176 Darwin and his Teachings. [ April, 
Because it pleases God to give scope for the exercise of the human 
intellect by reserving a portion of the truth for man to search out, 
and thus stimulating each successive generation to reform itself. 
As far as we are able to judge, after many years’ careful and 
unprejudiced observation, Darwin is right as to effect, and as to 
cause, he is partially so. In other words, the Ruler of the 
universe does use the means so beautifully described by him to bring 
about certain phenomena in nature, but He appears to employ 
other and still unexplained means as well. Until, however, some 
naturalist, possessed of larger powers of observation and comparison, 
and of a courage equal to that of Darwin, shall arise to complete the 
theory of “natural selection,” or, what will more probably be the 
case, shall substitute a more perfect theory just as this one is more 
complete than that of Lamarck; until then, we say, “ Darwin’s 
law” will continue to guide naturalists of every order in their 
biological inferences and zoological classifications. 
But we cannot help expressing our surprise that so able and 
observant an inquirer as Darwin can fail to see in the wonderful 
array of facts collected in his great work, “ one long argument” in 
favour of a constant, ever-watchful, ever-designing, and ever-active 
Providence. He can perceive the immediate intervention of that 
Providence in the “original inbreathing of life” ‘“imto a few 
lowly forms, or one,” and yet (limiting ourselves strictly to the 
boundaries defined by him) in the instinct of the bee, which deftly 
builds its nest, or unconsciously fertilizes the insensient orchid ; * 
in the remarkable powers of climbing plants, which possess the 
faculty of moving in conformity with the requirements of plant- 
life, | and equally in the affectionate intelligence of the domestic 
animals, he can see only the action of “secondary causes,” and 
fails to perceive in all these and a thousand other phenomena of nature 
and of mind, the continuous application of an Almighty Power acting 
with design. Have too close reasoning and observation drawn a 
veil across the scene so long admired and watched by our great 
naturalist, or what has caused this curious obscuration ? 
This is the great defect pervading Darwin’s work ; but it is not the 
weakness of an imbecile, nor yet the foible of an obstinate dogmatist ; 
it is, we hope, the unconscious and, let us trust it soon will be the 
conscious demerit of a great work, undertaken and partly accom- 
plished: by one of the noblest, most exalted, and most brilliant 
intellects of our age. 
* On the Various Contrivances by which Orchids are Fertilized by Insects,’ 
(Murray, 1862), p. 2. 
+ ‘On the Movements and Habits of Climbing Plants’ (Taylor & Francis, 
1865), p. 118. 
