New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-06-05
NEW VIEWS OF LIFE.
A FINDE-SIECLE TYPE

rendered by Richard lie Gnlllenne. l3mo. PIP.
l42. Imported By Charles Scribner's Sons.
Mr.. Le Gnllienpc has written here hook which
has curious inteicst and attraction. 1t Is not a
story nor is i. easy to find definition for It: hut
perhaps we shall enough exactiiude in de-
scrbing II attempt to show forth the tcndcl
cies and characteristics OF tie yonth now Just enter
Ing upon the work OF the world. II Is scarcely
necessary any that the subject Of deep incrcs.
For what can be inviting 10 those who have been
making the current civilization then study Of those
who are to make the coming civilization, We must
all desire 10 know what effect the influences OF this
generation will have upon the conduct and the be-
lefs of the next. Now in this volume glimpse is
afforded the mind and tho a.':on of fin de steele
youth; Of young man who has been nourished upon
the evolutionary philosophy, the modern iranscen
dentalism, the modern poetry the modern aesthetics
OF course II is but study OF unit and pcrhap II
would be altogether too rash to draw any general
nations from 1t. Nevertheless, one cannot but feel
In reading II that Just such results Indicated
might develop from the education referred too.
When, however, we take note Of the spin. OF tho
author we perceive that he Is part and parcel Of the
new views Of life which he describes. We sec. more
over, that broad line is drawn between these d" I'm
de sieclen views and those which fourshed somewhat
beyond the middle OF the century. There Is another
point Of interest. which, however, is not surprising
In oil times it has been the misfortune Of those who
have introduced PHILOSOPHERS. 10 be mISinicr.
preed. Rousseau asspNdly never dreamed that lis
books would lead IN the Reign OF Terror. But II is
| an apparently ns,mouhtabe tendency Of human
nature, Instructed or unlSructcd, 10 twist pcrver
| and change for the worse whatever In The way OF
philosophy and religion is put before ii. Thus, cut
OF the evolutionary philosophy has been developed
pessimstic system Of thought. Agnosticsm has
vanly sought to save itself from the Is life worm
livingl. question by invcntng the spurious and un
! thmkable "enthusasm Of humanity" wlich George
| Eliot has exposed while endcavoring tn
barren and soul starving theory has driven
| hungry and craving minds into all manner OF in
| teectual cnls desac in the effort TO discover some
solid ground Of hope for the survival OF identity In the
| Beyond.
We have to do here with youth 10 whom the old
beliefs assurances guarantees do not appeal In any
Bred IN scepticsm, taught TO hold that scientifically
undcmonstrable theory can be treated seriously. and
finding after ALL small comfort in the material
illusions Of science, this young Intelligence is driven
confusedly In search OF more soothing and less cpulsvc
tenets, and, usual 10 such cases, finally takes the
line OF least resistance II has often been asked what
would become Of ethics II the belief In punshments and
| rewards wholly abandoned So far as the OBJ
servance Of social law is concerned. perhaps little
| difference would be perceptible in such n case. But
II should be evident that. with the weak majority
distinct moral deterioration would follow To hold
| level course without the stimulus OF either hope or
| fear is beyond the capacity OF most men and Mar
cssus is evidence OF this Nor can the indulgence
| Of the author blind 10 the fact that the line
Of conduct which no palliates In Narcissus Is OF
kind which, quarter Of century ago. would have
| been considered lamentable and 10 be deprecated
and IN the eyes OF the strater Sect all but criminal
For the effect OF the elimination Of the OF duty
and obligation, together with the influence Of that
aesthetic philosophy which declares the pursuit Of