DARWINISM

Nevins was a passionate opponent of Darwinism, and the present item, composed any time after 1854 (the latest date of the various works referred to in the text), reflects the crisis of faith in the period leading up to the publication of the 'Origin of Species'. Nevins would set out his position on 'Natural Selection, Sexual Selection, Evolution' in his 1872 inaugural address as President of the Literary and Philosophical Society of Liverpool (Proceedings, No. 26, 1872, pp.1-26), attacking the 'imperfect and one-sided view' put forward by 'the advocates of man's lowly origins'.

10pp., 12mo. Stitched and unbound. Concludes: 'There, Reverend Sirs, you have Professor Tyndall's "streaks of morning cloud" brought down to the level of the meanest human capacity. The foregoing arguments are plain and obvious. Some of them are very old - older than the Christianity which you earn your bread by preaching. Yet they have never been refuted. If you do not refute them, then, in the words of Oliver Cromwell, | "The Lord has done with you!" | Reverend Sirs, | Yours obediently, | EPICURUS. | September, 1874.' On aged and worn paper, with the first leaf loose.

Small envelope only (no letter!), sl. dingy, with name "Professor Huxlery" written on it twice in another hand. With detail as described above.WITH:unused postcard photgraph of Huxly, head and shoulders.

English writer and editor (DNB), son of the biologist Thomas Henry Huxley and father of the novelist Aldous Huxley. One page, 8vo, in good condition. Docketed 'not acknowledged'. 'Having secured a clear evening on May 10th I look forward to attending the dinner of the Titmarsh Club, & beg to enclose cheque for my subscription 12/6. I do not propose to bring a guest.'

Bishop of Oxford (1805-73), celebrated opponent of the theory of evolution, nicknamed for his slippery arguments "Soapy Sam". One page, 12mo, on mourning paper. "I cannot fail to pay the greatest attention to your recommendation of Mr P Chabot". Signed "S Oxon". Minor discolouration to paper.

Bishop of Oxford (1805-73), celebrated opponent of the theory of evolution, nicknamed for his slippery arguments "Soapy Sam". One page, 12mo. "My dear Count / I accept , but not that merely, for I thank you really & heartily "the thing" which accompanied your note. I dipped into them to-day with very great interest." Signed "S Oxon". Docketted "Received last night". Paper discoloured at the edges.