The Apostle of Evolution. 169 



it be Illustrations of Progress, or Phases of Progress, or 

 the like? I think there should be a further explanatory 

 clause. But I am no adept at these things, and you are. 

 There is also no hurry about it. You do not name the 

 article on The Philosophy of Style, yet I think it should be 

 by all means included, as it has great value and is much 

 admired. Bancroft was to-day eulogizing it to me in very 

 high terms. 



Respecting your protest to the New Englander, I think 

 it all-important. Theologians, of all men, love to throw 

 mud — to use Tyndall's phrase — and the Comtean puddle is 

 now the favourite. In looking over the American press 

 notices of your works I find the dominant idea is that you 

 belong to the positive school; and although not one in a 

 hundred knows what Positivism is, all are agreed that it is 

 positively dreadful. It is desirable to stop this authorita- 

 tively, and I should be glad to have a pointed disclaimer to 

 append to the popular sketch of your philosophy for our 

 new volume. Excuse the suggestion ; you know, of course, 

 far better what needs to be done than I do. Respecting 

 First Principles, I had a conversation to-day with Mr. 

 Appleton ; he thinks it best to import five hundred copies 

 in sheets and bind them here. I still entertain the hope 

 that we shall be able to get the use of your plates when 

 we can adopt a thoroughly liberal policy toward the 

 press. 



As respects what I have done, I pray you give yourself 

 no uneasiness. It is but little at any rate, and it seems to 

 be my kind of work. I greatly like it, and never enjoy 

 myself so well as when occupied in promoting by some 

 measure the diffusion of valuable thought. I am an ultra 

 and thoroughgoing American. I believe there is great 

 work to be done here for civilization. What we want are 

 ideas — large, organizing ideas — and I believe there is no 

 other man whose thoughts are so valuable for our needs as 



