SPENCERS SYSTEM OF PHILOSOPHY. 
THE PHILOSOPHY OF EVOLUTION, 
By HERBERT SPENCER. 
This great system of scientific thought, the most original and important men- 
tal undertaking of the age, to which Mr. Spencer has devoted his life, is now well 
advanced, the published volumes being: First Principles, The Principles of Bi- 
ology, two volumes, and The Principles of Psychology, vol. i., which will be 
shortly printed. 
This philosophical system differs from all its predecessors in being solidly 
based on the sciences of observation and induction; in representing the order 
and course of Nature; in bringing Nature and man, life, mind, and society, under 
one great law cf action; and in developing a method of thought which may serve 
for practical guidance in dealing with the affairs of life. That Mr. Spencer is the 
man for this great work will be evident from the following statements: 
‘‘'The only complete and systematic statement of the doctrine of Evolution 
with which I am acquainted is that contained in Mr. Herbert Spencer's ‘System 
of Philosophy ;’ a work which should be carefully studied by all who desire to 
know whither scientific thought is tending.”—T. H. Hux.ey. 
‘“Ofall our thinkers, he is the one who has formed to himself the largest new 
scheme of a systematic philosophy.”—Prof. Masson. 
“If any individual influence is visibly encroaching on Mills in this country, it 
is his.’"—Jdid. 
‘‘Mr, Spencer is one of the most vigorous as well as boldest thinkers that 
English speculation has yet produced.” —Jonn Stuart Miu. 
‘* One of the acutest metaphysicians of modern times.”—J0id, 
“One of our deepest thinkers.”"—Dr. Josep D, Hooker. 
It is questionable if any thinker of finer calibre has appeared ia our coun- 
try."—Grorez Henry LEWEs. 
‘*He alone, of all British thinkers, has organized a philosophy.”—J@id. 
“He is as keen an analyst as is known in the history of philosophy; I do not 
except either Aristotle or Kant.”—Grorer Rieter. 
“Tf we were to give our own judgment, we should say that, since Newton, 
there has not in England been a philosopher of more remarkable speculative and 
systematizing talent than (in spite of some errors and some narrowness) Mr, Her- 
cert Spencer.”—London Saturday Review, 
“We cannot refrain from offering our tribute of respect to one who, whether 
for lne extent of his positive knowledge, or for the profandity of his speculative 
iasight, has already achieved a name second to none in the whole range of Eng- 
lish philosophy, and whose works will worthily sustain the credit of English 
thought in the present generation.""— Westminster Review. 
