14 TOWN GEOLOGY. 



habit of mind, you will find yourselves enjoying a 

 freedom, an equality, a brotherhood, such as you will 

 not find elsewhere just now. 



Freedom : what do we want freedom for ? For this, 

 at least ; that we may be each and all able to think 

 what we choose ; and to say what we choose also, pro- 

 vided we do not say it rudely or violently, so as to 

 provoke a breach of the peace. That last was Mr. 

 Buckle's definition of freedom of speech. That was 

 the only limit to it which he would allow; and I think 

 that that is Mr. John Stuart Mill's limit also. It is 

 mine. And I think we have that kind of freedom in 

 these islands as perfectly as any men are likely to have 

 it on this earth. 



But what I complain of is, that when men have got 

 the freedom, three out of four of them will not use it. 

 What ? someone will answer Do you suppose that I 

 will not say what I choose, and that I dare not speak 

 my own mind to any man ? Doubtless. But are you 

 sure first, that you think what you choose, or only what 

 someone else chooses for you? Are you sure that you 

 make up your own mind before you speak, or let some- 

 one else make it up for you? Your speech may be free 

 enough, my good friend; and Heaven forbid that it 

 should be anything else : but are your thoughts free 

 likewise ? Are you sure that, though you may hate 

 bigotry in others, you are not somewhat of a bigot 

 yourself ? That you do not look at only one side of a 

 question, and that the one which pleases you ? That 

 you do not take up your opinions at second hand, from 

 some book or some newspaper, which after all only 

 reflects your own feelings, your own opinions ? You 

 should ask yourselves that question, seriously and often: 



