--

gleams" which " come and go." That vocate of what we will call relatively is to say, what to the sceptic was indis- Transcendentalism — if we suppose tinguishable from what Mr. Balfour powers of reflection to be coupled with calls "a desire," was to the Sage a sensible endowments so limited-de"need." bating within themselves as to whether But this survey leads us to look back these new-born feelings were really further along the lines of evolution; indicative of something beyoud, or and in so doing we get a further merely self-caused feelings consistent presumption from analogy which with primitive solipsism. We now strengthens the argument. Consider stand above this process, which has the gradual development of sensitive-been in great measure accomplished. ness to the environment, which, by a We see that the relative transcendenseries which can be traced with toler- talist was right, that evolution was able completeness, brings the living the gradual unfolding of the consciousbeing first to the vaguest consciousness ness to external nature. But we are of what is not itself, then to more dis- still conscious in ourselves of vague tinct relations with other beings ani- indications of a new insight into a mate and inanimate, to the increased higher and further Reality. The relidifferentiation of the senses, and soon gious consciousness, which includes to what is the first symptom of a sense the sense of "need," gives at least a which is destined to place the inhab- dim presage of further and higher itant of this small planet in immediate knowledge, of things as much beyond relations with that vast natural universe which is known to astronomers. The earthworm has, we believe, no rudiment of a special organ of vision, yet he will move in response to the light if you turn a bull's-eye lantern on him. The story of the advance from earthworm to man is a suggestive one.1 It is a story of the gradual unfolding of the sentient organism to what is in some sense a great Reality outside it. At each stage in the advance, the germ And little as can be gained on the of what is to be ultimately a means same lines from the wayward history of wide knowledge is mysterious and of man during his comparatively brief uncertain. That very sensitiveness to career, we have at least the rise into light which in man gives so definite a definiteness of the Christian ethics, perception of his fellow-creatures, which carried further and spread far made the starfish (in all probability) wider the wonderfully deep sense only dimly aware of the presence of some moving object intercepting the light. We could conceive at each stage the advocate of Naturalism and the ad

1 "In the lowest forms of animal life the whole surface is sensitive to light, and organs of vision

have no doubt arisen in the first instance from

limited areas being especially sensitive to light in conjunction with a deposit of pigment. Lens-like structures... were subsequently formed; but their function was not in the first instance to

throw an image of external objects on the percep tive part of the eye, but to concentrate the light on it. From such a simple form of visual organ it is easy to pass by a series of steps to an eye capable

of true vision." (F. Balfour's Comparative Embryology, ii. 471.)

our present comprehension as that which is perceived by the sight of man is beyond what is accessible to the eyes of the Cœlenterata. Does not the course of evolution raise at least a presumption that these new and mysterious glimpses do in fact point to a further reality? Is evolution, so long a process upwards to wider knowledge, to turn suddenly and begin a process downwards to mere delusion?

which we find in the Psalms of the near presence of the living God, so distinct from the vague and distant Theism of (for instauce) the Vedas, so intimate in the personal relatious coutemplated, and in great measure realized; and yet carried into practical and general action by the doctrine of the Incarnation to a degree which without it could never have been possible. If the survey of the early course of ages leads us to look at the religious instinct from the first as a dim sensitiveness to a new world, whose character is shadowed forth in the conscience,

giving doubtless, as imperfect senses as sharing whatever degree of relativity give, new error as the necessary ac- sensible knowledge possesses, some of companiment of new knowledge (hence his most startling paradoxes fall; and the superstitions and distortions which an adequate recognition of the province have discredited the religious instinct), of latent reasoning and its tests would surely we have here, in the later puri- still further diminish the force of his fying and focussing of the ethical destructive criticism. Mr. Balfour's ideals, a step at least in the direction constant dilemma, reason or "inof a rational indication both of the stinct," practically identifying "reatruth that what is manifest is a new son 99 with complete philosophical sensitiveness to a new light, and of the analysis, ignores here the third ground nature of the reality towards which of a rational instinct which represents the religious consciousness is advanc- a latent rational process, ascertainably ing.

such.

