71 
KEVIEWS. 
THE EXPRESSION OF THE EMOTIONS * 
W E do not think we err in expressing the opinion that the volume 
which is now before us is unquestionably the work of most import- 
ance as regards the doctrine of Evolution which has appeared since the 
publication of the Origin of Species.” And we think so because it 
offers us a new path of argument in favour of the belief that man has 
come, in a long line of descent, from the lower animals. It affords us a 
series of arguments, patent to everyone, in favour of the belief held by 
Mr. Darwin and his numerous school. Moreover, it is a work which by 
its style, by its illustrations, by the interest attaching to its arguments in 
the “ home-thrust ” which the view of natural selection obtains from the 
examples given, must become a handbook in every family accustomed to 
read anything better than the usually dreary three-volume productions. 
We cannot hope, in our space, to do much towards reviewing this bookj 
for, though its number of pages is not 400, it is devoid of padding, and its 
every column contains hosts of examples which, the author believes, 
support his theory. Further, it contains many allusions to foregone work 
of other authors, and embraces the results obtained by the numerous in- 
dividuals whom Mr. Darwin asked to return him answers to a set of 
printed questions. Still, although nothing short of a Quarterly ” review 
can hope to do it justice, we may pick up a few of the crumbs which 
fall from its well-laden table. However Mr. Darwin divides his subject, 
in order to render his ideas on the matter as clear as possible, we shall 
not follow him in these portions of his work. For we fancy that all 
which refers, for example, to how much the nervous system may operate 
independently of the will in giving rise to habits of a peculiar nature, must 
be a subject, in the first place, extremely difficult of debate, in the next 
instance, liable to vary according to the condition of mental physiology, 
which is still in an unsettled state. But, apart altogether from this, the 
work contains ample and abundant reliable testimony in reference to the 
one point, the view that the expression of many of our emotions are 
* “ The Expression of the Emotions in Man and Animals,” by Charles 
Darwin, M.A., F.R.S., with photographic and other illustrations. London : 
John Murray. 1872. 
