,,on ,,! ,,advisabl5ess ,,( ,,improv+   
,,natural ,,k99   ,by ,?omas ,h4 ,huxley
  #a    ,?is "t two hundr$ ye>s ago--9 !
 beg9n+ ( ,janu>y1 #afff--^? ( our      
=efa!rs :o inhabit$ ?is great & anci5t  
city1 took brea? betwe5 ! %ocks ( two   
fe>ful calamities3 "o n q pa/1 al?\gh   
its fury _h abat$2 ! o!r to come4  ,)9 a
 few y>ds ( ! v spot on :i* we are      
assembl$1 s ! tradition runs1 t pa9ful &
 deadly malady1 ! plague1 appe>$ 9 !    
latt] mon?s ( #affd2 &1 ?\gh no new     
visitor1 smote ! p ( ,engl&1 &          
especially ( h] capital1 ) a viol5ce    
unkn[n be=e1 9 ! c\rse ( ! foll[+ ye>4  
,! h& ( a ma/] has pictur$ :at happ5$ 9 
^? dismal mon?s2 & 9 t true/ ( fictions1
 ',! ,hi/ory ( ! ,plague ,ye>'1 ,defoe  
%[s dea?1 ) e accompanim5t ( pa9 &      
t]ror1 /alk+ ?r\gh ! n>r[ /reets ( old  
,london1 & *ang+ _! busy hum into a     
sil5ce brok5 only by ! wail+ ( ! m\rn]s 
( fifty ?\s& dead2 by ! w(ul            
d5unciations & mad pray]s ( fanatics2 & 
by ! madd] yells ( despair+ pr(ligates4 

,b ab\t ?is "t 9 #afff1 ! dea?-rate _h  
sunk to ne>ly its ord9>y am\nt2 a case (
 plague occurr$ only "h & !re1 & ! ri*] 
citiz5s :o _h fl[n f ! pe/ _h return$ to
 _! dwell+s4 ,! remnant ( ! p began to  
toil at ! accu/om$ r\nd ( duty1 or (    
pleasure2 & ! /ream ( city life bid fair
 to fl[ back along its old b$1 ) r5ew$ &
 un9t]rupt$ vig\r4  ,! newly k9dl$ hope 
0 deceitful4 ,! great plague1 inde$1    
return$ no m2 b :at x _h done = !       
,london]s1 ! great fire1 :i* broke out 9
 ! autumn ( #afff1 did = ,london2 &1 9  
,septemb] ( t ye>1 a heap ( a%es & !    
inde/ructible en]gy ( ! p 7 all t rema9$
 ( ! glory ( five-six?s ( ! city )9 !   
walls4  ,our =efa!rs _h _! own ways (   
acc\nt+ = ea* ( ^! calamities4 ,!y      
submitt$ to ! plague 9 humility & 9     
p5it5ce1 = !y believ$ x to be ! judgm5t 
( ,god4 ,b1 t[>ds ! fire !y 7 furi\sly  
indignant1 int]pret+ x z ! effect ( !   
malice ( man1--z ! "w ( ! ,republicans1 
or ( ! ,papi/s1 accord+ z _!            
prepossessions ran 9 fav\r ( loyalty or 

( ,puritanism4  ,x w\ld1 ,i fancy1 h f>$
 b ill ) "o :o1 /&+ :]e ,i n[ /&1 9 :at 
0 !n a ?ickly peopl$ & fa%ionable "p (  
,london1 %\ld h broa*$ to our ance/ors !
 doctr9e :i* ,i n[ prop\nd to y--t all  
_! hypo!ses 7 alike wrong2 t ! plague 0 
no m1 9 _! s5se1 ,div9e judgm5t1 ?an !  
fire 0 ! "w ( any political1 or ( any   
religi\s1 sect2 b t !y 7 !mselves !     
au?ors ( bo? plague & fire1 & t !y mu/  
look to !mselves to prev5t ! recurr5ce (
 calamities1 to all appe>ance s         
peculi>ly beyond ! rea* ( human         
control--s evid5tly ! result ( ! wra? ( 
,god1 or ( ! craft & subtlety ( an      
enemy4  ,& "o may picture to "o's self  
h[ h>moni\sly ! holy curs+ ( ! ,puritan 
( t day w\ld h *im$ 9 ) ! unholy curs+ &
 ! crackl+ wit ( ! ,ro*e/]s & ,s$leys1 &
 ) ! revil+s ( ! political fanatics1 if 
my imag9>y pla9 deal] _h gone on to say 
t1 if ! return ( su* mis=tunes 7 ev]    
r5d]$ impossible1 x w\ld n be 9 virtue (
 ! victory ( ! fai? ( ,laud1 or ( t (   
,milton2 &1 z little1 by ! triumph (    

