480 NINETEENTH CENTURY. PT. in. 



men in the belief that all the many forms of plant and 

 animal life have been unfolded out of a few simple forms, 

 just as the stem, the leaf, and the flower are- evolved out of 

 a simple seed. 



We need not be too eager to force the truth of this 

 theory upon unwilling minds, for the history of science 

 teaches us that nothing but truth can stand the test of long 

 investigation, while no power or authority can resist in the 

 end that which is true. The imperfect theory of phlogiston 

 did its work in gathering together many scattered facts in 

 chemistry, and then died a natural death when the discovery 

 of oxygen threw more light upon the subject ; while no 

 authority or persecution could suppress the true theory that 

 the earth moves round the sun. 



It is of great importance that we should all learn this 

 lesson, to have faith in the invincible power of truth ; for it 

 would almost seem as if all the experience of past centuries 

 had hardly yet convinced us. We still, like the Aristotelians 

 and the judges of the Inquisition, often make hasty and 

 ignorant assertions, and try rather to prop up by authority 

 that which we believe, than to inquire earnestly whether it 

 is true. Yet every page in the history of Science teaches 

 the contrary lesson. So much as is true in any belief will 

 stand because it is true ; while that which is mistaken will 

 fade away before earnest and impartial examination. Our 

 part is to endeavour, like the great men of whom we have 

 been reading, to open our eyes to the laws which surround 

 us, and which are only hidden from us by our ignorance. 

 And from whatever source we derive our knowledge, we 

 must remember that it is very little after all, and be ready 

 at all times to examine new facts, even though they 

 may seem to upset some of our favourite opinions ; for 

 unless we are so foolish as to think we know everything, 



