CHAPTER I



Introduction--General ignorance on the subject of evolution at the
time the "Origin of Species" was published in 1859.

There are few things which strike us with more surprise, when we
review the course taken by opinion in the last century, than the
suddenness with which belief in witchcraft and demoniacal possession
came to an end. This has been often remarked upon, but I am not
acquainted with any record of the fact as it appeared to those under
whose eyes the change was taking place, nor have I seen any
contemporary explanation of the reasons which led to the apparently
sudden overthrow of a belief which had seemed hitherto to be deeply
rooted in the minds of almost all men. As a parallel to this, though
in respect of the rapid spread of an opinion, and not its decadence,
it is probable that those of our descendants who take an interest in
ourselves will note the suddenness with which the theory of
evolution, from having been generally ridiculed during a period of
over a hundred years, came into popularity and almost universal
acceptance among educated people.

It is indisputable that this has been the case; nor is it less
indisputable that the works of Mr. Darwin and Mr. Wallace have been
the main agents in the change that has been brought about in our
opinions. The names of Cobden and Bright do not stand more
prominently forward in connection with the repeal of the Corn Laws