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Les diagrammes suivants illustrent la mithode. ata }iure, a J 2X 1 2 3 4 5 6 LECTUllE ON FREEDOM OF MINT), BY THE REVEREND HENRY WILKES, A.M., AND SPEECH OF HIS EXCELLENCY THE RIGHT HON. THE EARL OF ELGIN & KINCARDINE, K.T., eiC, DELIVEKED BEFORE THE MERCANTILE LIBRARY ASSOCIATION MON AT THE OPENING q/ THE WINTER'S COURfl OF LECTUR^p OF TH.4^ INSTITUTION, NOV. 4 JWontrcal : PRINTED BY JAMES POTTS, HERALD OFFICE. 1848. r i' PREFACE. 1' On tlio occasion of the opening of tlio Winters Course of Lectures of the Mercantile Library Asso- ciation, tlie Introductory Lecture was delivered by the Rev. Henry Wilkes., A.M., in the Assembly Room of Donegana's Hotel, to an audience of from seven to eight hundred persons. At the upper end of the room, a platform was erected, which was graced by His Excellency the Oovernor-General, Lady Alice Lambton, Hon. Colonel Bruce, Lord Mark Kerr, Major Campbell, John Young, Esq., II. E. Montgomcrie. Esq., and several other gentlemen, including the Di- rectors of the Association. The Reverend Lecturer was supported by the President and Vice-President of the Institution. At the close of the Lecture, Ills Excellency rose, and, in a clear, distinct, and impres- sive manner, delivered a most eloquent Address. The Board of Directors of the Mercantile Library Association, actuated by a desire to perpetuate and increase the interest created by the delivery of this Lecture and Address, have decided on publishing them in their present form. They are confident that every one who had the pleasure of listening to tliese prelections, will desire to possess them in a form con- venient for reference; and they believe that those who had not that privilege, will gladly avail them- selves of the opportunity of perusing them. Of the Lecture itself, little needs to be said. The subject is a comprehensive and a \\\ pardon them if they take this opportunity of express- ing their sense, not only of the lucid and masterly manner in whicli his subject was handled, but also of the exce(.'ding delicacy and propriety of the reference to the presence of His Excellency, and the happy results which might be expected from the patronage of so distinguished a personage. His Excellency's Address contains much that is really instructive. The reader cannot fail to admire the elegance of diction, the soundness and poetic beauty of the ideas, and the fervid eloquence which characterize it. Montreal, November, 1848. T t ¥ Gentlemen, — An English classical poet hails the approach of the season upon which wo are entering, and of which your usual Eeries of public exercises gives us due notice, in an apostrophe as truthful as it is beautiful : ** O Winter, ruler of the inverted year, Thy scattered hair with sleet like ashes fill'd, Thy breath conj^eal'd upon thy lips, thy cheeks Fring'd with a beard made white with other snows Than those of age, thy forehead wrapp'd in clouds, A leafless branch thy sceptre, and thy throne A sliding car, indebted to no wheels, But urg'd by storms along its slippery way, — I love thee, all unlovely as thou seemest. And dreaded as thou art." Is not the bonovolence large that can love anything like this? D(os not this friend of darkness restrict the journey of the great orb of day, and plunge us diurnally into gloom before our work is half done ? The writer replies in vindication : « but kindly stiil Compensating his loss with added hours Of social converse and instructive ease. And gathering, at short notice, in one group The family dispers'd, and fixing thought, Not less dispersed by daylight and its cares." For seven winters has the Mercantile Library As- sociation done its utmost to realize in some good measure the conception of our poet. You have sought to improve these " added hours of social con- verse," by gathering, from time to time, into " one group " the more general family, in order to " fix the thought, dispersed by daylight and its cares." Hav- ing addressed you once or twice annually since your organization as a Society, it has been my privilege to ■ J 6 LECTtRK. mark your steady i)rofi;ress in all that should charac- terize u literary institution, and to observe that, in conjunction with your Sister Society, the Mechanics' Institute, you have acliievedthe creation, in this com- munity, of a taste for exercises such as the present. Tlie time was, when it would have been imi)ract.'cable to attract an audience of any extent, to listen to such prelections, uj)on philosophical and scientific subjects, as those which for several years you have provided. Whatever the Theatre mi!j;ht have done, the Lecture- Uoom could not have drawn a nmltitude. Unless 1 mistake, however, the case is now so strikingly otherwise, that you have had to provide once and a<^ain a larger space, which has been speedily tilled. This result is matter of gratulation in every point of view. It induces the healthful exerci.ie of the intellect, and otters such inducement for its cul- ture as greatly detracts from the otherwirsO povent influences that draw i!ito evil. It is fitted to niuke better merchants, better citizens, and better men. It is not for me to repeat now sentiments uttered five years since, on the occasion of your opening new rooms; but subsequent observation and refiectioi. have only seiTed to confirm the estimate then formed of the advantages of well-'Jondu(;ted Mercantile Lib- rary Associations. Assui'cdly you deserve well of the community. Therefore, if his Lordship will pardon the allusion, do we rejoice in the distinguished patronage and presence by which your first gathering for the present season is graced. It is truly an epoch in your history, — a point from which we hope you will start into greater success. The Representative of our beloved Queen doubtless regards with complacency your })er- severing eftbrts to promote self-improvement, and the well-being of the connnunity ; and the more so be- cause they are the exertions of a succession of young men, the future merchar.ts of Canada. Delicacv forbids more than the expression of delight that a nobleman of such high character and attainments, and in a position so exalted, should in this truly simple and kind manner cast the weight of his influ- ence into this good cause. You cannot fail to bo greatly encouraged in your laudable efl'orts, by this token of his Excellency's regard. IS'or will the example be without its effect ui)on that community to t I t LECTURE. t, + (I wliich you look for a moasuro of support. Hard as times uro, your I'ljiiuis will not bo di8rou;ardo mind is responsible onli/ to i^3 Maker and Supren; Ruler, it acknowledges no allegiance to merely fello mind — tO man it is not accountable. Responsibility of action extends into a wider sphere. We may b'c rightfully accountable to properly instituted human authority for our doings, but not for our thinking, that is independent. Our fellovvs cannot control it. The mind is beyond their reach, — nor have they the slightest right to interfere with its movements, except in the way of instruction and persuasion, which must necessarily recognise our personal freedom. This inherent liberty unfolds itself in our earliest mental efforts. The child thinks without restraint. He runs hither and thither in search of pleasurable sensations, the sources of which, ybr him, abound in every depart- ment of nature. He rapidly perceives, and conipar- ing his perceptions with one another, forms and treasures up ideas, which, although imperfect, are nevertheless there, for future correction and enlarge- ment. In possession of a little stock constantly enlarging, the young mind, careers and gambols along with the joyousness of a perfect freedom. Many an imaginary paradise does he construct, with sunny skies and wandering rills, with verdant sljpes and rocky eminences, with grass and flowers, trees and fruits. 