New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1857-07-07
JULY PERIODICALS.
THE CHRISTIAN EXAMINER.


The new dress and enlarged form Of this number
may be regarded as typical of the spirit which has
been infused into its pages 1t comes to US with more
profound scholarship, higher sense of human inter-
ess and broader catholicism of tone than for
time past have marked its character although it has
seldom Jailed heretofore in it's loyalty to freedom, and
in its union of literary taste with religious discussion
The present editors, Rev. +. III. Hedge and Rev. +.
T.. Hale eacRnen Of rare intellectual gifts and OF
large Accomplishments distinguished for his erl-
Gite philosophical culture, and his combination OF the
poetic temperament with logical acumen and severe
iudgment-the other remarkable for the extent and
accuracy Of his information his sound practical sense
his interest in public affairs, and his liberal sympahes.
In the first article Of this number, Mr.. Brookss trans
lation Of Faust" receives a critical examination,
highly favorable, in the MAN, to that skilfu perform
ance while the original woik is made the SUBJECT OF
some lucid and sagacious comments The next artcl
il a welconsdered essay on the latest phase of
Comics Positive Philosophy, with several interesting
details on the personal character and present condition
of that bold thinker The following description of Mr..
Comte in bis declining years will be new to most of
our readers:
AS we might expect, the lonely old man is lonelier
DOW than ever. While as mode of thought, Posi-
tvism and more affects the mind OF thinking men
often while they hostile and a~are) and has al
groups Of professed disciples as mode of worship
and faith it can scarcely be said to have mustered its
two or three. There is something that might move
the most hostile critic TO conjunction, iii the artless
exposure of his intellectual solitude. Many who have
accepted gratefully his services in the domain of sci
tnce decline his guidance in the domain OF faith Dis
cpes Of his school seek no communion III his church.
OF the eminent expounders OF his doctrine one
remains in cultured conservatism one plunges into
revolutionary radicalism; while third protests, on
Christian grounds, against his entire social ana re-
Ggious scheme. Once and again he has designated IN
his own mind bis successor in the highpresthood OF
humanity; but each has been found wanting, or else
imprasticabe. Still with seif-confdence We might
almost call sublime be bates dt of his faith IN his
own unparalleled mission" placed alone at the
Occidental point Of view he registers his verdict as
absolutely If he sat the tribunal Of all the ages.
Deprived of the last slender stipend Of official support,
be accepts the friendly contributions for his suosist
ebce ga free subsidy voluntarily founded for the
endowment Of his sacerdotal Office. Already he has
solemnzed, Priest of Humanity, the three chief
social sacramento those, namely concerning birth,
marriage and death His religion has already its
catechism and creed its ritual Of worship and its cal
endar Of saints His modest quarters in the Rue Mon
sieur le Prince, "the holy domice, where arose
and was fulfilled the religious evolution Of Postvism
whose sacred rites shall continue to be there observed
until the completion of special temple Nay, he
Hobbies he will complete his career by inaugurating
the worship of the Great Being in the midst OF deputa
tom gathered from all the populations OF the est
In Of those quiet suites OF rooms, so Pleasantt
memory of the visitor in Paris, with their grave
antique furniture, and their cool floors Of polished
chestnut few steps from the Odeon and the Luxem-
bourg dweIls this seltchosen Pontff OF the human
race He il man Of not quite sixty, with the short
stature the large black .eye, and dark features OF
southern France; his manner simple and courteous
his conversation rapid impatient, and very trying to
40 Impractical ear his recreation music Of which ne
u passonstely fond. He imperiousy disclaims all
halfway discipeship and is unspariDg in his charge,
dhypocrsy on those who have followed his metho
but criticised his results. The slender collection OF
books shows little else outside OF science than few
standard authors selected after slightly eccentric
ttsnosro OF his own-amost all phases Of contempo
nry thouget being kept systematically out OF sight,
sno men nearest sympahies las the Secularists OF
En8iand NOT disciples OF his school, being unknown
10 much as by name. On the mantle lie the Imita-
ION OF Christ and the Diyina Commedia" well worn
the guide OF his morning and evening deyotons; for
The hiRh-pres OF humanity sets his followers the ex-
snpe Of spending at least two hours of every dxy in
prayer. This daily ntual-which we NAV best exDlaiu
a. IN act of sef-eOnsecration to the service of Lave
\ and Truths rendered in the name Of his angel-
grardians." the chief being his mother, woman ias
We Judge Of sincere and fervent Catholic pety. of
snon he speaks with tender veneraOn in affecting
contrast with their disparity Of faith, cherishng her
y Lessons Of piety aud desiring 30 be buried by her
ee for an everlasting remembrance Of this fal tic
sss other Encyclopaedia" is a name which he has
Zen TO associate most intimately and constantly
! ~, sr ns own, and which, more than any other fur
~ me Key 10 this curious autobiography. Al the
1 v" saset We End the work dedicated "To the