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1070 T H E LEAD E R. [No. 446, October 9...
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THE MAGAZINES FOR OCTOSE,R. Blackwood.—'...
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The Journal of Psychological Medicine, f...
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Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
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The Quarterlies. The British Qvaiitjbrly...
The skin is & . The tau is +, The names of the letters are not of the Syro-Arabian class , but simply expressive of the powers . In an article on Charles Dickens and his works , it is assumed , as a basis , that they must be books of great genius , but the object of the reviewer is to investigate the causes of so great a popularity . Tliis he does rather unfavourable to Dickens , subjecting him to analysis by the polarisation of a psychological ray of genteel collegiate light , and thereby determining his density . It might be expected that Dickens is found wanting , and ascertained to be vulgar , of the lower middle class basethat isbelonging to the persons who keen
, , shops , and cannot send their children t o schools ¦ where none but the sons of gentlemen and professional men are admitted . The article is very minute in its * treatment , and will be read closely by admirers and opponents of the novelist . " Professional Religion" is one of those compositions in which those who speculate on religious matters will find , what they are so fond of , subject of thought and discussion . Tacked to the Review is a note in answer to Colonel Mure ' s National Criticism in 1858—his defence against the National Review . We think neither the Review nor Mure have much to congratulate themselves on
in the facts which they mutually bring to charge , or on the manner of the fi ght . As fate will have it , the author , of Time and Faith has had advertised in the National Review his reply to the Saturday Review , under the title of Abuse of Criticism . Here , again , we say that neither party mends his case . The Saturday Review have evidence brought against them of having travestied and ' exaggerated the words of the author , and the author , in making his defence , shows there were good grounds for an assault on his scholarship , and for the exposure of his philological unsoundness . Westminster Review . —The Westminster
Review for the present quarter is distinguished by an elaborate account of the main features of the administration of Louis Napoleon , of the elements which contribute to its support or sap its foundation . Though the writer is hostile to the Emperor , he states , that his accession to power was the result of the fears of the people , who fought against themselves . They were accessories to his usurpation , or were his fellow-conspirators . As they recover from their delusion , his power . not sustained by a wise policy , will decay , but in what manner it will eventually be extinguished is not to be foreseen . In one detail , the author seems in error . Were he to
readBastiat ' s little tract , Baccalaureat , he would form a different opinion from that which he expresses , though contrary to that of the " best thinkers of France , " of the origin and of the working of the new system concerning university degrees . He speaks of it erroneously , we think , as originated by Louis Napoleon , and , i we are right , he is incorrect in ascribing inconsistency to the Imperial Government for altering it . There is in the Revieto a splendid catalogue of our Indian heroes . Mr . 3 ? . W . lawman ' s works are extensivel y noticed , and his critics criticised . Ample justice is done to the goodness
of his heart , the purity of his motives , and the clearness of his style ; but if the reviewer be right , Mr . Newman ' s successive changes have left him where he began . His scepticism seems passive belief in his own emotions , and his knowledge of the infinite seems to end in ignorance and wonder . A spirited historical sketch of travels and voyages makes us aware that more has been learned of the globe in the last half-century than in many previous ages , The old story of the * ' Galas tragedy" is retold in a masterly way-r-a gem of knowledge now reset , to
throw light on the character of Roman Catholicity . German novels are somewhat unduly depreciated , in an artiole on " Realism in Art , " though Paul Hey & e finds favour with the reviewer . Finally , there is a spirited and , detached account , much of it drawn from looal records and traditions of the condition of England at the beginning of the Great Revolution , and the battles winch took p lace . The Review is serious throughout , but it is not dull . Much earnestness and much knowledge make it always interesting . The brief notices of contemporary literature aro , as . usual , excellent .
1070 T H E Lead E R. [No. 446, October 9...
1070 T H E LEAD E R . [ No . 446 , October 9 , 1 S 5 S
The Magazines For Octose,R. Blackwood.—'...
