306 MISCELLANEA. [ch. xv. 



trying to get a Bill passed, such as would have removed all 

 just cause of complaint, and at the same time have left 

 physiologists free to pursue their researches a Bill very 

 different from the Act which has since been passed. It is 

 right to add that the investigation of the matter by a Eoyal 

 Commission proved that the accusations made against our 

 English physiologists were false. From all that I have 

 heard, however, I fear that in some parts of Europe little 

 regard is paid to the sufferings of animals, and if this be 

 the case, I should be glad to hear of legislation against in- 

 humanity in any such country. On the other hand, I know 

 that physiology cannot possibly progress except by means 

 of experiments on living animals, and I feel the deepest 

 conviction that he who retards the progress of physiology 

 commits a crime against mankind. Any one who remem- 

 bers, as I can, the state of this science half a century ago 

 must admit that it lias made immense progress, and it is 

 now progressing at an ever-increasing rate. What improve- 

 ments in medical practice may be directly attributed to 

 physiological research is a question which can be properly 

 discussed only by those plrvsiologists and medical prac- 

 titioners who have studied the history of their subjects; 

 but, as far as I can learn, the benefits are already great. 

 However this may be, no one, unless he is grossly ignorant 

 of what science has done for mankind, can entertain any 

 doubt of the incalculable benefits which will hereafter be 

 derived from physiology, not only by man, but by the lower 

 animals. Look for instance at Pasteur's results in modify- 

 ing the germs of the most malignant diseases, from which, 

 as it happens, animals will in the first place receive more re- 

 lief than man. Let it be remembered how many lives and 

 what a fearful amount of suffering have been saved by the 

 knowledge gained of parasitic worms through the experi- 

 ments of Virchow and others on living animals. In the 

 future every one will be astonished at the ingratitude shown, 

 at least in England, to these benefactors of mankind. As 

 for myself, permit me to assure you that I honour, and shall 

 always honour, every one who advances the noble science of 

 physiology. 



Dear Sir, yours faithfully. 



In the Times of the following day appeared a letter 

 headed " Mr. Darwin and Vivisection," signed by Miss 

 Frances Power Cobbe. To this my father replied in the 



