New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-05-26
TILE WESTMINSTER REVIEW.

The logical inconsistencies of Mr.. Matthew
Arnolds Literature and Dogma are sharply exposed
in this number while due credit is given to the good In
tentions which have beguled him into such manifold
fallacies HIS scheme for the reconciliation OF falth
with science in the opinion OF the writer can have no
success in its practical working We are constantly
baled by what seems unwilingness on his part to
accept the necessary consequences Of his adms-
sons While his is to be regarded as an ingenious
and original attempt to place religion on scientlhc
basis its great blemish is its tone of incorporating
advocacy which begets inconsistent and conflicting
uterances "Of Jesus it reflects no clear mental image
for we are equally forbidden to think Him human or
divine The old proverb tells us that we cannot eat
our cake and have it, but this seems TO Us 10 no exactly
what Mr. Arnold attempts to do. He would
gladly be rid OF supernauralism, yet he clinSs to
the Bible of which supernaturalisn Is the Keynote
An admirable contribution TO the history OF phloso-
ply is contained In paper on The Development OF
Psychology" tracing the progress of the science from
Aristotle Herbert Spencer, with critical estimate or
the influence Of Thomas Aqunas, Descartes. Hobbies,
Locke, Hume, Hartley Stuart Mill, and Prof. Balm
The writer is evidently master of lis subject and his
essay is remarkable not only for its lucid exposition Of
doctrine but for Illustrations Of the historical Sc
quence and connection of the leading systems down TO
recent date OF Herbert Spencer he remarks, that if
had other titles 20 fame he would stli be the great
est OF psychologists"
The vast constructions OF his First Principles will
ever be a monument of his extraordinary powers OF
His designed organization of the Social
Science opens no the prospect intellectual acquisitions
in the future 10 which the past may furnish ie" para
lels But the Principles OF Psychology VIII stlil re-
man, is symmetrical completeness and perfect ado
quacy 10 subject the most remarkable Of his
achievements aud the most scientific treatise on the
Mind which has yet seen the light. Its publication III
1855 did not make sensation The persistent efforts OF
Mil had not yet succeeded III stemming the muddy tide
OF the prevailing sehollsiicsm. The bastard Kautsm
of Hamilton did duty for metaphysics, and the Com
Sense philosophy OF Eed, win the comnon
sense left out, usurped tho place OF Expert
mental Psychology Experimental Psychology was. as
usual busy with anayo nd had no eye ior tne merry
OF an imposing syntnctical effort Mr. spencers work
had accordingly chill reception Greeted by the arr
tOcratic metaphyscians with Jew words OF cOuitly
compliment but treated practically with supercllous
disregard it received by psychologists of the Assoc
citation school with hardly more favor than the snaIlng
approval with which Il Constitutional wing views the
entry into the Cabinet of a Birmingham Radical;
Mr. Spencer was ahead OF his generation, aud
years OF neglect. But now the wheel is com
tonay disposed indeed 10 apathy, but drugsed into a
eadeu slumber by It's medicine men Is at last awaken
ing to the fact that the peer Of Bacon and Newton Is
Writer'S OF all schools fastening define their
position with reference 10 the Synthetic Philosophy.
younger generation has grown up with minds unhar.
dened by the limitations of obsolete tonasn and
inclined rather TO somewhat pndsclphned acquios;
cenee in what the Germans can . world-shatterlne
that also world constructing theories. But what
ever part OF his philosophy may be ransitory, Mr..
SpenCcrs present influence is indspuable and since
the aInented death OF Mill no one now contest his
claims TO tho philosophc supremacy IN these Islands
The great extension Of plan which Mr. Spencers work
received between 1855 and 1902, IL is stated due
solely to the creation of his philosophy OF evolution
This it al It's initiative the theory Of the
iation or forces advanced by Mr. Grove IN Isi2 The
new philosophy conceived all existence 10 result from
evolution through differentiation and d.ntegrdton and
hence was incumbent on Mr. Spencer show that the
physical correlstives OF mental phenomena can be
planned by series OF deductions from the persistence
OF force. Tue science OF motion evolves and the idea
OF orderly sequence enters into psychology Ma tural
In and
psychology passes from conjunction to eausa
ton. Chemistry tears aside n corner OF
natures vail and shaft sunk IN my sterious Held
OF mind. The sciences OF organic nature receive
forward mpalse, and mind ana life Joined in inexri
cable union philosophy OF the universe incorporating
all the sciences, Is created. and psychology while attain