republicanism1 z by t ( mon>*y4 ,b t !  
"o ?+ ne$ful = compass+ ?is end 01 t ! p
 ( ,engl& %\ld second ! ef=t ( an       
insignificant corporation1 ! e/abli%m5t 
( :i*1 a few ye>s be=e ! epo* ( ! great 
plague & ! great fire1 _h be5 z little  
notic$1 z !y 7 conspicu\s4  ,"s tw5ty   
ye>s be=e ! outbreak ( ! plague a few   
calm & ?\ghtful /ud5ts b&$ !mselves     
toge!r = ! purpose1 z !y phras$ x1 (    
improv+ natural k4 ,! ends !y propos$ to
 atta9 _c be /at$ m cle>ly ?an 9 ! words
 ( "o ( ! f\nd]s ( ! organization3--    
,our bus9ess 0 7preclud+ matt]s ( !ology
 & /ate affairs7 to disc\rse & consid] (
 philosophical enquiries1 & su* z relat$
 !reunto3--z ,physick1 ,anatomy1        
,geometry1 ,a/ronomy1 ,navigation1      
,/aticks1 ,magneticks1 ,*ymicks1        
,me*anicks1 & ,natural ,exp]im5ts2 ) !  
/ate ( ^! /udies & _! cultivation at    
home & abroad4 ,we !n disc\rs$ ( !      
circulation ( ! blood1 ! valves 9 !     
ve9s1 ! v5ae lacteae1 ! lymphatic       
vessels1 ! ,cop]nican hypo!sis1 ! nature

 ( comets & new />s1 ! satellites (     
,jupit]1 ! oval %ape 7z x !n appe>$7 (  
,saturn1 ! spots on ! sun & its turn+ on
 its own axis1 ! inequalities &         
sel5ography ( ! moon1 ! sev]al phases ( 
,v5us & ,m]cury1 ! improvem5t (         
telescopes & gr9d+ ( glasses = t        
purpose1 ! weight ( air1 ! possibility  
or impossibility ( vacuities & nature's 
abhorr5ce !re(1 ! ,torricellian exp]im5t
 9 quicksilv]1 ! desc5t ( heavy bodies &
 ! degree ( accel]ation !re91 ) div]s   
o!r ?+s ( l nature1 "s ( :i* 7 !n b new 
discov]ies1 & o!rs n s g5]ally kn[n &   
embrac$ z n[ !y are2 ) o!r ?+s app]ta9+ 
to :at ha? be5 call$ ! ,new ,philosophy1
 :i* f ! times ( ,galileo at ,flor5ce1 &
 ,sir ,francis ,bacon 7,"l ,v]ulam7 9   
,engl&1 ha? be5 mu* cultivat$ 9 ,italy1 
,france1 ,g]many1 & o!r p>ts abroad1 z  
well z ) u 9 ,engl&4  ,! le>n$ ,dr4     
,wallis1 writ+ 9 #afif1 n>rates 9 ^!    
words1 :at happ5$ half a c5tury be=e1 or
 ab\t #afde4 ,! associates met at ,ox=d1
 9 ! rooms ( ,dr4 ,wilk9s1 :o 0 de/9$ to

 become a bi%op2 & subsequ5tly com+     
toge!r 9 ,london1 !y attract$ ! notice (
 ! k+4 ,& x is a /range evid5ce ( ! ta/e
 = k :i* ! mo/ obvi\sly wor?less ( !    
,/u>ts %>$ ) 8 fa!r & gr&fa!r1 t ,*>les 
! ,second 0 n cont5t ) say+ witty ?+s   
ab\t 8 philosoph]s1 b did wise ?+s )    
reg>d to !m4 ,= he n only be/[$ ^u !m   
su* att5tion z he c\ld sp>e f 8 poodles 
& 8 mi/resses1 b be+ 9 8 usual /ate (   
impecuniosity1 begg$ = !m ( ! ,duke (   
,ormond2 &1 t /ep be+ )\t effect1 gave  
!m ,*elsea ,college1 a *>t]1 & a mace3  
cr[n+ 8 fav\rs 9 ! be/ way !y c\ld be   
cr[n$1 by burd5+ !m no fur!r ) royal    
patronage or /ate int]f]5ce4  ,?us x 0 t
 ! half-doz5 "y m51 /udi\s ( ! ,new     
,philosophy1 :o met 9 "o ano!r's lodg+s 
9 ,ox=d or 9 ,london1 9 ! middle ( !    
sev5te5? c5tury1 grew 9 num]ical & 9    
real /r5g?1 until1 9 ! latt] "p1 !      
,royal ,society = ! improvem5t (        
,natural ,k _h already become fam\s1 &  
_h acquir$ a claim ^u ! v5]ation (      
,engli%m51 :i* x has ev] s9ce reta9$1 z 

! pr9cipal focus ( sci5tific activity 9 
our isl&s1 & ! *ief *ampion ( ! cause x 
0 =m$ to support4  ,x 0 by ! aid ( !    
,royal ,society t ,newton publi%$ 8     
',pr9cipia'4 ,if all ! books 9 ! _w1    
except ! ,philosophical ,transactions1 7
 de/roy$1 x is safe to say t !          
f\ndations ( physical sci5ce w\ld rema9 
un%ak51 & t ! va/ intellectual progress 
( ! la/ two c5turies w\ld be l>gely1    
?\gh incompletely1 record$4 ,nor h any  
signs ( halt+ or ( decrepitude manife/$ 
!mselves 9 our own times4 ,z 9 ,dr4     
,wallis's days1 s 9 ^!1 our bus9ess is1 
preclud+ !ology & /ate affairs1 to      
disc\rse & consid] ( philosophical      
enquiries4 ,b our ,ma!matick is "o :i*  
,newton w\ld h to g to s*ool to le>n2   
our ,/aticks1 ,me*anicks1 ,magneticks1  
,*ymicks1 & ,natural ,exp]im5ts         
con/itute a mass ( physical & *emical k1
 a glimpse at :i* w\ld comp5sate        
,galileo = ! do+s ( a score (           
inquisitorial c>d9als2 our ,physick &   
,anatomy h embrac$ su* inf9ite v>ieties 

