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Ko.489. Aoa. 6, 1859.1 THE LEADEB. __91Z...
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MEMORIES OF ROME. By Denis O'Donovan, Es...
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THE THREE G-ATES. In verse. By Chauncy H...
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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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W The Duke Of Devonshire Has Had The Rar...
AN INTRODUCTORY LECTURE TO THE LOGIC OF ARISTOTLE . By Jamep E . Thorold Rogers , M . A —John Henry and James Parker . Much of the Baconian abuse of Aristotle is , as we -well know , not relative to Aristotle at all , but to the schoolmen who adopted his name but misrepresented his doctrines . No wonder , then , that the so-called reputations of Aristotle were no reputations at all . Had they been so , the void which they had created must by necessity have been refilled . It is even thus that positive and negative systems follow one another alternately . Ihis ^ m Mr . Rogers' opinion , is the Penelope web of philosophic history ; and he cognises no variety except lormuiffiwnicn
on Aristotle ' s Logic . What we have quoted from the present , will instruct the competent reader that this brochure is well worth perusal .
perhaps in the invention ot , ue describes as technicalities hard to be understood , by which thinkers limit their conclusions . 1 he result is repetition ; but with the difference , which our author does not justly value , of the point of view from which each thinker estimates his material , the skill with which it is elaborated , and the distinctness with which it is apprehended . He would seem—though clearly perceiving that " what mi ^ ht be done by logic was well enough foreseen , but never determined by Plato , "—to make but little of what Hegel makes so much—the growth of the philosophical consciousness in each succeshowever
sive thinker . To do him justice , , we must add that he does acknowledge , not altogether reluctantly , that every thinker helps other thinkers " in his degree ; " though he leads them into error sometimes by infecting them with his own mistakes , " arising from , imperfect knowledge or diseased apprehension . " . Whereupon ^ e ~ quires , " how can we distinguish healthy from morbid anatomy ¦? " ; We may take it for granted that , in Mr . Rogers ' estimate , Aristotle , as the transcendent logician , was sane ; but "the heritage of mere knowledge which he received , largely increased as it was by his own whom
labours , more largely than b y any other man the world has ever known , was as nothing to the modern encyclopaidia . " , Aristotle is chiefly to be valued-on account of his method , which Mr . Rogers , in utter forgetfulness of Kant ' s claims , declares has never been bettered . He is right , however , in stating that the discovery of Aristotle ' s " whole philosophy is to be made only by goin" up and down his writings , living , as it were , with him , watching and weighing the very particles he uses , the gestures , so to speak , of his inner speech , and patiently estimating the worth of all the words he utters : for he made his own language , has his own special grammar , deals in those phrases only which
were the exponent of his own thought , Durying often the key to his subtlest and hardest reasoning in some unexpected place , permitting a rare negligence to be corrected at some fitting time . " One such sentence as the one just cited is enough to give value to a pamphlet . Other glimpses of lucidity , break forth as we progress . Let us jot down a few items : —( 1 . ) Personal Identity , according to Aristotle , "is the aggregation of past and present consciousness , t"o latter reflected on and mingled with th e former , and the measure of identity . is rcoiov , not Troabv .. ( 2 , ) Between the extremes of ideal and arbitrary existence , and the negation of even sensational impressions , there was in Aristotle's mind room to discover and determine the sources of human
knowledge , the , extent of the mental powers of man , the laws of the process 6 f thought , the conditions under which the elements of human consciousness become expanded into the philosophy of JJoing , which is that of reflection , identity , will , virtue . " ( 3 . ) Aristotle does not hold himself bound to agree with those who deny the evidence of their senses , or who conclude in any manner which can bo shown to contravene these conditions of the human mind which arc the guarantee of its existence and activity : ho liqjds thorn , in fact , to be n sort of suicides . ( 4 . ) For a man who admits nothing , it would bo absurd to
search out reasons ; such a disputant has no reason for anything ; in so far as ho has no reason , he is no better than a stick . ( 5 . ) Thoy who attempt to avgue in whafc fashion wo should admit truth , do so m ignorance of analytical philosophy . One should coiuo foreknowing this , and not learn it while wo seek . The philosopher and tha stuclont of every oxistonoo ana its process of development should bo aware of the first principles of tho sylloffistio process . Wo trust that Mr . Rogers will print the whole three-andrtwenty lectures which form his series
Ko.489. Aoa. 6, 1859.1 The Leadeb. __91z...
