The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-12-08

this morning. He had been unconscious
since $50 last evening.
His death came more as relief than
a shock 10 his relatives inasmuch as
he has been suffering greatly of late.
and for some months past has been un-
able TO do anything. A personal friend
of the author writing to the London
Times recently described his condition
in the following words:
The health OF Herbert Spencer re-
mains poor. 1 have seen a pathetic
letter from him in which he says that
he eannot work. can write only few
words and reads little His DAYS are
spent in lying on a lounge near the win
dow looking out on the sea at Brighton.
The philosopher lives quietly and sell
dom leaves his room.
The last of the great Victorians-sueo
Is Herbert Spencer's title 10 pre-emi-
nence. To be a great Victorian IS in it
ser a title 10 glory, for only the Angus
tan age in Rome. the age of Pericles in
Athens and the Elizabethan age IN Eng
land can rival IL in the brilliant array
OF its poets. artists, statesmen. histor-
ans. and scientists.
Especially was it great in science. and
Herbert Spencer was among the raost
eminent of its scientists. He stanss as
one Of that extraordinary quartet which
forced John Bull and the Phinstine al
large TO accept the doctNnes OF evolu-
tlop that have practically revolutionized
the entire world Of modern thought
IL was Charles Robert Darwin who
first gave scienfihc cohesion and pre-
cision 10 the doctrine IN ls5S-Eo by his
Descent OF Man" and his origin OF
Species" He was ably assisted by his
first and chief converts. John Tyndan.
Thomas Huxley, and Herbert Spencer.
Iyndan developed it on the side OF
physics. Huxley brought new evi-
dences for IL from his studies in biology.
Herbert Spencer emphasized and en-
larged IL on the side Of social science.
A Kew Philosophy.
In fact. on the basis of what is now
known IN philosophical slang as nat
uraI selection" and the survival Of the
nttest. he produced an absolutely new
philosophy Of social science which is
generally accepted by the thinking
world
The author Of this comprehensive
revolution was born in the first quar-
ter OF the century (April p. 1920, the
son Of poor schoolmaster In Derby.
He had few early advantages. His edu-
cation comprised only a smattering Of
the dead languages and no knowledge
OF tie living ones. not even German.
the lack Of which he freely deplored.
in his seve5 .teenth year he became an
engineer and followed that calling for
eight years.
In his leisure hours he Interested him
-.
first fruits OF which appeared in 1856, IN
social Sta ties a book which. appear
ing four years before THE Origin OF
Species. dImly anticipated some OF
Dcrwin's conciusiOns-for it purported
% Interpret the phenomena OF mind on
fhe general principle OF evolution
The book was received with curiosity
and approval by the learned and pro
eressive. with scorn or neglect by the
unlearned and the conservative. The
Darwfnian controversy. which set all
England by the ears. attracted GER
tain sensational reclame for Herbert
Spencer. who. through lectures and mis-
ceIlaneous writings was gradually
pushing himself forw ard as one OF the
most energetic and sble advocates Of
the new doctrines
Mr.. Spencer did not desire riches. but
hc felt sadly hampered by his inability
TO make money sufficient for the pur-
pose OF continuing his studies at ease,
and there was a bitter ring IN his pref
ace TO The Principles OF Psychology. -
ga which ne found that .up 20 that time
he had been materially impoverished by
his published works.
Should the day ever come he con-
cludes. when the love for the PERSONAL
ties Of history is less and the desire FOR
it's instructive facts greater those who
occupy themselves in picking out the
gold from The dross win perhaps be able
30 publish their results without iniiIct-
ing on themselves losses too grievous q
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