The New York herald., 1874-11-08
LITERATURE.
WhftfnHer-

CHRISTIAN TRUTH AND MODERN OPINION. Thomas
Whitaker.
This is very well printed ana neat little book.
1t consists OF seven sermons by representative
men Of the Protestant Episcopal Church. AS the
title indicates. the topics discussed OF general
interest, and they are handled If not In o way
which science would approve, in way which will
enable the people to see the bearing and conse.
quences OF the attitude which scientific men have
lately assumed. s'rhe Christian Doctrine OF
Prayern subject which viii always have fresh
charms for seekers alter the why and wherefore.
IS treated with considerable care and SKIN. The
sermon on 'Tac Oneness OF Scripture" Is bright
and sparkling IN style. and It's argument is well
put. The sermons on "Moral Responsibility ana
PHYSICAL Law" and "Evolnton and a Personal
Creator' VIII be or special interest. They are
strong and fair defence Of faith against the at
tacks OF modern thinkers. Altogether the book is
not as dry as such productions usually are, and
Will well repay the patient reader.
THE GRANGE: STUDY in the Science or Society.
by Gracious Americanus.
This book is not published, but manufactured by
G. P. Punam's Sons, which is perhaps not insignif
icant. We have read 1t with considerable interest
and not without pain. It attacks boldly some OF
the prominent evils OF our political lie and de-
nounces the greed OF gain which is consuming the
mended, since he makes an attempt. though a
very feeble one to set matters right. The style OF
the book is depiorabie beyond expression. It is
written In evident imitation OF the startling rhet-
oric OF Carlyle, but succeeds in being
simply turgd The writer is unaccustomed
to literary writing, and frequently falls into errors
OF grammar and rhetoric which are objectionable.
His advocacy OF the grange as the panacea OF our
political evils and as means to public virtue car
rles with it neither weight nor conviction. When
he insists that we need statesmen and not poll
ticians we agree with him; but when he asserts
that the grange will make men pure, and keep
them SO, we beg to differ. The grange Is simply
new political party, which begins It's existence by
demanding integrity in ofice, but should it succeed
in getting into power 1t would become corrupt as
other parties have become We have organizations
enough, and their multiplication win only work
evil 1t is better to purity what we have than
create Others. Stlll, as we have before said. the
aim OF the book is good, though the style and
grammar are bad.
DEMOCRACY AND MONARCHY IN FRANCE. By
Charles Kendall Adams. Henry Holt Co.
This book should ind its way TO every students
table. 1t has not been our fortune for q long
while to fall in with a volume which will bear
more careful reading than this one. It is evidently
the product OF great care as well as or ripe
scholarship. 1t Is the outgrowth Of certain lee
lures which were delivered in 1S72-lS73 on the
politics OF France. These lectures were so popular
at the time that Mr.. Adams was forced to 60 over
the entire ground afresh, to ewrite most and to
add to ell, that the public might have in perma.
nent book form what had given them so much de-
light In listening to.
As piece Of mechanism the book is credit to
the publishers. It's topography is excellent and
can be read by old age Without spectacles. The
tioio Tor tv-ox
cut leaves. 1t always spoils the appearance Of
book to have ragged edges, and when one is
eagerly reading, II ia disappointment to be CON-
PEELED to draw knife from your pocket and cut
the leaves apart. An uncut book is torment to
the scholar.
The style is as clear as stream, ana .he terse
way IN which facts are put in as evidence and the
candid way IN which deductions are drawn there
from is a constant delight and rereshment. In
the Introductory chapter Mr.. Adams gives us
glimpse OF the ground he proposes 10 travel over.
As we read it we were more than ever impressed
by the conviction that the ablest criticisms Of
European affairs cssts IRON American pens. What
France sought after In vain we have already at
tained. For this reason our scholars. in following
the progress OF France toward republic, detect
at once all political errors and blunders Mr.
Adams begins at the beginning OF the causes
which have led TO the present condition Of
France and holds the philosophers OF the last gen.
GRAFTON responsible lor their part in the history OF
the Revolution. He severely but justly criticises the
policy which resulted in the Revolution and made
Napoleonlsm possible. He then follows the prog.
ress Of events in very careful and scholarly way
through the Restoration and the Ministry Of
Gulzor and the outbreak OF 1s4S and the Second
Empire to the decline OF the Napoleonic dynasty
and the all Of the late Emperor.
In many respects the BOOK Is rhe best treatise
on French politics that has appeared in the last
four years. 1t should be in the hands OF every
man who desires to get an insight into European
affairs and wants to understand better the
strength Of our own government and the dangers
which beset it,