8
UNIVERSITY COURIER.
REVIEWS.
The Atlantic for April contains a gracefully written and profoundly appreciative memorial article on Richard Henry Dana, by Julius H. Ward. The writer recognizes the fact that, whether you take Dana's prose or poetry, there is more of the permanent element of literature in it than in the writings of any other American author of his time. His very independence of contemporary opinion enabled him to be true to himself. He had the prophetic instinct in letters. Mr. Ward touches upon Dana's sixty years' intimacy with Bryant, and his yet closer friendship with Washington Allston; refers briefly, yet fittingly, to his domestic history; and gives a charming picture of the aged poet in his seaside home.
The Kansas City Review of Science and Industry for March closes the second volume of that popular western periodical with a most excellent number, filled almost exclusively with original articles. Hon. R. T. Van Horn contributes an able and most readable paper on "Life and Life Theories," which will add to his well-established reputation as an original and vigorous thinker, while at the same time it will be accepted by both evolutionists and creationists as a strictly fair and unbiased presentation of their respective theories. To this may be added the welcome statement, to most readers, that it is written in a plain, attractive style, with scarcely a technical term from beginning to end. The Review has been well kept up by assiduous efforts of its editor for two years, and deserves the support of the whole West in the future.
We find in the Popular Science Monthly for April, besides other articles, the following: "John Stuart Mill," I., by Prof. Alexander Bain, L. L. D.; "The Intra-Mercurial Planets," by Camilla Flammarion, illustrated; New Guinea and its Inhabitants," I., by Alfred Russell Wallace; "Experiments with Living human beings," II., by George M. Beard, M. D.; "The Monstrous in Art," by Samuel Kneeland, M. D.; "Early Traces of Man," by G. De Mortillet.
The Penn Monthly for April contains, in addition to "The Month," by the editor, and the notices of new books, the following important articles: "Repudiation — Present and Future," by Henry C. Carey; "Government Supervision of the Insane," by Ely Van De Warker, M. D.; "Our Present Race Deterioration — An Argument for Technical Education," by A. C. Rembaugh, M. D.; "Socialism — Its Place in the History of Political Economy," by H. C. Adams, Ph. D., of Johns Hopkins University.
In addition to the usual quota of interesting matter, we find in the Appil Scribner a valuable article on "John Ericsson," the remarkable engineer and inventor. The writer gives a graphic and authentic description of Ericsson's various inventions, and especially of the screw propeller, the Monitor, and the solar engine. Rev. Dr. C. C. Tiffany contributes a paper entitled "The Tendency of Modern Thought, as seen in Romanism and Rationalism," finding that however different the various systems may be, there is a tendency to the same general method of thought. The article by Dr. Holland concerning "Some Thin Virtues" is especially commendable, maintaining, as it does, that all honest truth-seekers, whether Christians or skeptics, constitute a universal fellowship of brotherly love. Mr. Boyesen's excellent serial novel, "Falconberg," is concluded in this number.
St. Nicholas for April opens with "Little Puritans," by Horace E. Scudder, illustrated by George L. Barnes. Harriet Prescott Spofford contributes the first half of an illustrated story entitled "A Boy Astronomer." "A Song of Easter" is a beautiful poem by Celia Thaxter. Emma Burt furnishes a biographical sketch of Milton, with three portraits of this great epic poet, at different periods of his life.
In Harper's for April the series of papers on "American Art," by S. G. W. Benjamin, is continued. Under the head of American sculptors he considers the various products of the American chisel. Powers' "Eve Before the Fall," and Ward's statue of Washington, each come in for favorable notice. Helen S. Conant contributes an illustrated paper on "Picturesque Edinburgh" in her usual charming style. Colonel Waring presents the second of his illustrated Tyrolese Papers, in which he describes the beautiful cities of Innsbruck and Brotzen. An admirable literary paper on the late Richard Henry Dana is written by R. H. Stoddard. Dr. J. W. Draper furnishes a paper entitled "The Practical Interrogation of Nature."
The North American Review for April is an unusually excellent number. Thos. A. Hendricks contributes the opening paper, entitled "Retribution in Politics," in which he attempts to refute the arguments presented by Senator Blaine upon the negro suffrage question, in the March number of the Review. Mr. Hendricks claims for the negro a higher and more patriotic motive than the mere perpetuation of a party. His motive is to better his condition and to promote the peace and mutual welfare of the races. The language is eloquent and the reasoning good. The paper will doubtless call forth further discussion. "The Census of 1880," by George Walker is a surmise of the information to be obtained from the next census. The paper entitled "An Indian's Views on Indian Affairs," by Young Joseph, chief of the Nez Perces, will, on account of the simplicity of style and earnestness of purpose, call forth a sympathetic response in the heart of the reader. M. A. Hardaker reviews Hartmann's "Religion of the future," agreeing with the philosopher that the future religion must be a monotheistic pantheism, but maintains that the present diversity of faith must continue for many centuries. The thoughts presented in "German Socialism in America" are worthy of careful consideration. W. W. Storey presents the second paper on "The Pronunciation of the Latin Language." "The Public Schools of England," by Thomas Hughes, and "A Friend of Lord Byron," by Henry James, Jr., are each instructive and entertaining papers. A.R. McDonough furnishes a critical review of recent miscellaneous literature.
The sleeping hours of a plant were changed recently by a French chemist, by exposing it to a bright light at night, and placing it in a dark room during the daytime. At first the leaves opened and closed irregularly, but at length submitted to the change, unfolding at night and closing in the morning.
Evarts defends his long sentences from the attacks of the machine joker, with the remark that "people who expect to injure me by calling attention to my long sentences, forget that the only persons really opposed to long sentences are the criminal classes, who deserve them."