( be+1 h laid op5 su* new worlds 9 "t & 
space1 h grappl$1 n unsuccessfully1 )   
su* complex problems1 t ! eyes (        
,vesalius & ( ,h>vey might be dazzl$ by 
! sight ( ! tree t has gr[n out ( _!    
gra9 ( mu/>d se$4  ,! fact is p]haps r  
too mu*1 ?an too little1 =c$ ^u "o's    
notice1 n[adays1 t all ?is m>vell\s     
intellectual gr[? has a no less wond]ful
 expression 9 practical life2 & t1 9 ?is
 respect1 if 9 no o!r1 ! movem5t        
symboliz$ by ! progress ( ! ,royal      
,society /&s )\t a p>allel 9 ! hi/ory ( 
mank9d4  ,a s]ies ( volumes z bulky z ! 
',transactions ( ! ,royal ,society'     
might possibly be fill$ ) ! subtle      
speculations ( ! ,s*oolm52 n improbably1
 ! obta9+ a ma/]y ov] ! products (      
m$iaeval ?\ght might necessitate an ev5 
great] exp5diture ( "t & ( en]gy ?an !  
acquirem5t ( ! ,new ,philosophy2 b ?\gh 
su* "w engross$ ! be/ intellects (      
,europe = a long] "t ?an has elaps$ s9ce
 ! great fire1 its effects 7 writ 9     
wat]1 s f> z our social /ate is conc]n$4

  ,on ! o!r h&1 if ! noble fir/         
,presid5t ( ! ,royal ,society c\ld      
revisit ! upp] air & once m gladd5 8    
eyes ) a sight ( ! famili> mace1 he w\ld
 f9d himself 9 ! mid/ ( a mat]ial       
civilization m diff]5t f t ( 8 day1 ?an 
t ( ! sev5te5? 0 f t ( ! fir/ c5tury4 ,&
 if ,"l ,br\nck]'s native sagacity _h n 
des]t$ 8 gho/1 he w\ld ne$ no long      
reflection to discov] t all ^! great    
%ips1 ^! railways1 ^! telegraphs1 ^!    
factories1 ^! pr9t+-presses1 )\t :i* !  
:ole fabric ( mod]n ,engli% society w\ld
 collapse into a mass ( /agnant & />v+  
paup]ism1--t all ^! pill>s ( our ,/ate  
are b ! ripples1 & ! bubbles ^u !       
surface ( t great spiritual /ream1 !    
spr+s ( :i*1 only1 he & 8 fell[s 7      
privileg$ to see2 & see+1 to recognise z
 t :i* x behov$ !m above all ?+s to keep
 pure & undefil$4  ,x may n be too great
 a flight ( imag9ation to conceive our  
noble 'rev5ant' n =getful ( ! great     
tr\bles ( 8 own day1 & anxi\s to "k h[  
(t5 ,london _h be5 burn$ d[n s9ce 8 "t1 

& h[ (t5 ! plague _h c>ri$ (f its ?\s&s4
 ,he w\ld h to le>n t1 al?\gh ,london   
conta9s t5fold ! inflammable matt] t x  
did 9 #afff2 ?\gh1 n cont5t ) fill+ our 
rooms ) woodwork & light drap]ies1 we   
mu/ ne$s lead inflammable & explosive   
gases into e corn] ( our /reets & h\ses1
 we nev] all[ ev5 a /reet to burn d[n4  
,& if he ask$ h[ ?is _h come ab\t1 we   
%\ld h to expla9 t ! improvem5t (       
natural k has furni%$ u ) doz5s ( ma*9es
 = ?r[+ wat] ^u fires1 any "o ( :i* w\ld
 h furni%$ ! +5i\s ,mr4 ,hooke1 ! fir/  
curator & exp]im5t] ( ! ,royal ,society1
 ) ample mat]ials = disc\rse be=e half a
 doz5 meet+s ( t body2 & t1 to say tru?1
 except = ! progress ( natural k1 we    
%\ld n h be5 able to make ev5 ! tools by
 :i* ^! ma*9es are con/ruct$4 ,&1 fur!r1
 x w\ld be necess>y to add1 t al?\gh    
sev]e fires sometimes occur & inflict   
great damage1 ! loss is v g5]ally       
comp5sat$ by societies1 ! op]ations (   
:i* h be5 r5d]$ possible only by !      
progress ( natural k 9 ! direction (    

