PREFACE. 



THE "Critiques and Addresses" gathered together in 

 this volume, like the " Lay Sermons, Addresses, and 

 Reviews," published three years ago, deal chiefly with 

 educational, scientific, and philosophical subjects ; and, 

 in fact, indicate the high- water mark of the various 

 tides of occupation by which I have been carried along 

 since the beginning of the year 1870. 



In the end of that year, a confidence in my powers 

 of work, which, unfortunately, has not been justified by 

 events, led me to allow myself to be brought forward 

 as a candidate for a seat on the London School Board. 

 Thanks to the energy of my supporters I was elected, 

 and took my share in the work of that body during 

 the critical first year of its existence. Then my health 

 gave way, and I was obliged to resign my place among 

 colleagues whose large practical knowledge of the 

 business of primary education, and whose self-sacrificing 

 zeal in the discharge of the onerous and thankless 

 duties thrown upon them by the Legislature, made it 



