New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-12-12

through the passing years, the forces that have
contributed to bring about that state Of mind
called Boston" The consequence is that he ex-
amines not only the facts and makers of the
political history of the city, but the develop
ment of her commerce and trade. the evolu-
ton Of her religious and literary ideals, and even
the role played by her geographical location.
The examination involves some very interest
ing material and some material that is not at
all interesting to other than Bostonian-and
perhaps not TO him. Anecdotes. new and old,
abound, and there are deft pastels of the great
figures of the past in Boston's civic life, not
the least interesting being the authors analy-
sis and estimate of Cotton Mather, Of witch
craft fame. The learned members of the So
ciety for Psychical Research will doubtless be
taken aback by Mr.. Howe's assertion. in defence
Of the worthy Mather. that IF to-day his rec
ords Of spiritual phenomena were first appear
ing as reports of psychical research they would
not stand forth unprecedented statements
but in many instances would mark the recorder
as a careful investigator and historian of oc-
cult science"
The author has happy knack OF giving his
chapters curiosity awakening captions. Thus.
there is The Boston Religion" On investiga-
tion discover that, while his main thesis is
the disestabshment Of Puritanism he is con-
cerned in particular with the development of
Unitarianism, which, ''in its outward manifesto
tons. has meant more 10 Boston than to any
other community. in America or elsewhere"
Mr.. Howe is nothing if not outspoken in his
views Yet we note one delightful exception in
the case of The Literary Centre" for, while
asserting Boston's past claims, he skiIfully
evades expressing an opinion regarding its pres
ent position in the realm of literary activity 1t
is his fortune, he observes to be dealing with
what has been. The Bostonians may chide his
strange neglect. and not altogether without rea-
son. since he devotes one of his lengthiest chap
tiers to examining Boston, not as she has been,
but as she is to-day.
From this chapter the Philistines will derive
much quiet amusement. The people of Boston
we are informed. afflicted with certain
self-suffciency arising from "a partial separa-
ton from the main currents of national life
and TO this self-suffciency may be due some of
their reputation for aloofness and indifference
TO the broader interests of the country" Mr.
Howe continues:
Such reputation is not gained without cause
Here the cause seems not far TO seek in the crit
zeal spirit keenly developed by local circun-
stances. The critical spirit is peculiar 10 the
locker on 1t renders him sometimes a useful
sometimes an obstructive, seldom a popular
member Of society. He is suspected of holding
notions of superiority which frequently are
quite foreign TO him. 1t may be that he is
critical spectator more because he cannot tboD
he mas MS uses-perhaps in setting and main
tanning standards TO which others pay an un-
conscious regard. He has also his serious limi-
tatlons They are refected-if Boston and Mas
sachusetts be taken as representative abodes Of
me critical spirit-in the striking fact that for
an their wealth OF men Of light and leading
these places have not since the time OF Adamses
lsic) yielded a single President 10 the United
States.
The final conclusion is that there are still the
typical Bostonians-as the term is questionably
used-who confuse their local criterions with
those OF the world at large. They are the per
sons who maintain toward the stranger the at
titude which imparts TO him a sense of being
under suspicion until he explains himself or IS
adequately explained" After this last cruel
thrust we fear that the "Bostonian Proper" will
look upon Mr.. Howe himself with more than
suspicion, despite his subsequent audation OF
the Boston state of mind" expressing itself
in a keen sense of civic responsibility which has
brought many good things to pass and promises
well for the future