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    AN INTRODUCTORY LECTURE TO THE LOGIC OF ARISTOTLE . By James E . Thorold Rogers , MA . —John Henry and James Parker . Much of the Baconian abuse of Aristotles is ^ as we well know , not relative to Aristotle at all , but to the schoolmen who adopted his name but misrepresented his doctrines . No wonder , then , that the so-called reputations of Aristotle were no reputations at all . Had they been so , the void which they had created must by necessity have been refilled . It is even thus that positive and negative systems follow one another alternately . I his , in Mr . Rogers' opinion , is the Penelope web of philohic history ; and he cognises no variety except

    Za 1-on Aristotle ' s Logic . " What we have quoted from the present , trill instruct the competent reader that this brochure is well worth perusal .

    sop perhaps in the invention of formulae , which lie describes as technicalities hard to be understood , by which thinkers limit their conclusions , llie result is repetition ; but with the difference , which our author does not justl y value , of the point of view from which each thinker estimates his material , the skill with which it is elaborated , and the distinctness with which it is apprehended . He would seem . —though clearly perceiving that " what might be done by logic was well enough foreseen , but never determined by Plato , "—to make but

    little of what Hegel makes so much—the growth of the philosophical consciousness in each successive thinker . To do him justice , however , we must add that he does acknowledge , not altogether reluctantly , that every thinker helps other thinkers "in his degree ; " though he leads theni into error sometimes by infecting them with his own mistakes , " arising from imperfect knowledge or diseased apprehension . " Whereupon he inquires , " how can we distinguish healthy from , morbid anatomy ?"

    We may take it for granted that , in Mr . Rogers ' estimate , Aristotle , as the transcendent logician , was sane ; but " the heritage of mere knowledge which he received , largely increased as it was by his own labours , more largely than by any other man whom the world has ever known , was as nothing to the modern encyclopaBdia . " Aristotle is chiefly to be valued on account of his method , which Mr . Rogers , in utter forgetfulness of Kant ' s claims , declares has never been bettered . He is right ,

    however , in stating that the discovery of Aristotle s •» whole philosophy is to be made only by going up and down his writings , living , as it were , with him , watching and weig hing the very particles he uses , the gestures , so to speak , of his inner speech , and patiently estimating the worth of all the words he utters : for he made his own language , has his own special grammar , deals in those phrases on y which were the exponent of his own thought , burying often the key to his subtlest and hardest reasoning in some unexpected place , permitting a rare negligence to be corrected at some fitting time . "

    One such sentence as the one just cited is enough to give value to a pamphlet . Other glimpses of lucidity break forth as we progress . Let us jot down a few items : —( 1 . ) Personal Identity , according to Aristotle , " is the aggregation of past and present consciousness , t he latter reflected on and mingled with th e former , and the measure of identity is 7 roi 6 v , not ttoct 6 v ( 2 . ) Between the extremes of ideal and arbitrary existence , and the negation of even sensational impressions , there was in Aristotle ' s mind room to discover and determine the souroe $ of human knowledge , the extent of the mentnl powers of

    ^ km A »~ b . A-Y- _ 1 — ^ - _ - * J ? . A . 1-. ^ A » A A ^ b *^ * m *« ^^ 9 ? 4 * 1- ^ ^* fe * Ail \ 4 * A I »» ^^ v ^ J ~* fc * man , the laws of the process of thought , the conditions under which the elements of human consciousness become expanded into the philosophy of Being , which is that of reflection , identity , will , virtue / ' ( 3 . ) Aristotle does not hold himself bound to agree with those who deny the evidence of their senses , or who conclude in any manner which can be shown to contravene these conditions of the human mind which arc tho guarantee of its existence and activity : ho holds them , in fact , to bo a sort of suicides . ( 4 . ) For a man who admits nothing , it would bo absurd to

    search out reasons ; such n disputant has no reason for anything ; in so far as ho has no reason , ho is no better than a stick . ( 5 . ) They who attempt to arguo in what fashion wo should admit truth , do so in ignorance of analytical philosophy . One should ooino foreknowing this , and not learn it while wo sock . The philosopher and tho student of every existence ana its process of development should bo aware of tho first principles of the syllogistic process . Wo trust that Mv . Rogers will print tho whole three-and-twenty lectures which form his series

