10 DECEMBER 1870, Page 21

What is Matter? By a Templar. (Wyman and Sons.) —

The " Templar " discusses philosophers and systems with an ease and rapidity which defy our efforts to follow him. We must content ourselves with giving his conclusions, or rather the conclusion of his conclusions. "That matter acting on matter is force on force, giving a resultant force." " That a careful study of Phenomena reveals the nature of Now/Lena." This proposition, he says, "cannot boast of one philosopher or physicist, either in ancient or modern times as authority." We think that he hardly does justice to his friends. Is not our " Templar " an old foe with a new face, or rather name ? Surely there have been others who have answered his question with "matter is everything," or " everything is matter."