56 COMTE TO BENJAMIN KIDD PART I 



" pedantry " this proposal deserves to be so stigmatised. 

 It is a singular example of his fondness for " Catholicism 

 minus Christianity." The director of conscience is to be 

 made supreme in the whole life of Positivism. 



The only general observation that need be added is 

 upon the name Polity. Yes, it is indeed a scheme of 

 politics that Comte has given us. There is no contrast left 

 between the organised life of society and its more strictly 

 sociological aspects as a natural growth. May we not 

 say with Mill that the natural tendency of things is 

 simply set aside? That no serious effort is made to 

 show that the predicted future has its roots in the 

 past ? May we not repeat our previous statement that 

 the predominant partner in the Polity is neither 

 scientific biology nor scientific history, but the wilful 

 will of Auguste Comte ? 



Some of the details of Comte's scheme may now be 

 run over. 



The business of government is to be assigned to a 

 triumvirate of bankers, who are to act as dictators, after 

 consultation with the " supreme pontiff," or head of the 

 spiritual power for all mankind. No more is to be heard 

 of popular rights, they are a metaphysical figment. 

 Henceforth men are to speak only of duties. The 

 dictators will accordingly name their own successors. 

 Limitations on the powers of the dictators will neverthe- 

 less exist. First, there will be absolutely free criticism, 

 at the risk of religious excommunication, or boycott, at 

 the bidding of the priests. Secondly, the priests will 

 act as a counterpoise ; or rather the spiritual power 

 will do so, composed of the priests plus the women plus 

 the " proletariate." 



The clergy are to be intellectual and moral experts, 