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    MEMORIES OF ROME . By Denis O'Donovan , Esq . Charles Dolman . Here is something new;—a book by a traveller , who found his love and esteem for Rome increase by his sojourn in that city . Mr . O'Donovan writes well-r-even eloquently ; and half persuades his reader to share his raptures . But perhaps these are solely architectural and artistic ? No ; the imagination of Mr . O'Donovan is even more affected by the majesty of the Pope , his ideal character and his personal virtues . Magniloquent , indeed , are the terms in which the author arrays the world ' s archbishop and his office . Here is the portrait of his Holiness , as painted by Mr . O'Donovan .

    inherent characters of his nature will remain impressed upon him , and attract the admiration and respect of all who have the pleasure to belioid His Holiness . " Accoi'ding to O'Donovan , the Pope incurs no danger in these walks . He has confidence in his people , and they have the utmost devotion for his person . If there be any whose feelings towards him are neither loyal nor dutiful , they are " wretches' * whose outrage " on the sacredness and majesty of the Pope would be punished on the spot by those who witnessed it . " Mr . O'Donovan desires therefore that the French would withdraw the protection .

    which is no longer needed . The austerities and labours of the Pontiff ' s private life are then touched off in Mr . O'Donovan ' s glowing style . In these he remarks " continued subjection , an incessant abnegation of self . " The other chapters of Mr . O'Donovan ' s book are occupied with the description of all the features of the Eternal City , whether classic or religious . He considers it as the queen city of the arts , or the metropolis of the Pagan world , and as the capital of Christendom . The Vatican he reveres as " the ecclesiastical palace where spiritual arms—the cross , the signet-ring , and the pen—wielded by a few venerable old men , decided the fate of nations . " In this influence , he

    sees nothing but what has been beneficial . Even so can judgment be blinded by prejudice and preoccupation . St . Peter ' s also invites him to elaborate celebration ; when illuminated , his enthusiasm overpowers him quite . The Colosseum excites his admiration as a glorious ruin . We are treated , too , with a view of it by moonlight ; Byron in prose , and verse likewise , for the passage from «• Manfred " is quoted in extenso . But why enumerate these things ? JLet it be at once acknowledged that Mr . O'Donovan has mastered his subject , and its surroundings , and that , notwithstanding its extreme catholicity , his book forms a capital guide to the marvels of the model city .

    " As I have mentioned on another occasion , our Holy Father , Pope Pius the Ninth , is remarkably handsome and majestic in appearance , of a . tall , commanding figure , a countenance mild and earnest , and a voice sonorous and sympathetic . His Holiness is always attired in a light woollen or white silk soutane in summer , and a blue cloth one in winter . He wears on his head a calotte , or cap , of white silk ; and his large belt , or cincture , is of the same material , with tassels of gold . His slippers are red , with a cross embroidered on the instep , which / is the object of veneration kissed by all who approach the person of the Pontiff .

    " When the Pope goes out to drive , he puts over his soutane a lace surplice , a purple cope trimmed . with white fur , and a stole richly embroidered with gold and he wears on his head a broad-leafed hat of red silk turned up oh each side and ornamented with golden tassels . The usage of the Papal court does not permit him to appear in the streets except in a carriage ; beyond the city gates , however , and sometimes in the public gardens of Monte Pirieio , the Pope takes exercise on foot . In these walks every one who meets him instantly uncovers and prostrates himself , in testimony of the profound respect due to the character of the Pontiff , and in order to receive the benediction of His Holiness , —noble equestrians dismounting from their horses , and gentlemen alighting from their carriages , to pay this tribute of

    veneration to his exalted civil and religious powers . He often speaks to the poor and the children whom he meets , addressing words of comfort to the former , and of kindness to the latter ; and not unfrequently , when he stops for these purposes , hands may be seen stretched forth to him with petitions for alms , or supplications for mercy . These are all received by one of the Xoble Guard ( a few of whom are in attendance ) , and afterwards presented for the personal perusal of His Holiness . Calls on his charity receive an immediate reply from the purse of Monsignor the Almoner , and appeals to his clemency are seldom answered less promptly and consolingly by that generous heart which knows only to be merciful to all . " It is a noble sight to see the good Father of his people thus walking familiarly amongst them , and pouring blessings and consolation on all around .