8 LECTURE. BOinotimcs half fancying thorn real, and at other times placing thorn among the oipwjtations of tho future. Active planning and srhoming suoeoods, aid then follow the (1- •ii)p(»intnients of a more sober reality. Experience at lenttth instructs him that castle-build- ing in the air lacks the essential feature of stability, an actual foundation ! liut amid all this wildnoss or sobriety of thinking, tho consciousness of coercion never ibr a moment intrudes itself. What son or daughter of man holds the check rein by which this thinking could be nistrained? Whose voice other than that of the Almighty, may pronounce the fiat " hitherto shalt tliou proceed, but no further ?" It i9 true that by judicious education you may direct these curreius of thought into chann )ls wherei:. profit and reputation may bo obtained, but education consists not in force applied to the mmd ; it rather leads than drives /—controlling what remains perfectly free, >>y the persuasive influence of motive. Should the educator deem punishment requisite, in onlcr to in- duce diligence in a prescribed course, yet this agency cannot atfect the freedom of tho mind ; it can only suggest a motive whereby it may be induced to exercise its liberty in one department rather than in another. Tho same is true of the full aged man. Tyranny may chain his body, and oppress his interests, and larcerato his feelings, but it cannot lay its iron grasp upon his soul,— she laughs the despot to scorn, and moves as she pleases. Persecution of opinion may force men into hypocrisy ; under its goading they may bo tempted to pretend to think under authoriiy, bat it is only pretence, for thought is not to be thus coerced. Amid the gloom of the latter part of the middle ages, Copernicus with conscious mental free- dom examined the several theories of the universe, which had been propounded by ancient astronomers, and astonished at the complication of their systems, as well as at their discordance and want of symmetry, he set himself to frame out of them one tha could be established. He was an Eclectic in respect of the then state of science, and by independent thought and research, taking out of each system whatever was true, and rejecting whatever was false and compli- cated, he at length composed that admirable whole, which is now called after him, the « Copernican System," and which is, in reality, the true arrangement 1 '\ w mm LECTTTRE. 9 ^ of tho planetary economy, such as it has been estab- lished by evidence that can never be shaken. Had he slirunk from tho exercise of liis liberty of thought in deference to the sch oolmen and ecclesiastics of his age, others wouhl have subsequently discovered the truth, but his name would have had no place on the records of fame. Tiiis inherent freedom of mind asserted itself in most unpropitious circumstances in the case of Galileo. That polisiied, comprehei'«iive, large-minded, original Italia , lived in an age of mental oppression ; it being held as a crime to think in anywise ditferently from the ruling powers. But who of ihem could chain that soul ol eagle- ving ? " Galileo, ' says Professor Playfair, " is, in truth, one of those to wi.om hurian knowledge is u ' ier the greatest obligations. His discoveries in tho theory of motion, in the laws ()f tho descent of heavy bodies, and in tho motion of projectiles, laid tho foundation of all tho improvements which have since been made by tho application of mathematics to natural philosophy. If to this wo add tho invention of the telescope, the discoveries made by that instrument, the confirma- tions of tho Copernican System which these xiis- coveries atforded, and lastly, the wit and argument with which he combated, and exposed the prejudice j*nd presumption of the Schools, wo must admit that tho history of human knowledge contains few great- er names than that of Galileo." But in combating that " prejudice and presumption " to which Profes- sor Playfair alludes, Galileo came into conflict with those who sought to cui'b the freedom of thought, and for ever to stereotype the human mind. Copernicus was dying as tho sheets of his work were presented to him, so that he could not bo brought to trial for heresy. Galileo employed tho press again and again in putting forth his researches and discoveries, only however to draw down upon him tho indignation of the Holy office. The sentence of the Inquisition af- ter the imprisonment and examination of the philoso- pher was that he must recant " for 1st, (I quote from tho sentence pronounced) The proposition that the sun is in the centre of the world (meaning the plane- tary system) and immoveable from its place, is ab- surd, philosophically false, and formally heretical, Docause it is expressly contrary to Holy Scripture. 2nd, The proposition that iho. Earth is not the cen- ii\" 10 LECTURE. trc of the World, nor immoveable, but that it moves, and also with a diurnal motion, is also absurd, phi- losophically false, and, theologically considered, at least erroneous in faith." lie was condemned to suf- fer imprisonment for an indefinite period ; and, as a salutary punishment, ho was ordained to recite once a week, for three years, seven penitential psalms. This latter part wc shall hope was not a heavy bur- then, though we had rather do it voluntarily than by force. The aged philosopher having heard his sen- tence, was made to pronounce the abjuration dictat- ed to him, " I abjure, curse, and detest the error and heresy of the motion of the Earth, &c., &c." Had they, then, enchained his soul ? Had Galileo lost his freedom of mind ? On the contrary, it is said, that after ])ronouncing the abjuration, and rising from his kneeling posture, amid the confusion of the moment, he indignantly stamped his foot and said, in an under tone, "It moves notwithstandinrj ." How incompetent the Inquisition or any other Tribunal to fetter the Imman soul ! They compelled him to utter a lalsc- hocd, but they could not compel him to think one ; his mind they w^vc unable to coerce.