Men of mark 'twixt Tyne and Tweed . n, from Estrada. 1810. A Treatise on the Privileges of the House of Commons. 1811. An Impartial Examination of the Dispute between Spain and her American Colonies, from Letters to the Editor of the Tyne Mercury on the Annual Subscription to the Sons of the Cobbett and the Reformers Impartially Examined. 444 WILLIAM BURDON. Of all these the most noteworthy is the Materials for Thinking,a work in two volumes, which between 1803 and 1819 passedthrough five editions. It is a book of advanced thought, remarkablefor its free handling of
Men of mark 'twixt Tyne and Tweed . n, from Estrada. 1810. A Treatise on the Privileges of the House of Commons. 1811. An Impartial Examination of the Dispute between Spain and her American Colonies, from Letters to the Editor of the Tyne Mercury on the Annual Subscription to the Sons of the Cobbett and the Reformers Impartially Examined. 444 WILLIAM BURDON. Of all these the most noteworthy is the Materials for Thinking,a work in two volumes, which between 1803 and 1819 passedthrough five editions. It is a book of advanced thought, remarkablefor its free handling of delicate subjects, and its outspoken independ-ence. The keynote of the work is struck, and Mr. Burdonscharacter and principles are exemplified, in the opening sentencesof the opening chapter:— Liberality of sentiment is the greatestornament of man; it embellishes all his other good qualities, andmakes them shine with double lustre, it softens all the harshnessarising from difference of opinion, it lessens the frequency of private. quarrels, and makes the Jew, the Christian, and the Infidel live atpeace with each other. This amiable quality, the occasionallypossessed by the first teachers of Christianity, has, in very fewinstances, ever belonged to any description of Christians since theirtimes, for sentiments of intolerance are early to be found in thewritings of the Fathers, and all established religions are essentiallyintolerant. The liberality of true philosophy is unrestrained by thenarrow creed of opinions merely speculative, and estimates everymans merit by his conduct, considering the great end of philosophyto consist in utility. But all mankind are not philosophers, for withmost men, violence is the test of sincerity, and to be liberal is but WILLI A M B URD ON. 445 another name for being indifferent; such, however, have yet to learnthat sincerity in opinions is to be shown only by actions, and thatbelief is a personal affair. What I should believe, no man has aright
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