The Portland daily press., 1869-03-13
sseeens PubIieaiien-.

The latest issue in the popular Handy
Volume Series" Of Messrs, Roberts BrotLeTs,
Boston, is the long. announced and somewhat
eagerly expected little treatise on Plonehette,
% "e despair Of Science, Of which Mr.. Epes
sargent Is the now Acknowledged author. The
'As"'onao'e httle toy which runs about on two
wheels and lead pencil, is not by any means
the main subject of the book TO which il fun
nishes title. The author, who is an ardent
and incorporating champion Of modern
spiritualism, has collected an immense num-
Der OF the facts and phenomena ON which the
friends Of that system found its claims; and
he not only presents them in an extremely
attractive and interesting manner, but discus
ses them in spirit of fairness, and with good
temper and good taste which will readily he
acknowledged even by those who dissent from
his conclusions Mr.. Sargent is Justly severe
his criticism of the conduct of distinguished
scientific men like Faraday, Tyndall, and
some Of our Harvard professors in relation TO
this class of phenomena. The attitude Of these
savans toward the whole subject is simplv
asinine, and should receive the rebuke il de-
serves Having hastily assumed in the outset
that the whole was fraud and delusion
they have either, like Mr.. Herbert Spencer,
declined on prioTi grounns'' to investigate
it, or else have demanded that it should come
to the bench on which they sat as magistrates,
not as enquirers, and be examined as a crimi-
ma, not as phenomenon. Such an attitade is
utterly unworthy Of scientific men. 1t is their
business to investigate this matter, and to do
it the same spirit which they We uld bring 10
the study Of any other class Of alleged facts.
scare hingly but without arrogance, and with
out insulting their witnesses. Possibly they
may discover that there are powers. impul,e.
or forces in nature Of the character OF which
they now know but little.
Mr.. Sargent evidently considers il Of very
little consequence what the sorans may do in
relation to the matter. He accepts unreseiv-
edly the Spiritualists explanation Of tLess
mysteries, and he brings before us q great.
number of the best attested instances which
are adduced in proof Of spiritual appearances.
Some of this evidence Il a little too vague 10
find ready admission in q court Of Justice. but
there are stories enough which are well au-
thenticated to furnish matter for serious IN
quiry into the nature Of these things, even for
those who, like ourselves, are not ready To
adopt his explanation OF them. His book Is
an interesting and valuable contribution TO
the literature Of this subject. (Received by
Loring, Short & Harmony
Sever, Francis & Co., Cambridge, have re.
| printed The Book of Golden Deeds, which was
so favorably received on its first publication as
one of their "Golden Treasury Series" several
years ago. 1t is collection Of anecdotes of
noble and heroic actions, collected by Miss
Yonge, the popular author OF "The Heir of
Redclyffe," and other stories, and told in the
easy and charming style which renders that
lady's writings SO attractive. The book is
printed and bound in a very neat and tasteful
manner. 1t is pretty and appropriate gift
for any youthful reader. (Received by Lo-
ring, Short and Harmony
Fields, Osgood & Co., Boston have issued
the last volume of their neat, convenient and
! cheap edition of Charles Reade's novels. 1t
contains the earliest of the authors stories, the
brilliant sketch of Peg Wellington, Christie
| Johnstone. The Boz Tunnel, and Others Book
buyers have..reason to-conrsrNsus .thsmsalEas
the Yery Low price at which this handsome
edition is furnished them, and Messrs. Fields,
Osgood & Co., deserve our thanks for their en-
terprise, which We trust may prove profitable
to them. The novels are having very. wide
sale. (Received by HALL Davis.)
Harper & Brothers have brought out cheap
paper-covered edition OF Griffith Galnt, which
is clearly printed, and sells for 25 cents. (Re-
ceived by Loring, Short & Harmony