CHAP. VI.] MAN. 165 



points in the direction of such a condition in the past; and 

 (3) whether any men now exist less remote from beasts than 

 from the highest individuals of mankind. We have found, 

 as regards language, not only an essential agreement amongst 

 all men, but that even the dumb prove by their gestures 

 that they are possessed of the really important part of the 

 faculty (the verlum mentals), though accidentally deprived 

 of the power of giving it verbal expression (the verbum 

 oris). As to Morals, we have found that not only are all 

 races possessed of moral perception, but even that their 

 fundamental moral principles are not in contradiction with 

 our own. 



Concerning Religion, we have seen that religious concep 

 tions appear to exist universally amongst all races of man 

 kind, though often curiously aborted or distorted, and often 

 tending to extreme degradation after periods during which 

 a higher level had been maintained. Kespecting Community 

 of Nature, we have been able to quote from Mr. Tylor asser 

 tions of the most unequivocal character. Finally, as to Pro 

 gress, we have found cause to believe that &quot;Retrogression &quot; may 

 have been much greater and more extensive than our authors 

 are disposed to admit ; but that however that may be, and 

 even if their views on this subject are correct, as to existing 

 races, such views, if established, would not constitute one iota 

 of proof that the Christian doctrines as to man, his origin 

 and nature, are erroneous. 



From the absence of any positive proof as to a brutal con 

 dition of mankind, and from the absence of even any tran 

 sitional stage, a presumption, at the least, arises that no such 

 transition ever took place. This absence, also (there being 

 at the same time so much positive evidence of essential 

 community of nature amongst all men), clearly throws the 

 onus probandi on those who assert the fact of such transition 

 in the past. At the least they must show that the asserted 

 transition is not only possible but also probable ; and both 

 demonstrations, I am confident, are beyond their power. 



It seems, then, that in the sciences we are considering, 



