Sir J. W. Dawson. 147 



taining style, had a wide circle of readers, and many 

 of them passed through several editions. 



Other volumes from his pen, as well as many papers 

 contributed to various religious publications, treated of 

 the relation of science and religion. One of the earliest 

 of these was entitled " Archaia," and dealt with the rela- 

 tions of historical geology to the Mosaic account of the 

 Creation, In others he considered the relation of the 

 evolutionary hypothesis to religious thought. He was 

 always, but especially in his earlier years, a strong 

 opponent of the Theory of Evolution, and vigorously com- 

 bated it. Being above all things deeply religious and 

 considering the evolutionary explanation of the origin of 

 the universe to be contrary to the teachings of Scripture, 

 he refused to accept it. This was, after all, but the weak- 

 ness of a strong man. It did not, however, tend to 

 enhance his reputation among men of science, who are 

 commonly willing to let truth work out its own results, 

 knowing that apparent contradictions are merely indica- 

 tions that the whole truth has not been discovered. 



These works on the relation of science and religion met 

 a popular need, and were of great comfort to many a 

 pious soul who feared that the whole framework of faith 

 was being swept away by the advancement of science. 

 Their value, however, was not permanent, and they are 

 not the works by which Sir William Dawson will be 

 remembered. His reputation is founded on the great 

 contributions to our permanent stock of knowledge which 

 he has made, and which are embodied in his works on 

 pure science, representing achievements of which any man 

 might well be proud. 



Sir William had a courteous or rather a courtly manner^ 

 based on a genuine consideration for all. He was 

 respected and beloved by all who knew him, and espe- 

 cially endeared himself to all who studied under him. 

 The pre-eminent note of his character was simplicity and 