THE MAGAZINES FOR OCTOSE , R . Blackwood . — 'A continuation of Bulwer Lytton ' s " What will ho , do . with it" leads the van ., "Animal ffqat" may be perused with satisfuotion and advantage by chilly mortals . "A Plea for Shams" 1 ms a hard hit pr two at some of our most pronunent « ensorial celebrities , Oarlyle , Thackeray , Dickens ,
and Tennyson . The writer will not implicitly believe in them or their endless diatribes against society . He will not travel from * Dan to Beersheeba" only to find that " all is barren ; " he insists upon it that mankind has its bright and its dark side , and that to give all dark and no bright , even in works which are otherwise remarkable for thenforcible and polished style , is neither fair nor honest in writers who aim at anything beyond ephemeral popularity . The article on the " Ballad Poetry of Scotland and Ireland" be pardoned for o-iving the preference to the Scotch school ; as the critic is , without doubt , a Scotchman . We ,
however , can hardly bestow the same high praise on either school which is given in the article . " Lord Clyde ' s Campaign in India" is a recapitulation of the incidents of the Indian mutiny , in which Lord Clyde is made to play a more distinguished part than strict truth , we fear , will warrant . Lord Clyde undoubtedly has many great soldierly qualities , but he wants some principal ones which are essential to the composition of a great commander . Lord Clyde , after he took the command in India , made blunder d for
more than one grave military —goo - tune , the bravery of the troops , and the skill and determination of the officers retrieved the errors and averted the otherwise fatal consequences . But , of course , Lord Clyde will have his eulogists , who will see nothing but the quintessence of military skill in all his military doings . We are not . among the number of his unrefleeting admirers . We do Lord Clyde ample justice in his general performances and his good intentions , but we say he made a great mistake in bringing the . formal rules of war to bear upon active and fugitive mutineer brigands . By the whatever ot
the subject of the strength and aggressive proportions ot this formidable fortress . The article adds nothing to " what was previously known , and we doubt whether the writer will succeed in persuading the nation that it may dismiss its alarms , and that instead of regarding Cherbourg as an available means of offence against England , it ought to be considered only as a means of defence against attack in the event of a general war . The writer , how . ever , shows good sense in calling upon our engincers to profit by the skill displayed by our neighbours in overcoming natural obstacles which
would have been insurmountable to any but men of first-rate engineering science and resources . " The Revision of the Authorised Version , " after weighing the objections for and the arguments in favour of a revision of the Scriptures , places itself ou the side of Dr . Chenevix Trench , the learned Dean of Westminster , who has published a work on the subject , and who appears to have furnished to the ¦ reviewer conclusive arguments for . a revision . "Paeon's Philosophy" is a well-balanced critique on the
works of two writers—one Ircnch , Charles De Remusat , and the other German , Kuno Fischer . Praise is awarded to both , but in different degree ; Reinusat ' s being considered the most liberal and just in reference to the estimate of the gcuius of the great original thinker of the middle ages , — the great philosopher whose mind has impressed itself so largely and deeply on succeedin g ages . " The Indian Mutiny " deals with the publications of Edward Gubbins and Bourchier . -with all which
the public are already sufficiently familiar through the notices which have been given in every department of literature —; daily , weekly , monthly , and quarterly . " Caird ' s Sermons " receive a short notice from a critic who is evidently not disposed to acquiesce fully in that popular verdict with which we suspect royal favour has had something more to do than ought properly -to . be the case . The critic considers that in Caird ' s Sermons the most serious defect to be remarked is , "tlwt the
way , how is it we have heard nothing importance about the movements or whereabouts of the Commander-in-Chief in the last * three or four telegrams ? , , , The _ Art Journal . — Plassan ' s " Footbath , ' Hobbema ' s the " Old Mill , " and an engraving by Mote from MacDowell's " William Pitt , " form the principal pictorial attractions of this number . The text is of the average merit . Among . the notices there is one against the tone and temper of which we are bound to offer our dissent . In noticing , the " Nelson Monument , " exception is taken to the commission given to Sir E , Landseer by the Chief Commissioner of the Woods and Forests to model the lions for the Nelson
