There is a contagion of party-spirit in the air.

And thus advocacy on one side is simply met by advocacy on the other.

Such has at least been hitherto the history of English thought upon most great subjects.

We may hope that at last this state of things is coming to an end.

But until now, and even now, it has been difficult to find that quiet atmosphere in which alone true criticism can flourish.
Let it not be thought that these few remarks are made in a spirit of censoriousness.