45 
I complain of the use of the word “incontestable.” I contest it, and 
demand a proof. Let me take another instance, in the 31st page, where 
Mr. Henslow speaks of 
“ The theory of evolution, which, though no doubt destined ultimately to 
hold sway, yet has been retarded in its progress,” &c. 
But I do doubt that it is 44 destined ultimately to hold sway.” There is a 
very material doubt about it. Then, on p. 37, there is something worthy of 
all these antecedent sentences. Mr. Henslow says : — 
44 Now, admit the fact of indefinite variation in offspring ; admit the pos- 
sibility of a higher, but apparently untraceable, law, regulating the variation 
with an ultimate purpose, as Mr. Darwin does in the passage I have quoted, 
wherein he says : 4 The birth of the species and of the individual are equally 
parts of that grand sequence of events which our minds refuse to accept as 
the result of blind chance,’ — and you will find no difficulty in embracing the 
doctrine of evolution.” 
Let me say, Sir, — and I hope Mr. Henslow will put this down on the credit 
side of my controversy with him— that I hold most fully to every word I have 
read from that paragraph until you come to the dash. I hold all that Mr. 
Darwin says there. We cannot too strongly take his ground, and say that 
the human mind refuses to accept these events and their sequence as the 
result of blind chance ; but there I stop, and I say that because I hold that 
view I have the greatest possible difficulty in accepting this doctrine of 
evolution. I will justify my assertion, from these pages ; I will appeal 
from Mr. Henslow as the advocate of the theory to Mr. Henslow making 
admissions in relation to certain facts with regard to it. In the 36th page of 
his paper he says : — 
44 Some of those forces which produce variation in the offspring have been 
thought to be the exercise of muscular action, an inherent principle of pro- 
gression ; while food and external conditions acting upon the organs of 
reproduction is reservedly suggested by Mr. Darwin, though he prefers to 
state more emphatically that 4 our ignorance of the laws of variation is pro- 
found.’ ” 
Now, in that passage Mr. Darwin is quoted, and Mr. Henslow agrees with 
him. I should be glad if you would regard that word 44 ignorance” as 
printed in large capitals. (Hear.) It is these laws of variation, of which 
our ignorance is so profound, that form the subject of the next sentence, 
which Mr. Henslow commences with the words, 44 Now, as evolution hinges 
upon these so-called laws.” Now, that is exactly my case. Evolution hinges 
upon these so-called laws, and our ignorance of these laws is profound ; 
and yet we are asked to embrace the doctrine which hinges upon them. 
It has been with a feeling of reluctance amounting to pain that I have said 
so much ; but I am sure, that though Mr. Henslow loves his theory, he loves 
truth more. He is a devout and reverent student of nature ; and I thank 
God for the existence of men with such minds, and who make such use of 
their minds. But I must say with equal strength that we are not going to do 
what we are asked to do in this very essay. In page 23 Mr. Henslow says : — 
