i BAD INTROSPECTION 31 



We have been trying to conceal this 

 by the invention of misleading phrases 

 full of loose analogies, of vague and 

 deceptive generalities." 



Most unfortunately, however, the 

 special peculiarity of Mr. Spencer's intro- 

 spection appears to be that it is the 

 lower intellectual faculties which are 

 calling the higher to account. The 

 merit of Darwin's phrase lay in its 

 elasticity in its large elements of 

 metaphor taken from the phenomena of 

 mind. Mr. Spencer's phrase had been 

 carefully framed, he tells us, to get rid of 

 these. His great endeavour was to 

 employ in the interpretation of nature 

 only those faculties which see material 

 things and the physical forces. Those 

 other faculties which see the adjustments 

 of these forces to purpose to the building 

 up of structures yet being imperfect, and 

 to the discharge of functions yet lying in 



