EEASONS FOE DISSENTING 



PROM THE 



PHILOSOPHY OF II. COMTE. 



WHILE the preceding pages were passing through, the 

 press, there appeared in the Revue dcs Deux Monties for 

 February 15th, an article on a late work of mine First 

 Principles. To M. Auguste Laugel, the writer of this article, 

 I am much indebted for the careful exposition he has made of 

 some of the leading views set forth in that work ; and for the 

 catholic and sympathetic spirit in which he has dealt with 

 them. In one respect, however, M. Laugel conveys to his 

 readers an erroneous impression an impression doubtless 

 derived from what appears to him adequate evidence, and 

 doubtless expressed in perfect sincerity. M. Laugel describes 

 mo as being, in part, a follower of M. Comte. After describing 

 the influence of M. Comte as traceable in the works of some 

 other English writers, naming especially Mr. Mill and Mr. 

 Buckle, ho goes on to say that this influence, though not 

 avowed, is easily recognizable in the work he is about to 

 make known ; and in several places throughout his review, 

 there are remarks having the same implication. I greatly 

 regret having to take exception to anything said by a critic 

 so candid and so able. But the Revue cles Deux Honclcs cir 

 culates widely in England, as well as elsewhere ; and finding 

 that there exists in some minds, both hero and in America, 

 an impression similar to that entertained by M. Laugel 

 an impression likely to be confirmed by his statement it 

 appears to me needful to meet it. 



