New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1865-08-17
NEW PUBLICATIONS.
RECENT BRITISH PHILOSOPHY.

end Cambridge: Macmillan Co.
The author Of this work is favorably known by
his productions in English biography and criticism.
He is man of elegant tastes in literature, with
ample poetical cultivation, and large attainmcnts
as general scholar. In the present volgme, he
strikes out new path for himself and leaving the
field of classical letters engages in discussion of
the chief philosophical movements that have at
tracted the attention OF British thinkers within the
hst thirty years. lilo has evidently no special
calling to abstract speculation; be is not prompted
by the wish to become the founder of new sys-
ten; but he is familiar with the progress Of recent
inquiries; and possesses the happy talent Of pre-
sentng the results of philosophical thought in
popular form. His work, accordingly, viii prove OF
considerable interest 10 the general reader who is
seeking for information the latest develc pmentsi
and the lively and agreeable manner in which be
handles his themes VIII prevent the perrsai of his
volume from being burden.
The leading school al present in England mar be
deemed that of the Positive Philosophy, although
tho views Of its founder Auguste Com'c, have re-
eeiyed numerous important notifications nom his
British representatives Mr.. Massons remarks on
this subject ore not without weight.
Here let me take prejudice by tie horns. No differ
snce from Coute over the fundamental principle OF lila
philosophy No reoo OF aversion II the spirit Oct br
vehement as ny OWN from his hnal theory u
things ought 10 prevent. or Vii pieveni-siye where
fear of the Blatant Beat IS allowed 10 measure meas
words-a recognition of Comics great services in lie
world Of speculation. figure full of interest to
pe-an interest compounded ol aduiiniion. m0u:iil'-
ness and vet of tie concis taat Of q lonely
PariSan OF lit.e regard among tie authorities 81 ms
country and whom they had deprived almost Q: bread
pegseverng till his dcah in tho work Of building up
Isl In nj
toapht in which. as he concerted. oil humanity hfef
Its les Of vegIy wanGcrirls mil' II last IND rest
EO all nations, ana especially yc five. the eiie Of
Hunanity-FIelchmen Billions. Germans, ltrhans,
aad SpaqiiTds lie have noy nearly passed through
che two stages, or NOD Of thought thrcngh wcn 90
can prove t. sou, the mind Of must pass on al,
sabjects whatsoever before il teaches the tiird and
hast. 1t is that this third stage should be prepared
Tor YOU and extended before Your eyes IN IT'S reaches
tLtjugh a glorious future. This my work. | am 1 ne
herald, the apostle q. pOsitiVsD. All the mateiin
That have been accunraiiag for tie new eohsEu
Ill the hints fol It's design lave come tEethef III
eas and found the proper aicthct; nav, not OAy nave
been tie architect but / have been tie D1ilGer from
te foundation upward, the carver the glider The deco
rstor. The vast construction Is ready. Leaving al
other systems, come. ye choice spirits my speculative
knsmen IOm al ents Of tde earth here We snaH owen
together N uEty, UNDERSTANDING eld even ieseeh.ins
khe past. but regulating tie present. ara lOokng In
Sard tran gully TO that lu.ure % which We shall have
prescribed the :Tuo problem of Philosophy AIT and
Goyerumcnt ok il one tie reorg IMITATION Of human
society without God hiug through tho systematic
Hrrslpof Humanity" II there is something lgIi'
u
ess OF WAT can possibly De given TO any oae nan
20 accomplish ard leave permanent IN the world there
Is the less something malesle III the intensity 81
eoaveiinn the inGOmilr5e dIgl Ia ideas, which could
lead il. To OCs ia britain have too httle ~
this spirit cf selfassertion rather than too much
GIVEN an intense idOsy IeTocy. AID really powerful
and inventive mind and society around harms Itself
