Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1872-11-18

attempts to do. The author discusses those
Speeulations and theories of modern science
which are supposed TO be hostile TO the Bible
and Christianity; and he does this with ntelli-
gence, acuteness, and selfcontrol. He processes
to hold himself "widely aloof from ecclesiastical
aud theological narrowness, and equally alooi
from scientific narrowness." His conclusion is
that "natural science and advanced theology
are mutually and materially helpful" In his
view, the exclusion of theistie Interpretation
from total nature is not logical, but is dexter
| ously perversiye. 1t is book which will COM
mand the respect, if not the fun assent of those
against whom it is directed. The worst thing in it
is DR.. Crosby's Introduction, which, fortunate
ly fills only two pages. This stands at the begin
ming as if to discourage those who most need to
read what Mr.. Leilchild has written from I'M
dertaking to read it. OF all doctors of divinity
living, DR., Howard Crosby is the least fitted TO
| perform as an oracle, provided this performance
is a fair specimen of his usual work. He could
not finish it without introducing some of the
| most arrogant and offensive dogmatism we have
seen printed in connection with this discussion.
He makes us feel that he is incapable of under
standing either the spirit of Mr.. Leiichild or the
real character of the book itself. We advise
every one who shall open the book to avoid this
introduction" For sale by Grout &,Putnam.
The GREEKS OF TO-DAY. BY Charles K.
Tuckerman, late Minister Resident Of the United
States at Athens. New York: G. P Putnam &
Sons. This book has positive value, for it is
not only fresh and attractive, but also candid,
sensible, and very intelligent. The papers wheel
make up its contents are entitled: arrival"
First Days. "Modem Athens" "The Parthe-
non and other RUNS" political Characters
tics; "The Great Idea," which is that the Greek
mind is destined to regenerate the East Fifty
Years OF Independence" "Education;' "The
Greek Church," american Missionaries at
Athens" in which there are some criticisms that
may get attention, but do not seem unwarTanted;
"Brigandage," which is well worth reading;
''rhe Massacre near Marathon" "The Island of
Corfu, " the legendary island which Imagination
enhaloes with special gories of the ancient time,
the ancient CorcyTa, and the still more ancient
Scheria of Homer, and now chief of the Ionan
Islands; and Character of the Greeks"
Mr.. Tuckerman gives in a candid way,
and with remarkable intelligence and discrimi-
nation, the results OF his own observation, eX-
perience and study We have many books of
all sorts on the more prominent countries of
Europe, but not many on Greece. Our notion
of the Greeks is too general, and in many re-
spects too inaccurate or vague 10 be very useful
There is sentimental admiration which talks of
Perices, Aristides, etc, and quotes Haleck's
Marco Bozzlris; and there is the notion that the
modern Greeks are a sharp, unprncipled race;
but there is great lack of actual knowledge of
modern Greece and its people, which this book
viii do something to remove. Here is Mr..
Tuckerman's correction of one prevalent mis-
take:
Domestic fidelity, maternal affection, family
unity, and the cheerful discharge Of the duties
and responsibilities of welded life are nowhere
more beautifully illustrated than among the
Greeks. AS natural consequence of this con-
dltion, the people are emphatically a chaste peo-
pie. This statement may open the eyes Of many
who are accustomed TO regard the Greeks with
an obliquity of vision, but | am persuaded thai
no city IN the world of 10000 or 80 900 inhablf-
ants can boast of fewer invitations to sensual
wee than does Athens. 1t is but fair TO infer, in
the absence OF positive proofs to the contrary,
that private morals keep pace with outward OBJ
serYances in this respect As 70 the inhabitants
ton on the subject. The Greeks are temperate
people, This is evident to the most superficial
observer; but am not sure that this should be
noted as a.national merit, SINCE as in other warm
climates, it is the result Of the absence OF strong
intoxicating drinks. Large quantities OF wine
are imbibed here; but the wine of the country
is oil pure grape juice, iermented naturally in
barrels, and is very cheap. Rum and brandy
are chiefly consumed by foreigners, OF whom the
greater part are sailors Alcoholic drinks are
very deleterious in warm climates, and this fact,
with the comparative high cost of these stimu-
lants, limit their consumption. The light wine
OF The country, on the contrary, is comparative
ly harmless, if not positively wholesome, when
drunk with moderation. On thigh leasts and
holidays one often sees carriage loads Of song
singing Greeks, under the effects OF partial eX-
hiiaration; but positive drunkenness is rare,
while it is not an uncommon sightto see sailors
from foreign ships reeng through the streets in
various stages Of intoXication. But even wine
drinking leads 10 brawls and high words for
the brain of the Greek is highly eXcitabIe. The
statistics of registered deaths in the City of
Athens from the effect OF strong drinks may not
be very reli9ble, yet IL is noteworthy, that out
of population of $4,000 but 20 natives are
known to have died from this cause in ten years
while OF foreigners, who form scarcely one per
cent OF the whole population, the number re-
corded is sixteen. Englishmen aud Americans
bear away the first prizes in the International
exhibition OF drunkaTds while Greeks and Mus
sulmans, especially the latter, are perhaps the
most temperate people in Europe Win he Turk
1t is religious obligation; with the Greek it is
more the result Of circumstances"
For sale by Grout & Putnam.
OFF THE SKELLIGs.-This long promised
novel by the gifted authoiess, Jean Ingelow, is
at last before the public 1t is entirely out Of
the common way as a narrative, and we are
somewhat at loss what TO say of it, being a
| good deal pleased and also just little disap.
| pointed The early chapters are delightful, the
sayings and doings Of two quaint, precocious
children being told with perfect grace. Not less
charming and more exciting are the scenes de.
picted on board the yacht "Curlew," with the
vivid description Of "lhe Great Skellig," "the
westernmost point Of British land out Of sight of
the coast, shooting up perpendicularly from the
sea, without an inch of shore, calm, grand, pitt.
less" We haven't space for a long review of
the book, but we can assure our readers of
good deal of quiet pleasure in its perusal. 1t is
published by Roberts Brothers, Boston, and is
for sale by Sanford g. Co.
HINTS ON Dress; or What to Wear, Where
to Wear 1t, and How to Buy It. By Ethel c.
Gale. Published by G. p. Putnam Sons !:
New York. Handy Book Series. This little
book is practical, sensible treatise on the i'm.
portantsnbjcct OF ladies dress. 1t opens with a
chapter on ancicn. costumes, giving descrip-
ton Of fashions os far back us the Assyrians
ana ancient Egyptians, proving that in dress as
IN all else There Is nothing new under the sum-
4he aulhor Then proceeds 10 show what is meant
by dressing well, dwelling upon the facts that it
IS impossible to be well dressed, without taking
into account, comfort healthfulness, becoming