WATTS’S LITERARY GRIDE. 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. 77.]
A PR IL 15, 189a.
[Price One Penny.
N E W P U B L I C A T IO N S .
O UR L I B R A R Y S H E L VES.
— :o:—
Mr. T. Fisher Unwin will issue shortly a volume from the pen of Mr. G. J. Holyoake, entitled “ Sixty Years of an Agitator’s Life.” Mr. Holyoake’s deeply interesting and instructive narrative is practically his autobiography, and his numerous admirers— many o f whom have already read the work as it has appeared, from week to week, in the Newcastle Weekly Chronicle— will be glad to possess it in a complete and connected form.
Messrs. George Philip & Son announce the publication o f what should prove to be a valuable work, from the pen of David Nasmith, Q.C., LL.B., entitled “ The Makers o f Modern Thought: Four Centuries of Conflict between Science, Ignorance, and Superstition” (1200 to 1699 a.d.). The work will be published in two volumes.
T he enterprising Truthseeker Company, of New York, have just issued a terribly blasphemous publication, entitled “ Old Testament Stories, Comically Illustrated” (cloth 6s., boards 4s. 6d.), by Watson Heston. According to the announcement on the title-page, “ the stories are humorously told, and hard facts are given concerning the origin and authenticity o f the Old Testament.” There are, in all, nearly 200 large, full-page illustrations— sufficient to ensure the damnation of the whole human race. The bulky volume is handsomely and artistically got up, and may be procured, to order, from our publishers. In an early issue we shall have something more to say about this extraordinary book.
T he Progressive Publishing Company issue a propagandist pamphlet, “ Was Jesus Crucified?” (id.), written by a member o f the Chicago Bar. The brochure is highly spoken of.
T he Open Court Publishing Company have secured the American rights of Professor G. J. Romanes’s forthcoming work, “ Darwin and After Darwin.”
Mr. J. M. Wheeler is writing some “ Bible Studies.” The volume will open with an essay on “ Phallic Worship, among the Jews,” and will include many of the best articles contributed by the writer to the Freethinker and Progress.
Mr. F order has in the press an edition of Voltaire’s theological works. It will run into two, and perhaps three, bulky volumes.
M r . C harles S. Peirce contributes the opening paper to the new number of the Monist. His subject is, “ The Doctrine of Necessity Examined.” Among the other writers are Dr. Edmund Montgomery, Professor J. Deboeuf, Professor G. J. Romanes, and the Editor, Dr. Paul Carus.
Professor E. C olbert, M.A., has issued through the Open Court Publishing Company a learned treatise on « Humanity in its Origin and Early Growth” (6s. 6d.).
B r i l l i a n c e of illustration and singular fluidity of diction, quick-witted perception of historical principles and an easy grace of exposition, are characteristics of Walter Bagehot’s
“ PHYSICS AND POLITICS ;
or, Thoughts on the Application of the Principles of ‘ Natural Selection ’ and ‘ Inheritance ’ to Political Society ” (Kegan Paul; “ International Scientific Series;” 7th edition, 1885 ; 224 pp.; 4s.). Bagehot writes like a journalist with a scientific turn of mind. One can fancy him suddenly smitten with the significance of Darwinism, and conceiving the idea of applying it to political development. And, falling back upon his previous wide store of reading rather than commencing a special research to verify his conclusions, he weaves together, eagerly and cleverly, this series of essays. They abound in lively metaphors. “ The best history,” remarks Bagehot, “ is but like the art of Rembrandt: it casts a vivid light on certain selected causes, on those which were best and greatest; it leaves all the rest in shadow and unseen.” Very smart and amusing, too, is his application of the proposition that civilised people suffer from an excessive activity which cannot always find outlet in profitable work. The restless Englishman takes his pleasures sadly, because he throws into them too much of the earnestness and energy which he is unable to expend in fitter modes, and on the same principle our abstract speculations are worked up into laborious systems which entrap the young and enthusiastic student. “ A large book of deductive philosophy,” says Bagehot, with fine humour, “ is much to be suspected.” No doubt there is an adequate amount of science in the work (is it not a member of the “ International Scientific Series” ?); but only a very hopeless Caledonian could miss the wit.
There are six essays. In “ The Preliminary Age ” the quality which enabled civilised nations to emerge from barbarism and outstrip their neighbours is discussed— viz., amenability to law ; “ later are the ages of freedom; first are the ages of servitude.” The second essay describes “ The Use of Conflict ”— that is, the practice and improvement of the military art as an instrument of civilisation. But whence came the strength which is displayed in superior militarism ? In a rising nation there must be a strong sense of legality coupled with a sufficient love of innovation to prevent legality becoming stagnation. Even slavery had its uses, for “ it is one of the institutions which, at a certain stage of growth, all nations in all countries choose and cleave to.” Essays iii. and iv. both deal with “ Nation-Making.’’ The author establishes an ingenious case for the force of imitation which moulds a tribe or people after the pattern of a few strong individualities. Prehistoric man he depicts as a savage minus the traditions and ingrained prejudices of the savage o f modern times, and he devotes some interesting pages to the natural history of caste and deportment. The observations and conclusions are desultory, but they are very delightful reading. The fifth essay is entitled “ The Age of Discussion.” “ Stagnation,” affirms Bagehot,
