DARWIN. 18 



in science have probably no other chance of being saved 

 from oblivion but by having been ' married to immortal 

 verse.' " 



The present age regards it as next to impossible to 

 write science in poetry; although few have succeeded 

 better in the attempt than Erasmus Darwin. It is 

 singular that he should have partially anticipated his 

 illustrious grandson's theories, but without supporting 

 them by experimental proof or by deep scientific know- 

 ledge. Suffice it to say now, that Erasmus contemplated 

 to a great extent the same domain of science as Charles 

 Darwin, haying also a mechanical turn ; and was educated 

 at Edinburgh and Cambridge. His observations on Pro- 

 vidence in 1754, when only twenty-three, in commenting 

 on his father's death, are very interesting to compare 

 with his grandson's attitude : " That there exists a superior 

 Ens Entium, which formed these wonderful creatures, is 

 a mathematical demonstration. That He influences things 

 by a particular providence is not so evident. The pro- 

 bability, according to my notion, is against it, since 

 general laws seem sufficient for that end. . . . The light 

 of Nature affords us not a single argument for a future 

 state : this is the only one, that it is possible with God, 

 since He who made us out of nothing can surely re-create 

 us ; and that He will do this we humbly hope." He 

 published an ode against atheism, with which he has 

 strangely enough often been charged, beginning 



" Dull atheist, could a giddy dance 



Of atoms lawless hurl'd 

 Construct so wonderful, so wise, 

 So harmonised a world ? " 