* * This statement concerning Galileo has been honoured by a co- lumn and a half of strictu s in the "Melanp^es Keli;rieux" of the 21st instant, the purport oi .vhich is to deny the usual averment that tlie philosopher was brought before the Inquisition and subjected to punishment for his astronomical theories, and to maintain that bad theolo<-Y was the offence f(jr which he was tried. In other words, having" "been warned not to attempt to reconcile Scripture with the Copernican svsteni, he persisted contumaciously in such attempts, and was for tiiem brought up, gently dealt with, yet imprisoned and forcer' to recant. It is acknowledged that t'lere was used an uppa- rent rigour for form's sake, and for the sake of example. In reply to this article with its citation of authorities, I have to state:— 1. That when the Lecture was written I ^\as perfectly aware of the attempts which had been made by Bergier and others to vindicate the Court of Home from the charge of prosecuting Galileo on account of his as- tronomical tlicorics as being contrary to received opinions, and to Holv Scripture. The whole matter is briefly, but satisfactorily dis- cussed in the Encvdopxdia Briiannica, art. GalUfo. 2. That if for the soke of argument we were to admit the hypothesis of the "Me- lan-'es Religieux " and its cited authorities, the case would still illus- trate the jxjsition taken in the Lecture, and come legitimately under the unsparing condenmal ion it contains of all persecution for opi- nions. To have punished Galileo for liis interpretation of Scripture, or for attempts to reconcile its narrative with his astronomical theo- ries, would have Ijeen an outrage upon his - . sential freedom of mind, and a wrong done to his inherent right to tliink for hunself. This is not the place to enter into controversy with the Church of Home \ipon the existence of an earthly tribunal which men's consciences are bound to recognize in matters of religious faitii, to which the ar- ticle alluded to refers in its closing paragraph. It is enough to say that +he doctrine of this Lecture distinctly refuses to recognize any 4 LECTURE. 11 i^ It may bo asked at this point, "Is this freedom hiwlessncss ?" Is there no control, no rule for mind ? May it run riot and be rampant ? Do we remove it from the region of Law and of Government ? The reply is strongly negative. Such would not be free- dom ! Law, properly considered, is the defence and exposition of liberty. This is seen in a well ordered Government ; for under such Government only is sucli tribunul, and that it.s author, whether vieniiiin}^ the principles of the Divine government, or considering the essential nature of the human mind, arrives at the conelusion that no such tribunal can ever be lawfulbj established. 3. That the hj'i)Othesis on this matter of the "Melanges Keligieux" and its cited authorities is not established. The attempts, which have been sufHciently able and ingenious, have proved abortive. " So far was Galileo from persisting in an attempt to reconcile the Bible with Copernicus, that he regarded this as a matter altogether indifferent and indeed beside the real question. 'I am inclined to believe,' says he in his letter to the Grand Duchess of Tuscany, ' that the intention of the Sacred Scriptures is to give mankind the information necessary for their salvation, and which, surpassing all human knf .vledge, can by no other means be accredited than by the mouth of the Holy Spirit. But I do not hold it necessary to believe that the same God who has endowed us with senses, with speech, and with intellect, intendeuslv ad- don that row pro- man un- ine shall ited that le Ruler, f action, me sense " laws of :p in our ice, con- \ of asso- 3 for the 1 as that ;om our- 3n chan- cy of do- ited the ulations, jral code ness and I of the 1 cannot )verning He that ; and he ^" « He ce a city We may ose so to eschew lemands idid. He 1 for his nay rea- ly. It is rer God such ar- Le mind, exercise dividual a moral under If ho might triumph over all rule, and move uncontrolled by moral influences acting as he liked, no one else could have liberty. So, if a man's fellows, free as they are, were not reduced to obligation and placed under law, they would exercise a license incompati- ble with his freedom. Let it ever be understood among first principles that the reign of law is not only perfectly compatible withfreedoniy but is in inct essential to its existence. Having asserted the inherent freedom of the mmd, and the absurdity of all attempts by force to inter- fere with it, wo may be asked, " Is it possible to en- slave it ? Can it be brought into bondage ? Is it susceptible of enchainment ? May its liberty be laid prostrate, and be lost ? This inquiry must be ans- wered in the affirmative, but it must be added that SELF is the only agent by whom, the evil can be wrought. It may be enslaved, but self must forge and rivet its chains. Its liberty may be laid prostrate and be lost, but only a suicidal hand can deal that blow, or effect that grievous ruin. And bj what instrumentality do men bring on themselves this catastrophe ? In what manner do they reach at length this fearful issue ? The reply is by vice. But in giving this answer the word is employed in a large and comprehensive sense, including mental viciousncss as well as physical, — a want of rectitude in the soul, as also a yielding to the tyranny of a sensual course. How often is the intel- lect enslaved by prejudice and bigotry ! The per- secutors of Galileo put the fetters on their own souls which they could not rivet upon his. He demonstrat- ed that the Earth moved round the Sun, and not the Sun round the Earth. Had their minds been actively free, the proofs which convinced him could not have failed to have pers> Jided them ; but they yielded to the influence of bigotry and prejudice,— they put a veil upon their intellectual eye, and then they could not sec. The minds of many are brought into bond- age by the tyranny of fashion. They will not allow themselves to think except in accordance with the dictates of this fickle and often grotesque goddess. Trifling and foolish as she is, and withal not a whit more steady than the weathercock, she, nev ortheless, holds the many in a depressing slavery. New che throws around her bondmen and bondwomen the chains of caste, which have no regard to intellect, or B 14 LECTURE. culture, or worth, in tho separations they effect, but purely to ancestry or to possessions. The mental crouching, and fawning sycophancy perpetrated un- der tho despotism of this idol, are sad proofs that men may rob their own minds of the dignity and blessing of freedom. Respect for rank and station is one and a good thing, but a mental serfdom is ano- ther and very bad thing. The soul cannot flourish under such an incubus. It is not needful to illus- trate the many grievous ways in which sensuality de- grades and enslaves the soul. It is painful to reflect how low men may sink who give themselves up *"'to those hurtful lusts which drown them in destruc- tion and perdition." They descend into the most ab- ject and least hopeful state of slavery. And yet, all the while they are responsible for that perverted state of the aftections by which the healthful action of the mind is prevented. In view of all these qualifying considerations, we are entitled to plead for tho freedom of the mind. We may assert its claim to the highest liberty. And this is done for the purpose of earnestly insisting on the practical recognition of those rights which this inhe- rent freedom imparts. Our design is less of a specu- lative than it is of a practical