All his arguments are deduced from the actual experiences of human beings. He will hear of no theories which explain away facts--which start from any other ground than that of facts. He wishes to know what the things mean with which he has to meddle. He wishes to know what he is bound to be and to do, that he may not be in contradiction with himself-that he may not be a practical liar.-MAURICE, FREDERICK DENISON, 1862, Moral and Metaphysical Philosophy, vol. II, p. 461.

Soon after Bishop Butler's translation to Durham, he assembled his clergy in visitation, and delivered to them that Charge which, from the extraordinary and malicious attacks that were made upon it and the groundless imputations that arose out of it, has obtained more attention than it otherwise would have commanded. Sir James Mackintosh's remark upon Butler has often been quoted, that "no man who thought so well ever wrote so badly;" and this, which is true of the sermons and in a less degree of the "Analogy," is eminently true of the Durham Charge. The style of this document is heavy and inelegant, there is nothing to attract the attention or please the ear. But the matter of the Charge is replete with sound sense and wisdom, exhibiting a perception of the fitness of things far beyond what was common at that day, and likely to provoke the comments of the shallow writers who then boasted themselves as liberal and enlightened.-PERRY, GEORGE G., 1864, The History of the Church of England, vol. III, p. 370.

There is an old controversy as to whether Butler's style is not unnecessary dark and obscure. He himself defended it on the ground that the questions of which he treated are abstruse and difficult; but the fact that Secker endeavoured to enliven the "Analogy" a little shows that his friends thought his style defective. Sir J. Mackintosh, on the other hand, surely went too far when he said that no thinker so great was ever so bad a writer. There is a simple earnestness and quaint, homely vigour about the "Sermons' which relieve them to a great extent from this reproach. They are certainly not light reading, and some of the phraseology strikes one as artificial and affected; but after the first plunge these defects become less perceptible, while the reader's

The influence of Butler upon Ethical and Religious philosophy has been powerful wherever the English language is spoken and read, and probably surpasses that of any other single writer. This is not owing to the originality of his doctrines so much as to the compact form in which he has presented the reflections which had been suggested to many minds, and to the cautious and reverent spirit in which he mediates between the claims of independent thought and a revealed communication of Truth. His "Analogy" has been extensively studied and read as a text book in all the seminaries of higher learning, and has largely served to shape and strengthen the religious convictions of the English people. The "Sermons," though less generally read or studied, have exerted a pervading influence upon ethical philosophy. The "Analogy" and "Sermons" have also been efficient in introducing into Christian theology the ethical element, which sometimes it has greatly needed.-PORTER, NOAH, 1874, Philosophy in Great Britain and America, Ueberweg's History of Philosophy, vol. II, p. 385.

The most patient, original, and candid of philosophical theologians. Butler-and it is the great secret of his power is always depressed by the heavy burden of human misery and corruption. The horror of sin and death weighs upon his spirits. Our wisest course in life is to "endeavour chiefly to escape misery." Mitigation of sorrow, rather than actual happiness, is all that can be hoped by his sorely tried soul. His special method consists in inferring from nature a Creator distinguished, so to speak, by personal idiosyncrasies. He has to show that the God who made alike the good and the bad instincts, takes part with the good and not with the bad; and, moreover, he has to show this from the inspection of the instincts themselves. Nature is to testify to a special design, not to an impartial and abstract reflection of itself. This is the problem ever present to Butler's mind, and his answer to it is the essence

of his writings.-STEPHEN, LESLIE, 1876, History of English Thought in the Eighteenth Century, vol. 1, p. 86, vol. II, pp. 46, 47.

It is very much to the credit also of Butler's honesty and moderation, that in spite of the tone of something like contempt for the arguments, or want of arguments, of the objectors to whom he addresses himself, he never imputes to them any moral obliquity. . . If he was wanting in some of the qualifications of the professional advocate, the suasiveness which carries the jury or the audience with him, as we say the allowance for their prejudices and weaknesses, the appeals to their better sense, or the professions of respect for their judgment, which go far to make them think that the verdict for which so sensible a speaker asks must be the right one, he is strong in a point which all authorities, from Aristotle downwards, have laid down as an essential requisite in one who would persuade men the creating in the minds of those whom he addresses an impression of his own high moral integrity, and earnestness of purpose. In this Butler stands far above the reach of cavil. Objections against both his matter and his manner have been many and various: some have charged him with coldness, and others with enthusiasm.-COLLINS, W. LUCAS, 1881, Butler (Philosophical Classics), p. 174.

