The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-04-23
NEW BOOKS RECEIVED.
Several Recent Publications
Merit.

Merit.
LOUIS AGASSIZ-His life and works.
by Charles Frederick Holder, IL. D.,
New York. 1893. Ct. =. Putnam's Sons
$3.50. Leaders in science series. For
sale by West, Johnston & Co.
Mr. Holder pays a merited tribute to
the memory of Agassiz when he SAYS
that his appearance in America marked
the beginning of a new epoch in natural
science" Previous to his advent. Mr..
Holder says. biology in particular had
languished, but his personality and meth
DDS, his reputation as a teacher. investi-
gator and scientist took the New World
by storm, and gave new and fresh i'm
petus to American science.
Born in Europe, where, after an intense
struggle with poverty. Agassiz won his
way, when quite a young man, to a dis
tingushed position as a scientific investi-
gator and writer, we find him at the age
of forty, in the year 1S4S established in
America as professor of natural history
I'm Harvard University. 1t was in con-
nection with this institution that the rest
of his life was spent. and his best and
most lasting work was done during these
later years.
AgassiZ was prominently a teacher; as
such he is distinct from all other teach
erS, MS personality having as Hiu'n W uD
as his methods with the great results he
accomplished in this field. He did not
reach and interest the learned alone. he
was a man of the people. who was under
stood and listened TO by the simplest and
plainest individual seeking 10 learn. Many
qualities combined to make him the great
est teacher America has yet possessed.
OF a disposition supremely kind and self
controlled. he was always patient with
the most ignorant, sympathetic with the
most laborous, as well as gen
erous, in bestowng his time, his
learning and his letters upon others.
These traits rendered him accessible TO
the most timid student, or the most hum
BILE discoverer of a curious bug. His
sincere enthusiasm captivated all whom
he met; he seemed to he saying perpetu-
ally to his associates, as Faraday said to
Lyndal under untoward circumstances:
"Our subjects are so glorious that 10
work at them rejoices and encourages
the feeblest; delights and enchants the
strongest" Not only did he exhibit gem
uine gratitude for any service rendered
him, but a hearty cooperation with
other workers. friendly Endorsement OF
all their efforts, which was free from
anything like patronage, was one Of the
most charming and fascinating of his
Agassiz was undoubtedly aided by his
devout reverence. which saw in nature
something more than a force or law.
"All the facts proclaim aloud the one
Cod" he said whom man may know,
adore and love; and natural history must
in good time become the analysis of the
thoughts of the Creator of the universe,
as manifested in the animal and vegetable
kingdom"
Darwin and Agassiz were the most con-
spicuous men Of their day; their indi-
vidual positions as TO the origin Of life
and man were directly opposite TO one
another For Darwin as man and as
a faithful investigator Agassiz had the
greatest respect, but during his whole
life he fought With unlagsing persis-
tency the views of Darwin and his school.
Aga SSH was the great theistic phloso-
pher of the scientific world in which he
lived he saw in every animate and in
animate object an evidence of design;
he traced IN every leaf the hand OF the
Omnipotent To the last he held 10 the
belief that the advance of time and new
discoveries would demonstrate the mind
in nature. which he so clearly saw; that
this faith would finally be accepted by
the scientific world. His views have
not yet been realized; most Of his own
disciples have adopted Darwin's creed
as to the origin of life and man; yet
who can say that the wheel may not turn
again, bringing the scientists around TO
Agassiz's simple belief Of God existent
in nature. Agassiz, indeed. was noble
and heroic figure, one of the stepping
stones In the advance of civilization;
and there is nothing greater in his whole
career than the steadfastness of his
Christian faith. Mr. Holders life of
him is interesting; with such a subject
it could not be otherwise; yet more en-
thusiasm and a higher literary style
brought to his work would undoubtedly
have rendered the book more attractive
10 the cultivated reader. As It stands,
1t is very much of a summary, while the
material is at hand for a most extensive
and charming biography; hut doubtless
the series to which it belongs would not
admit of more than Mr.. Holder has given
us. n y. W.
THE AMERICAN CHURCH ALMANAC
AND YEAR BOOK FOR 1873 James
Pott & Co., publishers, New York.
Twenty-Five cents. For sale by West,
Josnston & Co.
This sixty-third issue OF the Church
Almanac and Year Book is. as the editor
announces. presented TO the Church in
q new form and dress. signs OF fresh
NlgOT ana ne / ne purpose VI lilt boph
Is that of all almanacs-to furnish facts
not doctrine. The information relating
to dioceses. parishes and the clergy has
been extended so as to include the
Church OF England in Canada. New
foundland and the West Indies.
All information relating TO a diocese
has been grouped under the head Of that
diocese. and the postof!ice address Of the
clergy will be found In the clerical d.
rectory This arrangement obviates the
necessity of issuing separate parish lists,
as heretofore.
The editor has endeavored not to omit
any permanent Church organization, no
matter how small or feeble II might
seem in point OF members so that an
inquirer, looking up any given locality.
can ascertain at glance the number and
character of services held there.
In every detail this sixty-thrd Issue
shows especial care in its compilation and
arrangement and assuredly is the most
accurate, complete and entirely admira-
BILE edition OF the Church Almanac that
we have yet seen.