Commencement of the Society. 23 



his conversation, and the mysterious power in one who 

 had studied in so many universities, and corresponded 

 with politicians in both worlds ; we must not forget too 

 that other mysterious power which is supposed to exist in 

 those who are in intimate connection with men of adminis- 

 trative influence of the time. Of all these external influ- 

 ences, unquestionably the greatest was his acquaintance 

 with both men and women of literary and scientific fame, 

 combined with his own charms of conversation, in which 

 there must have been a confidence of force, and a feeling of 

 superiority, not necessarily connected with actual mental 

 superiority, but capable of putting into the hands of men 

 of little more than average talent a power that quells for 

 a time genius itself. Although Dr. Percival had shown 

 more than ordinary talent, he could scarcely be said to 

 rise to the heights of genius, unless it be in this very 

 direction of knowing how to command the position or to 

 attract to such an extent that men willingly left him to 

 rule in his sphere. 



The formation of the Literary and Philosophical Society 

 of Manchester was an act of slow evolution. We may 

 attempt now to bring it before our eyes more clearly, not 

 merely as a meeting now and for a long time in George 

 Street, but as a power active and beneficent, led for the 

 most part by men who seldom interfered actively in public 

 matters, but nevertheless guided when they were supposed 

 to be idle, and who taught when they were supposed to be 

 ignorant. It is certainly marvellous how much the usual 

 authorities of the city have been influenced in early times 

 by the Society ; we cannot say the same now ; if it be so it 

 is certainly very indirectly, whilst many persons look on 

 the members as a number of people amusing themselves 



