New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1879-07-18

the act is really unselfsh Though SERVICES rem
dered with a view of some time Fronting Dy recip
rocated services answer to certain extent yet
ordinarily they answer only to the extent OF Dring
inc eorivalents of reciprocated services. Those
which bring more than equivalents are not
prompted by any thoughts of equivalents. MI
Spencer describes other modes in which egolsm
unouafed by altruism habitually fails. lt dimln-
ishes the totality of egostic pleasure by diminish
ing in several directions the capacity for pleasure
sefgratifcations lose their intensity by the exces-
sye persistence in them which results If they are
made the exclusive objects Of pursuit. The sens-
tiveness to purely personal enjoyments is main
tanned at higher pitch by those who minister to
the enioyments of Others than it by those who de-
vote themselves wholly to personal enJoyments
Even the range of aesthetic qualifications ID wider
for the atruistic nature than for the egostlc ma
turo. The lows and sorrows of human beings form
\ chief element in the creations OF art; ana hence
evidently the pleasures afforded by art increase as
the felow-feeling with these joys and sorrows Is
strengt hened.
The point of view taken by Mr. Spencer in this
work which may he considered rs the :" bright
consummae flower" of which his previous writings
present the germ and bud. may be comprehended
from our slight indications, although they do no
Justice to the depth of thought, snbtety of analysis
grave, phllOSOphC WlsdOul, anu ptCulldl cHcCJlNt-
ness Of style which characterize the volume. The
student of the standard ethical treatiscs in the
English language will naturally miss the subjective
discussions. TO which in so large a measure they
devoted The internal nature OF virtue. the grounds
of moral obligation in the spiritual endOwments of
man. and the test and quality of moral action as de-
fermned by the higher consciousness, though Incl
dcutally noticed in the OF the volume, do not
form part Of its essential plan and groundwork.
Mr. Spencers main purpose is to ascertain ana
describe the objective qualities of right conduct the
external signs OF the highest virtue, and to show
their coincidence with the results OF progressive
evolution. This he has done in the course of
the profound and exhaustive analysis, OF VIII ich
ne is so consummate master, of vigorous,
but sIngularly lucid, reasODIngs, and of ample
and impressive illustrations from every depart
ment of Nature. The constant reference to
the facts of the material Universe, founded
on a rare familiarity with every branch OF physics
and natural history, gives peculiar vitality to his
composition and preserves it from the speculative air
which IS the bane of many philosophical essays.
Mr. Spencer combines, to degree certainly seldom
found IN any other living English writer, the power
of deep reflection. of equally acute insight and out
sight of practical adaptation, and of expression and
illustration as fclictOus as il is forcibe. With the
condensation and pon tedneSs of HObbes the flowing
facility of Locke the phlosophic simplicity and
earnestness of Bishop Butler and the prOtundity of
Kant. without his dIiiuseness and obscurity he
must be classed in the highest rank of British au-
thors not only as a thinker, in which line few will
be disposed to question his prominence. but as an
artistic writer, IN which capacity he has perhaps
not been go universally recognized.