New-York tribune., 1869-01-15
NEW PUBLICATIONS.

contribution to philosophical biography, describing
Ihe details of the personal career OF the ustnous
German and presenting lucid analysis and exposi-
tiOn of his speculative system, In claiming for
Leibnitz eminent rank for his transparent illus
lration of universal principles the writer contrasts
him with Hegel and Spinoza, complaining of the
mystic utterances" of the latter as the same
level with the obscure diftuseness" of Hegel
But we think that this charge VIII not hold against
either the method or the style of Spinoza, whose
language is usually model eff tersenesS and preoi
siOn and whose abstract ideas are set forth in the
form OF geOmetrical theOrcms, form, which how
inapphcable 10 the nature of the subject, pre-
eludes the mputatiOn of vag1eness, or greater de-
gree of Obscurty than attaches to the demonstrations
of Euclid or Logendre. In our opinion, SpinOza is
more Justly entitled TO the praise of mathematical
sxactneSs,' than Fichte, 30 whose pbraseoOgy Mr.
Kroeger applies the epithet But whatever may be
decided this point it Is certain that Lebnitz was
one of the most profound and creative thinkers who
have enlarged the boundaries of human thought.
and given permanent impulse to the progress of
scientific knowledge. The proofs of this admir-
ably stated in the Memoir by Mr.. Kroeger. He has
not only penetrated the Secret of Lebnitz "but set
it forth with conclusive evidence and the cearness
of sunlight. One point which he fully illustrates
presents an incidental proof of the anticipation by
I,eibntZ of the modern doctrine of the correlation
identity Of forces 1t furnishes curious instance
of the gmpses with which pregnant scientific dis
eOyeries are often foreseen i'll age prior to their
articuate announcements The system of monads.
according TO Leibnitz, elucidated by Mr. kroegeT,
is system of universal motions involving the
science of mechanics, and explaining the whole uni
verse. Each monad is impelled by all other monads.
In their infinite graduation. they extend from the
lowest worm to the highest seraph. All possible
monads are distinguished from each other only by
the greater OF less degree of consciousness There is
no death in the universe. Nor is there perfect crea-
ton. Everywhere there is only development into
self-cOnsciOusness and sef-determinaton. There is
no increase nor decrease of matter. There is in
crease nor decrease of force. Force is never de-
stroyed. For a monad cannot be destroyed but only
changed in its relations. The whole interchange of
forces is e like changing large money into smaL'
There is only one force for all mOnads alike But
this force has greater less degrees of movement
Through this difference of movement, one force
changes into an infinite number of correlated
forces. The whole structure of the universe,
with its wonderful variety of motion, is thus eX-
planned. Motion changes, according to this variety,
into heat electricity hight tree, or stone, or
star or the nebue of Orion" This last illustration,
which is merely succinct statement of the recently
established doctrine Of the correlation of forces is OF
course Mr. Krocgers and it would be interesting to
which it Is founded. Not that we doubt the correct
ness of the exposition, especially as Mr.. Kroeger
takes no pains to prove the anticipation of modern
science by Leibnitz nor do we know that he would
deem it complimentary TO his guide and philosopher
The next paper on 1.-THE Mental Faculties of
BruteS' is ingenious but not satisfactory attempt
to show that the difference between the faculties
of men and brutes one of degree only, and not Of
kind, and that all the faculties of the human mind
have their parallels in the brute creation. The argu
ment of the writer Uld have been more effective, if
he had aside the difference in the functions ofRea
son and Understanding, as asserted by Kant, Jacob
and Coleridge, but which he only lightly touches on
instead of disposing of it completely Mr. E. Haskett
Derby discusses the Tariff Question with reference
to the action of Congress the subject maintaining
that we can draw at least one hundred and twenty
five millions from our present duties on sugar,
coffee, and molasses, and from reduced duties on
metals and manufactures spirit wines, cigars, and
tobacco Ia few leading artcles)-that we may easily
extract five millions more from few other
staples and thus can afford to place nearly fourth
of our impOrtatiOns including wool, hides. drugs,
lyestufs and other materials and many
trfng articles on the free list. BY confning our
duties to a few articles, and extending free list
We NAV revive foreign commerce, and reduce the
cost OF collection; and by thus diminishing the cost
of the civil service, we shall further reduce the
amount of revenue required We may thus at once
after reserving ample revenue, bring down our tariff
nearly halfway TO its level before the war; or from
fOrty-seyen TO Of thirty-three per cent
and as our debt and interest diminish with the
Improvement of our revenue, year by year grant
further relief" The article is of suggest
i've, rather than Of a controversial character.
is written and argued with ability, and
might be read proitably by publIcsts
and legislators. In the paper on Sir Richard
Steele by Mr. Henry Tuckerman. we have an excel
lent specimen of literary discussion defending Steele
against the charges of Macaulay and presenting a
sound critical estimate of his position among the
"wits OF Queen Anne The next article on The
New Catalogue of Harvard College Library" has
many interesting photographed details, Railroad
Imitation gives thorough exposure of some of the
fragrant financial maneuyers of the day. the career
Of Count Bismarck is treated in a well-di-
gested historical paper by Mr. II. Willard, and The
Revolution in England" is the subject of a dscrmin-
sting and very instructive discussion by Mr.. Gold
win Smith. The number closes with an elaborate
Editorial article entitled a Look Before and After
Oh the political condition and prospects of the coun
try In his lncsive criticisms the measures of
Congress during the past year, the writer shows a
degree of vehemence incompatible with sound
judicial temper and revives several topics Of conro
versy for which the occasion has ceased 10 exist
but his article, nevertheless, abounds with season
able and wholesome suggestions, and glows with the
fire of patriotic inspiration. The sketches of Pres
dent Lincoln and Gen. Grant which we copy below,
Indicate the mastery hand of true artist, and may
compensate for certain degree of eccentrcity as a
politician.
ABRAHAM LINCOLN
Mr Lincoln IS sometimes claimed an example Of |
ready,Inade ruler But no case conld well be less IN
point; FOR besides that he man OF such fair mind