The New York herald., 1874-11-08
LITERATURE.
CHRISTIAN TRUTH AND MODERN OPINION. Thomas
Whitaker.

CHRISTIAN TRUTH AND MODERN OPINION. Thomas
Whitaker.
This is very well printed and neat little book.
1t consists OF seven sermons by representative
men OF the Protestant Episcopal Church. As the
title indicates the topics discussed are or general
interest, and they are handled, II not In q way
which science would approve, in q way which will
enable the people to see the bearing and conse-
quences OF the attitude which scientific men have
lately assumed. "The 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 '.Tac Oneness OF Scripturen is bright
and sparkling In style. and It's argument is well
put. The sermons on "Moral Responsibility and
Phy sical Law" and "Evoluton and Personal
Creator'' Will 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
VIII well repay the patient reader.
THE GRANGE: A Study In the Science OF Society,"
by GracchuS Americanus.
This book is not published, but man anufactured by
G. p. Puinam's Sons, which is perhaps not insgnif
icant We have read 1t with considerable interest
and not without pain. 1t attacks boldly some Of
the prominent evils OF our political LIE and de-
nounces the greed OF gain which is consuming the
people. The aim OF the writer is to be COM
mended, since he makes an attempt. though
very feeble one to set matters right. The style Of
the book is deplorable beyond expression. 1t is
written 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 or the grange as the panacea or 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 viii make men pure and keep
them so, we beg to dEer. The grange is simply
new political party, which begins It's existence by
demanding integrity in office, but should 1t 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. Still, 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 it's way TO every Students
table. 1t has not been our fortune for q long
while to fall In with volume which will bear
more careful reading than this one. It is evidently
the product OF great care as well as OF ripe
scholarship. 1t Is the outgrowth of certain lee
lures which were delivered in 1s72-1s73 on the
politics OF France. These lectures were so popular
at the time that Mr.. Adams was forced to go over
the entire ground afresh, to rewrite 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
only criticism we feel like making Is upon the un-
cut leaves. 1t always spoils the appearance OF a
book to have ragged edges, and when one Is
eagerly reading, it is disappointment to be CON-
PEELED to draw knife from your pocket and cut
the leaves apart. An uncut book is o torment to
the scholar.
The style is as clear as stream, and .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 MIR. Adams gives us
glimpse OF the ground he proposes 10 travel over.
As we read 1t we were more than ever impressed
by the conviction that the ablest criticisms of
European affairs csst-s from American pens. What
France sought after in vain we have already at
tanned. 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 Tor their part in history OF
the Revolution. He severely but Jus y critcises the
policy which resulted in the Revolution and made
Napoeonism possible. He then follows the prog.
ress Of events In very careful and scholarly way
through the Restoration and the Ministry of
Gulzot and the outbreak Of 1s4s and the Second
Empire to the decline Of the Napoleonlc dynasty
and the iall OF the late Emperor.
In many respects the book is the 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.