156 
EDITORIAL OBSERVATIONS. 
be of value. We must have all the aid of intellect and 
science, but we refuse its despotism and oppression. When 
both sides are heard the juryman has the advantage of both 
arguments; when clear he becomes convinced; when uncer¬ 
tain he has abundant reason for reposing on his perceptions 
or instincts. A jury of experts , the doctor thinks, would in¬ 
troduce too much law and leave out mutual considerations— 
would increase formal law and diminish instinct — would 
enlarge the head of the court and leave no room for its heart. 
Reviewing the position of the scientist as witness at great 
length, the lecturer advocated the admission of written scien¬ 
tific evidence upon which the witness may be examined and 
cross-examined if necessary. We gain by this means a clear 
and full statement which will not be stopped conveniently at 
every dangerous spot, but will either tell the truth, the whole 
truth, and nothing but the truth, or leave the witness to take 
his chance of receiving the character of a perjurer. The lec¬ 
turer concluded as follows: 
“This lecture has been in favour of giving the scientific 
man an independent position in a court of law. He becomes 
a court of appeal in himself, used equally by both plaintiff, 
defendant, and judge. On the one side, the plaintiff has the 
advantage of his knowledge and opinion, having made himself 
well acquainted with the case, and been instructed in all its 
relations to science. The same advantage is given to the 
defendant, whilst an adviser, able by his education to encoun¬ 
ter that class of reasoning, is given to the judge Scientific 
men are bound together by mutual beliefs in a stronger man¬ 
ner than the community at large, and if put into this honor¬ 
able and independent position, they will act according to their 
knowledge and character, and thus will cease much unne¬ 
cessary contradiction and opposition. Being bound to speak 
the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, they 
will feel in honour bound to do so when an opportunity offers. 
This opportunity rarely occurs in the present confusion. 
“ My belief is, that no class of men will so fully agree with 
each other as the scientific, if not kept separate by the pre¬ 
sent corrupting system, and no class will spread a more 
