Darwin : his Work and Influence. A Lecture delivered in
the Hall of Christ's College, Cambridge. By E. A. Parkyn, M.A. (Methuen and Co.) —The author explains in his preface :—" The object of the Lecture was threefold—viz., to show (1), How 'The origin of Species' came to be written, more especially by pointing out the forces and influences acting upon its author, which ulti- mately produced so great a result ; (2), The significance and im- portance of that work, and its relation to Darwin's subsequent labours; (3), The connection between Darwinism and Evolution in a wide sense." It would be unreasonable to look for novelty in so vast a subject treated in so small a compass ; but we think the author has fairly carried out his modest programme, so far as his limits would allow. We notice one omission, however. No mention is made of the share which the Rev. Leonard Jenyne (afterwards Blomefield), had in the appointment of Darwin to the post of naturalist to the 'Beagle;' in its results, one of the most momentous events of the present century.
Previous page
