of representing things, as they are not. · A Child, an Idiot, or a Maniac, might be allowed such wretched imbecility; but, in any higher character, it ought only to provoke our contempt. Effectually to subvert this poisonous maxim, let us strive to establish that of the Grecian sage, Ορθον η Αληθεί αει. “ Truth is always right." If so, Error is always wrong.

"None sends his arrow to the mark in view,
"Whose hand is feeble, or his aim untrue.
"For though, ere yet the shaft is on the wing,
"Or when it first forsakes th' elastic string,
"It err but little from th' intended line,
"It falls, at last, far wide cf his design *."

From that principle of Benevolence, by which we ought to be universally actuated,

Is it not surprising, that the advocates for the harmlessness of error should be so lost to common sense, and so destitute of good sense, as not to have discovered, what is so very obvious to the meanest capacity? Having taken but one false step out of the way of truth, every addi tional step we take must remove us the farther from it.

For, when the mind, that compleat machine, has its first wheel set wrong, which gives movement to every other, though all the rest go right, the whole will terminate in wrong,

I have felt much secret concern, in observing, of late, how many persons, whose literary endowments may be justly ranged in the highest class, have perverted them in the service of the Maxim, I have here presumed to hold up to public detestation. I should think myself entitled to far greater applause, from minds the most estimable, for employing my glimmering taper in conducting one modest inquirer into The temple of truth, than in displaying their splendid torch, to mislead unwary admirers into the devious mazes of scepticism, or error. Let the vanity of others advancing sophism; let ours be the more honourable and easy labour, of promoting and embracing truth. The whole World ought to be the Temple of truth.

be gratified, in

To the adoption of this maxim, however, incontestible as it is, and so very superior to that I have just dismissed, there are, it is to be feared, two almost insurmountable barriers-Passion, and Preju

dice. To contend with the former, is a more than herculean labour, in which I dare not engage; and, to diminish the universal influence of the latter, is no facile task. How numerous are the minds, too chaste and temperate not to be always proof against the enchantments of the circaan cup, who will, nevertheless, suffer themselves to be led captive by this usurping tyrant ! who will sacrifice even Truth itself, though adorned with all the graces of faith, and hope, and charity, for the sake of paying their more willing obedience to her stubborn foe! The man, whose judgment is really emancipated from all unjustifiable prepossession, is perhaps one of the greatest curiosities, and certainly one of the noblest characters, of every age. Rara avis *!

"The writers on Logic, whose province it is, to direct and assist mankind in the exercise of their intellectual powers, have contributed, in too many instances, to mis lead them. Sufficient care has not been taken to guard the mind against indolence, inattention, inaccuracy of observation, precipitancy of judgment, and that variety of deceptions, which arise from prepossession, passion, and

Prejudice," says one, "is that to the mind, which dust is to the sight; it both hurts the organ and disguises the object. Its narrow breast, shrivelled and confined, leaves no room for the noble parts to dilate and play. I do not know, whether it is placed by any Moralist in the catalogue of vices; but, 1 am sure, it is a vice, and productive of many more. It is a declared enemy to truth, and to the freedom of ingenuous inquiry; to the right of private judgment, and to detachments from party. But, though irrational in itself, uncomfortable to those who encourage it, and pernicious in its effects, so imperceptibly does it steal upon us, so completely does it establish its throne within us, and so entirely does it govern us, that, to reason with Prejudice, is just as available, as to hold a lamp to the blind. It hates argument, bethe innumerable biasses, to which humanity is subject. The main design with them is, to form an acute reasoner, and able disputant, with little regard to that more useful acquisition and valuable accomplishment, The love of truth." This is that moral Logic, if I may so express it, which ought never to be separated from Logic intellectual.

'cause it dreads conviction." To remove prejudice, would be making great progress towards the destruction of error, and the triumph of truth.

If I have not essayed to support this Temple with the pillar of human Authorities, it is not, because there are not many to whose exalted genius and talents I most cheerfully bow with deference and respect: but, if what I submit be not sanctioned by much higher Authority, let it perish in deserved oblivion: if it be, the Sun needs no satellites: and human authorities, after all, prove nothing, except it be, that great men, as to earthly science, are not always wise in that, which it most concerns them to understand*. The Lux evangelica is the light and guide, I implicitly follow, through all the darkness of benighted reason, false philosophy, counterfeit virtue,

Who is there, that is not well read enough to know, that authorities, equally ingenious and learned, full of the most laborious trains of reasoning, may be adduced for twenty systems of opinions, various, opposite, and contradictory?