328 JOURNAL OF THE PLYMOUTH INSTITUTION. 
sensible objects. The subjective facts of the universe are as real 
as the objective, and equally give scope for exactitude and discrimi- 
nation; while the former developes more than anything else a 
peculiar subtlety and caution, which qualify the mind especially for 
dealing with those matters in life which require a careful sifting 
of moral probability. Every contribution to the general power of 
good thinking, be it from Physical Science or any other source, is 
to be hailed as a substantial addition to permanent mental wealth. 
Once more. May it not be worthy of consideration, both in 
the interests of true Science and of the public good, how a spirit 
properly belonging to the sphere of scientific investigation, and 
essential to its highest success, may pass over into other depart- 
ments of life, and, the august name of Science being appealed to, 
may be applied in a form productive of incalculable mischief? I 
have pointed out how the scientific investigator must, if true to 
his calling, be independent of all authority, and that, in so far as 
this free spirit is cherished, other things being equal, advance in 
knowledge will be secured. Now it is obvious that this spirit of 
utter disregard of all human opinion, so valuable in Physical 
Science when duly cherished, offers a strong temptation to certain 
human tendencies to lay hold of it, and transfer its exercise into 
departments of activity utterly dissimilar. It is obvious that 
what is noble in a man bent on finding out the order of Nature 
by cautious examination of special facts would be detestable in 
the man who, possessing no scientific capabilities, but only a mere 
smattering of what others have said and taught, thinks that he is 
justified in speaking irreverently of venerable names, treating with 
disdain accepted forms of belief, and looking with the suspicion 
and distrust of an anarchist on all stable forms of government. 
Doubtless there is often a misplaced deference paid to names ; 
doubtless beliefs, social and religious, moral and scientific, in some 
instances rest on no solid basis, and are therefore the legitimate 
objects of criticism, and doubtless also political institutions have 
sometimes grown up as the result of an unavoidable compound of 
folly and wisdom, justice and injustice ; and no man who believes 
in the indestructibility of truth will object to the most rigid 
enquiries, carried on with the severest scientific independence, as 
to the foundations on which they rest, and as to the actual truth 
the place of which they have usurped before the popular eye. 
Looking on to the purification of truth by trial, I for one am glad 
