80 Animadversions on Mr. GeneVs Memorial, fyc. 



man as presented to the scientific world, in his " Memorial 

 on the Upward Forces of Fluids ;" but, in making a further 

 appeal on this subject to public opinion, it is so manifestly 

 desirable that both parties should be heard before the same 

 tribunal, that I feel assured you will allow me to occupy a 

 few of your pages for that purpose. I agree perfectly with 

 you sir, that the legitimate end of controversy is the discov- 

 ery of truth, and that in conducting it, personalities ought 

 to be avoided; should I not in this communication steer 

 more clear of these, than has the gentleman to whom I am 

 replying, I shall only add one other to the numerous proofs, 

 that we are very indifferent judges where self is a party. 



Mr. Genet has, in your Journal, brought against me sun- 

 dry charges, of some of which I deem it necessary to take 

 notice, as the Franklin Journal is not in the hands of many 

 of your readers. I am not so vain as to expect to convince 

 Mr. Genet that he has himself committed the error which he 

 ascribes to me, but I may, perhaps, succeed in proving this 

 to " impartial judges." In speaking of my first notice of his 

 works he says, (vol. 11, p. 102.) "But I find, that excep- 

 ting a few additional acerbities, and ungenteel allusions to 

 my advancing age, the Editor has," &c. The following is 

 the only passage in my Journal, to which it is possible he can 

 allude. " We were, however, unwilling to interfere with 

 the whimsies, and to disturb the reveries, of a very respecta- 

 ble man, who, probably has cherished fond hopes of this 

 child of [his] old age ; it was the more unpleasant to us, 

 as we have had some personal knowledge of the gentle- 

 man, and have respected him highly." (Franklin Journal, 

 vol. 2, p. 44.) Few persons, I apprehend will find in this 

 language, acerbities and ungenteel allusions. It is conce- 

 ded, on all hands, that there is a legitimate use of ridicule, 

 and that this weapon is very properly employed against ex- 

 travagance, fanaticism and presumption ; not only in reli- 

 gion, but on all other subjects. " Need I cite examples to 

 show, that men in many respects intelligent, have propound- 

 ed the most absurd doctrines, and supported the most ri- 

 diculous projects, particularly on the subject of Mechanics ? 

 Such instances are too numerous and too well known to re- 

 quire exemplification." We might at once pronounce the 

 man no mechanical philosopher, who should pursue the 

 phantom, perpetual motion, yet he might be, not only a ve- 

 ry good man, but on other subjects a very wise man. 



