286 Darwinism and Other Essays. 



ings, the origin of species, etc. But we have no 

 fear that the investigating world will take heed 

 of his misapplied caution. That inborn curiosity 

 which, according to the Semitic myth, has al- 

 ready made us " like gods, knowing good and 

 evil," will continue to inspire us until the last 

 secret of nature is laid bare ; and doubtless in the 

 untiring search we shall uncover many priceless 

 jewels in places where we least expect to find 

 them. The legitimate claim which science makes 

 is that, while drawing the mind toward investi- 

 gation and activity for its own sake, it confers 

 upon humanity unlooked-for rewards. 



But in order that either a literary or a scien- 

 tific education shall produce worthy results, it 

 must be rationally conducted, with a single eye to 

 the greatest possible perfection of culture. Noth- 

 ing will be gained by giving up Greek composi- 

 tion, and studying botany or chemistry as a mere 

 collection of " useful " details. The adversaries 

 of a classical and literary culture will do well to 

 bear this in mind. It is not by throwing over- 

 board a valuable portion of the cargo, but by 

 adopting improved methods of navigating the 

 ship, that we shall make a successful voyage. 



June, 1868. 



