SHAM EVOLUTION. 



293 



The evolutionist of to-day is welcome to ridicule me for 

 this declaration ; he will thereby hit Berzelius just as hard as 

 myself. 



Evolution is the " Tischlein decke dich " and the 

 " Eslein strecke dich" of to-day; for its votaries believe 

 that everything just " develops " without an effort or a cause 

 or power; and that this goes on nicely and smoothly, with- 

 out a jar. 



"The survival of the fittest" has become the maxim of 

 personal and national morals. It is very pleasant to the 

 survivor, though he may before God be the greatest brute or 

 criminal. 



Such a doctrine is scientifically absurd and morally per- 

 nicious. 



From day to day the weather gets more and more oppres- 

 sive that may be taken as gradual evolution ; then comes 

 the conflict in a storm, and purity is restored and vigor 

 returned. 



In nations, exactly the same. They gradually progress 

 apparently but actually get into ruts and become rotten. 

 A war, or a revolution, either awakes their energies and 

 restores them, or subdues and destroys them. 



Just so in science. The little new done to-day is magni- 

 fied a thousand fold by a servile press, and by dependents 

 wishing favors. 



Criticism of the living authority is denounced but the 

 great masters of the past are robbed and insulted with 

 impunity. 



Sham-accuracy and show-exhibitions are crowned with 

 honors; while those who, disregarding human authority 

 would seek truth of nature only, are stoned or starved. 



We have incidentally been compelled to show such con- 

 ditions in high circles in some of the capitals of Europe; 

 and we have seen that, even in this direction, America leads 

 the world. 



III. Finally, I have for almost half a century diligently 

 taken note of IMPORTANT DETERMINATIONS in the various 

 fields covered by the work imposed upon me. 



