

90 Species; or, Darwinism, 



to be an expression of it. Darwinism, or evolution 

 in general, determines the cast and phraseology of 

 those sciences which we are now reviewing, such as 

 botany, zoology, anthropology, geology. In chem- 

 istry, it introduces the idea of meta-elements to 

 construct an ideal passage for the evolution of one 

 simple element into another. In astronomy, the 

 evolution of the stars runs its course apace. In 

 philosophy, after reducing the whole of it to the 

 terms of evolution, Mr. Herbert Spencer lays the 

 bases of evolutionary morals. His disciple, M. 

 Letourneau, then evolves marriage and the family. 

 M. Duval finds a comparison to institute between 

 the evolution of organisms and of languages. His- 

 tory is interpreted by evolution; and Scripture even 

 is quoted by Mr. Bancroft to the same purpose, 

 that ever a new messenger of " the Infinite Spirit 

 moves over the waters; and the ship of destiny, 

 freighted with the fortunes of mankind, yields to 

 the gentle breath, even while the beholders still 

 doubt whence it comes, and whither it will go." 

 All this falls aptly into the mould of German trans- 

 cendentalism, das Immerwerden, which M. Renan 

 translates becomingly as Feternel devenir. 



1 02. Some ardent admirers of Mr. Darwin have 

 claimed that he has given a scientific and demon- 

 strated reality to ideas which were conceived, in- 

 deed, but not established, by his predecessors. 

 His system is a dogma of science now. It is the 

 only scientific theory, if we can rightly define. 



