, 1874-02-14

Nothing can be mere metaphysical than the
latest scientific theory which defines matter to
be- simple points Of force. And what shall We
say Of Herbert Spenccr's doctrine OF an un-
kuowable md absolute Power, which he makes
the reality of all phenomena, if We do
not call it theological? II NC say, with Stewart.
that the object Of Metaphysics is to "trace
the various branches Of human knowledge to
their first principles in the constitution Of the
human mind :" and it, by Theology, re are to
understand that knowledge Of God, and OF our
duty to Him, which we derive from express rev.
citation, we may be very suro that these are no
merely temporary methods OF Science, which it
will superscde, but that they will, in all the fu
ture, as they have done in the past. enlist in
their service the strongest and best-t1ained
minds. Tho history Of metaphysical and theo-
logical inquiry s the history OF human reason in
active exercise. Tho same instructive feeling
which malscs the strong man glory in his
strength, and the runner in his speed, has in all
ages led men into those fields OF inquiry which
are suggested by the words Theology aud Meta
physics.
But it is within the last few years, especially,
that many Of the issues from the press have
given omp phatic Endorsement to Popos line, that
The proper study Of mankind is Man.
Among works Of This class may be mentioned,
as perhaps the most notable and valuable, "Ihe
Human Intellect" by President Porter, and
Mind" By the Rev. DR.. Hamilton. But these
works arc so vo1umiuous. and they sim to be
so exhaustive in their discussions, that many,
probably on that account, would refrain from
the attempt to master them.
The 'Outine Study Of Man y is less ponder
ous and formidable volume. The author il
modern Diogcnes, who, having gone forth to
seek man, has given us the result OF his search
in the work before us. And yet he is very
unlike the ancient seeker, for he is not
cynic; he takes with him in his quest q
clearer and brighter light, and be finds a
man by constructing him, as ho Of tho tub
could never have done. Those who are &C
quainted with any OF DR.. 'Hopkins' Previously
published writings, especially his Law of
Love, and Love ~ Law" will come to this
volume expecting to find in it exact definitions,
nice discriminatlons, admirable method, con-
structiEe talent OF high order, showing itself
in perfect ciearness of arrangement, and an
absence Of that philosophical or technical non1en-
wilder their readers more than they instruct and
enlighten them. Nor vii! they be disappointed,
for to this volume any fair-ninded critic
would readily and heartily concede al
these excellences. OF his own work the author
Says, in the preface, that its "method is con-
gresaiye system must be, not critical or contro-
yersial It gives a Ldso Of Construction for the
universe so lar as We know It, by which the
whole, including man, is brought into one sys-
tenn. It gives La,o Of Conduct for man that
grovs out OF the construction and also Ldto
Of Mnaitation that enables us, as is shown in the
Law Of Love- to carry the Law Of Conduct into
the details OF life"
In pursuing tho method thus described, the
author first seeks to find mans place. All beings
and objects arc divided into two great classes;
Organized and Unorganized. Again, all organ
lied bodies are divided into two classes: Vege-
tables and Animals. In this latter class Man Is
found, and his place is found to be higher than
all others in the class. Or. by another process,
the place OF Man is reached thus " In the De-
ginning the earth Was without form and void"
Gravitation must have brought this chaos into
such condition that it might serve the purpose
OF world. But Grayitation only brings par
ticles OF matter together; it does not unite them
heBion, however, brings about an indiscriminate
mixture OF different kinds Of mattar. Henco wo
need another and = higher power to produce
those varieties andcombinations OF matter which
now exist That power is Chemical Afhnlty.
These several laws nre also the condition of the
manifestation and force which isnext above them.
md which ia Vegetable Life. After this comes
Animal Life. and then Man. Though thus marking
the work Of creation by these successive and
upward steps, yet tho author holds to no doctrine
carried up, and then something is added; it is
not developed from what is below, or caused by
it. but added to it till ne reach 01an ut the top
MANS place i'll the creation is thus ascertained
and fixed, and now the work. OF constructing
Man begins. Ee is made up Of body aud mind,
the lower existing for tho higher, and the higher
conditioned upon the lower. The body is re-
garded aB the subj ject OF two nces.-Anatomy
and Physiology; and the former is viewed as the
condition of the latter. BTa separate consider
alton Of the various aystems In tue body,-as the
digestive, circulatory, and 1espiratory.-we are
shown how it is, like external Natn1e, built up
IN unity. with one system conditioned upon
another throughout
But ne cannot carry further our sketch OF the
plan OF this work, nor illustrate more fully the
authors nethod. ITe have already said enough
to show The admirable clearness Of arrange
ment which marks the volume throughout. At
every step OF the discussion, the author shows
thorough mastery Of the work which he has
taken in hand On that portion Of the work
which is devoted to the mind and its various
faculties and powers. he does not in all re-
spects, follow the same order OF angtment as.
that which usually obtains in works upon Meu-
tai Science; but he shows himself able in every
instance to give reason for tho faith that is IN
him, and which has led him to differ from other
thinkers chart at the close of the volume
gives the render, At glance, conspectus OF
The whole work.
We have expressed, thus far, such an unquali-
selves entitled to point out, with regret, what
Seems to US an important omission "An Out
line Study OF Man, which embraces M examiua-
ton boil. OF tho body and the mind ought, as it
seems to US, to give some attention to the con-
nection between these two, and to tue reciprocal
influences which they exert upon each other.
We are shown how each acts by virtue Of it's
own independent powers; but the question, how
each acts upon the other, is passed With
ont notice. / consideration Of that question
,a!ghs not Fxoperly belong to work on pbysi-
ology exclusively, nor 10 work eaYot<d wholly