MR. DARWIN’S CRITICS 121 
Biss come over Mr. Darwin’s critics. The mixture 
oft ignorance and insolence which, at first, character- 
_ ised a large proportion of the attacks with which 
he was assailed, is no longer the sad distinction of 
-anti-Darwinian criticism. Instead of abusive non- 
sense, which merely discredited its writers, we read 
essays, which are, at worst, more or less intelligent 
‘and appreciative; while, sometimes, like that 
which appeared in the “ North British Review ” for 
1867, they have a real and permanent value. 
The several publications of Mr. Wallace and Mr. 
Mivart contain discussions of some of Mr. Darwin’s 
views, which are worthy of particular attention, not 
only on account of the acknowledged scientific 
competence of these writers, but because they ex- 
hibit an attention to those philosophical questions 
which underlie all physical science, which is as rare 
as it is needful. And the same may be said of an 
article in the “ Quarterly Review” for July 1871, 
the comparison of which with an article in the 
same Review for July 1860, is perhaps the best 
evidence which can be brought forward of the 
change which has taken place in public opinion 
on “ Darwinism.” 
The Quarterly Reviewer admits “the certainty ) 
of the action of natural selection” (p. 49); and/ 
further allows that there is an @ priori probability \ 
in favour of the evolution of man from some lower ( 
animal form, if these lower animal forms them- 
selves have arisen by evolution. 
