New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1842-12-27
prafes.or potter,s Lectnre.

an interesting and instructive Lecture last even
ing, before the Historical Society, at the Univers
ty Chapel, upon BAcoE and LOCKE. It was well
and strongly written and clearly and inpressiveiy
delivered ; but the nature OF the subject, its re-
noteness from the current of general thought and
the severely close manner in which 1t was GUS
cussed rendered 1t less impressive and less gene
rally popular than others of far inferior merit have
frequently been Il was rather biographical cut
line of each OF these great philosophers with nc
tees of those points Of character in which they
differed, and general view Of the prevailing spir
it by which the philosophical studies Of each were
guided, than full and elaborate exposition OF
their respective systems, to which IN fact but
passing allusion was made. The evident contrast
in their spositions,-BAceN miDgliHg in the
scenes OF active life, holding the highest political
stations and delighing in the possession of power,
and LOCKE seeking rather retirement end the
calm and serene air. of his own philosophic
studies,-was boldly and eloquen,ly drawn.
Prof. Potter was not disposed to allow to
Bacon the credit of having originally discovered
the method of scientific inquiry usually associated
with his name. The philosophers of the middle
ages, Paracelsus and others, all understood per
fec.ly that scientific truth could be reached onlyby
experiment, in fact by induction; but BACON saw
that their experiments were performed carelefsly;
facts were not clearly and distinctly ascertained;
processes were not regulated by any well defined
rules; AID results were not classified and arranged
with any scientific method. His merit, them lay
in recognizing the correctness of their general
method, and in detecting a: the same time the
source of their errors, and being able to apply the
proper remedy. Following the popular notions
uponthe subject Prof. POTTER spoke ofBAcoS's
philosophy as opposed, in its whole spirit aad ire
concileably, to that of Plato, with whose golden
visions" he rather sneeringly contrasted it: and
represented Bacon, as does Macaulay in his cele
brated Review, to have restricted the sphere of
philosophical investigation to that which is useful
for some practical end in life. Bacon says Mac
aulay, sought TO make men comfortable. Plato,
not content with this, sought shape the motives
of the heart and to make men better as well as
happier If this were true, it would certainly be
little to the credit of the Christian writer: but it
seems US very superficial and mistaken view
TO the objects of outward Nature, the principles
with which Plato concerned himself oaly in their
relation to the inner life of the soul: and this GER
tainly implies no contradiction between the two.
The very expressions which Prof. POTTER quoted
from BAcoE, in which he expressly declares that
true science, in its highest aim, is lucifere non
tructi}era, lightbringag not flut-bearing, would
seem at to reconcile his spirit with that of the
great Athenian.
While Prof. Potter spoke in terms of most
profound respect of LOCKE, of the spirit in which
all his Investigations conducted, of the spot
less integrity of his life and the purity of all his
aims, he admitted the existence Of radical errors
in mis- philosophical system. His theory that all
our ideas are derived primarily from sensation he
acknowledged to be incomplete aud insufficient;
aud the expression of his maxims oftentmes vague
and indefinite. Still, though the principles which
formed the basis of his system, vixen carried to
their legitimate results, give support to irrelgious
and immoral doctrines, no one, he said had ever
suspected that he was aware Of this, or that, had
he foreseen it, he would not have bitterly and sim
ce.ely deplored it. Ofhis tract upon the Conduct
of the Understanding Prof POTTER spoke in terms
of unqualified eulcgium, as furnishing assistance
the most necessary and satisfactory to the minds
of the young, and being quite indispensable tor
the RICH, conduct of any education On this point
his estimate is widely different frem that Of De
QUlscEy, who, in an essay of remarkable distinct
ness and power, maintains that it is absolutely
worthless for any truly practical and definitely use
full purpose. He dissects and analyses it clearly
and with all his wonted vigor; and we confess
that his demonstration has for US more weight than
the high but rather vague euogium Of Professor
POTTER.
The lecture of Prof. Potter, like all those be-
fore the Historical Society to which we have lis
tened, was marked by ability and strength, both of
thought and diction. Less Difference, it seems to
US, is paid by the lecturers before this Society
than by those who address others in the city, TO
the love of display and fine scriling, which spols
so many excellent discourses, and which is quite
apt to supply, most acceptaby too, the place Of
profound thought and vitally important truth
The audiences select and highly intelligent;
and the course of Lectures are among the most
valuable and interesting of the season. CHARLES
F. HOFFMAN, Esq delivers the next in the series,
on Friday evening.
~ This evening MIR. MOONEY will deliver his
seventh lecture on the history of Ireland her lite
nature, music, &c. He will examine the interest
ing history Gas collateral subjecD Of the origin
Of the Saxon power in England, and of the con-
version of Scotland to Christianity, and offer
remarks in reply to certain points in late lecture
Of Mr.. Bancroft. A lecture so various in subject