62 
rashness in the extreme to jump to any definite conclusion 
until this fuller statement has been seen and weighed. And 
even then much further investigation into facts will probably 
be needed before a final decision can be made. . Meanwhile, I 
submit that Darwinism is certainly to be maintained as credible. 
The Chairman.- I think yon will all agree with me in passing a vote of 
thanks to Mr. Warington for the very admirable and distinct manner in 
which he has stated the arguments of Darwin. I think, whether we agree or 
disagree with Mr. Warington, we must be very much indebted to him for 
the lucid manner in which he has done this ; and I will go so far as to say 
that I think he has done more justice to Darwinism than the book of Darwin 
himself. We have thought it expedient in a matter of this kind, particularly 
as the paper is not quite finished, and was not laid before the Council before 
it was read, that all discussion upon the subject should be deferred till 
another meeting. I may say that the paper is worthy of fair discussion, and 
I do not think it would be fair to discuss it without full preparation. Mr. 
Warington has stated the thing so clearly and systematically that as an anti- 
Darwinian I am much obliged to him ; for it has only proved to me, if I 
may venture to express my humble opinion, that Darwinism is not a bit 
more credible than I thought it was before. But that is a matter on which 
persons have a right to form their own opinion ; and Mr. Warington has put 
the matter in such a plain, logical, and dispassionate manner, as fairly to 
open up the question for future discussion, and in doing so I think he has 
done good service to the Victoria Institute. 
Mr. Beddie. — I beg leave to announce that I have in my possession the 
first part of Mr. Warington’s paper, which has been already written out, and 
that it will be in the printer’s hands to-morrow morning. I may also ven- 
ture to say— since Mr. Warington has promised me the remainder of the 
paper in a day or two— that copies of the whole paper will be in print and 
ready for distribution, to members who may wish to join in the discussion, by 
Saturday morning next. Sir, I cannot sit down without expressing how cor- 
dially I concur in your commendation of the clearness of Mr. Warington s 
paper, and in the vote of thanks to him for it. I especially wish to say this, 
because, as an anti-Darwinian, I must add, that I have not been m the least 
convinced by anything that Mr. W arington has advanced. On the contrary, 
after hearing his arguments, I feel if possible only the more persuaded that 
the theory of Mr. Darwin is inharmonious, inadequate, inconsistent, and 
utterly incredible. (Hear, hear.) 
The Meeting was then adjourned. 
