12 MORALS AND MOKAL SENTIMENTS. 



rncnt of the compromise between the ideal and the practioable in 

 social arrangements : to which end, both elements of the compro 

 mise must be kept in view. If it is true that pure rectitude pre 

 scribes a system of things far too good for men as they are, it is not 

 less true that mere expediency does not of itself tend to establish a 

 system of things any better than that which exists. While absolute 

 morality owes to expediency the checks which prevent it from rush 

 ing into Utopian absurdities, expediency is indebted to absolute mo 

 rality for all stimulus to improvement. Granted that \ve are chiefly 

 interested in ascertaining what is relatively right, it still follows that 

 we must first consider what is absolutely right ; since the one con 

 ception presupposes the other.&quot; 



I do not see how there could well be a more em 

 phatic assertion that there exists a primary basis of mor 

 als independent of, and in a sense antecedent to, that 

 which is furnished by experiences of utility ; and, conse 

 quently, independent of, and in a sense antecedent to, 

 those moral sentiments which I conceive to be generated 

 by such experiences. Yet no one could gather from Mr. 

 Hutton s article that I assert this ; or would even find 

 reasons for a faint suspicion that I do so. From the 

 reference made to my further views, he would infer my 

 acceptance of that empirical utilitarianism which I have 

 expressly repudiated. And the title which Mr. Hutton 

 gives to his paper clearly asserts, by implication, that I 

 recognize no &quot; parentage for morals &quot; beyond that of the 

 accumulation and organization of the eifects of experi 

 ence. I cannot believe that Mr. Hutton intended to con 

 vey this erroneous impression. He was, I suppose, too 

 much absorbed in contemplating the proposition he com 

 bats to observe, or, at least, to attach any weight to ; the 

 propositions which accompany it. I3nt I regret that he 

 did not perceive the mischief he was likely to do me by 

 spreading this one-sided statement. 



I pass now to the particular question at issue not 



