New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-08-19
THE GALAXY.
number of this Magazine

The September number of this Magazine
opens with lively but very profound discussion OF
the marriage question, with historical notices of the
institution in former and predictions Of the char
acter which il may assume in the future. favorite
speculation Of the writer relates to the progress OF
paganism in Christian countries, and its bearing on
modern domestic society There may be some grain Of
truth in the suboned paragraph but 1t takes for granted
a good de al more than can be proved
With u.s. society is shaping itself and more into
distinct classes. The lower class representing LABOR
try OF Europe Is the foundation which the nation
reposes; the great middle class is that which makes the
laws and governs the country; and the social life
these two classes remains comparatively pure In the
upper class several the wealthy
who mold to orthodoxy, wealthy possessed of pagan
tendencies, the poor rich who spend large income In
living from hand to mouth, and the refined poor who
can appreciate the tastes Of the cultivated wealthy
but have not the means TO crafty them.
In this upper class ALL with the exception OF the ortho
age when comes from ITS center Paris This influence
has been travelling westward as inevitably as fate Tor
thousands of years beginning Babylon and pushing
TO Antioch Athens, Rome, aud AT last dwelling with
the French their legitimate inheritance With THIS
pagdnism come art science and the beautiful to make
man ana woman happy; but as they are unreasonns,
mmOderae, sensual and selfish, these things after
period wear out the vitality necessary 10 their main
tenance take their departure in search OF
virgin field Paganism has already planted ltsell on
the city bOuleyards will expand and flourish here
as ii now does there. thousand years hence perad-
venture the inhabitants OF the western OF Asia
will great city of the ancient Americans guide
book in hand TO look the relies of her past greatness
such decay arrives. the city will live that
golden age which is now beginning to dawn upon her.
The geographical relations OF the pagauism are
described with gravity OF assertion as If they had
been brought within tbs limits of positive science.
The American pagan Will doubtless be more of Ro-
than an Athenian He showssigu of this now IN
"a certain aggressive, eKtrayagant nature which will
possibly lead him to commit of the folies of the
instincts of the Athenians kept them, In comparison
with their in civilization, within the bounds
Inf NM a
man, and the Northern German paganzes at ALL In
the early days Of the American Republic only British
civilization welcome, and piganism did not eXist
but the old light Is dim, and stream Of Iumina-
ton pours IN from Paris. the American pagan now
looks 20 the Gahc center Rome looked to
Athens; tue American learns tue French language as
the Roman learned the Greek he studies the literature
OF Paris nhabitant of tue hills studied
OF Athens he copies Partisan manners rs the Roman
bop6 may sue az neS lead him +" inyr se5e ., gu
price and womanish nature OF the Gaul. but in his
heart he accepts HIM a model: imitation as Bacon
tells us, is the sincerest form Of hattery.
a poshumous paper by the late Edward A. Pollard
the strenuous partisan Of Southern interests gives
curious details in regard the early "AnSlayerv
Men of the South" including Washington. jefferson
Henry Clay, and others III his comments on the move
ment and the condition of the negro subsequent
emancipation, Mr. Pollard takes a broad and liberal
view which will now command a sympathy than
| was possible during the heat OF political conflict.
by y remarkable coincidence the opportunity is
created for the South 10 vindcae both its old pO
evil in IT, aud that which, the hand Insisted
that there something Of good in IT, BY
the success OF emancipation, 50 far "a IL implies the
negro is better on than when he was "a bOndrnan
the South will sufficiently justify her old
Justice and wrong Again, by acknowledging the she
cess Of emancipation, 80 far as 1t Implies that the
| negro had become worthy 10 receive H. she will
| sustain her former notion OF a good in Slavery
| beDehcent agency, which even the North IL
now estopped IRON denying. There then the
basis OF en- active, generous party In the present.
times ~ the south which will repeat the sentiment
| nf nor uNNF
portaut passage OF her history and which giving
To the negro his proper recognition and
must forward IN the spirit Of such ackno wledg
ment to and his further progress and TO accomplish
OF benencence IL is an opportunity for the brOades
and in which the south show herself al once the
iustest commentator ON Slavery In the past and the
| truest friend To the negro in the future.
Mr. G. Z. Cranch contributes article on Symbolism
and Language" Astounding with acute PHILOSOPHERS
suggestions, and written In the lmpd poetical prose
Of which the author is q master. Mr.. Cranch in
ssts on the thesis that there be thought without
symbol, every idea clothing itself with some materia
image before IL can effect q Judgment ia the mind II
there expressive symbol, have the letter.
composing the words which stand for the thought
good example OF Mr. Cranchs forcible manner IA pro
| scnted IN this paragraph
| Take almost any word at random for an example
4 lake the word E" vriue"-rirtus. Toe old pictoria
meaning derived from cir, man. and making virtue
~ uonyme for essential manhood, whether in the old
Roman sense Of courage or in the larger modern sig
| nihcance, has exhaled like aroma but here is 1
deposit Thus the dictionary becomes sort of herba
Ium We have the dried leaves and flowers instead o
the green and blooming plant. Often the scent vii
remain; but oftener the word Is put a dry bIeachec
she'll out OF which the living creature has era wIed OF
else il Is diDmed aud hidden by familiarity that we
treat IL as freely might fancy ancient Greek
and Romans did their Lares and Penates In the word
| instanoed u the well known consecutive arrange
when spoken. And II you n mud II w sIaea
] or pna,sd with capital " mag ehancS