A History of the Nineteenth Century, Year by Year Part 63

Beranger now retired to Pa.s.sy, then to Fontainebleau, and finally to Tours, where he completed what he called his "Memoires Chantantes" by the publication of a fourth volume of songs. After the revolution of 1848 he was elected to the Const.i.tuent a.s.sembly, but soon resigned that post. His declining years were spent at Pa.s.sy.

[Sidenote: Death of Comte]

Isidore Auguste Comte, the metaphysical writer and founder of modern positive philosophy, died on September 5, at Paris. He was born at Montpellier in 1798, and became acquainted in his early manhood with Saint-Simon. Failing to agree with Saint-Simon's doctrines, Comte began to lecture on his own system of philosophy as early as 1826. In 1849, he gave readings on the "History of Humanity." After the _coup d'etat_, however, the government of Louis Napoleon prohibited the continuance of his readings. Comte's teachings are a combination of empiricism and socialism.

The first of his numerous works was published in 1822--"Plan of Scientific Work Necessary for Reorganizing Society." Comte's most important work, "A Course of Positive Philosophy," was published in six volumes, 1830-1842.

During the period of his religious enthusiasm Comte published his "System of Positive Politics, or a Treatise of Sociology." This was followed by his "Positivistic Catechism," "An Appeal to Conservators," and "Subjective Synthesis." In England and America, Comte's works found many ill.u.s.trious interpreters, and congregations adhering to the "Positivistic Ritual" were formed at several places in England. Among his most fervent adherents were Miss Martineau, R. Congreve, Stuart Mill, Buckle, Lewes, Bridges, Tyler, and the American, Carey. Positivism also found some noted exponents in Italy and Germany.