Year: 1869




observation has extended. and far all rational IN
ference reaches He does everything by gradual rgdy
mathematical processin organic phenomena influenced
and directed but superseded In the slightest de-
gree set aside by the added element OF an endlessly
varied sentence living CONSTITUENCIES taking part IN
some Of tho processes In question This progressive mode
Of working Is inherent part OF tho whole scheme OF
things that II becomes highly Improbable tnas there r.
suppose suck exception seems to me ko supposing
su6yerted Unless some sdeqaae reason can be given
for his one cannot choose to suppose anything Of the
and eyon nonsrous theory to be for moment enter
tanned.


unehangeable constitution Of its own. When We a
new change in somo Of tie Old elsnens; and when we
see new living being even IL IL wholly type
Sre&ato & or oSe any really Abnormal Process Of develop
monti Every new organism essentially like every
other and every senent being anlmatng this organism
manifests nature OF its radically Interchangeable as
IA that OF any inorganic substance No circumstances
has ever been known to greatly change any
sentlet being or any manifestation OF senent mOdesso
as TO make genorcay unlike tat OF Its own type The


mere fact that mind was not always ~ or az least
and therefore, that this sentence or inc memory OF sen


thence in ourselves have begun to be- proves nohing
FOR admitted that those sentent modes are depend
ent upon conditions partly outside OF themselves ana
isolated from all other substances tnan water could
exist oil the hydrogen cut OF which water is IN part
made were caused 10 exist Ia an M rocess and All
mental process in this stage OF being at least ana PROB
ably III all other stages OF existence Is ucpenucnt uPon


the cooperation OF matter in order to Its own proper ac


vtyas every material atom dependent also on other
atoms Every atom, whether mind or matter, mas its
own uchangng possible modes OF action, but ~ Is DO
pendent on social Influences for the opportunity OF exer
cising these NODES and this being universal law is


Just as necessary that mind should wait an opportunity
exercising Its entient modes that hydrogen atom
should wait its opportunity TO combine Win oxygen anu
become water The great question s does every senent
atom like every unsentent one, possess deinite nxeu
constitution, which admits OF changing MODES ana con
ditons Of possible change IN any OF Its inherent
properses Ny appeal directly TO living beings tnem
selves and lind that 1t Is not moro certain that unsen


ent atoms possess oil their properties intact tnan tha
sentlant atoms do also.


The mental independence OF the author Is strik-
ingly evinced in the bodness unless it be species
of intellectual naiyet6 with which she takes to task
such thinkers as Aristotle, Reid, Sir William Hamil-
ton, Cousin, and Herbert Spencer, for maintaining
that matter is incognizabo in itself, and that we
can form no idea OF its substance. She asserts the
reverse Of these propositions, maintaining that we
perceive not only the phenomena or qualities OF
bodies but their actual substance, Immediately and
literally, and summoning the very respectable au-
thorty Of President McCosh in support OF her thesis
But on this point she will hardly gam the assent OF
the metaphysicians They are too strongly welded
to the belief that in the perception Of matter we are
cognizant only of our sensations for which they
certainly adduce, to say tho least, plausible consd-
erations to renounce the doctrine without contest
Other conclusions Of Mrs. Blackweps reasonings are
also open to controversy the part both Of phioso
pliers and physicists, but her antagonists Will need
for the discussion not only the courtesy due to o
woman, but the strength of argument suited to the
claims Of resolute and earnest thinker.