1897.] Scientific News. 189 
to The Open Court being reduced to an absolute minimum, its work 
has been rendered possible only by the large private endowments of 
Mr. E. C. Hegeler of La Salle, whose contributions to its support have 
exceeded its net income by ninety-six per cent. 
In the present opening number besides the Salutatory of the editor 
expounding the purpose of The Open Court, is an extremely significant 
controversy on Buddhism and Christianity between the Right Rev. 
Shaku Soyen, delegate of Japan to the Chicago Parliament of Religions, 
the Rev. Dr. John Henry Barrows, Chairman of the Parliament, and 
the Rev. F. F. Ellinwood, a prominent Presbyterian clergyman of New 
York,—a literary symposium realising the idea of a Parliament of 
Religions extension. A powerful sermon on “Trade and Usury” by 
Martin Luther, skilfully translated by Professor Carruth, a valiant 
defence of the claims of Science in Theology by Dr. Cornill, Professor 
of Old Testament history in Kénigsberg, Germany, Notes and Reviews 
of important books complete the contents. With the promise of the 
first number and its old reputation, The Open Court is assured of in- 
creased and abiding success. (Annual subscription, $1.00: The Open 
Court Publishing Co., Chicago.) 
Mr. Herbert Spencer—Mr. F. H. Collins, of Edgbaston, forwards 
an address of congratulation to Mr. Herbert Spencer upon the 
completion of his “System of Synthetic Philosophy,” signed by more 
than 80 noblemen and gentlemen eminent in public life, in literature, 
and in various branches of learning and science. The signatories re- 
quest Mr. Spencer to permit them to employ some eminent artist to 
take his portrait, with a view to its being deposited in one of our na- 
tional collections. Mr. Spencer, in a letter to Sir Joseph Hooker, 
complies with the request thus made, explaining the reasons which for- 
merly led him to refuse a similar proposal. Mr. Herkomer, R. A., has 
undertaken to paint the portrait. 
