26 
present day ; too much like what it was when unreformed m 
Bacon's own time. I cite from the “ Introduction to Ant 10- 
pology," by the late Dr. Theodore Waitz, Professor of Philo- 
sophy in Marburg University : - 
“ In Germany (writes the learned Professor) it is at present a common case 
that in the fields of the various sciences, and even within the limits of a single 
science, opposite theories grow tip, without their respective propounders taking 
any notice of one another’s views, or making any attempt to reconcile then 
contradictory dogmas. The strength of party comes in place of strength 
of reasoning ; and the labour of giving scientific proofs seems superfluous, 
where deference is merely yielded to the authority of those who, agreeing in 
some general principles, appear to support one another with the instinctive 
interest of an esprit de corps. With the same kind of tact, all that has grov n 
upon a foreign stock is silently passed over or eliminated, while only what 
seems homogeneous is assimilated. Thus scientific life moves m me i\ le ua 
narrow spheres, and the more comprehensive and fundamental principles are 
no longer discussed.” 
It- is in order to provide a remedy for this state of things 
that the founders of the Victoria Institute agreed that its third 
object shall be : — 
« To consider the mutual bearings of the various scientific conclusions 
arrived at in the several distinct branches into which Science is now divided, 
in order to get rid of contradictions and conflicting hypotheses, and thus pro- 
mote the real advancement of true Science ; and to examine and discuss all 
supposed scientific results with reference to final causes and the more com- 
prehensive and fundamental principles of Philosophy proper, based upon 
faith in the existence of one Eternal God, who, in His wisdom, created a 
things very good.” 
This object is surely one, at least, which requires no 
apology as yet in England. It assumes, no doubt, a funda- 
mental principle — the existence of the all- wise God. It there- 
fore precludes the advocacy of atheistic theories in the 
Society. It need scarcely be said it does so, simply because 
its members and associates, as indeed the great mass 
of the scientific and unscientific, of the literate and illi- 
terate alike, in this country, have no manner of doubt 
whatever of the truth so assumed. And this being the 
case, it is in fact to be only straightforwardly honest, to say 
that that constitutes a major proposition, which must neces- 
sarily override and ipso f 'ado overthrow all opposite and con- 
flicting hypotheses. To teach that truth and to establish it, 
pertains to the ministers of rehgion, and, therefore, it is ex- 
cluded, as a question to be investigated, from the objects of the 
Victoria Institute. So are all purely religious or theological 
propositions. Science, in all its branches and rami ca ions, is 
