,,on ,,! ,,reception ,,( ,,! ',,orig9   
,,( ,,species'   by  ,,pr(essor ,,?omas 
,,h5ry ,,huxley    ,,f ,,! ,,life ,,&   
,,lett]s ,,( ,,*>les ,,d>w9  ,,edit$    
,,by ,,francis ,,d>w9    ,,on ,,!       
,,reception ,,( ,,! ',,orig9 ,,(        
,,species4'  ,to ! pres5t g5]ation1 t is
 to say1 ! p a few ye>s on ! hi!r & ?i!r
 side ( ?irty1 ! "n ( ,*>les ,d>w9 /&s  
alongside ( ^? ( ,isaac ,newton &       
,mi*ael ,f>aday2 &1 l !m1 calls up ! gr&
 ideal ( a se>*] aft] tru? & int]pret] (
 ,nature4  ,!y ?9k ( him :o bore x z a  
r>e comb9ation ( g5ius1 indu/ry1 &      
unsw]v+ v]acity1 :o e>n$ 8 place among !
 mo/ fam\s m5 ( ! age by %e] native p[]1
 9 ! tee? ( a gale ( popul> prejudice1 &
 un*e]$ by a sign ( fav\r or            
appreciation f ! (ficial f\nta9s (      
hon\r2 z "o :o 9 spite ( an acute       
s5sitiv5ess to praise & blame1 & not)/&+
 provocations :i* might h excus$ any    
outbreak1 kept himself cle> ( all envy1 
hatr$1 & malice1 nor dealt o!rwise ?an  
fairly & ju/ly ) ! unfairness & inju/ice

 :i* 0 %[]$ ^u him2 :ile1 to ! end ( 8  
days1 he 0 ready to li/5 ) pati5ce &    
respect to ! mo/ insignificant (        
reasonable objectors4  ,& ) respect to t
 !ory ( ! orig9 ( ! =ms ( life peopl+   
our globe1 ) :i* ,d>w9's "n is b\nd up z
 closely z t ( ,newton ) ! !ory (       
gravitation1 no?+ seems to be fur!r f ! 
m9d ( ! pres5t g5]ation ?an any attempt 
to smo!r x ) ridicule or to cru% x by   
vehem5ce ( d5unciation4 ,! /ruggle =    
exi/5ce1 & ,natural selection1 h become 
h\sehold words & e-day conceptions4  ,! 
reality & ! importance ( ! natural      
processes on :i* ,d>w9 f\nds 8 d$uctions
 are no m d\bt$ ?an ^? ( gr[? &         
multiplication2 &1 :e!r ! full pot5cy   
attribut$ to !m is admitt$ or n1 no "o  
d\bts _! va/ & f>-rea*+ significance4   
,:]ev] ! biological sci5ces are /udi$1 !
 ',orig9 ( ,species' lights ! pa?s ( !  
inve/igator2 :]ev] !y are taught x      
p]meates ! c\rse ( in/ruction4  ,nor has
 ! influ5ce ( ,d>w9ian ideas be5 less   
pr(\nd1 beyond ! realms ( ,biology4 ,!  

olde/ ( all philosophies1 t (           
,evolution1 0 b\nd h& & foot & ca/ into 
utt] d>kness dur+ ! mill5nium (         
!ological s*ola/icism4  ,b ,d>w9 p\r$   
new life-blood into ! anci5t frame2 !   
bonds bur/1 & ! revivifi$ ?\ght ( anci5t
 ,greece has prov$ itself to be a m     
adequate expression ( ! univ]sal ord] ( 
?+s ?an any ( ! s*emes :i* h be5 accept$
 by ! cr$ulity & welcom$ by ! sup]/ition
 ( sev5ty lat] g5]ations ( m54  ,to any 
"o :o /udies ! signs ( ! times1 !       
em]g5ce ( ! philosophy ( ,evolution1 9 !
 attitude ( claimant to ! ?rone ( ! _w (
 ?\ght1 f ! limbo ( hat$ &1 z _m hop$1  
=gott5 ?+s1 is ! mo/ port5t\s ev5t ( !  
n9ete5? c5tury4  ,b ! mo/ effective     
weapons ( ! mod]n *ampions ( ,evolution 
7 fabricat$ by ,d>w92 & ! ',orig9 (     
,species' has enli/$ a =midable body (  
combatants1 tra9$ 9 ! sev]e s*ool (     
,physical ,sci5ce1 ^: e>s might h long  
rema9$ deaf to ! speculations ( a priori
 philosoph]s4  ,i d n ?9k any c&id or   
in/ruct$ p]son w d5y ! tru? ( t :i* has 

j be5 ass]t$4  ,he may hate ! v "n (    
,evolution1 & may d5y its pret5sions z  
vehem5tly z a ,jacobite d5i$ ^? (       
,george ! ,second4  ,b !re x is--n only 
z solidly seat$ z ! ,hanov]ian dyna/y1 b
 happily indep5d5t ( ,p>liam5t>y        
sanction--& ! dulle/ antagoni/s h come  
to see t !y h to deal ) an adv]s>y ^:   
bones are to be brok5 by no am\nt ( bad 
words4  ,ev5 ! !ologians h almo/ ceas$  
to pit ! pla9 mean+ ( ,g5esis aga9/ ! no
 less pla9 mean+ ( ,nature4  ,_! m c&id1
 or m cauti\s1 repres5tatives h giv5 up 
deal+ ) ,evolution z if x 7 a damnable  
h]esy1 & h tak5 refuge 9 "o ( two       
c\rses4  ,ei!r !y d5y t ,g5esis 0 meant 
to tea* sci5tific tru?1 & ?us save !    
v]acity ( ! record at ! exp5se ( its    
au?ority2 or !y exp5d _! en]gies 9      
devis+ ! cruel +5uities ( ! reconcil]1 &
 torture texts 9 ! va9 hope ( mak+ !m   
confess ! cre$ ( ,sci5ce4  ,b :5 ! pe9e 
=te et dure is ov]1 ! antique s9c]ity ( 
! v5]able suff]] always reass]ts itself4
  ,g5esis is hone/ to ! core1 & pr(esses

 to be no m ?an x is1 a repository (    
v5]able traditions ( unkn[n orig91      
claim+ no sci5tific au?ority & possess+ 
none4  ,z my p5 f9i%es ^! passages1 ,i c
 b be amus$ to ?9k :at a t]rible hubbub 
w\ld h be5 made 79 tru? 0 made7 ab\t any
 simil> expressions ( op9ion a qu>t] ( a
 c5tury ago4  ,9 fact1 ! contra/ betwe5 
! pres5t condition ( public op9ion ^u ! 
,d>w9ian "q2 betwe5 ! e/imation 9 :i*   
,d>w9's views are n[ held 9 ! sci5tific 
_w2 betwe5 ! acquiesc5ce1 or at lea/    
quiesc5ce1 ( ! !ologians ( !            
self-respect+ ord] at ! pres5t day & !  
outbur/ ( antagonism on all sides 9     
#aheh-i1 :5 ! new !ory respect+ ! orig9 
( species fir/ became kn[n to ! old]    
g5]ation to :i* ,i belong1 is s />tl+ t1
 except = docum5t>y evid5ce1 ,i %\ld be 
sometimes incl9$ to ?9k my memories     
dreams4  ,i h a great respect = ! y\ng] 
g5]ation myself 7!y c write our lives1 &
 ravel out all our follies1 if !y *oose 
to take ! tr\ble1 by & by71 & ,i %\ld be
 glad to be assur$ t ! feel+ is         

reciprocal2 b ,i am afraid t ! /ory (   
our deal+s ) ,d>w9 may prove a great    
h9drance to t v5]ation = our wisdom :i* 
,i %\ld l !m to display4  ,we h n ev5 ! 
excuse t1 ?irty ye>s ago1 ,mr4 ,d>w9 0  
an obscure novice1 :o _h no claims on   
our att5tion4  ,on ! contr>y1 8         
rem>kable zoological & geological       
inve/igations _h long giv5 him an assur$
 position among ! mo/ em95t & orig9al   
inve/igators ( ! day2 :ile 8 *>m+       
',voyage ( a ,naturali/' _h ju/ly e>n$  
him a wide-spread reputation among !    
g5]al public4  ,i d\bt if !re 0 any man 
!n liv+ :o _h a bett] "r to expect t    
any?+ he might *oose to say on su* a "q 
z ! ,orig9 ( ,species w\ld be li/5$ to )
 pr(\nd att5tion1 & discuss$ ) respect2 
& !re 0 c]ta9ly no man ^: p]sonal "*    
%\ld h af=d$ a bett] safegu>d aga9/     
attacks1 in/9ct ) malignity & spic$ )   
%ameless imp]t95ces4  ,yet su* 0 !      
portion ( "o ( ! k9de/ & true/ m5 t x 0 
ev] my good =tune to "k2 & ye>s _h to   
pass away be=e misrepres5tation1        

