1882-01-06 — Page 2

NOTICE TO SUBSCRIBERS.

THE HONGKONG TELEGRAPH-FRIDAY, JANUARY 6TH, 1882,

MACAO.

to go out of his way to favor our bo a second Crichton. Practically, selves with a specimen of what he and as editor of a public newspaper, SUBSCRIBERS are respectfully in evidently considers polished sarcasm, he has already been weighed in the formed that on and after January We have hitherto abstained most balance and found sadly wanting. 1st, 1882, the Hongkong Telegraph will: scrupulously from adversely criti-People who have the patience to be published daily at 4 p.m. Arrange-cising the notorious differences wade through the columns of milk monts have been made to publish which for some considerable time and water twaddle which do duty for Philosophical principles are of auch au

punctually at that hour, so that Sub- scribers who do not receive their papers by 4.30 will oblige by communicating with the Manager,

All advertisements and communion- tions intonded for insertion in that day's issue must be received not later than Tanie o'clock.

The new machinery and plant will arrive by next English mail, and it is intended to publish the first number of the Telegraph in its onlarged for on January 16th..

Hongkong, December 29th, 1881.

A. S. WATSON & Co. WHOLESALE AND RETAIL DRUGGISTS,

AND

GENERAL CHEMISTS,

Manufacturers of the following AERATED WATERS, viz : SODA, TONIC, SARSAPARILLA, AND POTASH, LEMONADE, GINGERADE, RASPBERRYADE, AND PHOSPHORIC CHAMPAGNE. compelled us frequently to use strong-Mail, went even further, and actually

Deliveries in Town and Harbour from

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SHIPS MEDIOIENE CHESTS REFITTED, PASSENGER SHIPS SUPPLIED. Prompt Attention giron to Coast Orders.

HONGKONG DISPENSARY,

HONGKONG. SHANGHAI PHARMACY,

SHANGHAI.

CANTON.

Fooсnow.

CANTON DISPENSARY,

THE DISPENSARY,

was

Macao, 30th December, 188, In my last I stated that the only corrective of philosophical error is a astriot systern of logical deduction. strict adherence to sound principles and

When a

whole first year's course, not another word is said about this principle or 'cause the soul; during the second year, a regular demonstration is under- taken to prove its oxistence and its spiritual nature; but how is the student, before he comes to study the nature and faculties of soul, to rest contented with

abstract and transcendental nature, such a fallacious argament in favor of that anless they be clearly expressed, and demonstrated with a mathematical precision, they are open to doubt; and uncertainty leads to error. philosophical proposition oaunot bo proved to such a certainty that its converse be a glacing contradiation, the thesis bauomes oither an hypothesis or a paradox, the conclusion deduovi from If this principle, it exceeds the praniss and is conse-

Every affect has its cause quantly fallacions.

be not

to infer from it that the whole universo

cause."

its existence as that derived from the simple facts of sensation? Are not animals gifted with sousation? But do they reason? Have they intellects? Can they study philosophy ? The de- fect of such an inference is simply the result of a misapplication of the prin ciple of causality. A cause has been assigned to an effect which it never produced. There is nothing found in anthropological phenomena that re- veals the existence of a spiritual agent as their cause. The existence of a soul can only be proved by its own acte, by its intellectual faonitios and by its free will. To infer its existence from nero sensation is a fallacy pure and simple; a fallacy that is easily ation that auti-methodical syste:n of explained when we take into consider- philosophy which leaves logio in tho background.

