280 LIFE OF PROFESSOR HUXLEY CHAP, xv 



of the existence of the hypothetical ether ; or as the 

 chemist adopts the atomic theory, subject to the 

 proof of the existence of atoms ; and for exactly the 

 same reasons, namely, that it has an immense amount 

 of prima fade probability ; that it is the only means 

 at present within reach of reducing the chaos of 

 observed facts to order ; and lastly, that it is the 

 most powerful instrument of investigation which has 

 been presented to naturalists since the invention of 

 the natural system of classification, and the com- 

 mencement of the systematic study of embryology." 



As for the repugnance of most men to admitting 

 kinship with the apes, "thoughtful men," he says, 

 " once escaped from the blinding influences of tradi- 

 tional prejudices, will find in the lowly stock whence 

 man has sprung the best evidence of the splendour of 

 his capacities ; and will discern, in his long progress 

 through the past, a reasonable ground of faith in his 

 attainment of a nobler future." 



A simile used by him to enforce this elevating 

 point of view, which has since eased the passage of 

 many minds to the acceptance of evolution, seems to 

 have been much appreciated by his audience. It 

 was a comparison of man to the Alps, which turn 

 out to be " of one substance with the dullest clay, 

 but raised by inward forces to that place of proud 

 and seemingly inaccessible glory." 



The lectures were met at first with astonishing 

 quiet but it was not long before the stones began to 

 fly. The Witness of January 11 lashed itself into a 