    " On these occasions , besides the Noble Guard and the three or fqur officers of the household who attend the Pope , two of his private chamberlains walk at each side of His Holiness . And often in one of tlieso may be recognised the portly figure and the bland and handsome countenance of our distinguished fellowcountryman Monsignor Talbot . It is flattering to our national feeling to see an Irishman placed by the Holy Father in so high position near his person ; and it is pleasing to reflect that ho has selected one whoso ability and refinement render him so worthy of it . Frequently I followed the Pope ' s cort&ge during these walks , and I believe " my principal attraction ( after the novolty of the spectacle had passed ) arose from

    those two goncrous , noble faces—that of the Holy Father and that of his Irish chamberlain . It was ever a pleasure to me , —which no repetition of tho sight could diminish , —to gaze from one of those fair countenances to the other , and read in both the same beautiful character of dignity , sweotness , and benevolence . Even in the close-fitting soutane ( which I have mentioned as his usual garb on those occasions ) tho figure of His Holiness is stout and venerable , as becomes a man over whom have passed full six-andsixty summers ; yet his stop is as free and gracoful ,

    and his blue eye as bright , as they might have been some forty years before Some of these things time no doubt may chango—tho Pope may become loss stout , —his eye may grow dim in tho darkness pf ago , —and his stop may be onfeoblqcl by tho weight of years ( but the mild expression of gen tloness which over beams from those handsome features , and the oharm with which dignity of bearing and sanctity of life invest the person of tho profit Pontiff , no time nor circumstance can have any power to alter . As long as Pius tho Ninth remains himself , these

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    THE THREE GATES . In verse . By Chauncy Hare Townshend . Chapman and Hall . There is much of poetry that is merely verbal , wherein description of nature or feeling is arrayed in poetic diction that meets with immediate recognition , and which probably is read and written with equal ease . There is also , particularly in these latter days , much poetry which depends on thought , abstruse frequently in subject , and difficult of study . The readers of such poetry are perhaps few , but the writers are many . Such a fact is indicative of the pensive tendencies of these times , and the metaphysical turn usual to productive minds . Mr . Townshend has not feared , in his present volume ,

    to wrestle with the deepest problems , tiis title refers to " the Three Gates , " by which , according to classic legends , Elysium might be entered . Great truths are " not won , unless by him who passes successively through three gates of the soul . " The poet names them , " The Mystery of Evil , " " Love , " and the " Law of Love . " The first portion of his volume grapples with the mystery , and grapples with it earnestly , passionately , and with a dreadful integrity ;—a logical justice which , though it ruin heaven , will pronounce sentence . Y I'he problem of life , lie sees all scales of

    plainly enough , is sorrow . In being is agony , and in all conditions of lifo . Barbarous races exhibit naqn as devils , existing only to torture each other , and sacrificing age , innocence , and misfortune to selfishness , however cruel , and convenience , however arbitrary . Civilised nations aflect refinement , but the evil only strikes the more inwardly , and therefore , though the physical condition is ameliorated , the moral " » U » J ? 0 ' to fresh pain . He compares tho Indian suttee w th the European widow , and finds the balance : rather in favour of the former . But , in fairness , we must suffer the poet to speojc for himself : I fl . uu , " Tho savage , wl > 0 above ffrouud ffooa , ¥ A ^^ JM * ^™ ffi * s * ud ™ 11 tlirow - Iilo » pit wboro Hip « J « ft' »« dcd wo W Wnfkotli lower « iai » life oorpg o » l . aU lie , Dust unto dust coneipi'J oro » ifo bo flea . And spuni'd by owry fiool that passes o w ma uo « a . » Kartli on nor surface boars a weight of woo , But liuAVlor in Her bosom I' Then amazed I s « w what pompVrew up ttom pangs bolow . WhoreTmlnott yftwiTd hideous , luxury was ombliwort WitliftUhorJoVoIfll Comfortless Igascd Oh llowora " from curst roots . When my oyos I cant Towards those who roap'd the crop that wrotohoa ralsod , Motl » ou « l » t , Uko brouth of unseen oiirnoB , past H'Jn q ' oi- tuolr proudoiit Joy ft foul and oivvornM blast .

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    No . 489 . Atte . 6 , 185 M THE LEADER 917

• Citation
  • Leader (1850-1860), Aug. 6, 1859, page 917, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2306/page/17/