An Expository Outline of the Vestiges of the Natural History of Creation

An Expository Outline of the
''Vestiges of the Natural History
of Creation''

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Title: An Expository Outline of the "Vestiges of the Natural History of
Creation" With a Notice of the Author's "Explanations:" A Sequel to
the Vestiges
Author: Anonymous
Release Date: June 6, 2006 [EBook #18521]
Language: English
Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
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AN EXPOSITORY OUTLINE
OF THE
"VESTIGES OF THE NATURAL HISTORY OF CREATION;"
WITH A COMPREHENSIVE AND CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF THE
ARGUMENTS BY WHICH THE EXTRAORDINARY
HYPOTHESES OF THE AUTHOR ARE SUPPORTED AND HAVE
BEEN IMPUGNED, WITH THEIR BEARING UPON THE
RELIGIOUS AND MORAL INTERESTS OF THE COMMUNITY.
WITH A NOTICE OF THE AUTHOR'S
"EXPLANATIONS:"
A SEQUEL TO THE VESTIGES.
* * * * *
Originally printed in a Supplement of THE ATLAS Newspaper of
August 30 and December 20, 1845.
* * * * *
LONDON: EFFINGHAM WILSON, ROYAL EXCHANGE. J.
VINCENT, OXFORD; G. ANDREWS, DURHAM; J. TEPPELL,
NORWICH; BRODIE AND CO., SALISBURY. A. AND C. BLACK,
EDINBURGH; D. ROBERTSON, GLASGOW; A. BROWN AND
CO., ABERDEEN. W. CURRY, JUN., AND CO., DUBLIN.
1846.

ADVERTISEMENT.

* * * * *
The following tractate first appeared in the form of a literary review in
a supplement of the ATLAS; but two impressions of that journal
having been long since exhausted, and inquiries still continuing
numerous and urgent, the proprietor has granted permission for the
article to be reprinted in a separate, more convenient, and perhaps
enduring vehicle than that of a newspaper.
Few works of a scientific import have been published that so promptly
and deeply fixed public attention as the Vestiges of Creation, or elicited
more numerous replies and sharper critical analysis and disquisition.
Upon so vast a question as the evolution of universal creation
differences of opinion were natural and unavoidable. Many have
disputed the accuracy of some of the author's facts, and the sequence
and validity of his inductive inferences; but few can withhold from him
the praise of a patient and intrepid spirit of inquiry, much occasional
eloquence, and very considerable powers of analysis, systematic
induction, arrangement and combination.
In what follows the leading objects kept in view have been--first, an
expository outline of the author's facts and argument; next, of the chief
reasons by which they have been impugned by Professor SEDGWICK,
Professor WHEWELL, Mr. BOSANQUET, and others who have
entered the lists of controversy. These arrayed, the concluding purpose
fitly followed of a brief exhibition of the relative strength of the main
points in issue, with their bearing on the moral and religious interests of
the community.
It is the fourth and latest edition that has been submitted to
investigation. In this impression the author has introduced several
corrections and alterations, without, however, any infringement or
mitigation of its original scope and character. More recently appeared
his "Explanations," a Sequel to the "Vestiges of the Natural History of
Creation;" in which the author endeavours to elucidate and strengthen
his former position. This had become necessary in consequence of the
number of his opponents, and the inquiry and discussion to which the
original publication had given rise. Of this, also, a lengthened review

was given in the ATLAS, which has been included; so that the reader
will now have before him a succinct outline of a novel and interesting
topic of philosophical investigation.
In the present reprint a few corrections have been made, and the
illustrative table at page 34, and some other additions, introduced.
London, January 1, 1846.

AN EXPOSITORY OUTLINE
OF THE
"VESTIGES OF THE NATURAL HISTORY OF CREATION."
It rarely happens that speculative inquiries in England command much
attention, and the Vestiges of Creation would have probably formed no
exception, had it not been from the unusual ability with which the work
has been executed. The subject investigated is one of vast, almost
universal, interest; for everyone--the low, in common with the high in
intellect--find enigmas in creation that they would gladly have
unriddled, and promptly gather round the oracle who has boldly
stepped forth to cut the knot of their perplexities. The first impression
made, too, is favourable. No very striking originality, eloquence, or
genius, is displayed; yet there is ingenuity; and though the author
betrays the zeal of an advocate, desirous of leading to a determinate