nature. There has always been a tendency to denounce men for an un- popular opinion. Let the free soul in its indepen- dent investigations come athwart the thinking of some old school,— let it propound new views, or new modifications of existing sentiments, or let it see what it deems a better way than that trodden by others, of reaching a common end, — and he will often find the consequences of his temerity the re- verso of pleasant. It often happens that the loudest declaimers on the rights of man and on the value of freedom, are the least tolerant of opposing senti- ments. The men who assume par excellence the title of " liberals," are often most wrathful with those whose free minds decline subscription to all their doctrines, and refuse to draw in their harness. Some of the Cantons of Switzerland present, at this mo- ment, illustrations of this fact. The party in power, being in tho schools of politics denominated " radi- cal," refuse to tolerate any dissent from the National Church, and persecute, imprison, and banish pastors and people who venture to hold private meetings for r t s f i r . LECTURE. 15 religious services. The contrary party have, perhaps, been the greatest as they have been the oldest sinners against this law of liberty, but it cannot bo doubted that there is a tendency in all parties and in all men « to cast out" those who refuse to think and act with them. Combined opinion and sentiment may mount the throne of tyranny. All despotisms are not in single hands. The multitude may cripple individual freedom. Impatient of contradiction and annoyed at opposition, the earnest crowd sometimes forget personal rights, and put down the man who has the courage and honesty to be singular. He is made the butt of ridicule, the finger of scorn is pointed at him, or he is indignantly denounced. Pilaws in his charac- ter are searched for or imagined, and his good name is destroyed. The scourge of unpopularity is laid heavily upon him, while he is literally gibbetted be- fore the public eye for the simple crime of daring to think for himself and to avow his convictions. And all this is done in the sacred name of fre adorn, and professedly at her shrine ! Now we contend that this course is not only in itself an outrage and a wrong, but the event will shew that the sin is rctributively visited on the community in which it has existence. For it cripples and pre- vents mental progress. If you repress the movements, and put down even the erratic course of individual mind, a grievous mischief is inflicted on your genera- tion. There is original greatness in all master spirits, but it will be found that the age in its circumstances and claims ordinarilydevelopes and brings into exercise their peculiar energy. Then the great mind avails himself of the occasion, and sways these circumstances for the achievement of some noble issue. No genera- tion advances of itself. A tame monotony leaves the many what their fathers were. The army may be largo, \vg\\ appointed, and thoroughly drilled, but it Avill lie in the camp inert, until the genius and energy of the commander call it to action, and lead it on to victory. So it is in the history of truth and morals. Some restless soul denounces an unsound principle, or strikes out a vital truth ; at first it startles and perhaps offends, but ultimately it impresses and moves an entire people. Now, all intolerance of individual sentiment, out of the usual line of theory and in opposition to that of the multitude, is so far 16 LECTURE. to prevent the rising up of such men. Many of the great and good who have stirring and noble thoughts, shrink from the storm of obliquy and abuse, which their avowal would create, where the opinion of the many is a tyrant, and these thoughts are as a conse- quence utterly lost to their generation.* Besides this loss, it will be found that in these cirucmstances, the spirit of cnterprizo is repressed, and the people, hugging themselves in their superlative wisdom, and enwrapping themselves in a seven-fold robe of bigotry and prejudice, sublimely descend into a state as con- temptible as it is inane. Look at those parts of Europe and Asia in which mental slavery is a charac- teristic of the people. What avails a fine climate, a fertile soil, mineral wealth, noble rivers, good harbours, in short, all natural advantages,— they have not the mind to use them, they have neither self-reliance nor independence of character, their souls are enthralled in a dreary serfdom, and they merely vegetate, where they ought to grow into dignity and importance. Anything, therefore, which tends to repress individual and then combined enterprize, ought to be eschewed by a community. The subject is of more than usual importance in the present day among ourselves, from the fact that we are in a transition state commercially, and our prosperity as a people depends chietly, under the blessing of the Almighty, on the practical wisdom, the spirit of enterprize and industry, and the vigour of self-reliance found in the midst of us. The free-trade policy of the Mother Country, of which we have not the slightest reason to complain, has cut us oflf from that profitable monopoly which heretofore we have enjoyed. Changes are therefore forced upon us, and those minds deserve well of the community that freely exercise their right of thought upon our condition, and looking to the right hand and to the left, devise a course of action. That there will be a difference of opinion on these matters, is not only to be expected, • The sentiments in this paragraph thus far, have already appear- ed throuffh the press in an address delivered before the Theologica. Society of Dartmouth College in 1847. But, in addition to the con- sideration that a man is entitled to quote from himselt, as that ad- dress was not published in Canada, I have not hesitated to insert them here T may take this opportunity uUn of statinir that the spi- rited lyrical effusion with which the lecture closes was given in the same address. That, however, is not luy own, for alas ! I am not a poet. ; LECTURE. 17 ; I but IB to be flosired. It is seldom that all the truth on a given point lies with one mind ; others, sometimes opponents, supply the needful supplementary view ; so that both sides are required, in order to bring out and establish v/hat is true and needful. Nor do the happiest suggestions always spring from persons in higher stations. Not unfrequently is there more original and vigorous thinking in the work-shop, than in the counting-house ; or at the desk of the merchant than in the hall of legislation. Let not that freedom of mind be repressed through the influence of an absurd pride of station. Give us healthy thoughts, no matter whence they come! Hail the path of promising enterprize and ettort, whoever shall mark it out ! Listen intelligently, and with befitting deference to wise counsels, by whomsoever uttered! In our circumstances there is speci?.! need of individual thinking, and of vigorous acting. Cities have often been built up by the happy suggestion of an ardent spirit. Those manufactures or branches of trade have been introduced by individual enterprize, which