look-out for the
'intuitionist' or the believer in 'innate ideas,' the bugbears of the
Mill school. In an article upon Mansel's 'Metaphysics' he endeavours to
show that even the 'necessary truths' of mathematics are mere statements
of uniform experience, which may differ in another world. This argument
was adopted by Mill in his 'examination of Sir W. Hamilton's
philosophy.'[80] I cannot say that I think it a fortunate suggestion;
and I only notice it as an indication of Fitzjames's intellectual
position.

The 'Cornhill' articles had to be written under the moral code proper to
a popular magazine, the first commandment of which is 'Thou shalt not
shock a young lady.' Fitzjames felt this rather uncomfortably, and he
was not altogether displeased, as he clearly had no right to be
surprised, when Mr. George Smith, the proprietor of the magazine,
suggested to him in December 1862 the superior merits of 'light and
amusing' articles, which, says Fitzjames, are 'just those which give me
most trouble and teach me least.' They are 'wretched' things to occupy a
man of 'any sort of mind.' Mr. Smith, as he says a year afterwards, is
the 'kindest and most liberal of masters,' but he feels the drudgery of
such work. Reading Bossuet (February 28, 1864), he observes that the
works are so 'powerful and magnificent in their way' that they make me
feel a sort of hatred for 'the trumpery that I pass my time in
manufacturing.' It makes him 'sad to read great books, and it is almost
equally sad not to read them.' He feels 'tied by the leg' and longs to
write something worth writing; he believes that he might do more by a
better economy of his time; but 'it is hopeless to try to write eight
hours a day.' He feels, too (July 21, 1864), that the great bulk of a
barrister's work is 'poor stuff.' It is a 'good vigorous trade' which
braces 'the moral and intellectual muscles' but he wishes for more. No
doubt he was tired, for he records for once enjoying a day of thorough
idleness a month later, lying on the grass at a cricket match, and
talking of prize-fighting. He is much impressed soon afterwards by a
sermon on the text, 'I will give you rest'; but his spirits are rapidly
reviving.

In March 1865 be says, 'I cannot tell you how happy and prosperous I
feel on the whole.... I have never felt so well occupied and so
thoroughly fearless and happy on circuit before.' This was partly due to
improvement in other respects. Circuits were improving.