252 EVOLUTION, OLD AND NEW. 



same side as itself, that though it is hard to deduce new 

 truths from the study of nature, it is still harder to get 

 them recognized by other people. 



" These difficulties, however, are on the whole more 

 beneficial than hurtful to the cause of science ; for it is 

 through them that a number of eccentric, though per- 

 haps plausible speculations, perish in their infancy, and 

 are never again heard of. Sometimes, indeed, valuable 

 ideas are thus lost ; but it is better that a truth, when 

 once caught sight of, should have to struggle for a long 

 time without meeting the attention it deserves, than 

 that every outcome of a heated imagination should be 

 readily received. 



" The more I reflect upon the numerous causes which 

 affect our judgments, the more convinced I am that, 

 with the exception of such physical and moral facts 

 as no one can now throw doubt upon, all else is matter 

 of opinion and argument ; and we know well that there 

 is hardly an argument to be found anywhere, against 

 which another argument cannot plausibly be adduced. 

 Hence, though it is plain that the various opinions of 

 men differ greatly in probability and in the weight 

 which should be attached to them, it seems to me 

 that we are wrong when we blame those who differ 

 from us. 



"Are we then to recognize no opinions as weU 

 founded but those which are generally received? 

 Nay — experience teaches us plainly that the highest 

 and most cultivated minds must be at all times in an 

 exceedingly small minority. No one can dispute this. 

 Authority should be told by weight and not by number 



