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hence; others are rising, worthy to co-operate with them, and in 
due time to succeed them; nor need we fear that genius and energy 
will ever fail among our people. Still less have I any dread of 
that greater calamity, that in the pursuit of knowledge we may 
make shipwreck of Faith ; that Science, while like sunlight it re- 
_veals the wonders of earth, may obscure those of heaven. That 
temptation has over us but little hold; our temperament is too 
poetic, too reverential, too religious! If there be any cloud that 
throws a shadow over our prospect, it is the dread of pisunt1on, 
that bane of Ireland, whose poison has tainted every page of her 
history from the beginning to the present time; whose baneful in- 
fluence has made of no avail the valour of her heroes, the genius 
of her bards, the wisdom of her sages, and the piety of her saints! 
I say this, not from any belief that it has as yet found entrance 
among you; on the contrary, all my experience has shown that in 
this respect you are honourably distinguished above most other 
societies; and I hold the lesson which your example has thus 
given as one of the greatest blessings which you have conferred on 
your country. Yet be ever on your guard, and therefore let me 
conclude by giving you a charm against the serpent, which I re- 
ceived from one who seldom spoke in vain.* 
- * Look to the true ends of knowledge! Seek it not for amuse- 
ment, for contention, or that you may lgok down on others! Seek 
it not for profit, or fame, or power, or mean things of the sort, but 
for its own dignity and the improvement of life! Make it perfect, 
and wield it in gentleness and love! For by desire of power angels 
fell; by desire of knowledge, men. But of love there can be no 
excess, and by it neither angel nor man was ever endangered.” 
It remains now to enter on the duties to which you have called 
me- May I justify your choice! I rely on the zealous co-operation 
of you all; I rely on the talents and prudence of the Council whom 
you have appointed to assist me; but.I rely above all on the highest 
aid, Him, without whom all else is vain. May He bless our labours 
to our own improvement, happiness, and wisdom; to the advantage 
of our fellow-men, and a fuller manifestation, to ourselves and 
them, of His goodness, His glory, and His power! 
* Preface to the Novum Organum. 
