We should have thought it, therefore, of all things in the world the least likely that a representation of any theory of Hunter's should have disturbed the harmony which ought to exist between men engaged in scientific inquiries. It shows, however, the value of confining ourselves as strictly as possible to phenomena, and the conclusions deducible from them. Nothing could possibly be more philosophical than the terms in which Mr. Abernethy undertook to advocate Mr. Hunter's views of life. His definitions of hypothesis, the conditions on which he founded its legitimate character, the modesty with which he applies it, and the clearness with which he states how easily our best-grounded suppositions may be subverted by new facts, are very lucid and beautiful, and give a tone to the lectures (as we should have thought) the very last calculated to have led to the consequences which followed. [Footnote 35: "For this Hunterian Theory of Life, which its _real_ author so stoutly maintains, &c. is nowhere to be found in the published writings of Mr. Hunter."—_See Lawrence's Two Lectures (Notes)._] [Footnote 36: Vol. i, p. 214. Note.] [Footnote 37: Vol. i, p. 217.] CHAPTER XIX. "Oft expectation fails, and most oft there Where most it promises." ALL'S WELL THAT ENDS WELL. No man, perhaps, ever made a happier application of a Divine precept to the conduct of human pursuits than Lord Bacon, when he said that the kingdom of man founded in the sciences must be entered like the kingdom of God—that is, as a little child. Independently of the sublimity of the comparison, it is no less remarkable for its practical excellence. How many broken friendships, enmities, and heart-burnings might have been prevented, had even a very moderate degree of the temper of mind here so beautifully typified been allowed to preside over human labour! How charitably should we have been led to judge of the works of others! how measured the approbation of the most successful of our own! No doubt, in the pursuit of truth, there is great difficulty in commanding that combination of fearlessness towards the world, and that reverential humility towards the subject, both of which are alike necessary; although the one may be more essential to the _discovery_ of truth, the other the _enunciation_ of it.