Current:

Leader (1850-1860), 25th October 1851, Edition Town of 2, Page 1025, Untitled Article

Page 1025
Page 21
21 of 24

On this page

  • Departments (1)
    • Cmraittrrial lifuir^
  • Text (9)
  • Transcript

    • Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.

      Additionally, when viewing full transcripts, extracted text may not be in the same order as the original document.

      Untitled Article

      an exerciae which unfortunately is sadly neglected in our systems of education , or we should not now have to discuss this point . To ascertain whether we determine , or have power to determine , by a free will , how we shall feel , or whom or what we shall like or dislike , or love or hate , let ua , aa I have said , appeal to facts ; let us try whether we can make ourselves dislike or hate or despise one whom we like or love or esteem ; or vice versd . We shall find that we are not able to do

      so unless some sufficiently powerful motive-cause is produced within us , either by some altered state of our own physical or mental constitution or character , or by some change in or in relation to the object of our feeling ; and that if this sufficiently powerful cause is produced , we do not possess any independent power or free will by which we can prevent the change of feeling ; and , therefore , that our feelings are not produced by an independent will , but are the results of causes which are themselves produced by antecedent causes in a natural or necessary order of

      sequence . To ascertain whether we determine , or have power to determine , by a free will , what we shall believe or disbelieve , let us again appeal to facts . Let the Christian try to make himself believe the creed of the Mahomedan , or the Protestant to make himself believe the creed of the Catholic , and vice versd , &c . The individual who makes the experiment will find that he is not able of himself to produce a change of conviction ; and that unless some sufficiqntly powerful cause is produced within him , by some physical or

      mental change , some new evidence , or some new perception of evidence , no new conviction can be produced ; and that if this sufficiently powerful cause is produced , he does not possess any power by which he can prevent the change of conviction . He will thus discover that his belief or disbelief is not produced by a " free will , " but is the result of causes which are produced by antecedent causes in a natural and necessary order of sequence , as we have previously found to be the case in relation to the formation of the feelings .

      Again ; to ascertain whether we determine , or have power to determine independently , our will or decision to act , let us appeal to facts , and try , for instance , whether we can create a will to commit murder , or suicide , or robbery . We shall find that we are not able to produce such a will , and that no such will can be formed in us unless some sufficiently powerful motive-feeling is first produced by some peculiar condition of our physical or mental constitution or character , or by some sufficiently powerful external cause , or by both these causes united ; and that if a sufficiently powerful motive-feeling is produced , we do not possess any independent power or

      or free will by which we can prevent the formation of the new will ; the result depending upon the relative strength of the opposing feelings — being doubtful onl y when they are nearly equal in strength ; and being always , and of necessity in the end , in favour of that which is ultimately the strongest . It has been supposed that we determine for ourselves by an independent power which motive shall be the strongest when opposing feelings exist within us . But if , again , we appeal to facts , and examine what made us determine as we did determine upon any given occasion when our decision to act vras for a time in suspense , we shall find that , of the

      contending motives which for the time were balancing within u « , that which in the end prevailed , had become the strongest ; and in many cases we shall find that it had become the strongest in opposition to a previous strong desire and determination to resist and repress it . Or when the determination to resist or repress an inclination has prevailed , we shall find that it did bo solely- because it proved to be superior in strength to the opposing inclination ; thus demonstrating that the power of resisting or repressing our inclinations ( which ia in fact an opposing feeling produced within us , as all our feelings are produced , and notas has

      , been Bupposed , an independent determining power or free will ) decides our will and conduct , only when and while it is stronger than the feelings to which it js opposed ; and that when the strength of these latter feelings is increased so much as to become greater than thut of the resisting feeling , these feellng 8 , which previously , while they wore the vreaker , had been kept in subjection by the other , become the determining power , and decide the oonduct . The supposition , therefore , that we pos-•*»» an independent power or free will by which we can reHiHt and control our inclinations at will , has

      n from the nonperccption of the manner in "Which our feelinga and will or decision to act are produced , and of the fact that the resisting power ( which , has been supposed to be a free or self formed Wl i » a feeling produced in us by internal and external causes as much rh the power or feeling by "whicU it i « opposed ; and that the relative strength of the two contending feelinga is determined in the ¦ arne manner ; the rcHisting power or feeling prevailing only ho long as it in the strongest , and being nmuo to be stronger or weaker by a process of natural jul necessary causation , subject to the sumo un-• fcangmg laws of God hs the formation of our ( separate foelinga . Henco it la that the Individual whoso

