• Outlines of Moral Philosophy. By Dagald Stewart. With a
Memoir and Supplement by James M'Cosh, LL.D. (Wm. Allan and Co.)—We are not disposed to dispute Dr. M'Cosh's proposition that "this is one of the best text-books of mental and moral science ever written," for we cannot recall any similar work in the English language which is en- titled to enter the lists as a competitor. Nothing, however, can be more meagre and imperfect than the metaphysics contained in it, which is the greater defect because metaphysics lie at the fonndation of all ethical philosophy. The supplement added by Dr. M'Cosh, good as far as it goes, is hardly full enough to make this part of the work thoroughly satisfactory. The ethics, on the other hand, are generally sound, and, as the editor says, only require supplementing ; but surely he does not adopt Stewart's position that avarice is a particular modification of the desire of power? Many people desire money for the sake of the power it confers ; but avarice is the desire of money for its own sake. There are people who desire power for the sake of money, and they are not ambitious, but avaricious.
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