ridicule1 & d5unciation1 ceas$ to be !  
mo/ notable con/itu5ts ( ! majority ( ! 
multitud9\s criticisms ( 8 "w :i* p\r$ f
 ! press4 ,i am lo? to rake any ( ^!    
anci5t sc&als f _! well-des]v$ oblivion2
 b ,i mu/ make good a /atem5t :i* may   
seem ov]*>g$ to ! pres5t g5]ation1 & !re
 is no piece ju/ificative m apt = !     
purpose1 or m wor?y ( su* di%on\r1 ?an !
 article 9 ! ',qu>t]ly ,review' = ,july1
 #ahfj4  7,i 0 n aw>e :5 ,i wrote ^!    
passages t ! au?or%ip ( ! article _h be5
 publicly ackn[l$g$4 ,confession        
unaccompani$ by p5it5ce1 h[ev]1 af=ds no
 gr\nd = mitigation ( judgm5t2 & !      
k9dl9ess ) :i* ,mr4 ,d>w9 speaks ( 8    
assailant1 ,bi%op ,wilb]=ce 7vol4 ii471 
is s /rik+ an exemplification ( 8 s+ul> 
g5tl5ess & mode/y1 t x r increases "o's 
indignation aga9/ ! presumption ( 8     
critic47 ,s9ce ,"l ,br\gham assail$ ,dr4
 ,"y1 ! _w has se5 no su* specim5 ( !   
insol5ce ( a %all[ pret5d] to a ,ma/] 9 
,sci5ce z ?is rem>kable production1 9   
:i* "o ( ! mo/ exact ( obs]v]s1 mo/     

cauti\s ( reason]s1 & mo/ c&id (        
expositors1 ( ?is or any o!r age1 is    
held up to scorn z a flighty p]son1 :o  
endeav\rs to prop up 8 utt]ly rott5     
fabric ( guess & speculation1 & ^: mode 
( deal+ ) nature is reprobat$ z utt]ly  
di%on\rable to ,natural ,sci5ce4  ,& all
 ?is high & mighty talk1 :i* w\ld h be5 
indec5t 9 "o ( ,mr4 ,d>w9's equals1     
proce$s f a writ] ^: want ( intellig5ce1
 or ( consci5ce1 or ( bo?1 is s great1  
t1 by way ( an objection to ,mr4 ,d>w9's
 views1 he c ask1 ,is x cr$ible t all   
fav\rable v>ieties ( turnips are t5d+ to
 become m52 :o is s ignorant (          
paleontology1 t he c talk ( ! fl[]s &   
fruits ( ! plants ( ! c>bonif]\s epo*2 (
 comp>ative anatomy1 t he c gravely     
affirm ! poison app>atus ( ! v5om\s     
snakes to be entirely sep>ate f ! ord9>y
 laws ( animal life1 & peculi> to       
!mselves2 ( ! rudim5ts ( physiology1 t  
he c ask1 :at advantage ( life c\ld alt]
 ! %ape ( ! corpuscles into :i* ! blood 
c be evaporat$8  ,nor does ! review]    

fail to flav\r ?is outp\r+ ( prepo/]\s  
incapacity ) a little /imulation ( !    
odium !ologicum4  ,"s inkl+ ( ! hi/ory (
 ! conflicts betwe5 ,a/ronomy1 ,geology1
 & ,!ology1 leads him to keep a retreat 
op5 by ! proviso t he _c cons5t to te/ !
 tru? ( ,natural ,sci5ce by ! ^w (      
,revelation2 b1 = all t1 he devotes     
pages to ! exposition ( 8 conviction t  
,mr4 ,d>w9's !ory contradicts ! reveal$ 
relation ( ! creation to its ,creator1 &
 is inconsi/5t ) ! fulness ( 8 glory4   
,if ,i conf9e my retrospect ( !         
reception ( ! ',orig9 ( ,species' to a  
twelvemon?1 or !reab\ts1 f ! "t ( its   
publication1 ,i d n recollect any?+ q s 
fooli% & unmann]ly z ! ',qu>t]ly        
,review' article1 unless1 p]haps1 !     
address ( a ,rev]5d ,pr(essor to !      
,dubl9 ,geological ,society might ent]  
into competition ) x4  ,b a l>ge        
proportion ( ,mr4 ,d>w9's critics _h a  
lam5table resemblance to ! ',qu>t]ly'   
review]1 9 s f> z !y lack$ ei!r ! w1 or 
! wit1 to make !mselves ma/]s ( 8       

doctr9e2 h>dly any possess$ ! k requir$ 
to foll[ him ?r\gh ! imm5se range (     
biological & geological sci5ce :i* !    
',orig9' cov]$2 :ile1 too commonly1 !y  
_h prejudic$ ! case on !ological gr\nds1
 &1 z seems to be inevitable :5 ?is     
happ5s1 ek$ out lack ( reason by        
sup]fluity ( rail+4  ,b x w be m        
pleasant & m pr(itable to consid] ^?    
criticisms1 :i* 7 ackn[l$g$ by writ]s ( 
sci5tific au?ority1 or :i* bore int]nal 
evid5ce ( ! great] or less compet5cy &1 
(t51 ( ! good fai?1 ( _! au?ors4        
,re/rict+ my survey to a twelvemon?1 or 
!reab\ts1 aft] ! publication ( !        
',orig91' ,i f9d among su* critics ,l\is
 ,agassiz 7,! argum5ts pres5t$ by ,d>w9 
9 favor ( a univ]sal d]ivation f "o     
prim>y =m ( all ! peculi>ities exi/+ n[ 
among liv+ be+s h n made ! slighte/     
impression on my m9d4  ,until ! facts ( 
,nature are %[n to h be5 mi/ak5 by ^? :o
 h collect$ !m1 & t !y h a diff]5t mean+
 f t n[ g5]ally assign$ to !m1 ,i %all  
!re=e consid] ! transmutation !ory z a  

sci5tific mi/ake1 untrue 9 its facts1   
unsci5tific 9 its me?od1 & mis*iev\s 9  
its t5d5cy4--,silliman's ',j\rnal1'     
,july1 #ahfj1 pages #adc1 #aed4         
,extract f ! #crd volume (              
',contributions to ! ,natural ,hi/ory ( 
! ,unit$ ,/ates4'72 ,murray1 an excell5t
 entomologi/2 ,h>vey1 a botani/ (       
consid]able repute2 & ! au?or ( an      
article 9 ! ',ed9burgh ,review1' all    
/rongly adv]se to ,d>w94  ,pictet1 !    
di/+ui%$ & widely le>n$ paleontogi/ (   
,g5eva1 treats ,mr4 ,d>w9 ) a respect   
:i* =ms a grateful contra/ to ! tone (  
"s ( ! prec$+ writ]s1 b cons5ts to g )  
him only a v little way4  7,i see no    
s]i\s objections to ! =mation ( v>ieties
 by natural selection 9 ! exi/+ _w1 & t1
 s f> z e>li] epo*s are conc]n$1 ?is law
 may be assum$ to expla9 ! orig9 (      
closely alli$ species1 suppos+ = ?is    
purpose a v long p]iod ( "t4  ,) reg>d  
to simple v>ieties & closely alli$      
species1 ,i believe t ,mr4 ,d>w9's !ory 
may expla9 _m ?+s1 & ?r[ a great light  

^u num]\s que/ions4--',sur l',orig9e de 
l',espece4  ,p> ,*>les ,d>w94'          
',ar*ives des ,sc4 de la ,biblio!que    
,univ]selle de ,g5eve1' pages #bdb1     
#bdc1 ,m>s #ahfj47 ,on ! o!r h&1 ,lyell1
 up to t "t a pill> ( !                 
anti-transmutationi/s 7:o reg>d$ him1   
ev] aft]w>ds1 z ,pallas ,a!ne may h     
look$ at ,dian1 aft] ! ,endymion        
affair71 decl>$ himself a ,d>w9ian1 ?\gh
 n )\t putt+ 9 a s]i\s caveat4          
,nev]!less1 he 0 a t[] ( /r5g?1 & 8     
c\rage\s /& = tru? z aga9/ consi/5cy1   
did him inf9ite hon\r4  ,z evolutioni/s1
 sans phrase1 ,i d n call to m9d among !
 biologi/s m ?an ,asa ,gray1 :o f\ght ! 
battle spl5didly 9 ! ,unit$ ,/ates2     
,hook]1 :o 0 no less vigor\s "h2 !      
pres5t ,sir ,john ,lubbock & myself4    
,wallace 0 f> away 9 ! ,malay           
,ar*ipelago2 b1 ap>t f 8 direct %>e 9 ! 
promulgation ( ! !ory ( natural         
selection1 no enum]ation ( ! influ5ces  
at "w1 at ! "t ,i am speak+ (1 w\ld be  
complete )\t ! m5tion ( 8 p[]ful essay  

