New-York tribune., 1874-01-16
NEW PUBLICATIONS.
SpR socOI oGrcAL HISTORY OF ENGLAND. By HrRBsRT
syHscs. Part L. folio d. Appleton Co.
This work has been already noticed at length

spRscka Part H. folio ID Appleton 4 Co.
This work has been already noticed at length
IN The TRIBUNE by our London correspondent, at the
time Of its publication in England some three months
go After very thorough and critical examination Of
the hook Mr. smaey sad "The work is gigantic one;
ats yelue when complete, will be iDmeasurable; ana
a., actual influence the study OF sociology and help
20 that study greater perhaps than any book yet pub
bsbed. II Cycopedia OF Social Science hut Cyeio
pedia edited by the greatest OF socoiogists Ihs Is
strong praise but a careful examination Of the work has
satisfied US that II is entirely Just
For dozen years Mr.. spencer has peen WORKING Ills
phosophc way toward the great subject OF the science
Of human society. He first struck out gehera pan vi
investigation then passed to the STUDY oi man III
his animal constitution as q creature that muIuphes
crows deyelops and transmits his nature ny Inherit
snoe in subordinaon the general laws OF ife Then
he passed TO systematic study OF man on the meh'a
ride tracing the elements OF Thought ana eehng ana
the composition unfolding OF his psychleai nature
IN subordinaton to the general laws OF mind Ihe point
Of view assumed hroueh that Of Evolution the
essential probiern Of which determine how given
state OF things results from previous conditions All
these Investigations have been preliminary and prepara
tory 10 the study Of the constitution and natural laws OF
human society Upon this division OF his undertaking
Mr. sponcer has entered and the result OF IT VIII
he given to the world under the title OF the Principles
OF Sociology.
But it was not enough anay the natures of ind
yidual men, for although that Is indispensable 10
rational social science yet this like all other sciences mas
ITS peculiar and proper phenomena Sociology Is the
science of human relations and Ike all other sciences
derives its data from experience and observation
Reasonngs concerning society must rest upon the facs
of the social state and in proportion TO the generality
md validity Of these roasOnings must be tho diversity
and extent OF the which their foundation
Human societies are endessy varied In theh
types and grades as existing the earth or as
represented in past historic periods The range OF data
Iherpf for4y vast nd A.
with a view any such comprehensive purpose the
task Of getting together and classify ing the iacs heces
sary for sound social inductions was immense ana
formidable. But Mr Spencer foresaw. several years
since that this done. Before the principles OF
Sociology could be written social data Of ali orders
require he collected and organized and IL TO TINS
that he gives the OF " Descriptive Sociology" He
began by drawing up a scheme of the classification OF
social facts. These took the form OF tables in which
such facts may presented in manner most convent
fnt for comparison. The Of mankind were then
divided into three great groups, the first division
embracing the Savage Races in which the social state
lowest rudest the second division including the
Decsyed and Extinct Civilizations; and the third
division comprehendng Existing Civilizations For the
carrying OF extensive undertaking Mr.. Spencer
of course obliged wo through others and he has
accordingly employed able and cultivated men as assist
ante In the several departments of the enterprise The
Part now published applies TO England. and may he
regarded as Complete Descriptive Sociology OF English
Civilization.
The work is entirely free from hypothesis and spccu-
Iatve opinions and has an independent value for all
students. Books OF history and travel have been VIII
moved and the wheat only taken Whatever use Mr.
Spencer may himself make Of the facts which are here
extensively gathered and instrucively classified
and whatever view may entertain OF the possibility
Of social science, ii nevertheless certain that we
have here eneycopeda of materials Of the greatest
value TO statesmen. publicsts, economists lawyers
sler Ton students authors.
professional men. Mr.. E. b. Tyor writes Nature"
concerning III 50 much information incumbered with
little rubbish has before been brought TO bear
ON tue development of English institutions. There is
hardly living student but will gain something. 10y
looking through the compilation which relates 10 his
own special subject, whether this be law morals.
education theology the division Of labor the rise OF
modern scientific ideas"
1t remains to be added that work is marvel of
and simplicity. Its method is seen at glance
aud perfect that ordinary readers will be able to
hDd any fact they want without the slightest
difficulty. The contents and arrangements OF the tables
are thus well described by Mr. Ty.or:
The first part OF tables, arranged in thirty
10 thiryye columns, each with heading OF some de
parDent of social le history which again are com
into groups. Thus the group of columns relating
structure of society takes III political eccesiast-
cal and ceremonial departments, under which again we
fnd separately given the laws of marriage aud inherit
auce the regulation OF tribes and castles, the military
and ecclesiastical organization and the ceremonies ana
customs of daily life. Next, the group OF columns de-
voted to the functions of society, reguatve and oper
atye, contains particulars OF the morals religion ana
knowledge Of each age the state OF language ana the
details of industry commerce. habitaOns, food clothing
and artistic products Three special columns at the be
ginning middle, aud end OF this long colonnade contain
the skeleton Of ordinary history namely the principal
dates names OF rulers, and political events Thus by
ylancing one of the huge double pages. we
see the whole condition OF England IL any selected
period.
Following the tables, and systemazed for easy refer
enoe, extensive of extracts from the works
Of which have been consulted authorities for
the facts. Thus IL student desires TO ascertain the
state of things England at any period regarding for
example the family relation the state OF municipal GOV
ernment military practices, the administration OF JUS
ce of Manners the character of habitations,
moral customs condition of language education or
the fine arts to the table where the facts are
entered for time and ell be compared together
Mt the same PERIOD and he the authorities
on the strength of which the tabular representations
are made To facilitate such references the work has
been arranged with much skill and ingenuity,
expected that the part now published will soon
ne followed by two Others dealing with the Savage Races
and the Extinct Civilizations but the expense of the
heavy and whether the publication will be
completed depend upon the extent OF It's circulation
which thus lays the broad foundation for new
science conessedy the highest and most important Of
all sciences ought certainly not TO he imperied In
it- publication this of vaunted intelligence for
lack OF liberal appreciation and support.
BROwNsON's QUARTERLY. JANUARY.
An interesting feature of the new series OF
Dn Brownson's Review the frequent personal remin
,,cences which relates both with impressive JUNCTION
and dramatic effect aordng many striking illustrations
OF men and things during the last twenty-five years
Remarkable as are Dr. BrownsOns powers as philo-
sophcal writer they perhaps almost surpassed by
his skill in narrative composition which gives charm