ma!matics1 & ! accumulation ( weal? 9   
virtue ( o!r natural k4  ,b ! plague8   
,my ,"l ,br\nck]'s obs]vation w\ld n1 ,i
 fe>1 lead him to ?9k t ,engli%m5 ( !   
n9ete5? c5tury are pur] 9 life1 or m    
f]v5t 9 religi\s fai?1 ?an ! g5]ation   
:i* c\ld produce a ,boyle1 an ,evelyn1 &
 a ,milton4 ,he might f9d ! mud (       
society at ! bottom1 in/ead ( at ! top1 
b ,i fe> t ! sum total w\ld be a des]v+ 
( swift judgm5t z at ! "t ( !           
,re/oration4 ,& x w\ld be our duty to   
expla9 once m1 & ?is "t n )\t %ame1 t we
 h no reason to believe t x is !        
improvem5t ( our fai?1 nor t ( our      
morals1 :i* keeps ! plague f our city2  
b1 aga91 t x is ! improvem5t ( our      
natural k4  ,we h le>n$ t pe/il5ces w   
only take up _! abode among ^? :o h     
prep>$ unswept & ung>ni%$ resid5ces =   
!m4 ,_! cities mu/ h n>r[1 unwat]$      
/reets1 f\l ) accumulat$ g>bage4 ,_!    
h\ses mu/ be ill-dra9$1 ill-light$1     
ill-v5tilat$4 ,_! subjects mu/ be       
ill-wa%$1 ill-f$1 ill-clo!d4 ,! ,london 

( #affe 0 su* a city4 ,! cities ( !     
,ea/1 :]e plague has an endur+ dwell+1  
are su* cities4 ,we1 9 lat] times1 h    
le>n$ some:at ( ,nature1 & p>tly obey   
h]4 ,because ( ?is p>tial improvem5t (  
our natural k & ( t fractional ob$i5ce1 
we h no plague2 because t k is /ill v   
imp]fect & t ob$i5ce yet incomplete1    
typhus is our companion & *ol]a our     
visitor4 ,b x is n presumptu\s to       
express ! belief t1 :5 our k is m       
complete & our ob$i5ce ! expression (   
our k1 ,london w c\nt h] c5turies (     
fre$om f typhus & *ol]a1 z %e n[        
gratefully reckons h] two hundr$ ye>s ( 
ignorance ( t plague :i* swoop$ ^u h]   
?rice 9 ! fir/ half ( ! sev5te5? c5tury4
  ,surely !re is no?+ 9 ^! explanations 
:i* is n fully borne out by ! facts8    
,surely1 ! pr9ciples involv$ 9 !m are n[
 admitt$ among ! fix$ beliefs ( all ?9k+
 m58 ,surely1 x is true t our c\ntrym5  
are less subject to fire1 fam9e1        
pe/il5ce1 & all ! evils :i* result f a  
want ( comm& ov] & due anticipation ( ! 

c\rse ( ,nature1 ?an 7 ! c\ntrym5 (     
,milton2 & heal?1 weal?1 & well-be+ are 
m abundant ) u ?an ) !m8 ,b no less     
c]ta9ly is ! diff]5ce due to !          
improvem5t ( our k ( ,nature1 & ! ext5t 
to :i* t improv$ k has be5 incorporat$ )
 ! h\sehold words ( m51 & has suppli$ ! 
spr+s ( _! daily actions4  ,grant+ = a  
mom5t1 !n1 ! tru? ( t :i* ! depreciators
 ( natural k are s fond ( urg+1 t its   
improvem5t c only add to ! res\rces (   
our mat]ial civilization2 admitt+ x to  
be possible t ! f\nd]s ( ! ,royal       
,society !mselves look$ = no o!r rew>d  
?an ?is1 ,i _c confess t ,i 0 guilty (  
exagg]ation :5 ,i h9t$1 t to him :o _h !
 gift ( di/+ui%+ betwe5 prom95t ev5ts & 
important ev5ts1 ! orig9 ( a comb9$ ef=t
 on ! "p ( mank9d to improve natural k  
might h loom$ l>g] ?an ! ,plague & h    
out%one ! gl>e ( ! ,fire2 z a some?+    
fraught ) a weal? ( b5efic5ce to mank9d1
 9 comp>ison ) :i* ! damage done by ^?  
gha/ly evils w\ld %r9k into             
insignificance4  ,x is v c]ta9 t = e    

victim sla9 by ! plague1 hundr$s (      
mank9d exi/ & f9d a fair %>e ( happ9ess 
9 ! _w by ! aid ( ! sp9n+ j5ny4 ,& !    
great fire1 at its wor/1 c\ld n h burn$ 
! supply ( coal1 ! daily work+ ( :i*1 9 
! b[els ( ! e>?1 made possible by ! /eam
 pump1 gives rise to an am\nt ( weal? to
 :i* ! millions lo/ 9 old ,london are b 
z an old song4  ,b sp9n+ j5ny & /eam    
pump are1 aft] all1 b toys1 possess+ an 
accid5tal value2 & natural k creates    
multitudes ( m subtle contrivances1 !   
praises ( :i* d n happ5 to be sung      
because !y are n directly conv]tible    
into in/rum5ts ( creat+ weal?4 ,:5 ,i   
contemplate natural k squ&]+ su* gifts  
among m51 ! only appropriate comp>ison  
,i c f9d = h] is1 to lik5 h] to su* a   
peasant woman z "o sees 9 ! ,alps1 /rid+
 ev] upw>d1 heavily burd5$1 & ) m9d b5t 
only on h] home2 b yet1 )\t ef=t & )\t  
?\ght1 knitt+ = h] *ildr54 ,n[ /ock+s   
are good & com=table ?+s1 & ! *ildr5 w  
und\bt$ly be mu* ! bett] = !m2 b surely 
x w\ld be %ort-sight$1 to say ! lea/ (  

