New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1879-12-02
ENGLISH REVIEWS.

The Contemporary opens with an address by
Max Miller before English educational institution,
IN which he discusses the subject of Freedom. pre-
,enng critical examination of the principles set forth
by john Stuart Mil In his great work on Liberty
and their practical application university education
In England. Professor Miller replies TO the charge of
PERTAIN German writers who assert that however large
an amount of political liberty enjoyed by England, II
euioys little intellectual freedom The teachers in
the English Universities IL is said cannot deviate from
tho dogmatc system OF the English Church without IN
curing the ecusure the Archbishop and losing their
pupls In German Universities, on the contrary the
extreme results OF modern metaphysics the boldest
specuatioDs growing OF the theory OF evolution may
he proposed freely the highest apotheoss OF Papa
ufaDiity. Professor Miller categorically denies the
truth OF these statements No archbishop. he afrns
has an official position in English university. No
Yne could Oxford teacher without being re-
rarded a. mpertinent by the whole faculty. Among
them are thinkers who have sappled with the systems
p such giants Hobbies Locke. aud Hume. and who are
not likely be frightened by Bchner and Vogt Ia fact
the medieval and modern universities, Professor Max
Miller contends have been from century to century the
homes OF free thought Here the most eminent men
have spent their hves not merely in retailing rad-
onal thought but In extending the frontiers Of science
This was the original purpose OF the universities and
The more tuey 10 fulfil that purpose the more
they will foster that human development in its richest
diversity" which MILL like Humboldt, considered as the
highest object OF all society This IL the trne academic
stage every mans life, when he works from pure love
OF highest OF all purposes the conquest
Of truth. Only those who have passed through that
stage know the real blessings OF work. To the
world at large" says Miller, they may
mere drudges, but the world does not know
the triumphant 10y with which the true mountaineer,
high above clouds and mountain walls that once seemed
drinks the fresh air OF the high Alps,
and away from fumes the dust and the noises OF the
city, reves alone freedom Of thought. in freedom OF
feeling and in the freedom or the highest faith
Mr. Gladstone presenting the views OF Liberal and
Conservative respectively on the position and merits
OF illustous statesman affords example Of the
advantages and Inconvenience OF the dOubebarrelled
method OF discussion. which tends rather TO produce
certainty than convection. while aiming impartial fair
OF statement. The champion OF Mr.. Gladstone de-
elares that with the exception OF Carlyle John Stuart
MIL, and Ruskn scarcely man has had much 10 do
with the general mental activity of the last two
tons As statesman his business has not been politics
80 much as patriotism. He traces his commonest
politics TO their fundamental principles and makes OF
them system. There public man who
planned so fully the OF his changes. All the
progress OF his mind Is 10 be seen In his
speeches, articles. pamphlets and volumes. His
intricacy Of thinking has never hindered his
activity Least OF all living has Mr. Glad
been dreamer. He stands in history as a re-
OF fiscal policies; an introducer OF new admins
trative modes widener OF the boundaries OF political
rights; ceaseess oyerihrower of public abuses. With
regard 70 Mr. Gadstones relations 10 this country, the
writer observes, that the present Government has
perhaps forgotten that there Is such a nation the
world the United states OF America; but Mr. Glad
has kept well In MUD. and suppose every
will admit that he, Of all statesmen stands wen with
that people OF own blood who very shortly viii be
The most powerful community the earth, and the
one with whom shall for all time. have most do"
The Conservative the other hand describes Mr. Glad
stone as the among all others who has made the
fewes the brefes sacrifices either for prin
"a.
parties, not OF three The great accusation made by
the Conservatives against Mr. Gladstone is that he has
degraded the position Of his But IL only
the Conservatives by whom the accusation - brought
Even Earl Russell when wiring his last book found
English blood enough IN his veins say that Mr.. Glad
stone had dragged the name OF England through the
nire The writer concludes his peuant distribe by
ferrng 70 Mr. Giadstones compaceney in speaking Of