New-York tribune., 1886-01-10

wavered
THE INSTrPPRESSIBLE BOOK. A Controversy be-
tween HEGBtRT srESCER and FlEnEhlc iAEritoN'
with Con mcnts by GAL HAMILTON Up 10 i'"'
ton: = l.. Casino x Co.
The controversy between Herbert Spencer and
Frederic Harrison last year concerning the posi-
bity of evolving. from the Agnostlc theory ol an
unknowable First Cause view of the system ot
the universe capable of taking the place OF the ola
religions was chiefly remarkable for the ingenious
pervcrsity with which the Comtst cvaded the
attempts of his adversary to keep him TO the ISSUE
and the adroit yet culpabe Misrepresentation
which characterized his pOlcmic. Mr.. Frederic
Harrison, indeed, probably could not argue III
straight line if he desired to do So for the who
can find satisfaction or sane Plilosophic conccp
ton in the old Frenchmlns Religion of Humanity
must have crook in his mind somewhere. The
papers which passed between these unequal dis
putsnts showed Mr. Spenccrs heautiful lucidity
and patient temper at the best while his opponent
proyed himself sngulary uncandd, wanting in
literary courtesy and even capable of rescntiHg a
logical defeat by vulgar and incNcusable imputa-
tons Assurcdly no competent judge of the merits
of the issue ever imagined for moment that the
Comti,t champion brought out of the dispute any
thing but humiliation, unless tho evidence OF his
ability to darkcn counsel by words without knowl
edge he regarded as adding 10 his reputation.
1t was. however a peculiar controversy inasmu'h
as the assault upon Mr.. Spencer was made on
behalf of n ph.losophic system which has been
rejected by ali the best minds of the timt. aud
which proposes to substitute for Christianity q
hurlesquo on religion so prcposterous that IT is
difficult to listen patiently TO those who claim for
il respectful consideration. The fact that n
nagrant Comtist like Frederic Harrison should put
himself forward "a the worlds defender against
Agnostcisn is n very singular one. and almost
comic IN It's iucongruity. Tor nothing can be
clearer than the inferIority, from pure v intel
lectual point OF view, Of Comtsm to Agnosticl'm
The latter Invovcs a suspension OF judgment
The former not only settles tho problem OF tho
unknowablo olhand on d p,iori reasoning, bat
proposes 20 degrade humanity by restoring fetch
worship The limitations of Comtisn are ot
necessity those of its followers, though as usual
they do not realize their own position. Hence it Is
that Frederic Harrison cannot distinguish between
his own hmsy sophisus and crafty subterfuse-. and
the high and perfectly scrupulous reasoning Of Mr.
Spencer. But the whole episode was matter for
regret since i wasted the time of Mr Spencer. and
since also such antagonist rs lie had can never
be ,ilenced by weight Ot argument, for the simple
reason that it goes above hs head.
Gail Hamilton. however. having become inter
ested in the dispute, and becoming indignant, a.
was natural, at the conspicuous dl,ngennousneS'
and shutting tricks OF Mr.. Harrison. resolved 30
re Dubl sh the articles in this cOuutry ana TO accom-
pany them with an cXpOsOry comment. In the
portion Of the volume occupied by hor two objects
arc sought One l. tho due and sufficient; casti ga
ton Of Mr.. Frederic IIarrison tho other is the
demonstration OF Herbert Spenccrs to the
central truth. of Christianity. The castigatlOn OF
Mr. Harrison is lively piece of work distin
guishcd by the authors most characteristic traits
incisivc cpigrammatc, earnest aud thoroughly
feminine She brings the victims weak points into
the strongest light mcrciessly exposes his crook
cdness and leaves him sorry spectacle. This part
of the book is enjoyable As TO the attempt TO
convict M Spencer of being Christian unknown
to himself the motive Of the essay is moro com
mcndable than the experiment is successful! The
effort to show that there is really no cause Of differ
ence between Theology and Science has been irc-
qnenly made By enthusiasts, but Theology at least
does not accept those attempts to heal the breach
by declaring that there is none, and IN effect the
influence of scientific Agnostlcsm not felt in the
reinforcement of religious truth.
What Mr. Spencer will say TO Gail Hamilton can
Of course only be conjecturcd. Perhaps his recent
experience may prompt him to preclude controversy
by declining to say anything. But it 10 equally
uncertain how the churches will regard this lively
writer's endeavor to prove that there is funda-
mental accord between Herbert Spence:s Agnosti-
cism and the Biblical view of the universe Regarded
as serious attempt to demonstrate the inherent
unity of Science and Christianity, her book may not
be considered very successful In truth, it is but
fugitive though brilliant and interesting rOntrbu-
ton to a discussion which must proceed much
further before the world Will recognize definite
conclusion.