The Apology of an Unbeliever. By Louis Viardot. (Triibner.)—The most
noticeable thing here is a letter from M. de Saint-Benve to the author. "The eternity of the world granted," he says, "all else fol- lows." Bat is it granted as regards either the past or the future? M. Viardot put the old arguments without new force,—that of the existence of evil, e. g., proving, he says, that God is either not benevolent or not omnipotent. Does the negation of a God make things clearer? Is it easier to understand or endure evil if we do not believe in a Power that hates it and will overcome it ? Are we more likely to get rid of it by denying such a Power ?
The British Almanac for 1870 (Stationers' Company) contains the usual variety of information found in books of this kind, and as a special feature a "Companion to the Almanac," or year-book of general information, in which the progress of science, the fine arts, &e., the chief acts of the Legislature are recorded, and which also includes a general chronicle of events and an obituary for the year.—Our Ocean Highways, edited by J. Maurice Dempsey (Stanford), has the appear- ance of being a very useful book. It is a catalogue, including brief descriptions and selected particulars of every place on the face of the earth, whether on the sea or inland, to which any one could wish to go, and it tells the traveller how he is to go. We take an instance at random : —"Angouleme, dep. Charente, France, lies on the Charente, &c." Then follows a list of chief buildings, sights, trades, &c. Rotate front London, by rail (fixed mail service) from Charing Cross and Victoria,. 7.40 a.m. and 8.35 p.m., via' Dover, Calais, Paris (arr. Chemin defer da Nord, dep. Chemin defer d' Orlians), Orleans, Tours, Poitiers. Hotel des. Postes. Telegraphic message from London, 3s. 4d."
Previous page