have proved sources of wealth and influence from genera- tion to generation. We earnestly deprecate, therefore, all attempts to put down men who think differently from current trains of thought, and who dare to be singular. We equally deprecate the contemptuous question, " Who is he ? " before a suggestion can obtain a hearing. In discussions upon Navigation Laws and upon Free Trade, upon Protection and upon Tariff, upon the Feudal Tenure, and upon modes of taxation, let all personality be eschewed ; let us hear nothing of the station or the injltience of the man who says this or writes that, but let the simple question be. What is right ? What is truth ? What is the path which a sound, practical wisdom dictates ? We plead for an universal and most determined recognition of the freedom of mind, and of the right of freemen to express their thoughts. Tliis will be for the honour of the community, and its prosperity too ; it will allow scope for its thoughtful spirits, and wide space for its ardent ones to do their best for themselves and for their fellows. If it be inquired whether the control of law ought to regulate the freedom of expression, the reply is, of course, in the affirmative. Time does not now admit of much illustration of this point, but it may ri 11! 18 LECTURE. T be remarked, in general, that not only does the law of God regulate our language, condemning the evil and applauding the good, but there are other laws of which our fellows are the guardians and executive that rightfully regulate the exercise of this freedom. In this department also true liberty is defended and Erotected by law Whether it be well to bring men efore legal tribunals for sentiments which though generally injurious to Society have no personal refer- ence, may admit of question and doubt ; some might think that action rather than e^ccpression were the true point from which punitive consequence should spring. But, however this may bo settled, a healthy public sentiment rightfully denounces and puts down by its inherent moral force those expressions of thought which violate public decency, and would obscenely intrude themselves into the domain of virtue. There is an obvious moral limit to liberty, passing which it loses its character, and becomes licentiousness. If, therefore, men were to rise up among us, or come on a mission to us, propounding " communist " senti- ments, for example, whereby the sacred bands of marriage are rudely dissevered, and the domestic hearth is profaned, and the rights of property are trampled upon ; we would not imprison them or co- erce them, or invest them with the importance of martyrs to their miseiable theories, but we would have a healthy public sentimcmt rise up in its dignity and calmly frown into banishment doctrines so pesti- ferous. When freedom of expression passes into licentiousness, and a man abuses his liberty in attacks upon the bulwarks of private and public virtue, it is only reasonable that " men shall clap their hands at him, and shall hiss him out of his place."* On this matter we may not enlarge. The sentiments which I have sought to place before you may be summed up in a few verses of exquisite sweetness and beauty : " Free is the eagle's wing Cleavir'^ the sun's warm ray ; Free is the mountain spring As it rushes forth to-day. But freer far the mind, — Priceless its liberty ; No hand must dare to bind, God made it to be fkee ! • Job xxvi. 23. i I LECTURE. 19 i " You may chain the eagle's wing No more on clouds to soar : You may seal the mountain spring, That it leap to light no more. But the mind let none dare chain : Better it cease to be ! Born, not to serve, but reign : God made it to be free ! "Free is the mountain breeze, Floating from airy height ; Free are the rushing seas. And free, heaven's golden light. But freer than light or air, Or the ever rolling sea. Is the mind, beyond compare, God made it to be free ! " Then guard the gem divine, Than gems or gold more rare ; Koep watch o'er the sacred shrine, No foe must enter there : Oh, let not error bind. Nor passion reign o'er thee ! Keep the freedom of the mind, God mads it to be free." SENTENCE OF THE INPISITION UPON GALILEO ! "The sentence of the Inquisition upon Galileo," says the writer of an article in the Encyclopcedia Britannica, " one of the most remarkable records of intolerant ignorance and bigoted folly to be found in the history of science, is conceived in the following terms :" — "We the undersigned, by the Grace of God, Cardinals of the Holy Roman Church, Inquisitors General throughout the whole Christian Republic, Special Deputies of the Holy Apostolical Chair against heretical depravity ; Whereas you, Galileo, son of the late Vincengo Galilei of Florence, aged seventy years, were denounced in 1G15 to this Holy Office, for holding as true, a false doctrine taught by many, namely, that the sun is im- moveable in the centre of the world, and that the earth moves, and also with a diurnal motion ; also, for having pupils whom you instructed in the same opinions; also, for ma,intaiuing a correspondence on the same with some German Mathematicians; also, for publishing certain letters on the solar spots, in which youd ^ oped the same doctrine as true ; also, for answering the Ol,^ .dons which were continually produced from the Holy Scriptures, by glozing the said Scriptures according to your 20 LECTURE. own meaninf? ; and whereas thereupon was produced the copy of a writing, in fok m of a letter, professedly written by you to a person formerly your pupil, in which, following the hyjiothesia of Coperni'His, you include several propositions contrary to the true sense and authority of the Holy Scriptures : therefore this Holy Tribunal, being desirous of providing aganist the disorder and mischief which was thence proceeding and increasing, to the detriment of the holy faith, by the desire of his Holiness, and of tlie most eminent Lords Cardinals of this supreme and univerpil Inquisition, the two propositions of the stability ot the sun, and motion of the earth, were qualified bv the theolo- gical flualifiers as follows : 1st., The proposition that the sun is in the'centre of the loorld, and immoveable from its place, is ab- surd, philosophically false, and formally heretical, because tt is expressly contrary to the Holy Seripture. 