154 THE ASCENT OF MAN 



the side of those consistent evolutionists who, in the 

 face of countless difficulties and countless prejudices, 

 still press the lawful inquiry into the development of 

 human faculty. 



The first feeling in most minds when the idea 

 of mental evolution is presented, is usually one of 

 amusement. This not seldom changes, when the 

 question is seen to be taken seriously, into wonder 

 at the daring of the suggestion or pity for its folly. 

 All great problems have been treated in this way. 

 All have passed through the inevitable phases of 

 laughter, contempt, opposition. It ought to be so 

 And if this problem is " perhaps the most inter- 

 esting that has ever been submitted to the contem- 

 plation of our race," ^ its basis cannot be criticized 

 with too great care. But none have a right to 

 question either the sanity or the sanctity of such 

 investigations, still less to dismiss them idly on 

 a priori grounds, till they have approached the 

 practical problem for themselves, and heard at least 

 the first few relevant words from Nature. For one 

 has only to move for a little among the facts to 

 see what a world of interest lies here, and to be 

 forced to hold the judgment in suspense till the 

 sciences at work upon the problem have further 

 shaped their verdict. Thinkers who are entitled to 

 * Romanes, Mental Evolution in Man^ p. 2. 



