The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1871-05-04
L1THRATURn.
REVIEW or NEW BOOKS.

Mivart, f. r. s., the bsne and antidote are
both before as. Mr.. Darwin's second volume
continues the discussion of the Interesting
subject of sexual selection commenced in the
first, and as a collection of scientific facts it
is of the highest value, whether the conclu-
sions to which it points are accepted or not.
The Investigations Of such men as Darwin
and Wallace, earnest, honest, and accom-
plished searchers after truth, cannot be
ignored by theologisnS and others, who find
it difficult or impossible to reconcile their
facts and opinions with prsconesived notions
which have NO scientific Foundation, and which
are frequently not supported by the state
ments of the Scriptures when the meanings
of these statements are carefully measured. It
is far better to meet the Dsrwins the Wallacss,
and the Huxleys Of the day upon their sown
ground, ss Mr.. Mivart does, with a cordial
recognition Of the value of their scientific
services. No intelligent man or woman who
wishes to be Informed upon the progress of
scientific thought and investigation in our
day can afford to leave the writings of Mr..
Darwin unread, and much of the criticism
which has been launched against them has
proceeded from persons who evidently did
which they we're based Such criticism of
course is valueless with those who think for
themselves, aad as an antidote to the skepti-
cal tendencies of Mr.. Darwin's works the
'Genesis of Species" ia one Of the most i'm
portant contributions to literature that has
yet appeared. Mr.. Mivart accepts Mr. Oar
win facts at their full value, but contends
that the proper iHferences are not drawn from
them, and that they are not necessarily ire
concilsble with Scripture. His argument
is that the Investigations of Darwin
and others have as yet revealed but q small
portion Of the truth, and that important de-
velopments are yet TO be made. With regard
to the theory that man is descended from
lower forms, he contends that the soul of man
and his sense of moral accountability are not
accounted for under it, and that Mr.. Oar
wins conclusions are drawn from but half
revealed truths. 1t is evident that a work
written in this spirit will receive the candid
consideration of those who would pay no re-
gard whatever to theological diatribss; and as
theologians must recognize the facts of
science if they expect to retain their
influence, we commend Mr.. Mivart's work
most heartily to their consideration, as well
as to that of general readers We particu-
larly invite for it the attention Of the clsri-
cal opponents of Darwinism as likely at
least to give thom some hints with regard to
the right method of conducting controversies
upon scientific subjects. ''The Genius of
Species" is no mere final and inclusive than
are the works of Darwin and Wallace, but it
is valuable contribution to the cOntrover-
sial literature which has been created by the
Investigations and speculatiens Of those men,
and it is withal exceedingly interesting
merely considered IS an exposition Of nstu-
raj facts. Both of the aforementioned
works are published by D. Appleton & Co.,
and are for sale in this city by Porter &
Coates.
-''Sobsr Thoughts on Staple Themes" and
"WindfAlls," by Richard Randolph, are a
couple of volumes of essays in prose and
verse upon q variety of subjects such as
''Brotherly Love, ""The Rule of Poverty,
primary Problems, 'Mind and Money Con-
sidsred as Curreneiss, ''The Criminality of
CovetouspeEs, ''Christian Communion, u
''The knowledge of Good and Evil, ''Maths.
MATES Typical of Universal Science, ''Num
Der as an Object, "Ths Place of Fiction,
etc. The essays are generally brief, which ii
merit; and they are generally rather dry
reading, which is not They contain some
valuable ideas, however, which will commend
them to the attention of those who read fo
something besides amusement. The poems
are nothing more than didactic essays il
verse, and there is little in them that csulC
not have been better expressed in prose
Published by Claxton, Remsen q Haffel
finger.
Himself His Worst Enemy" by Alfre'
P. Brotherhead, is a novel based upon tn
well-known facts of the career of the witt
but profigatO and reckless Philip, Duke o
Wharton. The real events of WhRrtons lif
were SO romantic that the novelist has had
comparatively easy task in writing an enter
tanning novel, and ''Himself His Own Enemy
may be accepted by the fction-loving publ
as a graphic picture of times in which figure
the object of Pope's satire, when he was desig
mated as ''the seOrn and wonder of our days.
The literary style of this work is excellent
and Mr.. BrothsrheAd is to be congratulate
upon his attempt to become producer 9
we'll as q dispenser of literature. Publishe
by ]. B. Lippincott & Co.
-''What ] Know about Farming" b
Horace Greeley, is a collection of the essay
that have appeared with this title in the IT
61Ine and which have been laughed at o.
ceedingly by the irreverent who would hay
it believed that what Mr.. Greeley does n,
know about farming would be more valu