The Sun.
London, England, 1865-10-06 00:00:00

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LONDON, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1865.

The Social Science Congress was held at Shef-
field yesterday, and the opening address in the first
department was delivered by Sir R. J. PHILLIMORE,
President of the Section. The subject was juris-
prudence and the amendment of the law, which
title, lie truly declared, afforded them a wide scope
for dissertation. We are by this means enabled to
consider the terms in their full significance, and
inquire not only into what is law, but into what
ought to be. This is a subject which nowadays
engrosses a large share of attention, and non-pro-
fessional as well as professional persons have de-
voted much time to the matter, that in truth is one
of vital import. It is emphatically mentioned here
that philosophy requires the facts which juris-
prudence supplies, and that jurisprudence needs the
aid of philosophy to marshal the materials thus
afforded. The theoretical and practical jurist
should not be divided, for theory without a treasury
of facts is an idle pastime, and practice without a
knowledge of principles is a blind mechanism.
Sir R. PHILLIMORE declared that meetings like
those which then called them together were of great
utility in many ways. This remark is very true, and,
indeed, so numerous and important are the advan-
tages that accrue from them that it is not surprising
this movement of the Social Science Congress has
received such constant support, and progressed so
satisfactorily. Free discussion is thereby promoted
to a great degree, and the interchanging of opinions
thus afforded enables the inquirer to sift the subject
under notice thoroughly; and, besides these benefits,
an opportunity is given of studying the different
forms observed in other lands, and comparing them
with our practices. Much may be learned
p
with advantage to all parties by these com-
prehensive . investigations, and the Advocate-
General went so far as to say that the
international character of the meeting might per-
haps hasten the advent of that day, "foretold by
the great orator and statesman of antiquity, when
a general observance of the same principles of law
upon the chief subjects affecting the wants and in-
terests of humanity shall help to bind together the
nations of the earth in the bonds of unbroken
peace." One feature of the American war was
adverted to with satisfaction by the learned gentle-
man, and that was the respect paid to the code of
4. international law" during the constant repetition
of the disputes arising from the debateable belli-
gerent rights ; and had there not been some such
standard for both sides to measure their conduct by
a long and sanguinary war might have occurred.
After all that has been said and written on the
Filbject of the law, and the many discrepancies
which the most eminent writers have shown to
exist in its workings, it is not likely that the truth
of Dr. PHILLIMORE'S remarks will be gainsaid,
when he says that the present system of juris-
prudence and legislation in England is capable of
great improvement. It shows, indeed, something
very wrong when an able exposition of the matter
declares that the state of things at present permits
the " laws of a country, teeming with wealth and
Population, to be scattered over thousands of
volumes of reports, and more thousands of sta-
tutes." Surely the common sense of all zallsi tel
them that this is au anomaly alike Of all.