The Contemporary Review, January 1883: Vol 43, No. 1

In Short

This volume gathers nineteenth-century essays by prominent thinkers, politicians, and scholars exploring the political, religious, and social debates of 1883. The contributors analyze pressing international conflicts in Madagascar and Egypt, dissect domestic political struggles, evaluate the state of University representation, and debate the moral dimensions of science, religion, and literature. Its enduring interest lies in its vivid snapshot of Victorian intellectual life, capturing how thinkers of the era confronted rapid modernization, colonial expansion, and shifting democratic ideals.

The Story

The volume opens with an examination of foreign policy and colonial entanglements, beginning with an investigation into the fraught relations between England, France, and Madagascar. Reverend James Sibree traces the history of French claims over the island, criticizing aggressive actions such as the Lambert treaty of 1862. He highlights the diplomatic and cultural ties between Great Britain and the Malagasy sovereign, noting how local customs, military terminology, and educational terms have drawn from English influence while warning against imperial overreach.

Turning inward to domestic concerns and political theory, Henry Dunckley addresses the Conservative dilemma in Britain. He examines leadership rivalries, focusing on figures like Sir Stafford Northcote and Lord Salisbury, while articulating the necessity of a balanced two-party system. Dunckley argues that Conservatism must align with historic traditions rather than artificial policy maneuvers, noting that human temperaments naturally divide between the desire to conserve existing institutions and the drive toward reform. Edward A. Freeman further expands on British political structures by critiquing University representation in Parliament. Examining voting patterns across Oxford, Cambridge, Dublin, and Scottish universities, Freeman notes with dismay that higher education seems to correlate with political conservatism, suggesting reforms to restore academic integrity to the voting body.

The collection also engages deeply with religious and philosophical questions. W. S. Lilly provides a multi-part analysis of the religious future of the world, debating the limits of secularism, the nature of belief, and the rise of "free clergy" in modern civilization. Scholars explore the history of Christian scholarship, detailing the origin of the Acta Sanctorum by Rosweid and the Jesuit Bollandists, whose meticulous historical research shed light on ancient calendars, monasticism, and Eastern itineraries. Meanwhile, discussions on Islam focus on the political significance of the Caliphate and widespread expectations surrounding the coming of the Mehdy.

Literary and artistic criticism offers further reflection on human nature and expression. A detailed study of Shakespeare's Hamlet investigates the prince's profound life-weariness, his disillusionment with his mother, and his moral isolation. Additional contributors assess the art of Rossetti, the biography of Fanny Burney, and the spiritual depths of Rembrandt's painting.

Finally, the volume confronts social reform, industrial expansion, and scientific progress. Writers debate the merits of the Manchester Ship Canal, the growth of European socialism, the state of Irish political societies, and anti-vivisection debates. Herbert Spencer's social philosophy receives close attention, particularly his call for a revised ideal of life that balances industrial labor with personal well-being. The issue closes with reflections on the physical sciences, including Tyndall's research on radiation, alongside discussions of judicial reform in India and the neutralization of the Congo.

How It Unfolds

The imperial debate The volume opens by evaluating French ambitions in Madagascar and the repudiation of the Lambert treaty. Authors emphasize the sovereignty of Queen Ranavàlona and detail how English cultural and educational influences have taken root among the Hova population.

The dilemma of party politics Commentators analyze the state of British Conservatism following Lord Beaconsfield's death. They examine the parliamentary leadership of Sir Stafford Northcote and argue that political parties reflect enduring, natural divisions in human temperament.

The problem of University electors Edward A. Freeman explores why University constituencies consistently vote Conservative compared to ordinary boroughs. He advocates for an academical reform that would purify the electorate while maintaining historic university representation.

The psychological tragedy of Hamlet An essay dissects Hamlet's inner tumult, tracing his sorrow not merely to his father's death but to his mother's moral betrayal. The analysis highlights Hamlet's isolation, noble character, and deep life-weariness.

The history of sacred scholarship Scholars trace the origins of the Bollandists and their monumental Acta Sanctorum. They highlight how Jesuit research illuminated ancient geography, early calendars, and Palestinian history.

A revised ideal of modern life Drawing from philosophical critiques of modern industry, the text contrasts ancient ideals of war with contemporary devotion to commerce. It calls for an altruistic balance between labor, physical well-being, and duties to posterity.

The People

• Sir Stafford Northcote: A prominent Conservative leader in the House of Commons. He seeks to maintain party unity and lead the opposition with reason and sense, but faces criticism for a perceived lack of self-confidence and personal aggressiveness in parliamentary debate.
• Hamlet: The Prince of Denmark, as analyzed in the volume's literary criticism. He desires moral beauty, truth, and honor, but is constrained by the profanation of his family's sanctity and his overwhelming sense that the world is an unweeded garden.
• Rosweid: A seventeenth-century Jesuit scholar born at Utrecht who initiated the monumental Acta Sanctorum. Driven by a desire for rigorous historical criticism, he sought to compile authentic manuscript sources for the lives of all known saints.
• Edward A. Freeman: An essayist and political observer who wants University constituencies to reflect true academic enlightenment rather than partisan conservatism. He proposes gradual reforms to restore the integrity of the academical franchise.

In Its Own Voice

"The duty to work has taken the place of the duty to fight; and in the one case, as in the one case, as in the other, the ideal of life has become so well established that scarcely any dream of questioning it."

— A reflection on how modern industrial society replaced ancient warlike ideals with a relentless devotion to business.

"Education, culture, or whatever it is, clearly has, in political matters, a weak side to it."

— Edward A. Freeman's observation on the unexpected Conservative tendencies found among university voters.

"Shakespeare gives to him the rare nobility of feeling with the keenness of personal pleasure and pain, the presence or absence of moral beauty."

— An analysis describing the moral sensitivity that drives Hamlet's internal conflict and isolation.

What It's Really About

The collection centers on the search for moral, political, and spiritual order during a period of rapid historical transition. Beneath the specific discussions of foreign policy, election reform, and artistic analysis lies a fundamental query: how should civilized society balance tradition with necessary reform? Philosophically, the essays ask whether modern industrial progress and scientific advances genuinely enhance human welfare or simply substitute new forms of overwork and materialism for older ideals. Religiously and politically, the authors question whether traditional institutions—such as the Church, the monarchy, or ancient universities—can adapt to democratic expansion and global contact without losing their core integrity and intellectual rigor.

Why Read It Today

This volume appeals to readers of Victorian history, political theory, and nineteenth-century literature. It offers a direct window into the Victorian mind, showcasing how intellectuals of 1883 debated issues that continue to resonate: the ethics of empire, the balance between political parties, the role of higher education in civic life, and the human cost of unceasing commercial toil.

Reading the collection feels like sitting in a Victorian library, listening to articulate, highly educated thinkers untangle complex world events. The prose is clear, formal, and confident, though modern readers must navigate period-specific political references, dense historical detail, and Victorian perspectives on foreign cultures and religion. What remains with the reader is the seriousness of purpose with which these authors approached their world, treating every topic—from Shakespearean drama to canal construction—as a matter of profound civic and intellectual consequence.