x1 to depreciate ?is toil+ "m z a m]e   
/ock+-ma*9e--a m]e provid] ( physical   
com=ts8  ,h[ev]1 !re are bl9d lead]s ( !
 bl9d1 & n a few ( !m1 :o take ?is view 
( natural k1 & c see no?+ 9 ! b\ntiful  
"m ( humanity b a sort ( com=t-gr9d+    
ma*9e4 ,accord+ to !m1 ! improvem5t (   
natural k always has be51 & always mu/  
be1 synonym\s ) no m ?an ! improvem5t ( 
! mat]ial res\rces & ! increase ( !     
gratification ( m54  ,natural k is1 9 _!
 eyes1 no real "m ( mank9d1 br++ !m up )
 k9dness1 & if ne$ be1 ) /]nness1 9 !   
way !y %\ld g1 & in/ruct+ !m 9 all ?+s  
ne$ful = _! welf>e2 b a sort ( fairy    
godmo!r1 ready to furni% h] pets ) %oes 
( swiftness1 swords ( %>pness1 &        
omnipot5t ,aladd9's lamps1 s t !y may h 
telegraphs to ,saturn1 & see ! o!r side 
( ! moon1 & ?ank ,god !y are bett] ?an  
_! b5ight$ ance/ors4 ,if ?is talk 7     
true1 ,i1 = "o1 %\ld n greatly c>e to   
toil 9 ! s]vice ( natural k4 ,i ?9k ,i  
w\ld j z soon be quietly *ipp+ my own   
fl9t axe1 aft] ! mann] ( my =efa!rs a   

few ?\s& ye>s back1 z be tr\bl$ ) !     
endless malady ( ?\ght :i* n[ infe/s u  
all1 = su* rew>d4 ,b ,i v5ture to say t 
su* views are contr>y alike to reason & 
to fact4 ,^? :o disc\rse 9 su* fa%ion   
seem to me to be s int5t ^u try+ to see 
:at is above ,nature1 or :at is beh9d   
h]1 t !y are bl9d to :at />es !m 9 !    
face1 9 h]4  ,i %\ld n v5ture to speak  
?us /rongly if my ju/ification 7 n to be
 f\nd 9 ! simple/ & mo/ obvi\s          
facts1--if x ne$$ m ?an an appeal to !  
mo/ notori\s tru?s to ju/ify my         
ass]tion1 t ! improvem5t ( natural k1   
:atev] direction x has tak51 & h[ev] l[ 
! aims ( ^? :o may h comm5c$ x--has n   
only conf]r$ practical b5efits on m51 b1
 9 s do+1 has effect$ a revolution 9 _! 
conceptions ( ! univ]se & ( !mselves1 & 
has pr(\ndly alt]$ _! modes ( ?9k+ & _! 
views ( "r & wrong4 ,i say t natural k1 
seek+ to satisfy natural wants1 has f\nd
 ! ideas :i* c alone /ill spiritual     
crav+s4 ,i way t natural k1 9 desir+ to 
asc]ta9 ! laws ( com=t1 has be5 driv5 to

 discov] ^? ( conduct1 & to lay !       
f\ndations ( a new morality4  ,let u    
take ^! po9ts sep>ately2 &1 fir/1 :at   
great ideas has natural k introduc$ into
 m5's m9ds8  ,i _c b ?9k t ! f\ndations 
( all natural k 7 laid :5 ! reason ( man
 fir/ came face to face ) ! facts (     
,nature2 :5 ! savage fir/ le>n$ t ! f+]s
 ( "o h& are few] ?an ^? ( bo?2 t x is  
%ort] to cross a /ream ?an to head x2 t 
a /one /ops :]e x is unless x be mov$1 &
 t x drops f ! h& :i* lets x g2 t light 
& heat come & g ) ! sun2 t /icks burn   
away to a fire2 t plants & animals gr[ &
 die2 t if he /ruck 8 fell[-savage a bl[
 he w\ld make him angry1 & p]haps get a 
bl[ 9 return1 :ile if he (f]$ him a     
fruit he w\ld please him1 & p]haps      
receive a fi% 9 ex*ange4 ,:5 m5 _h      
acquir$ ?is mu* k1 ! outl9es1 rude ?\gh 
!y 71 ( ma!matics1 ( physics1 ( *emi/ry1
 ( biology1 ( moral1 economical1 &      
political sci5ce1 7 sket*$4 ,nor did !  
g]m ( religion fail :5 sci5ce began to  
bud4 ,li/5 to words :i* ?\gh new1 are   

