Knoxville daily chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1882, 1882-01-20
THE FEBRUARY MAGAZINES.

by Andrew D. White, president of Cornell
The question of the Civil Ser
vice is discussed in a thoughtful way by
this distinguished scholar and statesman.
The most notable article III this number
perhaps is the defense of the Christian Re
ligion against the attacks of modern doubt
ard infidelity, by Prof George P. Fisher,
of the Yale Divinity school. No ADLER or
more eminent advocate for the orthodox
faith could be summoned into the contro-
versy that has lately been waged on this
high theme, and it is not too much to say
Prof. Fisher justifies every expectation by
the yieor and clearness with which he han
dies the subject He disclaims however,
the position of the debater, and makes no
direct reference to Col Ingersolls assaults,
although ne necessarily deals with the OBJ
iections so brilliantly and audaciously pre-
scented by that doughty combatant. He
proceeds in q very orderly manner to main
tain series Of positions IN regard to the
origin, essential character and benefcent
effects of the Christian faith, which are in
tended in themselves to furnish the answer
to all objections and cavils.
In dealing with the facts and doctrines of
Christianity Prof. Fisher displays much of
the same breadth of method. While he
resolutely maintains the genuineness and
credibility of the miracles of the Savior and
the Divine Character of the Gospel record,
his arguments regarding the authenticity,
substantial harmony, and essential truth as
to facts of the New Testament scriptures,
are such as would be applied to any other
controverted writings. Considered in that
light they are well-nigh conclusive, bnt
they are in some respects, quite different
from what we have been accustomed to ii
religious controversy. The testimony of
the disciples is tested as human testimony,
and the records treated as subject to the
ordinary accidents and incidents of liter
ture. All this, OF course, does
not affect tho essential character
of Christian revelation or the religious belief
and practice that is founded upon it. In
dealing with these, the learned writer has
strong case, and presents it with much vigor
and force. His contribution to the contro-
as furnishing the latest statement of orthodox
views IN what may be regarded as al authori-
tative form. Taking it as such, not the least
part Of its value will be found IL the evil
dence it affords of the progressive character
of the most strictly orthodox thought Of the
day.
Other articles in the February number of
the Review are: ''Do the Spoils Belong to
the Victor?n by President Andrew d. White;
"a Remedy for Railway Abuses" by Isaac
L. Rice; Republication in Virginia. by
Senator John w. johnson; and 1.-The Lancet
and the Law" by Henry Bergh.
The February Atlantic opens with poem
more than four pages long by Mr.. Whittier,
entitled 60 The Bay of Seven Islands, and
those who enjoy Mr.. Whittier's poetry, as
millions of Americans do, viii find this one
Of the most attractive features of the maya
zine although it contains two additional
chapters of Mr.. Lathrop's engaging story
An Echo of Passion" and the opening
chapters of 1.-THE House of a Merchant
Prince" a serial story by W. II. Bishop, the
author of ''Detmold" This last story is to
continue throughout the year, and promises
/ to be well worth reading. The second series
Of g Studies IN the South" perhaps has no
| feature so striking as the visit to the 6 Moon
! sinners in the previous article still it is SO
/
| servation and is written with such perfect
| elearness, that it cannot fail to be read with
! great interest. Miss Sarah Orne Jewett con-
tributes another of her delightful New Eng
land stories, entitled Toms Husband, " and
tits hardly saying too much to pronounce any
| number of the Atlantic which contains a
story by Miss Jewett as red-letter number
on that account. ApropOs of the centennial
/ OF Daniel Webster's birthday, Henry Cabot
Lodge writes very just and excellent paper
on his career and character. L. 2. Whipple
contributes an admirable essay on Richard
Grant Whites works. Edith NJ Thomas,
one of the most promising of our younger
writers, has a charming outdoor paper en-
titled ''Ember days" Herbert lutte de-
scribes Some Traits of Bismarck" Other
articles in the number very well worth no
tice are Mr.. Dugdaie's concluding paper or
1.-The Origin of Crime in Society" strong
article on ''The Refunding Bill of 1881, .
by j. Laurence Laughlin; poems by George
Parsons Lathrop, Owen Wister, and K. G.;
reviews of several important recent books,
and the Contributors Club. This number
well sustains the reputation which the re.
cent numbers Of the Atlantic have gained
for great vigor, freshness and variety.
Harper's Magazine for February is very
strong number both in the literary and tn.
artistic sense. Beginning with an excellen
portrait of Victor Hugo, which serves as
frontispiece, we have next an exceedingl,
interesting description OF Philadelphia, b,
George 2. Lathrop, beautifully illustrated
The authors clever delineation of the socia
features of that city, and of such old inst
tutions as the Saturday club and tn
Assembly, are very entertaining; and no
less so are his personal sketches of eminen
Philadelphians, and his account of tn
athletic sports and pastimes of this oil,
Quaker town.
Another paper of unusual literary meri
is Mr.. W. II. Bishops " Commercial, Socia
ard Political Mexico" also illustrated. |
contains, moreover, novel and valuable in
formation as to Mexican industry, education
literature, and art.
MIS-. Anna Bowman Blake's persona
sketches of French Political Leaders" ar
admirable and Mr.. Reinhart's character
: istic drawings add greatly to the reader
in the subject
Mr.. Joseph Hatton contributes pape
entitled 'Henry Irving at Home, larg
portion of which is made up of MIR. Il
wings own recital of interesting incident
and phases of histrionic career The articl
is illustrated by an impressive portrai
drawn by F. Barnard, and by E. A. Abbey
drawings THE Armory of the Lyceur
Theatre" and "A Corner in the Beefstea
} Club ROOM
. In THE American Life Saving Service
(iIustrateG Mrs. Martha J. Lamb, beside
giving clear description of the methods c