ckle. Even at
the risk of prolonging this article beyond its proper limits, we quote
at some length, on account of the vast interest of the topic and the
different notions which too generally prevail as to the propriety of its
discussion:

'If they who deny the immortality of the soul, could, without the
least opprobrium, state in the boldest manner all their objections,
the advocates of the doctrine would be obliged to reconsider their
own position and to abandon its untenable points. By this means,
that which I revere, and an overwhelming majority of us revere, as
a glorious truth, would be immensely strengthened. It would be
strengthened by being deprived of those sophistical arguments which
are commonly urged in its favor, and which give to its enemies an
incalculable advantage. It would moreover be strengthened by that
feeling of security which men have in their own convictions, when
they know that everything is said against them which can be said,
and that their opponents have a fair and liberal hearing. This
begets a magnanimity and a rational confidence which cannot
otherwise be obtained. But, such results can never happen while we
are so timid, or so dishonest, as to impute improper motives to
those who assail our religious opinions. We may rely upon it that
as long as we look upon an atheistical writer as a moral offender,
or even as long as we glance at him with suspicion, atheism will
remain a standing and permanent danger, because, skulking in hidden
corners, it will use stratagems which their secrecy will prevent us
from baffling; it will practise artifices to which the persecuted
are forced to resort; it will number its concealed proselytes to an
extent of which only they who have studied this painful subject are
aware; and, above all, by enabling them to complain of the
treatment to which they are exposed, it will excite the sympathy of
many high and generous natures, who, in an open and manly warfare,
might strive against them, but who, by a noble instinct, find
themselves incapable of contending with any sect which is
oppressed, maligned, or intimidated.'

The most interesting, and perhaps the most remarkable part of Mr. Mill's
book, is that which he devotes to individuality as one of the elements
of well being. Having very fully discussed the question of lib