The public opinion for lawyers is that of lawyers; of soldiers, that of the army; of scholars, it is that of men of literature and science.

And to the susceptible amongst the latter, the hostile criticism of learning has been more stinging than the severest moral censures of the vulgar.

Many a man has done a great act, or composed a great work, solely to please the two or three persons constantly present to him.

Their voice was his public opinion.

The public opinion that operated on Bishop, the murderer, was the opinion of the Burkers, his comrades.