      intelligence and moral feelings have been comparatively well developed , will resist almost , or entirely , without an effort or temptation which will as certainly produce a vicious will and evil conduct in one who has been less favourably educated . Again , to ascertain whether we determine , or have power to determine , the formation of our character by a Tree will or independent power , if we appeal to facts , we shall find that the character of every individual is produced ( as well as his feelings , convictions , and will ) by the operation of natural and constant laws . We have seen that we do not determine for ourselves by an independent power what we

      shall feel , or believe , or will , or do ; but that our feelings and convictions and will and actions are at all times determined by the present state of our constitution and character , and by the circumstances which influence us at the time ; and facts demonstrate that the formation of our character , or the development of our natural powers and tendencies , is the result of the feelings , thoughts , wills , and actions which we are thus caused to have and perform from the commencement of our existence—from the instinctive and unconscious movements of our early infancy , even before birth , to the conscious and more developed and complex , but no less necessitated ,

      operations of our more advanced physical , intellectual , and moral powers and tendencies . The original qualities and strength of these powers and tendencies are made for us ; the external means by which their action and growth are influenced during early infancy are made for us , altogether independently of our will : and when we begin to become more active or powerful , and to exercise a will to some extent in the process and in the choice or formation of our circumstances , this will , as we have seen , is determined , not by an independent power within us , but by the

      constitution and character which have been previously produced in us and the external circumstances then influencing us ; and it is , therefore , only as a secondary or caused agent that we are able to exercise any power or agency in any proceeding by which the development of our character is affected . Education is , in fact , the means by which the development of our natural powers , or the formation of our character , is determined ; and it would be needless and inopperative if we d etermined for ourselves by an independent power or free will what character we should acquire .

      Thus , by appealing to facts , the ever present revelations of the creating power , by carefully observing what is , instead of adopting the crude suggestions of imagination , we are enabled to acquire certain or scientific knowledge upon these most important subjects , upon which , for want of this due exercise of the perceptive powers , the opinions of men have so long been divided , and upon which mankind in general have so long been deceived , to the most grievous injury of the human race .

      It is far more , however , with respect to the application of this knowledge that society is now at fault , than in relation to these primary facts ; for these facta may now be regarded as generally acknowledged by the advanced minds of the present time . Abundant proofs of this may be found in the literature of the day . Even the Times , of a recent date , contained a leading article in which it was observed , aa a matter of course , that man ' s " mind" — " his habits" — "his desires" — " his character'' — and " his conduct , " are * ' fashioned by nil the circumstances which affect him from his cradle to hia grave . " It ia evident , however , that the writerof this article is in the general predicament of having little or no idea of the application of this knowledge .

      Having now sufficiently explained the preliminary part of the subject , I will proceed in another letter to point out this application . Hknry Thavis .

      Untitled Article

      IS THE KING OF TltUSSIA A PROTESTANT ? Manchester , October ~ 2 \ . lH . ) l . Sin , —In an article entitled " Is the King of Prussia a Protestant ? " I find an allusion to the Koman Catholics of Hamburg . It is there stated that this city has not seen an officiating Popish priest since the thirty years' war ; I cannot say whether the city is blind or not , but in the year 1833 I attended high mass in the Kleine Michaelia Kirche , and when 1 was in Hamburg thin summer I looked into the same church and biiw a Roman . Catholic clergyman going through the regular course of prayera appointed lor mass . The whole article in which this statement waa made , seems to me to be built rather upon exaggerated rumours than on any solid foundation of fact , and I would earnestly recommend true Jiihcralu to bo cautious before they place implicit confidence in such reports . Jtcuclion is rampant , enough without painting it blacker than it is , and the cause I bclicvo your correspondent to have at heart will not be benefited by anonymoiiH accusations that careful examination will not be able to confirm . 1 do not write this note

      in any way to load your readers to uupnouu that Jesuitical intrigues art ) not being vigorously carried cm in tho north of ( iermuny , indeed , I . am well aware that the contrary is tho fact ; but to recommend all who write upon Continental politics to be very careful in their etatomonta . Any incorrectness of

      detail is seized on by the friends of Absolutism , and tortured into wilful , malicious falsehood and calumny , and injures the progress of Liberalism and constitutional Government . I am , Sir , yours respectfully , S . A . S .

