Jennie Collins has passed on to her reward above. It would be wrong to neglect mentioning the remarkable career of this devoted woman, who for thirty-five years has been the guardian angel of the poor and struggling women of Boston. Rising from friendless poverty, she became widely known as a champion of human rights, and woman’s rights, and, finally, as the founder and indefatigable sustainer of that benevolent institution widely known as Boffin’s bower. Her literary powers were finely displayed in a little volume entitled “Nature’s Aristocracy,” and her mental vigor was shown in many public addresses. Jennie Collins was a noble illustration of the best form of Spiritualism. She was accompanied, inspired, and sustained by spirit influence, but did not deem it expedient to let this fact be generally known. The world is not yet enlightened.
Greek Philosophy.—The essential pedantic stupidity of Aristotle’s logic, and its power to belittle and benumb the intelligence of its reverential students has been shown in every college where this effete study is kept up. We have no better illustration of late than its effect on Prof. Harris, who is a very intelligent and useful citizen, but who has been so befogged by such studies as to suppose that his pedantic talk about syllogisms embodies an important contribution to philosophy, and indeed it was announced as such by his reporter. The superstitious reverence for Greek literature is impressed on all young collegians, and few recover from it. Sir William Hamilton and R. W. Emerson, who were much more intellectual and brilliant than Prof. Harris, were as badly afflicted as he with this Greek superstition, which has been implanted in school boys so young that it dominates their whole lives with the energy of a prenatal condition. The only very silly things ever written by the brilliant Emerson were those passages in which he speaks of Plato; and the silliest thing in the life of Hamilton is the way in which he exulted over some trivial modification of Aristotle’s syllogistic ideas, which was about as trivial as that of Prof. Harris, and allowed himself to be publicly flattered by one of his students in the most fulsome manner for the wonderful profundity of his wisdom, that could even add something to the divine wisdom of Aristotle.
To tell a Greek idolater that the divine Plato thought it a great MYSTERY that one and one should make two, that he declared it to be incomprehensible to him, and thought the only possible solution of the mystery to be, that two is produced “by participation in duality,” would surprise him; but he would be still more surprised to learn that this is only a specimen brick of Plato’s divine philosophy, as it abounds in similar puerilities. I have long since reviewed this effete philosophy of an ignorant age, and shown its true character, but my work has never been offered to a bookseller. Yet it shall not be suppressed. The destruction of stultifying superstitions is as necessary in education and literature as in religion. The ponderous blows of Lord Bacon upon this Greek superstition of the literary classes did not prove fatal, for the same reason that animal organisms of a low, cold-blooded, grade are hard to kill,—they must be cut up in fragments before their death becomes complete; superstitions and beliefs that have no element of intelligent reason, and are perpetuated by social influence, authority, and domination over the young become a blind force that resists all influence from reason.
If my readers are interested in the destruction of venerable and powerful falsehoods that stand in the way of every form of progress, I may be tempted to publish a cheap edition of my work on Greek Philosophy and Logic. It is not in the least presumptuous to lay hands upon this venerable illusion, and show that it has not even the vitality of a ghost. It is but a simulacrum or mirage, and it is but necessary to approach it fearlessly, and walk through it, to discover its essential nonentity.
Symposiums deserves a good report. One of the philosophers, whose doctrines were poetically paraphrased in the report of the scientific responses upon human immortality, writes that he enjoyed the poetical paraphrase very much, and never laughed over anything so heartily. It would be pleasant to hear the real sentiments of the remainder. It would be equally interesting to hear how Prof. Harris and the other Concordians enjoy the little sketch of their symposium.
Literature of the Past.—“In an article on the ‘Archetypal Literature for the Future,’ by Dr. J. R. Buchanan, which appears in the Journal of Man for March, the writer foreshadows a time to which the American mind is fast advancing when the literature of the past will take its place amongst the mouldering mass which interests the antiquarian, but has no positive influence in guiding the thoughts and actions of the passing generation. There are some indications of a movement in that direction in other countries, though the vast majority, including many Spiritualists and Theosophists, still explore the records of past ages, looking for the light which is shining all about them in the present, unrealized.”—Harbinger of Light, Australia.
The Concord School.—We are glad that the Concord School is over, and we should think that the people that have been there would be glad to get home and take part in the things which interest average folks. If people like that sort of thing and can afford it, there is no reason why they should not go there and stay. But to the average man the whole thing looks about as near time wasted as anything which even Boston furnishes to the “uncultured” world outside.—Boston Record.
New Books.—“The Hidden Way across the threshold, or the mystery which hath been hidden for ages and from generations,—an explanation of the concealed forces in every man to open the temple of the soul and to have the guidance of the unseen hand.—By J. C. Street, A. B. N., Fellow of S. S. S., and of the Brotherhood Z. Z. R. R. Z. Z.” Lee & Shepard, publishers, Boston ($3.50). This is a very handsome volume of nearly 600 pages, which I have not had time to examine. It appears to be chiefly a compilation with quotation marks omitted, written in the smooth and pleasing style common in spiritual literature, without any attempt at scientific analysis or criticism. Sharp critics condemn it, but it suits the popular taste and inculcates good moral lessons. I shall examine it hereafter.
“Solar Biology—a scientific method of delineating character, diagnosing disease, determining mental, physical, and business qualifications, conjugal adaptability, etc., etc., from the date of birth.—By Hiram E. Butler, with illustrations.” Boston, Esoteric Publishing Company, 478 Shawmut Avenue ($5.00). This is a handsome volume, which, from a hasty examination, appears to be a large fragment of Astrology, containing its simplest portion, requiring no abstruse calculations, and hence adapted to popular circulation. It is meeting with some success, but those who feel much interest in astrology prefer to take in the whole science, which has a much larger number of votaries than is commonly supposed.
Dr. Franz Hartmann, of Germany, has published some interesting volumes recently, on “Paracelsus,” “White and Black Magic,” and “Among the Rosicrucians,” which I have had no time to examine. A valuable essay from Dr. Hartmann is on file for publication in the Journal, in which he compares the doctrines of the occult philosophy with those presented in the Journal of Man.