yet ?ree ?\s& ye>s old3--      444,:5 9 
heav5 ! />s ab\t ! moon     ,look       
beautiful1 :5 all ! w9ds are laid1      
,& e height comes out1 & jutt+ peak     
,& valley1 & ! immeasurable heav5s      
,break op5 to _! highe/1 & all ! />t    
,%9e1 & ! %eph]d gladd5s 9 8 he>t4 #b   
,if ! half-savage ,greek c\ld %>e our   
feel+s ?us f>1 x is irrational to d\bt t
 he w5t fur!r1 to f9d1 z we d1 t ^u t   
brief gladness !re foll[s a c]ta9       
sorr[1--! little light ( awak5$ human   
intellig5ce %9es s m]e a sp>k amid/ !   
abyss ( ! unkn[n & unkn[able2 seems s   
insuffici5t to d m ?an illum9ate !      
imp]fections t _c be rem$i$1 !          
aspirations t _c be realiz$1 ( man's own
 nature4 ,b 9 ?is sadness1 ?is          
consci\sness ( ! limitation ( man1 ?is  
s5se ( an op5 secret :i* he _c p5etrate1
 lies ! ess5ce ( all religion2 & !      
attempt to embody x 9 ! =ms furni%$ by !
 intellect is ! orig9 ( ! high]         
!ologies4  ,?us x seems impossible to   
imag9e b t ! f\ndations ( all k--secul> 

or sacr$--7 laid :5 intellig5ce dawn$1  
?\gh ! sup]/ructure rema9$ = long ages s
 slight & feeble z to be compatible ) ! 
exi/5ce ( almo/ any g5]al view respect+ 
! mode ( gov]nance ( ! univ]se4 ,no     
d\bt1 f ! fir/1 !re 7 c]ta9 ph5om5a :i*1
 to ! rude/ m9d1 pres5t$ a con/ancy (   
occurr5ce1 & sugge/$ t a fix$ ord] rul$1
 at any rate1 among !m4 ,i d\bt if !    
grosse/ ( ,feti% wor%ipp]s ev] imag9$ t 
a /one mu/ h a god )9 x to make x fall1 
or t a fruit _h a god )9 x to make x    
ta/e sweet4 ,) reg>d to su* matt]s z ^!1
 x is h>dly que/ionable t mank9d f !    
fir/ took /rictly positive & sci5tific  
views4  ,b1 ) respect to all ! less     
famili> occurr5ces :i* pres5t !mselves1 
uncultur$ man1 no d\bt1 has always tak5 
himself z ! /&>d ( comp>ison1 z ! c5tre 
& measure ( ! _w2 nor c\ld he well avoid
 do+ s4 ,& f9d+ t 8 app>5tly uncaus$ w  
has a p[]ful effect 9 giv+ rise to _m   
occurr5ces1 he naturally en\gh ascrib$  
o!r & great] ev5ts to o!r & great]      
volitions1 & came to look ^u ! _w & all 

t !re9 is1 z ! product ( ! volitions (  
p]sons l himself1 b /rong]1 & capable ( 
be+ appeas$ or ang]$1 z he himself might
 be soo!d or irritat$4 ,?r\gh su*       
conceptions ( ! plan & work+ ( ! univ]se
 all mank9d h pass$1 or are pass+4 ,& we
 may n[ consid]1 :at has be5 ! effect ( 
! improvem5t ( natural k on ! views ( m5
 :o h rea*$ ?is /age1 & :o h begun to   
cultivate natural k ) no desire b t (   
increas+ ,god's hon\r & bett]+ man's    
e/ate4  ,= example1 :at c\ld seem wis]1 
f a m]e mat]ial po9t ( view1 m innoc5t1 
f a !ological "o1 to an anci5t p1 ?an t 
!y %\ld le>n ! exact succession ( !     
seasons1 z w>n+s = _! husb&m52 or !     
position ( ! />s1 z guides to _! rude   
navigators8 ,b :at has gr[n out ( ?is   
se>* = natural k ( s m]ely useful a "*8 
,y all "k ! reply4 ,a/ronomy1--:i* ( all
 sci5ces has fill$ m5's m9ds ) g5]al    
ideas ( a "* mo/ =eign to _! daily      
exp]i5ce1 & has1 m ?an any o!r1 r5d]$ x 
impossible = !m to accept ! beliefs ( _!
 fa!rs4 ,a/ronomy1--:i* tells !m t ?is s

 va/ & seem+ly solid e>? is b an atom   
among atoms1 :irl+1 no man kn[s :i!r1   
?r\gh illimitable space2 :i* demon/rates
 t :at we call ! peaceful heav5 above u1
 is b t space1 fill$ by an inf9itely    
subtle matt] ^: p>ticles are see?+ &    
surg+1 l ! waves ( an angry sea2 :i*    
op5s up to u inf9ite regions :]e no?+ is
 kn[n1 or ev] seems to h be5 kn[n1 b    
matt] & =ce1 op]at+ accord+ to rigid    
rules2 :i* leads u to contemplate       
ph5om5a ! v nature ( :i* demon/rates t  
!y mu/ h _h a beg9n+1 & t !y mu/ h an   
end1 b ! v nature ( :i* also proves t ! 
beg9n+ 01 to our conceptions ( "t1      
inf9itely remote1 & t ! end is z        
immeasurably di/ant4  ,b x is n alone ^?
 :o pursue a/ronomy :o ask = bread &    
receive ideas4 ,:at m h>mless ?an !     
attempt to lift & di/ribute wat] by     
pump+ x2 :at m absolutely & grossly     
utilit>ian8 ,b out ( pumps grew !       
discussions ab\t ,nature's abhorr5ce ( a
 vacuum2 & !n x 0 discov]$ t ,nature    
does n abhor a vacuum1 b t air has      

