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hostile attitudes of nations against nations; minor dis- 

 putes would not so easily grow into serious conflicts, and 

 diplomatic considerations would be infused with some 

 considerations of justice. It would not be derogatory to 

 the most jiowerful state to submit to the decision of such 

 a court. The feeling of security would promote the 

 feeling of friendship and goodwill ; the energies of all 

 nations would be more and more diverted into the 

 channels of useful industry, and directed to further the 

 grand interests common to all. 



The scheme can be considered chimerical only, when 

 in its totality and completeness it is compared with the 

 present unsettled state of international affairs. But it is 

 quite possible to lay a foundation to such an international 

 court, which might by degrees be developed. If a few 

 of the leading states came to an understanding, many 

 would shortly follow, and we might hope to see the 

 beginning of a new era in the history of Europe and 

 the world in which thinking men would look upon the 

 wars of France and England with the same feelings of 

 regret and pity as we do now on those waged for many 

 generations between England and Scotland. 



NINTH ORDINARY MEETING. 



Royal Institution, 22nd February, 1858. 



DR. INMAN, President, in the Chair. 



Mr. Robert Little was elected an Ordinary Member. 

 RicifARD Brooke, Esq., F.S.A., exhibited the first report 

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