',on ! ,law :i* has regulat$ !          
,introduction ( ,new ,species1' :i* 0   
publi%$ 9 #ahee4  ,on read+ x afre%1 ,i 
h be5 a/oni%$ to recollect h[ small 0 ! 
impression x made4  ,9 ,france1 !       
influ5ce ( ,elie de ,beaumont & (       
,fl\r5s--! =m] ( :om is said to h damn$ 
himself to ev]la/+ fame by inv5t+ !     
nickname ( la sci5ce m\ssante =         
,evolutionism 7,"o is rem9d$ ( ! effect 
( ano!r small academic epigram4  ,!     
s-call$ v]tebral !ory ( ! skull is said 
to h be5 nipp$ 9 ! bud 9 ,france by !   
:isp] ( an academician to 8 neighb\r1 t1
 9 t case1 "o's head 0 a v]tebre        
p5sante471--to say no?+ ( ! ill-w ( o!r 
p[]ful memb]s ( ! ,in/itut1 produc$ = a 
long "t ! effect ( a conspiracy (       
sil5ce2 & _m ye>s pass$ be=e ! ,academy 
r$eem$ itself f ! reproa* t ! "n ( ,d>w9
 0 n to be f\nd on ! li/ ( its memb]s4  
,h[ev]1 an accompli%$ writ]1 out ( !    
range ( academical influ5ces1 ,m4       
,laugel1 gave an excell5t & appreciative
 notice ( ! ',orig9' 9 ! ',revue des    

,deux ,mondes4'  ,g]many took "t to     
consid]2 ,bronn produc$ a slightly      
,b[dl]iz$ translation ( ! ',orig9'2 &   
',kladd]adats*' cut 8 jokes ^u ! ape    
orig9 ( man2 b ,i d n call to m9d t any 
sci5tific notability decl>$ himself     
publicly 9 #ahfj4 7,h[ev]1 ! man :o /&s 
next to ,d>w9 9 8 influ5ce on mod]n     
biologi/s1 ,k4,e4 von ,ba]1 wrote to me1
 9 ,augu/ #ahfj1 express+ 8 g5]al ass5t 
to evolutioni/ views4  ,8 phrase1 ,j'ai 
enonce les memes idees444que ,m4 ,d>w9  
7volume ii47 is %[n by 8 subsequ5t      
writ+s to mean no m ?an ?is47 ,none ( u 
dream$ t1 9 ! c\rse ( a few ye>s1 !     
/r5g? 7& p]haps ,i may add ! weakness7 (
 ,d>w9ismus w\ld h its mo/ ext5sive &   
mo/ brilliant illu/rations 9 ! l& (     
le>n+4  ,if a =eign] may presume to     
speculate on ! cause ( ?is curi\s       
int]val ( sil5ce1 ,i fancy x 0 t "o     
moiety ( ! ,g]man biologi/s 7 or?odox at
 any price1 & ! o!r moiety z di/9ctly   
het]odox4  ,! latt] 7 evolutioni/s1 a   
priori1 already1 & !y mu/ h felt !      

disgu/ natural to d$uctive philosoph]s  
at be+ (f]$ an inductive & exp]im5tal   
f\ndation = a conviction :i* !y _h rea*$
 by a %ort] cut4  ,x is und\bt$ly try+  
to le>n t1 ?\gh y\r conclusions may be  
all "r1 y\r reasons = !m are all wrong1 
or1 at any rate1 insuffici5t4  ,on !    
:ole1 !n1 ! support]s ( ,mr4 ,d>w9's    
views 9 #ahfj 7 num]ically extremely    
insignificant4  ,!re is n ! slighte/    
d\bt t1 if a g5]al c\ncil ( ! ,*ur*     
sci5tific _h be5 held at t "t1 we %\ld h
 be5 condemn$ by an ov]:elm+ majority4  
,& !re is z little d\bt t1 if su* a     
c\ncil ga!r$ n[1 ! decree w\ld be ( an  
exactly contr>y nature4  ,x w\ld        
indicate a lack ( s5se1 z well z (      
mode/y1 to ascribe to ! m5 ( t g5]ation 
less capacity or less hone/y ?an _!     
successors possess4 ,:at1 !n1 are !     
causes :i* l$ in/ruct$ & fair-judg+ m5 (
 t day to arrive at a judgm5t s diff]5t 
f t :i* seems j & fair to ^? :o foll[   
!m8 ,t is really "o ( ! mo/ int]e/+ (   
all que/ions connect$ ) ! hi/ory (      

sci5ce1 & ,i %all try to answ] x4  ,i am
 afraid t 9 ord] to d s ,i mu/ run !    
risk ( appe>+ egoti/ical4  ,h[ev]1 if ,i
 tell my own /ory x is only because ,i  
"k x bett] ?an t ( o!r p4  ,i ?9k ,i mu/
 h read ! ',ve/iges' be=e ,i left ,engl&
 9 #ahdf2 b1 if ,i did1 ! book made v   
little impression ^u me1 & ,i 0 n br\ght
 into s]i\s contact ) ! ',species' "q   
until aft] #ahej4  ,at t "t1 ,i _h long 
done ) ! ,p5tateu*al cosmogony1 :i* _h  
be5 impress$ ^u my *ildi% und]/&+ z     
,div9e tru?1 ) all ! au?ority ( p>5ts & 
in/ructors1 & f :i* x _h co/ me _m a    
/ruggle to get free4  ,b my m9d 0       
unbiass$ 9 respect ( any doctr9e :i*    
pres5t$ itself1 if x pr(ess$ to be bas$ 
on purely philosophical & sci5tific     
reason+4 ,x seem$ to me !n 7z x does n[7
 t creation1 9 ! ord9>y s5se ( ! ^w1 is 
p]fectly conceivable4  ,i f9d no        
difficulty 9 imag9+ t1 at "s =m] p]iod1 
?is univ]se 0 n 9 exi/5ce2 & t x made   
its appe>ance 9 six days 7or            
in/antane\sly1 if t is pref]r$71 9      

consequ5ce ( ! volition ( "s pre-exi/5t 
,be+4  ,!n1 z n[1 ! s-call$ a priori    
argum5ts aga9/ ,!ism2 &1 giv5 a ,deity1 
aga9/ ! possibility ( creative acts1    
appe>$ to me to be devoid ( reasonable  
f\ndation4 ,i _h n !n1 & ,i h n n[1 !   
smalle/ a priori objection to raise to !
 acc\nt ( ! creation ( animals & plants 
giv5 9 ',p>adise ,lo/1' 9 :i* ,milton s 
vividly embodies ! natural s5se (       
,g5esis4  ,f> be x f me to say t x is   
untrue because x is impossible4  ,i     
conf9e myself to :at mu/ be reg>d$ z a  
mode/ & reasonable reque/ = "s p>ticle (
 evid5ce t ! exi/+ species ( animals &  
plants did orig9ate 9 t way1 z a        
condition ( my belief 9 a /atem5t :i*   
appe>s to me to be highly improbable4   
,&1 by way ( be+ p]fectly fair1 ,i _h   
exactly ! same answ] to give to !       
evolutioni/s ( #ahea-h4  ,)9 ! ranks ( !
 biologi/s1 at t "t1 ,i met ) nobody1   
except ,dr4 ,grant1 ( ,univ]sity        
,college1 :o _h a ^w to say =           
,evolution--& 8 advocacy 0 n calculat$  

to advance ! cause4  ,outside ^! ranks1 
! only p]son kn[n to me ^: k & capacity 
compell$ respect1 & :o 01 at ! same "t1 
a ?or\gh-go+ evolutioni/1 0 ,mr4 ,h]b]t 
,sp5c]1 ^: acqua9tance ,i made1 ,i ?9k1 
9 #aheb1 & !n ent]$ into ! bonds ( a    
fri5d%ip :i*1 ,i am happy to ?9k1 has   
kn[n no int]ruption4  ,_m & prolong$ 7 !
 battles we f\ght on ?is topic4  ,b ev5 
my fri5d's r>e dialectic skill &        
copi\sness ( apt illu/ration c\ld n     
drive me f my agno/ic position4  ,i took
 my /& ^u two gr\nds3  fir/ly1 t up to t
 "t1 ! evid5ce 9 fav\r ( transmutation 0
 :olly insuffici5t2 & secondly1 t no    
sugge/ion respect+ ! causes ( !         
transmutation assum$1 :i* _h be5 made1 0
 9 any way adequate to expla9 ! ph5om5a4
  ,look+ back at ! /ate ( k at t "t1 ,i 
really d n see t any o!r conclusion 0   
ju/ifiable4  ,9 ^? days ,i _h nev] ev5  
he>d ( ,treviranus' ',biologie4' ,h[ev]1
 ,i _h /udi$ ,lam>ck att5tively & ,i _h 
read ! ',ve/iges' ) due c>e2 b nei!r (  
!m af=d$ me any good gr\nd = *ang+ my   