weight2 & t notion pav$ ! way = !       
doctr9e t all matt] has weight1 & t !   
=ce :i* produces weight is co-ext5sive )
 ! univ]se1--9 %ort1 to ! !ory (        
univ]sal gravitation & endless =ce4     
,:ile le>n+ h[ to h&le gases l$ to !    
discov]y ( oxyg51 & to mod]n *emi/ry1 & 
to ! notion ( ! inde/ructibility (      
matt]4  ,aga91 :at simpl]1 or m         
absolutely practical1 ?an ! attempt to  
keep ! axle ( a :eel f heat+ :5 ! :eel  
turns r\nd v fa/8 ,h[ useful = c>t]s &  
gig driv]s to "k some?+ ab\t ?is2 & h[  
good 7 x1 if any +5i\s p]son w\ld f9d   
out ! cause ( su* ph5om5a1 & !nce educe 
a g5]al rem$y = !m4 ,su* an +5i\s p]son 
0 ,c\nt ,rum=d2 & he & 8 successors h   
l&$ u 9 ! !ory ( ! p]si/5ce1 or         
inde/ructibility1 ( =ce4 ,& 9 !         
inf9itely m9ute1 z 9 ! inf9itely great1 
! seek]s aft] natural k1 ( ! k9ds call$ 
physical & *emical1 h ev]y:]e f\nd a    
def9ite ord] & succession ( ev5ts :i*   
seem nev] to be infr+$4  ,& h[ has x f>$
 ) ,physick & ,anatomy8 ,h ! anatomi/1 !

 physiologi/1 or ! physician1 ^: bus9ess
 x has be5 to devote !mselves assidu\sly
 to t em95tly practical & direct end1 ! 
alleviation ( ! suff]+s ( mank9d1--h !y 
be5 able to conf9e _! vision m          
absolutely to ! /rictly useful8 ,i fe>  
!y are wor/ (f5d]s ( all4 ,= if !       
a/ronom] has set be=e u ! inf9ite       
magnitude ( space1 & ! practical et]nity
 ( ! duration ( ! univ]se2 if ! physical
 & *emical philosoph]s h demon/rat$ !   
inf9ite m9ut5ess ( its con/itu5t p>ts1 &
 ! practical et]nity ( matt] & ( =ce2 & 
if bo? h alike proclaim$ ! univ]sality (
 a def9ite & pr$icable ord] & succession
 ( ev5ts1 ! work]s 9 biology h n only   
accept$ all ^!1 b h add$ m />tl+ !ses ( 
_! own4 ,=1 z ! a/ronom]s discov] 9 !   
e>? no c5tre ( ! univ]se1 b an ecc5tric 
speck1 s ! naturali/s f9d man to be no  
c5tre ( ! liv+ _w1 b "o amid/ endless   
modifications ( life2 & z ! a/ronom]    
obs]ves ! m>k ( practically endless "t  
set ^u ! arrangem5ts ( ! sol> sy/em s ! 
/ud5t ( life f9ds ! records ( anci5t =ms

 ( exi/5ce peopl+ ! _w = ages1 :i*1 9   
relation to human exp]i5ce1 are inf9ite4
  ,fur!rmore1 ! physiologi/ f9ds life to
 be z dep5d5t = its manife/ation on     
p>ticul> molecul> arrangem5ts z any     
physical or *emical ph5om5on2 &1 :5ev]  
he ext5ds 8 rese>*es1 fix$ ord] &       
un*ang+ causation reveal !mselves1 z    
pla9ly z 9 ! re/ ( ,nature4  ,nor c ,i  
f9d t any o!r fate has await$ ! g]m (   
,religion4 ,aris+1 l all o!r k9ds ( k1 &
 out ( ! action & int]action ( man's    
m9d1 ) t :i* is n man's m9d1 x has tak5 
! intellectual cov]+s ( ,feti%ism or    
,poly!ism2 ( ,!ism or ,a!ism2 (         
,sup]/ition or ,rationalism4 ,) ^!1 & _!
 relative m]its & dem]its1 ,i h no?+ to 
d2 b ?is x is ne$ful = my purpose to    
say1 t if ! religion ( ! pres5t diff]s f
 t ( ! pa/1 x is because ! !ology ( !   
pres5t has become m sci5tific ?an t ( ! 
pa/2 because x has n only r5\nc$ idols (
 wood & idols ( /one1 b beg9s to see !  
necessity ( break+ 9 pieces ! idols     
built up ( books & traditions & f9e-spun

