394 CHARLES DARWIN xxiv 



of all living things, into every branch, in fact, of biological 

 science. 



They have made us also realise in fuller measure than 

 ever before the depth of the still unfathomed mysteries that 

 confront us everywhere. The endeavour to penetrate these 

 mysteries, to solve some of these problems which lie every- 

 where in our path in wandering through the field of nature, is 

 surely a most legitimate employment for the faculties of man ; 

 and he who has devoted to this endeavour a life of patient, 

 eager, and, above all, honest toil, undaunted by constant 

 physical weakness and suffering, and has steadily persevered 

 to the end in his one great aim, alike through evil report and 

 good report, deserves our gratitude and our reverence. 



Though Darwin did not tear down the curtain which 

 obscures our gaze into the past and lay bare to our vision the 

 birth of life, and all its various manifestations upon earth, as 

 has been too rashly said by some of his enthusiastic disciples, 

 he lifted the veil here and there, and gave us glimpses which 

 will light the path of those who follow in his steps, and, even 

 more than this, he showed by his life and by his work, beyond 

 any one of the age in which we live, the true methods by 

 which alone the secrets of nature may be won. 



THE END 



Printed by R. & R. CLARK, LIMITED, Edinburgh. 



