In the Logic given in 'Chambers' Information,' it is said--' In choosing your middle terms, or arguments to prove any question, always take such topics as are purest and least fallible, and which carry the greatest evidence and strength with them,' But it rather appears that we have not to invent a middle term, but only to look to the major premises, and find it included there. By methodical questioning any argument may be tested. Thus, on any assertion being made, ask--Why is the assertion true? In this manner, if an argument has truth in it, it may be elicited. In this manner you dig through assertions down to premises, and discover whether any ore of truth lies there. The value of the argument depends upon the final answer which reveals the premises or data of facts, upon which the conclusion rests. Forms of speech, classification of propositions, figures of syllogisms, are of minor importance when you have once elicited the rough truth. The best test of an argument is the soundness of its data, and the simplest formula for drawing out and exhibiting such data, is of the greatest service in enabling us to judge of the validity thereof. Tyranny, says Cobbett, has no enemy so formidable as the pen, Why? 'Because the pen pursues tyranny both in life and beyond the grave.' How is this proved to be the most formidable enemy of tyranny? 'From the fact that tyranny has no enemy so formidable as that which assails not only its existence, but its reputation, which pursues it in life and beyond the grave.' Such interrogatories and replies generate the expository syllogism. 1. Tyranny has no enemy so formidable as that which assails not only its existence, but its reputation, which pursues it in life and beyond the grave. 2. The pen pursues tyranny in life and beyond the grave. 3. Therefore, tyranny has no enemy so formidable as the pen. A syllogism is made up of collective and single facts. It is the process of reasoning, whereby we show that a single truth is proved by a collective one which contains it, or a less quantity is proved by a greater, or that an assertion is proved by an induction from a class of facts. From the class of the enemies of tyranny the pen is selected, and is proved, by passing in inductive review the whole class, to be the most formidable. The usual manner in which an argument is presented is called the entihymeme. Thus:-- He is an industrious man, therefore He will acquire wealth. The first or major proposition is in this form suppressed. The syllogistic form would be this:-- Every industrious man acquires wealth, He is an industrious man, therefore He will acquire wealth. But if we ask for the proof that every industrious man acquires wealth, we find the facts wanting--for the idle are often rich, and the diligent poor. The industrious _may_ acquire wealth, the chances are in their favour. Again. We must cherish self-respect, Because self-respect is the stay of virtue.