New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1852-11-18


new yrtern. .
In the year 1e2o, appeared bis System Of
Positive Politics" Under the original and special
title, Outlines Of the Scientific Labors Neees-
Gry to the Organization of Society in the
yer 1924, these "Outlines P" were republlshed
uraer the former general title.
Ia this work, he has sketched the leading Tea
lures of his historical system, according 70
which the theological and metaphysical sge-oi
which the last is only modification OF the hrt-
ia succeeded by the positive age-the age OF &c
tual knowledge Of general laws. In 20 nc
published treatise in rhe Producteur showing
that the Christian separation OF the spiritua, auu
secular bowers had freed the conscience and mo-
rslity from the ancient predomlnance OF poll
tics. and further showing that after the dissoiu-
tion Of the ecclesiastical world this separation
must be renewed in another form. =,
After an intimacy of six years, he broke with
CT 9imon-it is probable that his preference Tor
the revolution of science and bis conviction thst
the establishment of new regime was possible
onlv bv the establishment of theoretical Revo-
lutioD' were WOUNDED by the practcal tehleh'
cies OF the Count, who insisted on an imlnedia'e
transformation Of the present state OF thihss,-
and il is certain that he was aiienated rom -,
Simon by the vague religious sentlmentalliy OF
tie latter.
Without property he saw in early youth that
with lis relation 10 existing affairs, both 10 ths
Liberal coteries. and 10 the Government, both
TO theolOgians and metaphyslcians, he could not
obtain an Official position, which should release
him from the care for livelihood. Heaccord-
ingly supported himself by giving private IN
stsnct;on In Mathematics, while the theological
reaction under Louis XVIII. and Charles y.
20 Ov puhliP InsflfuflOn.
II vasbot until after the Revolution OF July, 10
Is3a that be obtained modest situation as as
s;stant teacher in the Polytechnic School, hut
here also he was deprived of all preferment by
theological and metaphysical hostility, and the
clime.spirit of scholars In the preface to the
Sixth Voln,ne of his Positive Philosophy" in
which he aIludes TO his personal relations, he
speaks among other things OF the ungenerous
disposition which has been shown toward him
M such scholars as have obtained a popular
name, and even universal celebriry-he states
that the irrational and oppressive tendency
Which has come to prevail in the Polytechnic
School, is due principally to Arago, who has
made himself the organ OF passions and misun-
deIsta1dincs that are peculiar 10 the learned
classes.
From his leading principle, never TO demand
anything Of the ruling authorities, except what
is sanctioned by custom, COInte has never
permitted himself to depart. Gllilot was per-
sonaly acquainted with him on his first appear
ancc before the public in ls24-25, End i'll part
rcco gnized lis importance. When Gulzot came
into power ten years afterward, Comtc made TO
Lin the proposition 10 establish for himself in the
CoH(ge de France, Il Chair for the " General
History Cd the Positive Sciences" The Puri-
tanic mctaThysician, who had established 30
many useless or injurious ProiesSOrshipS for his
partisans and flatterers, took good care not 10
cndOw the man who had declared war on theolo-
gy and metaphysics with a public place which
would have given him the opportunity of pro-
mitigating his views from the Professors Chair.
Between the last year of Charles y. and the
year le42, appeared the Positive Philosophy
in six large volumes. But the learned classes
of France rs well as the liberal journals have
ignored this work. Nowhere was it even men
toned.
AS have said-l regard il Us good work 10
present q brief outline of the contents Of this
book, in order 10 increase the knowledge and
appreciation of ii; but my principal motive for
undertaking the task is the occasion it gives mo
for comparing the French and German criticism
and their general historical view.
DVIyO RAUTR