New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1857-01-20
NEW PUBLICATIONS

~ o.,p.-sn, By z W. RoBrIr. 2vOls, ivO. Mssns 4
Ksnoss.
The position of the su;hOr in French literature nd
the phosophc eaInestIess With which he has devoted
hmseh 10 the investigation OF the subject, ene THIS
rok on modern spirilussm to more than ordnsry
degree Of attention. Count Gasparin Is distinguished
authority among the Professionals OF France. he Is
widely known for bis rels ous writings, which combine
uncommon vivscty of expression with earnes.ness Of
tone During the excitement on spirtusksm which pre-
vailed in France and Switzerland in the years 1854
he spep, several mouths in the study OF its causes
With the aid Of few personal friends whose integrity
and intelligence were both beyond question, he ins-
tinted series Of experiments and after CAREFUL scra-
,jrv If the facts which were thus brought 10 light he
arrived At the conclusions which recorded IN these
volumes.
In the oprion Of Count Gaspsru, the pheno mers OF
"Turnipc Tables" which were the special oeie,t Of
Nj. uoures are as welestabished as the general h,ts
If physical science He has been constrained to re-
card them as rot the result of mposture or sehdecep
tion. Al the commencement of his experiments he
found no satisfaction and made no progress. The
tables obstinaely refused to move. New phenomena
at er 9Th began TO appear. Before the close OF the
.,tinrs he was satisfied by what he deems nconsest-
BE evidence that new order Of facts was brougnt 20
Leht that thew could not be explained on the suppon-
ton Of uscuar action Of fraud; motions we're erect
I'd without contact heavy weights were raised to con
siderable blight; but no phenomena occurred "I1u
suggested the operation of supernatural agency. LIS
conclusion that they are 20 be accounted Tor oy e
action OF physical fluid or force, or Is~-snae.ei
name il used 10 denote poser impercepuole 70 tne
,epses-wbich communicates to physical oolee's mo
tons which are determined by the human WIZ us
q the gist of the authors theory. The comoneu ao
- khn nara
ton of the invisible force with the VIII oil the opera
tors produces the phenomena. The VIII coh''V1 tue
direction OF the force In this way the vaous pneno'n
ens of tabeurnng are produced, without the neees'
x Of invoking the aid Of dsembodied spirits for their
explanation.
The theory adopted by Count Gsspsrin is applied by
him 10 the eucdstion, not only Of sbleturning and
the spiritual rappings, but of the various forms Of
mscic sorcery nccromancy, aud pretended miracles,
the narratives of which abound in the history OF almost
every nation In the part of his work devoted TO this
sph;ect he has collected Of curious facts which
arpear to be authenticated by unquesionable evidence,
but which In his hands, TO minister TO the p~'
sion for the marvellous and furnish the materials i)r
branch Of snthropoogca science which is yet IN ~
infancy.
While we recognize the value Of the researches
which these volumes record tending TO bring class
of anomalous facts within the domain OF rational laws
we cannot admire the tone aud manner OF the author
He hiss nothing of the calmness which marks the
character of true science. Choerc and teety by nau
raj disposition he is excited 10 grotesque Vehenence
| by the shadow of fancied adversary. His style s
loose and de.uory to intolerable degree, perpeu-
ally rambling into supArfuous depression, and provok-
ing the impotence of the most podding reader by n'
| sudden escapades. The identifying of the American
Uuarsns with the spdtrappers in this country IA au
odd bunder, and does no credit TO the discrimination
| of the author.
| The translation which It is understood is from the
pen of an accomplished lady in this city, though not
sufficiently weeded of French idoms Is oIecatsd with
remarkable spirit and is superior to the average run OF
| English TRANSACTIONS from the modern European
languages
THE ARCHITECTURAL INSTRUCTOR By M"isO L,
| rEyER fto pp. So q I. Putnsm 20
| The purpose of this work il to furnish complete
restse the history and science OF architecture em
bracing description Of the variou, ancient styles and
rders the principles Of the art Of design and construc
ion, and examples Of the different kinds Of edfces,
or which there is the greatest popular demand IL 10
accordingly arranged under three general dyfons, his
oics theoretical and PRACTICAL The Volume is Illus
ated by great variety Of engrayngs, representing the
moot celebrated temples palaces csthedrs and monu
ments ofancen and modern times together with numer-
GUS original designs of public buildings cottages viss
and mansions. The preparation Of the work evinces
dilgen study Of the best authorities the subject
the ample materials which il is founded have been
systematized in an orderly and convenient method
and great Of valuable knoTledge Is presented
in form well adapted TO the Of the architectural
| student and the scientific builder