CHAP, vni EVOLUTION SPENCER 89 



for ages, are we sure there is a reason in the nature 

 of things compelling this oscillation to cease ? Does 

 not the doctrine of final balance point to a different 

 conception of evolution, as if it depended, not on the 

 healthy nature of matter and force, but on a certain 

 disturbing element, and as if, when the disturbance 

 was once adjusted, progress ceased ? So long as the 

 stoppage is supposed to affect only one limited evolv- 

 ing system, interference may come from other limited 

 systems outside, and renewed evolution may take 

 place. But we must not always study nature piece- 

 meal. And, if the whole of nature works into a final 

 balance, which, as Mr. Spencer says, may very well 

 turn out to be a thing kindred to death rather than to 

 life, then the whole of nature will remain there as still 

 as a stone the clock having run down, will continue 

 at rest till the end of eternity. 



There is, however, another point still to notice in 

 characterising Spencer's views of evolution. He not 

 only asserts evolution, as the good and grand side of 

 nature, in aeons of necessary and continuous growth 

 in complexity; he assumes under evolution things 

 much more wonderful than any complexity he as- 

 sumes life and thought. As far as his formula goes, 

 the universe might run its course and reach the end 

 of its tether without ever quitting the region of the 

 inorganic. That is the result of stating evolution " in 

 terms of matter and motion " ; your definition does 

 not apply to the higher manifestations of nature. 

 Our universe, however or let us say our world 

 has reached such higher manifestations. It has trav- 

 elled all the way from the assumed solar nebula, not 

 merely to planets, not merely to rocks, and water, and 



