148 Darwinism and Other Essays. 



extent ; l not only is it that its tendencies have 

 been perversely misrepresented, and that it has 

 been accused of aiming to subvert the principles 

 of morality and religion : but it is that some of 

 the most obvious facts upon which its arguments 

 are based have been disputed ; it is that the au- 

 thor has been charged with inaccuracies and 

 errors which would disgrace the composition of a 

 school-boy. Without repeating or taking farther 

 notice of such accusations, which savour no less 

 of ignorance than of a spirit of unfair deprecia- 

 tion, we propose to examine Mr. Buckle's leading 

 propositions, in the hope of ascertaining how far 

 they explain the phenomena of society. 



Proceeding on the method of investigation 

 pointed out by Comte, Mr. Buckle claims to have 

 established, in the volumes now before us, four 

 great laws, which " are to be deemed the basis of 

 the history of civilization." 2 



The first of these fundamental laws is " that 

 the progress of mankind depends on the success 

 with which the laws of phenomena are investi- 

 gated, and on the extent to which a knowledge of 

 those laws is diffused." In laying down this prop- 



1 [I had reference to the absurd article in the Quarterly Review^ 

 July, 1857.] 



2 Buckle, vol. ii. p. 1. 



