Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1874, by NELSON & PHILLIPS, in the Office of the Librarian of Congress at Washington. BE 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 |