258 COSMIC PHILOSOPHY. pt. i 



dotally inclined, this tendency assumed a moral aspect. 

 These remote and audacious inquiries into the movements of 

 stars, and the development of cellular tissue, and the origin 

 of species should not only be pronounced fruitless, but 

 should be frowned upon and discountenanced by public 

 opinion, as a pernicious waste of time and energy, which 

 might better be devoted to nearer and more practical objects. 

 It is a curious illustration of the effects of discipleship upon 

 the mind, that several of Comte's disciples — Dr. Bridges 

 among others less distinguished — maintain this same opinion, 

 for no earthly reason, I imagine, save that Comte held it. 

 It is certainly a strange opinion for a philosopher to hold. 

 It bears an unlovely resemblance to the prejudice of the 

 Philistines, that all speculation is foolish and empty which 

 does not speedily end in bread-and-butter knowledge. Who 

 can decide what is useful and what is useless ? We are told 

 first that we shall never know the distance to a star, and 

 secondly that even if we could know it, the knowledge 

 would be useless, since human interests are at the uttermost 

 bounded by the solar system. Three years suffice to dis- 

 prove the first part of the prediction. In a little while the 

 second part may also be disproved. We are told by Comte 

 that it makes no difference to us whether organic species are 

 fixed or variable ; and yet, as the Darwinian controversy has 

 shown, the decision of this question must affect from begin- 

 ning to end our general conception of physiology, of psycho^ 

 logy, and of history, as well as our estimate of theology. If 

 it were not universally felt to be of practical consequence, it 

 would be argued calmly, and not with the weapons of ridicule 

 and the odium theologicum. But this position — the least de- 

 fensible one which Comte ever occupied — may best be refuted 

 by his own words, written in a healthier frame of mind. 

 " Tjhe most important practical results continually flow from 

 theories formed purely with scientific intent, and which 

 have sometimes been pursued for ages without any practical 



