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first visited by Europeans, it was found to be already inhabited by populations differing in character from those of any other part of the world previously known, notwithstanding its proximity to Asia, with which it is almost connected by a series of islands not too far apart to have allowed early intercourse between those nations had it been in their nature to rise to a higher civilization, New Holland, we say, presents, on the contrary, an example of a race entirely shut out from the rest of mankind, in which there has never been any indication of an advanced civilization. The same may be said of the Africans. And in their case we have a most forcible illustration of the fact that the races are essentially distinct, and can hardly be influenced even by a prolonged contact with others when the differences are particularly marked. This compact continent of Africa exhibits a population which has been in constant intercourse with the white race, which has enjoyed the benefit of the example of the Egyptian civilization, of the Phoenician civilization, of the Roman civilization, of the Arab civilization, and of all those nations that have suc cessively flourished in Egypt and in the northern parts of Africa, and nevertheless there has never been a regulated society of black men developed on that continent, so particularly congenial to that race. Do we not find, on the contrary, that the African tribes are to-day what they were in the time of the Pharaohs, what they were at a later period, what they are probably to continue to be for a much longer time? And does not this indicate in this race a peculiar apathy, a peculiar indifference to the advantages afforded by civilized society? We speak, of course, of this race in its primitive condition at home, and not of the position of those who have been transported into other parts of the world to live there under new circumstances. Again, on the continent of America, have we not in the Indians evidence of another mode of existence, indications of other dispositions, of other feelings, of other appreciations of the advantages of life. The character of the Indian race has been so well sketched out by Dr. Morton, in his able works upon that subject, that we need not repeat what he has said. We would only ask, Does not that Indian race present the most striking contrast with the character of the negro race,

or with the character of the Mongolian, especially the Chinese and Japanese? The indomitable, courageous, proud Indian,-in how very different a light he stands by the side of the submissive, obsequious, imitative negro, or by the side of the tricky, cunning, and cowardly Mongolian! Are not these facts indications that the different races do not rank upon one level in nature, — that the different tendencies which characterize man in his highest development are permanently brought out in various combinations, isolated in each of these races, in a manner similar to all the developments in physical nature, and, we may also say, similar to all the developments in the intellectual and moral world, where in the early stages of development we see some one side predominant, which in the highest degree of perfection is combined with all others, in wonderful harmony, even though the lower stages belong to the same sphere as the highest? So can we conceive, and so it seems to us to be indeed the fact, that those higher attributes which characterize man in his highest development are exhibited in the several races in very different proportions, giving, in the case of the inferior races, prominence to features which are more harmoniously combined in the white race, thus preserving the unity among them all, though the difference is made more prominent by the manner in which the different faculties are developed.

What would be the best education to be imparted to the different races in consequence of their primitive difference, if this difference is once granted, no reasonable man can expect to be prepared to say, so long as the principle itself is so generally opposed; but, for our own part, we entertain not the slightest doubt that human affairs with reference to the colored races would be far more judiciously conducted, if, in our intercourse with them, we were guided by a full consciousness of the real difference existing between us and them, and a desire to foster those dispositions that are eminently marked in them, rather than by treating them on terms of equality. We conceive it to be our duty to study these peculiarities, and, to do all that is in our power to develop them to the greatest advantage of all parties. And the more we become acquainted with these dispositions, the better, doubtless, will be our course with ref

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erence to our own improvement, and with reference to the advance of the colored races. For our own part, we have always considered it as a most injudicious proceeding to attempt to force the peculiarities of our white civilization of the nineteenth century upon all nations of the world.

There are several other points bearing directly upon the question of the unity of mankind, and the diversity of origin of the human races, which we ought perhaps to have discussed here, such as the zoological characteris tics of the individual races, and their special limitation, their transitions, and their mixture, and the question of hybrids in general; but these are subjects extensive enough in themselves to require to be discussed separately. We have no intention for the present to enter upon the discussion of facts not strictly connected with the philosophy of the question, and we leave this subject with the hope of having removed many doubts and much hesitation.

L. A.

NOTICES OF RECENT PUBLICATIONS.

Discourses on the Rectitude of Human Nature. By GEORGE W. BURNAP, D. D. Boston: Crosby & Nichols. 1850. 12mo. pp. 409.

AN elaborate analysis of this work, with illustrative extracts, had we space for them, would justify to the judgments of our readers the commendations which, when simply stated as our own estimate, may seem indiscriminate and exaggerated. We wish every person interested in such subjects, either as a private student or as a public teacher, would carefully peruse these Discourses; for there are very few persons, however well read and trained in theology, who would not receive instruction, pleasure, and moral benefit from them, whose views would not be rendered clearer and more systematic. In giving our judgment o the work so briefly as we are compelled to do, we fear we shall not be able to convey an adequate idea of its value, but we hope it will itself find so extensive a sale and study as to render any review unimportant. 13

VOL. XLIX.

