311 
been peculiarly directed to the subject-matter of which it treats, and I 
have no doubt you will be glad to hear such observations as they may 
be disposed to make. I trust that any one who may be induced to discuss 
this subject will confine his remarks within the four corners of the matter 
dealt with by the author, in order that we may not drift into a wide and 
unlimited debate on the very large and general questions which might 
be raised upon it. It would be well, also, to bear in mind that my 
friend Sir Edmund Beckett has merely taken up the gauntlet thrown 
down by a writer calling himself a veteran of natural science 
and a philosopher ; and therefore it is desirable that the discussion 
should be carried on upon the footing of a controversy raised on the 
same basis ; that is to say, we ought not to-night to meet what I may 
term the temporal view of the matter by theological propositions. What 
is required is that we should controvert what is asserted on the same 
platform as that which has been chosen by those who make the disputed 
assertions. If we can join issue on that ground, I think the result will 
be more instructive than it would otherwise prove, and will tend more 
to serve the purpose for which, doubtless, this paper has been written. 
Capt. F. Petrie (Hon. Secretary). — Before the discussion begins I have 
to mention that the Council invited Mr. Herbert Spencer to be present 
this evening ; he has replied thanking the Council, and stating that the 
condition of his health had for some time deprived him of the opportunity 
of accepting such invitations. 
Mr. E. Clarke, Q.C., M.P. — I had not the smallest idea, when I accepted 
the very kind invitation of your honorary secretary to attend this evening 
and listen to the paper just read, that that would involve my being 
called upon to say anything on a subject which my studies have not given 
me so great an opportunity as those of Sir Edmund Beckett of dealing 
with deep questions of great importance such as that upon which he 
has read so admirable a paper. I may say, however, that I have 
listened with great delight to the reading of this paper, because, believ- 
ing strongly, as I do, in the great truths which this Institute has been 
founded to maintain, I was very pleased to know that one of the keenest 
intellects amongst our living lawyers had been directed to the study of this 
subject, and that Sir Edmund Beckett had been induced to give you a 
paper thereon. For my part, it is impossible that I should make a speech 
on the subject opened up this evening. I might possibly do so were I at 
issue with Sir Edmund Beckett on any of the points upon which he has 
touched in his paper. In that case I should not be reluctant, however 
weakly and however feebly I might acquit myself, to enter into the 
conflict and fight the lecturer upon our points of variance ; however, not 
only do I agree with him in all his conclusions, but, admiring as I do, 
the way in which he has put those conclusions before the meeting, I can 
only acknowledge the compliment paid me by inviting me here, and 
