368 STUDY OF NATURAL HISTORY. 



remembered, that all institutions, to be extensively 

 beneficial, must be altered and modified to suit 

 that progressive improvement which is the conse- 

 quence of good government. So plain a truth as 

 this, none can be found to deny in the abstract ; 

 but the moment we come to apply it in its particu- 

 lars, — to single out any one case which, for assigned 

 reasons, would appear to warrant timely but effectual 

 amendment, — our prejudice against innovation re- 

 turns with its former force ; we either forget the 

 general assent to the axiom, that all human insti- 

 tutions should be adapted to the national state of 

 civilisation, or we are prone to contend, that although 

 moderate reformation is in the main beneficial, yet, 

 in the particular case pointed out, it is uncalled for, 

 and therefore unnecessary. But the ingenuous 

 mind, anxious to discover truth, will not suffer 

 predilections to turn it aside : it will calmly and 

 patiently investigate arguments opposed to its own 

 impressions ; it will concede such points as appear 

 supported by sufficient evidence, and if, on ma- 

 ture reflection, it rejects others, it will give to 

 its opponent the credit at least of being actuated 

 by a pure and honest spirit of dissent against the 

 thing complained of. Where these feelings are 

 mutual, controversy, in all matters, will be denuded 

 of those baser passions with which human infirmity 

 has clothed it. Truth, unchanging truth, would 

 be the only object sought, and an honest and a 

 good mind will receive almost equal satisfaction, 

 if the treasure is found by another, rather than by 

 himself. It is to such minds, and such only, that 

 we now appeal. For, however warmly we may feel, 



