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JOURNAL OF THE PLYMOUTH INSTITUTION. 
the views of so great an authority as Mr. Froude on his own 
special study. But as I have referred to history with the desire to 
compare the task of the historian with the task of computing the 
nature of the forces which now shape the course of the human 
mind, I take the opportunity to consider in what direction the 
historian himself is carried by the prevailing winds of thought, 
what are the currents that set towards certain quarters in his 
particular groove. If Mr. Proude considers such an imaginative 
genius as Shakespeare to be our best historian, we may perhaps 
draw some inferences as to the prevailing characteristics of thought 
in the year 1870, from the specimen which we find in the mind of 
Mr. Froude. 
I have used the word douht. I know to many minds this word 
has a very alarming significance. It carries havoc with it among 
some of our most cherished ideas, opinions, beliefs, and hopes. 
Eut I am also aware that there are literally no playthings so 
dangerous as words, that no edged tools can surpass words in the 
wounds that they inflict when unskilfully handled ; and as 
President of your Institution I have no right to use such in- 
struments wantonly and recklessly, in a manner that could by the 
remotest chance spread terror among the timid, put the fearless on 
their guard, or gratify the tastes of the reckless and inconsiderate. 
I will not say with Tennyson — 
" There is more good faith in honest doubt, 
Believe me, than in half the creeds." 
But I prefer another beautiful quotation from his pen — 
" Leave thou thy sister when she prays, 
Her early heaven, her happy views ; 
Nor thou with shadowed hint confuse 
A life that leads melodious days." 
I wish therefore to employ this portentous word, as a danger- 
ous implement ought only to be employed. I wish to put it to its 
proper use, to serve the purpose for which it is required, and to 
confine its effect strictly to the question which we wish to consider. 
I will use it, as Mr. Hearder uses his electric battery, the Eul- 
gurator, though it is probably ten times as explosive ; and, like 
him, attempt experiments with a flash of lightning, in a position 
of safety. 
