New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1868-03-10
NEW PUBLICATIONS.
u,,v,rv Avn vorMANg PHYSIOLOGY.

YnSNHSs NJ d. I2lno. PIP. 400. ID. Appleton Co.
Tbo educational struggle which has been so
tnc nendng between the partisans of classical and
.cieuti6c culture is probably destined to terminate
IN a compromise which shall embrace the truth on
both sides of the question. There are unmistakabie
audiences of a tendency TO abandon the narrow
ground hitherto occupied by each, and to accept
larger views in which the antagonisms are Iess
sharply defined. The more intelligent ana caii.iu
elasscists beginning to admit that however III
Psrtant be the question OF mental discipline III ouu
cation, more must be yielded 10 INC
of knowledge itself: while the opposite party
,,.ciro tbe claims of science less the unitarian
whine of It's facts than on their suitabencss 10 ATTAIN
tba HIGHEST ends Of mental discipline. Inc eN-
trests NJ both sides of course cOncede n0thng Dut
there is arising common ground OF agreement De
tween these whom belliaerents which cannot ia 10
react in desirable amcoratisnsandi improved methods
Of culture.
One Of the baneful effects of that scientific one
Sdedness which has insisted ON the supreme import
Rnce Of mere facts the data Of knowledge has been
= method of presentation which had little OF no
reference to the mental reactions OF the student
To simplify aud dilute the exposition making IT so
easy AZ 10 require no vigorous effort in acquisition
has been the prominent aim, and hence the prepare
ton of scientific schoobooks has been race among
writers TO fulfill these conditions. The type oil
seientifc schOob seems to have been one that
could be read like o newspaper, or novel" Ihere
n yagueneSs and lOOSeness OF statement where
there should be ceamcSs and cOmpression accuracy
and fidelity TO truth sacrificed to the startling the
sensational and the doubtful while the chief object
ia rather to cram the memory with alleged facts than
10 call ont the higher activities OF the mind
II can admit of little doubt that our educational
system is largely responsible for this state of things
-. Al, (, 4cfo n,Ia inf n6a
il has not advanced it to the place in education which
it meritshas not taken control of it and secured It's
expression in the highest and best intellectual forms
Finding little hospitable entertainment in institu-
tions of learning il has been driven ont to make Its
home with the people" and their chief difficulty
has been to understand il. the great effort has con-
stantly been TO reduce it to the apprehension of the
cOmmOnest capacities.
But il is now clearly that science in future is
TO discharge a higher function in education than
heretOforethat it is to be elevated TO the rank OF
means for training. 70 the accomplishment of this
important reform two things Indispensable
First teachers who not only eXpound the truths
of science, but who can do far more than ths-can
use il asan instrument of mental training Our most
imperative educational need is for instructors who
can make living and valuable knowledge the means
of the highest culture. That such knowledge can
thus be used aud that in certain important respects
81 is prominently suited To this end will no longer be
seriously questioned, but teachers competent to so
apply ii are yet too rare. 1t is, however happy
sign of the times that their number is increasing 1t
~ the business of our Normal Schools TO furnish
them and they will be forthcoming in numbers and
degree of attainment as they shall be demanded by
the public.
The second requirement in this case is for more
elevated order of scientific lterature-for textbooks
that shall so present the facts and principles OF
science that their requirement will involve con-
Siantly improving and invgoratIng exercise OF the
mental powers Granting that the highest excellence
of scientific treatise must ever consist in the hde
ity of its statements yet if such treatise IS 10 be
used for educational purposes, something further is
needed and the manner OF presentation at once De-
comes an allimportant element of the question 1t
is at tins point that most of our scientific school
books break down, and it is largely because of this
that the devotees of the traditional system maintain
40 persstently that scientific studies OF little or
no educational value.
These observations are necessary to enable us 10
appreciate the claims of the work on physiology
by Messrs. Huxley and Youmans. Prof. Huxley has
not only high reputation as original and inde-
pendent inquirer to whom are indebted for an
actual enlargement of the bounds of knowledge IN
this department of thought, but he is distinguished
among scientific writers for his lucid and masculine
these characteristics the present work surpasses all
the former contributions TO the school literature of
physiology. 1t is written with plainness cOnciseness
and strength of language, and with a compression of
statement which enables the author 10 bring large
body of facts and principles within the narrOwest
compass of distinct presentation. This concentration
of thought and compactness of expression is well
smted TO call out that continuous effort of the intel
lcct which is of the highest aims of systematic
study and which is indispensable TO secure the solid
benefits Of mental culture. The educational adyan-
tagcs of the mathematics continually sounded III
our ears because they demand unremittng attention
the part of the student and coerce mental exerton
The claim is just. but the mathematics far from
having monopoly Of such advantage Other sci
snces afford similar benefits if properly treated, and
Prof Huxley has done the cause of education very
Important service by preparing elementary phys
illogical treatise, the mastery OF which will not
emily put the student in possession of large bulk OF
invaluable knowledge but viii be equally invalu-
able as a mental discipline.
Bat Prof Huxley is first Of all a man of science.
and il was perhaps less the considerations here re-
ferred to than to publish valid and trustworthy
work upon the subject which induced him TO prepare
the present volume His chief aim in its preparation
is thus Iuodestly stated by himself:
Nv object IN writing been to set down. in plain
and concise language that which any person who desires
become acquainted with the principles o. human Phy
ioogy may learn, with far prospect OF haNIhS Out
little 10 uulearn our knowledge widens. l., D., =,
IL is only by nadyerteuee, or from an error N Juds
Eent, therefore that the work contains any sIa1vnt.
OF doctrine which cannot be regarded as the common
play the part Of sieve, ana 70 separate le WeIes
tsshcd aud the essential from the doustIni ana tne n
important portions oi the vast mass OF knowledge hu
opinion we call human ply siology.
No one conyersant with the literature of this sub
iet will question the necessity Of the performance OF
tbis task NV an able hand Partly because of the in