2 FACTS AGAINST riCTION. 



the clever and elaborate work of Darwin on "• Tlie 

 Descent of Man.'' 



Have the soft ideas of our childhood been made 

 the field of imposition ? Has the expanding mind 

 of boyhood been led into a false path simply to 

 find it a road to ruin ? Was all that was instilled 

 during the most plastic jieriod of his increasing 

 intelligence merely a sowing of chaff? and is the 

 man to stand rudely reft of all his earliest impres- 

 sions ? Is he to look upon himself only as an 

 improved (J) wolA more vicious ape or jelly-fish? — 

 evil purpose and evil passion increasing side by 

 side with the education of the brain^ with the loss 

 of his hairy coat, and the abduction of his tail ! 



As a child and boy my mind was, of course, to 

 some extent, impressed by the first nursery notions 

 of religion — by the rude psalmody then sung, 

 in country churches, through the noses of noteless 

 boys and girls. But presumption was always a part 

 of my character, as it ought to be in that of every 

 boy or man who wishes to succeed in anything; for, 

 if either man or boy says to his tnzdaring self, — 

 " Fain would I climb but that I fear to fall," 



the reply is obviouSj — 



" If thy mind fail thee, do not climb at all." 



