38 



LORD KELVm ON DESIGN IN NATURE. 



In liis Presidential Address before the Britisli Association in 

 1871, Lord Kelvin thus referred to the Argument in favour of 

 Design in Nature (Paley's) : — " I feel profoundly convinced that 

 the argument of design has been too much lost sight of in recent 

 zoological speculations. Reaction against frivolities of teleology 

 such as are to be found in the notes of learned commentators on 

 Paley's Natural Theology, has, I believe, had a temporary effect 

 in turning attention from the solid and irrefragable argument so 

 well put forward in that excellent old book. But overpovveringly 

 strong proofs of intelligent and benevolent design lie all round 

 us ; and if ever perplexities, whether metaphysical or scientific, 

 turn us away from them for a time, they come back upon us 

 with iri"esistible force, showing to us through nature the influence 

 of a free will, and teaching us that all living beings depend on 

 one ever-acting Creator and Ruler." — Ed. 



