the history of metaphysics, some account of a cause its own cause, a thing produced by itself, and as miraculously maintained at its own charge. Which third blunder makes a goodly trinity-the father, son, and ghost of the newfangled philosophy. of plants. Lamarck says, in his article “On the general distribution of animals," "That in the polypi the simplicity and perfection of the organization, though very great, are much less striking and, indeed, observable, than in the class infusoria; in the polypi," he observes, As a finisher to this chaos of crudities, we "the organization has evidently made some are told what has before been noticed in this progress; for already nature in them seems to article, "that things exist because they exist," have obtained a constant and regular form, and which, as it was put in italics, was, I presume, to have furnished a special organ for digestion, meant by the writer for what in slang phrase- and consequently a mouth, which is the enology is called a regular floorer, a sort of knock- trance of their alimentary bag." He distributes down blow, for every class of objectors; the polypi into four orders of class 2 of the whereas, I think it one of the most stupid sen- animal kingdom; according to which distritences that ever was italicised. The word "be-bution, which I need hardly say is quite arbieause" always supposes, or pre-supposes, that trary, the polypi cannot be the first of animals there is a reason for; but philosophy would no more attempt to give a reason for the existence things, than against such existence: it states the fact that things do exist, and rests there. After telling us that "things exist because," &c., the writer tell us, "that he knows nothing further about it," which is a small amount of knowledge indeed; but had he said he knew nothing at all about it, he would have been quite right. A few more words and I shall have done with this writer, for the present at all events, as, should I get into prison, it will be difficult to say how I shall be treated, and whether or not I shall be permitted to use my pen and write as freely within as without its walls. Should I be debarred that privilege, the defence of my character, principles,and writing, will rest with those friends who think with me, and are prepared to advocate these views, to wage war or promote peace, defend truth or attack falsehood, with courage, perseverance, and consistency. D (Busariæ, or purse.) THEORY OF REGULAR GRADATION. VI. and the last of plants. I have already warned those who wish to study nature with profit, that all distinctions between animals and vegetables, or rather the animal, vegetable, and mineral kingdoms, are only human inventions, useful when known as such, for then they aid and do not mislead the judgment. In a former paper, it was given as the opinion of certain naturalists, that it is impossible to make of one body two living parts, life being one, or unity and indivisible. In the polypi, says Boitard, "It is quite the contrary, for in them life is multiplied, and each fraction of their body enjoys a particular animation, independent of the general animation, although it may in some sense be subordinate to it, inasmuch as that the being makes not more than one. Let us take from one of our ponds a polypus, the green hydra for example, and preserve it alive in a vase of water, if we then take a very sharp instrument and cut it into two parts, the effect will be that we double its being or life, for each part lives and performs perfectly all the functions of animality. it into four, into ten, or even a hundred parts, and it will be precisely the same with each fragment, the only effect being that we shall have one hundred polypi instead of one. Cut If we act otherwise: take two, three, or four polypi, and sew them together by means of boars' bristles, in a very short time what may be called the soldering of their bodies is perfectly effected, and we can no longer see more than one animal, living precisely in the same manner as the others, but having parts double, treble, or quadruple of the other. If you have two polypi, a small and large one, in the same vase, and throw them a little worm, immediately each of them will seize it by one of its extremities and proceed to eat it. When they have swallowed it, they will have drawn very close together, and very soon after they will be mouth against mouth, then, neither of them wishing to lose their hold, the big polypus will comfortably swallow the small one. But let LAMARCK'S PHILOSOPHIE ZOOLOGIQUE. not the reader suppose that he will be inconEE creature called polypus has long been anvenienced thereby, nor will the creature swalect of curiosity among naturalists; it has lowed display any kind of uneasiness, but in a called the first of animals and last of the stomach of the other he will continue gaily Iregard it as certain, that the motion of fluids in the nterior of animals-a motion which is progressively accelerated with the increased complexity of the organization, and that the influence of new circumstances, to the action of which animals are exposed when spreading themselves over the face of the habitable globe, were the two general causes which have brought the various animals to the state or condition in which we now behold them." to devour his prey, digesting it in the most tranquil manner, beyond the reach of danger; then, when he is tired of his living prison, you will see him pierce the stomach of the big polypus, make his way out, and, as when going in, neither the one nor the other seem to suffer the slightest inconvenience. Life in these animals is everywhere, because there are not in them special organs for the performance of animal functions, therefore it is that a polypus may be turned outside in, and inside out, precisely in the same manner that you turn a pair of gloves, without at all deranging its economy or disturbing its nerves... That which is the stomach performs very well the office of the skin, and the skin returns the compliment by forming the partition-wall of a new stomach, which digests the food just as well as the first." The Deus lunus ovatus Heliopolitanus, or the divine egg with the lunar crescent, adored at Heliopolis, in Syria, is another relic of ancient superstition, t curious to be passed unnoticed."