negative & critical attitude4  ,z = !   
',ve/iges1' ,i confess t ! book simply  
irritat$ me by ! prodigi\s ignorance &  
?or\ghly unsci5tific habit ( m9d        
manife/$ by ! writ]4  ,if x _h any      
influ5ce on me at all1 x set me aga9/   
,evolution2 & ! only review ,i ev] h    
qualms ( consci5ce ab\t1 on ! gr\nd (   
ne$less savag]y1 is "o ,i wrote on !    
',ve/iges' :ile "u t influ5ce4  ,)      
respect to ! ',philosophie ,zoologique1'
 x is no reproa* to ,lam>ck to say t !  
discussion ( ! ,species "q 9 t "w1      
:atev] might be said = x 9 #ahji1 0     
mis]ably bel[ ! level ( ! k ( half a    
c5tury lat]4  ,9 t int]val ( "t !       
elucidation ( ! /ructure ( ! l[] animals
 & plants _h giv5 rise to :olly new     
conceptions ( _! relations2 hi/ology &  
embryology1 9 ! mod]n s5se1 _h be5      
creat$2 physiology _h be5 recon/itut$2 !
 facts ( di/ribution1 geological &      
geographical1 _h be5 prodigi\sly        
multipli$ & r$uc$ to ord]4 ,to any      
biologi/ ^: /udies _h c>ri$ him beyond  

m]e species-mong]+ 9 #ahej1 "o-half (   
,lam>ck's argum5ts 7 obsolete & ! o!r   
half errone\s1 or defective1 9 virtue ( 
omitt+ to deal ) ! v>i\s classes (      
evid5ce :i* _h be5 br\ght to light s9ce 
8 "t4  ,moreov] 8 "o sugge/ion z to !   
cause ( ! gradual modification (        
species--ef=t excit$ by *ange (         
conditions--01 on ! face ( x1           
inapplicable to ! :ole vegetable _w4  ,i
 d n ?9k t any imp>tial judge :o reads !
 ',philosophie ,zoologique' n[1 & :o    
aft]w>ds takes up ,lyell's tr5*ant &    
effectual criticism 7publi%$ z f> back z
 #ahcj71 w be dispos$ to allot to       
,lam>ck a mu* high] place 9 ! e/abli%m5t
 ( biological evolution ?an t :i* ,bacon
 assigns to himself 9 relation to       
physical sci5ce g5]ally1--bucc9ator     
tantum4 7,erasmus ,d>w9 fir/ promulgat$ 
,lam>ck's fundam5tal conceptions1 &1 )  
great] logical consi/5cy1 he _h appli$  
!m to plants4 ,b ! advocates ( 8 claims 
h fail$ to %[ t he1 9 any respect1      
anticipat$ ! c5tral idea ( ! ',orig9 (  

,species4'7  ,b1 by a curi\s irony (    
fate1 ! same influ5ce :i* l$ me to put z
 little fai? 9 mod]n speculations on ?is
 subject1 z 9 ! v5]able traditions      
record$ 9 ! fir/ two *apt]s ( ,g5esis1 0
 p]haps m pot5t ?an any o!r 9 keep+     
alive a sort ( pi\s conviction t        
,evolution1 aft] all1 w\ld turn out     
true4  ,i h rec5tly read afre% ! fir/   
edition ( ! ',pr9ciples ( ,geology'2 &  
:5 ,i consid] t ?is rem>kable book _h   
be5 ne>ly ?irty ye>s 9 ev]ybody's h&s1 &
 t x br+s home to any read] ( ord9>y    
intellig5ce a great pr9ciple & a great  
fact--! pr9ciple1 t ! pa/ mu/ be expla9$
 by ! pres5t1 unless good cause be %[n  
to ! contr>y2 & ! fact1 t1 s f> z our k 
( ! pa/ hi/ory ( life on our globe goes1
 no su* cause c be %[n 7,! same pr9ciple
 & ! same fact guide ! result f all s\nd
 hi/orical inve/igation4  ,grote's      
',hi/ory ( ,greece' is a product ( !    
same intellectual movem5t z ,lyell's    
',pr9ciples4'7--,i _c b believe t       
,lyell1 = o!rs1 z = myself1 0 ! *ief    

ag5t = smoo?+ ! road = ,d>w94  ,=       
consi/5t uni=mit>ianism po/ulates       
evolution z mu* 9 ! organic z 9 !       
inorganic _w4  ,! orig9 ( a new species 
by o!r ?an ord9>y ag5cies w\ld be a     
va/ly great] cata/rophe ?an any ( ^? :i*
 ,lyell successfully elim9at$ f sob]    
geological speculation4  ,9 fact1 no "o 
0 bett] aw>e ( ?is ?an ,lyell himself4  
7,lyell1 ) p]fect "r1 claims ?is        
position = himself4  ,he speaks ( hav+  
advocat$ a law ( cont9uity ev5 9 !      
organic _w1 s f> z possible )\t adopt+  
,lam>ck's !ory ( transmutation444  ,b   
:ile ,i taught t z (t5 z c]ta9 =ms (    
animals & plants disappe>$1 = reasons q 
intelligible to u1 o!rs took _! place by
 virtue ( a causation :i* 0 beyond our  
compreh5sion2 x rema9$ = ,d>w9 to       
accumulate pro( t !re is no break betwe5
 ! incom+ & ! outgo+ species1 t !y are !
 "w ( evolution1 & n ( special          
creation444  ,i _h c]ta9ly prep>$ ! way 
9 ?is c\ntry1 9 six editions ( my "w    
be=e ! ',ve/iges ( ,creation' appe>$ 9  

#ahdb #ahdd1 = ! reception ( ,d>w9's    
gradual & ins5sible evolution (         
species4--',life & ,lett]s1' ,lett] to  
,haeckel1 volume ii4 page #dcf4 ,novemb]
 #bc1 #ahfh47  ,if "o reads any ( !     
e>li] editions ( ! ',pr9ciples' c>efully
 7especially by ! light ( ! int]e/+     
s]ies ( lett]s rec5tly publi%$ by ,sir  
,*>les ,lyell's biograph]71 x is easy to
 see t1 ) all 8 en]getic opposition to  
,lam>ck1 on ! "o h&1 & to ! ideal       
quasi-progressionism ( ,agassiz1 on !   
o!r1 ,lyell1 9 8 own m9d1 0 /rongly     
dispos$ to acc\nt = ! orig9ation ( all  
pa/ & pres5t species ( liv+ ?+s by      
natural causes4  ,b he w\ld h lik$1 at !
 same "t1 to keep ! "n ( creation = a   
natural process :i* he imag9$ to be     
incompreh5sible4  ,9 a lett] address$ to
 ,mantell 7dat$ ,m>* #b1 #ahbg71 ,lyell 
speaks ( hav+ j read ,lam>ck2 he        
expresses 8 delight at ,lam>ck's !ories1
 & 8 p]sonal fre$om f any objection bas$
 on !ological gr\nds4  ,& ?\gh he is    
evid5tly al>m$ at ! pi!coid orig9 ( man 

involv$ 9 ,lam>ck's doctr9e1 he         
obs]ves3--  ,b1 aft] all1 :at *anges    
species may really und]go6  ,h[         
impossible w x be to di/+ui% & lay d[n a
 l9e1 beyond :i* "s ( ! s-call$ ext9ct  
species h nev] pass$ into rec5t ones4   
,aga91 ! foll[+ rem>kable passage occurs
 9 ! po/script ( a lett] address$ to    
,sir ,john ,h]s*el 9 #ahcf3--  ,9 reg>d 
to ! orig9ation ( new species1 ,i am v  
glad to f9d t y ?9k x probable t x may  
be c>ri$ on ?r\gh ! int]v5tion (        
int]m$iate causes4  ,i left ?is r to be 
inf]r$1 n ?9k+ x wor? :ile to (f5d a    
c]ta9 class ( p]sons by embody+ 9 words 
:at w\ld only be a speculation4  7,9 !  
same s5se1 see ! lett] to ,:ewell1 ,m>* 
#g1 #ahcg1 volume ii41 page #e3--  ,9   
reg>d to ?is la/ subject ! *anges f "o  
set ( animal & vegetable species to     
ano!r444y rememb] :at ,h]s*el said 9 8  
lett] to me4  ,if ,i _h /at$ z pla9ly z 
he has done ! possibility ( !           
introduction or orig9ation ( fre%       
species be+ a natural1 9 contradi/9ction

