156 DARWINIANISM. 



represent the matter of an entire and serious argument. 

 But be it observed that at present we have not in view 

 any illustration of the theory itself of Mr. Darwin. That 

 will come later. What we have before us now is only 

 the alleged looseness of Mr. Darwin in regard to the com- 

 pilation of facts, as of his ease in regard to the acceptance 

 of them. Nor can it be said with any truth that we 

 exaggerate Mr. Darwin's faith, as it were, in how " this 

 old tale of Hearne the hunter goes." Consultation of our 

 references will justify on our part every word we use. 

 Mr. Darwin will, at the bidding of Lyell, " strike out " 

 the whale; but "it goes to his heart," and it is only 

 " le premier pas qid coute." The whale is struck out of 

 the second edition. But compunction follows, to lie at 

 his heart still, for sacrifice of an illustration in which the 

 salto mortale of the conversion of species into species 

 " would be easy," " would offer no difficulty ! ! " And 

 all that concerns " the whale and bear " is deliberately 

 restored in the end, to be read now even in the sixth 

 edition. 



But if any one should still doubt of this ascription to 

 Mr. Darwin of the usual pre-expectant, not unsolicitous 

 compilation, let him turn up the Descent of Man simply 

 at hazard, and the very first page at which he opens will 

 at once convince him. " The Eev. W. D. Fox informs 

 me "- -" Mr. Harrison "Weir has inquired " " this same 

 gentleman has bred " " Mr. K. Elliot informs me " 

 " Mr. F. Buckland has bred " " in regard to moles it is 

 said " " Sir A. Smith remarks " " Mr. Wright informs 

 me " " Mr. Barr states " " Mr. Blenkison informs me " 

 " Prosper Lucas quotes " " Mr. H. Reeks assures me " 

 " Hoffberg says " " A clergyman asserts " " I am in- 

 formed "--" from these facts there can be no doubt." 

 lust let the reader follow example here and turn up 

 such things, noting, too, how the whole flow of the proof 



