410 FRAGMENTS OF SCIENCE. 



Darwin's theory as embracing 'an essentially new creative 

 thought' (einen wesentlich neuen schopferischen Gredan- 

 ken), and who illustrates the greatness of this thought by 

 copious references to the solutions, previously undreamt 

 of, which it offers of the enigmas of life and organisa- 

 tion. 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 connected 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 illustrate with vigorous energy the methods of 

 natural science ; 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- 



