, 1875-02-28

instead Of occupying the first place, becomes
only En- accessory to the signature. As the art
OF writing becomes more general, the necessity
OF sealing is felt less aud less till finally, in our
own age and country, the seal hns left only the
shadow OF its former seH, u the flourish OF tho
pen which is made to take its place.
SOCIAL PRESSURE.
Social pnHssunE. By Sir AnrHrn HELPS, z. 9, B.,
Author Of " Friends in Council" etc., ETC. l2no-,
pp- AL Boston: Roberts Brothers.
Books Uhich give na useful knowledge ara
valuable but books which set cur own brains at
work are without price. Once arouse thonght
to lively action, and it enters On the end|eas
career OF observation, inquiry, discovery, md
seldom, If ever again, ainks into the Rloughs Of
aloth and apathy. Ono question suggests
another; one step forward in the lmitleas fields
Of research induces second, aud the mind, de-
lighted with its advance and it's acquisition.
pushes ON with moro and more atacrity and
activity until habits Of energy and exploration
are ti1od, and intellectual Incidence and passiyny
ere no longer tolerablc.
Tho world is full Of books which provide US
information. It is easy to cram our minds with
facts, until they arc sluggish Is the cormorant
which gorgea itself with food till tho whole Bya-
TEN is deode1ed with stnpor. But the books
which multiply our ideas arc singularly few
Their number Is slowly swe1led as the gift, or
the poscr Of fresh, qunint, and original thought
is rarely possessed by even intellectual men.
The world will allow, however, that this gift is
possessed in no mean measure By the author Of
t.Friends in Council and that to him it is in
debted for number Of books abounding in con-
ccits, opinions, and convictions that fertiize and
enrich the minds TINT receive them.
10 this number OF precious volumes is to be
added Sir Arthur Helps latest work, '"Social
PRESSURE" It's title is odd aud d little puzzling
but we shall not quarrel with it. We shall even
forgive the I1ck Of m index,-~hich il the last
omission to be pardored in any boos,-bccauso
where so much has been given We connot find it
in our heart to gTumblo at tho want Of simple
mechanical appliance, however much annoyed BY
its Absence
In .Social Pressure we meet most OF tho
charming peopio whom Sir Arthur is accustomed
to assemble as friends in council" There Is
aIilrerton, the philanthropist md philosopher,
in whom ne plainly detect the spirit Of Sir Ar
thur himself and impetnous, impatient Lord
Elleemere, who can't abide long talks and prosy
talks, and fine-spun, high-sounding, and imprac-
0HfNNA-1
chatting his companions and, above all, in petri-
5ying them with stunning qualifications, rs
..cracl1y Big" 's euffocatingly interestng,' and
*4detessably observant u; and there Is Sir Ar
thur, the erudite and Mauleverer, the
commonplace; and C1anme1. the prudent
These arc ali gathered 1t the maneion OF Lord
ENesme1e to spend the Easter vacntion. It has
been their habit fu years to convene together at
this time, and generally 70 employ themselves
upon aome one topic Of Importance and endeaVor
in unison to work it out Ga this occasion. Mil-
rcrton presses upoc the company tho subject OF
social lreforms which his mind is an1lously and
absorbingly engaged. The friends dout his topic,
with polite grace and good humor, and dodge it
whenever thev can, feeling, naturally, oppressed
with it's weight and discouraging difficulties
Du. like thorough enthusiast, MuEe-tnn dog
eedly holds them to listen to essays on ths evils
Of the excessive bigncss OF great towns, public
legislation, choica Of men for officers, aud such
liko bulky themes.
Many o5 his suggestions are eninently worthy
OF the attention Of the political economist, but
the average render, like the 81 friends in council.
will better enjoy the miscellaneous conversations
and tho less serious dissertation thatgrow out OF
the great social questions propounded by Mll-
Terton. Each one OF the party '1les n's .a'en'
fos reasoning upon sone 'opt' I.4'&eo ~ w
main subject IN hand and there follow in turn
informal essays on Ridicule, Vngarity, lntru-
siyeness, Hospitality, OTex-Publicity, ETC.. etc.
Quite "a many good things aro uttered IN the
desuitoFy talk between .ne !neuus' @ ~ -. .ue .;a
more studied papers III "tasa e"en r'osons0 -
net preiudices and conclusions with order and
precision. Also, as much by the high culture OF
these gentlemen, one u ssiacA py "nen nno
breeding. It l5 only "nefe ILLS ias' eA.s.s ~
perfection that PERSONS can cay piIn aau ..- u,ss-
greeabe truths Without giving onense w. Nel.ne1 =:
Of the friends hes1tates 10 pom. ~ 1no uoss w.
rect WY to the weaknesses IN Ine argument, VI
the toibles in the character OF tne oeneta' "nen
they arc up Tor crl'1c's1n oo. tne ae1 =. ".s
accomplished WIN an eA9ole'se Wv. ouo 1...'
TINT diVest it OF all suspicion OF n'aco VI
thence. This capacity Tor csnoof u one "i tlo
chief advantages resuinns 1ron po1lsnea n'an-
neEs. ,o,. :. uo.a
Tho most pregnant essay IN tne oook 's reao'