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m* ••: ::- ' ,/-^.g/B=.! ; Vt'E-A'I>'E. ...
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latins, and requires a different and mor...
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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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M* ••: ::- ' ,/-^.G/B=.! ; Vt'e-A'I>'E. ...
m * •• : ::- ' , / - ^ . g / B =. ! Vt ' E-A'I > 'E . ;^ [ ko . 46 $ , March 12 , 1859 .
Latins, And Requires A Different And Mor...
latins , and requires a different and more fundamental treatment . " . The question is indeed " not new , " and the solulion which Mr . Mill gives to it is famili & r to all persons Who have studied the subject of-morals-and government . That there are things as to which the individual member of society ; should he left free , and other things in which he should be controlled or restricted , is universally admitted * In no society , for instance , is it proposed to take away from the labouring class the disposal , according to their non-inclinations , of their own earnings , or to supersede such disposal by a system however wise or : beneficent . the of
No philanthropist , anxious for success Mechanics' Institutes or Evening Lectures , thinks of asking the Legislature to compel people to attend either . Nobody brings in a bill to oblige a sick man to take medicines , or to prevent a clown turning double somersaults , at the risk of his neck . A rough idea of the reasons for this sort of Ictissezfaire is pro"bably in the mind of even those who have hardly thought upon thesubject . The acts which the laws leave alone are what philosophers call " self-regarding acts "—acts , the consequences of which , whether good or evil , fall on the doer . The law steps in—ror ought to step in—only when the act in question interferes with the rights of other persons .
This is the subject of Mr . Mill ' s Essay . But its originality and principal value consists , first , in showing that it is not the law , but a power far more « ffective " and much more tyrannous , which has a tendency to oyerstep the limits of the rightful exercise © f human liberty ; and , secondly , in pointing out the great importance to human progress of that liberty , and the mischief to be apprehended from the encroachments upon it by society . " Like otlier tyrannies , the tyranny of the majority was at first , and is still vulgarly , held in dread , chiefly « s operating through the acts of the public authorities But reflecting persons perceived that when society is itself the tyrant—society collectively , ov « r the separate individualswho compose it—its means of tyrannising are
not restricted to the acts which it nay do by the hands « F its political functionaries . Society can and does exe-r cute its own mandates : and if it issues wrong mandates instead of right , or . any mandates at all in things with which it ought not fo ineddle , it practises a social -tyranny more formidable than many kinds of political oppression , since , though-not usually upheld by such extreme penalties , it leaves fewer means of escape , penetrating much more deeply into the details of lite , and enslaving the soul itself . Protection , therefore * against the tyranny of the magistrate is not enough : there needs protection also against the tyranny of the prevailing opinion and feeling ; against the tendency of society to impose , by other means than civil penalties , its own ideas and practices as rules of-conduct on those who dissent from them '; to fetter the development , and , if posnotin
sible , prevent the formation , of any individuality , harmony with its ways , and compel all characters to fashion themselves upon the model of its own . There is a limit to the legitimate interference of collective opinion with individual independence : and to find that limit , and maintain it against encroachment , is as indispensable to a good condition of human affairs , as protection against political despotism . " The articles of liberty claimed by Mr . Mill for the individual are liberty of conscience , liberty of thought and feeling , absolute freedom of opinion and sentixnent on all subjects , including the liberty of expressing and publishing opinions , however distasteful to others ; liberty of tastes and pursuits , and freedom to write for any purpose not involving harm to others . •' . !
' * ITo society in which these liberties are not , on the whole , respected , is free , whatever may be its form of governmentj and none is completely free in which they 4 o not exist absolute and unqualified . The only freedom -which deserves . the name , is that of pursuing'bur own good In our own way , so long as-we do not attempt to deprive others of , theirs , ov impede their efforts to obtain it . Each is the proper guard mn of his own health , -whether bodily , or mental and spiritual . Mankind arc greater gainers by suffering each other to live as seems good to tliemsbl'vea , than by compelling each to live as seems good to the rest . " ' . No writer that we are acquainted with , has hitherto set forth with such completeness , as Mr . Mill has in this essay , the benefits of this liberty—the real effects on the -well-being' of society , upon which tho expediency , of permitting it is grounded . It is only
in this soil of freedom that human faculties can grow and ( leyeioue tliemsclvos . 41 It Is not by wearing down Into uniformity all that is individual in themselves , but by l > y cultivating it and calling it forth , within tho limits imposed by the rights And interests of others , that , human . beings become a noble and beautiful objoot of contemplation : and as tho -works partafto the character of those who do them , by the same process human life also becomes rich , diversified , and Animating , iumlehlng moro abundant aliment to high thoughts and olovatlng toolings , and strengthening the tie -whlon binds ovevy Individual to tho race , by malting tho race infinitely hotter worth belonging to , m proportion tp the development of his individuality , each pex-aon bocomeamoro valuable to himself , and Is therefore capable of being" more valuable to others . r n > ore is a greater fulness of life about his own existence , and when there Is
lyle " the incorporation of the everlasting reason of man in forms visible to the sense , and suitable to it " The author , however , prefers Professor Masson ' s definition , that poetic faculty consists in f ^ the power of intellectually producing a new or artificial concrete . " And we must confess that this definition looks scientific enough . Mr . Bayne is a bold man however * in selecting for Ms ideal example of poetic * excellence Goethe ' s " Sorrows of "Werter . " Prom this topic the author naturally passes on to consider
our poets— " Tennyson and his Teachers , " meaning thereby Scott , Byron , "Wordsworth , Keats , Shelley Coleridge , and Hunt , on each of whom he pours ' vials of eloquent commendation ; Mrs .. Barrett Browning , Ellis , Acton , and Currer Bell . These form separate papers . They are all first-rate . The series concludes with two essays on British painting , and Mr . Ruskin . The volume is one in which , like a niixror , we-may . contemplate the age wherein-we live . .
