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sort of works which are used m the dissemination of error ; and, if we wish 

 to overtake and circumvent error, we must use the same methods. Our 

 works must be as engaging and inviting — I hope, indeed, a great deal more 

 engaging and inviting— than those which we condemn, I think this Society 

 will do well, now that it has arrived at a certain stage of maturity, to devote 

 its attention to the production of works of this kind. They ought to be 

 cheaper than any of those works of evil which we desire to combat, and in 

 this respect we ought to be able to win the battle. We start with very great 

 advantages on our side ; and, if the works of our opponents are sold for two- 

 pence, we ought to be able to sell ours for a penny. (Hear, hear.) We 

 ought to make use of the first attraction of all, namely, that every one can 

 afibrd to buy what Ave can afford to sell. We are bound to ask ourselves 

 what constitutes attraction in the minds of the many. I object to the use of 

 any class distinctions in putting forward literary productions, such as calling 

 them " works for artisans," &c. There are works which are intended 

 for scientific minds, for the use of persons engaged in the pursuit of 

 particular branches of learning ; but outside these, and distinguished 

 from them, there are the books addressed to the general reader, who 

 wishes to approach a subject without preliminary learning and to un- 

 derstand what he reads. This is the only distinction which should be 

 observed. The publications I speak of ought to be prepared for the use of 

 the general reader. If this plan were adopted, you would invite the 

 attention of the working-man as a member of the general community, and 

 not as one outside the community, and one to be treated in a special 

 manner, and you would thus bring him within the brotherhood of know- 

 ledge. These works should, then, be written in the most simple and common 

 language. I do not wish to say anything depreciatory of what is called 

 scientific language ; but every scientific man must admit that such language, 

 as addressed to the general reader, is little more than a jargon of two dead 

 languages mixed up in the most unsatisfactory manner, and conveying no 

 meaning whatever. You must, then, take a review of that which you wish 

 to do, and you may be quite certain that if you adopt jthis course the work 

 will be accomplished in a manner which will fulfil the desire that is enter- 

 tained. If you start at random upon this great and very grave task, the 

 result will be the same as it would be if you went into a shop, gave a very 

 ambiguous order, and expected to get what you wished for ; it would, in 

 fact, generally be disappointment. I think, then, that the Council should 

 first attempt to get a clear comprehension of the character of the work, and 

 that they should then obtain the services of those who, from their clearness 

 and force of expression, their knowledge and learning, would be capable of 

 producing a review of modern science, leading, step by step, up to the 

 conclusion we desire— that is to say, leading from nature to nature's God. 

 (Applause.) If time permitted, I could give, not a perfect, but a slight 

 sketch of the sort of work I have in my mind ; but I am warned that 

 the time at the disposal of any individual spenker is short, and if I 

 entered further into the subject I am afraid I should go beyond the period 



