WATTS’S LITERARY GUIDE ■
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B E I N G A M O N T H L Y R E C O R D O F L I B E R A L A N D A D V A N C E D P U B L I C A T IO N S .
No. 53.]
A P R IL 15, 1890.
[Price One Penny.
N E W P U B L I C A T IO N S .
OUR L I B R A R Y S H E L V E S .
T he venerable Dr. Martineau has seen through the press his new book, “ The Seat o f Authority in Religion ” (14s.). The price is, to an extent, prohibitive; but those who have access to the volume will read it with absorbing attention.
T he subject o f the next volume of Blackwood’s “ Philosophical Classics” will be “ Locke” (3s. 6d.).
A n old Life Member of the British Association has issued a work entitled “ The Two Kinds of Truth : A Test of all Theories ” (7s. 6d.). The principal topics treated are Evolution, Instinct, and Immortality.
Messrs. Macmillan will shortly publish “ The Golden Bough : A Study in Comparative Religion,” by Mr. J. G. Frazer.
T he Progressive Publishing Company has issued in pamphlet form the second part of Colonel Ingersoll’s essay, “ Why am I an Agnostic ?” (2d.), and also “ Crimes against Criminals” (3d.), by the same author.
Mr. F. J. Gould’s “ Stepping-stones to Agnosticism ” is now completed, the concluding essay being “ Agnosticism Writ P la in” (id .). The volume will be published earlynext month in cloth, lettered, at is. 6d.
Messrs. W. H. A llen & Co. have issued Mrs. Rossetti’s monograph on “ Mrs. Shelley ” (3s. 6d.) as one of their Eminent Women Series.
Messrs. W. Stewart & Co. have just published a new and revised edition of Saladin’s “ Robert Burns : Was He a Christian ?” (id.).
Mr. Oscar B rowning has issued, through Mr. Walter Scott, an admirable “ Life of George E l io t ” (is.). The value o f the book is enhanced by the fact that Mr. Browning was, for many years, intimately acquainted with the subject o f his biography.
Messrs. Sonnensciiein’s list of new publications includes “ The Promotion o f General Happiness: A Utilitarian Essay,” by Michael Macmillan ; a new edition of Professor Rogers’s “ Six Centuries of Work and Wages and “ The Story o f the French Revolution,” by E. Belfort Bax.
D r . L. Büchner will shortly issue a new work, entitled “ Fremdes und Eigenes aus dem Leben der Gegenwart.” The book will treat o f Spinoza, Diderot, Schopenhauer, etc., and o f several great problems o f our time, including the utopian “ Volkerfrieden.” In an appendix the author will describe a visit to Darwin.
Mrs. A lexander Ireland’s life of Mrs. Carlyle is to be published in the autumn. Some of the letters inserted will be given in facsimile.
“ E volution, Antiquity of Man, Bacteria, etc.” (is. 6d.) is the first of a series of handbooks giving the results of scientific investigations in plain, every-day language.
We have now to glance at the third and last volume o Buckle’s
“ CIVILISATION IN ENGLAND."
It is wholly occupied with a review of Scotch history. Religion and rebellion are writ large across the chronicles of Scotland. Liberality in politics has been united with an illiberal theology. “ There have been more rebellions in Scotland than in any other country.” This is our author’s sentence; but he immediately balances its effect by adding : “ While, however, in regard to loyalty, the opposition between Scotland and Spain is complete, there is, strange to say, the most striking similarity between those countries in regard to superstition. Both nations have allowed their clergy to exercise immense sway, and both have submitted their actions, as well as their consciences, to the authority of the Church.” What made Scotland superstitious ? The physical dangers to which its people were exposed, and their ignorance. Mountains and mists, torrents and storms, awaken emotions of awe and mystery. Add to this that the most fertile area of the country was in constant peril from the English borderers. The growth of large towns and the establishment of safe trading routes were prevented. Industrial art and education and literature were alike depressed. The ground was thus richly prepared for the growth of priestly influence. The structure of the country at the same time allowed the chieftains and nobles to isolate themselves in their own domains, and to act with rude independence.
A very stirring chapter is allotted to the struggles between the kings and the nobility. Battle and murder and sudden death, and all the incidents o f civil strife and confusion, become, under Buckle’s hand, exemplifications of great leading principles. The nobles thought to triumph over the clergy by supporting the Reformation; but, as Buckle observes, “ a new hierarchy was quickly organised because, in fact, the spiritual necessities of the people compelled it. A Church Scotland must have ; if not Catholic, then Presbyterian. And surely Scotland’s desire for a Church was fulfilled in unstinted measure, shaken together, and running over 1 Those who care to read the dreadful story— and every intelligent man and woman ought to care — will find it here in detail, with all the authorities minutely quoted. The tyranny o f the Kirk Sessions, the amazing claims of the clergy even to miraculous powers, the cruel doctrines of Deity and Devil, the suppression o f innocent amusements and enjoyments, and the terrorism carried by the clergy into the very homes of the people—all this is vividly pictured out, until the student almost trembles at the gloomy scenes his imagination passes through. We are inclined to think, as we have hinted in a previous article, that Mr. Buckle does not appreciate at its full worth the glowing and enthusiastic piety which, while it could lay the Scotchman prone at the altar, could also rouse him to deeds of heroism and self-abnegation. Ferhaps— but we do not care to emphasize the suggestion in face o f such research and scholarship as Mr. Buckle commands— he may have