The principle of causality, which is the only foundation of philosophy, is not discussed in its right place, viz., before the first conclusion was to be drawn, from sensations, as effects of facts, to the spiritual principle of life, or the soul. Nor do we find that prin ciple thoroughly discussed and do no strated in any part of the Lyceni pro- gramme. It must, undoubtedly, be presumed or assumed as true, infallibly true, as to be taken for granted. Now, had the authors of such a philosophy only perused the works of the leading Positivists, they would have seen how that simple principle has been quar- rolled upon, contested, denied. Is it not the province of philosophy to vin. dicate its most fundamental principle ?

have existed between the various lite leading articles; and who can afford ary representatives of the Shanghai the time to peruse the redundunt press, believing that outsiders, had verbiage, the serried array of stale really no justification for interforing triusme dragged in day after day to in matters which were, to à very illustrate the learned writer's hazy great extent, of a personal character. ideas on special hobbies, must be few Our own lot has not been cast in such and far between. The leaders in pleasant times that we could afford to the N. C. Daily News have been criticise our Northern neighbours; truthfully and pithily described by the Courier as an intolerable number and it has been a matter of some satisfaction that notwithstanding the of words meaning nothing. This acrimonious character of our disputes worthy editor who sets himself up as "a chaste and gentlemanly critic" with the China Mail, only two news- papers published in the Far East, of the Telegraph must possess an un- proved a salietaten, who would be able namely the Japan Gasette and the N. pleasantly short and inconvenient me and mankind are croations, contingent, C. Daily News, have had the exercable mory! Has he so soon forgotten the not necessary beings? What value taste to intertere in what,to those who extraordinary conduct which marked would then be attached to 'Cicero's know anything at all about the sub- the inauguration of his second edi-description of the order of onture as ject, can only be regarded as differ-torial life in Shanghai? With gen-well as to his inference that there exists cuees of a purely local character, tlemanly politeness he commenced a supreme Cause of all causes ? Who which could not possibly have the his career by styling with childish would be convinced of Play's beautiful slightest interest for any person, or frivolity the Mercury, one of the reasoning from objects of art to the most reliable and best conducted sublime Artist? Who would descant any section of society, outside the Colony of Hongkong. We are far newspapers in the East" an evening apon Creation,like Hervey, and venerate from claiming anything approaching exchange." Such a gratuitons insult the Creator, unless taught by the light Tiro whole philosophy, perfection in journalistic style; we

can hardly be justified; but this of Bovelation P

as such, ought to be brought to bear confess that the contemptible policy noodle editor, the special friend,

on that important principle of causality; of our evening contemporary bas advocate, and apologist of the Ching an inperfoot or a fallacious knowledge of it has produced Puntheism in er language than is usual in a public had the impertinence to speak of his Ontology, Materialism in Psychology, newspaper, and can only plead in contemporaries as "the parish papers Atheism in Natural Theology, Scop- justification that we have been sorely of Shanghai." As a matter of course ticism in every thing. The Paotheist, tried, and that our adversary was the editors of the other papers above all, absurd as ho is, gouerally incapable either of appreciating or refused to submit quietly to be starts from a definient demonstration of comprehending the rules of journalis- termed "pariahs;" and with quiet the principle "Every effoot has its He finds the very principle tic etiquette, or the courtesies which sarcasm they retorted by nick-

"the inconsistent with itself, the vory assor in well bred circles invariable pass naming the mighty one,

This is all tion begging the question; for "effect" between gentlemen; but we cannot Brahmin editor."

means something made, produced or laid

childish of course, but the see that we have in any way very

caused; and to say that "what is surely

When an appeal is made to the prin ourselves open to the high and height of pettiness

ciple of causality, to prove, in Natural ging the question. The Positivists abs- mighty censorship of the eminent reached when this self-appointed used has its cause," is evidently beg- noodle who sways the destinies of censor actually was mean enough to

titutes phonomous and things to of Theology, the existence of a Supreme the Shanghai morning paper. The refuse to continul the usual ex-feots; but he maintains that phenomena Cause, new logical blunders are to be found in the Lyceum course of Philo- are governed by laws, and laws are editor of the China Mail publicly, change with the Mercury because

