New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1867-10-31
NEW PUBLICATIONS.
NJ. GUIZOT ON CHRISTIANITY.

min is employinp the leisure of ripe old age III con
temptations of the prospects of European society
especially with reference the great questions OF rel
GiOus faith Keenly alive TO the prevalent spirit OF
doubt and denial and the progress OF innovation on
matters of vital interest 1t Is natural that he should
box upon the future with certain degree OF anxiety,
while he clings firmly to the memories and traditions
which by long habit have become almost part OF
his nature In his opinion the modern world is in the
midst of a serious crisis. As rule, few men are
aware of its mOmentOus consequences. The public
mind is in state of singular confusion Sublime
truths are blended with essentially perverse ideas
Noble principles found in conjunction with false
and corrupt sentiments. The work OF Improvement
and Of destruction are simultaneously carried INTO
effect in the bosom of society. Humanity seems 10
be floating between heaven and an abyss. In view
Of this state ofthings NJ Guzotaddresses hlmSe par
tculaTly to the present generation lie Is persuaucu
Of the good faith and generous purposes OF tue young
men now promiuent on the stage; but evil tenden-
ries struggle with their good instincts for the mas
tery: the truth does not free them from error; ana
the light which shines upon them proceeds from
chaotic darkness which it has not the power to disS-
nate. The present volume is an appeal 10 their
higher nature. without pretending TO give sclen-
tc discussion of the subjects which it treats 1t urges
the importance of submitting all new theories to
abe test OF the human conscience. and of distressing
systems which tend to destroy the harmony between
the intellectual convictions and the moral lie OF
thinking men.
Disclaiming philosophical treatment Of thethemes
under consideration NJ. GuZiot presents an historical
sketch of the course Of opinion in France, from the
reaction in favor of religious ideas, after the mater-
alsm of the eighteenth century, to the latest de-
velopments of speculation in the form of the Positive
Philosophy of COmte and of various physical theo-
ries of the universe If his eXpOsOnS entitled to
little respect in scientific point of view, and throw
no new light on the questions at lSSue between
modern schools Of thought they possess certain
interest for the personal "reminiscences with which
they are connected and viii be valued as ilustra-
tions of the development Of contemporary opinion.
The principal topics of the volume relate to the
awakening of Christianity in France under Chateau
BRAND. Bouad, DeMaistre and other Catholic writers
I'm the early part of the century; the Spiritual Philos-
ophv of Cousin and the Eclectic School represented
by its founder Jouflroy. Daniron, RGmusat Adolphe
GARNER Jules Simon Saissct. and others; Rational
Ism Postiyism Panthesm, Malerallsn, and Skep-
ticism. Among the personal sketches, which ms we
have mtimated, form the chief attraction of the
volume the portTaiture of the Able de Ia Mennas
NAV be quoted rs q specimen of the authors manner.
This apostle of universal reason at the same time
the proudcst wOrsnper Of his own reason Under the
pressure events without and OF an ardent controversy
Reconsideration took place IN INN, married. az once ny
changed his camp without changing his principles; IN the
admit ms principles he had faed and from tha instant
the very spirit revolt that he had severely rebuked
broke loose in his soul and in his writings, ndng eN-
preston az one time in an Indignation full of hatred lev
ted at the powerful the rich and the fortunate ones OF
he world at another time IN tender sympathy lor lne
mseries Of humanity. Tie words Of a Believer are
Plunged in tile chaos OF sentiments the most
contradictory, aud yet claiming TO he sI"ayS
shorty became N the state the bated Democrats
and In the Church the haugltest OF rebels
served opinion OF man Of superior taent-mnd lofty
sOu intense IN the sequel profoundly sad himself
although naughty IN his very fall One cannot read IN
ALbf de Ia Nenu1is without recognizing i'm them traces
viii not cav Of his intellectual perplexities-hs pride
did not feel thcm-but Of the Suficrngs OF lis SOUL
whether Tor good or FOR evil noble nature but full of
bXaggeratOn in his opinions OF fanaiica arrogance ana
OF angry asQery In his poemies One title TO our graft
purpose against the gross and vulgar forgetfuness OF the
great moral interests Of humanity. His essay on indf-
ference in religious questions inflicted rude blow upon
that vice OF the time and recalled men souls 20 regots
the great movement and awakening oi Chlstans IN me
nneteenth century and that he merits his place IN that
movement although he deserted It,
NJ Gulz0t as every intelligent reader would an
ticirate cherishes profound aversion to the pIinci
niles Of the Positive School. With his antecedents of
mental training and moral sympathy, such an aver
sion was inevitable. Postiysm, he alirms, is word
alike barbarOus in language and presumpuOus in
philosophy Unlike other sciences, the doctrine
takes its name not from its object but from its sup
posed MERRIAM arrogance in VI. GuizOt's opinion,
Mt once absurd and unjustifable STILL the character
Of COmte challenged his sympathy, and suggested
~ some interesting "reminiscences, from which quote
the following.
knew Its founder, NJ. Auguste Comte personally
had some communication with him IN the period from
Io24 then struck by the elevation OF his
.entilnens ana by the vigor Of bis mind. In October
1882 at the moment when was entering upon my func
lions Minister Of Public Instruction, he came to me
and formally demanded that should create for him in
the college OF France" pr0fessor6mp Of general his
tory for the physical and mathematical sciences.
40 10 express myself mere Otherwise than nave
Tiready done IA my Memoirs as TO the impression pro
duced upon by his conversation and his personal bear
ing " He explained TO me dremlly ana cOniusedy ms
views upon man. society civilization religion, philosophy
History lie was man mindeq, honest OF pro.
ance modest although al heart plCdigOdsly vain; he
Incerey believed that ii his calling 10 open new
era fer the mind Of man and for human society Whale
listening TO him. / could hardly refrain from
expressing NY establishment that mind so
Sft0r6us should 80 the time be so narrow
A. not even 10 perceive the nature and bearing
of the facts with vhh he dealing and the questions
which he authOutativey deciding; that character
80 dsntercsted should not be Y2rlSa by h. oEg proPeI
e. Es mora 81 10 tS OF did Sot even
max any atfeapt at discussion with NJ Comte his
eerfy his enthusiasm and the deuson that blinded him,
inspired me with that sad esteem that taxes refuge
IN silence. Had even Judged IL lifting 10 create the
chair which be demanded, should not for moment
should have been as silent and stlll sad if had
then known the trials through which NJ Auguste COmte
had already passed. He had been, IN 1923, prey to
violent attack OF mental alienation, and in 1927, during
paroxy sm gloomy melancholy, he had thrown himself
from the POnt des Arts into the SEINE bat had been res
eued by OF the kings guard More than once In the
course Of his subsequent hfe this mental trouble seemed
Many will be tempted 70 demand how man 20 little
master OF iilnsei ana hiose hIhu was uHuer 80 tto
government could ever nave succeoded III pCuuclnga
doctrine considerable, and In exercising such real iii
huence upon the philosophical world Inc tact is never
referred the merit OF NJ COme and OF his doctrine,
10 the OF mems minds at the time, 10 Is certain tat
not only IN France but IN Europe. and particularly IN
England, numerous ana honorable disciples came over to