191

Review-Tributes to Truth.

192

reduces many things to regular de- | impulses and actions of the mind. As pendence or co-operation." (Johnson.) these do not differ materially from the It will therefore be immediately per- opinions and reasonings of previous ceived, that our author has allowed his philosophers, we should not think ourdefinition of system too extensive a selves justified in entering upon them. signification. One passage, however, on probable evidence, appears to us of so much consequence in a legislatorial point of view, that perfectly as it coincides with our ideas, we cannot but give to our readers; and this we are the more willing to do, on account of our previous censures.

But are thoughts to be corrected by maxims, when even maxims must spring from thoughts? No: every thought, as we proceed, is to be examined as to its truth or falsity; proceeding thus, whatever ground is gained will be firm; and when we cannot do all that we wish, let us be satisfied, in the doing all we can.' p. xiii.

Although the examination of the causes of effects does not lead to conclusions which are certain, nevertheless, our conclusions are often so certain, that we confide as boldly on them as on certainties; and all, having the free exercise of their reasoning powers, agree in their conclusions on numerous subjects, admitting only probable evidence. From this universality of agreement, in conclusions, arises the termine on the commission of crime by the uniformity of human institutions; hence, to delaws of Old England, twelve men must be of one mind,-must come to the same conclusion. In some countries a larger number than twelve is required. By some governments, it is only required that the majority, by other governments, that two thirds, should be of one mind. In this island, the jury is demanded to give a decision of guilty or not guilty. Guilty or not

A maxim is an axiom, a general position, or certain direction. It is not, however, derogatory to the principle of common sense,' because it is the product of thought, that it should be a corrector of our thoughts. Man is a fallible being; is it not therefore just, that he should resort to maxims, (the result of thought,) to guide and direct him? Are they not the bulwark of the mens conscia recti? We might ask the question, whether the Bible is a proper book of consultation, such being replete with maxims, and no doubt they originated from thoughts? As we cannot question Mr. L.'s religious tenets so much as to doubt his be-guilty, form, as it were, the two terminating lief in the Holy Scriptures, we shall suspend the argument, by supposing we do not understand the drift of his axiom.

These maxims, however, are the offspring of common sense; and it would have been well if these system-makers had applied them strictly; for then system would soon have appeared as synonymous with supposition.' p. xiii.

points of a line; and between these two points,
Our
are the various shades of probability.
custom of requiring all to be of one mind, is
most proper, as thus less doubt remains as to
the guilt of the criminal; whereas, in countries
where only part of the jury is required to
agree, it seems cruel that a culprit should pay
the debt for a crime, the commission of which
is so doubtful. Our custom, however, though
leaning on the side of mercy, still seems capa-
that between guilty and not guilty, there are
ble of improvement. It has been remarked,
the numerous shades of probability; and it
might so happen, (if hunger were not called in,
in order to compel men to speak falsehood,)
that the majority only would be of one mind.
bility, as to the commission of crime, as well
Now, since there are various shades of proba-
as different degrees of crime, it may he asked,
where would be the impropriety of different
degrees of punishment, accordingly as the
commission of crime is more or less probable;
as well as different degrees of punishment,

We should be glad to know how
maxims, which are the offspring of
common sense, should, by their ap-
plication, bring system on a level with
supposition. Every, man, short of an
idiot, is endowed, we should judge,
with some proportion of common sense;
and, as Mr. L. himself acknowledges,
must be well stored with maxims.
How then, in the name of all that is
rational, can he who is under the guid-proportioned to the degrees of crime.'
ance of axioms, maxims, or fixed
moral principles, be taught to form
systematic arrangements, which are
nothing short of supposition? Having
discussed this point in a preceding
paragraph, we shall proceed with the
analysis.

We have now examined some passages belonging to the preface; the introduction commences by some remarks on reason, and, as it proceeds, takes into consideration the various

In probability, when most clear, the conclusion of a single individual is as certain as would be the conclusions of any number of persons; all will come to the same conclusion. What individual would not conclude that the again set? Our conclusion is here founded on universal experience; and from concluding, that the conclusions of others are like our own conclusions.' p. 14 & 15.

sun will rise again, be again in the meridian,

Man, as a fallible being, is constantly liable to err; much, therefore, as we reverence the opinions and ratio

193

Review-Tributes to Truth.