Ko . 489 . Aoa . 6 , 1859 . 1 THE LEADEB . __ 91 Z _
Memories Of Rome. By Denis O'Donovan, Es...
MEMORIES OF ROME . By Denis O'Donovan , Esq . Charles Dolman . ' Hebe is something new ;—a book by a traveller , who found his love and esteem for Rome increase by his sojourn in that city . Mr . O'Donovan writes well—even eloquently ; and half persuades his reader to share his raptures . But perhaps these are solely architectural and artistic ? N " the imagination of Mr . O'Donovan is even more affected by the majesty of the Pope ,. his ideal character and his personal virtues . Magniloquent , indeed , are the terms in which the author arrays the world ' s archbishop and his office . Here is the portrait of his Holiness , as painted by Mr . O'Donovan .. " As I have mentioned on another occasion , our Holy Father , Pope Pius the Ninth , is remarkably handsome and majestic in appearance , of a tall , commanding figure , a countenance mild and earnest , and a voice sonorous and sympathetic . His Holiness is always attired in a light woollen or white silk soutane in summer , and a blue cloth one in winter . He wears on his head a calotte , or cap , of white silk ; and his large . belt , or cincture , is of the same material , with tassels of gold . His slippers are red , with a cross embroidered on the instep , which is the object of veneration kissed by all who approach the person of the Pontiff .
inherent characters of his nature will remain , impressed upon him , and attract the admiration , and respect of all who have the pleasure to behold His Holiness . " According to O'Donovan , the Pope incurs no > danger in these walks . He has - confidence in . his people , and they have the utmost devotion for his person . If there be any whose feelings towards him are neither loyal nor dutiful , they are " wretches- " whose outrage " on the saci-edness and majesty of the Pope would be punished on the spot by those who witnessed it . " Mr . O'Donovan desires therefore that the French would withdraw the protection
which is no ionger needed . The austerities and labours of the Pontiffs private life are then touched off in Mr . O'Donovan's glowing style . In these he remarks " a continued subjection , an incessant abnegation of self ; " The other chapters of Mr . O'Donovan ' s book are occupied with the description of all the features of the Eternal City , whether classic or religious . He considers it as the queen city of the arts , or the metropolis of the Pagan world , and as the capital of Christendom . The Vatican he reveres as " the ecclesiastical palace where spiritual arms—the cross , the signet-ring-, and the pen ^—wielded by a few venerable old men , decided the fate of nations . " In this influence , he
sees nothing but what has been beneficial . Even so can judgment be blinded by prejudice and preoccupation . St . Peter ' s also invites him to elaborate celebration ; when illuminated , his enthusiasmoverpowers him quite . The Colosseum excites his admiration as a glorious ruin . "We are treated , too , with a view of it by moonlight ; Byron in prose , and verse likewise , for the passage from " Manfred " is quoted in extenso . But -why enumerate these things ? Let it be at once acknowledged that Mr . O'Donovan has mastered his subject , and its surroundings , and that , notwithstanding its extreme catholicity , his book forms a capital guide to the marvels of the model city .