Each for Himself . By IT . Gerstaeker . Koutledge . As a picture of Californiaii life and experiences , this work is unrivalled . The characters are mostly German , and full of originality . The charming portrait of the tender , true , and loving wife , Julia Hetson , and her devotion to her . hypochondria husband , is a denghtfulepisocle in the volume . Sir Gilbert . A Novel . / -. ' 11 . Bentley . Tins is no song or story of " olden " time , as might
be inferred from the title , but a veritable novel of modern days , with modern characters arid modern incidents , none of which however can fairly be said to be novelties in the repertory of fiction writers of the day . If we cannot give " Sir Gilbert" a position in the highest rank of tale Writers , still we must place it on a very respectable elevation , far above the ordinary rack of circulating library writers . The interest turns upon the loves of Frederick Tresham and Sir Gilbert Ravenhill . . The first a
University roue ^ but with , many virtues , Joying and beloved by Averilla Mortlakc , heiress and ward of Canon Tresham , Frederick Tresham ' s father , in her penchants , vn peti volage ; "the . last a wealthy , amiable , and nervous personage with mental and physical infirmities , , aggravated by the . brutal conduct of Colonel Laulden , who , for Ids own wicked and sordid purposes , forces him into the army , where he disgraces himself by an act of cowardice in battle—a secret known only to one or "two , among whom is Cyril Curnae , a kind of Zamiel , whose evil influence is felt up to the close of the story , when , he is effectually disposed of at a fire , which happens in a , theatre where he has gone to see his wife sustain the character of prima-donna . There is also ' another secret , which the ubiquitous and omniscient Cyril becomes possessed of—namely , that Sir Gilbert ' s father had s h ot Averilla ' s father m a
duel . Sir Gilbert , in consequence or a pecuniary compact with Cyril , woos Averilla , whose fortune more than her attractions , great as they are , is the temptation ; Sir Gilbert , at the same time , being truly in love with a noble-hearted lovely creature , Julia Calverley . However , urged on by Cyril , he proposes marriage to Averilla , and is repulsed ; a strong scene ensues * in which the affair of the duel is for the first time disclosed to the unconscious pair . Sir Giloe ™ leaves the presence of the lady , maddened witn shame , and in the intensity of his agony in ** - ; " * way to the place where his father lost Ins life— tne inference is by premeditation—immediately after tne fatal duel .
We may safely say it is a tale " which once convj menced will be sure to he perused by the reader ; ami had extracted the description of a painful interview between the heroine and Sir Gilbert , but found our space was not sufficient to insert it ? wo "loreioic commend the work to the notice of those devqteu to this class of literature . The Earth we Inhabit : it * Past , Present , and Probable Future . By Captain Alfred W . Drnyson , goyai Artillery , . author of " Sporting Scenes in houW Africa , " & o . A . W . 'JJennetr . This is a curious book , and should command union scientific attention . Tlic author , la tho course oi ns oxneriouce us a practical surveyor , dlscovcrtxi 'tuof distances
tuin inconsistencies in tho measurement ttiul arous that sot him thinking . Gooileny tuul u » tionqiny , ho found , were not the correct hc uncos uiiu . they claimed to bo . Their results continunlO «» - forecl . Tho move porfeot tho . Instruments , iliu ¦ " < ' skilful tho operators , the worso for the »> " ¦"' . Later measurements constantly « lvo longer dwtiu «» tliun curlier . Had tho monsuriiiKuieliiln fontititti-tir Or t \ va earth expanded ? Compelled by evidence ., ao longth Captain . Drnyson decided , tlmt " tl » o i *«[» growm" that it is larger than it wus , and " « l \ V ? Uvkqv than it is . . Tl ? ls conclusion , it seems , m ' mucjli simplify tho study of astronomy , Ji " *^"" " account for tho varying . calculation * o | . " J" " periods . Vo not , howevoi ' , the other earths urov , bb well , as ours r Yes , replies the Captain , v »« J upon wo again ask , wliothov tlmt foot wot JU >» mulntaln tho same relations between the giowiun
more life in the units there is more in the mass which is composed of them- As much compression . as is necessary to prevent the stronger speciipens of human nature , from encroaching on the rights of others , cannot be dispensed with ; but for this there is ample compensation even in the point of view of human development . The means of development which the individual loses by being prevented from gratifying his inclinations to the injury of others , are chiefly obtained at the expense of the development of other people . And even to himself there is a full equivalent in the tetter development of the social part of his nature , rendered possible by the restraint put upon the selfish part . To be held to rigid rules of justice for the sake of others , developes the feelings and capacities Jtsut to