not causes. Now, if we are to maintaisophy. The first argument brought and without the last provocation or that journal hit straight out from justification that we are acquainted-the-shoulder, and not in the kid- as we do, that both Pantheism and with, with that suavity of manner, and glove style of argument. We have ultra-Positivism are errors, we ought Atverlicomonts and Subscriptions which are not high bred politeness which is his said enough. The editor of the to show that the principle of cinsility distinguishing characteristic, styled North China Daily News will do well, is true; philosophy ought to employ all the Telegraph, a rival newspaper, before interfering in what concerned its resources in demonstrating the valus "a rag." We courteously retorted him not, to set his own house in of that principle, or thero should be no that the China Mail was "a gutter order. He will require all the breath philosophy at all. publication," which made us quits. he can spare to keep his own por We were publicly accused of being ridge cool. bribed by the Governor of Hongkong Most of our readers will doubtless to libel one of his subordinates, and have heard of the Shanghai morning of having our columns suborned paper, the North China Daily News. As we could neither tolerate or sub- A few, very fow we should imagine, mit to charges of a damaging cha- may possibly read that well known racter, which were made out of pure journal. The N. C. Daily News is spito and had not the slightest generally considered and doubtless shadow of foundation, we did not justly so, one of the best paying beat about the bush, but exposed the newspaper properties in China; and malicious lies in language of the we are informed by those qualified by plainest description. The modern experience to pass an opinion on such Bayard of the Shanghai press thinks matter, that in bye gone years it was for reasons we can readily guess that really a first class paper, famed for its we should have tamely and patiently enterprise in obtaining the latest submitted to having our character news, and for possessing a thoroughly misrepresented, and the prospects of competent literary staff. We need the Telegraph as an honorable and hardly say that these halycon days independent public organ, scattered have gone, with

little probabi-to the winds by the false accusations ∙very lity of their ever returning. The of the China Mail; and so he tries N. C. Daily News, like the Hong-vainly to whitewash his friendly kong Daily Press is one of those old critic at our expense.. And so we established institutions, which de have been compelled to devote pends for its existence on its ancient portion of our space and time to the reputation. As a newspaper it Shanghai paper and its editor.

There is an old saying to the effect has descended, so low, that for some considerable time past, it that people who live in glass houses has been made the butt of every should never throw stones, which we tongue in Model Settlement.respectfully commend to the notice

the Even the best reputations wear of the Northern oracle. Are the re- threadbare in time, and our high lations of the editor of the N. O. toned contemporary will very soon Daily News with the other members find that in order to keep pace with of the Shanghai press of such a enterprising journals like the Mer charactor as to justify his interference Gury and Courier, it will be neces- in our local affairs? Let us look and hear that resentation is philosophy" is only a review of a few

Notice to Advertisers. onial for Axed period will be continued util countermauded,

THE

Songkong Telegraph.

HONGKONG, 6TH JANUARY, 1882.

sary to inauguraté a very different policy to that now in vogue in the Hankow Road establishment.

Why should we bother our head about the N. C. Daily News? Well, under ordinary circumstances we should certainly have; hesitated be- fore making any allusion whatever to our effete contemporary; but it so happens that the respected editor of the News, apparently getting tired of abusing his brother odi toxs in Shanghai, has thought fit

back a little, and the public will judge for themselves. The circum- stances which only a 'short time ago placed the present editor in his high and responsible position are well known. He was a gentleman with a great literary reputation, and his general erudition was supposed to be extensive and profound. Possibly he deserved all the eulogistic notices published by his friendly critica, con- spicuous among the number being the China Mail, and thorcotically he may

We note that the departure of the Mitsa Bishi Mail Co.'s steamer Niigata Maru, which had been indefinitely postponed, has been fixed for San lay morning, mails to close at 9 a.m. ·

By an advertisement in another co-

lamu, it will be seen that Willard's Wanderers will repeat, by desire, their performance of the "Forty Thieves" tomorrow evening at the Theatre Royal, City Hall.

The following telegram, which was ressived yesterday afternoon, sponks for itself:-"The Russian Government has virtually embargoed the Roume lian tribute, aud claimed priority for 23,600,000 francs as expenses of the aviny of occupation.

The Inoonstant, 16, serew frigate, Captain Charles O. P. Fitzgerald, ar-

rived in harbour this afternoon from a araiso, The Inconstant had a slight defect in her radder, which, having been made good, has during her oraise outside been found to be in perfect order.

