76 SPECIES NOT 



from 'the sea coasts, the earth replete with salu- 

 tary medicine, or, in short, the innumerable 

 designs of nature necessary for sustenance, and 

 the enjoyment of life. We must not forget the 

 vicissitudes of day and night, ordained for the 

 health of animated beings, giving them a time 

 to labour and a time to rest. Thus, if we every 

 way examine the universe, it is apparent from 

 the greatest reason, that the whole is admirably 

 governed by Divine Providence (mente consiiioquc 

 divino) for the safety and preservation of all 

 beings. And for whom," he continues, "was this 

 mighty fabric raised? For trees and vegetables? 

 that would be absurd. For beasts? Nothing 

 can be less probable than that the Gods 

 should have taken such pains for beings void of 

 speech and understanding. For whom then? 

 Undoubtedly for reasonable beings; these are the 

 Gods and men, who are certainly the most perfect 

 of all beings." 



Now, I do not^for a moment believe that Mr. 

 Darwin would find fault with these noble senti- 

 ments, written by one of the greatest of classic 

 writers before the advent of Christianity; and 

 yet to what different conclusions do his acci- 

 dental variation and inexplicable theories lead? 

 Once admit that chance altered the organic 

 structure of any permanent inhabitant of the 

 world, and the whole superstructure of design 

 crumbles into dust. 



The author of the "Vestiges" believed in spon- 

 taneous generation. Apply this belief to the 



