94 THE COMING OF EVOLUTION [CH. vm 



"The work from its powerful and brilliant style, though 

 displaying in the earlier editions little accurate knowledge and a 

 great want of scientific caution, immediately had a very wide 

 circulation. In my opinion it has done excellent service in this 

 country in calling attention to the subject, in removing prejudice, 

 and in thus preparing the ground for the reception of analogous 

 views 93 .' 



If we enquire what was the attitude of scientific 

 naturalists towards the doctrine of Evolution, im- 

 mediately before the occurrence of the events to be 

 recorded in the next chapter, we shall find some 

 diversity of opinion to exist. The late Professor 

 Newton, an eniment ornithologist, has asserted that, 

 at this period, many systematic zoologists and botanists 

 had begun to feel great 'searchings of heart' as to 

 the possibility of maintaining what were the generally 

 prevalent views concerning the reality and immuta- 

 bility of species. Huxley, however, declared that he 

 and many contemporary biologists were ready to say 

 'to Mosaists and Evolutionists a plague to both your 

 houses ! ' and were disposed to turn aside from an 

 interminable and fruitless discussion, to labour in the 

 fields of ascer tamable tact*. 