On the whole it would appear that And as there is a rational as distinct the strength of Mr. Balfour's main from a blind instinct, so there is an position depends on his faithful adhe- open-eyed as distinct from a blind rence, in its interpretation, to the quasi- sense of need. And so understood, we inductive method on which it is really believe Mr. Balfour is on right lines in founded. Where his observations have giving us a groundwork for our acceptbeen patient and accurate, his conclu- ance of the great presupposition of sions are true and powerfully stated. theology, a Wise and Holy Author of He not only successfully disposes of the Universe, the satisfaction which the claims of Naturalism as a sufficient that assumption ministers to an urgent philosophy, and of the naturalistic ac- and constant need. count of ethics and of human reason, but he gives the individual good ground to look for what his own reason cannot lead him to by a direct path, in those great religious assumptions without which our nature remains so incomplete, and our deepest needs continue unsatisfied a process which has some analogy (though but a partial one) to the formation of great hypotheses to explain natural facts.

But it is obvious that utterly blind and stupid guesses at Nature's methods would be quite useless in leading to true results. And so too, if Mr. Balfour's destructive criticism of the analytical processes (notably in the chapter on the "Philosophical Basis of Naturalism") are as valid as he seems to suppose, a reason so misleading, when we can observe it closely, will not seem fitted to suggest, with any prospect of accuracy, the general lineaments of a Life-philosophy.

The nature of the justification is at least in keeping with the character of the assumption. If the need points to a great reality, a fuller and higher embodiment and source of those ethical and rational instincts which the need represents, it is to be expected that we should not "know as we are known" by a Reason so far above our own. A dog cannot understand the means whereby its master does effectually convey to it his will, and secure its obedience. We have no help for it but to surrender ourselves to what are so far non-rational causes of belief, that we cannot rise to their apprehension by direct logic; and the experience of consequent harmony and growth may well be at least one principal element in the justification of our trust.

And further, once the bridge is crossed which joins us to the world of reality, according to Joubert's saying, "In poetry I should fear to go wrong if I differed from poets, in religion if I differed from the Saints," Author

But here we believe that Mr. Balfour's observation of the relevant facts is at fault. The reasoning processes, ity, whose credentials are discerned if patiently surveyed, do not yield such bewildering results as he supposes. If physical science is clearly understood

through the rational and moral light, has great value in carrying us further. Those in whom need and satisfaction

have been deepest may well determine | have therefore fallen outside our scope. the line of further advance.

We may instance as an example the admirable treatment of "Beliefs, Formulas, and Realities."

Throughout the book we have a combination, especially suited to our own

cal is so general, of a deep sense of the difficulties of man's position, and of the need for light we do not possess, with an equally deep sense that a practical acquiescence in scepticism or Agnosti cism would be to deny what is best in

The justification, then, of our religious convictions solely by the satisfaction they afford to what we have called a blind sense of need, while it harmonizes with one strain in Mr. Bal-time, when the temperament of a Pasfour's disparagement of human reason, and with a pessimistic interpretation of his saying that "certitude is the child of custom " a saying which naturally recalls David Hume-appears to us both inadequate and out of harmony with the general drift of his striking our nature. That a great reality bebook. And so, too, a blind surrender yond us is the source of all that is to Authority is an inadequate account highest in us is for Mr. Balfour a cenof the trust in Authority, the necessity tral belief which no detailed defeat of and value of which, in the social and the reason can shake; and it would be religious life, he so powerfully exhibits. difficult to express better the sense We can accept his analysis and his with which the reader arises from the conclusion only with the reservations perusal of this work, of the painful and we have indicated. Theism as the even exaggerated sensitiveness of its presupposition of Theology is accepted, author to the limitations of human as an external world is allowed as a knowledge, to the shadowy and relative necessary presupposition to science. character of all we can grasp, to the In neither case can a complete logical darkness which shrouds the vast Truth proof be given. In both cases our in- which exists somewhere to be known, tellectual (and ethical) nature points to if ever the limitations of our present their rational necessity for the comple- condition can be cast aside, than by tion of the scheme of human knowl- recalling the words in which a great edge. The analysis of past experience Christian thinker of our in the one case and of the phenomena of consciousness in the other indicate a conclusion which they cannot reach. In both cases the last link of the process is outside the province of human reason, but that is (in the case of Theism) at least in harmony with the supposition that a Higher Power is acting on us, whose evidence is in our own life and growth, but whose proportion to ourselves is not such as to allow that we should hold it in the grasp of our limited faculties.

own time

directed that his death should be described on his grave: “Ex umbris et imaginibus in veritatem."

