CHARLES DARWIN. . igh 
would be safe to follow it. What was true in it he knew would 
stand, and could not be shaken, and what was false no one 
would more readily thfow over than he would himself. 
There was no lack of opponents to the new theory. Con- 
temporary criticisms show that while many were convinced at 
once of its satisfactory nature, som2 were dubious, and many at 
once opposed themselves. Every form of argument, and even 
abuse and vituperation, were hurled at it; but it has stood, not 
greatly altered from its original form, and is at the present day 
accepted as a doctrine of science by nearly all biologists. Inthe 
concluding chapter of the “ Origin of Species,” Darwin used the 
following memorable words :— 
“ Although I am fully convinced of the truth of the views 
given in this volume under the form of an abstract, I by no 
means expect to convince experienced naturalists whose minds 
are stocked with a multitude of facts all viewed, during a long 
course of years, from a point of view directly opposite to mine. 
. . Anyone whose disposition leads him to attach more 
we eight to unexplained difficulties than to the explanation ofa 
certain number of facts, will certainly reject the theory. A few 
naturalists, endowed with much flexibility of mind, and who have 
already begun to doubt the immutability of species, may be 
influenced by this volume ; but I look with confidence to the 
future,—to young and rising naturalists, who will be able to view 
both sides of the question with impartiality. Whoever is led to 
believe that species are mutable, will do good service by con- 
scientiously expressing his conviction; for thus only can the 
load of prejudice by which this subject is overwhelmed be 
removed.” 
His predictions have been more than realised. In England 
and America, in Germany more than anywhere else, throughout 
all communities where scientific men are to be found, his views 
have in the main been adopted. France, strange to say, showed 
the most determined resistance to the new doctrine, for there 
(and particularly in Paris) the influence of the Cuvierian school 
has acted like a wet blanket, stifling all free inquiry that was not 
in accordance with the teachings of the Institute, and France, as 
a consequence, has contributed very little to biological science 
during the last twenty years. 
All Darwin's later works—and they are many in number and 
monumental in character—bear more or less directly on the 
elucidation of the theory promulgated in the “ Origin of Species.” 
_ Every circumstance, howeves trivial, furnished matter to this 
end, every detail was studied, and the keenest power of observa- 
tion—a hereditary trait strongly developed in the Darwin family 
—was brought to bear on the subject. The marvellous industry 
which accumulated, sorted, and used this material to such excel- 
lent purpose has been the wonder of all who have studied his 
works. The feature, however, which impresses itself most 
strongly on his readers is his singular candour, and his zealous 
search after the true explanation of every question which presented 