 to a miracul\s process1 ,i %\ld h rais$
 a ho/ ( prejudices aga9/ me1 :i* are   
un=tunately oppos$ at e /ep to any      
philosoph] :o attempts to address !     
public on ^! my/]i\s subjects4  ,see    
also lett] to ,s$gwick1 ,janu>y #ab1    
#ahch ii4 page #ce47  ,he goes on to    
ref] to ! criticisms :i* h be5 direct$  
aga9/ him on ! gr\nd t1 by leav+ species
 to be orig9at$ by miracle1 he is       
inconsi/5t ) 8 own doctr9e (            
uni=mit>ianism2 & he leaves x to be     
und]/ood t he _h n repli$1 on ! gr\nd ( 
8 g5]al objection to controv]sy4        
,lyell's contempor>ies 7 n )\t "s inkl+ 
( 8 esot]ic doctr9e4  ,:ewell's ',hi/ory
 ( ! ,inductive ,sci5ces1' :atev] its   
philosophical value1 is always wor?     
read+ & always int]e/+1 if "u no o!r    
aspect ?an t ( an evid5ce ( !           
speculative limits )9 :i* a highly-plac$
 div9e might1 at t "t1 safely range at  
w4 ,9 ! c\rse ( 8 discussion (          
uni=mit>ianism1 ! encyclopa$ic ,ma/] (  
,tr9ity obs]ves3--  ,mr4 ,lyell1 inde$1 

has spok5 ( an hypo!sis t '! successive 
creation ( species may con/itute a      
regul> "p ( ! economy ( nature1' b he   
has n[h]e1 ,i ?9k1 s describ$ ?is       
process z to make x appe> 9 :at dep>tm5t
 ( sci5ce we are to place ! hypo!sis4   
,are ^! new species creat$ by !         
production1 at long int]vals1 ( an      
(fspr+ diff]5t 9 species f ! p>5ts8  ,or
 are ! species s creat$ produc$ )\t     
p>5ts8  ,are !y gradually evolv$ f "s   
embryo sub/ance8  ,or d !y sudd5ly />t f
 ! gr\nd1 z 9 ! creation ( ! poet8444   
,"s selection ( "o ( ^! =ms ( !         
hypo!sis1 r ?an ! o!rs1 ) evid5ce = !   
selection1 is requisite to entitle u to 
place x among ! kn[n causes ( *ange1 :i*
 9 ?is *apt] we are consid]+4  ,! b>e   
conviction t a creation ( species has   
tak5 place1 :e!r once or _m times1 s    
long z x is unconnect$ ) our organical  
sci5ces1 is a t5et ( ,natural ,!ology r 
?an ( ,physical ,philosophy4 7,:ewell's 
',hi/ory1' volume iii4 page #fci-fdj    
7,edition #b1 #ahdg477  ,! e>li] "p (   

?is criticism appe>s p]fectly j &       
appropriate2 b1 f ! conclud+ p>agraph1  
,:ewell evid5tly imag9es t by creation  
,lyell means a pret]natural int]v5tion (
 ! ,deity2 :]eas ! lett] to ,h]s*el %[s 
t1 9 8 own m9d1 ,lyell meant natural    
causation2 & ,i see no reason to d\bt   
7,! foll[+ passages 9 ,lyell's lett]s   
appe> to me decisive on ?is po9t3--  ,to
 ,d>w91 ,octob] #c1 #ahei 7ii1 #cbe71 on
 fir/ read+ ! ',orig94'  ,i h long se5  
mo/ cle>ly t if any concession is made1 
all t y claim 9 y\r conclud+ pages w    
foll[4  ,x is ?is :i* has made me s long
 hesitate1 always feel+ t ! case ( ,man 
& 8 ,races1 & ( o!r animals1 & t (      
plants1 is "o & ! same1 & t if a v]a    
causa be admitt$ = "o in/ant1 in/ead ( a
 purely unkn[n & imag9>y "o1 su* z ! ^w 
'creation1' all ! consequ5ces mu/ foll[4
  ,to ,d>w91 ,m>* #ae1 #ahfc 7volume ii4
 page #cfe74  ,i rememb] t x 0 !        
conclusion he ,lam>ck came to ab\t man t
 =tifi$ me ?irty ye>s ago aga9/ ! great 
impression :i* 8 argum5ts at fir/ made  

on my m9d1 all ! great] because ,con/ant
 ,prevo/1 a pupil ( ,cuvi]'s =ty ye>s   
ago1 told me 8 conviction 't ,cuvi]     
?\ght species n real1 b t sci5ce c\ld n 
advance )\t assum+ t !y 7 s4'  ,to      
,hook]1 ,m>* #i1 #ahfc 7volume ii4 page 
#cfa71 9 ref]5ce to ,d>w9's feel+ ab\t !
 ',antiquity ( ,man4'  ,he ,d>w9 seems  
mu* disappo9t$ t ,i d n g f>!r ) him1 or
 d n speak out m4  ,i c only say t ,i h 
spok5 out to ! full ext5t ( my pres5t   
convictions1 & ev5 beyond my /ate (     
,,feel+ z to man's unbrok5 desc5t f !   
brutes1 & ,i f9d ,i am half conv]t+ n a 
few :o 7 9 arms aga9/ ,d>w91 & are ev5  
n[ aga9/ ,huxley4  ,he speaks ( hav+ _h 
to ab&on old & long *]i%$ ideas1 :i*    
con/itut$ ! *>m to me ( ! !oretical "p (
 ! sci5ce 9 my e>li] day1 :5 ,i believ$ 
) ,pascal 9 ! !ory1 z ,hallam t]ms x1 ( 
'! ar*-angel ru9$4'  ,see ! same s5tim5t
 9 ! lett] to ,d>w91 ,m>* #aa1 #ahfc1   
page #cfc3--  ,i ?9k ! old 'creation' is
 almo/ z mu* requir$ z ev]1 b ( c\rse x 
takes a new =m if ,lam>ck's views       

improv$ by y\rs are adopt$47 t1 if ,sir 
,*>les c\ld h avoid$ ! inevitable       
coroll>y ( ! pi!coid orig9 ( man--= :i*1
 to ! end ( 8 life1 he ent]ta9$ a pr(\nd
 antipa?y--he w\ld h advocat$ !         
effici5cy ( causes n[ 9 op]ation to br+ 
ab\t ! condition ( ! organic _w1 z /\tly
 z he *ampion$ t doctr9e 9 ref]5ce to   
inorganic nature4  ,! fact is1 t a      
disc]n+ eye might h se5 t "s =m or o!r (
 ! doctr9e ( transmutation 0 inevitable1
 f ! "t :5 ! tru? enunciat$ by ,william 
,smi? t successive /rata are *>act]is$  
by diff]5t k9ds ( fossil rema9s1 became 
a firmly e/abli%$ law ( nature4  ,no "o 
has set =? ! speculative consequ5ces (  
?is g5]alisation bett] ?an ! hi/orian ( 
! ',inductive ,sci5ces'3--  ,b ! /udy ( 
geology op5s to u ! spectacle ( _m gr\ps
 ( species :i* h1 9 ! c\rse ( ! e>?'s   
hi/ory1 succe$$ ea* o!r at va/ int]vals 
( "t2 "o set ( animals & plants         
disappe>+1 z x w\ld seem1 f ! face ( our
 planet1 & o!rs1 :i* did n be=e exi/1   
becom+ ! only occupants ( ! globe4  ,& !

 dilemma !n pres5ts itself to u         
anew3--ei!r we mu/ accept ! doctr9e ( ! 
transmutation ( species1 & mu/ suppose t
 ! organiz$ species ( "o geological epo*
 7 transmut$ into ^? ( ano!r by "s      
long-cont9u$ ag5cy ( natural causes2 or 
else1 we mu/ believe 9 _m successive    
acts ( creation & ext9ction ( species1  
out ( ! common c\rse ( nature2 acts :i*1
 !re=e1 we may prop]ly call miracul\s4  
7,:ewell's ',hi/ory ( ! ,inductive      
,sci5ces4'  ,edition ii41 #ahdg1 volume 
iii4 pages #fbd-fbe4  ,see = ! au?or's  
v]dict1 pages #fch-ci47  ,dr4 ,:ewell   
decides 9 fav\r ( ! latt] conclusion4   
,& if any "o _h pli$ him ) ! f\r        
que/ions :i* he puts to ,lyell 9 !      
passage already cit$1 all t c be said n[
 is t he w\ld c]ta9ly h reject$ ! fir/4 
,b w\ld he really h _h ! c\rage to say t
 a ,rh9oc]os ti*orh9us1 = in/ance1 0    
produc$ )\t p>5ts2 or 0 evolv$ f "s     
embryo sub/ance2 or t x sudd5ly />t$ f !
 gr\nd l ,milton's lion paw+ to get free
 8 h9d] p>ts4 ,i p]mit myself to d\bt   

