New-York tribune., 1868-03-24
sides considerable proportion of fictitious and mscelia
neOus contributions.


The Journal of Speculative Philosophy com
roo,cos o,y volpne with the present number and ap-
onens with survey OF the ground which II
o;e IN occupv in q paper entitled Statement OF the
Protleun The writer remarks on the Importance OF
clear view of the question at issue as no gOod can come
! from reading answer 10 question whch mas not
been asked or the purport Of which is not well under
stood The modern commentator on Plato, for instance
asks questions which the Athenian philosopher did not
entertain hence his dialogues pronounced ineom-
pete he solves by his dalectie only such forms as had
begun to appear IN his time but the two thousand
years that intervene have brought hrong Of other
problems WHICH also demand solution. The pOsiuOh OF
The Journal accordingly is this Truth can be known by
the thinking reason it has been known by philosophers
IN every age whose systems still exist and may be mas
tered their differences are differences of exposition
rather than Of thought, while the agreement Is central
and peryadng The business Of the thinker IN the pres
ent epoch Of culture should infer from the tone OF
the article although expressly stated is to COM
prehcnd all the elements Of speculation and combine
them by vital synthesis in the forms of science The
contents Of this number include translation of Fchtes
"sun-cear Statement" by Mr.. Kroeger, paper on the
relation Of swedenborg TO speculative philosophy, claim
ing for his theology origin in the fundamental laws
Of human thought an article on "BeethoVen's Second
Symphony chapter Of the translation OF Benards
" Essay Hegels Esthetcs," series Of Orphic ut
terances" by A. Bronson AcOtt entitled " Pantheon
Tippincou continues the story of Dallas
Gahath Of the 1herlts OF which II would be premature
as yet Judge second paper on the Correlation OF
Forces" does but scanty justice great theme and
Quotation Marks" treats a curious point OF literary
history with the zeal and knowledge Of a yiruoso The
author back the origin OF several popular phrases
and images in modern poetry 10 antique prototypes,
which not actually copied by the more recent writer's
afford striking illustration OF the paraelism OF human
Yfta
modern authors old as the Latin writers, who
almost invariably copied from the Greeks and made no
scruple IN confessng the fact. Some Of his ex-
ampcs doubtless faretched but in general they pre-
sent an expressive commentary on the text that there
is no new thing under the SUM- The letter OF N.
Louis Blanc the Situation Of Europe sets forth the
reasons for the belief that Europe is decidedly drifting
into war. compared with which the most sanguinary
struggles Of old viii perhaps be recorded by future o
rans as mere childs play" "Opum Eating" tells the old
story Of the miseres inevitably incurred by the victims
Of that habit, though the of the writer who
has supped Of its horrors 10 the full, shows that
an escape from the demonc, deadly slavery, is not
impossible. The charms of tropical life are
handsomely described in an article Cuba,
entitled La Rema de las Antlas." in which, considering
that Lppincot" usually clear Of political contro
vered questions the writer unadyisedy goes out OF his
way in sneerng at the advocates Of impartial suffrage
The stories poetry In this number call for special
remark
The opening article in Harper is the descrip
tlon Of journey Among the Andes Of Peru and 30.
va," by f. G. Squier in which nc brings his well known
power Of lively narrative to the illustration Of the nat
ura features and social customs OF the Land OF the
Incas' The paper is fun Of rare and curious nforma-
ton and will repay the reader for attentive perusa
relates the adventures 1f two years travel Comm
sioner OF the United States in Peru, during which
time the author travelled the whole Of the grand
~ tba Ind lly fla
mountains, and enjoying abundant opportunities
TO lay in a rich store OF facts with regard 10
the condition Of the country and the manners
of the people The Personal Recolections Of the War
continue TO challenge attention both as an animated re-
ctal Of military events in which the writer took prom
inent part and contemporary comment on affairs which
have given rise TO wide divcrsitics Of opinion. An
excellent summary OF Mr. Du Chailus recent volume OF
African travel does justice TO the discoveries Of that dis
tinguished explorer who has happily lived down the
storm Of prejudice and oboquy with which his return
from the wlds Of Africa welcomed in England
second paper Sheffield the Battlefield Of English
Labor" presents many interesting details in regard to
the mechanical industry Of England and the social
forms which promise TO result in feasible plans OF CO.
operation. English Photographs by an American, ex
hibt some well known points of contrast between the
| two countries in striking, If not altogether novel
light The Monthly Record" gives convenient resume
Of the controversy between President johnson and Gen
eral Grant and the Easy Chair" quietly and sgreeaby
descants upon the Queens Journal the Tying mbrogio
and other topics of current interest
In the opening article of Putnam, Professor
schele dc We're gives learned and interesting history Of
the materials used for writing in different OF the
world, from the river-baDks and mountan-sides OF
primitive age the artificial manufactures OF the present
day "Among the Poor Girls" is the title Of a graphic
paper which, but for its truth, would be Sensational de-
serbing the suerngs and expressions endured by por
On OF the wOrkwOmen of this city The wTterustates
his theme with abundance Of striking examples taken
from real he and presents picture Of misery fearful to
contemplate, but suggests sufficient remedy for
the evil which he lays bare. The article OF the series
entitled Life in Great Cities" gives a rosecolored
sketch of Yedo the capital of Japan describing the social
condition OF that swarmng center Of population "a
fOrcase of the millenia glory. Among the two millions
Of people by whom 1t is inhabited there is not beggar
in the streets unable TO read, not boor not
6runkard, a ruffan. The women are beautiful,
the men are robust and energetic, there Is trouble
about fashions education is universal books are plenti
full though there are newspapers life is simple
easy marriage is universal and children so naked Ac
cording 20 the writer, who evidently shrewd Judge,
"there suffering here than In any other great city,
less vice. less knowledge less luxury and far more enjoy
of life They have all they want in order TO work
out the problem Of existence" And he does not scrupe
10 nsnuate that II fair balance struck, the ad
vantage might not appear strong in favor Of the su
periOr nations Gods chosen people" Might not this
somewhat abate the intOleTable cOnceit and AFRO
gance Of our mothercountryi and ought it not TO
induce us TO eyes TO the fostering and growing
evils mseres and wickedness Of trading civ
iization We far far from being Christians:
are we not further from 1t than these Japanesep
Mr.. Duyckinck contributes Peep into New
Netherland Two Hundred Years Ago" founded on
an old Dutch journal Of two missionary travellers in
the colony, translated into English by Mr. H. Murphy,
and recently published by the Long Island Historical So
ciety The article has several quaint pictures Of the
Oden time, OF which is as follows: "Alghting upon
the yet virgin island Of Manhattana goody land, and
.iAnllo