The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-07-26
New Publication.

Elementary Sketches IF Moral Phiosophy, dsiiosred
at The Royal Institution, IN The years 1904, 1900,
and 1906 BY the late SYDNEY SMITH, M. A. New
York Harper 4 Brothers, 1850. | vol, l2mo.
''These elementary Lectures" the editor states,
''are scarcely more than enumeration OF those
great men that have originated and treated on this
important science, with short account of their
various opinions, and frequent compilations from
their works" They were delivered before
dience OF ladies and gentlemen, who were not
familiar with the subject treated. II will, there
fore, be readily perceived that little beyond the
primary truths of this science could be impaired,
and that the most agreeable and popular manner
of instruction would be adopted. No one was bet
ter suited for this duty than author. His sim
pie character, his transformations learning, and the
vvacty of his intellect always secured for him the
attention of even the most superficial students,
while he possessed solid charms capable OF capti-
waiting the attention of the most learned.
For some time subsequent to his death, the pro-
priety Of publishing these lectures was doubted by
many Of the friends of Mr. Smith-frstly, because
they the product of his earlier years. simply
written to be read to his classes; and, secondly,
because brief passages of some OF them had been
lost. 1t appears that the advice of Lord Jeffrey,
for some time withheld was finally decisive of the
question. We rejoice that it was; for, while all
due allowance will be made for any defects the
volume may exhibit, there is enough in il to value
and admire, to secure for its author the lasting
praise of every reader.
However much owe to the original authors
upon any science for the ideas they may present to
US, in the present state of science and literature
we always entertain the brightest admiration for
him by whom it is brought within the comprehen-
sion of unschooed, common sense readers. This is
what Mr.. Smith has done He has no patience
with the mystery and mysifcation in which wri-
tiers often delight in enveoping the subjects they
assume to teach. Thus he remarks in his accus-
toned playful manner:
'Therc is word of dire sound and horrible I'M
port which would fain have kept concealed if
possibly could but, this is not feasible, ! shall
even meet the danger at once, and get out of il
we'll as can. The word to which allude is Meta
physics; which, in lecture on Moral Philosophy,
seems likely To produce as much alarm as the cry
OF fire in crowded play house, when Belvidera is
| left to weep by herself, and every him
| self in the best manner he can. must beg my
dicnce, however, to sit quiet till they hear what
can be said in defence of metaphysics and in the
mean time to make use of the language which the
manager would probably adopt such
sion--l can assure ladies and gentlemen there ID
not the smallest degree Of danger"
Mr.. Smiths analyses of the views of the many
authors whom he examines, though they appear at
times only amusing, in reality instructive and
profitable in the highest degree. AT the present
time, indeed, cannot comprehend how the
| "wire. drawn distinctions and ssubtile and inge-
Nous foes of the old teachers of metaphysics can
be properly treated without the involuntary resort
to the use of ridcule. And yet they not alto
| gether ridiculous; but contain the wisdom of the
times in which they were written, and the germ of
| the truths Of science we now possess; and they
were, therefore, the more pernicious. ''Errors to
! be dangerous" he remarks, ''nlust have a great
deal of truth mingled with them; y from pure
extravaganza and genuine, unmingled falsehood,
the world never has, and never sustain any
mischief and it is hence that skepticism, in its
alliance with pseudo moral philosophy, has in
flicted its worst ills. But it is well said by
thor that eff the enemies of religion derive subtil-
ty and acueness from this pursuit, ought not their
own weapons to be turned against thems And
ought not some to study for defence, if others do
for the purpose of aggression?'
Whoever reads this volume through will be
highly and agreeably entertained his way; who
ever peruses 1t methodicaly and patiently, will be
richly compensated by the profit it will impart.
AS aid to the student who would take a retro
spective survey, it will prove exceedingly conve-
nent; agreeable introduction to him who
would enter upon the investigation of the phioso-
ply of mind, it will prove equally invaluable,
For sale by Taylor & Maury, Washington city.