520 LOGIC OF THE MORAL SCIENCES. 



or descriptions of persons, which is universally acknow- 

 ledged as indisputable*. 



And finally, if we could even obtain by way of 

 experiment a much more satisfactory assurance of 

 these generalizations than is really possible, they 

 would still be only empirical laws. They would show, 

 indeed, that there was some connexion between the 

 type of character formed, and the circumstances 

 existing in the case; but not what the precise con- 

 nexion was, nor to which of the peculiarities of those 

 circumstances the effect was really owing. They 

 could only, therefore, be received as results of causa- 

 tion, requiring to be resolved into the general laws of 



* The most favourable cases for making such approximate 

 generalizations are what may be termed collective instances; where 

 we are fortunately enabled to see the whole class respecting which 

 we are inquiring, in action at once; and, from the qualities dis- 

 played by the collective body, are able to judge what must be the 

 qualities of the majority of the individuals composing it. Thus the 

 character of a nation is shown in its acts as a nation: not so much 

 in the acts of its government, for those are much influenced by 

 other causes; but in the current popular maxims, and other marks 

 of the general direction of public opinion ; in the character of the 

 men or writings that are held in permanent esteem or admiration ; 

 in laws and institutions, so far as they are the work of the nation 

 itself, or are acknowledged and supported by it ; and so forth. 

 But even here there is a large margin of doubt and uncertainty. 

 These things are liable to be influenced by many circumstances : 

 they are partly determined by the distinctive qualities of that 

 nation or body of persons, but partly also by external causes which 

 would influence any other body of persons in the same manner. In 

 order, therefore, to make the experiment really complete, we ought 

 to be able to try it without variation upon other nations : to try 

 how Englishmen would act or feel if placed in the same circum- 

 stances in which w r e have supposed Frenchmen to be placed ; to 

 apply, in short, the Method of Difference as well as that of Agree- 

 ment. Now these experiments we cannot try, nor even approxi- 

 mate to. 



