Reviews. [ July, 
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Let us supply or rather bring down the corollary :— 
“Force is a mere property of matter,” and “ indestructible, im- 
perishable, and immortal, as matter is also its immanent force” (until 
it is exhausted, we presume). 
And how is the universe governed ? 
“The same materials and the same laws govern the visible universe,” 
and ‘‘ everywhere act in the same manner as in our proximity.” (p 45.) 
“The laws according to which nature acts and matter moves, now 
destroying, now rebuilding, and thus producing the most varied organic 
and inorganic forms, are eternal and unalterable.” (p. 33.) 
“There exists neither chance nor miracle, there exist but phenomena 
governed by laws.” (p. 38, Jouvencel.) 
“Tt depends on an accident whether or not they (natural objects) will 
enter into existence.” (p. 90.) 
A word concerning “ vital force,” and voluntary motion :-— 
oO p) 
“Vital force cannot be appealed to; that is scientifically dead.” (p. 
XXVll.) ; 
“The motion of what is called vital force, is now rejected by exact 
observation.” (p. 215.) 
“Mental function is hence a peculiar manifestation of vital power, deter- 
mined by the peculiar construction of cerebral matter.” (p. 125.) 
When the embryo of man moves in the womb ; 
“These motions are involuntary, not determined by a mental act.” 
(p. 159.) 
But the mode in which “ vibriones, microscopical animalcules of the 
smallest kind,” of which a cubic line contains 4,000 millions; the 
mode in which these living atoms move, “leaves no doubt that they 
possess sensation and will.” (p. 24.) (!) 
Having shown (as he believes) that man has no “innate intuitions,” 
the author proceeds to argue, that those who believe in a Deity on the 
ground that the idea is innate, have no foundation for their faith, and 
mentions some nations which are said not to have any conception 
of a God. 
He also adduces as evidence that the “ Indians in Oregon” have 
for their highest divinity “the wolf,” which “seems, according to 
their descriptions, to be a hybrid of a divinity, and an animal;” * 
and that, 
“Paul Kane describes the Indian Chinooks, like most red skins, to be 
without distinct religious sentiments. They ascribe everything to the 
Great Spirit; but this Great Spirit is, according to their ideas, a very 
vague being, and not the object of any worship.” (p. 187.) 
Weighty evidence against “ innate intuitions,” and ‘ the Existence of 
a, Deity.” There is more of the same kind in the same chapter. 
Amongst his authorities for disbelieving in the immortality of the 
_ soul, are, “the celebrated Chaumette,” who, during the French revo- 
lution, “erected in the cemeteries statues representing Sleep ;”’ Lessing, 
who thought it must be a great “ennui” to live for ever ; Danton ; 
ue LES Ista, 
