The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1894-10-30

selves troubled with regard to the
religious bounds to scientific re-
search and revolution, by publishing
In book form four essays treating gen
orally OF subjects that closely concern the
question OF the unity OF religion ana
science. The leading essay 10 upon 20 years
ef scientific progress, and gives It's titie
to the book. IL is not, as may De
inferred survey OF the whole field
Of science, but 1t deals with biology
and geology. And In this field Professor
Rice limits himself to q consideration OF
the theory of evolution as laid down by
Darwin in his "Origin. OF Species" pub
lished 80 years ago. The triumph OF OAR
winian evolution is graphically stated and
its progress clearly sketched, Professor
Rice assigning Darwin . place alongside
Newton, and declaring the publication OF
the Origin" TO be ''the great event In the
intellectual history OF the nineteenth
century" A rapid review OF progress in
other departments of science Is given.
The second essay Ia also devoted to evolu-
ton, the arguments against IL being con-
sidered as well as the reasonableness OF the
doctrine itself. The third paper discusses
"The Degree OF Probability OF Scientific
Beliefs " so Interestingly as to lead the lay
reader TO infer that scientific deductions
have not only very great degree Of
probability but that Prof. Rice
has very high order OF
excellence as an expounder OF
the principles upon which they are based
and the methods by which they are ar
rived at. The last essay is upon "Genesis
and Geology" and is practically n state
ment Of the arguments against the theory
OF tho Mosaic authorship of Genesis,
and a somewhat cursory, though clear
and careful, discussion of the fact OF the
inspiration of the Bible-not In the light
Of possible denial of inspiration, but
rather with reference to the proper meaning
TO attach TO inspiration. The little book
s., it impresses me, altogether admirable.
H. has a motive similar to the motives
that have actuated many writers and
teachers latterly, that is, a desire TO clear
the public mind OF the fog draped
about the great questions consid-
cred by men who think the old beliefs
must be protected in their form from even
suggestion of modification or
intelligent elucidation. 1t is
book calculated to aid those
who cannot investigate on ampler lines.
IL ought to be studied by rigid doctrin-
aires in all churches, also. Thomas Y.
Crowell & Co.
JOun IoEOWn uhS Deen uuCu WTitteu
about, probably too much to admit of a
proper appreciation of his character or
his historic Importance. One OF his
contemporaries, Colonel Richard J.
Hinton, comes forward now with a
volume called "John Brown and
His M7ci Funk q Wagnslls Co..; With
some ccount OF the roads they travelled
to reach Hsrpers Ferry" Colonel Hinton
was in Kansas as a newspaper CORES
pondent when Brown began to prepare
for his raid to the borders OF
the slavery district, and he has
ever since been gathering material for this
book. 1t is for the most part a circum-
stsntial account Of John Browns raid, his
life and his death, written frem the stand
point Of an sdmirer. There are number
of portraits and a great amount of docu-
msntsry and other contemporary evidence
as to Browns movements and motives.
As q narrative of one of the strangest, yet
one Of The most thrilling incidents of the
fight against slavery, the book is pro-
nounced failure. Its style Is repellsnt,
and reflects none OF the fervor the author
Processes. 1t is awkwardly and laboriously
written, having slight literary merit. Yet
to the earnest and determined student Of
American history IL has considerable
value, and furnishes a perspective OF
Browns doings, from one point OF view,
that Is clear and 30 Photographic
in character as to impress its
truth upon the reader. Browns raid was
of the nature of vivisection-it laid bare
throbbing vitals OF the country. What its
influence was is a question upon which
agreement has not yet been reached.
"A Flash Of Summer" by Mrs. w. K.
Clifford (Appletons) is a story about a
very Immature. English girl who waA
forced TO marry cold blooded money
hunter twice her age. After a while the
husband become cruel, when he discovered
that he would not get money with his
wife-and she ran sway. Providentially
she fell in with some people who kept her
rs sort of companion for an elderly Eng
lish lady In Italy. The English lady's son
came home from India, and, not knowing
that the girl was married, fell in love
with her. She fell in love with him.
Then she told her story. After awhile she
returned to England, being persuaded to
DO SO by her friends, and notified her hus-
band OF her wherea bouts. The lover from
India died, and the husband came to
claim the wife, on the last page of the
book. She had had her flash OF summer,
and was dragged back to the proprieties
snd the fish blooded man who married
her to get the money he thought she was
to have, by the love she had for the man
who died. 1t was his advice to her. or
such stuff are English novels made. ii.
Gregory, Providence.
can Altar OF Earth by Thymal Monk
(Putnams) is probably designed to be
study, OF subtle nature, OF the fading
away Of a girls life. She had been told
by n doctor that she had but two
years to live, aud she lived it in
rather trying fashion, and at length died
dramatically "under the apple tree" Ii
Is sad indeed to consider that a bright
young lady knew for two years that she
must die, ana very sad TO read Thymal
Monks tale relating the Circumstance. III.
Gregory. Providence