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here there is every disposition to discuss either this, or any 
other theories which may have been adopted by our fellow 
men, as impartially and thoroughly upon their merits as the 
theorists themselves could desire. But I must add, that I 
think it will be expected, whenever a Iona fide Darwinian is 
inclined to enter the lists, that some answer will be given to 
the arguments adduced against the theory in Mr. Mitchell's 
Inaugural Address last year, and in his remarks upon Mr. 
Warington's Paper. I venture to say that there is nothing- 
in the literature of Darwinism at all to equal, or which in 
scientific value will bear the least comparison with, Mr. Mit- 
chell's arguments against the theory, especially as regards the 
formation of the eye and the cell of the hive-bee. I will here, 
also, further venture to say that I anticipate that his Paper on 
Crystallography , to be read on June the 3rd, will be the most 
valuable contribution hitherto made to that interesting and 
important branch of science. I regard it, indeed, as a special 
Providence with reference to the success of the Victoria 
Institute, that our Vice-President, Mr. Mitchell, has occupied 
this leading position in connection with it. I must apologize 
to him — not to you— for speaking thus of him in his presence. 
But it is my duty on the present occasion— and I must per- 
form it — to direct your attention to all that has contributed to 
our success. 
We have also had under consideration Mr. aohn Stuait 
Mill's theory of Utilitarianism , a philososophical subject which 
could only be fitly discussed in’ this Institute and in no other 
Society in the metropolis ; for it seems to range beyond the 
scope of mere (C Social Science " though it necessarily involves 
considerations bearing directly upon both social science and 
morals, as well as religion. 
The last paper read in the Society was that by Dr. 
Robinson Thornton, already referred to. On the Logic of Scep- 
ticism. I have mentioned its one fault, — its brevity. But it 
is a paper to make men think ; and it is also a good specimen 
of the kind of papers which are wanted in our day, to keep^us 
from drifting in the direction which may happen to be^ iha 
fashionable mode of scientific speculation. Should anything 
further be wanted, besides what the paper itself contains, or 
besides what I have said upon the present occasion, to show 
the necessity of directing attention to the reasoning or 
“ logic" of some of the most advanced sceptics who are the 
especial and professed votaries of science, it may be supplied 
from the concluding passages of Dr. Louis Buchner's work on 
