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    fulfilled the inferior demands of profane vaticination . " Apollonius T / yanaeus , Mahomet , Joan of Arc , Ignatius ^ Loyola , George Fox , Sir Isaac Newton and Swedenborg have each a separate- essay , all tending to illustrate the same ideas , and possessing merit as literary compositions . Three others then follow under the title of " Modern Ecstatics . " These are Mrs . Buchan , Joseph Smith , and Schamyl . That on the Mormon leader is well worth perusal . The conclusion to which it arrives lies very close to a philosophic estimate . These modern instances prove , in the writer ' s opinion , that the spiritual atmosphere is electrically charged , and that a theological storm is impending . The following passage , which will be found in the essay on Joan of Arc ; , is the summing up of the whole matter :-

    —" That such beings are common it would be too much to say ; but that they are far less rare than is usually supposed we are fully justified in asserting . Unsuited , however , to ages of routine , these marvellously-endowed beings generally remain in a state of latent passivity ; their peculiar powers , in most cases , continuing , from want of duly evocative influences , in a merely germal state . Of old , such were usually devoted to the service of the altar , and , as Pythia at Delphi , Druidic priestesses and Scandinavian alrunes , held a recognised position of trust and honour , in which their peculiar gifts were duly cultivated and then provided with fitting opportunity for manifestation . At a period still : more

    remote , the prophetic faculty of these ecstatic females gave them both authority and renown as sibyls ; while , in more recent times , they have in the Roman communion frequently attained to the distinction of canonization , and often shown forth among the most eminent saints . In all periods except the present , by which we mean the era of inductive sciencej these wondrously-gifted individuals were permitted , and even encouraged , to follow the proclivities of their nature ; and , in virtue of this , their free development not only attained to a more vigorous expansion , but often became motor forces of considerable importance in the general working of society . We , however , in the full enlightenment of

    a utilitarian age , consider them as of value principally for the purpose of supplying recruits to our lunatic asylums .. Occasionally escaping this , they become important adjuncts to a revivalist campmeeting ; or still more rarely attain to the doubtful pre-eminence of quasi-religious founders , followed only by a few rampant fanatics , while thoroughly despised by the many , and at best pitied as devout but misled maniacs by the benevolent and enlightened few . From this degradation , however , true science is now beginning to rescue them with as yet ' but an imperfect appreciation , we fear , of their true position in the scale of moral being . A mesmeric clairvoyant is but an indifferent

    succedaneum for an ancient sibyl , to whom indeed even a veritable Seeress of Prevorst , though portrayed in the affectionate pages of Kerner , seems rather like a scientific curiosity than a legitimate successor . Fear not , however , O ye mysteriously-gifted daughters of this sacred sisterhood ! Ages of hard unbelief , of unfeeling scepticism , of ignorant doubt , and of shallow philosophy , are but the necessary reaction after periods in which dogmatic credulity has run riot and reverent devotion has sunk into grovelling superstition . The sunshine and the cloud , the calm and the tempest , are alike of nature's production . " The eclipse of faith " has passed its maximum , and , though still involved in its penumbra , the rapidly

    retreating and diminishing shadows proclaim that the returning light of cloudless day is at hand . Ecstacy will yet be recognised as a condition of being to which genius is an approximation , and the sqer and the sceress will then , like the poet and the artist , have their rightful place assigned them in the great hierarchy of human intelligences . Among such the fair dreamer of Domremy , the heroic Joan of Arc , will hold no undistinguished position . Her high-toned patriotism , her lofty devotion , her unwavering faith , hor fearless courage , and her indomitable energy , placed as they are in the foreground of a picture so historically important , cannot

    fail to secure her the favourable notice of an enlightened posterity to the remotest ngos of civilisation . She is a heroine , without the notice of whose glorious deeds the annals of France can never be written . As the champion of hor country , e . he is an instance of lucidity , too important to bo overlooked , too authentic to bo doubted . As a divining nun , or a village prophetess , she might and would have been treated with contempt by the pretentious concoit of a philosophy which , while lauding the JVouuin Organum , yet decides every important question by an a priori doctrine of probability . But as u scoross , verifying hor own predictions by leading armioa to ¦ victory \ as a sibyl , whoso magic words converted defeat Into triumph » as a pythoness , bounding from

    the tripos to give confidence to kings and courage to generals ; as a prophetess , in short , whose words of mighty import were converted as by a celestial thaumaturgy into unhoped-for facts which have influenced events through all succeeding centuries , the Maid of . Orleans must descend to coming time as a magnificent and indubitable example of spontaneous clairvoyance , grandly demonstrating its presence on the great theatre of the world , and affording a verification of its reality by the lasting modifications which it has induced on the destiny of Europe and , through it , of mankind . " After this extract , the competent reader mayperceive for himself that this little work will probably repay perusal .