2ndly., The proposition that the earth is not the centre of the world, nor immoveable, but that it moves, and also xoith a diurnal motion, i* also absurd, philosophically false, and theologically considered, at least, erroneous in faith. But whereas being pleased at that time to deal mildly with you, it vas decreed in the Holy Congregation, held before his Holiness on the 2othdayof February, 1016, that his eminence the Lord Cardinal Bellarmine should enjoin you to give up altogether the said false doctrine ; if you should refuse, that you should be ordeved by the commissary of the Holy Office to relinquish it, not to teach it to others, nor to defend it, nor ever to mention it, and in default of acquiescence that you should be imprisoned; and in execution of this decree, on the following day, at the palace, in presence of his eminence the said Lord Cardinal Bellarmine, after you had been mildly admonished by the said Lord Cardinal, you wero commanded by the Acting Commissary of the Holy Office, before a notary and witnesses, to relinquish altogether the said false opinion, and in future neither to defend nor teach it in any manner, neither verbally nor in writing; and upon your promising obedience you were dismissed. And in order that so pernicious a doctrine might be altogether rooted out, nor insinuate itselt farther to the heavy detriment of the Catholic truth, a decree emanated from the Holy Congregation of the Index prohibiting the books which treat of this doctrine ; and it was declared talse, and altogether contrary to the Holy and Divine Scripture. And whereas a book has since appeared, published at l?lorence last year, the title of which showed you were the author, which title is, « The Dialogue of Galileo Galilei on the two principal systems of the world, the Ptolemaic and Copermcan ; and whereas the Holy Congregation has heard, that, in consequence of the printing of the said book, the false opinion of the earth s motion and stability of the sun is daily gaining ground, the said book has been taken into careful consideration, and in it has been detected a glaring violation of the said order ; which had been intimated to you, inasmuch as in this book you have de- fended the said opinion, already and in your presence condemned ; although in said book you labor with many circumloot -^ns to induce the belief that it is left by you undecided, and ) ress terms probanie ; wnica is cquailj a r^rj g..*-^ — --". opinion can in no way be probable which has already bt. an le- i <* LECTURE. 21 i clared and finally determined contrary co the Divine Scripture. Therefore, by our order you have been cited to this Holy Office, where, on your examination upon oath, you have acknowledged the said book as written or printed by you. You also c«tnfes8ed that you began to write the said book ten or twelve years ago, after the order aforcsuid had been given. Also, that you deTuanded license to publish it, but without signifying to those who granted you this permission that you had been commanded not to hold, defend, or teach the said doctrine in any manner. You also confessed that the style of the said book was in many places so composed that the reader might think the arguments adduced on the false siile, so worded as more effectually to en- tangle the understanding than to be easily solved, alleging in excuse that you have thus run into error, foreign (as you say) to your intention, from writing in the form of a dialogue, and in consequence of the natural conii)lacencv which every one feels with regard to his own subtilties, and m showing himself more skilful than the generality of mankind in contriving, oven in favor of false propositions, ingenious and apparently pro- bable arguments. And, upon a convenient time being given to you for making your defence, you produced a certiticate in the handwriting of his eminence the Lord Cardinal Bellarmine, procured, as you said, by yourself, that you ^night defend your- self against the calumnies of your encnies, who reported that you had abjured your opinions, and hao bee'.j punished by the Holy Office ; in which certificate it is declared that you had not abjured your opinions, nor had been punished, but merely that the declaration made by his Holiness, and promulgated by the Holy Congi-egation of the Index, had been announced to you, which declares that the opinion of the motion of the earth, and stability of the sun, is contrary to the Holy Scriptures, and therefore cannot be held or defended. Wherefore, since no mention is there made of two articles of the order, to wit, the order 'not to teach' and *in any manner,' you argued that we ought to believe that, in the lapse of fourteen or sixteen years they had escaped your memory, and that this was also the reason why you were silent as to the order, when you sought permission to publish your book, and that this is said by you not to excuse your error, "but that it may be attributed to vain-glorious ambition rather than to malice. But this very certiticate, produced on your behalf, has greatly aggravated your offence, since it is therein declared iliat the said opinion is contrary to the Holy Scriptures, and yet you have dared to treat of it, to defend it, and to argue that it is probable ; nor is there any extenuation in the license artfully and cunningly ex- torted by you, since you did not intimate the command imposed upon you. But whereas it appeared to us that you had not disclosed the whole truth with regard to your intentions, we thought it necessary to proceed to the rigorous examination of you, in which (without any prejudice to what you confessed, and which is above detailed against you with regard to your said intention) you answered like a good Catholic. Therefore, h,iv>n«" sppn nnn mnt.iirftlv oonsidfirfid thfi msrits of vour cause. — . — ^ — — — ^. ...... --^ 5. — ^, with your said confessions and excuses, and everything else which ought to be seen and considered, we have come to the 22 LECTURE. underwritten final senterce against you. Invokinj^, therefore, the most holy naine of our Lord JesuH Christ, anil of his most glorious \'irgin Mother Mary, by this our final sentence, which, sitting in council and judgment for the tribunal of the Rever*>tid Masters ot Sacred Theology, and Doctors of both Laws, our assessors, we i>ut forth in this writing touching the matters and controversies before us, between the magnificent Charles Sincerus, Doctor of both Laws, I'iflcal Proctor of this Holy Otfico, of the one i)art, and you, Galileo (ialilei, an examined and confessed criminal from this present writing now in pro- gross as above of tlie oth^r part, we pronouiu-e, judge, and declare that you, the said Cialilao, by reason of these things which have been detailed in the course of this writing, and which, as above, you have confessed, have rendered yourself vehemently susnected by this Holy Office of heresy ; that is to say, that you believe an'd hold the false doctrine, and contrary to the Holy and Divine Scriptures, namely, that the sun is the centre of the world, and that it does not move from east to west, and that the earth does move, and is not the ctntre of the world ; also that an opinion can be held and support J as pos- sible after it has been declared and finally decreed contrary to the Holy Scripture, and eonsecpiently that you imve incurred all the censures and penalties enjoined and promulgated in the Sacred Canons, andKjther general and particular Constitutions against delinquents of this description. From which it is our pleasure that you should be absolved, provided that, first, with a sincere heart and unfeigned faith, in our presence, you abjure, curse, and detest the said errors and heresies, and every other «^rror and heresy contrary to the Catholic ard Apostolic Church of Rome, in the form now shown to you. But, that your grie- vous and pernicious error and transgression may not go altoge- ther unpunished, and that you may be made more cautious in future, and may be a warnnig to others to p.bstain from delin- quencies of this sort, we decree that the book of the Dialogues of Galileo Galilei be prohibited by a public edict, and we con- demn you to the formal jirison of 'this Holy Office, for a period determinable at our pleasure ; and, by way of salutary penance, we order vou, during the next tlr ' p years, to recite once a week the seven Penitential Psalms, resicrvio;; to ourse'ye? the power of moderating, commuting, or juiijn^ off thn wiiole or part of the said punishment and penance. And so we say, pro- nounce, and by our sentence declare, decree, and reserve, in this and in every other better form and manner, which lawfully we may and can use. So we the subscribing Cardinals pronounce. " Felix, Cardinal di Ascoli; Gumo, Cardinal di Bentivoglis; Desiderio, Cardinal di Cre- mona; Antonio, Cardinal S. Onofrio; Ber- LiNOERo, Cardinal Gressi; Frabricio, Cardinal Verospi; Martino, Cardinal Gi- iietti." 