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for the creationist and the evolutionist to examine with equal 
care and fairness some phenomenon that would tell either 
strongly for, or strongly against the theory of development. 
Both might imagine they were honestly doing their best ; but, 
unless their minds were of a high order, prejudice would warp 
one way or the other. This warping power is, however, often 
present when no such reason is to be found ; it may spring 
from carelessness, want of training, or previous habit. It is a 
very common opinion, most difficult to shake, that the moon 
appears larger when on the horizon at certain times, than when 
her altitude is greater ; measure her as you may, there is always 
the response, “But look at her; don't you see the greater size 
for yourself? " And seeing is held to be believing. “When," 
says Kant, “ we have once heard a bad report of this or that 
person, we think that we read the rogue in his countenance." 
In such a case observation fails, and fancy completes the task. 
A parson and a lady having both heard that the moon was 
inhabited, believed it, and, telescope in hand, were attempting 
to make out the inhabitants. “ If I am not mistaken," said 
the lady, who looked first, “ I perceive two shadows ; they 
bend towards each other, and, I have no doubt, are two happy 
lovers." “ Lovers, Madam," said the divine, who looked 
second, “ oh, fie ! the two shadow's you saw are the two steeples 
of a cathedral." It is no uncommon thing for naturalists of 
all ranks to turn shadow's into lovers or steeples, as their pre- 
possessions lead them. It reminds me much of an echo I once 
heard in a rocky chasm in Yorkshire. When I shouted 
“ fracture " down the opening, the answer returned was 
“ fracture"; but when I shouted “denudation," something like 
“denudation" came back to me. When I cried, “What are 
you?" — a surely fair question, — the startling one was asked 
of me, “ What are you ? " The rock was evidently of an 
accommodating nature, and determined to reflect my ideas, 
instead of its own facts. Something similar frequently occurs 
also w'here there is perfect honesty of purpose ; but where the 
mind, running in old grooves, acting according to its latent 
modes, is not prepared to accept in their entirety new facts, 
which are more or less inconsistent with these previous experi- 
ences, as the following instance will illustrate. Shortly after 
Day had succeeded in decomposing the fixed alkalies, a portion 
of potassium, a substance light enough to swim on water, was 
placed in the hands of one of the most distinguished chemists, 
with a query as to its nature. The philosopher observing its 
aspect and splendour, did not hesitate in pronouncing it to be 
metallic, and, balancing it on his finger, he exclaimed, “ It is 
