New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-02-10
NEW PUBLICATIONS.
axE1sYs PARLIAMENTARY HISTORY.

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TIE STUDENTS HISTORY OF TIE ESeLIsH PAR PAR
sS,sts.a ~. risten. With complete isdex. by Pref.
& i. Ks.ss. ). 4. r. T. q. 8. svo. PIP Isa. q. p
The value Of DR.. Gneist's writings on English
constitutional history has long been recognized
and few Of his works are Of greater use 70 tne
student than this To the characteristic thorough
ness of his nation he adds breadth OF view un'
doubtedly assisted By the freedom OF an inoe-
pendent outlook and one effect OF this Is On IN
crease of sugeestiveness IN his Judgments wh,ch
difYercntiates him from nearly all the English
constitutional historians. Dr. Gneist places nm
self on solid ground ct the outset by pcree'V'ng
that the British Constitution IL not a perfected
machine which can be regarded as . model and be
safelv followed: but that II 10 rather machine
constantly IN urosress toward perfection, mutabie,
elastic and owing its endurance far more to It's
facility IN adaptation than to any inherent virtues
The clear perception Of this truth gives the writer
a decided initial advantage, and enables him to
treat English Parliamentary development IN q
scientific and enlightened manner.
In one point only do his conclusions provoke
doubt and dissent His German habit Of thought
is probably at the bottom Of what he says about
the nseparsbility Of Church and State, but how
ever the opinion grew IL 10 not sound HAD DE-
Gneist sufficiently studied the institutions OF this
republic he would have satisfied himself that the
necessity for union between Church ana e'A'e'
which he postulatea 10 an imaginary necessity
more that II is a falacy submission to which mas
intellectually retarded European development po-
litical scientific, moral and social: and that con-
seouently the tendency in English politics wh,oh
he contemplates with serious misgiy1ng Is perhaps
the most wholesome and benefcent that na'ioh
has manifested for many years. Dr. Gneist maih-
tain, that 10 10 impossible TO separate the religious
man from the political man. His own hlstorichi
studies should have taught him better IL mas hot
seldom been found possible to erect Iar more
unlikely kind Of separation namely that OF 'ne
moral man from the religious man ana 'n's
startling separation has occurred. ana without
ANY special strain at every access OF plgo'ry anu
intolerance issuing In persecution Inc capacity
OF human nature for holding In solution the most
antaqonistic systems of thought and at the same
time avoiding the normal ebulliton 70 be expected
from the attempt to unite them chemically, has
ever been the wonder Of philosophers But In
truth there never was time in the worlds history
when the difficulty of efecting separation be-
tween the political man and the religious man was
less than at present. for while on the one hama the
influence of principle in politics is less than former
", ON the other hand the control exercised by
been so feeble Considering oil the circumstances
the complete separation Of Church and STATE
which has long been foreshadowed might De
thought already prepared for and In speciai
manner facilitated by the weakening OF the prln-
cipal forces which must inevitably oppose the
movement.
DR. CHESTS views the spread OF democracy
In Great Britain are not merely conservative, but
forebodng He is not exactly a pessimlst, Tor he
professes belief in the ultimate triumph OF the
moral and legal consciousness Of the nation 4; but
he holds that the weather forecast of the approach
ing future points only to storms" possibly vlo-
lent far-reaching, ong-lasting tempests" lie
thinks the system of government by rival parna-
meptary parties will soon become impracticable;
that faction in the natural course OF events Will
disorcanize party; that religious faction Will be
added TO political and so increase the confusion;
that all attempts on the present lines to govern
Ireland or pacfy it, will fail and that eventually
national conference will have to be revived by re-
newing the life and influence of the local com
munes or parishes The book is full of interest
and suggestion. Many of the views are not less
nenetratjn, than fresh Professor keane has
given it "a good English dress, and II takes its
place among the most valuable and Indispensable
of students histories.