DOI Heft:
July to December, 1853
DOI Seite / Zitierlink:https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.16612#0034
22
PUNCH, OR THE LONDON CHARIVARI.
INFINITESIMAL LOGIC.
E agr 'e with Professor Para-
day that there is something very
startling in the condition of the
public mind in regard to
scientific reasoning. Here is a
specimen—if correctly reported
—of the ratiocination of a
British Legislator, and a gentle-
man of more than average
education, moreover, a polemic
of considerable celebrity; re-
lative to a simple question of
evidence. At a recent meeting
of the “ English Homoeopathic
Association,” according to the
Morning Post:—
“ Mr. Miall, M.P., moved the adop-
tion of the report, and stated that lie
had become a convert to the truth of
the principles of Homoeopathy from
seeing their effects as regarded a re-
lative—though, thanks to the goodness
of Providence, he had no personal
experience of them.”
To any one possessed of com-
mon understanding and decent
information, who is accustomed
to exercise the least caution in
drawing inferences, who has
the slightest glimmering of an idea of the nature of inductive proof,
who does not, in short, jump to his exclusions like a kangaroo, it is
truly marvellous that auy sane human mind should be capable ol such
a generalization as the above. Mr. Miall says that he became “ a
convert to the principles of Homoeopathy ”—whence ? Prom carefully
sifting an accumulation of evidence, patiently comparing and analysing
hosts of facts? No; but “from seeing their effects as regarded a
j relative.”
This is just the mental process by which an old woman arrives at a
faith in Holloway’s or AIorison’s Pills.
Observe, too, that the thing which Mr. Miall is persuaded of with
such facility, is one which is, so far from being in itself _ likely,
anteriorly improbable in the very highest degree, and, indeed,
ridiculously absurd on the first face of it.
It is curious how nonsensically men, otherwise intelligent, will
argue whenever they meddle with a question relative to medicine. A
man is reckoned a fool for talking about any other subject which he
does not understand; but it seems to be assumed that there is
a specialty in medical matters, which admits of sound opinions
being formed respecting them by people who are entirely ignorant
of them.
Mr. Miall, however, uses a correct expression when he calls
himself a “ convert ” to Homoeopathy. Science has no “ converts.”
Scientific truths are either self-evident or demonstrable. Philosophical
systems are not “denominations” or “persuasions.” It is systems of
another kind that exercise faith—such faith as Mr. Miall appears to
repose in Homoeopathy.
To medical nonconformity, however, let Mr. Miall be welcome, if
he will only suffer nonconformity of another kind to constitute him no
obstacle to that “ secular ” education which is so needful a preservative
against all manner of humbug.
We say Amen to Mr. Mlall’s thanksgiving for never having
experienced the effects of Homoeopathy in his own person; that is to
say, never having experienced the effects of a serious illness unchecked
by the quackery resorted to for its cure.
A HELP TO JEWISH EMANCIPATION.
The Jews are excluded from Parliament by bigotry—but not merely
by the bigotry of the House of Peers.
Facts are stubborn things ; they are also bigoted things : at least
Matter-of-fact exhibits a remarkable bigotry in regard to the Jews.
Last week, in the law reports, appeared the old story of the plucked
pigeon; dissipation, horse-dealing, bill-discounting, cheating, and ras-
cality. Bigoted Matter-of-fact, as usual, exhibited the scoundrel of the
tale as a gentleman of the Hebrew persuasion.
How is it, that if there is any villany, if there is any wickedness of a
particularly dirty sort; a case of bill-stealing, receipt of stolen goods,
fraudulent gambling, marine store-shop, or other disreputable estab-
lishment, the party chiefly implicated is sure, in the great majority of
instances, to be a gentleman rejoicing in the name, slightly corrupted,
of one of the prophets or patriarchs ? For so it is, according to bigoted
Matter-of-fact.
While so much bigotry exists, a corresponding amount of prejudice
must also exist, tending to obstruct the entrance of Israelites into
the House of Commons. For if the bigot Matter-of-fact’s assertion,
that in nine cases out of ten a bill discounter, low-hell-keeper, fence,
or other trader in wickedness, is a Jew, be believed, then the sup-
position that it is ten to one that a Jew is a rogue, is not very
unreasonable.
Now the Jewish community is not numerous and poor, but just the
reverse ; and its chiefs are wallowing in riches. Would they not take
the most effectual means of getting their disabilities removed, if, by
diffusing education throughout their body, they could manage to abate
that bigotry of Matter-of-fact which ascribes to it so large a portion of
discreditable members ?
TO PROFESSOR FARADAY.
OH HIS ASTONISHMENT AT THE EXTENT OF POPULAR DELUSION
WHICH HAS BEEN DISCLOSED BY “ TABLE-TURNING.”
Oh, Mr. Faraday, simple Mr. Faraday !
Much as you’ve discovered touching chemic laws and powers.
Strange, that you should, till now, never have discovered how
Many foolish dunces there are in this world of ours !
Nature’s veracity, whilst with perspicacity.
