New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1863-09-19
NEW PUBLICATIONS.
DRAPER S INTELLECTUAL DEVELOPMENT
OF EUROPE.
A HISTORY OF THE INTELLECTUAL DEVELOP
MINT OF EUROPE. by JOHN WILLIAM DRAPER,
D. Ii. y. 9vo. PIP GIL. Hnrner NrotheIs.


NJ D.. LII. u. svo. Pr. 63l. Harper L brothers
Among the contributions TO philosophic thought
that have appeared within the last few years, few
present stronger claims upon the attention Of in
.eligent students than the present work. The title
opens at once the most imposing problems that can
Engage the human mind the progress of man--the
conditions of his unfolding-the forces which impel
t, and the obstacles which impede 1.-THE course
and method of human evoution--these are the
Eave questions discussed in this original and
elaborate volume.
But the interest of the work is not confined to the
import of its topics, for these have often been
Eeated with insignificant results. It's claim con.
nsts rather in the mode in which the subject is
approached and the method and ability Of its eluci
iation. In his preface the auth or remarks: "Therc
are two methods of dealing with philosophical
questions, the literary and the scientific. Many
things which in apurely literary treatment of the
subject remain in the background, spontaneously
assume more striking position when their scientific
relations are considered. 1t is the latter method
that have used"
As TO Professor Drapers scientific preparation for
The great task he has undertaken, the records of
search and discovery during the past generation bear
abundant witness. The severe remark concerning
Mr. Buckle that Che historians though his strength
was in his science, while the men Of science sup
posed it to be in his history cannot be applied TO
Prof Draper, FOR he is himself an eminent originator
and authority in the scientific field. His researches
IN physics, chemistry, and physiology; upon light,
photography, phospborescenoe, spectrum analysis.
he chTomatics combustion, the oSmoss OF liquids
and gases, the chemistry Of vegetable organization,
and the forces which produce the circulation cf sap
in plants, and of blood in animals are described III
some forty originalmemOirs pudlishedin the Ameri-
and European scientific periodicals. and are rec
ognized by the sayans of Europe as having essen
italy contributed 10 widen the boundaries of
knowledge upon these important subjects. 1t is al
most inevitable that mind Of a philosophic cast
thus deeply imbued with the advancing spirit Of
science and familiar with the course and order Of
nature as TO have first opened the way TO many Of
her secrets should 5e powerfully attracted to the
scientific aspects OF the great problem OF human
development. DIR. Draper by no means the
frs, TO appk the scicltifc method 70 the study Of
human sikiirs but ne is beyond doubt the first man
who has brought an extensive. waved, and pro-
found scientific euditon TO bear upon the discus
SION
But il may be asked of what avail are these quail
ifcahons to the historian, or what has physical and
physiological science 10 do with history
That history Of late years has undergone an in
por;ani change j. undeniable, and this change is an
evolution in the direction Of science. Gossip about
kings and queens, court intngues, usurpatons and
the details OF battles which formerly constituted
the staple Of historic narration are becoming less
prominent while the subjects of commerce, indus
try education, manners morals, creeds, religions,
the growth structure, corruption and dccayoi civil
and ecclesiastical institutions, race climate, geo
graphical position, and similar topics are receiving
increased AT, ntion and treated with the view OF
bringing out principles for the instruction and guild
spcc OF the living generation. But these maior-
ais are only valuable Interpreted by science.
knowlcdgc Of man is the key TO history Society
is made up Of individuals and derives It's character
from the properties OF It's units. The actions OF
society are but the combined actions Of indiyiGu-
hls. and We can comprehend social activities only
in proportion as we understand individual actions.
Bat the action Of individuals depends upon the
laws Of their nature, bodily and mental, and iust
III proportion a. VIC understand these laws can we
comprehend the action Of the individual and the
ploey in its comprehensive SENSE, embracing not
only the bodily powers but the psychica functions
Of the nervous system, the Judy of man di naiil-
cafly in his actions and reactions with al external
forces. becomes the basis Of sociology and history.
Clearly our interpretations Of the past actions OF
man must depend upon the extent Of our acquaini-
snce with the laws which govern the individual
Nc facts and principles Of human nature, or pAysi-
illogical science.
Prof Draper has aimed 10 work out this great
truth in a comprehensive and pbilosophic manneF.
lie has made it iie-abor, and begun at the
foundation, having published 4 profound volume
upon the subject Of physiology, designed as basis
of the present work lie has engaged in his task
with fun realization OF it, difficulties and with the
nodesty Of true science. lie remarks: " The cqui-
hbrinm and movement Of humanity arc altogether
physiological phenomena. Yet not without hesi,a-
tim may such an opinion be frankly ayowcd, since
it is 10 offensive 10 the pride and TO many Of tho
prejudices and interests Of age. An author who
has bceA disposed 10 devote many years 10 the labor
OF Illustrating this topic has need Of the earnest
support Of all whO prize the truth; and, considering
the extent and profundy Of his subject, his work,
n the best, must be very imperfect, requiring ali
the forbearance and even the generosity Of crti-
eisIn."
The controlling idea Of Professor Diapers treatise
is that Of the government of communities and na-
tions by in1c1ible law and that the laws which de-
termine the career Of an individual identical
with those which rule tho destiny Of nation.
"a national type pursues It's way physically and In
tellectnally through changes and Developments an