But in marking out and indicating the plan and method of the new operation, which has for its end to substitute a scientific, in the place of an empirical procedure, in the main pursuits of human life, the philosopher does not limit himself in this survey of the special social duties to the special duties of professions and vocations. 'Unto this part,' he says, 'touching _respective_ duty, doth also appertain the duties between husband and wife, parent and child, master and servant: so likewise the laws of _friendship_ and _gratitude_, the civil bond of _companies, colleges_, and _politic bodies_, of _neighbourhood_, and all other proportionate duties; _not_ as they are parts of a government and society, _but as to the framing of the mind of particular persons_.'
The reader will observe, that that portion of moral philosophy which is here indicated, contains, according to this index, some extremely important points, points which require learned treatment; and in our further pursuit of this inquiry, we shall find, that the new light which the science of nature in general throws upon the doctrine of the special duties and upon these points here emphasized, has been most ably and elaborately exhibited by a contemporary of this philosopher, and in the form which he has so specially recommended,--with all that rhetorical power which he conceives to be the natural and fitting accompaniment of this part of learning. And the same is true also throughout of that which follows.
'The knowledge concerning good respecting society, doth handle it also not simply alone, but _comparatively_, whereunto belongeth the weighing of duties _between person and person, case and case, particular and public_: as we see in the proceeding of Lucius Brutus against his own sons, which was so much extolled, yet what was said?
'So the case was doubtful, and had opinion on both sides. [So the philosopher on the mountain tells us, too, for his common-place book and this author's happen to be the same.] Again we see when M. Brutus and Cassius _invited to a supper_ certain _whose opinions they meant to feel_, whether they were fit to be made their associates, and cast forth the question touching the killing of a tyrant,--being an usurper,--_they were divided in opinion_;' [this of itself is a very good specimen of the style in which points are sometimes introduced casually in passing, and by way of illustration merely] some holding that _servitude_ was the _extreme_ of evils, and _others_ that tyranny was _better than a civil war_; and this question also our philosopher of the mountain has considered very carefully from his retreat, weighing all the _pros_ and _cons_ of it. And it is a question which was treated also, as we all happen to know, in that other form of writing for which this author expresses so decided a preference, in which the art of the poet is brought in to enforce and impress the conclusion of the philosopher. Indeed, as we proceed further with the plan of this so radical part of the subject, we shall find, that the ground indicated has everywhere been taken up on the spot by somebody, and to purpose.