THE 
JOURNAL OF SCIENCE. 
JUNE, 1884. 
I. WHAT IS RELIGION? HYLO-IDEALISM ? 
By S. Billing. 
PAMPHLET with the above title, by C. N., anno- 
tated by Dr. Lewins, with Appendices, is intended 
more or less to exemplify Hylo-Idealism, which he 
assumes should take the place of all. other religiousphilo- 
sophies. Several notices on the subject appeared in the 
“ Journal of Science,” difficult to understand because, un- 
connected, they conveyed the impression (to my mind) of an 
ill-digested Materialistic propaganda. By advertisement it 
appears the subject is collected and presented as a whole, by 
C. N. and Capt. McTaggart, aided by a critique of the latter 
work in the March number of this Journal. The critique 
by your reviewer excited my attention, and induced me to 
read the pamphlet. The reviewer, with his usual kindness, 
has conveyed a favourable impression of the work ; but it 
appears to me he has. either been biassed in his judgment, 
in his desire to say pleasant things, or he is wanting in that 
logical discernment so necessary to be employed on subjects 
of this class. I fail to find in this review that comprehensive 
grasp and powerful acumen which are so ably exhibited when 
the examination of works on Biology, Chemistry, and other 
subjects of pure Science are the questions in comment. 
The time was when some learning was required to write 
even a comment upon received opinion, but this is all re- 
versed ; flippant observations now have the place once 
occupied by research and learned lucubrations, bald assump- 
tions are paraded as results, and great names spice the 
VOL. VI. (THIRD SERIES). y 
