VIIL] &|xe Srimtifit ^gpetfa jof 0siiifaisnt 151 



The few lines devoted to Comtisin in my paper on the 

 "Physical Basis of Life" were, in intention, strictly 

 limited to these two purposes. But they seem to have 

 given more umbrage than I intended they should, to the 

 followers of M. Comte in this country, for some of whom, 

 let me observe in passing I entertain a most unfeigned 

 respect ; and Mr. Congreve's recent article gives expres- 

 sion to the displeasure which I have excited among the 

 members of the Comtian body. 



Mr. Congreve, in a peroration which seems especially 

 intended to catch the attention of his readers, indig- 

 nantly challenges me to admire M. Comte's life, "to 

 deny that it has a marked character of grandeur about 

 it ;" and he uses some very strong language because I 

 show no sign of veneration for his idol. I confess I do 

 not care to occupy myself with the denigration of a man 

 who, on the whole, deserves to be spoken of with respect. 

 Therefore, I shall enter into no statement of the reasons 

 which lead me unhesitatingly to accept Mr. Congreve's 

 challenge, and to refuse to recognise anything which de- 

 serves the name of grandeur of character in M. Comte, 

 unless it be his arrogance, which is undoubtedly sublime. 

 All I have to observe is, that if Mr. Congreve is justified 

 in saying that I speak with a tinge of contempt for his 

 spiritual father, the reason for such colouring of my 

 language is to be found in the fact, that, when I wrote, 

 I had but just arisen from the perusal of a work with 

 which he is doubtless well acquainted, M. Littre's 

 "Augusts Comte et la Philosophie Positive." 



Though there are tolerably fixed standards of right 

 and wrong, and even of generosity and meanness, it 



Hegel, &c. ; je ne connais leurs divers ouvrages que d'apres quelques relations 

 indirectes et certains extraits fort insuffisants." 



Who knows but that the " &c." may include Hume ? And in that case 

 what is the value of M. Comte's praise of him? 



