The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1875-04-17
common house flies and causing their destruc

thing is ndisputably proved. This characteris-
tic leads us to place the more confidence in the
statements which he makes without qualifica-
ton.
THE PRINCIPLES OF GRAMMAR. Being a compen-
dious Treatise on the Languages, English Latln'
Greek, German, Spanish and French. By solo-
mon Barrett, jr., philologist. New YORK; D. bar-
rett & Son. Sold by subscription.
Many doubtless remember Solomon Barrett S
Grammar of Six Languages, published years
SINCE To those familiar with the original
work the present volume, greatly enlarged
and improved edition, will be very welcome
Those who have never seen the treatise will be
very agreeaby surprised to find what mine
of knowledge it is and the amount of informa-
ton which, by an admirable system of arrange
ment and classification, has been compressed
within the covers of handy volume.
Mr.. Barrett writes. himself down "philolo-
gist," and certainly no man has clearer claim
to the title nor is more WORTHY to bear its The
best years of his life have been given to the
study Of language. 1t is needless to say that
ne is an enthusiast in the branch of knowledge
to which he has given an undivided attention
his book shows that-and like all enthusiasts,
he has effected much.
His work is in effect treatise on general
grammar; and general grammar, it may be
remarked in passing, is a study which is
greatly neglected. Indeed many have the idea
If the perusal of the "Principles" does no
more than disabuse people of that impression
it accomplishes a much-needed labor. The
general laws, the fundamentals of all gram
mar, are very clearly explained and are illus
trated by the English, Greek, Latin, French,
German and Spanish tongues. By restricting
his book to the European group be keeps it
within reasonable bounds.
The great charm of the work is the common
sense view it takes of the subject, and the
clearness, force and simplicity with which it
sets forth the principles of general grammar
1t is in fact the science of grammar, with prac
tical applications to six languages. The SCI
ence is treated so broadly, the applications
are so apt that in the hands of Mr. Barrett it
becomes delightful study. An intelligent
idea of the structure of language is given be-
fore one is asked to commit rules and defini-
tione. His method, though tri1e dazzling at
singularly clear and comprehensive. The ap-
pication of mathematical formulae to the
solution of grammatical problems is happy
discovery, the credit of which is Mr.. Barrett s
own.
In addition to the 236 pages devoted to gen.
eral English grammar there are about 200 more
given to the Latin, Greek, German, Spanish,
and French AS illustrations are given in the
Latin, several hundred lines of the Eneid, a
portion of the fourth Georgia, and the first ora
ton against Catiline; in the Greek, extracts
from the New Testament; in the modern lam
guages, converse tions A part of the Gospel
of Matthew is given in the six tongues. The
last $50 pages of the volume are given up 10
useful commercial dictionary of the English,
German, Spanish and French.
In conclusion we can sonly express hearty
appreciation of Mr.. Barrett's WORK. 1t is use
full as a review to the advanced student in lam
guage, and as a basis of study for the begin
ner In the one case it gives connected view
of studies pursued. In the other it makes the
learner familiar with the general principles of
language. and furnishes good foundation for
further study in any particular direction de-
sired.
SCIENCE NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. By j. N. Lock
yer. D. Appleton s. Co. New York. For sale
by Bailey s. Moves.
Educators are beginning to accept the idea
that there must be something wrong in the
school system which allows children to reach
the age of twelve or fourteen years, totally ig-
norant of the most common phenomena, and
which requires SO many years of droning over
details in geography which experience shows
are almost Immediately forgotten; over arith-
metic which, if begun at a later period of life,
could be conquered in half the time; and over
an English grammar which is studied as a
thing entirely apart from our own language,
and tends in almost no degree to teach correct
speech. The plan of instruction which would
accomplish the most real good in the shortest
time would seem the one most likely to be
adopted; and by change in the present rou-
line, this good, at least, might be accomplished
that boy or girl need not wait till the High
School is reached if it is reached at all, in
order to know something of the forces in opera
ton around them, and the phenomena which
indicate these forces. Hitherto a serious OBJ
lection has been the lack OF suitable text books
on such subjects; but this want is in part sup
piled by the Science Primers. of which the
seventh number is now issued. This number
on astronomy, is so delightfully."- simple in Ian
guage and so beautifully clear in cuts and
illustrations that one who thoroughly under
stands the subject is charmed into reading the
whole book, being led on from one topic to
another by curiosity to see how some OF these
puzzng questions will be explained. As we
read, we almost think we never before really
saw what caused the change of seasons, the
procession of the equinoxes, sc.
Teachers who wish to give their pupils some
science does not come under the legitimate
studies of their schools, will obtain many val
liable hints from these little books.
VICTOR LA ToURETTE. A Novel, by Broad
Churchman. Roberts Bros, Boston: from Lor-
ing Short & Harmon.
On slender thread of story are strung many
chapters of religious discussion. AS novel il
will not attract many readers; as religious
work it will not probably command much at
tention. Its evident object is to advocate a
liberal Christian church, and the views ex-
preSS6u are luOSb COuuOuudoiC, Duo "hiio ehO
theory, like that of cooperative shops and
social communities, seems perfect, it does mo-
look practical; human minds do not crystal
lize in that way. So long as the rule of life il
to dispute about trifies and pass over weighsy
differences, so long we must not expect to see
Christian sects unite, but rather to separate
still more, as the tree grows and branches
Perhaps this very segregation of sects is the
palladium of our religious liberties. AT any
rate, difference of opinion seems the law o
mental growth. Fancy universal faith
founded of course, on the results of scientific
discovery, although our author does not lool
that way, and how long would our churcl
| exist without breaking up into factions on
question as to whether mankind evolve'
through the sponge or left that interesting
| individual on side branch of the royal roat
of development. Occasionally sects woul
unite when some learned professor demon
strated conclusvely that a brachlopod wa
really worm; but what infinite and delightful
| subjects of quarrel would exist when tn
religious dogmas should depend upon the con
flicting opinions of scientists, sweeping tn
boundless sea of the ages with their goggles t
discover infinitesimal specks of truth
1t would not be bad idea to class this as
child's holiday book, like Gail Hamilton
Nursery Mornings as il begins with an India