PHILOSOPHY AND SPECIALTIES. 
37 
covery appears it is seized upon by the romancer for his plot 
as a deus ex machina. But if this use is more than machin¬ 
ery or incident the novel becomes a dilute treatise and is 
not proper literary work. It must also be ephemeral. Sci¬ 
ence advances, leaving its dross and errors to decay in and 
with such novels which, if they had been founded on the 
principles of human nature, might have lasted, as some other 
novels may last, while humanity endures. 
From the reasons before adduced, the w r riter in Philosophy 
no less than in literature should be an artist in language, 
strive for the melody of chosen words, for finish of style, for 
grace, subtlety, or dignity as well as precision of expression, 
in the well-ordered precession and marriage of form and 
sense. 
Has this Society fulfilled the promise of its title ? 
It is certainly not a mutual admiration society. No one 
of its members can arise and say anything marked or tangi¬ 
ble on any subject without provoking a discussion which at 
least brings out supplementary thought and suggestion and 
often sharp but useful criticism. Papers are not unfrequently 
presented expressly to elicit such discussion and criticism 
by which the Society, held as a good representative of the 
world’s audience, may correct error and expression before the 
litera imprimata fixes them in published form too late for 
emendation. 
The communications are generally prepared in writing 
and with care in style, which care grows w T ith legitimate 
rivalry. It seems to be recognized that however ready and 
bright and therefore interesting a talker may be, proper con¬ 
densation with judicious arrangement and balance cannot 
attend the best oral discourse formulated at the moment of 
delivery, though the discourse may be an imposing tour de 
force. The extempore and spontaneous discussions upon the 
papers by members, and by the author in reply, supply all 
demand in the direction of vividness and suggestion by the 
collision of several minds diversely equipped. 
