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how much could be made of it." Notwithstanding the scoundrelly
character of the clerical profession in times past, I
cannot believe that Dr. Flint would use such language
without conclusive proof of its truth, convincing to every mind of its
truth. I am sorry that I cannot quite suppress a lingering suggestion
of doubt in my mind owing to the unspeakable mendacity
of the cloth, not very long ago in times too recent. I certainly cannot for an instant
believe that Comte was a conscious plagiarist.

This scheme, as you know, arranges what are called by
Comte the "abstract sciences" in a ladder, with the idea
that each derives its principles from the discoveries of
the more abstract science that occupies the rung
above, while all are at the same time pressing
upwards in the endeavor to become more abstract.

Since Comte first set forth that scheme, many