We would remind our readers that the members of the Choral Society will porform at the City Hall Theatre this evening, W. S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan's comio operetta "The Piratos of Penzance." Wa understand that the been taken, whole of the seats.

likely to prove a most successful ono,

A telegram from London dated the 3rd inst. reports that M. Roustan, well Tunis, stated in reply to an address, known as the French Minister in that the French Government would recent successes in that country. This maintain the results acquired by their may be taken to mean that Tanis will in fatars be a province of the grant European Republic, notwithstanding all previous declarations to the coa- trary.

By what process does the Lyceum

Philosophy undertake to demonstrate that vital principle ? Whether we look at it as a deductive, as an inductive, or ng a mixed system of philosophy, wo do not find the principle of caasility demonstrated in its right place. This is not to be wondered at, as at ov Logic occupies its right place in the course a lopted by the fycean, being preceded by Psychology. In a purely deductive system of science, goueril principles should occupy the first clearly doninstratol before a single place; should be fully discussed and truth is dednoad from them, unless we wish all the susc30ling corollarios to be mere assumptions. In a purely in- ductive system, general principles should be deduced from an assemblage of all particular cases and foots subject to observation and experimental analysis; but every series of facts should be made subservient to and consistent with the general conclusion by a process of logical derivation. In a nixol system, general principles should be de noa. strated whenever they are called forth to In what elucidate a particular case. ever system wo adopt in philosophy, general principles should never be assumed, or conclusions drawn from such assumptions. But this is exactly what takes place in the Lyceum philo- Bophy, with what consistouoy, we will Prosontly ascertain.

The Best point inentioned in the programme, and styled "Intuitive

anthropological facts concerning son. sation, the nervous system, the organs of external and internal sensibility. after a few descriptions of the faculty of human sensibility as manifested in At the very threshold of philosophy,

its organs, this moontous inference is agout distinct from mere sensibility, made: There exists in man a plastic superior to it, the human soul. In other words, the existence of the human atrated by the fact that man fools and soul is supposed to be fully demon- is a sensitive animal. Daring the

forward is "that matter is not eternal," These are the textual words of the de- the sophism of the eternity of matter. tailed programme. "Arguments against lat.-Let it be proved that there exist effects or contingent beings. 2od.- That they must have a cause, which should not partake of the nature of an effect, and that this cause is the neces- sary being, the being that exists por`se. 3rd. That there is only ono necessary being indivisible and spiritual, who is God." Here we have a reasoning against the eternity of matter simply atating that matter is not eterual; for according to Lycoun reasoning, matter is not eternal, because it is contingent. What is a contingent being? A being that does not exist by itself, and there. fore bas once commenced to exist; therefore mattor is not eternal because

it has commenced to exist. Oan philo- sophy point out that commencemeat? Certainly not. Therefore we are come to this pretty mode of argaing: Be- canse matter is contingent, it is not eternal; we are unable to prove by philosophy that matter has had a com- nencement, or that it shall see an end; therefore matter is not eternal, and consequently there exists an Eternal. Being who made matter.

This is sheer absurdity. Reason, without the help of Revelation, is capable of proving the existence of a Supreme Boing, but surely not such a reasoning as that which proceeds from the non. eternity of matter. By a just applica- tion of the principle of causality, the existence of a Supreme, Creator can be proved to almost a mathematical cer- braces both matter and spiritual beings tainty. The principle of causality em souls, and proves that every existing has o sufficient rosson thing, omne ens,

of its existence; that this reason is not found, in the being itself, because it is continually changing, from existence to non-existence, from one way of of natare are periodical or oyofical, evincing a constant order, that or existence to another; that the changes

der cannot be explained by itself, as supposes, an ordainer and creator. mattor is inort, and therefore it pre- True philosophy, before reaching this monstrates the analytical value of the graud conclusion, discusses and de. principle taken as the basis of reasoD- ing; never assumes it, nor takes as a