SPENCER AND EVOLUTION. 43 



already established. It is more practical than any other, because it 

 bears immediately upon common experience, takes hold of the living 

 questions of the time, throws light upon the course of human affairs, 

 and gives knowledge that may serve both for public and individual 

 guidance. Viewed as an intellectual achievement, his undertaking is 

 neither to be measured by the time consumed in its execution nor by 

 the amount of labor involved, but by the nature and quality of the 

 work itself. It was original throughout, was based upon the most 

 comprehensive results of modern science, and was elaborated under 

 the inexorable conditions of logical method. The development of a 

 system of philosophy now is a very different thing from what it was in 

 earlier times. Plato spun a system of thought before speculation was 

 yet cui'bed by the knowledge of Nature ; Spencer has constructed a 

 philosophy out of the inflexible materials furnished in all the fields of 

 modern investigation. His system is not a digest, but an organon ; 

 not merely an analytic dissection, but a grand synthetic construction ; 

 not a science, but a coordination of the sciences ; not a metaphysical 

 elaboration, but a positive body of doctrine conforming to verifiable 

 facts, and based upon the most comprehensive principle of Nature yet 

 arrived at by the human mind. 



But no recognition of the greatness of Mr. Spencer's intellectual 

 work will do him justice. There is a moral sublimity in his self-sacri- 

 ficing career which is not to be neglected in making up the estimate 

 of his character. As remarked by M. Laugel: "If Mr. Spencer, with 

 his talents, his fertility of genius, and the almost encyclopedic variety 

 of knowledge, of which his writings furnish the proof, had chosen to 

 follow the beaten path, nothing would have been more easy than for 

 him to secure all those honors of which English Society is so prodigal 

 to those who serve her as she wishes to be served. He preferred, 

 however, with a noble and touching self-denial, to put up with poverty, 

 and, what is still more difficult, with obscurity." In advance of his 

 generation and working against the powerful current of its prejudices, 

 with broken health, without pecuniary resources, and dependiug upon 

 promises of support that were but very partially redeemed, with an 

 intrepidity that was not wanting in heroism, he entered upon the most 

 formidable intellectual project that was ever undertaken by any single 

 mind. One would think that it should have commanded the sympathy 

 of the generous, and the cordial approval if not the kindly cooperation 

 of all who appreciate courageous and noble endeavor ; but, unhappily, 

 a discriminating appreciation of genuine work is not over-abundant in 

 these times, and, in the accomplishment of a task which I believe 

 future generations will regard as the most memorable achievement of 

 this fruitful age, Mr. Spencer has had but stinted encouragement and 

 a very shabby support. In answer to the question, why his contem- 

 poraries have been so unappreciative, much might be said, but I will 

 here confine myself to one or two suggestions. 