:e!r ev5 ! ,ma/] ( ,tr9ity's well-tri$  
c\rage--physical1 intellectual1 &       
moral--w\ld h be5 equal to ?is feat4    
,no d\bt ! sudd5 concurr5ce ( half-a-ton
 ( inorganic molecules into a live      
rh9oc]os is conceivable1 & !re=e may be 
possible4  ,b does su* an ev5t lie      
suffici5tly )9 ! b\nds ( probability to 
ju/ify ! belief 9 its occurr5ce on !    
/r5g? ( any atta9able1 or1 inde$1       
imag9able1 evid5ce8  ,9 view ( !        
ass]tion 7(t5 repeat$ 9 ! e>ly days ( ! 
opposition to ,d>w97 t he _h add$ no?+  
to ,lam>ck1 x is v int]e/+ to obs]ve t !
 possibility ( a fif? alt]native1 9     
addition to ! f\r he has /at$1 has n    
dawn$ ^u ,dr4 ,:ewell's m9d4  ,!        
sugge/ion t new species may result f !  
selective action ( ext]nal conditions ^u
 ! v>iations f _! specific type :i*     
individuals pres5t--& :i* we call       
spontane\s1 because we are ignorant ( _!
 causation--is z :olly unkn[n to !      
hi/orian ( sci5tific ideas z x 0 to     
biological speciali/s be=e #aheh4 ,b t  

sugge/ion is ! c5tral idea ( ! ',orig9 (
 ,species1' & conta9s ! qu9tess5ce (    
,d>w9ism4  ,?us1 look+ back into ! pa/1 
x seems to me t my own position (       
critical expectancy 0 j & reasonable1 & 
mu/ h be5 tak5 up1 on ! same gr\nds1 by 
_m o!r p]sons4 ,if ,agassiz told me t ! 
=ms ( life :i* _h successively t5ant$ ! 
globe 7 ! inc>nations ( successive      
?\ghts ( ! ,deity2 & t he _h wip$ out "o
 set ( ^! embodim5ts by an appall+      
geological cata/rophe z soon z ,8 ideas 
took a m advanc$ %ape1 ,i f\nd myself n 
only unable to admit ! accuracy ( !     
d$uctions f ! facts ( paleontology1 ^u  
:i* ?is a/\nd+ hypo!sis 0 f\nd$1 b ,i _h
 to confess my want ( any means ( te/+ !
 correctness ( 8 explanation ( !m4  ,&  
besides t1 ,i c\ld by no means see :at !
 explanation expla9$4  ,nei!r did x help
 me to be told by an em95t anatomi/ t   
species _h succe$$ "o ano!r 9 "t1 9     
virtue ( a cont9u\sly op]ative          
creational law4  ,t seem$ to me to be no
 m ?an say+ t species _h succe$$ "o     

ano!r1 9 ! =m ( a vote-cat*+ resolution1
 ) law to please ! man ( sci5ce1 &      
creational to draw ! or?odox4  ,s ,i    
took refuge 9 t ?atige ,skepsis :i*     
,goe! has s well def9$2 &1 rev]s+ !     
apo/olic precept to be all ?+s to all   
m51 ,i usually def5d$ ! t5ability ( !   
receiv$ doctr9es1 :5 ,i _h to d ) !     
transmutationi/s2 & /ood up = !         
possibility ( transmutation among !     
or?odox--!reby1 no d\bt1 increas+ an    
already curr5t1 b q undes]v$1 reputation
 = ne$less combativ5ess4  ,i rememb]1 9 
! c\rse ( my fir/ int]view ) ,mr4 ,d>w91
 express+ my belief 9 ! %>pness ( ! l9es
 ( dem>cation betwe5 natural gr\ps & 9 !
 abs5ce ( transitional =ms1 ) all !     
confid5ce ( y\? & imp]fect k4  ,i 0 n   
aw>e1 at t "t1 t he _h !n be5 _m ye>s   
brood+ ov] ! species-"q2 & ! humor\s    
smile :i* accompani$ 8 g5tle answ]1 t   
su* 0 n altoge!r 8 view1 long haunt$ &  
puzzl$ me4  ,b x w\ld seem t f\r or five
 ye>s' h>d "w _h enabl$ me to und]/& :at
 x meant2 = ,lyell 7',life & ,lett]s1'  

volume ii4 page #bab471 writ+ to ,sir   
,*>les ,bunbury 7"u date ( ,april #cj1  
#ahef71 says3--  ,:5 ,huxley1 ,hook]1 & 
,wolla/on 7 at ,d>w9's la/ week !y 7all 
f\r ( !m7 ran a tilt aga9/              
species--fur!r1 ,i believe1 ?an !y are  
prep>$ to g4  ,i recollect no?+ ( ?is   
beyond ! fact ( meet+ ,mr4 ,wolla/on2 & 
except = ,sir ,*>les' di/9ct assurance z
 to all f\r1 ,i %\ld h ?\ght my         
outrecuidance 0 probably a c\nt]bla/ to 
,wolla/on's cons]vatism4  ,) reg>d to   
,hook]1 he 0 already1 l ,voltaire's     
,habbakuk1 capable du t\t 9 ! way (     
advocat+ ,evolution4  ,z ,i h already   
said1 ,i imag9e t mo/ ( ^? ( my         
contempor>ies :o ?\ght s]i\sly ab\t !   
matt]1 7 v mu* 9 my own /ate (          
m9d--incl9$ to say to bo? ,mosai/s &    
,evolutioni/s1 a plague on bo? y\r      
h\ses6 & dispos$ to turn aside f an     
int]m9able & app>5tly fruitless         
discussion1 to lab\r 9 ! f]tile fields (
 asc]ta9able fact4  ,& ,i may1 !re=e1   
fur!r suppose t ! publication ( ! ,d>w9 

& ,wallace pap]s 9 #aheh1 & /ill m t ( !
 ',orig9' 9 #ahei1 _h ! effect ^u !m ( !
 fla% ( light1 :i* to a man :o has lo/  
himself 9 a d>k night1 sudd5ly reveals a
 road :i*1 :e!r x takes him /raight home
 or n1 c]ta9ly goes 8 way4  ,t :i* we 7 
look+ =1 & c\ld n f9d1 0 a hypo!sis     
respect+ ! orig9 ( kn[n organic =ms1 :i*
 assum$ ! op]ation ( no causes b su* z  
c\ld be prov$ to be actually at "w4  ,we
 want$1 n to p9 our fai? to t or any o!r
 speculation1 b to get hold ( cle> &    
def9ite conceptions :i* c\ld be br\ght  
face to face ) facts & h _! validity    
te/$4  ,! ',orig9' provid$ u ) ! work+  
hypo!sis we s\ght4 ,moreov]1 x did !    
imm5se s]vice ( free+ u = ev] f !       
dilemma--refuse to accept ! creation    
hypo!sis1 & :at h y to propose t c be   
accept$ by any cauti\s reason]8  ,9     
#aheg1 ,i _h no answ] ready1 & ,i d n   
?9k t any "o else _h4  ,a ye> lat]1 we  
reproa*$ ourselves ) dullness = be+     
p]plex$ by su* an inquiry4  ,my         
reflection1 :5 ,i fir/ made myself ma/] 

