10 DISCOURSE ON THE STUDY 



ability of any evidence may be destroyed by 

 tampering with its honesty ; and, secondly, that this 

 very disposition of mind implies a lurking mistrust 

 in its own principles, since the grand and indeed 

 only character of truth is its capability of enduring 

 the test of universal experience, and coming un- 

 changed out of every possible form of fair dis- 

 cussion. 



(7.) But if science may be vilified by representing 

 it as opposed to religion, or trammelled by mis- 

 taken notions of the danger of free enquiry, there 

 is yet another mode by which it may be degraded 

 from its native dignity, and that is by placing it in 

 the light of a mere appendage to and caterer for our 

 pampered appetites. The question " cui bono " to 

 what practical end and advantage do your researches 

 tend ? is one which the speculative philosopher who 

 loves knowledge for its own sake, and enjoys, as a 

 rational being should enjoy, the mere contemplation 

 of harmonious and mutually dependent truths, can 

 seldom hear without a sense of humiliation. He 

 feels that there is a lofty and disinterested pleasure 

 in his speculations which ought to exempt them 

 from such questioning ; communicating as they do 

 to his own mind the purest happiness (after the 

 exercise of the benevolent and moral feelings)* of 

 which human nature is susceptible, and tending to 

 the injury of no one, he might surely allege this as 

 a sufficient and direct reply to those who, having 

 themselves little capacity, and less relish for intel- 

 lectual pursuits, are constantly repeating upon him 

 this enquiry. But if he can bring himself to 

 descend from this high but fair ground, and justify 



