IV AN EPISCOPAL TRILOGY 151 



theory of the coral islands, and was actually induced to delay it 

 for two years. Yet the late Sir Wyville Thomson, who was at 

 the head of the naturalists of the " Challenger" expedition, was 

 himself convinced by Mr. Murray's reasoning (p. 307). 



Clearly, then, it could not be Mr. Murray's official 

 chief who gave him this advice. Who was it ? And 

 what was the exact nature of the advice given ? 

 Until we have some precise information on this 

 head, I shall take leave to doubt whether this 

 statement is more accurate tlian those which I 

 have previously cited. 



Whether such advice was wise or foolish, just or 

 immoral, depends entirely on the motive of the 

 person who gave it. If he meant to suggest to 

 Mr. Murray that it might be wise for a young and 

 comparatively unknown man to walk warily, when 

 he proposed to attack a generalisation based on 

 many years' labour of one undoubtedly com- 

 petent person, and fortified by the independent 

 results of the many years' labour of another un- 

 doubtedly competent person ; and even, if neces- 

 sary, to take two whole years in fortifying his 

 position, I think that such advice would have been 

 sagacious and kind. I suppose that there are few 

 working men of science who have not kept their 

 ideas to themselves, while gathering and sifting 

 evidence, for a much longer period than two 

 years. 



If, on the other hand, Mr. Murray was advised 

 to delay the publication of his criticisms, simply to 



