The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1870-12-16
Reviews.

LAY SERMONS, ADDRESSES AND REVIEWS. By
Thomas Henry Huxley, L.L: D., F. h. ).
New York: D. Appleton. 1870
Whatever may be the value of Professor
Huxleys contributions to natural science,
there can be no question as to the value of his
contributions to its literature. His brilliant
style, his incisive logic, his wit and his re-
sources of metaphor and illustration have
stimulated to the study OF the problems of ply
sical science large numbers Of persons whom
the difficulty and unfamiliarity of the discus
sions were apt to repel. The volume before
uscontaips his most remarkable productions,
and 1t is not an exaggeration to say that no
| book has of late appeared more distinguished
by ability or by the interest Its topics possess
for the thinking portion OF mankind. the
reader will here find the latest evidence OF the
new creed, which aburing necessity, yet sur
renders the universe to matter and force, ana
he will be conducted by the most delightful OF
guides to the foremost trenches which science
has drawn around the citadel OF life. He may
moi assent to all that is preached unto him,
and he may fail to read, over the portals OF
life, the motto so plain to the eye of his
teachers, but he will at least have had his at
tention directed to the supreme enigma which
mankind has TO solve. The other essays,
though of less significance in scientific point
OF view, will be found very entertaining, espe.
cially that on scientific education, a subject
which is now attracting so much interest.
Want Of space prevents us from applying to
that essay, or to the others, any adequate criti-
cism, but upon the subject oS education, we
would point out that Professor Huxley adopts
the usual view of those who argue the value
of science as an instrument of education, viz,
that the student who gets his science from
text book or teacher is put to the same degree
of mental effort as hewho creates the science.
The fallacy of his argument, If there is fallacy
in it, seems to us to lie just there. But ne
must leave this question to the readers OF the
book, who, we hope, will be many.
For sale by John Russell, King street.
THE GALAXY.
The GaluSy for 1871 promises even greater
attractions than heretofore. Among the at
fractions for the coming year, Porte Crayon is
engaged to furnish series of sketches OF life
and adventure, which will revive the old In
terest In his pictures of American scenes.
Mrs. Edwards, the author of "Archlc Lowell"
s.Steyen Lawrence" and "Susan Fielding, will
begin a new novel in the January number, en-
titled ''Ought We to Visit Her !" In the JAN
uaIy number new department will be OPEN
ed-a department of science-whlch will be
under the charge of distinguished writer.
The remarkable series OF papers BY distinguish.
ed public men, to which Messrs. Thurlow
Weed, ]. S. Black, Horatio King and Gideon
weles, have contributed during the year now
closed. Will be continued during 1871: and will
include contributions from other public men of
high position and wide experience. Each
number will have humorous articles by Mark
Twain. Also complete review OF the world
of literature, embracing French, German, Eng
lsh and American literature, prepared by the
most competent writer's Mr.. Richard Grant
White will, early in the year, begin his series
of articles on "Amerlcanisms," continuation
of the popular series on "Words and Their
Uses" Mr.. Justin Mccarthy has returned 10
the United States. and will contribute regular
ly to The GALAXY as heretofore. OF other wrl-
tiers who will have articles in the numbers Of
The Galaxy for 1871, may be named: Bayard
Taylor, IL Marvel, Parke Goodwin, Dr.. j. G.
Draper, Carl Benson, Laure d'Hauterive (au-
thor of the Havana Letter,) Professor j. II.
Hart, of Cornell University, and others. The reg
ular departments of The GALAXY will be contln-
ued. ''DrifLwood," by Philip Gnibet, treating
OF current events, is always interesting and
instructive. The '.NebulG" is bright and at
tractlye. Short stories and sketches, by the
best writers, In abundance. The conductors
of The GALAXY intend to make it even better
and more attractive than it has heretofore been.
No expense will be spared TO secure articles Of
the greatest interest TO IT'S readers.