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40 may have valued the logic chair, it could scarcely be expected that was to pay quite so high a price for them as that. If the University patrons chose to fall into the clutches of suspicious characters, they had no right to look to me to save them from the shears of the fleecer. They must keep their own police for their protection. But now, after their judgment has been declared, and when I have nothing to gain from their approval, I see no harm in enlightening them as to the true state of the case. My explanations may, as I have said, be profitable to them for the future; for they have been abominably duped: there is no doubt about that, and I am heartily sorry for them. But, doubtless, they will take a warning, and not be so hoaxed a second time.

I have sometimes heard it asked, where did Mr Cairns obtain his philosophic reputation? How did he acquire the ascendancy over the minds of a certain section of the community which he is said, and said, I believe, with truth, to possess? He has written, I am aware, one or two articles of average ability in the "North British Review;" but that surely is not sufficient to account for his influence, and I cannot suppose that he himself attaches much importance to these performances. On an occasion lately, when some people were inquiring what particular claim my excellent friend and fellow in defeat, Principal Scott of Manchester, had to the logic chair, some one said—"Oh, don't you know—Mr Scott exercises the most prodigious personal influence over serious-minded females!" On which, thought I, "what an effect must he not produce on the light-headed ones! It is quite alarming to think of." There is some intelligibility in such a reputation as that. I know not whether Mr Cairns' claims to distinction rest on similar grounds. Probably not. His empire, I am inclined to think, cannot extend beyond the grim elements of masculine dissent. On what title it is founded, I again say, I am not aware, and cannot find out. But this I know, that his authority must now be somewhat on the wane; and that the sceptre is passing from his hands.

An idle story, it seems, has gone abroad, that some personal quarrel exists between Mr Cairns and me. Mr Cairns has