ANNUAL MEKTING. 215 



in the argument itself so far as I read it.* We have been in 

 the habit, I think, of undervaluing the older method. The 

 Aristotelian logical philosophy was perhaps, in its earlier days, 

 made a great deal more of than it deserved, because it was mis- 

 appropriated ; but in these later days T am not quite certain that 

 we should not learn a good deal from it, and it arises, I think, 

 from the fact that confusion is supposed to exist between the modes 

 in which we investigate truth. Modern science, the exact micro- 

 scopic, intense examination of nature and natural phenomena lies 

 in the region of examination of facts and not in reasoning at all ; 

 but the power of reasoning disciplines the mind which is subjected 

 to the art of reasoning and that is invaluable, I believe, because 

 when we have ascertained our facts we need not confuse our 

 minor premise at all. We may find out what the facts are first, 

 and then construct our premises and from them we shall learn, 

 by a later application of philosophy, how to deduce further 

 conclusions which may, perhaps, be inherent in them, but which 

 \vi\] not be seen until we have applied the logical touch-stone to 

 see where the truth is ; and for that reason I confess I regard 

 the theory on which this investigation starts with a little 

 doubt. 



Sir William Hamilton himself, I think, has pointed out wherein 

 the former mode of investigation differs from that of later times, 

 and when we apply the logical process to that which alone is the 

 proper object, the form of thought and iiot the investigation or 

 facts, I believe we shall then be able to learn something from it and 

 attribute to it its true value. But with reference to the later form 

 of investigation — the mode in which we attack nature on every 

 side and examine it and pull it to pieces, I think we may learn 

 something from Lord Bacon, who tellsf us that we should exorcise, 

 if we can, the idols of the tribe, the den, the market, and 

 the theatre, and if we do that {i.e., strive to reduce the 

 human mind to a clear mirror not overlaid with these idle 

 superstitions), we shall then, perhaps, be in a better position to 

 discuss such a paper as this, when we quite understand all that it 

 means, which some of us (I speak for myself) do not at present ; 



* See note to first page of the Address. — Ed. 

 t JS'ovicm Orgaaon, I., § xxxix. — Ep, 



