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But who can oppose the voice of prudence to the 'mightiest

passions of mankind' (Laws), especially when they have been

licensed by custom and religion? In addition to the influences of

education, we seem to require some new principles of right and

wrong in these matters, some force of opinion, which may indeed

be already heard whispering in private, but has never affected

the moral sentiments of mankind in general. We unavoidably lose

sight of the principle of utility, just in that action of our

lives in which we have the most need of it. The influences which

we can bring to bear upon this question are chiefly indirect. In

a generation or two, education, emigration, improvements in

agriculture and manufactures, may have provided the solution. The

state physician hardly likes to probe the wound: it is beyond his

art; a matter which he cannot safely let alone, but which he dare

not touch:

'We do but skin and film the ulcerous place.'