192 MB. GLADSTONE AND GENESIS v 



he was undertaking an enterprise of which he had 

 not counted the cost, if he had chanced upon a 

 discussion of the subject which I published in 

 1877. 1 



Finally, I should like to draw the attention of 

 those who take interest in these topics to the 

 weighty words of one of the most learned and 

 moderate of Biblical critics : 



A propos de cette premiere page de la Bible, on a continue (le 

 BOS jours de disserter, a perte de vue, sur 1'accord du recit 

 mosaique avec les sciences naturelles ; et comme celles-ci, 

 tout eloignees qu'elles sont encore de la perfection absolue, out 

 rendu populaires et en quelque sorte irrefragables un certain 

 nombre de faits generaux ou de theses fondamentales de la 

 cosmologie et dela geologic, c'est le texte sacre qu'on s'evertue 

 k torturer pour le faire concorder avec ces donnees. 2 



In my paper on the " Interpreters of Nature 

 and the Interpreters of Genesis," while freely 

 availing myself of the rights of a scientific critic, I 

 endeavoured to keep the expression of my views 

 well within those bounds of courtesy which are 

 set by self-respect and consideration for others. I 

 am therefore glad to be favoured with Mr. Glad- 

 stone's acknowledgment of the success of my 

 efforts. I only wish that I could accept all the 

 products of Mr. Gladstone's gracious appreciation, 

 but there is one about which, as a matter of 

 honesty, I hesitate. In fact, if I had expressed my 



1 Lectures on Evolution delivered in New York (American 

 Addresses). 



54 Reuss, ISHistoire Saint e et la Loi t vol. i. p. 275. 



