New-York tribune., 1869-03-26

.
years afterward. IN f>> III
The contents of this volume comprise series OF
sketches. written at various times within the past
cor six wears during two journeys abroad. ana DC
scribng scenes which lie beyond the ordinary range
of travel Many of the subjects give ample scope TO
Mr. Taylor's talent for description, and all OF them
are treated with vivacty and force.
THE PHILOSOPHY Or HERBERT SPENCER
THE DATA OF PSYCHOLOGY. $40. PIP. 22S. d. Ap
...-. -... . pletOn u Co. . Dbl. 10000 .
The announcement of the prospectus of new Sys-
tenn of Philosophy by Mr.. Herbert Spencer in the
wear 1860 was generally received in skepuca state
of mind as heralding a chimerical project. Much OF
this feeling was undoubtedly due TO the fact that the
real character of his scheme was not cor
rectly apprehcnded BY philosophy Mr.. Spen-
Ger understands not the probing OF ontoiogl-
cal mysteries, or the unfolding OF new
metaphysics but he understands by it the clearest
and broadest explanation of the universe at which
man can arrive Explanation is the function of sci
enee philosophy then, according to Mr. Spencer is
bnt the largest possible extension which can De gwen
to scientific conceptions The several sciences give
MS separate explanations Of the facts OF the wolu
philosophy seeks by coGrdnatng these explanations
TO evolve universal principles or an Interpretation
of the complete order of nature. Holding that we
cannot transcend phenomena in our thinking ana
that all deliverances concerning what lies behind
phenomena are not knowledge but pseudo-knowi-
edge he maintains that the real work of philosophy
is within the phenomenal sphere, and not without H.
In some new chapters on the data and scope of PHI
osophy of the late edition of First Principles THIS
view is forcbly presented
All stnAents of science are aware that 1t Is its
tendency TO disclose unity in the method of nature
Philosophy therefore beng the widest explanation
of the natural order will also be the highest express
sion of that unity But tins must not be merely
ideal or metaphysical unity-a mystical subjective
oneness: it must be provable outside reality 1t
must be an expression of the operation OF some uni
versal law which each science can verify IN its own
sphere Mr. Spencer assumes this principle to be the
"Law of Evolution"
No one will deny the greatness of the task which
Mr.. Spencer has undertaken, and ii is obvious
that only mind of rare endOwments coud
give promise of it's successful achievement That
Mr. Spencer combines these qualities IN remark
able degree, and is eminently the man Tor MS
work, is no longer doubted by many OF the most
profound thinkers Of the age. The presumpuons
were immensely against him at starting, but, now
that large portion Of the system is completed. its
author may Justly rest ms claims upon Wla' mas ="
ready been accomplished.
mitted to Mr. Spencers philosophy, as it is not the
function of daily TO decide absruse specu-
lative questions; but from its earliest promulgation
I'm this country we have recognized the power and ge
nins of rs author and the influence he destined TO
exert upon the thought of the and it is therefore
rather pleasant TO see the cynical Saturday RericW
coming out as it did short time since with the tardy
ayowal that IF we were to give our own Judgment
we should say that since Newton there has not in
England been philosopher of more remarkable
speculative and systematlzng talent than I'm spite OF
some errors and narrowness) Mr.. Herbert Spencer
The work before MS carries Nh. SpeDcers system to
its third fundamental division. and few who have
studied the First Principles" and the Principles
of Biology" will fail TO be impressed with the extra
ordinary originality of the author his comprehensive
grasp and encyclopaedia command Of the facts and
results of modern physical science. Whatever view
may be entertained of his system whole the in
telgent reader will heartily agree with the opinion
EXPRESSED by the Rev. Dr. MeCOsh-himself an ad-
verse critc-that "his bold generalizations are
always suggestive, and some may in the end be es-
tablished as the profoundest laws OF the movable
universe"
Having eucidated in his first volume those great
primary truths of our knowledge which must guide,
limit and determine all philosophical inquiry, and
become tho tests of true philosophical system in all
the general laws of life which are unfolded in the
two volumes of Biology The principles here estab
lshed form the basis of Psychology, the science OF
mind That Mr.. Spencer here enters upon no untried
field and will deal with this branch of his great sub
ject with equal originality and success, we may be-
lieve on the authority of John Stuart Mill, who pro-
nounces him one of the acutest metaphysicians of
modern times" and ofh earliest works on mind
to be ION tho whole one of the finest examples
we possess of the psychological method in its full
power"
The work now published is the first installment Of
the new PRINCIPLES Of Psychology" and is occupied
with the data of the subject of which il gives COM
peted view 1t is an Introductory account of the
physical aecOmpaniments of mind aud consists of
compact and lucid statement of the nature, structure
and functions Of the nervous system. together with
the conditions essential to nervous action. The char
acter of the nervous force and the laws Of nervous
stimulation and discharge also clearly eucidated
All students of mind are now agreed that it is no
longer possible to treat this subject scientifically
without taking into account the mechanism by
which mind is manifested and conditioned and they
will here find clear and compendIOus statement OF
so much of nervous physiology is indispensable to
the pursuit or mental inquiries. The views put forth
are most interesting but asi would be impossible to
present them here we will only attention TO the
closing chapter on the scope of psychology, IN which
we obtain decisive illustration Of the antagonism
of Spencer to Comte 1t is well known that the
French philosopher had fnatcal hatred of meta
physics. that he denied psychology place i'll his
hierarchy of the sciences, and sunk it into mere
branch of cerebral physiology. The Positive Philos
ophy was thus very naturally understood to be mate
rastic and from this the further inference has been
drawn that modern science, partaking of the posi-
tive spirit, is also materiastic in its tendencies
IL cfC Nfr IL,