      Untitled Article

      MONEY MARKET AND CITY INTELLIGENCE . Saturday . Consols have this week varied slightly , closing on Monday at 97 | , rising to 97 i g on Tuesday , receding on Wednesday to 9 7 J to j , and rising again on Thursday to 97 ± 1 . The closing price yesterday was , Consols , 97 | 4 . The fluctuations of the week have been . Consols , from 97 h to 3 ; Bank Stock , from 212 to 213 i ; Exchequer Bills , from 51 s . to 55 s . premium . In the Foreign Stock Market yesterday the bargains of the day comprised—Danish Five per Cents ., 102 $ ; Portuguese Four per Cents ., for the account , 32 j ; Russian Five per Cents ., 114 $ ; the Four-and-a-Half per Cents ., 101 J ; Spanish Five per Cents ., for the account , 20 f ; Spanish Three per Cents ., 38 f ; Venezuela , 32 g and 33 : and Dutch Four per Cent . Certificates , 89 | and 90 .

      Untitled Article

      BRITISH FUNDS FOB , THE PAST WEEK . ( Closing Prices . )

      Untitled Article

      Oct . 25 , 1851 . ] && * ' % ta * tt . 1025

      Cmraittrrial Lifuir^

      Cmraittrrial lifuir ^

      Untitled Article

      FROM THE LONDON GAZETTE . Tuesday , October 21 . Bankruptcy Annulled . —J . W . Gordon , Cullum-street , Fenchurch-street , and Church-row , Limehouse , wine merchant , Bankrupts . —O . F . Nisbouh ( and not Nilbodr , as before advertised ) , Slough , Buckinghamshire , music seller , to surrender October 23 , November 24 ; solicitors , Messrs . Linklater , Char- ' lottt-row . Mansion-house ; official assignee , Mr . Johnson , lta-Bin < 'hall-street—J . Marriott , Gracechurch-street , oil and Italian warehouseman , October 25 , November 27 ; solicitors , Messrs . Linklater , Charlotto-row , Mansion-house ; and Mr . Berkeley , Lincoln ' H-inn ; oflicial assignee , Mr . Bell , Coleinanstreet bulidinga—E . 8 . Howard and T . Stonb , Norwich , builders , October 30 , November 27 ; solicitors , Messrs . Abbott and Wheatly , Southampton-buildings ; and Messrs . Miller and Son , Norwich ; official assignee , Mr . Johnaon , Basinghall-strret o ! CoOPBR , Wandsworth , grocer , October 30 , November 27 ; solicitor , Mr . Welborne , Tooley-street ; oflicial assignee , Mr . Johnson ' , Basinghall-street—It . W . Jeaubab , jun ., Oxfordstreet , carpenter , October 31 , November 28 ; solicitors , Messrs . Rhodes , Lane , and lthodes , Chancery-lane ; oflicial assignee , Mr . Edwards , Hambrook-court , Hasingiiall-strt et—O . " Haynes . Leek , Staffordshire , dealer , November <> , and 27 ; solicitors , Mr . Dodge , Liverpool ; and Mctmra , Motteram , Knight , and Knunet , Birmingham ; ollicial assignee , Mr . Valpy , Birmingham—R . Tll . l ., Ht . Helen ' s , Worcestershire , grocer , November 1 , and 24 ; solicitors , Me « r » . Rea , Worcester ; and Messrs . Wright , liirmiiigtiam ; oflicial assignue , Mr . Christie , Birmingham — K . Caiuns , Newport . Monmouthshire , corn merchant , November ( J , December U ; solicitors , Mr . Addition , Gloucestrr ; and Messrs . Abbot and Lucas , Bristol ; oflici . il nspignee , Mr . Ilutton , Bristol—J . 8 yk . e « , jun ., Sowerby . Yorkshire , tendealer , Nntemlicr 3 , December 1 ; solicitors , vlr . Bagster Walbrook-buildiiiga ; Mr . ButcliflPr , Soiveiby-bridgfo , near Halifax ; uud Messrs . Courtenay and Coinpton , Leeds ; oflicial assignee , Mr . Hope , Leeds—J . Dovk , Leeds , currier , November 7 , December 8 ; aolicitor , Mr . Kluic-i kleton , Leeds , official assignee , Mr . Hope , Leeds—J Dhan'H , Liverpool . chemidt , November 3 , December 8 ; Holicitor , Mr . l ' eel , Liverpool ; oflicial a ^ oignee , Mr . Morgan , Liverpool . Friday , October 24 . Bankrupts . — E . Evans , l ' addingtoii-grecii , nurseryman , to > siirriendi-r , November 4 , December 1 ; volicitoru , MeuHrH , I . inklater , Charlotte-row , Maiibion-h «» u »« ; and Mr . Mous , Moorguicstreft ; oflicial anHignee , Mr . JoIiiihou , UaBinghall-Htreet—F , Ca . stki . i . I , Bury-rourt , bt . Mary Axe . merchant ., November 7 , December if ; Holieitors , MeuttrH . Oliverson and Lavie , Kruderick'u-placc . Old Jewry ; oflicial aBHignee , Mr . ( Jrooin , Abchurclilanc—11 . Hhoomk , Haymarket , victualler , November 4 , Deceuiber i ) ; solicitor . Messrs . Finher and Cooke , <« ray ' u-inu-H (| U ; uc ; oflicial assignee , Mr . Edwards , l / icderick ' s-pluce , O'd Jewry—J . Davih , Dalby-terruce . City-road , dealer in Jewellery , November II . Decenib . r 2 ; solicitors , M * hhi-h . Van Suiidau and dimming . King-street , Clieupnide ; official asHiffiiee , Mr , ( jnioin , Abcliiirch-laiKi— K . W . CHKlinii . l ., Itamrtfalo . cabinetmaker ; November 11 , Deccmlx-r Z ; «« Ji « itoia , Messrs . Liny is and Lewia . Ely-place . Ilolborn ; official unm ^ nee . Mr . lulwardH . Sanihrook-coiirt , Ilasiiig haII- « U- «« t — W . T . AucodK ., Manchester , hotel-keeper . November 7 , November Jl ; Holic . itorH . Meaur * . Cooper ami Hon . and Mr . Htreet , Man * clu-Kter ; oflicial atmigm . o . Mr . Maokmwii . . Manchester-J . Howard . Macclc ^ -ld . uilk manufacturer . November 7 ami 2 H- H « llr . itora . Me » H . H . I ! ro « : KI . 'l .... «( . « and IJ ^ haw . MuccU-alleld- and Mrtittrn . Sinter und Heeli * . Mm . ch «* tt ; r ; olliclal iHBiiruei ) Mr Lee Manchester—J . MauBuiin IK . Ex < M « r . draper November f > Dcoouibiu J ; HolicitoiH . Mchhis . IK-ad and Venn I ' xeter - ofllcinl MByignce . Mr . llirtzel . Eiisttir—J . C . Bkaton " Martock . Somersetshire glover . November & . Dowwuber »; BolioiU > r « . Mr . Ming , Burgo-yard , Um > Klerib . ury j a . a d , Mr .

