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Rh philosophy or not, it is, at any rate, a fact in the history of Scottish speculation, which is worthy of being recorded.

To render this small history complete, it was moreover necessary that some notice should be taken of the sources of information from whence the patrons had derived their impression as to the character of the new philosophy. For this impression was, no doubt, influential in leading them to construct the bar which they placed against the introduction of the advanced opinions into the University of Edinburgh. Hence a review of my assailants was unavoidable. The misrepresentations and errors in which the patrons had placed their faith, and by which they had been misled, required to be exposed. The critics of the Institutes have been reviewed, not certainly on their own account, and still less on account of any permanent effect which their strictures can have on the new Scottish philosophy; but solely on account of the importance which the writers have acquired from having figured in the memorable contest for the Metaphysical Chair in the metropolitan University of Scotland, A.D. 1856.