From The Fortnightly Review.
SOPHIE KOVALEVSKY.1

La femme est toujours femme et jamais ne sera
Que femme, tant qu'entier le monde durera.
MOLIERE.

THE story of Sophie Kovalevsky is the story of a life divided against itself, of a conflict in which the comba

1 Souvenirs d'Enfance de Sophie Kovalevsky. écrits par elle-même, et suivis de sa biographie par Mme. A.-Ch. Leffler, Duchesse de Cajanello (Paris, Hachette et Cie.).

The directly practical object of Mr. Balfour's book has made it necessary to consider chiefly its main conclusion, and it has been impossible to do this briefly. We regret that the profoundest portions of a work, most suggestive Vospominania Detsva, published in the Vestnik throughout, and in parts very powerful, the same year into Swedish, under Madame KoEvropy of July and August, 1890; translated in passages characterized by a philosoph-valevsky's direction, with the title "Ur Ryska ical comprehensiveness and wisdom which are not equally apparent in some of the destructive criticisms it contains,

Lifvet."

sky, has been recently translated into English. Vera Barantzova, a novel by Madame KovalerWard and Downey, 1895.

them to be washed and dressed.

much

tants were differing sides of the same reinforced at night by a young servant
personality. It was a contest for su- girl, who extemporized a bed for her-
premacy between heart and brain, in self by spreading "a piece of grey felt
which it is difficult to say which carried on the floor." In the morning a pleas-
off the victory. The latter could in- ant odor of coffee added itself to the
deed point to the brilliant successes many already existing, and "Niania,”
which the world admired, but for these herself half clad, dispensed coffee and
the former exacted payment in full rolls to the children in their beds ; only
measure. It is to Madame Kovalev-by and by would the time come for
sky's own pen that we are indebted for
the interesting and charmingly told "It must be admitted," says Madame
story of her childhood and early youth. Kovalevsky, that much time was
These recollections, her first literary not spent on our toilettes. Niania
work of importance, were published in passed a wet towel over our faces and
the last year of her life, and were re- our hands, passed a comb once or twice
ceived with a burst of admiration both through our tangled hair, put on a
in Russia and Scandinavia. Sophie frock with several buttons missing, and
Kovalevsky was born at Moscow about we were ready." The necessary atten-
1850. Her life, therefore, may be said tion to the chamber seems to have
to have run almost parallel with that been taken in hand by "Niania" in
important period in the history of her
the same style. "Without
country which began with the Crimean troubling herself about us, she would
war. Very curious is the series of sweep the floor, raising a thick cloud
vivid pictures she draws of a Russian of dust, throw the coverlets over our
upper-class household of forty years little beds, shake the mountain of pil-
ago. The children, at this period of lows on her own bed, and the room was
their lives, seem to have been per- all right for the day." Anna, being
mitted to catch only occasional glimpses some years older, escaped for a while
of their parents, to whose presence to the French governess; but Sophie
they were summoned for a few min- and her little brother "remained and
utes, previous to their departure for played with their toys on the great
some social function, when they gazed leather-covered divan with the horse-
admiringly at their father's orders and hair protruding through its many
their mother's jewels. For the rest, holes." "Niania " sometimes told
they lived in their own appartment
with their nurse, an ignorant peasant
woman, but warmly attached to the
family, and especially to little "Sonia,"
whom - rightly or wrongly · she be
lieved to be less loved by her parents
than either her elder sister or her little
brother. Madame Kovalevsky's ear-
liest recollections were associated with
this large, low room (so low that by
standing on a chair "Niania" could
touch the ceiling), with its close atmo- even looked at her," both she and
sphere and its ever-present peculiar "Excellency" "" wanted a boy
smell; itself a compound of innumer- much." Neither fresh air nor regular
able other odors, of incense, of tallow exercise for the children seem to have
candles, and the mixture used by entered into the ideas of "Niania."
"Niania" for her rheumatism. Here The French governess, indeed, never
the three children quite literally lived came to the room without holding her
-here they spent their days; here handkerchief to her nose, aud implor-
they played, and ate, and slept they ing "Niania" to open the windows;
and their nurse; their number being but the suggestion was always received

