XII.] .TIIEOLOGY AND EVOLUTION. 271 



parts of tlic building, the i)icccs which aro the most suitable, 

 owing to the shape they happen to have broken into. After- 

 ward, alluding to this illustration, he says : " " The sliape of 

 the fragments of stone at the base of our precipice may be 

 called accidental, but this is not strictly correct, for the 

 shape of each depends on a long sequence of events, all 

 obeying natural laws, on the nature of the rock, on the linens 

 of stratification or cleavage, on the form of the mountain 

 w^hich depends on its upheaval and subseriuent denurlation, 

 and lastly, on the storm and earthquake which threw down 

 the fragments. But, in regard to the use to which the 

 fragments may be put, their shape may strictly be said to 

 ])e accidental. And here we are led to face a great diiliculty, 

 in alluding to which I am aware that I am travclhng beyond 

 my proj)er province." 



" An onmiscient Creator must have foreseen every conse- 

 quence which results from the laws imposed by Ilim ; but 

 can it be reasonably maintained that the Creator intention- 

 ally ordered, if we use the words in any ordinary sense, that 

 certain fragments of rock should assume certain shapes, so 

 that the builder might erect his edifice ? If the various 

 laws which have determined the shape of each fragment 

 "Nverc not predetermined for the builder's sake, cnn it with 

 any greater probability be maintained that He specially 

 ordained, for the sake of the breeder, each of the innumera- 

 ble variations in our domestic animals and plants — many 

 of these variations being of no service to man, and not 

 beneficial, far more often injurious, to the creatures them- 

 selves? Did He ordain that the crop and tail-feathers of 

 the pigeon should vary, in order that the fancier might 

 make his grotesque pouter and fimtail breeds? Did lie 

 cause the frame and mental qualities of the dog to varj', in 

 order that a breed might be formed of indomitable ferocity, 

 with jaws fitted to pin down the bull for man's brutal 8j)ort ? 



" ''Animals and Tlauts under Domestication," vol ii,, p. 431 



