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."

Further details of Huxley's relation to natural selection may be
gained from an interesting chapter in Professor Poulton's volume on
_Charles Darwin_ (Cassell and Co., London, 1896).

FOOTNOTES:

[Footnote D: See E. Clodd's _Pioneers of Evolution_, London, 1897, and
Osborn's _From the Greeks to Darwin_, New York, 1896.]

CHAPTER VII

THE BATTLE FOR EVOLUTION

Huxley's Prevision of the Battle--The Causes of the Battle--The
_Times_ Review--Sir Richard Owen attacks Darwinism in the
_Edinburgh Review_--Bishop Wilberforce attacks in the _Quarterly
Review_--Huxley's Scathing Replies--The British Association
Debates at Oxford--Huxley and Wilberforce--Resume of Huxley's
Exact Position with Regard to Evolution and to Natural Selection.

When Huxley wrote thanking Darwin for the first copy of the _Origin_,
he warned him of the annoyance and abuse he might expect from those
whose opinions were too suddenly disturbed by the new exposition of
evolution, and assured him of the strongest personal support:

"I trust you will not allow yourself to be in any way disgusted
or annoyed by the considerable abuse and misrepresentation which,
unless I greatly mistake, is in store for you. Depend upon it,
you have earned the lasting gratitude of all thoughtful men; and
as to the curs which will bark and yelp, you must recollect that
some of your friends, at any rate, are en