The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1864-06-17
New Publications.

LIE FIRST PRINCIPLES OF NEW SYSTEM OF
PHILOSOPHY. BY Herbert Spencer, author OF
Illustrations of Universal rrogress,'' &c.
New York: ID. Appleton s. Co. l2mo, pp.
sos. For sale in this city by Hall L. Davis.
This volume the author says is the first of
series designed to unfold the principles of new
philosophy. 1t embraces in its First Principles,
the Unknowable and the movable 1t dives
into deep and unfathomable mysteries, which
will tax the imagination as well as the reason of
the general reader to the fullest extent.
The CRIPPLE OF ANTIOCH, and other scenes from
Christian Life in Early Times By the au-
thor of The Chronicle of the Sehonberg
Gotta Family" New York: Robert Carter 4
Bros. l6mo, PIP. 426.
The materials for these sketches have been
gathered from English, French and German
histories and biographies. They are q series of
tales based on facts, entirely historical, made
interesting and instructive to the general reader
The principal historical characters introduced
speak only what they have written, or are re-
ported to have spoken.
STUMBLING BLOCKS. By Gail Hamilton, author
of Country Living and Country Thinking"
"Gala Days." sc. Boston: Ticknor & Fields.
vol l6mo. For sale in this city by Hall L.
Davis.
This is a work that will be sought after and
read with the deepest interest Its perusal will
not only serve to while away leisure hour, but
will impress the mind with important facts,
bearing upon every day life. The author ham
dies subjects of the greatest moment in bold
and unvarnished manner, convincing the judg-
ment of the reader of the business and truth
/ fulness of her statements. She oriticises the
church from within; has learned as church
member the faults and shortcomings sheassals;
and is urged by her vivid perception Of the sub
stance of Christianity to expose the shams
which take its name. Many good people will
think the satire too sharp, but the satire which
/ is implied is much sharper than that which is
expressed. The mere fact that such book is
needed, that so much wit and thought should
be expended in rdculing prejudices puerile,
and oyerturning customs SO nonsenscal, is the
keenest of all sarcasms that can be imagined.
There is little or nothing in the volume which
rises above truism and the commonest common
sense, and that there are full grown persons in
New England churches who are in such bcsot-
ted condition as to be unable to perceive such
trite truths except as illuminated by the rockets
of epigram and lightnings of indignation, does
not speak well for our civilization, or for our
piety.
MEMOIR OF THE CHRISTIAN LABoRs, Pastoral
and PhiIanthropic, of Thomas Chalmers, d.
D., LII. ID. BY Francis Wayland. Boston:
Gould and Lincoln. i6mo, PIP. 2lS. For sole
in this city by Bayley s. Noyes.
Dr. wayland has endeavored to select from
the memoirs Of DR.. Chalmers such portions as
would be of particular interest to the American
reader, and to bring him before the public moi
only as distinguished author, and celebrated
pulpit orator, but as devout and self sacrih-
cling Christian, most laborious and successful
pastor. an humble AMI indef,tgable visitor
among the poor and degraded, and press thess
traits of character upon the public with the
power of q most remarkable example. This i.
not intended to be connected sketch of the lif,
of DIR. Chalmers, but n memoir of the particu
lar phase of his character displayed in his paro
chial and philanthropic la5ors. The work will
be read with much interest and pleasure, it be-
ing written in the forcible and finished style o
its celebra ted author.