4 From Matter to Man. 



again would be, " If so, from whence came the 

 Creator ? " 



Kant's nebular theory of creation, clever though it 

 be, does not solve the ultimate origin of the universe, 

 for the origin of his basis "nebulous matter" would 

 itself require to be explained, as well as the cause of 

 " the centre of attraction " set up, which started the 

 universe in motion. 



From an abstract point of view, the universe is a 

 virtual chaos just now. The orthodox, indeed, style 

 the earth the perfection of creation, an exemplary 

 model of order, method and peace, fit work of an 

 omniscient, methodical and all-wise Creator. (But 

 this conception was cradled in ignorance, was nursed 

 by credulity and sustained by fear. ^ It was the 

 necessary consequence of believing the earth to be 

 not only the centre but the sum of the universe. As 

 a matter of fact, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, 

 tidal waves, earth-subsidences, cataclysms, tornadoes, 

 thunders and lightnings, disturb and devastate our 

 globe unceasingly. It revolves on its axis every 

 twenty-four hours ; it whirls round the sun at sixty 

 times the velocity of a cannon ball ; it doubles that 

 tremendous pace in its circumnutation, along with the 

 rest of the solar system, towards Hercules ; it is 

 subject to endless perturbations by Jupiter, Venus, 

 and other planetary bodies ; hence, disorder and 

 hurly-burly are more the rule than the exception. 



Similarly with all the heavenly bodies, " general 

 incoherence is the rule of the universe. The stars are 



