EDITOR'S PREFACE 



The essays contained in tlie present volume were 

 first published in the English periodicals — chieflj the 

 Quarterly Reviews. They contain ideas of perma- 

 nent interest, and display an amount of thought and 

 labor evidently much greater than is usually bestowed 

 on review articles. They were written with a view to 

 ultimate republication in an enduring form, and were 

 issued in London with several other papers, under the 

 title of '^ Essays ; Scientific, Political, and Speculative," 

 first and second series ; — the former appearing in 1857, 

 and the latter in 1863. 



The interest created in Mr. Spencer's writings by 

 the publication in this country of his valuable work on 

 " Education," and by criticisms of his other works, has 

 created a demand for these discussions which can only 

 be supplied by their republication. They are now, 

 however, issued in a new form, and are more suited to 

 develop the author's purpose in their preparation ; for 



