New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1854-10-24
UEW PUBLICATIONS.
.o,,rr,s POSITIVE PHILOSOPHY.

JBE ...isss soS CONDENSED b. HasrEr M.sIfssAV.
I've yp sss Calvin Blanchard.
IthNw some twenty years since the princi-
,,.s of the Positive PbiOsophy-which is the
..pe given BY n. Comte to his theory OF scien-
ti6e Observation-Disclosures presented to the world,
IN . q steuatic shape. The original work, which
sorms the basis of Miss Martineaus compilation,
,no. through series of volumes, including nearly
Ave thousand pages. Since the completion OF
this extraordinary philosophical labor, NJ Comte
h.s publisbed several other volumes in continu-
alton or illustration Of his great design, in some
& which miniature view ia given Of his system,
presenting it in as popular form es was per-
mitted by the nature Of the subject, and the
character of the authors intellect.
Still, considering the unbounded pretensions Of
the writer-his attempt to establish scientific
method, which was to supersede the accredited
organs of human wisdom-his promise OF an in-
kllble specific for the moral and physical evils
of modern society-his antieipations of an era
which would introduce the reign Of truthfulness,
honor, Justice, and msgnanimity among men
together with the singular gravity and earnest
ness of bis manner his cold and impissive intel
acknowledgement, i. would seem, Of all disturb
ing influences from sympathy or enthusiasm
and his ency clopedic kbo Wedge of the achieve
mepts Of science,-bis productions have failed,
to remarkable degree, Of attracting the atten-
ton, either of the philosophical world, or the
mass Of curious readers. In his own country,
bis name has scarcely been recognized among
her eminent men. His productions have made
no visible mark on the general current Of
thought. We see few traces Of his influence,
either in the philosophy, or science, or literature,
of France. The little interest he has excited,
has been confined to individuals. He has not
gained a place among the leading intellectual
authorities Of the day. With degree OF ability
and scientific attainment, that, in any point OF
view, is exceedingly rare, he has been unable TO
secure the position which is not often withheld
from genuine merit in France, and is, at this
day, even amid the approaches of infrmity and
old sge, compelled to depend for subsistence on
teaching the rudiments of mathematics, and the
casual donations Of friends or strangers
In England and the United States, COmte has
obtained few intelligent and devoted followers
and still more who have profted by his instruc-
tons on important specalities, without fully
adopting the distinctive theories which he pro-
pounds. In this country, especially, his writings
have attracted an earnest, though very limited
attention. portion of his works has been trans
lated by learned college professor, and a re-
markedly thorough and able critique, by dis
criminsting admirer, though not disciple, has
appeared in several numbers Of prominent Quar-
terly Review. In spite Of the prevailing apathy,
however with which the claims Of NJ. Comte
have been received by the public, no one who is
in any degree conversant with his writings, will
deny that the Positive Philosophy is one of
the most significant intellectual products of the
age, and If not deserving of the exalted rank
which is demanded for it by his adberents, it is
vet most signal illu ,traton of the present con-
dition of thought and contains suggestions which
can hardly be too profoundly pOndered by the
lovers of humanity.
The obscurity of Comics style is doubtless
one cause of the neglect into which his writings
have fallen. Not that he deals in mystical con-
ceptions, which he labors to embody in words;
nor that his composition is perplexed by strange
and repelleLt Technology; on the contrary, the
and his few technical terms are well chosen and
natural; but the general texture of his diction Is
rough and Grabbed; it Knocks the comprehension
of the reader, in numerous instances, not by Its
eonciseness, but by its verbosty; he overlays his
meaning with crowd of words; he repeats ia
yorite thought, instead of expanding it; and thus
often leads you through long and wearisome pages,
without giving you any satisfactory sense of pro-
aress. You ponder his oracular sentences en-
ticsd by their solemn earnestness, as if held by
the glittering eye of the Ancient Mariner, but on
closing the book, and taking an inventory your
acquisitions, you find but "a beggarly account of
empty boxes" Comte is siDgulatly meager in illus
tration. Though sworn foe to distractions he
writes in painfully abstract manner. His style
has no perspective, no felicitous play of light
and shade no refreshing colors derived from the
use Of material images. II would indeed be diff
6cult to name writer, in whose hands the pre-
cision and lucidity of French prose-the most
effective medium among the living languages for
philosophical dscussion-has been turned to such
Improbable account.
The intrinsic character of Comics system,
moreover 10 not adapted TO conciliate the favor of
philosophic readers. The enormous, incredible
esotsm which it betrsys. rather than reveals,
does not create rational presumption in its be.
half. He undertakes by the sole force of his in.
diyidual intellect to annul principles and habits
Of belief that have been sustained by minds so far
superor to his own as to throw an air of ridicule
over his whole enterprise. Assuming to be the
Bacon of the nineteenth century, he exhibits no
Qualities that would enttle him to "loose even