Darwin, I mean that which he
propounded--not that which has been reported to be his by too
many ill-instructed, both friends and foes--has never yet been
shewn to be inconsistent with any positive observations, and if I
may use a phrase which I know has been objected to, and which I
use in a totally different sense from that in which it was first
proposed by its first propounder, I do believe that on all
grounds of pure science it 'holds the field' as the only
hypothesis at present before us which has a sound scientific
foundation.... I am sincerely of opinion that the views which
were propounded by Mr. Darwin thirty-four years ago may be
understood hereafter as constituting an epoch in the intellectual
history of the human race. They will modify the whole system of
our thought and opinion, our most intimate convictions. But I do
not know, I do not think anybody knows, whether the particular
views he held will be hereafter fortified by the experience of
the ages which come after us.... Whether the particular form in
which he has put before us the Darwinian doctrines may be such as
to be destined to survive or not, is more, I venture to think,
than anybody is capable at this present moment of saying.
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