 ecclesia/ical cobwebs3 & ( *]i%+ !     
noble/ & mo/ human ( man's emotions1 by 
wor%ip = ! mo/ "p ( ! sil5t sort at !   
alt> ( ! ,unkn[n & ,unkn[able4  ,su* are
 a few ( ! new conceptions implant$ 9   
our m9ds by ! improvem5t ( natural k4   
,m5 h acquir$ ! ideas ( ! practically   
inf9ite ext5t ( ! univ]se & ( its       
practical et]nity2 !y are famili> ) !   
conception t our e>? is b an            
inf9itesimal fragm5t ( t "p ( ! univ]se 
:i* c be se52 & t1 nev]!less1 its       
duration is1 z comp>$ ) our /&>ds ( "t1 
inf9ite4 ,!y h fur!r acquir$ ! idea t   
man is b "o ( innum]able =ms ( life n[  
exi/+ 9 ! globe1 & t ! pres5t exi/5ces  
are b ! la/ ( an immeasurable s]ies (   
pr$ecessors4 ,moreov]1 e /ep !y h made 9
 natural k has t5d$ to ext5d & rivet 9  
_! m9ds ! conception ( a def9ite ord] ( 
! univ]se--:i* is embodi$ 9 :at are     
call$1 by an unhappy metaphor1 ! laws ( 
,nature--& to n>r[ ! range & loos5 ! =ce
 ( m5's belief 9 spontaneity1 or 9      
*anges o!r ?an su* z arise out ( t      

def9ite ord] itself4 ,:e!r ^! ideas are 
well or ill f\nd$ is n ! "q4 ,no "o c   
d5y t !y exi/1 & h be5 ! inevitable     
outgr[? ( ! improvem5t ( natural k4 ,&  
if s1 x _c be d\bt$ t !y are *ang+ ! =m 
( m5's mo/ *]i%$ & mo/ important        
convictions4  ,& z reg>ds ! second      
po9t--! ext5t to :i* ! improvem5t (     
natural k has remodell$ & alt]$ :at may 
be t]m$ ! intellectual e?ics ( m51--:at 
are among ! moral convictions mo/ fondly
 held by b>b>\s & semi-b>b>\s p4  ,!y   
are ! convictions t au?ority is ! s\nde/
 basis ( belief2 t m]it atta*es to a    
read9ess to believe2 t ! d\bt+          
disposition is a bad "o1 & scepticism a 
s92 t :5 good au?ority has pron\nc$ :at 
is to be believ$1 & fai? has accept$ x1 
reason has no fur!r duty4 ,!re are _m   
excell5t p]sons :o yet hold by ^!       
pr9ciples1 & x is n my pres5t bus9ess1  
or int5tion1 to discuss _! views4 ,all  
,i wi% to br+ cle>ly be=e y\r m9ds is ! 
unque/ionable fact1 t ! improvem5t (    
natural k is effect$ by me?ods :i*      

directly give ! lie to all ^!           
convictions1 & assume ! exact rev]se (  
ea* to be true4  ,! improv] ( natural k 
absolutely refuses to ackn[l$ge         
au?ority1 z su*4 ,= him1 scepticism is !
 highe/ ( duties2 bl9d fai? ! "o        
unp>donable s94 ,& x _c be o!rwise1 = e 
great advance 9 natural k has involv$ ! 
absolute rejection ( au?ority1 ! *]i%+ (
 ! ke5e/ scepticism1 ! annihilation ( ! 
_s ( bl9d fai?2 & ! mo/ ard5t vot>y (   
sci5ce holds 8 firme/ convictions1 n    
because ! m5 he mo/ v5]ates hold !m2 n  
because _! v]ity is te/ifi$ by port5ts &
 wond]s2 b because 8 exp]i5ce tea*es him
 t :5ev] he *ooses to br+ ^! convictions
 into contact ) _! prim>y s\rce1        
,nature--:5ev] he ?9ks fit to te/ !m by 
appeal+ to exp]im5t & to                
obs]vation--,nature w confirm !m4 ,! man
 ( sci5ce has le>n$ to believe 9        
ju/ification1 n by fai?1 b by           
v]ification4  ,?us1 )\t = a mom5t       
pret5d+ to despise ! practical results (
 ! improvem5t ( natural k1 & its        

b5eficial influ5ce on mat]ial           
civilization1 x mu/1 ,i ?9k1 be admitt$ 
t ! great ideas1 "s ( :i* ,i h indicat$1
 & ! e?ical _s :i* ,i h endeav\r$ to    
sket*1 9 ! few mom5ts :i* rema9$ at my  
disposal1 con/itute ! real & p]man5t    
significance ( natural k4  ,if ^! ideas 
be de/9$1 z ,i believe !y are1 to be m &
 m firmly e/abli%$ z ! _w gr[s old]2 if 
t _s be fat$1 z ,i believe x is1 to     
ext5d itself into all dep>tm5ts ( human 
?\ght1 & to become co-ext5sive ) ! range
 ( k2 if1 z our race approa*es its      
maturity1 x discov]s1 z ,i believe x w1 
t !re is b "o k9d ( k & b "o me?od (    
acquir+ x2 !n we1 :o are /ill *ildr51   
may ju/ly feel x our highe/ duty to     
recognise ! advisabl5ess ( improv+      
natural k1 & s to aid ourselves & our   
successors 9 _! c\rse t[>ds ! noble goal
 :i* lies be=e mank9d4     ,footnote #a3
 ,a ,lay ,s]mon deliv]$ 9 ,/4 ,m>t9's   
,hall on ,sunday1 ,janu>y #g?1 #ahff1 & 
subsequ5tly publi%$ 9 ! ',=tnightly     
,review'4  ,footnote #b3 ,ne$ x be said 

t ?is is ,t5nyson's ,engli% = ,hom]'s   
,greek8