398 University of Bonn. [AruiL, 



which that system exerts upon the national character is undeniable ; and 

 the same may be said of our own institutions as witness the heaps of 

 prejudices that are instilled into us at Oxford and Cambridge ; for who 

 can deny (I speak not with reference to any particular subject) that 

 the English are the most prejudiced people in Christendom, considering 

 the degree of information arid experience within the means and memory 

 of all classes in Great Britain ? The Germans seem to fall into the other 

 extreme ; and, instead of having any bias in favour of received opinions 

 and established institutions, seem often to delight in overthrowing them, 

 merely because they are such. They are so rejoiced at the discovery of 

 novelty, that we should be very cautious how we adopt the new lights 

 which, from time to time, emanate from these giants of literature ; be- 

 cause, by the time we may have resolved to admit them as worthy of 

 credit, they may not improbably be blown out by the authors them- 

 selves. When we call to mind the eagerness with which Lavater's phy- 

 siognomy, and, latterly, Gall's phrenology, have been received here, and 

 the absurd notions of magnetism, idealism, polarity, and a thousand others 

 that have been engrafted on more rational views of philosophy, I cannot 

 but admit that the Germans lack, in some measure, that sober judgment 

 on which John Bull is so disposed to pride himself; and, I believe, if 

 discipline at the universities was more strictly enforced, and theses or 

 essays were instituted, calculated to make the students think more deli- 

 berately upon given subjects, it would prove a good check to that rhap- 

 sodical turn of mind for which the youths and the men are alike remark- 

 able. 



Do not suppose that, like Mr. Rose, I am enraged at the Germans for 

 questioning those old opinions which he is pleased to think preservatives 

 against infidelity. I acquit them, on the whole, of such a charge, though 

 they may, perhaps, in some cases, not have taken sufficient pains to reconcile 

 the discoveries of history and philosophy with that religion, the purity 

 and sanctity of which every good man must acknowledge, though he may 

 disregard the various traditions and ceremonies that have been handed 

 down with and engrafted upon it. I have heard, upon good authority, 

 that the tide of religious opinion is beginning to turn in Germany ; and 

 that not a few of those lofty minds, who have been wandering for a season 

 into spheres beyond the comprehension of human reason, have returned 

 earthward, with the sober conviction that the Gospel is the only safe rule 

 of faith and practice. 



The extent of their biblical researches, their profound knowledge of 

 Hebrew, of oriental manners, and of the geography of Palestine, joined 

 to a perfect acquaintance with the various philosophical systems of anti- 

 quity, have convinced the judgment of many, whom the dogmas of an 

 orthodox church might try in vain to turn, or the mere light of reason 

 be insufficient to keep in the right path. If my information be correct, 

 as I have every reason to believe, you will agree with me that the result 

 will be attended by the happiest effects for the republic of letters, and 

 will form the most splendid triumph that the Christian faith has yet 

 achieved. OXONIENSIS. 



