The achievement of Auguste Comte was very great ; but
even in his own time it seemed painstaking and dry. When we make humanity into our God, we risk depriving our world of all splendour and brilliance, and nothing of supernatural warmth shows in our worship. To Comte, however, this conception was an inspiration to the spirit. In Miss Jane M. Style's biography, Auguste Comte, Thinker and Lover (Kegan Paul, 5s. net), it is the ardent side of Comte which we chiefly meet. His life was full of difficulties. He was ugly, one of his eyes was weak and drooping, he was subject to nervous afflictions. He suffered many disappointments, and never found the whole-hearted and active disciples for whom he hoped. None the less the tale of his loves and devotions can hardly fail to amuse our sympathy and leave us with respect for his great talents, energy and idealism.
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