THE 



MYSTERY OF LIFE. 



HE Harveian Orator of 1870 pays me 

 the compliment of bringing under the 

 notice of the President and Fellows 

 of the College of Physicians some views of 

 mine concerning the nature of life. Dr. Gull 

 differs from me, however, and considers it 

 " strange " that any one should entertain the 

 opinion which I believe to be correct. Would 

 that he had seen the things that have convinced 

 me, or carefully submitted to examination the 

 data upon which my conclusions are founded, 

 and had subjected to critical analysis the facts 

 and arguments I have advanced in favour of 

 the views I feel it necessary to uphold. Had 

 Dr. Gull, and others who differ from me, acted 

 in this way, fallacies might have been detected, 

 errors pointed out, and a more correct inter- 

 pretation of facts afforded, than I have been 

 able to give. Instead, however, of entering 



