XIX 



GENERAL 



HERE we make a signal departure in our discus- 

 sion of the evolutionary idea. Hitherto, in con- 

 sidering the evolution of matter, or living organ- 

 isms, or even the human will, we have treated topics 

 which every one admits to be fit objects of scien- 

 tific inquiry that is to say, matters which are 

 governed by "laws" capable of discovery and 

 formulation. But when we attempt to consider 

 evolution as displayed in societies, we must boldly 

 assert the claim of Science to a sphere wherein 

 some will still be found to deny her right of rule. 

 These diminishing few deny that there can be a 

 science of society, because societies illustrate "the 

 ways of God to men," and notably because they 

 are governed not by laws inherent in the constitu- 

 tion of things, but by the decrees of Providence. 1 



1 Providence is usually spelled with a capital, and one sus- 

 pects that it is sometimes thought of as a person ; but the only 

 possible conception of it that is not ridiculous must regard it 

 simply as a mode of divine activity. The use of the term 

 would therefore appear to be small; and it would avert con- 

 fusion to speak of human affairs as governed by God, rather 

 than by Divine Providence. Certainly, if there be a Personal 

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