( ! c5tral idea ( ! ',orig91' 01 ,h[    
extremely /upid n to h ?\ght ( t6  ,i   
suppose t ,columbus' companions said mu*
 ! same :5 he made ! egg /& on end4  ,! 
facts ( v>iability1 ( ! /ruggle =       
exi/5ce1 ( adaptation to conditions1 7  
notori\s en\gh2 b none ( u _h suspect$ t
 ! road to ! he>t ( ! species problem   
lay ?r\gh !m1 until ,d>w9 & ,wallace    
dispell$ ! d>kness1 & ! beacon-fire ( ! 
',orig9' guid$ ! b5ight$4  ,:e!r !      
p>ticul> %ape :i* ! doctr9e ( evolution1
 z appli$ to ! organic _w1 took 9       
,d>w9's h&s1 w\ld prove to be f9al or n1
 01 to me1 a matt] ( indiff]5ce4  ,9 my 
e>lie/ criticisms ( ! ',orig9' ,i v5tur$
 to po9t out t its logical f\ndation 0  
insecure s long z exp]im5ts 9 selective 
bre$+ _h n produc$ v>ieties :i* 7 m or  
less inf]tile2 & t insecurity rema9s up 
to ! pres5t "t4  ,b1 ) any & e critical 
d\bt :i* my sceptical +5uity c\ld       
sugge/1 ! ,d>w9ian hypo!sis rema9$      
incomp>ably m probable ?an ! creation   
hypo!sis4  ,& if we _h none ( u be5 able

 to disc]n ! p>am\nt significance ( "s (
 ! mo/ pat5t & notori\s ( natural facts1
 until !y 71 s to speak1 ?ru/ "u our    
noses1 :at =ce rema9$ 9 !               
dilemma--creation or no?+8  ,x 0 obvi\s 
t1 h]eaft]1 ! probability w\ld be       
imm5sely great]1 t ! l9ks ( natural     
causation 7 hidd5 f our purbl9d eyes1   
?an t natural causation %\ld be         
incompet5t to produce all ! ph5om5a (   
nature4  ,! only rational c\rse = ^? :o 
_h no o!r object ?an ! atta9m5t ( tru?1 
0 to accept ,d>w9ism z a work+ hypo!sis1
 & see :at c\ld be made ( x4  ,ei!r x   
w\ld prove its capacity to elucidate !  
facts ( organic life1 or x w\ld break   
d[n "u ! /ra94  ,?is 0 surely ! dictate 
( common s5se2 &1 = once1 common s5se   
c>ri$ ! day4  ,! result has be5 t       
complete volte-face ( ! :ole sci5tific  
_w1 :i* mu/ seem s surpris+ to ! pres5t 
g5]ation4  ,i d n mean to say t all !   
lead]s ( biological sci5ce h av[$       
!mselves ,d>w9ians2 b ,i d n ?9k t !re  
is a s+le zoologi/1 or botani/1 or      

palaeontologi/1 among ! multitude (     
active work]s ( ?is g5]ation1 :o is o!r 
?an an evolutioni/1 pr(\ndly influ5c$ by
 ,d>w9's views4  ,:atev] may be !       
ultimate fate ( ! p>ticul> !ory put =?  
by ,d>w91 ,i v5ture to affirm t1 s f> z 
my k goes1 all ! +5uity & all ! le>n+ ( 
ho/ile critics h n enabl$ !m to adduce a
 solit>y fact1 ( :i* x c be said1 ?is is
 irreconcilable ) ! ,d>w9ian !ory4  ,9 !
 prodigi\s v>iety & complexity ( organic
 nature1 !re are multitudes ( ph5om5a   
:i* are n d$ucible f any g5]alisations  
we h yet rea*$4  ,b ! same may be said (
 e o!r class ( natural objects4  ,i     
believe t a/ronom]s _c yet get ! moon's 
motions into p]fect accordance ) ! !ory 
( gravitation4  ,x w\ld be              
inappropriate1 ev5 if x 7 possible1 to  
discuss ! difficulties & unresolv$      
problems :i* h hi!rto met ! evolutioni/1
 & :i* w probably cont9ue to puzzle him 
= g5]ations to come1 9 ! c\rse ( ?is    
brief hi/ory ( ! reception ( ,mr4       
,d>w9's great "w4  ,b !re are two or    

?ree objections ( a m g5]al "*1 bas$1 or
 suppos$ to be bas$1 ^u philosophical & 
!ological f\ndations1 :i* 7 l\dly       
express$ 9 ! e>ly days ( ! ,d>w9ian     
controv]sy1 & :i*1 ?\gh !y h be5 answ]$ 
ov] & ov] aga91 crop up n[ & !n to !    
pres5t day4  ,! mo/ s+ul> ( ^!1 p]haps  
immortal1 fallacies1 :i* live on1       
,ti?onus-l1 :5 s5se & =ce h long des]t$ 
!m1 is t :i* *>ges ,mr4 ,d>w9 ) hav+    
attempt$ to re9/ate ! old pagan goddess1
 ,*ance4  ,x is said t he supposes      
v>iations to come ab\t by *ance1 & t !  
fitte/ survive ! *ances ( ! /ruggle =   
exi/5ce1 & ?us *ance is sub/itut$ =     
provid5tial design4  ,x is n a little   
wond]ful t su* an accusation z ?is %\ld 
be br\ght aga9/ a writ] :o has1 ov] &   
ov] aga91 w>n$ 8 read]s t :5 he uses !  
^w spontane\s1 he m]ely means t he is   
ignorant ( ! cause ( t :i* is s t]m$2 & 
^: :ole !ory crumbles to pieces if !    
uni=mity & regul>ity ( natural causation
 = illimitable pa/ ages is d5i$4  ,b    
probably ! be/ answ] to ^? :o talk (    

,d>w9ism mean+ ! reign ( *ance1 is to   
ask !m :at !y !mselves und]/& by *ance8 
,d !y believe t any?+ 9 ?is univ]se     
happ5s )\t reason or )\t a cause8  ,d !y
 really conceive t any ev5t has no      
cause1 & c\ld n h be5 pr$ict$ by any "o 
:o _h a suffici5t insight into ! ord] ( 
,nature8  ,if !y d1 x is !y :o are !    
inh]itors ( antique sup]/ition &        
ignorance1 & ^: m9ds h nev] be5 illum9$ 
by a ray ( sci5tific ?\ght4 ,! "o act ( 
fai? 9 ! conv]t to sci5ce1 is !         
confession ( ! univ]sality ( ord] & ( ! 
absolute validity 9 all times & "u all  
circum/ances1 ( ! law ( causation4  ,?is
 confession is an act ( fai?1 because1  
by ! nature ( ! case1 ! tru? ( su*      
propositions is n susceptible ( pro(4 ,b
 su* fai? is n bl9d1 b reasonable2      
because x is inv>iably confirm$ by      
exp]i5ce1 & con/itutes ! sole tru/wor?y 
f\ndation = all action4  ,if "o ( ^! p1 
9 :om ! *ance-wor%ip ( our remot]       
ance/ors ?us /rangely survives1 %\ld be 
)9 rea* ( ! sea :5 a heavy gale is bl[+1

 let him betake himself to ! %ore & wat*
 ! sc5e4  ,let him note ! inf9ite v>iety
 ( =m & size ( ! toss+ waves out at sea2
 or ( ! curves ( _! foam-cre/$ break]s1 
z !y da% aga9/ ! rocks2 let him li/5 to 
! ro> & scream ( ! %+le z x is ca/ up & 
torn d[n ! bea*2 or look at ! flakes (  
foam z !y drive hi!r & ?i!r be=e ! w9d2 
or note ! play ( col\rs1 :i* answ]s a   
gleam ( sun%9e z x falls ^u ! myriad    
bubbles4  ,surely "h1 if any:]e1 he w   
say t *ance is supreme1 & b5d ! knee z  
"o :o has ent]$ ! v p5etralia ( 8       
div9ity4  ,b ! man ( sci5ce kn[s t "h1 z
 ev]y:]e1 p]fect ord] is manife/$2 t !re
 is n a curve ( ! waves1 n a note 9 !   
h[l+ *orus1 n a ra9b[-gl9t on a bubble1 
:i* is o!r ?an a necess>y consequ5ce ( !
 asc]ta9$ laws ( nature2 & t ) a        
suffici5t k ( ! conditions1 compet5t    
physico-ma!matical skill c\ld acc\nt =1 
& inde$ pr$ict1 e "o ( ^! *ance ev5ts4  
,a second v common objection to ,mr4    
,d>w9's views 0 7& is71 t !y aboli%     
,teleology1 & evisc]ate ! argum5t f     

design4  ,x is ne>ly tw5ty ye>s s9ce ,i 
v5tur$ to (f] "s rem>ks on ?is subject1 
& z my argum5ts h z yet receiv$ no      
refutation1 ,i hope ,i may be excus$ =  
reproduc+ !m4  ,i obs]v$1 t ! doctr9e ( 
,evolution is ! mo/ =midable oppon5t (  
all ! common] & co>s] =ms ( ,teleology4 
,b p]haps ! mo/ rem>kable s]vice to !   
,philosophy ( ,biology r5d]$ by ,mr4    
,d>w9 is ! reconciliation ( ,teleology &
 ,morphology1 & ! explanation ( ! facts 
( bo?1 :i* 8 views (f]4  ,! teleology   
:i* supposes t ! eye1 su* z we see x 9  
man1 or "o ( ! high] v]tebrata1 0 made )
 ! precise /ructure x exhibits1 = !     
purpose ( enabl+ ! animal :i* possesses 
x to see1 has und\bt$ly receiv$ its     
dea?-bl[4 ,nev]!less1 x is necess>y to  
rememb] t !re is a wid] teleology :i* is
 n t\*$ by ! doctr9e ( ,evolution1 b is 
actually bas$ ^u ! fundam5tal           
proposition ( ,evolution4 ,?is          
proposition is t ! :ole _w1 liv+ & n    
liv+1 is ! result ( ! mutual int]action1
 accord+ to def9ite laws1 ( ! =ces 7,i  

