II 
THE ORIGIN OF SPECTES 
[1860] 
Mr. Darwin’s long-standing and well-earned 
scientific eminence probably renders him indiffer- 
ent to that social notoriety which passes by the 
name of success; but if the calm spirit of the 
philosopher have not yet wholly superseded the 
ambition and the vanity of the carnal man within 
him, he must be well satisfied with the results of 
his venture in publishing the “ Origin of Species.” 
Overflowing the narrow bounds of purely scientific 
circles, the “species question” divides with Italy 
and the Volunteers the attention of general 
f society. Everybody has read Mr. Darwin’s book, 
\ or, at least, has given an opinion upon its merits 
\ or demerits ; pietists, whether lay or ecclesiastic, 
decry it with the mild railing which sounds so 
\charitable; bigots denounce it with ignorant 
invective; old ladies of both sexes consider it a 
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