The Portland daily press., 1871-02-06
sseceut pubiica,iu,

Let no timid soul be frightened At tho bor-
rioiy materlallstie title OF DIR. Holmes new
book Mechanism IN Thought and Morals He
stops considerably short of Prof. Huxlev's
prOtopLasm, and leaves ample room for self
determining will and moral responsibility after
giving the undeniably intimate relation of
mind and matter, as shown by the latest re-
searches of physioiogists and biologists its full
weight. In fact he is so anxious to escape
materialism that his conclusions are trife
illogical as well as skeptical. He undertakes
to do what we believe, was never undertaken
before, viz, to turn the tables upon orthodoxy
oy showing that its dogmas are materiastc
ana mat rottonotism is the only escape from
that kind of heresy. He finds all intel
lectual processes the result of physical condi.
tions, but when he comes t. the subject of
morals he abruptly and arbitrarily assumes the
freedom of the viii, eohfesse1ly in opposition
to tho convictions produced by reasoning. an
pealing, like many who have wrestled with
this problem before him, 10 consciousness
alone for his vndication. The sprightiness
OF humor, the felicity and exuberance of illus
tration and the really command of the fresh
est facts of science and philosophy for pur-
poses of eucdatioD, which characteriza the
authors earlier works are all found in this
little book which one may read in an bour.-
DIR. Holmes can rely not only upon a tolerant
but upon an enthusiastic audience 50 long as
be can so popularize so successfully theme,
like that treated in this book. 1t is not quite
SO full OF epigram, paradox and fun as the
Border Lines of Medical Science, but it falls
not much short OF it. published by James
X. Osgocd & Co., Boston, and for sale by Hall
L. Davis.)
Fair France by the author Of John Hall
far, Gentleman, from which we printed some
interesting extracts on Tuesday, is thor.
Oughly interesting book throughout. 1t is
published by Harper & Brothers, New York
and is for sale by Loring. Short& Harmon.
Zelfs Cyclopedia, which is neither a die.
tionary nor cyclopedia, but an anomalous
work that has some of the characteristics of
both, is approaching completion. The fltieth
part is now at hand, and the public have had
ample time TO take full cognizance of its
merits. The verdict is decidedly favorable.
1t is not nearly so voluminous or so expen-
sive as the cyclopedias in common use, and is
at the same time more comprehensive. Even
those who can afford the luxury of Appeton's
great work will find. Zell a profitable addition
to their Libraries. Mr.. John Russell is the
agent for this work, which is sold by subscrip-
tion. Published by I. ElwOod Zell, Phis-
delpha.
James r. Osgood G. Co., Boston, has pub
lished biographical sketch of William Win
son, Seaton, OF the National InteHiqencer,
with passing notices of his associates and
friends. To journalists this book is especially
interesting, but it will find large circle of
readers outside OF their guild. For sale by
Hall L. Davis.
My Apingi Kingdom, by Paul du Chaillu,
is ifposslbIe more entertaining than his former
works. Here we have him as Tanst or
Crown Prince under the chief Remandji, in
the Apingi land, where he does great many
in the habit of performing-traps porcupines,
corners the larger animals, such as elephants,
leopards, wild boars, gazelles, antelopes, wild
cats and snakes, in jungle; goes 10 war with
neishboring tribe on behalf of pair of
elOping young lovers, and, in fact, enacts a
variety of things beyond the capacity of a
short notice to describe in any adequate way;
the pleasant character of the whole being en-
hanced-at least for the older order of readers
BY his notices of tribsl eusto>sss aud laaands
the mode OF manufacturing palm oil, the
gathering of ebony, the making OF pottery,
and the descriptions of natural growths and
roductiOns-especial,y those formidable ants
called termites, which are as great architects
on land as the coral-buiders are in the water,
Harper q Brothers. For sale by Loring,
Short & Harmon.
The Cryptogram by James de Mile, au-
thor of the Dodge Club, is one of the great
est literary successes of the season. That it
has already appeared in the Bazar has only
given the public an appetite for it. Published
by Harper & Brothers, and for le by Loring,
Shoit & Harmon.