144 



CONCESSIONS EXTORTED BY 



adopting a correct conclusion concerning the correct interpre- 

 tation and the true bearing of facts. The changes in general 

 views that might or must follow in the event of any particular 

 hypothesis being proved, ought not much to concern him 

 who really desires to get at the truth, and for two reasons : 

 First, because, however much he may be wedded to a par- 

 ticular set of conclusions, or to particular beliefs, he may 

 feel quite sure -that if new facts are revealed which clearly 

 prove his conclusions to be erroneous and his beliefs un- 

 sound, such new facts and the revolution in opinion to 

 which they give rise will be fully accepted, whether he will 

 or no : Secondly, because, if the supposed facts should 

 turn out not to be facts at all, any appearance of having 

 wavered, or of a readiness to yield or compromise, upon his 

 part, will have been already taken advantage of by his oppo- 

 nents, who will have demanded, and perhaps already ob- 

 tained and made the greatest use of, further concessions. 

 Although it might at length be clearly proved that the 

 concessions already made had been made upon false pre- 

 misses, and ought not to have been made at all, much time 

 would have been lost, many converts to error would have 

 been gained, and much mischief done to the cause of 

 truth, which would be with difficulty repaired. 



He who really desires scientific truth must indeed be 

 prepared to sacrifice every idea that he may have held to be 

 true if distinct evidence should be brought forward against 

 it. This is indeed the only safe course, as it is the only 

 honest one. No one acting thus is in danger of accept- 

 ing false facts. He who merely desires that truth should 

 prevail would take care that the evidence upon which any- 

 new facts were said to rest was thoroughly sifted. He 



