20 BRAIN MECHANISMS AND LEARNING 



reading powers arc so small, and they arc at present so much eniployed 

 in getting up materials for work in hand, that I have been unable to get on 

 far with it. I have, however, read quite enough to see what an immense 

 mass of evidence you have brought to bear in proof of your propositions. 



'I will comment only on one point, on which I see you tiifter from 

 me ... ' 



Differing interests in the presentation of observational data and in the 

 derivation from it of speculative syntheses, so apparent in the attitudes of 

 Darwin and Spencer, will doubtless appear in the programme of this 

 present conference as well. To find a topic upon which all may initially 

 agree, let us return to Darwin's South American visit of a century ago. 

 His narrative (1839), under December 6th, 1832, notes: 



'The Bcai^lc sailed from the Rio Plata never again to enter its muddy 

 stream . . . When speaking of these countries, the manner in which they 

 have been brought up by their unnatural parent, Spain, should always be 

 borne in mind. On the whole, perhaps, more credit is due for what has 

 been done, than blame for what may be deficient. It is impossible to 

 doubt but that the extreme liberalism of these countries must ultimately 

 lead to good results. The very general toleration of foreign religions, the 

 regard paid to the means of education, the freedom of the press, the 

 facilities offered to all foreigners, and especially, as I am bound to add, to 

 everyone professing the humblest pretensions to science, should be re- 

 collected with gratitude by all those who have visited Spanish South 

 America.' 



The most cordial reception which has been providec^ the present visitors 

 to Montevideo, in 1959, will, I know, make each of us wish to echo and 

 approve emphatically of Darwin's concluding remarks. 