Vigilantly, carefully, you labour to educe.
Little do you suspect how extremely incorrect
Common observation is, and common sense how loose.
Oh, Mr. Faraday, simple Mr. Faraday !
Did you of enlightenment consider this an age ?
Bless your simplicity, deep in electricity.
But, in social matters, unsophisticated sage !
Weak Superstition dead; knocked safely on the head,
Long since buried deeper than the bed of the Red Sea,
Did you not fondly fancy ? Did you think that necromancy
Practised now at the expense of any fool could be ?
Oh, Mr. Faraday, simple Mr. Faraday !
Persons not uneducated—very highly dressed—
Fine folks as peer and peeress, go and fee a Yankee seeress.
To evoke their dead relations’ Spirits from their rest.
Also seek cunning men, feigning, by mesmeric ken,
Missing property to trace and indicate the thief.
Cure ailments, give predictions : all of these enormous fictions
Are, among our higher classes, matters of belief.
Oh, Mr. Faraday, simple Mr. Faraday !
Past, you probably supposed the days of Dr. Dee,
Up turned his Crystal, though, but a little while ago.
Full of magic visions for genteel small boys to see.
Talk of gentility ! see what gullibility
Fashionable dupes of homoeopathy betray,
Who smallest globules cram with the very biggest flam,
Swallowing both together in the most prodigious way.
Oh, Mr. Faraday, simple Mr. Faraday !
Men of learning, who, at least, should better know, you’d think,
Credit a pack of odd tales of images that nod.
Openly profess belief that certain pictures wink,
That saints have sailed on cloaks, and without the slightest hoax,
In the dark, by miracle, not like stale fish, did shine,
Nor phosphorus, that slowly, might, in personages holy—
As in others, possibly, with oxygen combine.
Oh, Mr. Faraday, simple Mr. Faraday !
Guided by the steady light which mighty Bacon lit,
You naturally stare, seeing that so many are
Following whither fraudulent Jack-with-the-Lanterns flit.
Of scientific lore, though you have an ample store,
Gotten by experiments, in one respect you lack;
Society’s weak side, whereupon you none have tried,
Being all Philosopher and nothing of a Quack.
A Phrenological Puzzle.
We are continually hearing of some individual or other who is
remarkable for what is called an “Enlarged Benevolence.” We wish
Mr. Donovan would explain to us the meaning of this phrase, lor
though we sometimes hear of an enlargement of the heart, or of a
newspaper having been “permanently enlarged,” we are puzzled to
understand how there can be an enlargement of an individual's
benevolence.
PUNCH, OR THE LONDON CHARIVARI.
INFINITESIMAL LOGIC.
E agr 'e with Professor Para-
day that there is something very
startling in the condition of the
public mind in regard to
scientific reasoning. Here is a
specimen—if correctly reported
—of the ratiocination of a
British Legislator, and a gentle-
man of more than average
education, moreover, a polemic
of considerable celebrity; re-
lative to a simple question of
evidence. At a recent meeting
of the “ English Homoeopathic
Association,” according to the
Morning Post:—
“ Mr. Miall, M.P., moved the adop-
tion of the report, and stated that lie
had become a convert to the truth of
the principles of Homoeopathy from
seeing their effects as regarded a re-
lative—though, thanks to the goodness
of Providence, he had no personal
experience of them.”
To any one possessed of com-
mon understanding and decent
information, who is accustomed
to exercise the least caution in
drawing inferences, who has
the slightest glimmering of an idea of the nature of inductive proof,
who does not, in short, jump to his exclusions like a kangaroo, it is
truly marvellous that auy sane human mind should be capable ol such
a generalization as the above. Mr. Miall says that he became “ a
convert to the principles of Homoeopathy ”—whence ? Prom carefully
sifting an accumulation of evidence, patiently comparing and analysing
hosts of facts? No; but “from seeing their effects as regarded a
j relative.”
This is just the mental process by which an old woman arrives at a
faith in Holloway’s or AIorison’s Pills.
Observe, too, that the thing which Mr. Miall is persuaded of with
such facility, is one which is, so far from being in itself _ likely,
anteriorly improbable in the very highest degree, and, indeed,
ridiculously absurd on the first face of it.
It is curious how nonsensically men, otherwise intelligent, will
argue whenever they meddle with a question relative to medicine. A
man is reckoned a fool for talking about any other subject which he
does not understand; but it seems to be assumed that there is
a specialty in medical matters, which admits of sound opinions
being formed respecting them by people who are entirely ignorant
of them.
Mr. Miall, however, uses a correct expression when he calls
himself a “ convert ” to Homoeopathy. Science has no “ converts.”
Scientific truths are either self-evident or demonstrable. Philosophical
systems are not “denominations” or “persuasions.” It is systems of
another kind that exercise faith—such faith as Mr. Miall appears to
repose in Homoeopathy.
To medical nonconformity, however, let Mr. Miall be welcome, if
he will only suffer nonconformity of another kind to constitute him no
obstacle to that “ secular ” education which is so needful a preservative
against all manner of humbug.
