The New Charter. (G. Bell and Sons.)—This volunie consists of
lectures delivered under the auspices of the Humani- tarian League, and now published for it. The various 'speakers had for their common subject the "Rights of Men and the Rights of Animals." Mr. Frederic Harrison, it ia' true, dis- claims the notion of "Rights." "I do not know," he says." what the Rights of Man are—much less shall I talk about the Rights of Animals." But he is in substantial agreement with the prin- ciple implied in the phrase. Indeed, his contribution to the discussion of the question from the "Ethical Point of View" is as good as anything in the book. The force and precision of his argument are quite admirable. But the League could, we think, have done as well, we may even say better, without the secularism of Mr. G. W. Foote and the theosophy of Mr. C. W. Leadbetter. Transmigration of souls is a harmless fad; if there are people who can be moved to be kind to cats and dogs because they have gone through cat and dog incarnations, we may use the aid of Mr. Leadbetter. But Mr. Foote is not a worthy ally. He does not often get, we imagine, the opportunity of insulting a Christian audience to its face, and cannot refuse it when it comes. " Doth God care for oxen ?' he [St. Paul] asked, with the supercilious arrogance of a member of the elect species." What St. Paul meant was to emphasise the great truth that all acts of humanity and justice lead to the benefit of man's moral and spiritual nature. Mr. Foote claims for Freethinkers a humanity superior to that of Christians. Practically, would the average farmer prefer an atheist to a God-fearing man for cowman or carter ?
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