410 FRAGMENTS OF SCIENCE. 



Darwin's theory as embracing ' an essentially new crea- 

 tive thought ' (einen wesentlich neuen schb'pf erischen 

 Gedanken), and who illustrates the greatness of this 

 thought by copious references to the solutions, previ- 

 ously undreamt of, which it offers of the enigmas of life 

 and organisation. He points to the clouds of error and 

 confusion which it has already dispersed, and shows how 

 the progress of discovery since its first enunciation is 

 simply a record of the approach of the theory towards 

 complete demonstration. One point in this * popular ' 

 exposition deserves especial mention here. Helmholtz 

 refers to the dominant position acquired by Germany in 

 physiology and medicine, while other nations have kept 

 abreast of her in the investigation of inorganic nature. 

 He claims for German men the credit of pursuing with 

 unflagging and self-denying industry, with purely ideal 

 aims, and without any immediate prospect of practical 

 utility, the cultivation of pure science. But that which 

 has determined German superiority in the fields referred 

 to was, in his opinion, something different from this. 

 Enquiries into the nature of life are intimately con- 

 nected with psychological and ethical questions; and 

 he claims for his countrymen a greater fearlessness of 

 the consequences which a full knowledge of the truth 

 may here carry along with it, than reigns among the 

 enquirers of other nations. And why is this the case? 

 * England and France/ he says, ' possess distinguished 

 investigators men competent to follow up and illus- 

 trate with vigorous energy the methods of natural sci- 

 ence; but they have hitherto been compelled to bend 

 before social and theological prejudices, and could only 

 utter their convictions under the penalty of injuring 

 their social influence and usefulness. Germany has 

 gone forward more courageously. She has cherished 

 the trust, which has never been deceived, that com- 



