367 
themselves symmetrically, more or less perfectly, as what we call crystals ; 
and, as Mr. Mitchell says, in his admirable paper (Yol. II. of the Trans- 
actions of the Victoria Institute, p. 381), these, when ultimately reduced, 
may be grouped in six distinct classes or systems, with innumerable pos- 
sible “ combinations of different species of these forms which may take 
place in any individual crystal.” 
The “ ci’ystalline phenomena ” thus indicate a series of previous changes 
and occult causations hitherto but imperfectly explored ; and other phe- 
nomena present themselves, evidently in accordance with fixed laws. We 
cannot begin with Crystalline forms as though we knew all about them, 
as our starting-point. We touch not the cause in any case, but only, in 
some degree, the mode. 
Now the problem for “both sides” is this, — How to think of the real 
causation ? “ Mechanical causes ” can be only instruments, some way 
fitted for their purpose; — but how? 
An inferior kind of “ life ” may be conceived to act mechanically ; but 
then it must be subordinate to higher direction of some kind. That higher 
direction or guidance may be greatly diversified. There seems to be no 
more reason against various kinds of “Life” than against various kinds 
of atoms.* The Theist needs not the supposition of the direct action of 
Deity wherever life begins to move. There may have been a variety of 
sub-causes of an unconscious kind, each gifted to do its one work ; and a 
variety of other causes of higher kinds, with graduated conscious energy ; 
and of these originators, or conscious energies, the highest would be the 
Conscious Agent capable of acting or abstaining — willing or not willing. 
On the other hand, the Eternal Life, or First of all Causes, Whose 
Eternal Consciousness is His Personality, may be believed with equal 
reasonableness to concentrate His consciousness or personality at any 
point of His Phenomenal Universe (Psalm xxxiv. 18, and cxlv. 18) ; as, 
according to the poet’s words, there is, 
“ To Him no high, no low, no great, no small, 
He fills, He bounds, sustains, and orders all.” 
In the discussion which ensued, the following took part : — the Rev. Sir 
T. M. Lushington Tilsou, Bart.; Messrs. J. E. Howard, F.R.S., H. Coleman, 
LL.D., W. Melmoth Walters, E. Charlesworth, E. H. Pickersgill, and the 
Chairman. The Rev. Dr. Irons having replied, 
The meeting was then adjourned. 
(* See Victoria Transactions, especially Yol. VI. p.296, &c., and VII. 
p. 137 and 162, in reply to Darwin On Life and Tyndall On Science, &c.) 
WYMAN AND SONS, PRINTERS, GREAT QUEEN STREET, LONDON, W.C. 
