PROSPECT FOR THE FUTURE. 367 



Our Theory of Development explains the origin of man 

 and the course of his historical development in the only- 

 natural manner. We see in his gradually ascensive develop- 

 ment out of the lower vertebrata, the greatest triumph of 

 humanity over the whole of the rest of Nature. We are 

 proud of having so immensely outstripped our lower 

 animal ancestors, and derive from it the consoling assurance 

 that in future also, mankind, as a whole, will follow the 

 glorious career of progressive development, and attain a still 

 higher degree of mental perfection. When viewed in this 

 light, the Theory of Descent as applied to man opens up 

 the most encouraging prospects for the futui'e, and frees us 

 from all those anxious fears which have been the scarecrows 

 of our opponents. 



We can even now foresee with certainty that the com- 

 plete victory of our Theory of Development will bear 

 immensely rich fruits — fruits which have no equal in the 

 whole history of the civilization of mankind. Its first and 

 most direct result — the complete reform of Biology — wiU 

 necessarily be followed by a still more important and fruit- 

 ful reform o{ Anthropology. From this new theory of man 

 there will be developed a new philosophy, not like most of 

 the airy systems of metaphysical speculation hitherto 

 prevalent, but one founded upon the solid ground of Com- 

 parative Zoology. A beginning of this has already been 

 made by the great English philosopher Herbert Spencer.*^ 

 Just as this new monistic philosophy first opens up to us 

 a true understanding of the real universe, so its appli- 

 cation to practical human life must open up a new road 

 towards moral perfection. By its aid we shall at last begin 

 to raise ourselves out of the state of social barbarism in 



