xiv Preface. 



whom Paley was probably much indebted, has so 

 long been the common inheritance of thinking 

 men that, like some of the fruits and grains, it is 

 impossible to trace it back to its original source. 

 Much of it, indeed, is so apparent to every student 

 of Nature, that it is like the sunlight, seen by all 

 without aid from others. 



To the leading idea in these lectures, exceptions 

 will be taken by some at the outset ; especially by 

 those who, following the lead of Comte, regard all 

 inquiries respecting efficient and final causes as 

 unphilosophical and useless. 



The world is here represented as having been 

 made for man. To him as an intelligent and moral 

 being, all- nature is subservient. Where he has to 

 yield, it is not evidence, that man is disregarded in 

 the mechanism of the universe, nor is he overcome 

 as inferior to inanimate nature ; but it is simply the 

 individual suffering under the operation of some 

 law made inflexible for the benefit of the race. 



It may be objected to some of the lectures, that 

 theories are introduced in respect to which we 

 know nothing with certainty now, and perhaps 

 never can know anything. The question of the 

 validity of such theories will not affect the general 

 argument. They are presented as theories only. 

 It is impossible that the human mind should always 



