1883 AT MILFORD 345 



was a discourse on Evolution, based upon the con- 

 sideration of the Pearly Nautilus. 



He first traced the evolution of the individual 

 from the ovum, and replied to the three usual 

 objections raised to evolution, that it is impossible, 

 immoral, and contrary to the argument of design, by 

 replying to the first, that it does occur in every 

 individual; to the second, that the morality which 

 opposes itself to truth commits suicide ; and to 

 the third that Paley the most interesting Sunday 

 reading allowed him when a boy had long since 

 answered this objection. 



Then he proceeded to discuss the evolution of the 

 100 species, all extinct but two, of Nautilus. The 

 alternative theory of new construction, a hundred 

 times over, is opposed alike to tradition and to sane 

 science. On the other hand, evolution, tested by 

 paleontology, proves a sound hypothesis. The great 

 difficulty of science is in tracing every event to those 

 causes which are in present operation ; the hypothesis 

 of evolution is analogous to what is going on now. 



The summer was passed at Milford, near Godal- 

 ming, in a house at the very edge of the heather 

 country which from there stretches unbroken past 

 Hindhead and into Wolmer Forest. So well did he 

 like the place that he took it again the following 

 year. But his holiday was like to have been spoilt 

 at the beginning by the strain of an absurd mis- 

 adventure which involved much fatigue and more 

 anxiety. 



