86 Tux IMPROVEMENT OF THE MIND. it is the business of the other students to raise objections in disputing. VI. Note, In some schools, the respondent is admitted to talk largely upon the. question with many flourishes and illus- trations, to introduce great. authorities from ancient nnd mo- dern writings for the support of it, and to scatter Latin re- proaches in abundance on all those who are of a different sentiment. But this is not always permitted, nor should it in- deed be ever indulged, lest it teach youth to reproach instead of reasoning. VII. When the respondent has read over his thesis in the school, the junior student makes 'an objections anti draws it up in the regular form of a syllogism the respondent repeats the 'objection, and either denies the major or minor proposition directly, or he distinguishes upon some word or phrase in the major or minor, and chews in what sense the proposition may be true, but that that sense does not affect the question; and then declares that in the sense which affects the present question the proposition is not true, and consequently he denies it. VIII. Then the opponent proceeds by another syllogism to vindicate the proposition that is denied : again the respondent answers bydenying or distinguishing. Thus the disputation goes on in a series or succession of syllogisms and answer's, till the objector is silenced, and has no more to say. IX. When he can go nofurther, the next student begins to propose his objection,, and then the third and the fourth, even to thesenior, who is the last opponent. X. During this time, the tutor'sits in the chair as President or Moderator, to see that the rules of disputation and decency be observed on both sides ; and to admonish each disputant of any irregularity in their conduct. His work is also to illustrate and explain the answer or distinction of the respondent where it is obscure, to strengthen it where it is weak, and to correct it where it is false; and when thé 'respondent is pinched with a strong objection, and is at a loss for 'an answer, the moderator assists him, and suggests some 'answer to the objection of the opponent, in defence of the question, according to hisown opi- nion or sentiment. XI. In public disputes, where the opponents and respondents chose their own side of the question, the moderator's work is not to favour either disputant ; but he only sits as president to see that the laws ofdisputation beobserved, and adecorum main- tained. XII. Now the laws of disputation, relate either to the op- ponent, or to the respondent, or to 'both. The laws obliging the opponent are these,
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