Though there is much resemblance between the moral systems of Butler and Shaftesbury, there is hardly room for a charge of plagiarism. Had Butler's system been unfolded in a formal treatise, it would certainly have been strange if Shaftesbury's name had been passed over in silence; but he was hardly bound to mention it either in the text or the scanty notes of a short collection of Sermons, whose primary object was probably religious edification, and the future reputation of which he can scarcely himself have foreseen. FOWLER, THOMAS, 1882, Shaftesbury and Hutcheson (English Philosophers), p. 151.

Lord Melbourne is truly said to have been "a far greater and abler man than many who have filled a larger space in history." Bishop Butler's case is more noteworthy still. Lord Melbourne, who filled a space in history, was greater than many others who filled a larger space;

but Butler was greater than many others who filled a large space in history, although, strange to say, to judge from the records of historians, he filled no space in history at all! White, in his "Eighteen Christian Centuries," does not even so much as mention the name of Sir Isaac Newton, so that it is no wonder that he does not mention the name of so comparatively insignificant an individual as Bishop Butler. Certainly, those whose names are mentioned most frequently in history are by no means always those who have done most for the making of history. And, on the other hand, those whose names appear least prominently in history, or perhaps not at all, are by no means always those who have done least to influence its course. Nevertheless, that Bishop Butler had a weighty influence on the thought of his time, and therefore on subsequent history, there can be no doubt. He arrested the progress of Deism, and by so doing materially affected the future of religion in England. -COPNER, JAMES, 1885, Sketches of Celibate Worthies, pp. 211, 212.

He occupies, more nearly perhaps than any other writer, the position of a discoverer in moral theory; nor can its problems ever be accurately discussed without some reference to his thought. But sermons cannot be the depository of a philosophy. He left only the first sketch and the unhewn materials of a systematic structure, and receives his best tribute of honour from those who try to fill in the design, and here and there add a sound stone at a weak place.-MARTINEAU, JAMES, 1885, Types of Ethical Theory, vol. II, p. 522.

His two books, the "Analogy" and the "Sermons," are not bulky, and exhibit a strange incapacity for clothing thought in fit language. But the thought is always noble, and sometimes it forces the rebellious style into harmony.-SAINTSBURY, GEORGE, 1886, Specimens of English Prose Style, p. 177.

Butler was the first philosopher to distinguish between natural and moral benevolence and to maintain that a disposition to make others happy without regard to their character is not merely characterless, but proof of moral perversity. Even God cannot make the wicked happy as he does the righteous. Every form of

evolution of the moral from the non-moral encounters Butler.--MAGOUN, GEORGE F., 1887, A Fountain-Head of English Ethics, Bibliotheca Sacra, vol. 44, p. 118.

The first of these works, the "Analogy," has a world-wide reputation, which every day is constantly increasing. In the second, viz., the "Sermons," the foundation was first laid for a correct theory of morals to such a degree that Sir James Mackintosh speaks of the doctrines therein laid down as being worthy of the name of discoveries. The authorship of these works has placed Bishop Butler upon the highest pinnacle of fame, and his name is justly enrolled among the greatest philosophers the world has ever seen, and he is always to be classed with Shakespeare, Lord Bacon, Sir Isaac Newton, Cuvier, and other distinguished men of extraordinary genius, who are generally recognized as standing intellectually at the head of the human race.-PYNCHON, THOMAS RUGGLES, 1889, Bishop Butler, a Religious Philosopher for all Time, p. 13.

In Butler there is a strain of something infinitely higher; a powerful individuality that cannot be stifled, a lucidity that gives to his writings the permanence of classics, and a sincerity and earnestness that illumine his logical acumen with the warm light of genius.-CRAIK, HENRY, 1895, ed., English Prose, Introduction, vol. IV, p. 4.

His appeals at all times to the reason, and only incidentally to the feelings. There is probably no writer from whose works so little could be pruned always as a mere superfluity of oratory. There is no one who is more successful in infecting his readers with his own ardour and impressing them with a feeling of his entire sincerity.-BONAR, JAME, 1895, English Prose, ed. Craik, vol. IV, p. 68.

