politics . In those ossays the author has evinced great skill in painting war-pictures , Napoleon was tine Hannibal of a later time , Wellington the : Sciplo . From these high themes , tho essayist next condescends to treat of tho " Elementary Principles of Criticism , " whiqh ho Oharactoi'lsos as " a minor metaphysical solonco . " In his romnrks . on poetic art , he tolla ub that Aristotle required imitation , . Bacon invention , Coleridge plnatlo onorgy , and C « r-

    lyle " the incorporation of the everlasting reason of man in forms visible to the sense ? and suitable to it . " The author , however , prefers Professor Masson ' s definition , that poetic faculty consists in " the power of intellectually producing a _ new pr artificial concrete . " And we miist confess that this definition looks scientific enough . Mr . Bayne is a bold man however , in selecting for his ideal example of poetic excellence Goethe ' s " Sorrows of "VVerter . " Prom this topic the author naturally passes on to consider ¦

    our poets— " Tennyson and his Teachers , " meaning thereby Scott , Byron , Wordsworth , Keats , Shelley Coleridge , and Hunt , on each of whom he pours vials of eloquent comniendation ; Mrs . Barrett Browning , Ellis , Acton , and Currer Bell . These forni separate papers . They are all first-rate . The series concludes with two essays on British painting and Mr . Ruskin . The volume is one in which , lik e a mirror , we may contemplate the age wherein we live .

    Bach for Himself . By P . Gerstaeker . Routledge . As a picture of Califprnian life and experiences , this work is unrivalled . The Characters are mostly German , and full of originality .. The charming portrait of the tender , true , and loving wife , Julia Hetson , and her devotion to her hypochondria husband , is a delightful episode in the volume . Sir Gilbert . A Novel . 1 ? . Bentley . This is no song or story of " olden " time , as might

    be inferred from the title , but a veritable novel of modern days , with modern characters and modern incidents , none of which however can fairly be said to be novelties in the repertory of fiction writers of the day . If we cannot give " Sir Gilbert" a position in the highest rank of tale writers , still w e must place it on a very respectable elevation , far above the ordinary rack of circulating library writers . The interest turns upon the loves of Frederick Tresham and Sir Gilbert Bavenhill . The first a

    University roue , but with many virtues ; loving and bel 6 ved : by Averilla Mortlake ^ heiress and Avard of Canon Tresham , Frederick Tresham ' s father , in her penchants , un peu volage ; the last a wealthy , amiable , and nervous personage with mental and physical infirmities , aggravated by the brutal conduct of Colonel Xaulden , who , for his own wicked and sordid purposes , forces , . him into the army , where he disgraces himself by an act of cowardice in battle- ^ -a secret known only to one or two , among whom is Cyril Carnac , a kind Of Zainiel , whose evil influence is felt up to the close of the story , when he is effectually disposed of at a fire , which happens in a theatre where lie has gone to see his \ vife sustain the character of prima-clonna . There

    is also another secret , which the ubiquitous and omniscient Cyril becomes possessed of—namely , that Sir Gilbert ' s father had , shot Averilla ' s father in a duel . Sir Gilbert , in consequence of a pecuniary compact with Cyril , woos Averilla , whose fortune more than her attractions , great as they are , is the temptation ; Sir Gilbert , at the same time , being truly in love with a noble-hearted lovely creature , Julia Calverley . However , urged on by Cyril , lie proposes marriage to Averilla , and is repulsed ; a strong scene ensues , in which the affair of the duel is for thefirst time disclosed to the unconscious pair . Sir Gilbert ) leaves the presence of the lady , maddened with shame , and in the intensity of his agony make Ins way to the place where his father lost Ins Jiie—tne inference is by premeditation—immediatel y atter tne

    fatal duel , Wo may safely say it is a tale ' which once commenced will be sure to be perused by the reader-, ana had extracted the description of a painful interview between the heroine and Sir Gilbort , but found our space was not sufficient to insert it ; > vc thcretoro commend the work to the notico ofthoso dovoteci to tliis class of literature . The Earth we Inhabit :. itfPast , Present , ami Probable 'Future . By Captain -Alfred W . Prnyson , KoyiU Artillery , author of " Sporting Soom's m frouui Africa , " &c . A . W . Bonnet . Tins isa curious bookand fihould comnmiul niucii

    , scientific attention . Tho author , in tho course ol i » W uxporionco as a practicar surveyor , dlBcoyorwi tutain inconsistencies in the measurement of < "stnnu » and areas that set him thinking . Geodesy imilnsnonomy , he found , were not the correct sciencos tnni they claimed to bo . Tlioir rosultB eonUnutilly «» - fored . ' The more perfect the instnuncuts , the mo t skilful the operators , tho worse «»• the w ' , " " Later measuroments constantly give longer . * istanci » than earlier . Had tho liieiiaurinK mvtnln contraocoi r Or tho earth oxtmncled ' I Conipollod by evidences , iw 1

    length Captaiu Drayson decided , that " »» ° . ft , " grows } " tluvt it is lrtrgur tiiau it was , and *»} JX larger than it is . This conclusion , it buciuh , vo « mxioh simplify tho study of astrunomy , and vo « account for th « varying calculations M Ml 1 kuj periods . Do not , howovev . tho other eartliB H » o " ^ well as ours ? Yea , replies tho Captain . W ' J ° upon we again ask , whether that fact would oo maintain tho same relations . Ijetwoon thy B ^ »

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    $ 3 $ v TgE LEAPEB * [ No . 468 y March 12 , 185 ^ ,

• Citation
  • Leader (1850-1860), March 12, 1859, page 334, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2285/page/14/