170 WHAT IS DARWINISM ? 



such as are to be found, not rarely, in the notes 

 of the learned commentators on ' Paley's Nat- 

 ural Theology,' has, I believe, had a temporary 

 effect of turning attention from the solid irre- 

 fragable argument so well put forward in that 

 excellent old book. But overpowering proof 

 of intelligence and benevolent design lie all 

 around us, and if ever perplexities, whether 

 metaphysical or scientific, turn us away from 

 them for a time, they come back upon us with 

 irresistible force, showing to us through nature 

 the influence of a free will, and teaching us 

 that all living beings depend upon one ever- 

 acting Creator and Ruler." 



It is impossible for even Mr. Darwin, incon- 

 sistent as it is with his whole theory, to deny 

 all design in the constituti(^i of nature. What 

 is his law of heredity? Why should like be- 

 get like ? Take two germ cells, one of a plant, 

 another of an animal ; no man by microscope 

 or by chemical analysis, or by the magic power 

 of the spectroscope, can detect the slightest 

 difference between them, yet the one infallibly 

 develops into a plant and the other into an 

 animal. Take the germ of a fish and of a bird, 

 and they are equally indistinguishable ; yet 

 the one always under all conditions develops 