Monugreat cardinal truths of the Gospel are not always presented with due prominence . " Tins is rather sharp censure upon the works of a divine / who has filled the public eye so conspicuously as Mr . Caird ; but then the censure , if it be intended as such , is qualified by the reviewer ' s-generous desire to sec Mr . Caird , what he has already given promise of being , " a burning and a shining light not . only to his own communion but to the Church universal . " " Mary Anne Schimmelpenninck " and " Brief Notices" complete the number for this month . maintains
ment . This proceeding is regarded as a resolute intention to . " ignore the sculptors , " and we are told that the " sculptors are seriously dissatisfied . " We do not quite see that the sculptors have any real ground of dissatisfaction . Most , not all , the leading sculptors know that Sir E . Landseer is not a painter only ; they know that he is one of the first , if not the very first , modeller of the day . Some of his productions are held by the best judges to be masterpieces . Our own opinion is that the selection of Sir E . Landseer was most judicious . We should be glad to have pointed out to us any one sculptor who has yet succeeded in modelling a lion . The caricatures and want of anatomical knowledge
The Dublin University Magazine its literary rank in this number , and reminds us of the best days of the monthlies . All the articles are of more than average merit , some aro of superior ability . " Recent Travels in Sardinia , " " Rides ou Mules and Donkeys , " and " Artist Life in Rome , arc full of pleasant writing and philosophic instruction . " Life in Old Ireland" opens up unoxp ored ground , and wo should strongly recommend the able writer to continue his labours in t hut direction . " Lectures on the Atomic Theory , " " Irish Lake Poetry , " " Theological Styles , " and Ilio renmmiuff articles will prevent the reader from feeling tcilmm , and carry him pleasantly and with advantage through
exhibited by those who have made the attempt arc quite sufficient to warrant Lord J . Manners looking in other directions—and in what direction could he look with more certainty of a magnificent result than in the direction of one of tho first living animal painters and modellers ? The English Woman ' s Journal . — " Domestic Life" is hazily written—^ at 'least , tho article wants simplicity of diction , and wanting that , its ultimate aim and purpose are obscured . " Why are Boys cleverer than Girls ? " is explained . " First nnd Last" is a pretty tale , possessing some considerable descriptive talent . " Social Science " refers to the recent Birmingham display . The article on St . Josenh ' s Industrial Institute would bo worth consi-SCpU 3 JLUaUSirUU . U 13 UIUI . G WOUlU uu wurm wuuov
deration , were it not , defaced by tho priestly element . If Irish children require to be trained to habits , of honesty and industry , well and good—let the benevolent come forward and subsonbo freely and liberally ; but if , after such institutions becomo nourishing and established , they are to bo placed either under monks or nuns- —a 3 wo loam is to bo tho destiny of this Institute—then wo say , the loss countenance and support that is given to thorn , tho better . Wo give no encouragement to priestly meddling and priestcraft anywhere . The Mechanics' Magazine . — The Septombor monthly part is now published ; and , wo presume , in the hands of ovory man of soienoo in tho kingdom .
The EcLECTioRBViEwhas au article- on Cherbourg which aims at tranquilltsing the Britieli mind on
the whole number . ¦ . The Christian Examiner ( September , Uostonu — This is a high-class review and is conducted with great ability ; it rather tends towards transcendental views and expression , but it has nuicu able writing in it . " Life , an Art , " with which Una number opens , is a philosophical essay , !>»<< ims some deep thoughts Well developed . An nrlio o on tho Chinese is interesting , as is n biographic * notice of Dr . Watts , which contains mumnubliMicu poem by that excellent poot as well « s cUvino . There aro also somo theological articles on lw l »« - foundest portion of our faith , which wo must ieu \ o tho theologians to decide upon .
The Journal Of Psychological Medicine, F...
The Journal of Psychological Medicine , for October J . Churchill . — This Magaztno , as may bo suppose , w Btrongost on tho subjects relating to Lunacy . " » >" and its concluding artiolo nro on this auhjoflt , «»« «»•* arotliemoBt valuable papers it contains . i . » o " Y . on tho Moral Pathology of London is full of " ^ . V "' la a end record of crime and . misery \ and tlw W » J " Dreams induced by Food ' , shows in a remarkabl e » n »» nor tho system of association pf ideas . _ A lieading ^ Parti / in the Long Vacation—FtUhe' ' ^ and the Pope . ( Edinburgh : Hhiokwood « ll ( l . " " 7 , ta couplo of stories that have alrondy dono good sci ^ , tho pages of Jilaohxoood , and are now offcro . n < gonoral public In a convenient form and at a voi > cm i rato .
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Citation
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Leader (1850-1860), Oct. 9, 1858, page 22, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/cld_09101858/page/22/
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