[87'91 29 : Although 1 did not think much about the existence God until a considerably later period vague conclusions to which 1 have been driven. The old argument design in nature, as given by Paley, which formerly seemed to me so conclusive, fails, now that the law of Natural Selection has been dis- covered. We can no longer argue that, for instance, the beautiful hinge

doi:10.4324/9781315476339-89

Chapter

ABSTRACT

W My father asks whether we are to believe that the forms are preordained of the broken fragmenu of rock which are fitted together by man to build his houses. If not , why should we believe that the variations of domestic animals or planu are preordained for the sake of the breeder? 'But if we give up the principle in one case, .. . no shadow of reason can be assigned for the belief that variations alike in nature and the result of the same general laws, which have been the groundwork through natural selection of the formation of the most perfectly adapted animals in the world, man included, were intentionally and specially guided.' - Variations of Animal.! and Plaflll, 151 edil., vol. ii, p. 431. - F. D.