He is not one of
those who, before they sit down to write a book, say to themselves,
what cry shall we take up? what principles shall we advocate? what
principles shall we abuse? before we put pen to paper we must find
out what cry is the loudest, what principle has the most advocates,
otherwise, after having written our book, we may find ourselves on
the weaker side.
A sailor of the "Bounty," waked from his sleep by the noise of the
mutiny, lay still in his hammock for some time, quite undecided
whether to take part with the captain or to join the mutineers. "I
must mind what I do," said he to himself, "lest, in the end, I find
myself on the weaker side;" finally, on hearing that the mutineers
were successful, he went on deck, and seeing Bligh pinioned to the
mast, he put his fist to his nose, and otherwise insulted him.
Now, there are many writers of the present day whose conduct is
very similar to that of the sailor. They lie listening in their
corners till they have ascertained which principle has most
advocates; then, presently, they make their appearance on the deck
of the world with their book; if truth has been victorious, then
has truth the hurrah! but if truth is pinioned against the mast,
then is their fist thrust against the nose of truth, and their gibe
and their insult spirted in her face.
Pages:
562
563
564
565
566
567
568
569
570
571
572
573
574
575
576
577
578
579
580
581
582
583
584
585
586