THE BIOLOGY OF DAILY LIFE. 99 



genius, with its infinite capacity for taking pains, the 

 Titanic task of determining the form and plan of the 

 WHOLE VISIBLE CREATION, including the farthest tele- 

 scopic star or nebula, has been at least attempted.* 



I cite another instance which comes nearer to the 

 science of biology one whom, in allusion not only 

 to his Christian name, but much more to his character 

 and attainments, we may regard as the archangel of 

 physical and chemical science Michael Faraday. 



The blacksmith's forge and the bookbinder's work- 

 shop seem at first sight unsuitable schools for the 

 training of the most reverential, careful, and delicate 

 experimenter and observer that ever was permitted 

 to behold and expound the mysteries of Nature. 



Now I cite these cases for this purpose not simply 

 to prove that great discoverers had often what seemed 

 an incongruous training a paltry truism not worth 

 the mention but to show that, under this seeming 

 incongruity, there is really the most exquisite grace 

 of congruity. 



For no one who has learned in any degree to recog- 

 nise the order which true science reveals as existing 

 throughout the universe how under that seeming 

 disorder, " quern dixere chaos" which is not the 

 chronological, but rather the logical antecedent of the 

 cosmos of beauty and order, can believe that Nature 

 leaves to chance the training of her interpreters. 

 When biography is more of a science, when it 

 becomes more truly biological, the life-history of 



* Sir William Herschel was organist of the Octagon Chapel, 

 at Bath, when he commenced his career of discovery. His 

 sister, Miss Caroline Herschel, assisted, and his son, Sir John 

 Herschel, carried still further the labours and discoveries in 

 astronomy. 



