PREFACE 



THE sketch here given of the evolution of knowl- 

 edge and the doctrine of the evolution of life is the 

 effort to place in a connected historical relation the 

 questions discussed and partly answered in my home. 

 To those who are versed in the several sciences touched 

 upon the treatment thereof may seem to be too super- 

 ficial, dealing mainly with the beginnings of principles 

 and teachings that even a child might know. But it is 

 the beginnings of things that are often least well 

 known. The questions that a child might ask the 

 wisest man can scarcely answer. On the other hand, 

 the problems of the Ether and of Gravitation are yet 

 unsolved, and by many men are thought to be in- 

 solvable. 



The views taken of man's place in nature and his 

 relation to the Higher Power are those, I believe, that 

 are held by most scientific men ; but since no two 



(v) 



