CHAPTER XIV.
CONCLUSION.
And now that we have come to the end of the purely critical portion of this enquiry, I may perhaps be allowed to say a few words on its general tendency and bearing.

As critics we have only the critical question to deal with.

Certain evidence is presented to us which it is our duty to weigh and test by reference to logical and critical laws.

It must stand or fall on its own merits, and any considerations brought in from without will be irrelevant to the question at issue.

But after this is done we may fairly look round and consider how our conclusion affects other conclusions and in what direction it is leading us.