powerfully influenced nearly all the young men of the
greatest promise.’ In thus referring to
the powerful influence exercised by Mr. Mill’s
works, I do not wish it to be supposed that this influence
is to be measured by the extent to which his books
form a part of the university curriculum.
His “Logic” has no doubt become a standard
examination-book at Oxford. At Cambridge the
mathematical and classical triposes still retain their
former prestige. The moral science tripos,
though increasing in importance, still attracts a
comparatively small number of students, and there is
probably no other examination for which it is necessary
to read Mr. Mill’s “Logic” and “Political
Economy.” This fact affords the most satisfactory
evidence that the influence he has exerted is spontaneous,
and is therefore likely to be lasting in its effects.
If students had been driven to read his books by the
necessity which examinations impose, it is quite possible,
that, after the examination, the books might never
be looked at again. A resident, however, at the
university can scarcely fail to be struck with the
fact, that many who perfectly well know that they will
never in any examination be asked to answer a question
in logic or political economy are among the most diligent
students of Mr. Mill’s books. When I was
an undergraduate, I well remember that most of my friends
who were likely to take high mathematical honors were
already so ultimately acquainted with Mr. Mill’s
writings, and were so much imbued with their spirit,
that they might have been regarded as his disciples.
Many looked up to him as their teacher; many have since
felt that he then instilled into them principles, which,
to a great extent, have guided their conduct in after
life. Any one who is intimately acquainted with
Mr. Mill’s writings will readily understand
how it is that they possess such peculiar attractiveness
for the class of readers to whom I am now referring.
There is nothing more characteristic in his writings
than generosity and courage. He always states
his opponent’s case with the most judicial impartiality.
He never shrinks from the expression of opinion because
he thinks it unpopular; and there is nothing so abhorrent
to him as that bigotry which prevents a man from appreciating
what is just and true in the views of those who differ
from him. This toleration, which is so predominant
a feature of his writings, is probably one of the rarest
of all qualities in a controversialist. Those
who do not possess it always produce an impression
that they are unfair; and this impression, once produced,
exercises a repelling influence upon the young.
Another cause of the attractiveness of Mr. Mill’s
writings is the precision with which his views are
expressed, and the systematic form which is given
to his opinions. Confidence is reposed in him
as a guide, because it is found that there is some
definite goal to which he is leading his readers:
he does not conduct them they know not whither, as