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OCTOBER, 1878.]
BOOK NOTICES.
269
BOOK NOTICES. ORIGINAL LETTERS AND PAPERS of the late Viscount immense extent of ground, without seeking to
Strangford upon philological and kindred subjects. Edited by Viscountess Strangford. (8vo, PP. 284)
describe with minute accuracy any part of it. We London : Trübner & Co. 1878.
are very far from accepting all the Professor' The late Lord Strangford, condemned by his
inferences from facts, or even all his supposed father to the diplomatic career in which the latter facts; but the work supplies evidence both of had risen to eminence,--for which the son seems to extensive reading and of careful reflection. have had no taste-consoled himself with philolo
Professor Tiele belongs to the advanced school gical studies more extensive and profound than of "liberal" theologians. He does not believe in those of any other Englishman of his day not Revelation-at least in the sense in which the being a professional scholar. Fate or tempera
term is usually applied to religion. In all reliment prevented him from erer embodying the gions we trace, according to the professor, only results in anything that could be called a book; a process of development or natural growth. He buit fortunately his widow is fitted by her own thus comes to enunciate, especially in treating of talents and acquirements to select and edit the the faith of Israel, opinions which violently conpresent volume, which with the two published by flict with the belief of nine-tenths, or more, of Bentley in 1869 are enough to show what he Christendom. The professor is, of course, aware was and might have been.
of this, but he goes on in sereno self-confidence, The volume under review contains notes and making one bold asseveration after another, hardly reflections upon almost every language under the condescending to refute his opponents, or even to sun, of which a couple attacking the “Dog Per. supply evidence of the truth of his own positions, sian" of the Government of India will perhaps be We intend to enter into no contest with Prothe most interesting to our readers. But the fessor Tiele. Wo simply bring under the notice special value of the work consists first in the in- of our renders the views of a good representative of tense scorn of theorism and sciolism which per a certain school. Besides, our author is professor vades these miscellaneous selections as thoroughly of the History of Religions, and on his own special as if they formed a single treatise written for the subject he deserves an attentive hearing expross purpose of keeping philological and ethno- He holds that the earliest religion has left but few logical sciences from running off the rails; and traces behind it. It was followed by Animism, or secondly in the astonishing wit and humour of the worship of spirits. This stage is represented almost every sentence.
by the polydæmonistic tribal religions, which, One cannot close the book without thinking how among civilized nations, were soon developed into much happier and more useful might have been polytheism resting on traditional doctrine. Nomisthe career of the noble writer-noble more by tic reiigions followed--that is to say, systems nature than by race--if the lines bad fallen for grounded on sacred books, and superseding polyhim in places a little further East; and if, instead theism by pantheism or monotheism. Out of these, of the cramping, disheartening influences of a again, sprang the universal religions --Buddhism, diplomatic chancery, he had grown up under those Christianity, and Mohammadanism-" which start of early power and responsibility, which form the from principles and maxims." best men of the Indian services.
Learing the reader to form his own opinion of this nimble generalization, we follow Prof. Tiele
into his account of Animism. This is a belief in OUTLINES of the HISTORY OF RELIGION to the Spread of the the existence of spirits, of which the powerful be
Universal Religions. By Professor C. P. Tiele, D. Th., Professor of the History of Religions in the University
come objects of worship. When the spirits take of Leiden. pp. 249. London: Trübner & Co. 1877. up their abode in any material object, which thus
Professor Tiele states that the time for writing becomes endowed with power, we have Fetishism. an elaborate history of religion has not yet come. Animism is unorganized polydamonism. It does He does not pretend to supply more than outlines, not excludo belief in a supreme spirit. It is mere "pencil sketches," helpful towards the full accompanied by a belief in magic, which seeks to picture which will in due time be drawn. This obtain power over the spirits by 'spells. Fear is "little work," as he modestly calls it, contains an the ruling power in all Animistic worship. The introduction and five chapters. It traverses an spirits and their worshippers are alike selfish.
The very device on the cover is a philological joke, being the writer's signature Russianized, "Astrangfúrd," with an initial alif for the benefit of the Asiatic, who would not otherwin have got round it. It reminds one of that Bombay billiard-marker who, having to score for a gentle-
man named Scott, wrote 'I' on the slate, to represent "Ishkát Sáheb."
? The author of De godsdienst van Zarathustra van haar onstaan in Baktris tot den val van het Oud. Persische Rijk (Haarlem, 1864)..
