84 Darwinism and Other Essays. 



on certain assumed practical needs of theology. 

 An evident struggle between theological predispo- 

 sitions and acquired scientific habits has interfered 

 seriously with the author's balance of mind ; and 

 the net result is a book by no means commenda- 

 ble for scientific spirit, though it exhibits praise- 

 worthy industry, and often considerable ingenuity 

 and dialectical skill. 



So far is Mr. Mivart from occupying the posi- 

 tion of a disinterested student of nature that his 

 numerous misrepresentations can be explained 

 without necessarily charging him with a conscious 

 willingness to be unfair. Sometimes, at least, he 

 appears to misrepresent scientific thinkers through 

 sheer incapacity to comprehend the motives which 

 guide them. Mr. Darwin's candour, for example, 

 in modifying or retracting hasty inferences im- 

 plies an attitude of mind which our author seems 

 quite unable to appreciate. The nature of Mr. 

 Darwin's inquiries involves him in the consider- 

 ation of thousands of exceedingly complex cases 

 of causation, for the unravelling of which a vast 

 experience, the most delicate analytic power, and 

 a prodigious memory for details are absolutely 

 essential. The general sagacity of his conclusions, 

 shows that Mr. Darwin possesses these qualities in 

 a degree rarely, if ever, surpassed by any scientific 



