certainly ingenious, and doubtless original with the author.
It has in all probability occurred to other minds; but, inasmuch as the
advocate for freedom does not usually allow that he is shut up to the
alternative of either denying the divine purpose or abandoning human
freedom, the suggestion of the author has not often, if ever, been
seriously urged before. But we have no space for critical comments.

The style of the author is good. With some diffuseness, he is usually
clear and animated. The circumstances that he has approached the subject
in his own way, independently of the method of books and the technics of
the schools, has lent great freshness to his thoughts and illustrations.
The occasional observations which he throws in are always ingenious and
sometimes profound. He shows himself at every turn to be an acute
observer, a comprehensive thinker, and deeply imbued with the meditative
spirit. The defects incidental to his peculiar training are more than
compensated by the freshness of his manner and the directness of his
language. More interesting still is the imaginative tendency which gives
to many of his passages the charm of poetic feeling, and elevates them
to the truly Platonic rhythm. There are single sentences, and now and
then entire paragraphs, which are gems in their way, that sparkle none
the less for the plain setting of common sense and unpretending diction
by which they are relieved.

We ought to add that the attitude of the author in respect to moral and
religious truth is truly, but not obtrusively, reverent. Though he
asserts for man the dignity that pertains to a creator, yet he never
forgets the limits under which and the materials out of which his
creations are wrought. His Theism is outspoken and sincere.

Whatever judgment may be passed upon this volume in the schools of
philosophy or theology, all truth-loving men will agree that it brings
honor to the literature and thought of the country. No man can read a
few of the many passages of refined thought and sagacious observation
with which the volume abounds, without acknowledging the presence of
philosophic genius. No one can read the passages with which each
principal division of the work concludes, without admiring the fine
strains which indicate the presence of genius inspired by poetic feeling
and elevated by adoring reverence. We are sure that the fit, though
scanty, audience from whom the author craves a kindly judgment will
che