-MAURICE. T IN No. 5 of Oracle was given an engraving the mundane egg, encompassed by the gen folds of the Agathodaimon, or good genius, representation of which is suspended aloft the Temple of Hercules, at Tyre, and is w known to the lovers of the antique. The De lunus ovatus Helopolitanus has also long e cited the curiosity of the learned among t moderns. In a passage from Philo-Bibli quoted by Eusebius, it is said that the earlie and most venerated of Egyptian gods was serpent, "having a hawk's head beautiful look upon, who, if he opened his eyes, fills t universe with light in his first born region; he wink, it is darkness." The history of hie oglyphics and symbols is the history of o race in the earlier stages of its progress. use of hieroglyphics and symbols is as ancien perhaps more ancient, than that of langua itself. It can hardly be doubted that for ma ages our race must have found it far more co venient to communicate their ideas by actio and the use of sensible signs, than by that language, which either had no existence, or w necessarily imperfect; probably being in t "fossil, or undeveloped, man" very little bett than the snorting of a horse, or the chatteri of monkeys. All Oriental history shows th the egg has been from time immemorial a syn bol of the world; which proves, or, at all even gives good reason to believe, that the earlie sages of whom we have any knowledge did n like more modern wise men, suppose our glo to be flat as a pancake, but knew it to be o or egg-shaped. The symbolic-egg plays a co spicuous part in all the cosmogonies of t East, and, together with the serpent, is to found in great variety, single or combined, all the Oriental temples. These facts have be noticed by Maurice, who states that "the m remarkable of these symbolical devices is th erected, and at this day to be seen, in one the temples of Japan." The temple itself, which this fine monument of Eastern genius elevated, is called Dia-Bod, and stands Meaco, a great and flourishing city of Japa The principal image in this design displays self in the form of a vast bull, the emblem prolific heat, and the generative energy which creation was formed, butting with horns against the egg, which floated on t waters of the abyss. TRIAL OF MR. SOUTHWELL. "An Inquirer" is informed that a correct report the trial will be published as early as possible. The writer of critique on "Introduction" has best thanks. BRISTOL: Printed and Published by JOHN FIE 6, Narrow Wine-street.-LONDON: Hetheringt Watson. EDINBURGH: W. & H. Robinson.-GLA GOW: Paton & Love.-LEEDS: Hobson.-BIRMIN HAM: Taylor. Saturday, January 8, 1842, THE SCOTTISH EDINBURGH ORACLE OF REASON: Or, Philosophy Vindicated. UNION "FAITH'S EMPIRE IS THE WORLD; ITS MONARCH, GOD; ITS MINISTERS, THE PRIESTS; ITS SLAVES, THE PEOPLE." No. 8.] EDITED For Charles SOUTHWELL, DURING HIS IMPRISONMENT, [PRICE 1D. BY G. J. HOLYOAKE. A FEW WORDS FROM THE SECOND PRIEST OF THE ORACLE. THE Great Lama never dies, so with the priest of the Oracle. Lama succeeds Lama, until the god seems immortal, and as such is worshipped. The priest of the Oracle cares little about being worshipped, but his immortality he is determined to establishat least the perpetuity of his right to publish bis free oracular thoughts. The phoenix is the true crest-bird of the martyr of truth; he dies firm, in the "sure and certain faith of a joyful resurrection" from the ashes of bigots' fires. Making free with the words of Addison, it may be predicted-he will flourish in immortal youth, unhurt amid the war of error, the wreck of fanatics, and the crush of religions. earnestness; it requires but good direction. The analogy between the progress of physical and mental science is strangely striking. In the early days of physical warfare the battering ram was a favourite weapon in demolishing a firmly-built fortress. But it at length gave way before Friar Bacon's discovery. Sudden shocks from the cannon's balls were found much more effective agents of demolition than tardy thumping with wooden blocks. The mental warrior, unless his own head is made of the material of the old rams, may learn something from these facts. Modern science and discoveries are the gunpowder of mental strife, and a few well-aimed shots would infallibly do the business for corruption. Some persons seem so enamoured with folly, that they argue for its "gentle and gradual" removal. Whether they fear they must gaze on vacancy, when the superstructures of nonsense are levelled, can scarcely be determined, but their counsel is that of the man who should advise the modern soldier to persevere in the dull and stupid thumping of childish times, when better arms lie by him. Because the tortoise once beat the hare by its perseverance, laggards in reasoning have fallen in love with laziness; and with sagacity, in perfect keeping with the subject, can conceive of nothing so effective for the establishment of truth as sleepy