" When the Pope goes out to drive , he puts over his soutane a lace surplice , a purple cope trimmed with white fur , and a stole richly embroidered with gold ; and he wears on Ids head a broad-leafed hat of red silk turned up on each side and ornamented with golden tassels . The usage of the Papal court does not permit him to appear in the streets except in a carriage ; beyond the city gates , however , and sometimes in the public gardens of Monte Pincio , the Pope takes exercise on foot . In these walks every one who meets him instantly uncovers and prostrates himself , in testimony of the profound respect due to the character of the Pontiff , and in order to receive the benediction of His Holiness , —noble equestrians dismounting from their horses , and gentlemen alighting- from their carriages , to pay this tribute of
veneration to his exalted civil and religious powers . He often speaks to the poor and the children whom he meets , addressing words of comfort to the former , and of kindness to the latter ; and not unfrequently , when he stops for these purposes , hands may be seen stretched forth to him with petitions for alms , or supplications for nicrey . These are all received by one of the Noble Guard ( a few of whom are in attendance ) , and afterwards presented for the personal perusal of Ills Holiness , Callson his charity receive an immediate reply from the purse of Monsignor the Almoner , and appeals to his clemency are seldom answered less promptly and consolingly by that generous heart which knows only to be merciful to all . It is a noble sight to see the good Father of his people thus walking familiarly amongst them , and louring blessings aud consolation on all around . Guard and
"On these occasions , besides the Noble the three or four officers of the household who attend the Pope , two of his private chamberlains walk at each side of His Holiness . And often in one of these may bo recognised the portly figure and the bland and handsome countenance of our distinguished fellowcountryman Monsignor Talbot . It is nattering to our national feeling to see au : Irishman placed by tho Holy Father in so high position near his person ; and it is plensing to reflect that he has selected one whose ability and refinement ronder him so worthy of it . Frequently I followed the Pope ' s cortige during these walks , and I believe my principal attraction ( after the novelty of tho spectaclo had passed ) arose from thoso two generous , noble faces—that of the Holy Father and that « f his Irish chamberlain . Ifc was ever a pleasure , to mo , — which no repetition of tho sight could diminish , —to gaze from one of those fair
countenances to the other , and read in both tho same beautiful character of dignity , sweetness , and benevolence . Kven in the closo-litting soutane ( which I have mentioned as his usual garb on those occasions ) the figure of His Holiness is stout and vonorablo , as becomes a man over whom have passed full six-andsixty summers ; yet his stop is as free and graceful , and his blue eye us bright , as thoy might have boon some forty years boforo . Some of these things time no doubt may change—tho Pope may become lose stout , —hie eyo may grow dim Sn tho darkness of ago , —and his stop may bo onfeeblod by tho weight of yqars ; but the mild expression of gentleness which ovor beams from thoso handsome features , and tho charm withwhioh dignity of bearing « md sanctity of lifo invest tho person of tho present Pontiff , no time nor circumstance can havo any power to alter . As long as Plus tho Ninth remains himself , thoso
The Three G-Ates. In Verse. By Chauncy H...
THE THREE G-ATES . In verse . By Chauncy Hare Townsliend . Chapman and Hall . There is much of poetry that is merely verbal , wherein description of nature or feeling is arrayed in poetic diction that ineete with ' immediate recognition , and which probably is read and written with equal ease . There is also , particularly in these latter days , much poetry which depends on thought , abstruse frequently in subject , and difficult of study . The readers of such poetry are perhaps fevv , but the writers are many . Such a fact is indicative of the pensive tendencies of these times , and themetaphysical turn usual to productive minds . Mr ^ Townshend has not feared , in his present volume ,
to wrestle with the deepest problems . His title refers to " the Three Gates , " by which , according ; to classic legends , Elysium might be entered . Great truths are " not won , unless by him whopasses successively through three gates of the soul . " The poet names them , " The Mystery of Evil , ' " Cove , " and the " Law of Love . " The first portion of his volume grapples with the mystery , and grapples with it earnestly , passionately , and with a dreadful integrity;—a logical justice which , though it ruin heaven , will pronounce sentence . TL'he problom of life , he sees plainly enough , is sorrow . In all scales of being is agony , and in all conditions of lifo . Barbarous races exhibit men as devils , oxisting only to torture each other , and sacrificing age , innocence , and misfortune to selfishness , however cruel , and convenience , however Arbitrary . Civilised nations ttU ' ect refinement , but tho evil only strikes the more inwardly ; and therefore , though the physical condition is ameliorated , the moral is subject to fresh pain . lie compares the Indian suttcq with the European widow , and finds tho balance rather in favour of tho former . But , in fairness , wo must suller tho poet to epoalc for himself : — I snlii . " Tlio fmvnffo , who nh ?\? M ?™* ffOcfl > into a pit wlioro I » I « cWfVuHflert- « yo ForfultH man ' s olory to bvhold tno hkv ^ XSS & SSSffiSffi-i tiP--" Knrtli on hor surnioo bonra a weight of woe , Hut houvlorluhorboflonil ' Thou nnmodl 1 " aw what pomp grow up torn panffs bolow . W & mliuw yftWH'd liiduouir . Luxury wm oinWftzoa W lull UorJowelHl Oonalbrtlora I gnscud On VloworH from curst roots , Whon my oyen I oast Tow ' uhIh thouo who ronp'd , tho orop thivt wrotouos ralsod , Mothoutfht . Hko brunth of unseen ournos , past E ' cu o ' or UNJir proutfoatjoy ft loul nnU cuvorn'd Want .
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Citation
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Leader (1850-1860), Aug. 6, 1859, page 17, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse2.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/cld_06081859/page/17/
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