Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-12-09

The last of the great Victorians-
such is Herbert Spencers title to pre-
/ sent day Dre-cminence. To be a great
Victorian is in itself title to glory.
Tor only the Augustan age in Rome, the
age of Pericles in Athens and the Eliz-
abethcn age in England can rival ii in
It's brilliant array of poets artists,
statesmen, historians and scientists
Especially was it great in scienca
ana Herbert Spencer was among the
greatest of its scientists He stands
as one of that extraordinary quartet
which forced John Bull and the Philis
zine 1T large to accept the doctrines of
evolution that have practically reyoIu-
llonlzed the entire world OF modern
thought.
1t was Charles Robert Darwin who
first gave scientific cohesion and pre-
clsion to the doctrine in 1853 by his
Descent OF Man. and his Origin of
Species He vas ably assisted by his
first and chief converts, John Tyndall.
Thomas Huxley and Herbert Spencer
Tynd2ll developed it on the side OF
physics. Huxley brought new eviden-
ces for it from his studies in biology.
Herbert Spencer emphasized and en-
iarged it on the SIDE of social science.
in .act on the basis CT what is now
Known in philosophical slang as nat
nrai solution and the survival of the
htteSt. he produced an absolutely new
Philosophy Of social science which is
generally accepted by the thinking
world.
The author of the comprehensive
revolution was born in the first quarter
of the century (April %. 1920, the son
OF n poor schoolmaster in Derby. He
had few early advantages His edu-
cation comprised only a smattering of
the dead languages and no knowledge
OF the living ones, not even German,
the lack Of which he freely dep!ored.
LII MS 18th year he became an engineer
and followed that calling for eight
years.
In bis leisure hours, he interested
himself in the study of social science,
the first fruits of which appeared in
1870, in Social Statics,'' q book which
appearing four years before THE Orig
IN of Species" %iiinly anticipated some
of D&rwin's Conclusions--for it pur
ported to interpret the phenomena OF |
mind on the general principle Of evo-
luton. tzrr,,B |
The book was received with curiosity !,
and approval by the learned and pro.
gressive, with scorn or neglect by the |
uTlearned and the conservative The |
Darwinian controversy, which set al, |
England by the ears, attracted a Ger
tain sensational reclame for Herbert |
SnnnrAy w
writings, was gradually
pushing himself forward as one of tic
most energetic and able advocates OF
the new doctrines
Best of all he lived to see the world.
which ON its lower but more numer-
rusly populated levels had been inclined
to !ioot at him, turn around and ap-
plaud him as one of the greatest intel
lectual leaders Of his time. Ills 18th
in 1860. was greeted with q
chorus of praise in which all the civil
izad world joined.
But it is praise more than pudding
which Mr.. Spencer received from the
world. He has told us that for
The first 20 years his publishing, in
stead Of enriching him, cost him money.
Even at the rosiest part of his late Pc
Rod the philosophers bank book looked
petty enough compared with that Of
my popular novelist who happened 70
be the fad Of the hour.
Mr.. Spencer did not desire riches, but
le felt sadly hampered by his inability
% make money sufficient for the pur-
pose DC continuing his studies at ease.
md there was q bitter ring to his
CONTINUED on pnge 80