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WATTS’S LITERARY GUIDE 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 .

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No. 74.]

JANUARY 15, 1892.

[Price One Penny.

. N E W P U B L I C A T IO N S .

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T he new number o f the Monist contains, among other excellent contributions, a paper by Mr. Moncure D. Conway ■ on “ Religion and Progress.” Professor C. Lloyd Morgan writes on “ Mental E vo lu t io n P ro fe s so r Ernst Mach on •“ Facts and Mental Symbols while the editor, Dr. Carus, ¡has an able article on “ Are there Things in Themselves ?”

O UR L I B R A R Y S H E L VES.

I n his “ Prehistoric Times ” Sir John Lubbock exposed the leading facts as to the antiquity of man, and gave a sketch of the state of savage life in the present day, the implication being that, in modern savagery, history often repeats itself and displays a reflection of primitive man. This method is elaborated at considerable length in the same author’s

“ origin of civilisation

A new pamphlet from the pen of Mr. Charles Watts, •entitled “ The Origin, Nature, and Destiny of M an” (3d.), is issued.

M essrs. AVatts & Co. have just published the first number o f a new Liberty journal, entitled Free Trade (id.). According to the prospectus, this aspirant for popular ■ favour will devote its attention particularly to Free Trade at home, and will attack every kind of monopoly or hindrance to honest industry. The contents are varied, and should prove highly interesting to Individualists. Mr. Frederick Millar is one o f the contributors.

Mr. Walter T . Old has issued, through Messrs. Hay, Nisbet, & Co., a little work on “ What is Theosophy ?” (is.). It is intended to be a concise presentation of this, for a while, fashionable creed. Mrs. Annie Besant contributes an introduction.

D r. Karl Pearson, the author of “ The Ethic of Freethought,” has written a new work, entitled “ The Grammar •of Science,” discussing in a popular manner the basis of modern science, its sphere, its methods, and its limitations. Mr. Walter Scott is the publisher.

Mr. R obert Forder has added to his list of publications b y Colonel Ingersoll a racy and powerful address on * Three Philanthropists ” (2d.).

Mr. John V ickers has addressed, ostensibly to the members o f the Theistic Church, but actually to the general liberal public, a powerful review of the life, character, and •death of “ The Real Jesus ” (6s.), from a Jewish standpoint. The book will be keenly relished by Freethinkers.

Messrs. Watts & Co. have issued in pamphlet form Professor Huxley’s paper entitled “ Possibilities and Impossibilities ” (3d.), with addenda. As a statement of the Agnostic attitude in regard to the Biblical miracles, the brochure will be extremely valuable in Freethought propaganda.

Messrs. E llis & Elvey announce for immediate publication the “ Lectures on the History of Literature ” (5s.) delivered by Thomas Carlyle in 1838. Professor J. R. Greene will contribute a preface and notes.

Mrs. Humphry Ward, the author of the much over-rated “ Robert Elsmere,” has written another so-called heretical novel, entitled “ The History of David and Primitive Condition of Man ” (Longman’s ; fifth edition, 1889 ; 554 pp.; illustrated; 18s.). Sir John has amassed an enormous store o f facts from the reports o f competent observers. AVith just sufficient theory to make his facts cohere, he groups them round the topics o f Art and Ornament, Marriage and Relationship, Religion, Character and Morals, Language and Laws. One difficulty in the collection of information lies in the gulf which separates the modes of thought in the savage and the civilised traveller. How easily one may be misled even when making inquiries at first hand is shown by the anecdote of an Australian, who, being asked if a specimen branch of Eucalyptus came from a tall tree, replied Yes. The Englishman, doubting whether he had been truthfully answered, asked again if the branch came from a low bush. The native quite innocently assented, possibly thinking the matter one of no consequence either way. For amusing simplicity it would be hard to beat the Tahitians, who gratefully accepted a present of iron nails from Captain Cook, and sowed them in the expectation of a bountiful crop! Ladies will be greatly interested in the chapter on art and ornament, and more particularly in the account of the toilet of the Felatah women (Central Africa). These fascinating dames stain their feet purple, colour the teeth alternately blue and yellow, put a dark border o f sulphuret of antimony round the eyes, and dye the hair with indigo. AVriters who wish to find ideas for startling articles in the magazines on new departures in marriage customs will discover many notable suggestions in Sir John Lubbock’s picture of savage manners. The Dammara women (South Africa) have apparently solved the problem of “ Liberty in Marriage they divorce themselves as often as they like, almost as frequently as once a week 1 Marriage was once communal, in Sir John’s opinion ; but the invention of capturing women by main force led to greater restriction. This same custom of capture explains (though we have not space to give the explanation here) the most singular fashion prevailing among certain races of prohibiting all communications between a son-in-law and mother-in-law. The section on relationships reveals an astonishing amount of confusion, or, at any rate, variety, among savage nations on the subject of aunts, uncles, and cousins; but, of course, where the principles of marriage so greatly differ from our own, a corresponding difference must be expected in family arrangements. Three important chapters are set apart to religion, and they are of supreme interest to the Rationalistic reader, who will often be glad to refer to them for illustrations of rudimentary ideas o f religion, as exhibited in Fetichism, Totemism, Shamanism,