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of progressive development from lower to higher types probable ; and 

 he brought forward various examples to prove that, in all cases in 

 which variation took place among domestic animals and vegetable 

 productions, the varieties, though they might be regarded as im- 

 proved or new, were not permanent, but required selection and care 

 to preserve them ; so that new forms and qualities appearing, could 

 not confirm the progressive hypothesis. 



Referring to what may have been the original condition of things 

 on their being created, that condition, in respect to many, may not 

 have altered, either in improvement or deterioration. It is appa- 

 rent, however, that special constitutions must have been given ori- 

 ginally to those animals and vegetables, more particularly intended 

 for the use of man, which admitted of natural or artificial, but not 

 permanent, variation. Man himself possesses the constitution giv- 

 ing a tendency to vary, so that every individual may be deemed a 

 variety ; but no natural progress towards a higher type is apparent. 

 In this case, as well as in portions of inferior creation, though we 

 can compare one being with another, and perceive improvement or de- 

 terioration, we have no standard to appeal to for the purpose of ex- 

 amining the extent of variation, one way or the other, from the period 

 of creation downwards to our time. Man, in his best condition, can 

 only aspire to see his race possessed of what he esteems desirable 

 in moral, intellectual, and physical qualities ; and may, to no incon- 

 siderable extent, succeed in his endeavour to advance, if he make an 

 effort. Unless, however, it be a sustained one, he will fall back in 

 the scale of humanity, instead of advancing, as daily experience 

 proves. Whoever will look carefully at what is called the progress 

 of civilization, may be convinced that the honoux-ed word is applied 

 too exclusively to the progress of wealth, power, and luxury, rather 

 than to the promotion of the qualities that properly distinguish hu- 

 manity, and which are found wanting wherever an effort has not 

 been made to elevate the human character by education and moral 

 training. The very idea of education indicates a tendency to dete- 

 rioration, and the necessity of an effort to counteract it. On the 

 whole, it does not appear that any natural analogy can be found to 

 support the idea of progressive development from lower to higher 

 types. We see no new races appearing, and we find only varieties. 

 The stronger, because cultivated (not newly developed), intellect and 

 energy of Europe are subduing or extirpating the inferior and 

 weaker races in other parts of the world ; but the substitution of a 

 better race in this manner is not progressive development. 



