mi.] THE SCIENTIFIC ASPECTS OF POSITIVISM. 151 



The few lines devoted to Comtism in my paper on the 

 " Physical Basis of life " were, in intention, strictly 

 limited to these two purposes. But they seem to have 

 given more umbrage than I intended they should, to the 

 followers of M. Comte in this country, for some of whom, 

 let me observe in passing, I entertain a most unfeigned 

 respect ; and Mr. Congreve's recent article gives expres- 

 sion to the displeasure which I have excited among the 

 members of the Comtian body! 



Mr. Congreve, in a peroration which seems especially 

 intended to catch the attention of his readers, indig- 

 nantly challenges me to admire M. Comte's life, "to 

 deny that it has a marked character of grandeur about 

 it ;* and he uses some very strong language because I 

 show no si<m of veneration for his idol. I confess I do 

 not care to occupy myself with the denigration of a man 

 who, on the whole, deserves to be spoken of with respect. 

 Therefore, I shall enter into no statement of the reasons 

 which lead me unhesitatingly to accept Mr. Congreve's 

 challenge, and to refuse to recognise anything which de- 

 serves the name of grandeur of character in M. Comte, 

 unless it be his arrogance, which is undoubtedly sublime. 

 All I have to observe is, that if Mr. Congreve is justified 

 in saying that I speak with a tinge of contempt for his 

 spiritual father, the reason for such colouring of my 

 language is to be found in the fact, that, when I wrote, 

 I had but just arisen from the perusal of a work with 

 which he is doubtless well acquainted, M. Littre's 

 "Auguste Comte et la Philosophic Positive/' 



Though there are tolerably fixed standards of right 

 and wrong, and even of generosity and meanness, it 



Hegel, &c. ; je ne connais lenrs divers ouvrages que d'apres quelques relations 

 indirectes et certains extraits fort insuffisants." 



Who knows but that the " &c." may include Hume ? And in that case 

 what is the value of M. Comte's praise of him? 



