New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1869-04-21
TIE NEW PHILOSOPHY.

tentiOn that il has been repuDllshed IN various
FORMS The acceptance of the statements
made seem due more to the facts presented
with regard to elementary forms of matter
than to any settlement of the question OF the
origin of being; for when, by means or the
microscope, it is discovered that plants contain
ga semi-huid matter full of innumerable
"granues of extreme minuteness," which moves
with comparatively great rapidity, and that
the blood Of animals, and of men included, ex-
hibits this same fluid, which he calls "poto-
"plasm, or physical basis of life," still we know
no more than before of the power which lies
hid in tho germs of animals and of plants,
which forces visible matter to assume particu-
lar forms. But that these microscopic discOv-
cries are facts, and not theories, such as made
philosophy for so many ages deluslon, Is
worthy Of particular regard, and now way
seems to be opened for other and collateral
discoveries, which not improbably may, In the
end, enable the human mind to solve the prob
lem of life in a strictly mathematical manner.
But there is one point in this discourse
which, though of great Importance, seems
illogically treated Prof. Huxley says that
"the matter Of life is made somewhat smaller
"by every vital act All work implies waste,
"and the work of life results directly or in
directly in the waste of potoplasm. Every
"word uttered by speaker costs him some
physical loss, and, in the strictest sense, he
"burns that others may have light. 1t Is
" clear that this process cannot go on forever"
Then, almost in connection, he says that this
waste of life can :" be repaired and brought to
ats full size after every exertiOn" 1t is evident
IL. Al Al. 70 or ha trina
and to be charitable it may be said that he has
expressed himself carelessly. That subject of
such Importance as the waste attending human
efforts should be treated carelessly, shows how
little attention has been paid to it, notwith-
standing it is intimately connected with the
interests of every intelligent being, and with
the progress Of the human race.
For it is upon the ability Of the human body
to repair the waste which follows effort, that
physical and mental strength, and, of conse-
quence, length of life, depend and as society is
composed of individuals, the general well being
of the race is involved in this question.
What is required for the suppression
of idleness. ignorance, and crime Is,
that large and not small portion
of mankind shall in succession understand IN
what manner the repair Of waste can be made
with the greatest economy that's, what habits
shall, intelligertly, be established to the end
that the net loss shall be at the lowest point.
The progress of the past has arisen from an
accumulation of gains made in this manner by
many individuals; while the blood of such in
diyiduals as have added nothing to the heredi-
tary stock of vitality forever stands still, for it
has rotted, either in Their own or their
children's veins.
Every human being Is two-fold-the mind is
one, the body is one; and it is we'll known
that only in a well-developed body can a sound
and comprehensive mind exist How such q
body is to be developed is well understood as
regards children and youth; hence their activity
is not repressed; but it seems taken for granted
that the strength acquired during childhood and
youth is sufficient for 1.-THE remainder of life
| that no more momentum, and, least of all, no
further regular supply, is ever afterward re-
| qured. No greater error could be entertained;
| nor have the few examples of those who, by
what is called misfortune, been forced
into activity, and against their will made to
become useful and even good, in the least
served to dispel this illusion. Power expert
ness, and longevity, in this human pair which
make one being, demand, for full exhibition,
constant supplies of the best efforts which each
can contribute and the result will be qualities
which neither alone possesses; and they are
intended for the advancement and exaltaton
of the man as a being destined to live through
infinite extensions of time. While we mean to
urge the Importance of physical industry in
connection with mental culture, we would not
convey the idea that q laborious employment
is at all desirable. Nor would we attach
especial value to what is called physical
strength. Ideas are stronger than muscles !;
but strong ideas, in part, grow out of the
exercise Of fine, not of coarse muscles What
is required is endurance, or elastic hardi-
ness, which quality is derived from
infinitely divided elements which make
up tho tissues. The elements of tho
tissues, whether of elaboration or of waste,
are coarse, when the body or when the
mind labors unassisted by the other The
truth Of this Is self-evdent when we consider
many individuals around us; and yet when the
habits necessary to be established in acquiring
an education which will give one power with
the rising masses of mankind are pointed out
they are considered as vulgar aud slow, par
ticularly by those who take European notions
for their standard. Civilization on this Ameri-
can continent has no greater obstacle than the
tendency to view subjects from European
standpoint and it seems impossible for those
who are actively engaged in scientific pursuits
to connect their ideas with any movements
growing out of social and political changes.
For this reason the new philosophy is silent
upon the methods best adapted to repairing
no fron oVI to1
efforts, and silent rs to the means by which
bu, ;r;l chon ha info Al