Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1873-10-04
NEW BOOKS.

MIND AND BODY. By Alexander Balm, L.
L. D., Professor of Logic in the University OF
Aberdeen. New York: D. Appleton & %.
If there be one metaphysical question of
common interest to all minds, cultivated or
uncultivated, scientific or unscientiic, it is
the inquiry, 10 what manner mind and body
are connected. This is a mystery that in
spires genuine, noble, universal curiosity,
and there are few persons who have not at
some time ye2rned to know its secrets.
There are moments when every human be-
ing, from the highest ranks to the lowest
grades, can realize the grave old dictum,
that s'man is fearfully and wonderfully
made;" and no conjunction Of thoughts can
produce this impression so deeply or so
grandly as the idea of matter confronted
with the idea of mind. Doctor Bsin stands
before the two in a fearless, mastery atti-
tude, and bis work throws beam OF
light into the obscurity of their relations.
he is an able thinker, and has dis used
the subject in language and style suitable
to the wants of the general reader; while the
most fastidious critic and scholar will ind
the discussion replete with matter OF the
most interesting nature and set forth In q
style quite satisfactory. hat may be re-
gsrded as an excellence at this book-makiDg
era, he has realized the proper force of the
maxim, HauLtu1D in pdrUO-he has not spun
his book out to an inconvenient length.
The volume as to mechanical execution is
all that the eye could require, both for at
traetiveness and convenience. It's divided
into seven chapters. In the first the ques-
ton is stated; in the second it is shown by
familiar facts that there is connex on be-
tween the operations of mind and of body.
| The third chapter demonstrates that this
connexion is regulated by certain laws, AID
describes The nervous system and the brain.
| In the fourth chapter number of Genera
laws governing the alliance of mind
and body are announced and clear
ly illustrated by familiar instances.
The last chapter is particularly interesting,
being s'history of the theories of the soul.
| DIR. Balm takes the middle ground between
the IdealiStS and MGteriGliStS. He con
| Guides his investigation with this observ2
ton: "The mind is destined to be double
stUdy-to coDjoin the mental philosopher
with the physical philosopher; and the mo
mentary glimpse of Aristotle is at last con-
| verted into clear and steady vision"
| ROMANCE OF OLD COURT LIFE IN FRvNCE. By
I - ~
This is romance created from the rich
est vein that the novelist ever worked
history. The scene opens in the sixteenth
Gentry, at the turning point between tht
age of Knight-errantry and the age of mod
! ern letters and refinement. The character
ara the most prominent in French history
such as King Francis l. and Louis XVI
They are pictured with bold and vigorous
strokes. The style is that Of spirited, ami
mated narrative. The work is valuable
sddition 70 this species of literature, ant
will doubtless fnd Vagt number of readers
1t is ettractively illustrated with twsnt.
large cuts.
| NINA's AToNRMENT. BY Christian Reid, Ne0
York; d. Appleton & 90.
Il will be remembered that this is by tn
author OF "Mor: on House" and ''Vsleri'
Aylmer," two works of considerable meri
and popularity. The volume consists o
five graceful stories: "Nina's Atouement,
"Hugh's Vendetta" "Miss Cheriton!
Rival, ""My Story" The Painters Dream,
"Powell Vardray's Life" and "Bernard'
In 7ention."
All for sale at W. T. Berry & Co.'s