Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1880-11-20
in England. A robbery which, however

III T1nRidnu. a ROBBERY WHICH. however
extensive, fails to pauperize the victims, may
be endured a long time, especially if the victim
has been tricked into believing that it does him
good to have his pockets picked. Should
another season of calamity come upon the
country; should Europe have heavy crops
some year when our own surplus Is larger
than ever; it is probable that there will be
a disposition TO analyze the situation and
ascertain why it is that the American farmer
is prohibited by the laws Of his country from
living economically, and is mads to pay four
prices for everything he wears and uses.
Then perhaps the Protective system will be
weighed and found wanting. Meantime We
welcome all such contributions to popular
enlightenment as Mr.. Cox has given us, and
we recommend his volume to the careful con-
sideration of all who really wish to compre-
hend the great questions which are about to
be brought up for settlement.
THE oBELtsK AND FREExAsosRY. BY John r.
Weisse, " D. New York j. w. Bouton.
The purpose of this book is to demonstrate
that 81 an institution, similar to Freemasonry,
EXISTED in Egypt before pyramids and ODE
"isks." The main argument for this ap-
pears to consist in certain evidence of the
early existence of the so-called Masonic
tools, namely, the perpendicular, square,
compass, plummet, etc. To support this
curious hypothesis considerable learning is
laid under contribution by DR.. Weisse, but
as it appears to us, quite unpro6tably. For
We are unable to perceive what can be estab-
lished by proving that the so-called Masonic
tools were in use before the pyramids.
Surely it does not follow that Freemasonry
is entitled to any such antiquity The
argument seems to us to resemble the
following false syollogism: Freemasons
have two legs; the Ancient Egyptians had
two legs therefore the Ancient Egyptians
were Freemasons. 1t is on very similar
grounds that the invention of the doctrine of
the Trinity has been ascribed to the Egyp-
tians. The origin of Freemasonry is not
obscure, though some imprudent enthusiasts
have tried to make it appear 30. The sup
position that it has any legitimate connection
with the mysteries of antiquity is q violent
one, to say the least. To such as find pleas
ure in curious speeulations, however, and
who wish to believe that which seems to them
to impart new dignity to an Order they adj
mire, DR.. Weisse's book will doubtless afford
much satisfaction. We may say of it, with
out hesitation, that it brings together more
various information eonoerningi Egyptian
obelisks than can be found in any other
work, and for this reason alone it possesses a
certain value.
LiYE: IT'S True GENESIS. By r. W. Wright New
York: O. P Putnan's Sons. San Francisco
A. L. Bancroft & 20.
The writer of this volume Is one of those
dreadful persons of the Joseph Cook breed,
who roam about seeking whom they may de-
your in the way of scientists. These persons
are afflicted with plentiful lack Of real
knowledge, and an equal abundance Of pre-
sumption. Having perpetrated some jejune
sOphism they sill swell and strut around az
who should say, See how have worsted
and fattened Herbert Spencer. or Pro-
lessor Tyndall or Huxley, or whoever
the adversary of the moment may be.
Here for example is a specimen brick
from our author "Ths one sublime
verify of the universe is that life
{" exists, and that it has existed from all
eternity as possible in the Divine mind, and
" in the Divine mind alone If materialistie
''science is disposed to butt its head against
this impregnable proposition, it can do SO.
The proposition will stand, whatever may
happen to the inconsiderate head" Hav-
ing thus demonstrated his thorough compre-
hension of what is contained by "the Divine
mind" of course Mr.. Wright imagines that
he has carried everything before him. His
book will not create ripple upon the sur
face of scientific thought 1t is without au.
thority or Judgment, and at best thin MIN
icry of the sciolism of Joseph Cook and his
school.
KARL ROBERTS CHARCOAL DRAvrrs; translated
by Elizabeth Haven Appleton. VI0o's MODEL
IN CLAY, with appendix, by Benn Pitman.
POTTERY Decoration, by 81. Louise Mclaughlin.
Cincinnati: Robert Clarke & Co.
We have here three pamphlets or brochures
on special art subjects, all by acknowledged
writers, and alI apparently well cslcu-
lated to do for amateurs what any such
instruction can do. AS matter OF course
the arts here dealt with cannot be mastered
by desultory and fragmentary study. If any
one fancied that excellence could be at
tanned that way it would be mis-
chievous error. But provided that the
amusement of some leisure hours is all
that is aimed at no doubt these works will
convey sufficient amount of information to
compass that end, and to enable the student
to produce amateur work of not intoler-
able character. More than this was prob
ably not expected by the teachers, and more
certainly ought not to be reckonel upon by
the pupils. Of royal roads to learning there
are many in these days, but they do not
conduct these who travel on them to the an
ticipated destination.