      Untitled Article

      FOREIGN FUNDS . ( Last Official Quotation during the Week ending Friday Evening . ) Austrian 5 per Cents . — Mexican 5 per Ct . Ace . 26 } Belgian Bds ., 4 £ p . Ct . 94 $ Small .. .. 2 G | Brazilian 5 per Cents . 87 Neapolitan 5 per Cents . — Buenos Ayres 6 p . Cts . 48 Peruvian 4 ^ per Cents . 87 } Chilian 6 per Cents ... 104 Portuguese 5 per Cent . — DanishS per Cents . .. 102 } 4 per Cts . 32 } Dutch 2 A per Cents ... 59 J — Annuities — 4 per Cents . .. 90 Ru « 3 ian , 1822 , 4 $ p . Cts . 101 J Ecuador Bonds .. 3 J Span . Actives , 5 p . Cts . 20 \ French 5 p . C . An . atPari 3 91 . 80 Passive .. 5 J 3 p . Cts .. Julyll , 55 . 70 Deferred .. —

      Untitled Article

      Salur . Mond . Tues . IVedn . Thur ? . Frid . Bank Stock .... 213 213 213 214 214 i 214 ? 3 oerCt . Red .. 96 * 9 GJ 9 GJ 964 96 | 96 | 3 p . C . Con . Ans . 9 ~ J 97 ^ 96 | 97 J 97 J 97 ? 3 p . C . An . 1726 . — 3 p . Ct . Con ., Ac . 97 | 9 » j 97 | 91 \ 97 J 97 * 3 * p . Cent . An . 97 * 98 97 | 9 * 97 | 98 J New 5 per Cts . ¦¦ •¦¦ ¦¦ —— Long Ans ., 1860 . 6 6 j 7 7 7 6 Ind . St . 10 ip . ct . 262 262 2624 26 ' 268 * Ditto Bonds .. 56 p 56 p 51 p 61 p 62 p 63 p Ex . Bills , 1000 / . 44 p 54 p 51 p 51 p 55 p 53 p Ditto , 5 j < Jk .. 44 p 54 p 51 p 51 p 55 p 53 p Ditto . Sinali 44 p 54 p 51 p 51 p ' 55 p 53 p

  • Citation
    • Leader (1850-1860), Oct. 25, 1851, page 1025, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1906/page/21/