fati,er than secures itself by al Intolerance OF tie
speculative exhayagalccs the nndaenes OF egot'sH
winch might result, end By the nahi, OF beating trem
back with cOldnrss, witt cisms md deTisiOn 1t Is
bart Indeed, for lcutonc flesh ana blood to look on
End Freedman eenci slizng TO tie utmost OF his
National manner when it breaks loose without longing
10 knock lin down and put hE IN sray waistcoai
There Is such confidence about hin, such system
htixng rapidly, such an unhesitatng snreDesa aoyut
thags, where COtls are cOcged and restrained py
tradition a considerations and sense OF cllhcuHy sia
pompcxty. But there is something superb. nevefthe
iess in ibe so.cust,ye movements OF u Gistrate
French intellect. In ire works OF NJ Comte. ut all
,xsn,s there ia a wealth OF thought and suggestion
~ ali SORTS Of subjects. the value Ct which 1t
Aces not need even az oPproach 70 ac9ltsc'l1-e
q his philosophical basis 10 appreciate. There are
nroposions and genera.iz itioLs OF his especially
u the department OF politics, the absorption OF which
Into the general mind, or into the worsing ceeds of
professional statesmen, would considerably transform
aud exait glet now passes iOf p0iiIcS. Throughout
Britain indeed tbs has been long perceived III many
pueters; and Wide Mr. Mill and others have expressed
~ the fn their obhrGons 10 Comte even when defining
their Increasing differences IRON him. Others have been
secretly helping themselves 10 Comte. and living on the
tesuts.
All in all there is should say. considerable tinge
Of Comtism through present speculative literature.
1t Is not however Of those among who have only in
q general way received tlis nnge AS they would lave
received q tiage flom any other poweTu intellectual
tnfucnce OF heir time. at speak ander The name o.
the British COmtists. Under tbs uane have in view
few writer's ANA thinkers who IN more press man
adhere TO COmte 10 acknowledged adaptation
OF him. Even here. however, there degrees. One
may distinguish, within Comics lifetime.
eve CulatsDs, of which those WIG incGed 10 be
Contisis hid the option. There was the Earlier
ComtIsm,' If cal II. represented IN Lis com
peiea CORrs dc PiilOsopaie F0sioe; N which though
tnere was extravaganza en"Ggh OF opinion and exprs
s,on to shock the British MUD there still refining.
IN Of the intellect on this side of dernm But this
ere long developed into the Later COntsm; IN which,
1mpeled By sudden revelation that Lis system de-
fcent as yet on the sentimental side, tie aulOr sud
deny broke down one of its elblcs ard did pass o.
without bis bat into what irreyeenti 10 kcTsOn mlst
really cal DELI un and moonlight Out IRON that gable
he butt. as II were. atptcons verandah for Reli
GiOD attached 10 lis Positive PhOsODhy under
OF the CgHte Sysitmatiqus de fHURanfE IIe,e there
mig be basis o. CJ selected eminent Of tie pas. IA
large proportion Dcirg OF cOGee Etrnchnrnl ranged
M ni.nes as gods for Ordinary daily WORSHIP thrOagh
out the wear; besides colossal hnsts Of greater
gCds Tor the weeks and months aud striking pccn-
hsry Of four back bCss Of HlstoT! : mol roo ograde
scouudIeis, Ct quarterly intervals 10 serve devils or
secret acDye. one might praciIce the sweetest and
keeHest Of ell the forms OF worship OF Humany-tse
worship 81 W"nan-Dy praying hnbiiualy 20 ones own
mother, or wi!ei
certain space Of this later sacerdotal Comtisln,
may be detected in England, but, a rule it is the
earlier ard purely speculative views that have
gained converts among the students Of philosophy !
In Great Britain The relation Of Mr.. Buckle to
ehs school is judciously stated.
To be named in close connection with the British
Contsts. though not decisiyey one of tLen IL the
Pate Mr. Buckle. His great idea, that for which he
lived and Gicd, was tae possibility OF Science of His
eory. There paramount Oblig iton OF the human
oibd " The present age TO the study of History In