194

"When in the wilderness of thought, I was much delighted with Mr. Locke's examination of the understanding: but now, a few of his broad roads appear as scrambling sheep

cinations of Mr. Locke, we should not
be the more respected by hazarding
the opinion, that he, as well as others,
did not partake of this kindred imper-paths."
fection. On the contrary, the difficulty
of the subject, the talents required to
accomplish it, and the application ne-
cessary to complete his grand meta-
physical system, will sufficiently palli-
ate those defects, which are compara-
tively small, when put in competition
with the immensity of the design. But
to return :-Our author does not ex-
actly coincide with Mr. Locke on the
nature of complex ideas, and his reasons
are chiefly directed against chap. viii.
sections 7, 8, 9, & 10, of the Essay on
the Human Understanding. The con-
cluding sentence of the tenth section
runs thus, at which Mr. L. makes a
pointed charge:-"For the power in
fire to produce a new colour or con-
sistency in wax or clay, by its primary
qualities, is as much a quality in fire,
as the power it has to produce in me a
new idea, or sensation of warmth or
burning, which I felt not before by the
same primary qualities, viz. the bulk,
texture, and motion, of its insensible
parts." To which our author re-
plies:-

"Motion of its insensible parts:" the word insensible, as here used, cannot refer to the want of sensibility in such parts, but refers to the bulk, figure, texture, and motion of insen

sible, that is, of imperceptible parts. Here is
an inadvertent absurdity; to say insensible
parts affect our
senses are sensible to us.
This may be corrected by substituting the
word intangible for insensible. What is sensi-
ble to one sense, may not be so to another.'

p. 40.

Our author has here a jeu de mots. Truth is in itself a sense, therefore tangibility and sensibility are in this case synonymous, and therefore we do not think Mr. Locke's reasoning made more intelligible, or more correct, by this gentleman's substitution. As the word sensibility refers to five distinct species of sensation, it must readily occur, on reading the passage, that Mr. Locke meant to be understood in two of them.

What we have already added will be sufficient evidence of the nature of our author's objections to Mr. Locke; it remains that we should now give a specimen of the modesty with which his design is carried into effect, which will at once give an idea of the opinion he has of his own powers and abilities.

In giving a short analysis of this volume, it is not necessary, in order to fix the judgment as to its intrinsic value, for us to go minutely into its several passages. We think our readers must be sufficiently convinced already, by the parts already noticed. We shall therefore proceed rapidly through the volume, having given a specimen from each of the writer's arrangements. The process of conclusion is arrived at, by and through the authority of premises :-if the premises be accurate, the conclusion is necessarily supposed to be so too, and vice versa. We find, therefore, that we are enabled to give a very brief critique, by confining ourselves to our author's conclusion; which, to save time, as well as our pages, we shall immediately touch upon, as a corollary involving the multum in parvo of the whole.

"Of this first part, (meaning this volume) the final conclusion is, MINDS THINK ALIKE form like conclusions: and the difference between us, is only with regard to the manner of expression,-is only a difference of words." p. 125.

Cras credemus hodie nihil! Expression, which is usually considered as the index of the mind, is by this hypothesis rendered null and void; and all the finer feelings of the soul are completely annihilated. The glowing phrenzy of the poet's imagination, and the common sense and philosophy' so strenuously insisted upon by the author, must vanish into

air, thin air." The intimate contiguity, which is usually allowed to subsist between thought and articulation, has no longer any being:-and what can be said of a man, whose intellects do not coincide with his utterance? Why, that he is devoid of reason-that he is incapable of ‘common sense,' much more of that laborious research imposed by philosophy.-Alack, Sir, he is mad. We consider this reasoning as dangerous, in a moral point of view. What! does a Christian agree sentimentally with an Atheist and a Deist

form like conclusions-differ only in expression"-" only a difference of words." Is it possible, that such a conclusion can be received by any ra tional being? Is it possible, that the

197

Queries.-Literary Notices.-Commercial Report.

QUERIES TO CORRESPONDENTS.

198

the most forcible arguments both for and against the restitution of animals, drawn from Reason and Revelation.

Literary Notices.

1.-On Instinct and Reason, G. B. of Launceston, Cornwall, asks, What are the essential properties of instinct in the animal creation? and, What are those superior tided, "The Mental Calculator, being a compendium of

principles in man, which form the line of distinction between animal and rational beings?

2.-On the future Existence of Animals.

G. B. would likewise be obliged to

A neat little work has lately made its appearance, enconcise and yet general rules, for the ready solution of various Problems in Astronomy; to which is added, a Guide to the Constellations, by P. Lovekin." price Ss. neatly

bound.

Another work, entitled, Conversations on English Grammar, &c. by Mrs. Williams, has issued from the press, since the commencement of the present year.

Preparing for the press, in two volumes, post octavo, Happiness, a Tale for the Grave and the Gay.

any correspondent for an epitome of col. 127, line 39, for Leucia, read Seneca."

Errata.-In col. 125, line 49, for Garus, read Cyrus. In

COMMERCIAL REPORT, JANUARY 20, 1821.

