Page images
PDF
EPUB

OF

HERBERT SPENCER.

Being an Examination of the First Principles of his System.

[blocks in formation]

Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1874, by

NELSON & PHILLIPS,

in the Office of the Librarian of Congress at Washington.

BE
•Sp3
Цв
Сор. 20

TO

PROF. BENJAMIN N. MARTIN

ONE OF THOSE RARE SOULS

WHO KNOW HOW TO COMBINE FAITH AND FREEDOM;

WHO, UNDETERRED BY PROSCRIPTION, SEEK TO PROVE ALL THINGS,

WHILE, UNFASCINATED BY NOVELTY,

THEY LOYALLY HOLD FAST ALL THAT

IS GOOD

I dedicate this Book.

B. P. BOWNE.

PREFACE.

'HE following discussion is based upon

THE

several essays which lately appeared in the "New Englander." They have been extended somewhat, and, for the sake of greater unity than essays which were at first independent of each other could have, their form has also been altered. I have quoted copiously from Mr. Spencer for two reasons: First, no candid writer, whose purpose is as controversial as mine, will trust himself to represent his opponent's doctrine without the check, both of exact quotation and exact reference; and, secondly, because so contradictory and absurd are some of Mr. Spencer's positions, that my unsupported statements about them would not be believed.

Mr. Spencer claims to seek for truth. I

« PreviousContinue »