60 A CRUMB FOR THE [v. 



common cause with theologians. Into the explana- 

 tion of this curious phenomenon I cannot here 

 profitably enter. The reasons for it are somewhat 

 recondite, and are subtly linked with the general 

 incapacity under which positivists seem to labour, 

 of understanding the real import of the doctrine of 

 evolution. However this may be, the impression that 

 the group of opinions represented by Mr. Spencer 

 and Professor Huxley are materialistic is so widely 

 spread, that it is worth our while to spend a few 

 moments in ascertaining what materialism is, and 

 how far it is involved in recent scientific speculations. 

 Is the present drift of scientific thought really setting 

 toward materialism, or is it not ? 



No epithets are more familiarly used nowadays 

 than " materialism " and " materialist," but their 

 ordinary function is vituperative rather than logical. 

 As vague terms of abuse they are hurled about with 

 a zeal that may be praiseworthy, but with an indis- 

 creetness that is scarcely commendable, being aimed, 

 as often as not, at the heads of writers who doubt or 

 deny the substantial existence of matter altogether ! 

 Such blunders show (among other things) how diffi- 

 cult metaphysical studies are, and indicate that a 

 little more care expended upon analysis and definition 



