CHARLES DARWIN.
(To um Banos or sus .1SrscrAros."1
Sla,—In the interesting article that appeared in the Spectator of December 10th on " Charles Darwin," the writer dwells on the point that we are passing through a phase of scepticism and materialism, and that this phase has been aggravated by the work and personal influence of Charles Darwin. "The whole spirit of his argument, and its effect on his own mind " make it " inevitable that a general acceptance of his doctrines should involve an eclipse of faith."
Now that the " Life and Letters " of Darwin have appeared, one can distinguish him clearly from those of his disciples who make his conclusions the basis of a dogmatic materialism ; and I find it impossible to accept the judgment quoted above-
although it is evidently made by some one who knew him per- sonally—still less to believe "that he has done something towards robbing the world of all that makes life worth living."
Those who read chap. viii. in Vol. I., must feel that in what he says about religions subjects his tone' s always the same. It is expressed concisely on p. 313, Vol. L :—" The mystery of the beginning of all things is insoluble by us, and I for one must be content to remain an Agnostic."
There is a great difference between believing that there is no mystery in life, and believing, as Darwin did, that the mystery exists, and is insoluble. It is potsible, without exercising an evil influence on humanity, to agree either with the writer of the article, who believes that these "doctrines "—i.e., the doctrines of science—" will be discovered to stand in the closest relation to deeper views of spiritual truth," or to be content, as Darwin was, to remain in suspense. Bat there is no more reason for condemning the latter view as tending to materialism, than for condemning the former as tending to superstition.
The wholesale statement that our age is unepiritnal and materialistic, requires more proof than the simple statement of personal conviction. But the belief that Darwin's work and personal influence have had a debasing effect on the higher life of mankind, appears to one who has carefully read his " Life and Letters" both strained and nnj aat.—I am, Sir, Ice., E.
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