4^ i T s p j: E c H si 4 tlw^ i DELIVERED BEFORE THE MEMBERS OF TT^E MERCANTILK LIBRARY ASSOCIATION, 3ION- TREAL, ON THE OPENING OF THE WINTER'S COURSE OF LECTURES, 1848-40, BY HIS EX- CELLENCY THE RIGHT HON. THE EARL OF ELGIN AND KINCARDINE, K. T., GOVERNOR GENERAL OF BRITISH NORTH AMERICA, &c., PATRON OF THE INSTITUTION. Ladies and Gentlemen, — I feel assured in advance that I shall be pardoned by you if I venture to speaU in your name for a single moment, in order that I may tender our united and most hearty thanks to the Rev. (ientleman for the useful and instructive lecture that he has just delivered. —(Loud cheers.) We have heard from him much that well deserves to be remembered, conveyed to us in language so forcible and eloquent, that it is not likely soon to be forgot- ton — (Cheers.) As I have risen for this purpose, 1 desire, with your permission, to take advantage of the opportunity to express the very deep interest that I feel in the welfare of this Institution, the Members of which have done me the favour to request that I would become its Patron (Loud cheers.) Prom what has fallen from the Rev. Gen- tleman, and from what I have heard froin other sources, I gather that this Association was mainly founded by the ex- ertions of some of the leading merchants of the City of Montreal, with a view of affording to the junior Members of the mercantile body opportunities of self-improvement and inducements sufficiently powerful to enable them to re- sist those temptations to idleness and dissipation which un- happily abound in all large communities.— (Hear, hoar.) I understand, moreover, that those exertions have been by no means unavailing, but that year after year, large and increasing numbers of the class for whos? benefit the Insti- tution was especially designed, have shown their sense of its value by enrolling their names on the books of the Asso- ciation as Members — (Cheers.) These are most gratifying circumstances, creditable to all who have concurred in x,lAs good vvork ; and, for myself, I can truly say that, whether as an individual sincerely desirous to promote the happiness and well-being o^ my fellow-men, or as the Representative 24 SPEECH. of our {rracious Queen in this Province— (great cheering)— especially interested in whatever contributes to the v/ellaro of the people of Catiada, it gives me sincere gratification to associate my name with an undertaking so benevolent in its design and so promising in its first fruits. Having said thus much, in order that I might assure you of my very sincere sympathy in the objects of this Institution, 1 feel little dis- posed to detain you with many additional observations ; for in presence of the facts to which I have adverted, which show with how sincere a desire for self-improvement you are animated, and with the knowledge that the advantages and pleasures of learning are set forth in the admirable lectures of which wo have to-night Y jard a specimen, it is vain for me to attempt in a cursory address of this descrip- tion to fan the fervour of your zeal or throw light on sub- jects which you are in the habit of hearing so effectively treated. Indeed, I should almost be tempted to affirm that in an age, when education is so generally diffused— when the art of printing has brought the sources of information so near to the lips of all who thirst for understanding— Avhen so many of the secrets of nature have been revealed— when the impalpable and all-pervading electricity, and the infinite elasticity of steam have been made subservient to purposes of human utility,— the advantages of knowledge, m an uti- litarian po.iit of view— the utter hopelessness of a successful attempt on the part either of individuals or classes to main- tain their position in society if they neglect the means of self-improvement— are truths too obvious to call for elucida- tion. I must say that it seems to me that there is less risk, therefore, of our declining to avail ourselves of our oppor- tunities than there is of our misusing or abusing them ; that there is less likelihood of our refusing to grasp the treasures spread out before us, than of our laying upon them rash and irreverent hands, and neglecting to cultivate thos habits of patient investigation, humility, and moral self-control, without whicli we have no sufficient security, that even the possession of knowledge itself will be a blessing to us.— (Loud cheers.) I was much struck by a passage I met with the other dav in reading the life of one of the greatest men of his age and countrv— Watt— (Cheers)— which seemed to me to illustrate vGry''forcibly the nature of the danger to which I am now referring as well as its remedy. It is stated in the passage to which I allude, that Watt took great de- light in reading over the specifications of inventions for which patent rights were obtained. He observed that ot those inventions a large proportion turned out to be entirely worthless and a source of ruin and disappointment to their authors. And it is further stated that he discovered that, amons- these abortive inventions, many were but the embo- dimeiit of idea.s which had suggested themselves to his own SPEECH. mind — which, probably, when they first presented them- selves, he had welcomed as great discoveries, likely to con- tribute to his own fame and to the advantage of mankind, but which, after having subjected them to that rigid and unsparing criticism which he felt it his bounden duty to apply to the offspring of his own brain, he had found to be worthless and rejected. Now, unquestionably, the power- ful intellect of Watt went for much in this matter : unques- tionably his keen and practised glance enabled him to detect flaws and errors in many cases where an eye equally honest but less acute, would have failed to discover them ; but can we doubt that a moral element was largely involved ia the composition of that quality of mind which enabled Watt to shun the sunken rocks on which so many around him were making shipwreck — that it was his unselfish devotion to truth, his humility, and the practice of self- control, which enabled him to rebuke the suggestions of vanity and self-interest, and, with the sternness of an impartial judge, to condemn to silence and oblivion even the offspring of