%\ld n[ l to sub/itute ! ^w p[]s =      
=ces47 possess$ by ! molecules ( :i* !  
primitive nebulosity ( ! univ]se 0      
compos$4  ,if ?is be true1 x is no less 
c]ta9 t ! exi/+ _w lay pot5tially 9 !   
cosmic vap\r1 & t a suffici5t           
intellig5ce c\ld1 f a k ( ! prop]ties ( 
! molecules ( t vap\r1 h pr$ict$1 say ! 
/ate ( ! fauna ( ,brita9 9 #ahfi1 ) z   
mu* c]ta9ty z "o c say :at w happ5 to ! 
vap\r ( ! brea? on a cold w9t]'s day444 
444,! teleological & ! me*anical views (
 nature are n1 necess>ily1 mutually     
exclusive4  ,on ! contr>y1 ! m purely a 
me*ani/ ! speculator is1 ! m firmly does
 he assume a primordial molecul>        
arrangem5t ( :i* all ! ph5om5a ( !      
univ]se are ! consequ5ces1 & ! m        
completely is he !reby at ! m]cy ( !    
teleologi/1 :o c always defy him to     
disprove t ?is primordial molecul>      
arrangem5t 0 n int5d$ to evolve !       
ph5om5a ( ! univ]se4  7,! ,g5ealogy (   
,animals 7',! ,academy1' #ahfi71 repr9t$
 9 ',critiques & ,addresses4'7  ,! acute

 *ampion ( ,teleology1 ,paley1 saw no   
difficulty 9 admitt+ t ! production (   
?+s may be ! result ( tra9s ( me*anical 
dispositions fix$ be=eh& by intellig5t  
appo9tm5t & kept 9 action by a p[] at ! 
c5tre 7',natural ,!ology1' *apt]        
xxiii471 t is to say1 he proleptically  
accept$ ! mod]n doctr9e ( ,evolution2 & 
8 successors might d well to foll[ _!   
lead]1 or at any rate to att5d to 8     
weighty reason+s1 be=e ru%+ into an     
antagonism :i* has no reasonable        
f\ndation4  ,hav+ got rid ( ! belief 9  
*ance & ! disbelief 9 design1 z 9 no    
s5se appurt5ances ( ,evolution1 ! ?ird  
libel ^u t doctr9e1 t x is anti-!i/ic1  
might p]haps be left to %ift = itself4  
,b ! p]si/5ce ) :i* _m p refuse to draw 
! pla9e/ consequ5ces f ! propositions !y
 pr(ess to accept1 r5d]s x advisable to 
rem>k t ! doctr9e ( ,evolution is nei!r 
,anti-!i/ic nor ,!i/ic4  ,x simply has  
no m to d ) ,!ism ?an ! fir/ book (     
,euclid has4  ,x is q c]ta9 t a normal  
fre%-laid egg conta9s nei!r cock nor h52

 & x is also z c]ta9 z any proposition 9
 physics or morals1 t if su* an egg is  
kept "u prop] conditions = ?ree weeks1 a
 cock or h5 *ick5 w be f\nd 9 x4  ,x is 
also q c]ta9 t if ! %ell 7 transp>5t we 
%\ld be able to wat* ! =mation ( ! "y   
f[l1 day by day1 by a process (         
evolution1 f a microscopic cellul> g]m  
to its full size & complication (       
/ructure4  ,!re=e ,evolution1 9 !       
/ricte/ s5se1 is actually go+ on 9 ?is &
 analog\s millions & millions (         
in/ances1 :]ev] liv+ creatures exi/4    
,!re=e1 to borr[ an argum5t f ,butl]1 z 
t :i* n[ happ5s mu/ be consi/5t ) !     
attributes ( ! ,deity1 if su* a ,be+    
exi/s1 ,evolution mu/ be consi/5t ) ^?  
attributes4  ,&1 if s1 ! evolution ( !  
univ]se1 :i* is nei!r m nor less        
explicable ?an t ( a *ick51 mu/ also be 
consi/5t ) !m4 ,! doctr9e ( ,evolution1 
!re=e1 does n ev5 come into contact )   
,!ism1 consid]$ z a philosophical       
doctr9e4  ,t ) :i* x does collide1 & )  
:i* x is absolutely inconsi/5t1 is !    

conception ( creation1 :i* !ological    
speculators h bas$ ^u ! hi/ory n>rat$ 9 
! op5+ ( ! book ( ,g5esis4  ,!re is a   
great deal ( talk & n a little          
lam5tation ab\t ! s-call$ religi\s      
difficulties :i* physical sci5ce has    
creat$4 ,9 !ological sci5ce1 z a matt] (
 fact1 x has creat$ none4  ,n a solit>y 
problem pres5ts itself to !             
philosophical ,!i/1 at ! pres5t day1 :i*
 has n exi/$ f ! "t t philosoph]s began 
to ?9k out ! logical gr\nds & ! logical 
consequ5ces ( ,!ism4  ,all ! real or    
imag9>y p]plexities :i* fl[ f !         
conception ( ! univ]se z a det]m9ate    
me*anism1 are equally involv$ 9 !       
assumption ( an ,et]nal1 ,omnipot5t &   
,omnisci5t ,deity4  ,! !ological        
equival5t ( ! sci5tific conception (    
ord] is ,provid5ce2 & ! doctr9e (       
det]m9ism foll[s z surely f ! attributes
 ( =ekn[l$ge assum$ by ! !ologian1 z f !
 univ]sality ( natural causation assum$ 
by ! man ( sci5ce4 ,! angels 9 ',p>adise
 ,lo/' w\ld h f\nd ! task ( enlight5+   

,adam ^u ! my/]ies ( ,fate1 ,=ekn[l$ge1 
& ,free-w1 n a :it m difficult1 if _!   
pupil _h be5 educat$ 9 a ,real-s*ule &  
tra9$ 9 e laboratory ( a mod]n          
univ]sity4 ,9 respect ( ! great problems
 ( ,philosophy1 ! po/-,d>w9ian g5]ation 
is1 9 "o s5se1 exactly :]e !            
prae-,d>w9ian g5]ations 74  ,!y rema9   
insoluble4  ,b ! pres5t g5]ation has !  
advantage ( be+ bett] provid$ ) ! means 
( free+ itself f ! tyranny ( c]ta9 %am  
solutions4  ,! kn[n is f9ite1 ! unkn[n  
inf9ite2 intellectually we /& on an     
islet 9 ! mid/ ( an illimitable ocean ( 
inexplicability4  ,our bus9ess 9 e      
g5]ation is to reclaim a little m l&1 to
 add some?+ to ! ext5t & ! solidity (   
our possessions4  ,& ev5 a cursory      
glance at ! hi/ory ( ! biological       
sci5ces dur+ ! la/ qu>t] ( a c5tury is  
suffici5t to ju/ify ! ass]tion1 t ! mo/ 
pot5t in/rum5t = ! ext5sion ( ! realm ( 
natural k :i* has come into m5's h&s1   
s9ce ! publication ( ,newton's          
',pr9cipia1' is ,d>w9's ',orig9 (       

,species4'  ,x 0 badly receiv$ by !     
g5]ation to :i* x 0 fir/ address$1 & !  
outp\r+ ( angry nons5se to :i* x gave   
rise is sad to ?9k ^u4  ,b ! pres5t     
g5]ation w probably behave j z badly if 
ano!r ,d>w9 %\ld arise1 & inflict ^u !m 
t :i* ! g5]ality ( mank9d mo/ hate--!   
necessity ( revis+ _! convictions4  ,let
 !m1 !n1 be *>itable to u anci5ts2 & if 
!y behave no bett] ?an ! m5 ( my day to 
"s new b5efactor1 let !m recollect t1   
aft] all1 our wra? did n come to mu*1 & 
v5t$ itself *iefly 9 ! bad language (   
sanctimoni\s scolds4  ,let !m z spe$ily 
p]=m a /rategic "r-ab\t-face1 & foll[ ! 
tru? :]ev] x leads4  ,! oppon5ts ( ! new
 tru? w discov]1 z ^? ( ,d>w9 are do+1  
t1 aft] all1 !ories d n alt] facts1 & t 
! univ]se rema9s unaffect$ ev5 ?\gh     
texts crumble4  ,or1 x may be1 t1 z     
hi/ory repeats itself1 _! happy +5uity w
 also discov] t ! new w9e is exactly ( !
 same v9tage z ! old1 & t 7rightly      
view$7 ! old bottles prove to h be5     
expressly made = hold+ x4