Clodd's “Childhood of the Wolrd”

Abstract

THIS genial little volume is a child's book as to shortness, cheapness, and simplicity of style, though the author reasonably hopes that older people will use it as a source of information not popularly accessible elsewhere as to the life of Primitive Man and its relation to our own. In brief chapters he states the principal points of the modern science of civilisation, discussing the condition of Præhistoric savages, the early use of Stone implements and the introduction of metals, the discovery of other useful arts, the evolution of language, the invention of writing, &c. Having laid down this as a foundation, he then proceeds to his main purpose, that of explaining the successive phases of man's belief, the working of inventive fancy in mythic legend, the urdimentary ideas of the lower races as to souls and their existence in a future state, the nature of deities, and the meaning of the worship offered to them by prayer and sacrifice. Examining the religions of the less cultivated races of the world, he passes through them to arrive at doctrines which, regarding them as highest and surest, he turns all his gift of earnest eloquence to teach. This book, if the time has come for the public to take to it, will have a certain effect in the world. It is not a mere compilation from the authors mentioned in the preface, but takes its own ground and stands by and for itself. Mr. Clodd has thought out his philosophy of life, and used his best skill to bring it into the range of a child's view. Why, indeed, should hot children be taught their elementary philosophy of nature at the modern level? Why should they not begin to shape their lives by the best theory of the world, and their own place and duty in it, which their parents can accept? Thoughtful children will take in most of the facts Mr. Clodd works on, and his ideas will open many doors in their minds, leading into regions to be more fully explored years later. Much of the book, it is true, is beyond a child's unhelped understanding; not that the words are too hard, but that the ideas are. Its story is anything but “a tale of little meaning tho' the words be strong;” its simple language has often to convey thoughts too abstract for easy assimilation. Yet there is no harm in this, for the best children's books are those which in part engrave knowledge on their minds ith finished accuracy, and in part only stamp roughly impressions which will take their sharper lines another time.

The Childhood of the World: a Simple Account of Man in Early Times.

By Edward Clodd (London: Macmillan and Co.)

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