the aid of which the cautious
are enabled to keep themselves, as near as possible, within the bounds
of reason. We deem this effort of the monikin mind as the sublimest of
all its inventions, and as furnishing the strongest known evidence of
its near approach to the consummation of our earthly destiny. This
is not the place to dwell on that particular point of our philosophy,
however; and, for the present, we will postpone the subject."

"Yet you will permit me, Dr. Reasono, in virtue of clause 1, article
5, protocol No. 1 (which protocol, if not absolutely adopted, must be
supposed to contain the spirit of that which was), to inquire whether
the calculations of the revolutions of truth, do not lead to dangerous
moral extravagances, ruinous speculations in ideas, and serve to
unsettle society?"

The philosopher withdrew a moment with my Lord Chatterino, to consult
whether it would be prudent to admit of the validity of protocol No.
1, even in this indirect manner; whereupon it was decided between them,
that, as such admission would lay open all the vexatious questions that
had just been so happily disposed of, clause 1 of article 5 having
a direct connection with clause 2; clauses 1 and 2 forming the whole
article; and the said article 5, in its entirety, forming an integral
portion of the whole instrument; and the doctrine of constructions,
enjoining that instruments are to be construed like wills, by their
general, and not by their especial tendencies, it would be dangerous
to the objects of the interview to allow the application to be granted.
But, reserving a protest against the concession being interpreted into a
precedent, it might be well to concede that as an act of courtesy, which
was denied as a right. Hereupon, Dr. Reasono informed me that these
calculations of the revolutions of truth DID lead to certain moral
extravagances, and in many instances to ruinous speculations in ideas;
that the academy of Leaphigh, and, so far as his information extended,
the academy of every other country, had found the subject of truth, more
particularly moral truth, the one of all others the most difficult
to manage, the most likely to be abused, and the most dangerous to
promulgate. I was moreover promised, at a future day, some illustrations
of this branch of the subject.

"To pursue the more regular thread of my lecture," continued Dr.
Reasono, when he had politely made this little digression, "we now
divide these portio