It would be difficult to name a writer who in the prosecution of his work has aimed at, and effected a more absolute self-suppression. His use of the first person singular is rare, and whenever it occurs, we at once perceive that it is a grammatical vehicle, and not the entrance of a caparisoned figure on the stage for presentation to an audience. We attain indeed a solid and rather comprehensive knowledge of the man through his works; but this is owing, if I may so speak, to their moral transparency, which is

conspicuous amidst all the difficulties of gaining and keeping a continuous grasp of his meaning. . . . He does not write like a person addicted to any profession or pursuit; his mind is essentially free. He is the votary of truth, and is bound to no other allegiance. The student of Butler will, unless it be his own fault, learn candour in all its breadth, and not to tamper with the truth; will neither grudge admissions nor fret under even cumbrous reserves. But to know what kinds and degrees of evidence to expect or to ask in matters of belief and conduct, and to be in possession of an habitual presence of mind built upon that knowledge, is, in my view, the master gift which the works of Butler are calculated to impart. It can, however, only be imparted to those who approach the study of them as in itself an undertaking; who know that it requires them to pursue it with a whole heart and mind, if they would pursue it profitably; that it demands of them collectedness, concentration, and the cheerful resolve not to be abashed or deterred by difficulty. . . edly, if my counsel were asked, I should advise the intending politician, if of masculine and serious mind, to give to Butler's works, and especially to the "Analogy," a high place among the apparatus of his mental training. Although

Undoubt

no one would charge Butler with egotism, yet he is evidently, like Dante, a selfrevealing writer. As a man governed by

one dominant influence, he wears his heart upon his sleeve. The master passion with him is the love of truth: and it is never leavened, never traversed by any other feeling. Butler assuredly was

not made for butterflies to flutter about. He demands the surrender, not to him but to his subject, of the entire man. It has been well said of him that he is as much in earnest, as if he were a gamester. . . To read them with levity is impossible. The eye may indeed run down the pages, the images of the letters may be formed upon the retina; but the living being that dwells within the brain is unapproached, and either dormant or elsewhere employed. The works of Butler are in this respect like the works of Dante; we must make some kind of preliminary preparation, we must gird up the loins of the mind for the study. GLADSTONE, WILLIAM EWART,

PERSONAL

I went to court to-day, on purpose to present Mr. Berkeley, one of your Fellows of Dublin College, to Lord Berkeley of Stratton. That Mr. Berkeley is a very ingenious man, and great philosopher; and I have mentioned him to all the ministers, and have given them some of his writings, and I will favour him as much as I can. This I think I am bound to, in honour and conscience, to use all my little credit toward helping forward men of worth in the world.-SWIFT, JONATHAN, 1713, Journal to Stella, April 12.

Yesterday arrived here Dean Berkeley, of Londonderry, in a pretty large ship. He is a gentleman of middle stature, of an agreeable, pleasant, and erect aspect. He was ushered into the town with a great number of gentlemen, to whom he behaved himself after a very complaisant manner. 'Tis said he proposes to tarry here with his family about three months. -NEW ENGLAND WEEKLY COURIER, 1729, January 24, Newport Letter.

Whereas the Revd Dean Berkeley has lately produced a valuable collection of books, and sent them to Harvard College, voted y' y thanks of y Corporation be returned by ye President to ye Dean for the above donation, procured and sent by him, and y' he be desired to make proper acknowledgements, on behalf of y Corporation, to those gentlemen who have contributed to so literal a benefaction.PRESIDENT AND FELLOWS OF HARVARD COLLEGE, 1733, Sept. 3.

Manners with Candour are to Benson giv'n, To Berkeley, ev'ry Virtue under Heav'n. -POPE, ALEXANDER, 1738, Epilogue to the Satires, Dialogue ii, v. 72-73.

The newspapers say the Bishop of Cloyne, is dead; there is (if so) a great man gone. His country people are much disobliged at his settling his son at Oxford, and think that an university that trained him up was worthy of his son.-DELANY, MARY GRANVILLE, 1753, Letter to Mrs. Dewes, Jan. 23, Correspondence, ed. Llanover, vol. III, p. 197.

In this respect I would with pleasure do justice to the memory of a very great though singular sort of man, Dr. Berkeley, known as a philosopher, and intended. founder of a University in the Bermudas, or Summer Islands. An inclination to carry me out on that expedition, as one of the young professors on his new foundation, having brought us often together, I scarce remember to have conversed with him on that art, liberal or mechanic, of which he knew not more than the ordinary practitioners. With the widest views, he descended into a minute detail, and begrudged neither pains nor expense for the means of information. He travelled through a great part of Sicily on foot; clambered over the mountains and crept into the caverns to investigate its natural history, and discover the causes of its volcanoes; and I have known him sit for hours in forgeries and founderies to inspect their successive operations. ations. I enter not into his peculiarities, either religious or personal; but admire the extensive genius of the man, and think it a loss to the Western World that his noble and exalted plan of an American University was not carried into execution. Many such spirits in our country would quickly make learning wear another face. -BLACKWELL, THOMAS, 1753-55, Memoirs of the Court of Augustus, vol. II, p. 277.