New-York daily tribune., 1857-09-25
Dr1TU OF AuGrSTE coMTE.

T., tho da.tb of Auguste Comte, which Is announced
m ,hs l.s. foreign arrival, Europe has lost Of its
,os r,ofound and independent thinkers, and science
, cutiyator surpassed by none in passionate devotion
% t,uth in earnest sincerity Of research in bodness
and tenac,y of grasp, if not in oomprehensiveness Of
vision. We are not the followers of Comte as q
philosophical teacher. His system in our option,
labors utder palpable and important defects. His
method was wanting in ucdty, his range of intuition
was comparatively limited ard hs style Of exposition
was as remarkable for the absence of symmetry as for
its stringent demands on the intellectually of the
student. Bot we honor Coute for his lofty scientific
aims lie was intent reducing the pursuit of truth
to a practical reality. He sought to harmonze the
acquisitions of ages by clearing away the
rubbish from the products Of wisdom. Is was
his tak to undertake the analysis Of error to develop
the law of its genesis, and 10 drive it away from the
field of scientific research In the sphere Of physical
facts the Positive Philosophy of Comte presents
clue of ipestmabe value to the explorer of nature
Beyond tha limit its earlier aepects were marked by
de- olate negatiop Of the ideal Its later attempts to
inaugurate religion aud sentiment exhibit an eratlc
play Of far cy rather thar sober conviction of spir
itua realiiies Still, the influence of Comte will be
deeply felt in the intellectual development of the age
III
did not taste of death until he had comms suded the
homage Of great and noble minds among his cotempo-
raIies-The details of Comics life extremely
meager We have recently published a description
Of some of the most interesting passages in his
history, which many of our readers will remember
Comte WAS born, Jan. ~, 1898, in Montpelier, the
beautiful city in the south Of Fauce which has long
been famous as the resort OF American and British in
valids in quest Of health. At the age of sixteen he
entered the Polytechnic School in Paris, and for the
rest of his life made that city bis permanent residence
He early exhibited decided prediction for mathe-
matical studies and in 1882 became teacher 10 that
branch Of science at the seminary in which ne had
been educated. The germs of the Positive Phiioso-
ply, with which his il identified, were published
as early as 1890 in periodical of which he WAS one
Of the colaborators. Afer the Revolution OF July
$780, he formed an intimacy with the st. ST.
mopians. and for some time was inbued with ad
miia,iou Of the brilliant discoveries which they claimed
for their master But COmte was not the man to EN-
brace the system Of another mind. He boldly follow
ed bis own course of inquiry and deduction, OF which
he presented the r,t fruits TO the world in the POSI-
tive Philosophy the first volume of which was puo-
sbed in 1899 and has since been succeeded by several
Others. Upon the dvulgiDg of what were considered
under the sceIti6c etiquette of bis time, as sudacious
specuatiors he lost his position az public teacher
and for several years depended for support on giving
pryate ess ,bs in the rudments of mathematics. vi
late few of his disciples 10 different countries, unwlll-
rg II at the powers of so great man should be wasted
10 euch humble labors for livelihood, had secured TO
him an annual stipend which suiced for the modes,
wants and simple habits of philosopher.