--

them stories about the "Twelveheaded Serpent," the "Black Death," and others of the same stamp ; and the proceedings were often enlivened by the visits of the other servants and sundry gossips to drink tea with "Niania." The little Sophie, listening to their conversations, learned amongst other things that she herself had not been very heartily welcomed into the world. That the "Barinia' never

by her with unconcealed irritation as a personal insult, and a mischievous foreign notion.

not in those days-probably are not even in these easily procurable in remote country houses in Russia, and We are not surprised to learn that for one of the children's rooms at Palipoor little Sophie was, in her fifth year, bino sufficient wall-paper had not been attacked by a serious nervous illness. forthcoming. It had therefore been Happily for her, at this juncture her papered with old disused printed paper, father retired from active service, and amongst which were several sheets of withdrew with his family to his estate Ostrogradski's lectures on the differenof Palibino, in the government of tial and integral calculus; a reminis Vitebsk. At Palibino "Niania" would cence of General Kroukovsky's student probably have found it more difficult to days, and a hint, perhaps, that Sophie's preserve her cherished methods, but great mathematical gifts had not deher reign was destined to come to a scended to her from her father. This speedy close. The general had now a room possessed a strong fascination for good deal of time on his hands, and it the little seven-year-old maiden. Here occurred to him to investigate certain she was to be found daily, her attenof the domestic arrangements, with tion riveted on these walls, striving to results apparently startling to himself understand something of the strange and others. A domestic court-martial figures and stranger formulas. "I rewas promptly held; the French gov-member," says Madame Kovalevsky, erness was dismissed, "Niania" de-"that every day I used to spend hours graded to a lower rank-the care of before these mysterious walls, strugthe children being exchanged for that gling to understand some of the senof the linen - and an English govern- tences, and to find the order of the ess replaced these fallen authorities. It is with a feeling of patriotic pride that we read Madame Kovalevsky's account of the labors and the victories of our brave compatriot.

- God knows

She tried hard to turn our room into an English nursery, and to make us into English girls of the approved type. The task was not an easy one, but thanks to a remarkable perseverance, she to some extent attained her ends. She introduced a wholly new element into the household. Although she had been brought up in Russia, she preserved all the characteristics of the Anglo-Saxon race, steadiness, method, tenacity of purpose. These qualities were precisely the reverse

of those which characterized the rest of the household, and they account for the strong influence she exerted amongst us.

sheets. By dint of long contemplation some of the formulas became fixed firmly in my memory, and even the text, though I could comprehend nothing of it at the time, left its impression on my brain."

When, several years later, her father was prevailed on to let her have some instruction in mathematics, the results were a surprise and a revelation to all concerned; not least to the little pupil herself. The mysteries of the walls now grew clear, and her progress was made by leaps and bounds. The differential calculus presented no difficul ties to her, and her tutor found that she knew the formulas by heart, and arrived at solutions and explanations quite independent of his aid. There was no denying her talent; nevertheless General Kroukovsky regarded its development with distrust, and something like dismay. It was altogether out of the ordinary course of things to see a little girl devoted to the differential calculus, and was a state of matters that might become difficult to deal

Little Sophie, so recently in danger of becoming a nervous, sickly child, showed a marked improvement in her health under the rational system established by the admirable "Malvina Jakovlevna." She once more took a firm hold upon life, and proceeded forthwith to point out in what direction with. Moreover, he had difficulties her vocation lay. enough on his hands. Already some

The resources of civilization were painful experiences with his elder