New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1863-09-19

Aristotle began with the facts of experience and
rose by induction TO generals. lie thus laid down
the true principles Of science, but failed to carry
them ont for lack of sufficient data, or materials OF
observation. The age Of reason thus opened was
rendered illustrous by tie lahors of Euclid, Arch-
medes, Eratosihencs, Hpparchus, the Piocmies, and
by the solid scientific achievements OF he AIexaI-
drian school.
Prom the time Of the Piolomies the scientific
spirit of the AlcYandrien school declined - That
mental strength which gives birth to discovery had
passed away, and the commentator had succeeded
10 the Philosopher There arose disgust at the
present, IN admiration of the past. Reason was re-
placed by faith. Philosophy took to mysticism,
demonology and magic. This melancholy decay
constitutes the period Of Greek intellectual decfep
titude, which is considered to terminate with the
closing Of tho philosophical schools at Athens ~
Justnian, A. ID. so.
The analysis Of the career Of the Greek hteiecl
is preliminary to the larger survey OF European oe'
velopment which comprises the body of the volume
The order pursued is natural one, events succeed
ing each other in strict dynamic sequence. There Is
10 parade of logical forms or tochncalites but the
reader is borne along by continuous and poweHai
current of thought which moves forward WIN SONIC
thing of the breadth and majesty Of nature. AS IN
gazing upon landscape We are first arrested by the
diversified beauty of the living forms and only after
reflection become conscious that each and all are
Illustrations Of natures silent logic Of evolution, 20
the aluence of the materials aud the attractions OF
individual sketches in this history are likely first to
engage attention. willie only upon thoughtful pc
rusal will the reader appreciate the coseyknt logic
of the discussion.
The work is enriched by numerous sketches ana
dgrcssons which impart TO it varied interest ana
though each has its due place in tie march o. tue
argument and contributes 10 the strength OF 'he
final conclusion, yet each has also It's special and
independent value. The olucidauon III the openii Z
chapters of the influence of physical conditions
upon lifs-thc description OF those features Of En-
rope geographical, geological, and climatic which
have been the determining factors Of It's historic
lf,-the analysis of Buddhism and the Hindoo CIV
ilizaion and the account Of tie early Peruvian and
Mexican civilizations are masterpieces Of clear and
iorcibc dclincaton. The exposition Of the inili-
onct of the Arabs and Jews upon the intellectual
Development OF Europe, II Tie Italian system Of
civil and church poiy in the European AZ" 81
Faith and of the nee Il independent inquiry The
struggle of advancing opinions With eccle.lastcisi
the origin of sciences, the extension OF human
knowledge, AMI the consequent gradual rcgencia-
ton of socirty which CHARACTERIZED The European
age of Reason-thcsc form contributions 10 The his
tory Of intellectual progress alike remarkable II
wealth Of crudiion and comprehensive Sigor oi
statement. The peculiar claims Of Professor Dra-
pcrs work to an eminent place among historic COM
positions are chiefly those which ar.se lfom his yc~
Of the subject as q man Of science. At once AID
without hesitation he lays down the broad pnnc!.c
that the development both Of animal and Intellect
ual Afo depends on phys.cs. conditions, AID be Las
fortified this position with POKER Of Toasonins
and a copiousncss Of illustration which have made
the argument peculiarly his own. His work intro
duces more Of nature into history than any Of iis
PREDECESSORS. Kisug % tho clear and steady con-
cclilon Of a comprehensive immutablo order IN ma
turc be regards the dcycopmcn, Of the human
mind as but pant q that orde 20 be interpreted only
In connection Nth the all pcrysdirg scheme. IL is
written IN a sngglafy clear and Attractive style,
often rising into a vivid oioqnence. Indeed ihc'e
runs through q, vein Of genuine poetry which
shows that the cultivation Of exact science is not
necessarily hostile to imagination aLd deep ''n,e
Of beauty.