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    Westminster Review ( No . XXXII . ) contains a variety of excellent articles , commencing with one on "Militja Forces , " in which the subject is treated at great length . It is the writer ' s opinion that , having studied the question fully , this country ia in danger . We are not left , however , without an alternative . Either the Papacy , or Protestant Britain must advance ^ " Whilst with us , " says the reviewer " the Liberals in politics , and the Protestants in religion , are becoming more and more disunited , there are signs in the Catholic Church of an intensity and unity of efforts to regain supremacy over the minds of men which may lead to desperate measures in those rulers who rely on this Church

    for support . Before long either England ' s progress in liberal institutions and political reform will diminish , or military and bureaucratic absolutism in its alliance with , priestcraft rmist lose its hold of the populations of the Continent . The more science extends the intercourse of nations , the more difficult it becomes for incompatible political principles to coexist . " A capital paper on Rousseau follows ; . and one still more important on " Spiritual 3 freedo . ni , " in which Mr . John Stuart Mill and the Chevalier Bunsen are criticised , in relation to the signs of the times . The paper is , in fact , of such supreme

    excellence that it deserves to be printed in letters of gold . The entire question of Infallibility is thoroughly sifted , both in its Catholic and Protestant aspects . Another article on Italian poetry gives a biographical account of the modern poets , who have illustrated the religious and political aspects of that new-born country : —Miinzoni , Leopardi , JSilvio Pellico , Ugo Foscolo , Marchetti , Mammiani , Berchet , Criusti , Grossi , Aleardi , Tomaseo , Carrel ,. Perticari , Carcano , Cantu , and others ; many of whom are new to the English reader . In another article the merits of Garibaldi are set forth with due

    emphasis . There are also intelligent essays on the physical geography of the Atlantic ocean ; on Bonapartism in Italy , and on Tennyson ' s Idylls . Equally good are the theological and philosophical portions of the general literary notices ; and altogether this is a first-rate number . National Review ( No . XVIII . ) contains articles on Canning—a fair , but rather too partial , appreciation of that statesman ; on the Teneriffe Astronomical Expedition , which from the heroic exertions used and the discoveries recorded , is of great interest ;

    on Lennox ' s Journal in Turkey and Greece , which selects some of the best passages of the book : on Royer Collard , who was well known thirty years ago as a leading philosopher and statesman of France , and of whom a knowledge is now j udiciously revived ; on Tennyson ' s Idylls ; and on the Navy—its want of Men ; on Tudor 'Legislation , in which both sides of the character of Henry VIII . arc displayed ; on the Poetry of the Old Testament ; and on John Stuart Mill , whose style and logic are wisely praised , but whose merits as un influential and deep thinker are immoderately overrated .

    New Quarterly Review ( No . XXXI ) . —The number , among other things , contains a severe reprimand to Mr . Cole , the biographer of Mr . Charles Kjcan , which ought to convince both that they havo disgraced themselves by the publication that has been so generally condemned . This periodical always has ( an article on the drama ; a resumd of its quarterly doings . It is pot very smart , fur from full , and sometimes incorrect . The number is not remarkable for brilliancy . Blaokwood ( No . DXXVIII . ) commences with

    the second part of Captain Spoke ' s Journal , containing his discovery of the Victoria Nyanza , the supposed source of the Nile ; a continuation of 41 Horse-doaling in Syria , " and Part VIII . of the " Luck of Ladysmedo . " The Alpine Club flourish In an article on " Mountaineering 5 " and Sir William Hamilton ' s theories are analysed in along metaphysical article , which is not without merit . FuxeuufNo , f ^ X . ) also commences metaphysically , " Bacon ' s Doctrlno of Forms " being the argument ) . Mr . Kelghtley contributes a paper on " The Life of Eilmund Sponsor , " and Mr . Chorloy another on ' ? The National Drama of Spain . " "Holroby

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    House , " and " Sword , and Gown / ' are continued . Of the political article we say enough when we state that the writer holds that " the Italians are masters of the position . " Dublin University Magazine ( No . CCCXXI 1 1 has , like all other journals now-a-days , its fair proportion of metaphysics . John Stuart Mill and Christian Ethics leads off the number . The Italian question is also treated ; but there is a general want of interest in the articles of the month .

