EVOLUTION THE MASTER-KEY 



best we can only perchance expedite an inevitable 

 advance; and, for that matter, may not our inter- 

 ference with the natural process which, without our 

 aid, has evolved us from the worm, be as likely to 

 retard as to accelerate ? 



But it is not so. Last century's revelation of a 

 law which, on the whole, has proved itself so be- 

 nign will be worse than useless if it suggest that 

 humanity may rest upon its oars and drift with the 

 tide. The tide, as far as we can judge, moves 

 nowhither, is utterly indifferent. Who will ques- 

 tion that, even to-day, a man, rather than to as- 

 cend, finds it as easy nay, easier, given certain 

 conditions to sink, in his own brief lifetime, to a 

 level simian and infinitely worse than simian, for 

 corruptio optimi pessima? 



Man has fought his way to a state a little lower 

 than the angels' by converse with forces which treat 

 alike the just and the unjust. I am an optimist 

 because I am an evolutionist; because I look on 

 man's amazing record and know that what man 

 has done man can do ; but, remembering the change 

 of conditions that will ensue when the sun is in 

 articulo mortis, I place my trust not in any supposed 

 inevitable law which makes for progress, but in 

 action, in effort, in 



"exultations, agonies, 

 And love, and man's unconquerable mind." 



But if we must regard as inadmissible the in- 

 ference that we are being borne forward, in supine 

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