THE ENTOMOLOGIST'S 
WEEKLY INTELLIGENCER. 
No. 219.] SATURDAY, DECEMBER 15, 1860 [Price Id. 
THE OTHER SIDE. 
Ever? question has two sides • — two 
points of view from which we may 
look at it. But to some persons this 
idea never occurs ; they take up an 
opinion upon some point, conceive that 
they of course are infallibly right, and 
every one who ventures to differ from 
them is infallibly wrong. 
Why do they not enlarge their views? 
We cannot see the other side of the 
moon, it is true; but of most terrestrial 
objects we can see the other side, if 
we choose; then why not choose? 
Half, or more than half, the un- 
pleasantness and recrimination which 
is so frequently found in entomological 
circles arises from the extreme one- 
sidedness of the individual members 
composing those circles. A subject, no 
matter what, is looked at from one 
point of view, and the philosopher, to 
be perfectly consistent with himself, 
will not view it from any other. 
If we only knew one half of our 
friends’ faces, should we recognise 
them on first beholding the other 
half? 
Most of our opinions would be more 
or less modified if we endeavoured to 
learn and] to study what can be said 
in opposition to the views we entertain. 
Something no doubt can be urged on 
the other side, aud some of the argu- 
ments which can be used against us 
will be found capable of being well 
maintained. 
Under these circumstances is it pru- 
dent — is it wise — to maintain blindly 
that our point of view is the correct 
one? As if no one holding contrary 
opinions could by any chance be 
right. 
I don’t think as you do ; but that 
is no proof that I am right and you 
are wrong ; but only that I think I 
am right and that I think you are 
wrong. 
In ascending a hill from one side 
you get a very complete conception 
of what that hill is like as seen from 
that side; but reach the summit, and 
look down on the other side, and you 
will find that a very different view 
presents itself. Now suppose on the 
top of the hill you were to meet a 
friend who had come up the other 
side, and, without either of you glancing 
M 
