HUXLEY AND NATURAL SELECTION. 141 



" . . . I am as much convinced now as I was 34 years 

 ago that the theory propounded by Mr. Darwin, I mean 

 that which he propounded — not that which has been reported 

 to be his by too many ill-instructed, both friends and foes — 

 has never yet been shewn to be inconsistent with any positive 

 observations, and if I may use a phrase which I know has been 

 objected to and which I use in a totally different sense from 

 that in which it was first proposed by its first propounder, I 

 do believe that on all grounds of pure science it 'holds the 

 field,' as the only hypothesis at present before us which has a 

 sound scientific foundation. . . . I am sincerely of opinion 

 that the views which were propounded by Mr. Darwin 34 

 years ago may be understood hereafter as constituting an 

 epoch in the intellectual history of the human race. They 

 will modify the whole system of our thought and opinion, our 

 most intimate convictions. But I do not know, I do not think 

 anybody knows, whether the particular views which he held 

 will be hereafter fortified by the experience of the ages which 

 come after us ; . . . whether the particular form in which 

 he has put them before us (the Darwinian doctrines) may be 

 such as is finally destined to survive or not is more, I venture 

 to think, than anybody is capable at this present moment of 

 saying." 



It is unnecessary to say anything about this 

 passage, which fitly sums up and sets the seal on 

 the long series of quotations I have felt obliged 

 to make. 



It may not be out of place, however, to state in 

 a few words why many naturalists, including the 

 present writer, are not inclined to accept the ex- 

 tremely cautious and guarded language of one upon 

 whom, with regard to so many other subjects, they 

 have ever looked as their teacher and guide. Con- 

 cerning the verification of a hypothesis, Huxley said 



