22 Herbert Spencer. 



ception of Evolution or Development in its biological aspects. 

 Darwin commenced the investigations which resulted, finally, in 

 the preparation of the "Origin of Species," twenty years prior to 

 its publication, — before Mr. Spencer had begun his career as an 

 author. Mr. Spencer's acquaintance and friendship with "George 

 Eliot" he also thought worthy of note. 



As to Spencer's conception of the Absolute as Unknowable, Mr. 

 Chad wick had always felt that, even according to Mr. Spencer's 

 own definitions, though unknown it was at the same time well- 

 known ; though hidden from us in its totality it was revealed in 

 the entire phenomenal universe, where the method of its operation 

 was open to our study. 



Mr. Thomas Gardner : — 



The really essential features of Mr. Spencer's system have been 

 lucidly presented by the essayist, and his criticism has also been 

 judicious. Although I confess myself a devout follower of Mr. 

 Spencer, I cannot bring my mind into subjection to his views as 

 to the powers and province of government, and think that the 

 "laissez-faire"''' system which he so confidently advocates is not 

 always the best for a community or nation. I think there is not a 

 little wisdom in the words of Edmund Burke, when he said, "Be- 

 fore I congratulate a people on having obtained their liberty which 

 will allow them to do as they please, I think it would be well to 

 wait and see what it will please them to do." I must confess that 

 my bent of mind inclines me to sympathize more, in the matter of 

 government, with the fervid aspirations of John Ruskin than with 

 the colder reflections of Herbert Spencer. 



Although no one has written on the subject of ethics in a sim- 

 pler and clearer manner than Mr. Spencer, it has been his fate to 

 be, whether wittingly or unwittingly, grossly and widely misun- 

 derstood ; and it was refreshing to listen, to-night, to an exposition 

 of his views on this crowning work of his life, wherein the really 

 noble and tender sentiment underlying Mr. Spencer's speculation 

 has been sympathetically presented. I am certainly of the opin- 

 ion that the basis of his philosophy is a profoundly religious one, 

 and look upon the attitude of the Agnostic, when confronted with 

 the shadow of an unknowable and infinite deity, as pre-eminently 

 reverential and worshipful. It is, I think, beyond question that 

 all deep religious emotion finds its birthplace in a mystic region ; 

 and surely, in the noble range of the Evolution philosophy, there 

 is a mystic region large enough to satisfy the aspirations of the 

 most devout dreamer : in fact it is beyond the bounds of all time 

 and space. 