which haye the good of others for their objec t- be restrained in things not affecting their good , by their mere displeasurej , developes nothing valuable , except such force of character as may unfold itself in resisting the restraint , if-. acquiesced in , it dulls and blunts the whole nature . To give- any fair play to the nature of each , it is essential that different persons should be allowed to lead different lives . In proportion as this latitude has been exercised in any age , has that age been noteworthy to posterity . Even despotism does not produce its worst effects , so long as individuajjity exists under it ' , and whatever crushes individuality is despotism , by whatever
name it may be called , and whether it professes to be enforcing tne will of God or the injunctions of men . " "We have attempted no more than to indicate the character and object of Mr . Mill ' s work , which is too full of thought to be abridged , or even exemplified by extracts . AH who take an interest in such subjects will give to the work itself a careful perusal . The publication derives a peculiar interest from the tribute paid by the writer in his preface ; to the memory of his "wife , whose recent death was deeply regretted by the large circle of intellectual women of which she was a distinguished ornament .
Essays , Biographical , Critical , and Miscellaneous By Peter JSayme , AM . James Hogg and Sons . This is a volume of eloquent essays by an American author , the largest portion of which has riot been yet published . Their pervading spirit is a religious one , but which , while upholding the . principle of faith , does r iot disdain the use of rational weapons , and uses them skilfully . The book starts from a high point , the philosophy of " Plato , " and the author shows both an appreciation of the sage , and a capacity to deal with his ' system . Plato , he calls upon us to acknowledge as the centre figure of Greek speculation . " He made all who went before his teachers ; all who came after were , with more or less ; of
intelligence and originality , his pupils . " . In an essay on the .. « ' Characteristics of Christian Civilisation , " have , as it were , an applicat i on of the author ' s principles . One profound remark he makes . It is this ; While the revival of literature in the latter half of the fifteenth century had no tendency whatever to revive the Papacy , or to re-awaken moral life in Rome and in Europe , it was , in a true and literal sense , the fact that " the very Papacy was slaved by Protestantism . " Christianity was in peril of extinctionwhen a Tetzel was found preacliing the Gospel for money , which a Paul had offered for . acceptance freely-Hselling " a pardon from himself" while selling an indulgence to another . Luther saved
Christianity—but he saved Catholicism top . The Papacy , truly says Mr . Bayne , " was actually falling back into Paganism ; it was rotting away ; and that at the very time when the treasures of knowledge , which so many more or less explicitly believe and avow to be the one means of moral life for nations , were poured , with unprecedented exuberance , into the lap of Christendom . " Again , " Popery , startled by the shock of the Reformation , roused itself in the sixteenth century to a ne \ v activity . It shook off the Paganism" of the Iieos and JJenibos . Protestantism thus—as I suppose oven Roman Catholics would in a sense admit —> was the means of saving liomanism from sheer putrescence and destruction . But the
history of the Papaoy since the Reformation has proved that the resuscitation of its life was no sound and complete resuscitation , but rather a specious , an outwardly imposing , but an indubitable , lapse into a deeper disease . By associating itself with , Josuitisin , it brought tho abomination of desolation into the temple ; and by allying itself universally , ovon in theso days , with . European despotism , it has denied tho unity of trutth— truth social und truth religious , and visibly abdicated its right to lead tho human intellect . " In this , and other' essays , wo cannot but porceivo the oxtensive Influence possessed by tho Gorman over
tho American literature . An essay on " Wellington , " however , shows a genuine . English feeling ; and another on " Napoleon " a due . estimate of lCuropoan politics . In theso ossays tho author has evinced great skill in painting wav-plcturcs ; Napoleon was the Hannibal of a later time , Wolllrigton the Solplo . Erom those high themes , tho / essayist next condescends to treat of thp " Elementary Principles of Criticism , " which ho characterises ns " a minor metaphysical science . " In his remarks on poetic art , he tells us that Aristotle required Imitation , Bacon invention , Coleridge nhtstlo energy , and Cav-
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Citation
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Leader (1850-1860), March 12, 1859, page 14, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse2.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/cld_12031859/page/14/
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