    Universal Review ( No . VHI . ) contains eight articles of various interest and contrasted in subject " Rifled Arms " and " Idealistic Novelists " lie side by side ; " Shelley , '' and "Growing our own Silk " The critic defends the poet with much ability The merits of the number are of the average kind . Titan ( No . CLXXV . ) generally contains a good article or two , and the rests consists of compiled matter . " Pathological Love " is the leading subject , treated " in its English aspect . " Fragments of " the Table-Round " possess interest ; and the number will prove generally amusing .

    Eclectic , has an article illustrative of Tennyson , on King Arthur and his table ; but Abelard and Heloise have the premier pas in the October number and are appropriated followed by " Protestantism in Austria . " Mrs . Howitt contributes a second series of " Sun Pictures , " which continue to be interesting . The opinions of the editor are liberal on the question of a new translation of the Scriptures . Reasonably enough , he desires that our version should be corrected where inaccurate . London Review ( No . XXV . ) contains ten articles , one , of course , on Tennyson ; others on Architecture , Miracles , Social Science , Life Assurance Institutions , Romish Theory of Development , Small Farming , and Parliament . There is also a good review of Milbiirn ' s " Ten Years of a Preacher ' s Life . " The

    literary notices are discriminating . Englishwoman ' s Journal ( No . XX . ) abounds in topics , some of them of evident ultility . Cottage habitations , and some points of social science are ably treated . The life of Margaret Fuller Ossoli is continued . The cause of the needlc-wouien is warmly advocated . Constitutional Press ( No . VII . ) continues its tale ; of "Hopes and Fears , " and indulges in some remarks on Mr . Gladstone's Homer , which are well expressed , though not well timed—the argument being rather overdue . An article ou " Actors off the Stage" is also a sensible piece of gossip , principally concerning Charles Mathews and Madame Vestris . The political articles are , as usual , onesided and impracticable .

    Journal of Psychological Medicine . Edited by Forbes Winslow , M . D ., D . C . L . ( No . XVI . )—As usual , this number contains some most instructive articles ; one , " On the Psychology of Kant , " is an elaborate essay ; and that on the " ^ Esth etics of Suicide " is curious . The subject of hysteria and the Belfast revivals is also properly treated . Le Follkt presents the usual four engravings and amount of letter-press . We have found more than one amusing article . Once a Week ( Part III . ) deserves the highest commendation . Its articles and engravings are excellent . „ , Recreative Science ( HI . ) abounds in useful suggestions . __•___ . . __ , good

    Ladies' Treasury ( No . XXXII . ) has many essays and pleasing pictures . rin Cassell ' s PoruLAit Natural History ( Part VIM Illustrated Family Paper ( Part V . ) and Illustrated Family Bible ( Part V . ) maintain severally their character for careful selection , printing and engraving . ,. rTTin Thi 3 Routlbdoe ' s Shakespeare ( Part XLIll . ; — *'"» part contains the conclusion of " Macbeth , and tie title-page of " Antony and Cleopatra . " boino 011 illustrations to " Macbeth" arc very clover as artistic productions , but havo littlo originality of t > oll ^ P " tion as illustrating the two chief ehiinicteru . *"" death of Cleopatra is a very elaborate ami nno wood-cut . v Routledgk's Illustrated Natural Histoix , ( Part VII . ) likewise very meritoriously maintains

    its reputation . /«„» . (¦ Charles Knight's English Cyolcoimjuja U »« IV . ) progresses admirably , and furnishes ft ™»? ° ' knowledge concerning the Arts and Sciences . a »« alphabetical arrangements conduct tho reader w the consideration of Cotton . ,.,.,.. „ .,. Kingston ' s Magazine for Boys ( No . VIJI . j « m tains its usual complement of topics , treutoa *»«« the usual tact . . ^ rnnrn ' Moore ' s National Airs ( No . V . ) and Mooro j Poetical Works fl ' art VII . ) . TI-iobo copvr « gW editions of beautiful productions do credit alike to w . u editors and tho publishers . , , , ... 1 Tub Virginians ( No . XXIV . ) Is concluded , aim will sustain Mr . Thackeray ' s reputation . . Pawbnt's Cabinet 0 s Amusbmunts ( No . aw *»

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    SERIALS .

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    1136 THE LEADER [ No , 498 Oct . 8 , 185 Q .

• Citation
  • Leader (1850-1860), Oct. 8, 1859, page 1136, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2315/page/20/