WATTS’S LITERARY GUIDE: B E I N G A M O N T H L Y R E C O R D O F L I B E R A L A N D A D V A N C E D P U B L I C A T IO N S .

No. 55.]

JUNE 15, 1890.

[Price One Penny.

N E W P U B L I C A T IO N S .

Messrs. Watts & Co. will publish shortly a little work from the pen of “ Agnosco,” entitled “ Freethinking and Free Inquiry” (is. 6d.).

The first of the posthumous volumes of the late Miss Constance Naden is issued. It is entitled “ Induction and Deduction : A Historical and Critical Sketch of Successive Philosophical Conceptions, Respecting the Relations between Inductive and Deductive Thought; and Other Essays” .(7s. 6d.). The work is edited by Dr. Lewins, and Mrs. Daniells contributes a brief memoir of her deceased friend. An admirable portrait of Miss Naden forms the frontispiece. The book will be reviewed in our next issue.

T he Progressive Publishing Company has just issued a reprint of Anthony Collins’s “ Free Will and Necessity: A Philosophical Inquiry Concerning Human Liberty” (is.). Mr. J. M. Wheeler contributes a biographical introduction, while Mr. G. W. Foote writes the preface and appends some valuable notes to the work.

Mr. Charles Watts has added another to his many publications. The new brochure treats of “ Nature and the Supernatural; or, Belief and Knowledge ” (sd.).

Messrs. Watts & Co. have just imported a useful little work, entitled “ Pioneer Pith : The Gist of Lectures on Rationalism" (is.), by Robert C. Adams, President of the Canadian Secular Union. A fuller announcement will be found in our advertising columns.

Several works against Agnosticism are at present agitating the controversial world. Dr. Abbot, late editor of the Index (Boston, U.S.A.), has issued a formidable attack, which he calls “ The Way Out of Agnosticism ” (4s. 6d.). The book is attracting much attention, and, though written from the Theistic standpoint, is being received with a chorus of approval from certain belligerent and dogmatic Atheists. A similar work is announced from the pen of Mrs. Fitzgerald. It will be entitled “ A Protest Against Agnosticism,” and will be published by Messrs. Kegan Paul, Trubner, & Co.

T he Hibbert Lectures of the late Rev. Dr. Hatch, on “ The Origin and Growth of Religion, as Illustrated by -Greek Influence on Christianity,” will be published almost immediately.

T he Progressive Publishing Company is about to issue a new edition of James Thomson’s “ Satires and Profanities ” (is.). The volume will include “ The Story of a Famous Old Jewish Firm” (Jehovah, Son, & Co.) and “ Religion in the Rocky Mountains,” besides other essays.

T he second volume of Mr. Foote’s “ Bible Heroes ” (is.) will be published immediately.

Messrs. Blackwood have issued, under the title “ Opposites” (12s. 6d.), a series of essays on the unpopular sides of popular questions, comprising philosophy, religious thought, and the B ib le; intellect and morals; Evolution ; Atheistic Christianity ; Spiritualism ; the ancient religions of the future; gods and women; politics; theology ; the Christ of Scripture.

Mr. Foote is engaged on a new edition of his “ Bible Romances.” The chapters will be issued in fortnightly instalments, commencing on July 1st.

O U R L I B R A R Y S H E L V E S .

“ No lasting addition is ever made to the treasury of human knowledge unless the results of special research are translated into the universal language of science, and rendered available to every person of intellect and education." This is a weighty saying, and worthy of all acceptation ; and its author, Professor F. Max Muller, has most admirably and brilliantly given it force and illustration in his four volumes of

“ chips from a german workshop” (Longman, Green, & C o .; second edition, 1880 ; vol. i., 380 pp.; vol. ii., 405 pp. The second has an index to both vols.). It would be superfluous painting of the lily to enlarge on the erudition and philological genius of Professor Müller. But we feel imperatively bound to impress upon our Rationalistic readers the very great merit of Max Müller as an expositor and interpreter of the science of religion, comparative mythology, and allied subjects. He never vulgarises his theme in order to popularise it. But, like an easy, genial, cultured gentleman conducting guests over his picture-galleries and gardens, our Professor takes us into the study, unrolls the learned parchments of linguists and philosophers, and explains their scope and contents. O f course, a certain amount of intelligent preparedness is pre-supposed. Allusions to classical and general literature, untranslated citations from French authors, and occasional discussions of grammatical questions require some previous acquaintance with these branches of knowledge. But even the average educated man would be hopelessly bewildered in the profundities of oriental scholarship. And it is just here that Max Müller renders singular aid to the thoughtful general reader. Himself a scholar of the first order, he has not forgotten the great world outside his library. He is not only able to reveal the treasures at his command, but seems to take a real pleasure in sharing his intellectual riches. . A brief note will explain the title. More than forty years ago Baron Bunsen persuaded the directors of the East India Company to defray the expenses connected with the publication of the Rig-Veda. He joyfully announced the result to young Müller, who was to carry out this colossal work. “ Now,” said the Baron, “ you have got a work for