We say Amen to Mr. Mlall’s thanksgiving for never having
experienced the effects of Homoeopathy in his own person; that is to
say, never having experienced the effects of a serious illness unchecked
by the quackery resorted to for its cure.
A HELP TO JEWISH EMANCIPATION.
The Jews are excluded from Parliament by bigotry—but not merely
by the bigotry of the House of Peers.
Facts are stubborn things ; they are also bigoted things : at least
Matter-of-fact exhibits a remarkable bigotry in regard to the Jews.
Last week, in the law reports, appeared the old story of the plucked
pigeon; dissipation, horse-dealing, bill-discounting, cheating, and ras-
cality. Bigoted Matter-of-fact, as usual, exhibited the scoundrel of the
tale as a gentleman of the Hebrew persuasion.
How is it, that if there is any villany, if there is any wickedness of a
particularly dirty sort; a case of bill-stealing, receipt of stolen goods,
fraudulent gambling, marine store-shop, or other disreputable estab-
lishment, the party chiefly implicated is sure, in the great majority of
instances, to be a gentleman rejoicing in the name, slightly corrupted,
of one of the prophets or patriarchs ? For so it is, according to bigoted
Matter-of-fact.
While so much bigotry exists, a corresponding amount of prejudice
must also exist, tending to obstruct the entrance of Israelites into
the House of Commons. For if the bigot Matter-of-fact’s assertion,
that in nine cases out of ten a bill discounter, low-hell-keeper, fence,
or other trader in wickedness, is a Jew, be believed, then the sup-
position that it is ten to one that a Jew is a rogue, is not very
unreasonable.
Now the Jewish community is not numerous and poor, but just the
reverse ; and its chiefs are wallowing in riches. Would they not take
the most effectual means of getting their disabilities removed, if, by
diffusing education throughout their body, they could manage to abate
that bigotry of Matter-of-fact which ascribes to it so large a portion of
discreditable members ?
TO PROFESSOR FARADAY.
OH HIS ASTONISHMENT AT THE EXTENT OF POPULAR DELUSION
WHICH HAS BEEN DISCLOSED BY “ TABLE-TURNING.”
Oh, Mr. Faraday, simple Mr. Faraday !
Much as you’ve discovered touching chemic laws and powers.
Strange, that you should, till now, never have discovered how
Many foolish dunces there are in this world of ours !
Nature’s veracity, whilst with perspicacity.
Vigilantly, carefully, you labour to educe.
Little do you suspect how extremely incorrect
Common observation is, and common sense how loose.
Oh, Mr. Faraday, simple Mr. Faraday !
Did you of enlightenment consider this an age ?
Bless your simplicity, deep in electricity.
But, in social matters, unsophisticated sage !
Weak Superstition dead; knocked safely on the head,
Long since buried deeper than the bed of the Red Sea,
Did you not fondly fancy ? Did you think that necromancy
Practised now at the expense of any fool could be ?
Oh, Mr. Faraday, simple Mr. Faraday !
Persons not uneducated—very highly dressed—
Fine folks as peer and peeress, go and fee a Yankee seeress.
To evoke their dead relations’ Spirits from their rest.
Also seek cunning men, feigning, by mesmeric ken,
Missing property to trace and indicate the thief.
Cure ailments, give predictions : all of these enormous fictions
Are, among our higher classes, matters of belief.
Oh, Mr. Faraday, simple Mr. Faraday !
Past, you probably supposed the days of Dr. Dee,
Up turned his Crystal, though, but a little while ago.
Full of magic visions for genteel small boys to see.
Talk of gentility ! see what gullibility
Fashionable dupes of homoeopathy betray,
Who smallest globules cram with the very biggest flam,
Swallowing both together in the most prodigious way.
Oh, Mr. Faraday, simple Mr. Faraday !
Men of learning, who, at least, should better know, you’d think,
Credit a pack of odd tales of images that nod.
Openly profess belief that certain pictures wink,
That saints have sailed on cloaks, and without the slightest hoax,
In the dark, by miracle, not like stale fish, did shine,
Nor phosphorus, that slowly, might, in personages holy—
As in others, possibly, with oxygen combine.
Oh, Mr. Faraday, simple Mr. Faraday !
Guided by the steady light which mighty Bacon lit,
You naturally stare, seeing that so many are
Following whither fraudulent Jack-with-the-Lanterns flit.
Of scientific lore, though you have an ample store,
Gotten by experiments, in one respect you lack;
Society’s weak side, whereupon you none have tried,
Being all Philosopher and nothing of a Quack.
A Phrenological Puzzle.
We are continually hearing of some individual or other who is
remarkable for what is called an “Enlarged Benevolence.” We wish
Mr. Donovan would explain to us the meaning of this phrase, lor
though we sometimes hear of an enlargement of the heart, or of a
newspaper having been “permanently enlarged,” we are puzzled to
understand how there can be an enlargement of an individual's
benevolence.