New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-04-14

clever rival (Thiers no doubt, and just as much
disposed to regard the prevailing system of corrup-
ton not as q temporary necessity OF our mental
anarchy but as the permanent foundation OF normal
order. Politically, he oScillates between common
place philosophical utopia and an anti-french
dream of a now 1888. This tremendous diatribe is
honestly prefaced with the admission that NJ Comte
has personal grievance against NJ. Guizot.
| Twill give but one more of the extracts bad
marked for anOtation; this one is no wise polemc,
but an illustration of the method of work and of re-
taxation which this great thinker pursued In the be-
ginning Of 1912, NJ. Comte, being then at work on
the sixth volume Of the Phi'oscphie Pos'fico an
nounces to Mr. Mill that to conclude the task he had
set himself it remained only to formulate the phio-
sophical conclusions relating to his entire specu-
lative system. This last piece of work required an
interval of rest, in order to carry back his mind
lately TOO much occupied with social and other
special Inquiries to the most general point of view
OF the positive philosophy. The needed rest could
not be less than three months. In July. the
work was finished, but the rest had been
taken before the completion of it, and M.
Comte set to work at once on something else
in search again of cerebral diversion" The diver
sion consisted in mathematical examinations,
studies, and writings of sufficiently serious KIND to
be described by man who considers geometry
rather low form of mental exercise, as very IN
tense" He himself perceiycs that such labors are
"curious kind of relaxation" They had, one re-
Rrets to hear-partly from too close confinement
deranged his digestion and his sleeps still his END Is
completely attained; his brain works freely again;
he is ready TO resume with delight his usual mcdi-
tations, and to begin the first volume of his pocai
philosophy. Well may NJ. Comte remark, with
something that approaches to complacency' iha'
Il, lou In has felt
head unequal to the task he required OF it; his only
feebl, organ is his stomach; and it - to that he
makes the concession on occasion OF not touch
ing pen for month, save to write letter.
This volume is much occupied with the history
a disgraccfnl one but not TO NJ C0mte-of his rea-
tons with the Ecole POlyechnqHc and Of the means
bv which ne was deprived of what then constituted
his chief means Of suhsstence-the lectures he gave
in that school. The story is well KNOWN soile CT
the most painful details of ii now made pubic
for the first time Readers who care more Tor Mr
Mill than for VI. Comte. as most English and Anerl-
can readers will may find frequent passages filled
with a reflected light from MIR. Mills mind. They
will find also that NJ Conte is not wanting IN
hearty recognition Of the merits OF his friends work.
and Mr.. Mil was then by no m ans in the fullness
Of his prime. His "Logic," which appeared IN 1913,
was his first important book, and NJ. Comte doV"teS
several pages TO critical eulogy OF it which cannot
but have gratifed his young disciples for disciple 10
n certain extent be was The interest Of the letters
depends, shonld add, on what NJ Comic h;s =" say
not at all on his way OF saying ii. HIS eplstplary
sfye is hardly less pDndcTous than that "i MS hnSb
elaborate tTcatises sentences hall page Ioh heig
nor jncoromOn q. w. 5.