Genre:

Commentary

Subjects:

Descent, Evolution, Darwinism, Human Species

People mentioned:

Charles R Darwin

    Observes that man's alleged descent from the monkey, and more remotely, from the larvae of marine ascidians, is a subject which natural historians and natural philosophers have 'vainly tried to solve'. Thinks that man's tendency to 'ape' his betters and to drink like a fish is no less convincing an argument for simian descent than 'citing the existence of a small point in the upper inner portion of the inner ear'. Citing Charles Kingsley's argument that civilisations can 'fall as well as rise', claims that the question of man's descent into savages and then apes is at least as important as the question of man's simian descent. Admires 'ingenious speculation' concerning man's simian descent but doubts whether this has benefited mankind. Thinks that it is better for 'every true-born Briton' to use his mental powers and stop aping his inferiors and to 'do battle' with his animal propensities.