his own mind, for whicn he doubtless felt a parent's fondness, when it fell shoit of that stan- dard of perfection which he had reared. — (Cheers.) From this incident in the life of that great man, we may draw, I think, a most useful lesson, which we may apply with good effect to fields of inquiry far transcending those to which the anecdote has immediate reference. Take, for instance, the wide region occupied with moral and political, or, as they arc styled, social questions ; observe the wretched half truths, the perilous fallacies, which quacks, greedy of applause or gain, and speculating on the credulity of mankind, more especially in times of perturbation or distress, have the audacity to palm upon the world as sublime discoveries calculated to increase in some vast and untold amount, the sum of human happiness ; and mark the misery and desolation which follows, when the hopes excited by these pi-etenders are dispelled. It is often said in apology for such persons, that they are, after all, sincere ; that they are deceived rather than deceivers; that thty do not ask o.hers to adopt opinions wliich they have not heartily accepted themselves ; but apply to this reasoning the piin- ciple tha'c I have been endeavouring to illustrate from the life of Watt, and we shall find, 1 think, that the excuse is, in most cases but a sorry one, if, indeed, it be any excuse at all. God has planted within the mind of man, the lights of reason and of conscience, and without it, he has placed those of revelation and experience, and if man wilfully ex- tinguishes those lights, in order that, under cover of the darkness which he has himself made, he may install in the sanctuary of his understanding and heart, where the image of truth alone should dwell, a vain idol, a creature of his 20 SPKECH. own fond imaginings, it will, I tear, but littlo avail him, more especially in tliat day w'u;n the secrets of all hearts shall be revealed, if he shall pU ;id in extenuation of his guilt that he did not invite others to worshii) the idol nntil he had fallen prostrate hiniself beiorc; it.— (Great cheering.) These, gentlemen, are truths which I think it will be well for us to lay to heart. I address myself more particularly to you who are entering upon the useful and honorable career of the British merchant ; for you are now standing on the lower steps of a ladder, whiclC when it is mounted with diligence and circumsj)ection, leads always to resjjec- tabiUty, not unfreipiently to high honor and distinction. — (Cheers.) Bear in mind", then, that the (pudity which ought chiefly to distinguish those who asi)ire to exercise a control- ing and directing influence in any department of human action, from those who have only a subordinate part to play, is the knowledge of princiiiles and general laws. A few examples will make the truth of this i)roposition ai)parent to you. Take, for instance, the case of the builder. The mason and carpenter must kntiw how to hew the stone and square the timber, and follow out faithfully the Avorking plan placed in their hands. But the architect must know much more than this ; he must be acquainted with the principles of proportion and form ; he must know the laws which regulate the distribution of heat, light, and air, in order that he may give to each )mrt of ii complicated structure its due share 'of these advantages, and combine the multifa- rious details into a consistent whole. Take again the case of the seaman. It is enough for the steersman that he Avatch certain symptoms in the sky and on the waves ; that he note the shifting of the wind and conqiass, and attend to certain precise rules which have been given him for his guidance. But the master of the ship, if he be fit for his situation— and I aui sorry to say that many undertake the duties of that responsible office who are not fit for it— must be thoroughly acquainted, not only with the map of the earth and heavens, but he must know also all that science has revealed of some of the most subtle of the operations of nature ; he must un- d(M'stand, as far as man can yet discover them, what are the laws which regulate the movements of the currents, the di- rection of the tempest, and the meanderings of the magnetic fluid. Or, to take a case with which you are more familiar, —that of the merchant. The merchant's clerk must under- stand book-keeping and double-entry, and know how to arrange every item of the account undei' its proper head, and how to balance tht> whole correctly. But the head of the establishment must be acquainted, in addition to this, with the laws which regulate the exchanges, with the principles that aflFect the f)roduction and distribution of national wealth, and therefore with those social and iiolitical causes ,.V I T^. 1 rV SPEECH. 27 wK ^''^f,^^• '^9^ »"«" at^vork to disturb calculations, which would have been accurate enough for quiet times, but which are insurticient for others._(Loud cheers.) I tliink, therefore, that I have established the truth „f the proposi- tion, that men who aspire to exercise a directing and con- troiin- inHuence in any pursuit or business, should be dis- tinguished by a knowledge of principh^s and general laws, liut ,t is ir the acquisition of this knowledge, and more espe- cially in Its application to the occurrences of dailv life, that the chief necessity arises for the exercise of those hicrh moral qualities, with the importance of which I h:.ve endJl voured, in these brief remarks, to impress you._(Cheers ) Allow me, therefore, in closing them, to otter vou one word of advice and warning, and accept it as coming from a fnend._(Loiid cheers.) Never forget that as you ascend^ your responsibilities to yourselves and to societv increase ninl-the beauties and delights of which have been set for h with so much effect by the Rev. Gentleman belund ine —the more necessary is it that your principles should be sound, your researches indefatigable, your judgment un- clouded, and your affections pure? NoV Led we b-eXmed to borrow m this matter a lesson and example from the i.ro- ri^sl-l'tr'^'i' '"*?= *"^' J"-'^^ in proportion as the tree uses from the earth, as it extends its branches and multiplies Its eaves, as it enters into freer communion with the trait- of heaven, and drinks in larger measure the dews of' the morning and the rays of the noon-dav sun ; just in that proportion does it strike its .oots deeper into tlie earth, an chng more tenaciously to the soil from which it derives the principles of life and vigour. For be assured that if it were otherwise Its elevation, how fiiir soever the show that ac- companied It, w.)uld but prove the prelude to its fall / "^i^tW^ TERMS OF SUBSCRIPTION TO THK illcrranttlc Cibrarj) :2l0sotiatton OF ©ITTIEI^AIL. Life Members, Merchant do. .. Senior Clerk do. Junior do. do. £12 10 . 1 5 1 . 10 In Full. ^ Annum. do. do. On payment of their respective Subscriptions, mem- bers are admitted to the use of an extensive and va- luable Library, and a Reading Room supplied with the principal Newspapers, Serials and Periodicals of the day. They also enjoy the advantages of attend- ing a course of Lectures delivered weekly during the Winter months.