INTRODUCTION. in 



pealing by the mouth of her warm-hearted advocate in 

 one of the greatest centres of civilization and evangeli- 

 zation in the world, for help in her feebleness, light in 

 her darkness, truth wherewith to battle her own error, 

 and redress against her cruel wrongs of centuries. Help, 

 light and redress, however tardy their approach, are 

 perhaps effectually nigh at hand. These tones of witch- 

 ing mastery will not let her plead in vain. The laugh 

 may now be raised, and the burst of applause alternate 

 with the cheerful approval of that throng, still in those 

 thrilling moments of silence, now so breathless, does that 

 sun-burnt, care and travel-worn, yet happy man, give 

 utterance to feelings and sentiments which melt the 

 heart, subdue the being, and enchain the soul. The union 

 of mankind, into one common brotherhood of feeling, in- 

 terest, sentiment and love, despite all differences of race, 

 colour, clime, speech, condition, and nationality, seems 

 to be actually brought about. The attention is kept up 

 until the end; and furthermore, this interest is not dis- 

 sipated by those final bursts of applause. 



The period of the visit of the Doctor here was oppor- 

 tune. Various circumstances at that time kept our 

 academic body, and especially the chief authorities, in 

 residence. Yet he did not intentionally choose this occa- 

 sion for his visit; on the contrary he had previously 

 arranged to go to Lisbon at the same time ; but this plan 

 was frustrated by the malaria then prevailing there. The 

 Council promptly granted the Senate-House. Dr Whewell, 



1—2 



