THOMAS H: HUXLEY, F.R.S., F.L.S., PROFESSOR OF NATURAL HISTORY IN THE JERMYN STREET SCHOOL OF MINES. NEW YORK: D. APPLETON AND COMPANY, 1880. 22254. PREFACE TO THE AMERICAN EDITION. THE publication of Mr. Darwin's work on the "Origin of Species," whether we consider the importance of the questions it raises, the ability with which he treats them, the boldness and originality of his speculations, or the profound and universal interest which the book awakened, must be looked upon as marking an era in the progress of science. But while it called forth a due share of candid discussion and intelligent criticism, it has been vehemently and persistently assailed by many who understood nothing of its real character; and the subject has hence been so overloaded with prejudice and perversion that unscientific people hardly know what to think or believe about it. In these circumstances, those who disencumber the subject of its difficulties, simplify its statements, relieve it of technicalities, and bring it so distinctly within the horizon of ordinary apprehension that persons of common sense may judge for themselves, perform an in valuable service. Such is the character of the present volume. Prefixed to the English edition, is the following note from Professor Huxley: "Mr. J. Aldous Mays, who is taking shorthand notes of my 'Lectures to Working Men,' has asked me to allow him, on his own account, to print those notes for the use of my audience. I willingly accede to this request, on the understanding that a notice is prefixed to the effect that I have no leisure to revise the Lectures, or to make alterations in them, beyond the correction of any important error in a matter of fact.” The reader will not regret that the Lectures appear in this form. Taken from the lips of the distinguished naturalist, as he addressed an audience of 'Working Men,' they have a clearness, a directness, and a simplicity which belonged to the circumstances of their delivery. In this respect, the following Lectures are incomparable. Dealing with the most abstruse and fundamental questions of mind and organization, these subjects are nevertheless presented in so lucid and attractive a manner as to impress vividly the commonest imagination. The gift of translating the high questions of science into popular forms of expression, without sacrificing accuracy and introducing error, is a very rare one among scientific men, but Professor Huxley possesses it in an eminent degree: his lectures are models of their class. II. The Past Condition of Organic Nature III. The Method by which the Causes of the Present and V. The Conditions of Existence as affecting the Perpetua- VI. A Critical Examination of the Position of Mr. Darwin's Work, "On the Origin of Species," in relation to the |