error. The bounding fleetness of the hare was its virtue freely confess to the having no sympathy its liability to relax its efforts its vice; but wiseacres have extolled and imitated its failing, and totally neglected its good quality. In attacking error, violence is virtue, it is the test of sincerity, the measure of 65 Many perplex themselves in their desire to determine the proper time for attacking error. We may seem inhuman, but we with their sufferings. Our experience, say they, teaches gentleness in our dealings with the prejudices of our fellows-we never had, and hope we rever may have, such experience. But if asked the question, when [SECOND EDITION: shall honesty appear, and subterfuge be banished ? without metaphor, simile, or trope, we answer in one word -NOW. Condescending to answer this is something like doubting axioms; for surely the time to attack error was coeval with error's dawn, and it would have been well for mankind had it then been thought so. All days are lawful to do good, all time proper to do right acts in. Shelley felt this when he said, My father, Time, is weak and grey With waiting for a better day. Bentham wittily remarked, that if you ask the advocates of things as they are, when reforms are to commence? Their perpetual answer will be never. To-day is too soon, to-morrow too late. The proper time is the moment people can be found to commence them, which would have been long ago, had not wealth generated cowards and religion poltroons. On the charge, then, of being "premature," we are perfectly easy. It is intended strictly to adhere to the principles on which this paper was started. To simply pursue the same course, with singleness of heart, earnestness, and oneness of object. Such a course will perhaps be censured and perhaps not, when people become used to it; but, if still deemed objectionable, it is remarkably free from perplexity, which will more than compensate for all the rest. The object is not to provoke authority, but to speak the truth. Mr. Southwell has been removed-what then? The plan he sketched, or course he marked out, is as useful and desirable now at it was before, and much more so. He began a work intending it to be finished. We simply beg leave to go on with it. Let men learn the quality which the hare wanted-namely, that of persistency, and in the race for mental freedom they will soon leave the tortoises behind. If reminded that danger waylays our course--one of the usual common places -we have only to observe, that every course is beset with dangers, and that the only danger really worth fearing is that of becoming a hypocrite. In daring to be just, people never calculate consequences-it is useless. Satan never argued better, or, more properly, Milton never reasoned better for him, than when he said farewell hope, and, with hope, farewell fear. There is no hope for honesty, and they who are fanatical enough to fall in love with it know what they have to expect--and all fear is folly. Indeed, it may be questioned, whether any punishment knaves or bigots can impose, is equal in severity to that which is self-inflicted, when the honest mind descends to disingenuousness. Ambition we have long discarded, and we do not expect or aim at uniting all the virtues cf prudence, to the simple ones of honesty and justice. We are content with plain things, and leave respec table and complex virtues to people of higher pretensions. Bigots may rage as the holy spirit directs, and have recourse to their iron or legal evidences-the only proofs of the existence of a god-anything may be resorted to that in their wisdom and mercy (religion is full of this) they may think fit. They may diversify, they cannot increase, any calamity we fear. That which seems sure to come without them is, by far more, fearful than anything THEY can bring. With this long-felt and freely given assurance we proceed to other considerations. Should the utility of the course, matter, style, or manner of these papers be disputed, we may refer to the events of the last few weeks for illustrations of the correctness of every step; of which abundant proof shall be adduced whenever it may be required. The agitation for the defence of Mr. Southwell has raised up armies ready to be marshalled beneath the banners of truth; men who do not merely wish success to the great principles of civil and religious liberty, but have bared the arm to defend them: not a few of them veterans, having seen hard service, and now, tired of inactivity, are filled with martial ardour for the onslaught. They want but opportunity and encouragement, and the prayer of Abou Ben Adhem, "that their tribe may increase," will be abundantly answered. It is not difficult to conceive that the support of the great, and invaluable principle which the Oracle is intended to maintain, namely, the right of every person to express, in his own manner, his own thoughts, without interference or dictation, might at this juncture have fallen into hands more able, though not more willing. But between the want of inclination and the want of power, this right has been suspended, like the coffin of Mohamet, and the moral regeneration of the world has been delayed. Hence modesty must be set aside, and necessity, like charity, must cover a multitude of sins. G. J. H. GENERAL VIEWS AND POLICY OF THE "ORACLE." The Oracle shall speak, shake orthodoxy's rotten bones, and make priests tremble. AYE, and speak no less firmly, no less unflinchingly to thousands than it originally did to hundreds. From the first time, bold and ardent, it will preserve its spirit and maintain its unimpeachable integrity. And