The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1859-06-15
NEW BOOKS-

LOVE LAMoUR.) From the French of NJ j Mcbelet
PALMER, D. the author of The Neo aad tie DID, de-
Among the ''things'' which "they manage better
Sin France" we do not think the home aud the re-
lations of the sexes can be fairly included. A
proof of this, is exhibited in the fact that while
perhaps it would not be well to assert
that there was no necessity to write this book
we may feel no hesitation in affirming that it need
not have been translated. As curious picture of
the most important features of a modern
civilization which calls itself the highest vet at
tanned, and still singular one of the manner
In which French philosophy proposes to treat social
Diseases 1T Is well worth study: but beyond the
exposure of the increasing evils in the BODY of
Partisan society, there is an unwilling of the sa
cred mysteries of human life, by which curiosity
not so commendabe will be gratified and knowl-
edge not so innocent attained. Without therefore.
condemning Nj. Michelet, who should understand
the wants OF his countrymen, and who, by his ven
cradle age, careful observation, profound study
undoubted good faith and long felt convictionsi is as
competent to the task of advising them as
any man of his naton-speaking of ourselves
and for ourselves, and recognising in the
conditions OF American life, scarcely any
thing to which his teachings applicable we must
pronounce the translation of the work to be as i'll
Judged, as its composition, by any sound American
intellect would have been impossible. 1t is not in
Tact easy here to comprehend the point of view from
which this subject is regarded by NJ. Mchelet 1t il
one constituted of gross materialism on the one
hand, and such exaggerated sentimentalism on
| the other, that we are alternately shocked and
amused by the statement of his propositions.
| For example, he proclaims more than once-as a
modern discovery-that woman's purity is estab-
lished by chemical Analyst He declares
81. The woman is as pure as the man."
| He asks
| az. Is the woman responsible? Undoubtedly she
els a person. but she is sick person. When
an invalid is in question if the law wishes to be
just, it ought always to take into consideration in
every punishable act, this extenuating circum-
| stance"
These novel doctrines the key-potes to
the whole performance. Man is absolute, woman
merely relative to man. Man is the planet woman
the satellite. 1t is wholly with reference to its re-
action the life of the male that the life of the
female is considered. Woman is asserted to be
always under the influence of physical conditions.
which absolutely destroy her moral accountability.
She does not sin-she commits mistakes. She is
not wicked, but i'll. She is in state of pernetual
vaetudnarianism which annuls her will and rem
ders her unfit for the application of punisb
ment. Under any possible state of things she is not
only to be considered good but also to be esteemed
beautiful. She is to be loved, and cherished. and
controlled, and managed, and tenderly and gently
cajoed into virtuous performances, that her bus.
band may be happy. She is not even to be allowed
to grow old.
81 understand the art of love thoroughly" saws
M. Michelet "The first steps are far too easy.
But believe that this art aiding nature, the better
accords to the soul at every age, and even until