4TH S. VOL. XIV. NO. I.

This is eminently a timely publication,-just the kind of work which is now most appropriate and needed. It takes up a subject of universal concern to men, of vital moment in theology, takes it up, not at the stage where it was vexed centuries ago, not in the prescriptive word-weighing way in which such themes used to be discussed, but where it now stands among intelligent men of opposite opinions, - handles it with distinguished clearness of reasoning, generousness of sentiment, natural variety of appeal, and does as much toward the complete settlement of the question as one book could possibly be expected to do. In fact, we are convinced that any unprejudiced person who will fairly weigh the arguments stated on these pages will be fully satisfied of their accuracy, of the correctness of the Unitarian views of Human Nature. The whole character of the volume, therefore, renders it a most fit offering to the reading public of these times.

The plan of the book is a happy one. By discussing the subject under separate topics, and in sermons full of direct address, a variety and a practical character are secured which could not easily have appeared had it been formally arranged in chapters, and coldly composed in the third person. Although decidedly a theological, it is equally a practical production. By no means its least value consists in the moral and religious lessons and motives that spring so forcibly from the truths it establishes. The subject-matter is laid out in twenty-four discourses, each complete in itself, though skilfully arranged in a cumulative order with the rest. The conception of this method is felicitous, as being lucid, popular, and full of details, while at the same time it is comprehensive and philosophical in a striking degree. It contains an exposition of the whole question in itself, and in its mutual relations with collateral subjects, as they appear in the light of reason, morals, religion, consciousness, experience, observation, Scripture, and ecclesiastical history. The entire ground is traversed.

The execution of the work is as excellent as its plan. In thought and sentiment it is vigorous, catholic, full of earnestness and decision, and the high level of its tone is remarkably well maintained. It abounds in fine specimens of analysis and argumentation, though the author does not claim particular aptitude for the subtilties of metaphysics. In style, it is a model both of pure English and of direct force. There is no difficulty in telling what he means. He uses words in the common signification, and has no parenthetical clauses in his sentences. The rectitude which he demonstrates for human nature seems reflected in his statements, for they are strikingly straight. The rhetoric of these Discourses is free from conscious ornament. Their distinguishing merits in this particular are perspicuity, chasteness, and energy, though, as would naturally be expected from such a combination, they contain many passages of rare beauty.

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We especially commend the frank, unflinching firmness and consistency with which the author utters his honest thoughts, without fear or favor. Those who believe in John Calvin and in the Westminster Catechism concerning total depravity have used this freedom so often and so much that they cannot com. plain of it in an opponent. It is right that the whole, uncompromising truth should be boldly spoken out on this subject, and on this side of it. It needs to be done, — it is high time it were done. If Unitarians as a body have been wanting in one thing, it has been a decided, unequivocal, full statement of their theological opinions.

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There is one thing more especially for which the author of this volume is to be honored. We mean, for the labor he has evidently bestowed upon it. In these days of hot haste, diffuseness, and shallowness, he who devotes years of toil to a subject, and gives us a publication crowded with the results of laborious research and patient thinking, is emphatically worthy of respect and gratitude. He presents a motive to those of us who are obnoxious to the charge, if not of personal indolence, at least of public indifference. These Discourses are packed and loaded with substance. Although the book is quite large, there is not a division of it which is not full of condensed materials. It would, we think, be difficult to bring forward a single suggestion of importance on the subject which it treats, that is not clearly presented in it, so thorough, so wellnigh exhaustive, is it. There are no marks of crudity or slovenliness in it, but nearly every page reveals traces of deliberation, signs of extensive and accurate learning. In taking it up, one might expect to be led through a thirsty land whose springs are dry, but he will find it invested with interest and full of freshness. At least it has been so to us.

In a controversial aspect, we regard this as one of the most noteworthy and valuable performances that has appeared here for some time. If it could obtain the circulation and candid perusal among other sects which its intrinsic weight warrants, it would not be without wide, permanent effects. We beg to commend it to the notice of our Calvinistic brethren. The subject it examines is beyond all question the most important one in theology. The ability with which it is treated in this instance deserves to be met. The mass of arguments here gathered demand attention, challenge an answer, and defy refutation.

Toiling at a distant post of our faith, unaided and alone, the author has found time to put to press a series of publications, of which this is the seventh volume, whose theological characteristics have reflected honor upon the denomination to which he belongs in particular, whose intellectual force and moral purity have won the high consideration of the friends of education and virtue in general, and whose solid merits of substance and style

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