The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-06-06
HERBERT SPENCER AND EVOLUTION.

Lecture OF Professor e. l.. YOumans-
Review OF Herbert spencer's Works.
Professor E. L. Youmans delivered last evening
lecture on Herbert Spencer and HIS Theory Of
Evolution" before the Liberal Club. Plimpton Hall
was crowded by highly respectable audience,
who received the address with many marks OF
appreciation. He said that until recently doc
trine had been believed that the universe was
suddenly called into existence IN much the same
condition in which it was now. At last science
proved that lie mad stretched back for millions
of years; that the origin OF the universe was
quite different; that the present evolution OF the
earth was a result OF innumeraole changes To
the mass or the people who inherited their
opinions this change OF doctrine was probably
OF no moment; but the religious men feared tn at
it involved the question OF the existence OF q
Creator The pulpit still chung to the old position
while all the scientists believed IN the progressive
development OF the world. The biologists occu-
pied themselves rather with the collection OF
facts than with the forming OF a philosophical
system. sort of tacit compromise was form ed
Tor time, the theologians conceding the greater
antiquity OF the world and the biologists admit
ting preternatural intervention in the regular in
working OF the scheme.
Mr.. spencer thought that new set OF problems
was now open to inquiry. which would effect .
great revolution. The question,
HOW THINGS WERE CAUSED?
was fundamental. He that they could not
know now things were without knowing how they
came to be. Life, mind, science, art language
society, MISUNDERSTANDING else, could only
be explained by theory OF growth and deriva ton
and gradual development. He was the hrst to
form philosophical system IRON this point OF In
curry. He was the nrst to elaborate the system OF
evolution. He was not scholar, in the ordinary
q a
the curriculum OF any university. He was edu-
cited as civil engineer, anu up TO his twenty
second year ne had published nothing but pro.
up his position as engineer. he published his first
important work, "socla States" He showed
that social progress was natural evolution, IN
| which we were gradually adapted anu lifted to
their circumstances. The process OF the dying out
| OF the unit ana the surviving of the TT was also
/ demonstrated. In 1852 Mr.. spencer published in
| tue Westminster Reoie,c his Theory OF Popua-
tion," showing that in man the advance towards
higher type was accompanied by a decrease OF FER
4 fility. he also printed treatise on the gradual
evolution Of all organism aud on the philosophy
! OF STYLE" The latter subject was treated
from q dynamical point OF view. His warm
theory was that the most effective style
thought in the mind OF the reader In 1868
Mr.. Spencer wrotethe essay on "Over-Leglsa-
mis- great work, PRINCIPLES Of Psychology"
were beginning TO assume shape n his mind. Inc
essay on "Ine Genesis OF Sciencen traced out the
whole organism Of all sciences The conception
of intellectual progress was then treated by him;
education WIS regarded as rightfully carried on
| only when 1t assisted the
SUPERINTENDENT or THE MIND.
In principles OF Psychology, he traced the rela-
tion OF mental phenomena with corresponding cir
cumstances and developed the IDEA OF adaptation.
In fourth part he avowed his belief that lfe in
In its present complex condition, had arisen from
the very simplest BEGINNINGS. il was at this
tlme--in 1s54-that he FULLY conceived the great
Mr.. spencer had now based the science of mind
! firmly on the theory OF evolution. His influence
! was soon widely discerned IN the most intellectual