The Portland daily press., 1877-10-13
Recent Publications.

Recent Publications.
The first three lectures in this volume
(American Addresses. By Thomas Fl. Hux-
ley. New York: Appleton & Co. Portland:
Bailey & Noyes) were delivered in New York
last September during the authors vacation
visit to this country, and are devoted to the
subject of Evolution. The first is statement
of the three hypothesis respecting the history
OF nature; the second considers the neutral
and the favorable evidence for the evolution
theory; and the third the demonstrative evil
dence Of evolution. 1t ia not to be expected
that everything or even very large number
of things, concerning this vast subject could be
compressed into the compass of so few dis
courses; and yet, many of theicriticisms which
were hurled at these lectures. Immediately
after their delivery implied such anticipations
in their writers. The best way to become &C.
quainted with the arguments in favor of evolu-
tion is undoubtedly by means of course of
comparative anatomy and physiology, supple
mented by the study of embryology. Few,
however, can do this, and the most of us who
are interested in these things must depend
upon concise statements of the case made by
men of acknowledged ability and familiarity
with the subject. We know of nothing which
so briefly, and yet satisfactorily, explains the
evolution theory as does this little book.
Whether or not one agrees with the authors
conclusions he is certain to get instruction
from it, and that too presented in a style which
attracts by its olearness and holds firmly by its
vigor. 1t is hardly conceivable that better
showing for evolution could be made in the
given number of pages than we have here. If
these lectures were not mastery productions
and worthy of the widest circulation they
would have been rendered famous by the ad
verse criticisms which they called out. The
celebrated essay on the physical basis of life
scarcely excited more savage comment Prob
ably Huxley never aggravated a certain class
of anti-evolutionists more than when, In this
short course, he disappointed them by not at
tacking the Mosaic account of the creation, and
thus deprived them of the satisfaction of WELD
ing the blades which they had sharpened
against his coming.
The fourth address was delivered at the
opening of the great Hopkins University in
Baltimore, and is a grand appeal for higher
and more comprehensive system of university
education. 1t is entirely worthy to be the in
augural of an institution which aims to do
larger work in education than has yet been at
tempted in this country
The book closes with lecture on the study
of biology which every teacher and every mem
Der of school committee ought to make his
own. f. FL. G.
Professor Mayer and Mr.. Charles Barnard
deserve great praise for their projected series of
books on experimental science for beginners,
the first of which has just been issued. tLght.
New York: Appleton s. Co. Portland: Bailey
& Noyes). The design is to show how, with
very little inexpensive apparatus. great num-
ber of beautiful and striking experiments may
be performed by any intelligent boy or girl in
his own home. In this way the scholar comes
in immediate contact with the main facts of
physical science, instead of getting them Sec
ond-hand, as is the case usually in our schools.
The knowledge which we get by our own obser-
vation is that which stays by US best; and we hail
with delight all judicious efforts to encourage
students to investigate for themselves. The
book is profusely and elegantly illustrated with
wood.cuts, and the child whose introduction to
science is by the door here held open will new
er esteem it dry and unattractive. We are
pleased to note that the authors give all the
numerous measurements in the metrical sys-
tenn as well as that ordinarily employed. 1t
will not be long before everybody will have to
understand the new method, and il is wise to
begin teaching it to the young at once.
FHG,
Nothing could be farther from the modern
sensational trash, which is apparently SO popu-
lar at present than "Doctor Tom" the new nov
ell written by the well known lawyer and litera-
teur, Mr.. Edward Payson. The name of the
story will attract, and the contents of the book
will we'll repay a perusal. The style is quiet
but never tame. In common with George Eliot
Mr.. Payson is inclined to be metaphysical and
analytical and yet he is never prosy. One can
not rush through the three hundred pages of
DR.. Toms history in an Ievening because it
contains food for thought; but there is so bril-
liant play Of fancy, such buoyant spirit Of
fun and humor pervading the whole that the
most light and careless reader could not call it
dull, and the more thoughtful will find in il an
absorbing interest.
will take in reading Doctor Tom by telling the
story beforehand. But we can assure our
readers that the Doctor will be an agreeable
person to know, and his sweetheart, Rosa
Anketell IS a very charming young woman
Deborah Bowker's poetry is so good of its kind
that everybody will wish there had been more
than one specimen of It, Solemn Squire Grigg
is we'll done, and we agree with the author in
believing that the term Hmerry as grig'
would never have been known had our friend
the squire been the sole proprietor of the
name.
But excellent as i 8 the characterization, Mr.
Payson's strongest points do not lie in that di.
rection. His descriptions of natural scenery
are delightful, andiwe .are lgreatly tempted to
give one or two of them here in full but it is q
pity to mar the book by pulling it to pieces in
that way. In style Mr.. Payson occasionally re.
minds us of Dickens, and yet this does not
detract from his originality which is very
marked.
Twill close hs..mosti inadequate notice of a
very interesting book by quoting entire one
word picture which eliminates its pages, and
which is full of eloquence and beauty: SIT
was one of those quiet, balmy evenings that
falls upon us like spell. The air was full of
fragrance from the resinous. .spruces and pines
Hills, ranged along against the western sky
and clad now from base to summit in the bright
fresh, budding beauty of early summer, swept
down to the plain in every variety of incline;
some receiving flood of warm-colored light
full upon their bosom, while around the feet of
others, where the slope was less favorable,
heavy masses of shadow were already resting
the advance-guard of the sable-plumed forces
solemn-faced night was to lead there to take
possession. A little. off to the left was to be