Dr Stuart and the 'Tablet.'

Bruce Herald, Volume IX, Issue 891, 23 March 1877, Page 7

Dr Stuart and the 'Tablet.'

« " Laic," a contributor to the ' Tablet/ thus writes in a recent issue : — I have seen your remarks on Dr Stuart's late charge against theßoman Catholic Church of being " Deadly opposed to Philosophy" — to Scotch or Presbyterian philosophy the worthy Doctor probably means. If meant to philosophy in general, he either made a melancholy exhibition of his own, ignorance, or formed a very mean opinion, of the historical knowledge of his hearers. You have pointed out his mistake ; but I will be bound to say he is prepared to repeat the assertion, erroneous though it be, on the very next occasion he may have to allude to such a subject. But what harm can this do us 1 If Presbyterians will be deceived on such matters, they must be deceived. The pleasure of being deceived, it has been said, is as great aa that of deceiving. Did Dr Stuart ever read Lord Macaulay's address to the students of the Glasgow College on the occasion of his being elected its " Rector." His Lordahipthen pronounced an eloquent eulogium on Pope Nicholas IV. as a most zealous and munificent patron of letters ; and it was to the zeal of this Pope in the cause of " philosophy " that Scotchman were indebted for the Glasgow University if I mistake not. Dr Stuart has laid himself open to the charge either of gross and inexcusable ignorance-, or of the blackest ingratitude in attempting to fasten on the Catholic Church the accusation of "Deadly opposition to Philosophy " in any age or country. He owes reparation for the calumny thus uttered, and if he be just he will try to make amends for the wrong he has done, or else try to make good his accusation if he value his reputation as a scholar and a man of truth.