PREFACE. 
HE Seventeenth Volume of the Journal of the Trans < 
actions of the Victoria Institute is now issued. 
It contains papers by the following authors: — The Ven. 
Archdeacon Bardsley, M.A., on the “ Origin of Man.” Sir 
Edmund Beckett, Bart., LL.D., Q.C., on the recent writings 
of Mr. Herbert Spencer, inquiring into his premises, and ana- 
lysing the logic of his arguments in a clear and popular style. 
Surgeon- General C. A. Gordon, M.D., C.B., contributes two 
papers, one on “ Climate in relation to Organic Nature,” the 
other on “ Certain Theories of Life.” The volume also contains 
the last paper written by (the late) Mr. J. E. Howard, F.B.S., 
to whom the Institute has for a series of years been indebted 
for his labours in its cause. Mr. W. P. James contributes 
a valuable paper, “ On the Argument from Design in 
Nature, with some Illustrations from Plants.” Professor 
J. J. Lias, M.A., now Hulsean Lecturer, adds to his valuable 
earlier papers one entitled, “ Is it possible to know God? — 
Considerations on the ‘ Unknown and Unknowable 9 of 
Modern Thought.” It is followed by the last communication 
received from the (late) Bight Hon. the Lord O’Neill, which, 
