New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-03-16

now nrOOf-WNrfr,
that northern nations who know 90 Wen now
are utterly Incapable Of amusing Ourselves III rrnce
or Italy POPULAR holiday IL , b pnes So few Holiday Not
only in the morning. hut also III tIc cNc'. a,erv
long day. there sa bright Joyous ,es eoutpua
face and hum OF gclune merrinent rises =
from the crowd. In northern countries on me
the people do not know how TO enjoy thcmsetves III "
harmess rational way and seek refuge In intoxicat H.
greet that life has any holidays NJ a'i'
The cbapters devoted by Mr. Wallace to the organ
ization of the village community Tor Mir are among
the most interesting in the volume, atording fund
of curious information that is not easily accessibie
in apy other shape In the opinion of many edu-
Gated Russians this institution presents practical
solution of some of the most difficult social prob
1ons Of the day and is rich in materials for the stu
dent of social science. The peculiar feature OF tis
,rrancement is the ownership of the land by the
Commune. and the periodical distribution OF 1t IN
such n way that any able-bodIed peasant possesses
sufficient share for his maintenance The details OF
the plan are somewhat complicated, ana wouiu
reGuire too much room for explanation III
this nloce. But they will amply reward
the attention of every reader who IS interested III
the methods of social economy, and cherishes inc
faith that the existing system does not represent the
perfection of human wisdom. Nor is this the only
point of practical Importance which is treated by
Mr. Wallace in his singularly instructive volume lie
differs from the ordinary run of European travellers
by combining profound reflection with Keen opser-
walton. His descriptive power is not less than tha'
of MANY previous writer's and his narrative IL always
full of freshness and animation, but he is not con-
tent with mere description, however brilliant and
always aims to derive an illustration Oh gehera'
principles from his record of facts.
THE JOURNAL OF SPECULATIVE PHILOSOPHY.
No XLI. ST. Louis.
One of the principal articles III this number
Is devoted to the Relatively Of knowledge presenting
series Of Stringent criticisms on MI Herbert spencers
theory on that question The writer, Mr. John Watson
accords to Herbert Spencer the merit OF relative consist
ency and Of great intellectual fairness and breadth OF
information He Is the most vigorous and the most per-
suasive advocate Of the doctrine OF the relatively OF
knowledge. lie has developed fairly coherent system
OF thought from the prescriptions with when ne
starts and he always displays genaine love Vi
truth he has failed to profit as he might nave dohe
by the history of modern philosophy, and sometimes
exhibits in his writings air OF dccamaory dogma
tis that is apt oendmen OF uer but perhaps weaker
fiber who reco from anything like intellectual AFRO
gauce or superiority of language" In regard 10 tHc
validity OF Mr. spencers theory the writer concludes
after "A tissue OF fine and subtle argument, that
it so places knowledge in conflict with itseU 'h't
struggle between the good ana evil Pflhcilhe
is the inevitable consequence. The assumption made
v If.ED
entire fabric of real knowledge, leaving skepticsm IN
undisputed possession OF the field one alter another
nature and mind object and subject body and soul, and
finally consciousness ITSELF 20 down in vain contest
with unsuhsianial phantoms that inyunerablc 10
The most skilfu strOkas Bat il the contrary, We
assume the Indebtedness OF CONSCIOUSNESS ITSELF we are
introduced to wide system of relations in the various
realms of existence which certify their substantial
reality II we discard the fiction OF knowledge ihat
excludes the relations OF thought and starting from the
TINE mature of consciousness recognize that knowledge
is necessarily mediate the contradictions referred TO
would dsappcar and We should lie placed in possession
OF knowledge that is absolute in nature without being
com,lee in extent and real without being exhaustive
Appin this principle the system Of Spencer il would
leave in il unmarried whatever was truly valuable and
youd preserve lis q method (which converts the
universe into kingdom OF shadows aud makes knowi-
edge an unmeanng name"n the department OF misce'-
oup0us Notes anu Discussions interesting account
ia given of the course Of philosophical study pursued IN
the Massachusetts, school OF Technology" The course
includes the history and criticism OF the whole Of mod
cfa philosophy BEGINNING with Descartes and ending
with Hegel with an exhaustive study OF the central
works OF tie leading philosophers From the detailed
statement OF the subjects and authors pertaining TO this
course IL appears that Boston following the wake
Of St. I0nis and forming center of profound Ihilo-
sophie study of which hitherto there have been few
amlcs in the educational institutions OF this county,
Other important articles in this number are "Shase-
spcares Historical Plays" by D. J. Snidcr Does TIE
Mind Ever Sleep" by L. NJ Chcsley, Tie Basis OF In
ducon translated from the French Of lachellcr, by
Mrs Sarah A. Dorsey, and "The Absolute Idea OF Sci
cn.c translated from the German OF Schellmg, by Ella
s. Morgan,