Guessing at Half and Multiplying by Two 349 



or in his manner that would justify, or even excuse, 

 a more serious style of treatment. The only aspect 

 of his career which affords matter for grave reflec- 

 tion is the ease with which he succeeded for a mo- 

 ment in imposing on the credulity and in appealing 

 to the prejudices of his public. The eagerness 

 with which the orthodox world hailed the appear- 

 ance of this new champion could not but remind 

 one, with sad emphasis, of Oxenstjern's famous re- 

 mark : " Quam parva sapientia mundus regitur ! " 

 It is comforting to remember that one of the world's 

 greatest naturalists, Asa Gray, whose orthodoxy 

 is as unimpeachable as his science, very promptly 

 declared in print that such championship is some- 

 thing of which orthodoxy has no reason to feel 

 proud. 



December, 1880. 



