the University of which they are the patrons. It is on these grounds that I now propose to offer a few remarks, which I hope may prove neither unprofitable to that municipal body, nor unworthy of some small share of public attention.
The interest which I take in the well-being of our National Philosophy is my sole motive for coming before the public. This was the favourite form of speech with some who took part in the recent canvass. I trust that in my case it may not be regarded as a mere form of speech; for surely I can say with more truth than most people, that I am interested in our metaphysical progress. In fact, I have something at stake on the advancement of the science. This interest, then, is my sole reason for coming forward. In the late election the Town Council might have given their verdict contrary to evidence, and should not have impeached it. Sectarian partialities might have conspired to inflict a temporary injury on the University whose interests the patrons were bound to protect, and I should have said nothing; my own philosophical doctrines might have been traduced and distorted, in the course of the canvass, into every false form which the ingenuity or malice of partizanship could devise, and still I should have kept silent. These are matters, more or less of a personal character, about which the public cares very little. But when the electors gave out their verdict, grounded on the avowed principle that, so far as in them lay, there should be no longer any freedom of philosophical opinion in Scotland (for practically it amounted to that), it then seemed to me to be high time that some notice should be taken of their conduct, and that a protest should be entered against their proceedings. And accordingly I have presumed to put on record, in these pages, my sentiments in regard to this unprecedented measure. What I have got to say can have no effect in helping the Town Council out of their false position, in so far as the late election is concerned, but it may save them from falling into it a second time, and it may serve to protect the future interests of science, by preventing their recent act from being drawn into a precedent.
In so far as my own small claims are concerned, I could very