Since the commencement of the year, the transactions in business have been on a very diminutive scale. The severe frost entirely impeded the navigation in the interior, and an unexampled series of Easterly winds, which continued till within these last few days, have both contributed to add to the dull state of things. The demand for produce is in general limited; but as the year advances, a more ready sale may be anticipated, as well as a more lively and healthy state of things. Reviewing the present prices of all species of merchandise, (with perhaps the exception of Coffee alone,) it cannot be denied, that their currency is at a very depreciated scale, forbidding, apparently, any further diminution, but very Susceptible of great advance in many articles. Since the change of wind, during the last six days, vessels have been pouring in from all quarters; in the number of which are, 2 ships from Calcutta, 1 from Africa, and a considerable number from South America, the Brazils, United States, British America, and the Mediterranean;—the particular imports will be given in the subsequent month. Proceeding to detail more particularly the later proceedings in some leading articles, we have to notice, that the sales of Cotton, during the present week, have been light, amounting only to 4193 packages; whilst the imports, during the same period, reach 18,700 packages. We are, however, glad to remark, among the sales, a lot of 310 bags of Boweds for Export sold before landed at 94d. per lb. short price the quality warranted good to fine: although the market may be considered a shade lower, yet the week closes, with a more general inquiry, with a prospect of a better demand ere long, and which is expected without any material change of price.

In British Plantation Sugars, some inquiry appeared this week for Ireland, and prices advanced about Is. per cwt. in consequence; the sales yesterday, however, went off heavily, and the previous advance was not fully supported: brown qualities, upon the whole, are higher.-In Foreign and East India, there are no sales.

Coffee-The only sales are to the Grocers, at a small reduction.

Rum.--In fair demand, 100 puncheons of well-flavoured Jamaica's have sold at 2s. 3d. per gallon, for 16 O. P. also 100 puncheons strong Demarara's, at 2s. 5d. to 2s. 6d. with a small lot of common Leeward's, at 1s. 7d. per gallon.

No sales of Old Carolina Rice are reported. Several parcels of the New Crop having arrived, the price has not been fixed, but is expected to settle at about 20s. per cut. in bond. The Tobacco market has been very inactive, yet Pot and Pearl Ashes are unchanged in value. Dyewoods find ready buyers at the affixed rates. Lemon-juice, of fair strengths, 3s. per gallon. Naval Stores continue low:-last week 1800 barrels of very ordinary Turpentine were sold from the Stores at 6s. 6d. per gallon.

there is no alteration of price.

Quercitron Bark is in demand for export to France.
Sicily Shumac is retailing at 22s. per cwt.

For Fish and Seed Oils, the demand remains good; the Yorkshire Crushers of Linseed offer their Oil as low as 2s. 8d. per gallon.

The demand for Tallow is not so lively as it has been;-this day week 370 casks of Odessa YellowCandle Tallow, of mixed quality, with an allowance of 17 per cwt. tare, were sold at 50s. 6d. to 51s. per cut. Hemp is only inquired after by the consumers.

Of Flax, the arrivals are very heavy from Ireland, and is, consequently, become less saleable.

Timber.-British American Pine is looking up; and it becomes daily more difficult to purchase, as the importers are holding for higher prices. Several low sales have been made in Quebec Oak; say at 2s. 1d. to 2s. 3d. and large dimensions at 2s. 4d. to 2s. 6d. per cubic foot. No demand for Staves. Deals are ready sale.

A change of wind has brought with it a large supply of Grain, which, however, meets a ready sale at the currency of the day. Wheat barely maintains its price: good Irish commands 7s. 8d. to 7s. 10d. per 70 lb. Oats are lower;-there are, however, buyers of prime at 2s. 11d. to 3s. per 45 lb. For Barley, there is a fair demand. American Flour in bond sells at 22s. to 23s. per barrel, for export. The inquiry for sowing Flaxseed increases daily; holders are very firm at 63s. to 65s. per hogshead of 7 bushels: this rate leaves a very severe loss to the importer.

There is reason to hope, that many regulations favourable to the Commerce of the Country will receive the attention of the Legislature; and we trust, that a liberal and enlightened policy towards other nations will open fresh avenues for the industry of our manufacturers, and enterprise of our merchants.

FrankMadrid, 351. effect. Cadiz, 351 Bourdeaux, 20: 5. Course of Exchange, in London, Jan. 19. 12: 10. Ex. M. Hamburg, 38: 2: 2 U. Altona, 38: 3:0 U. effect. Barcelona, 344. Gibraltar, 30%. Le rhorn, 463. Genoa, 43. Venice, Italian Liv. 27. 60. Malta, 45. Naples, 381. Palermo, Lisbon, 484. Oporto, 46. Rio Janeiro, 50. Dublin, 8. Amsterdam, 129 C. F. Ditto at sight, 12: 6. sight, 25: 75. fort on the Main, 156. Ex. M. 18 si Paris, 3 days

PRINTED BY H. FISHER, LIVERPOOL, PRINTER IN ORDINARY TO HIS MAJESTY.