INTRODUCTION xxi 



progress of science has given to words written long ago a 

 strength and meaning even greater than that which they 

 seemed to have w^hen first they were read." 



In addition to his work in research, Huxley did much 

 to advance the cause of evolution, that epoch-making 

 doctrine which has exerted widespread influence on all 

 phases of activity since 1859. Having accepted the theory 

 of his friend Darwin, Huxley became its expositor. He 

 preached it, expounded it, made it the basis of lectures to 

 workingmen and of discourses in America, until his name 

 has become linked almost as inseparably as Darwin's 

 to the term evolution. 



Believing, as he said, that " science is nothing but trained 

 and organized common-sense," Huxley spared no pains 

 to promulgate this doctrine. He delivered many courses 

 of popular lectures, clothing his ideas in language all 

 might understand. His articles in the magazines and 

 reviews likewise aided in the dissemination of the new 

 and stirring ideas of science. By such means as these 

 Huxley did a great service in bringing the English people 

 of his day to realize the vital importance of science in their 

 every-day life. The desire to reach a larger audience 

 with his message led him to publish, in 1870, a number 

 of his articles and addresses under the title Lay Sermons. 



From this book the selections included in this volume 

 were chosen. They well illustrate the qualities that made 

 Huxley such an admirable writer and speaker. Having 

 interesting and important subject matter, he took pains 

 to give it expression at once worthy, adequate, and powerful. 

 So well has he succeeded that his own writing furnishes 

 sufficient proof for his aphorism, " Science and literature 

 are not two things, but two sides of one thing." 



Most frequently the pages easiest to read cost the most 



