 After 1846, Mill quickly distanced himself from his correspondent. He even went so far to describe the Système as “the completest system of spiritual and temporal despotism which ever yet emanated from a human brain, unless possibly that of Ignatius Loyola” (Autobiography, 213). Such judgments—and there are many— represent an extreme in a much more balanced global assessment. Comte’s later philosophy deserves criticism, but Mill was able to see its strong points and mention them. The last sentences of Mill’s 1865 book give a good example of the unique way he manages to mix approval and harsh criticism: