EXCURSIONS OF AN EVOLUTIONIST 



is now beginning to be regarded as unendurable. 

 And along with the diminution of the quantity 

 of warfare, and the restriction of its sphere, there 

 has gone on a gradual alteration in the feelings 

 and in the manners of civilized men. This 

 change has been shown in increased regard for 

 domestic comfort, in the abolition of judicial 

 torture and of cruel modes of punishment, in 

 prison reforms, and generally in increased soft- 

 ness of temper and mildness of manner. That 

 this change is due to the general substitution of 

 industrial for military activity, is too obvious to 

 require detailed argument ; yet, when duly con- 

 sidered in all its bearings, the connection of this 

 change with human happiness will be found to 

 be so close that, even had nothing else been 

 accomplished by the inauguration of the in- 

 dustrial era, we should still have ample ground 

 for regarding the great discoverers and inven- 

 tors as among the chief benefactors of mankind. 

 Though last in order, we can in no wise rank 

 them as least in noble desert. 



November, 1880. 



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