now, trumpet-tongued, it will send forth salutary and sublime truths, that must abolish all god-worship, man- worship, and mammon-worship. Priests shall tremble, not for their cloth merely, not for the mere transfer of ecclesiastical power from the bloated orthodox to the lean and hungry dissenter; not for a change of stall patronage only, but for the very existence of their creeds; for the foundation, not for the mere excrescences of their many-hued religions. for the most part, give place to the exposure of all revealed, inspired, miraculous, and divine pretences. When the Oracle shall have spoken out a little longer, then will be a miracle for the religious quidnunes to babble about, one that will, like Aaron's rod, swallow up all competing miracles; they may turn it also into a prophecy, if they list. This grand miracle will be the prodigiously surprising union of the various religion-mongers; priests, congregations, and all. The miraculous draught of fishes will be beaten hollow. "Church in danger," will be obsolete; "no popery," a bygone war-hoop ;—“" the bible in danger," be the alarm cry, and the robber leaders and the robber bands will stagger forth with some of the old spirit, but with less of the old intrepidity, to dance the dance of death over the bodies of infidel victims. The christian congregrations will suspend hostilities, they will stay their interbickerings and strife, their jealousies and recriminations, their mutual curses, and persecutions, and excommunications; their threatenings of damnation-mundane, purgatorial, and eternal-will all be silenced; forward they will rush-the gospel-book in one hand, the law-book in the other-yelled on in the brutal intoxication of bigot fury to defend their moloch god, by the fine, the gag, and the dungeon. The Oracle will not be cajoled into suffering its pages to become a vehicle for amusing the gaping, and stolid, and priest-ridden multitude with controversial disputations. Those who are blinded by the dust kicked up by rival mountebanks and jugglers, may occupy themselves with the settlement of such matters as church-rate questions, head of the church questions, the voluntary question—and a thousand others, raised to deafen, stultify, and distract from really dangerous" altar in danger," "god in danger," will investigations. Our province is not to play fantastic tricks, and dip our hands into your pockets; not to kick up a row, and divide the spoil; not to get up an exhibition, and make you pay for it; not to excite a crusade, and persuade you to plunge into the conflict-in a word, WE WAR NOT WITH THE CHURCH, BUT THE ALTAR; NOT WITH FORMS OF WORSHIP, BUT WORSHIP ITSELF; NOT WITH THE ATTRIBUTES, BUT THE EXISTENCE, OF DEITY. Neither will the priest, as much as priestism, be the subject of our animadversions; the church, so much as the doctrine. And this, be it borne in mind, is not selected as being the safest, but the most effectual, course. There never was a greater mistake than the supposition of the danger of exposing the priests, for where this not winked at, there would be no vent, as it were, for popular indignation. It is not seen that the priesthood may be too powerful to care about exposure of priests, but not powerful enough to withstand the exposure of doctrines; crafty governments will suffer you to abuse their public men and public doings, but not expose the frauds of the system. March right onward to the foundation of the pretences of all religions, and they are on you tooth and claw, like ravening wolves; the miserable, mind-enslaved dupes being made the instruments of sacerdotal enormities, Else would not Southwell have been handed over, through the instrumentality of the priesthood, the magistracy, the judge's bench, and the jury box to a punishment shameful and ignominious to them, honourable and triumphant to him. Nor shall we expend much ink in authenticating or rejecting the half-acknowledged, half rejected religions, or branches of religions such as the Jewish and many others, ready to be given up at any time (Jonas like) to save the rest. Sectarian follies and inconsistencies will not so much occupy our pages, as an inquiry into revelation itself; false interpretations, questions of authenti city, of christian historical evidences, will, But after this last encounter, their impotent malice exhausting itself in sound and fury, will the unclean harpies-waddling and plethoric, with great gorging and spoliation-flap their impotent wings, distend their glassy eyes, contract their flesh-polluted claws with convulsive, but ineffectual, efforts; the carrion rooks, the purblind bats, the night-loving owls, and all noisome, disgusting, birds of prey will now, for the first time caw, screech, and hoot in concert, but, dazzled by the unaccustomed effulgency, will be consumed in the bright torch of truth. Like the priests in Volney's conference, about to be smitten by an infuriated people, they will attempt, terror-stricken, to stammer out a palliation; then will arrive the interposition of the enlightened, who, taught mercy by their philosophy-not religionwill exclaim, "It is yourselves that cause the evils of which you complain; it is you that encourage tyrants by a base flattery of their power, by an absurd admiration of their pretended beneficence, by converting obedience into servility, and liberty into licentiousness, and receiving every imposition with credulity. Can you think of punishing upon them the errors of your own ignorance and selfishness ?" And the people, smitten with confusion, will remain in a melancholy silence. Controversial theology is permitted, said |