Page:(1856, Jul) Letter from Professor Ferrier.pdf/2

 requested you to be extremely suspicious of all attestations except those which they themselves have bestowed, or which favour the Candidate whose interests they are anxious to promote. This is an example which I do not intend to imitate, just as I am sure that it is a piece of advice which you will reject. I fully and firmly believe that your honourable Board will act impartially in this matter, and will allow—as it should—their full weight to the Testimonials of every Candidate. It is quite true, that on occasions like these, a man's friends (whatever they may say at other times) are exceedingly prone to speak well of him—perhaps even to exaggerate his merits. And on this ground it might be argued, with some show of reason, that too great stress ought not to be laid on Testimonials. But why the friends of any one Candidate in particular should enjoy exemption from an infirmity which, they allege, besets the friends of all the other competitors, it is very difficult to understand. One naturally asks—how or where did these favoured individuals obtain their special dispensation from the failing of over-partiality which they impute so liberally to others? The plea, so far as I can see, rests on no grounds, either of logic or metaphysics. That my opponent, Mr Scott (who, I am sure, is not aware of his exclusive good luck in having such an immaculate cloud of witnesses), is worthy of all, and more than all, the commendation which has been expressed by his well-wishers, is what every Candidate in the field would be most ready to admit; but that certain of his admirers should come forward, representing themselves and their companions as miracles of good faith, and the supporters of his rivals as mere "manufacturers of the article" (certificates, to wit),—this is a proceeding which might almost be termed indecorous, but for the solemnity with which it is gone about,—and ungracious, but for the rare simplicity of the appeal, which is a sufficient antidote to its assumption.

I have thought it necessary to touch on this topic, because, had I not done so, I should have felt that I was making but a poor return to the distinguished friends who have honoured me