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CHARLES DARWIN.

BORN FEBRUARY 12TH, 1809.

(By DR. WALTER E. COLLINGE, F.L.S.).

In his delightful biography of Charles Darwin in the "Great Writers" series, Mr. G. T. Bettany closes his volume with these words: "Here let us leave Charles Darwin; a marvellously patient and successful revolutionizer of thought; a noble and beloved man." A delightful, expressive, and terse summary, but as time rolls by we must be careful not to leave Charles Darwin simply as a man of noble nature and great scientific attainments or as a splendid historical character. He played a part on Life's stage such as few men have, and the more and more we study his life the deeper and more pregnant are the lessons to be gathered therefrom. It is well that we should call to mind the condition of the intellectual world of the early part of the nineteenth century, and picture in our mind's eye the outlook of the Shrewsbury scholar of those days. Again it will prove beneficial if we endeavour to realise the tremendous revolutionizing effect his work has had and the important part it still plays in the minds and actions of all thoughtful people, and "Lest we forget,: it seems highly important that we should refresh our minds, and particularly those of the rising generation, in order that we may more clearly realise something of the message and example left us.

Here we are not concerned with Darwin's fascinating researches and wonderful scientific discoveries, but with the author of the "Origin of Species" as a man, and his influence on the life and thought of each of us to-day.

On perusing once again the account of his life written by his son, three great characteristics stand out pre-eminently; and they are three which today men and women in all spheres of life never required more. For are we not slipping back into a stagnant condition of mind that reminds us very forcibly of what obtained in and about 1820? The first of these stands out conspicuously, and it is that of strenuous work. "Work," he wrote, "is my sole pleasure in life," and it must not be forgotten that for the greater part of that life Darwin was more or less an invalid. In the seventy-three years of life allotted to him he produced an enormous amount of work, but the actual published books and papers gives one very little idea of the long and patiently continued researches he made. "It is so much more interesting to observe than to write." He realised to the utmost that the fulness and sweetness of life could only be gained by hard work, and it is a lesson which we would do well to take to heart to-day.

Secondly, no reader of Darwin's life can have failed to be struck by the rare placidity of mind that characterised the man "Arrogance, irritability and envy," we were told were "non-existent in a singularly simple and generous mind." His modesty and courtesy and the absence of any though to shine or triumph was singularly marked, and although at times he had disagreeable truths to tell, he never sought to wound or offend. How very different from present day methods.

Thirdly, as a seeker of truth, he loved truth for truth's sake, and was content to follow wherever her guiding light led. It mattered not what old and cherished ideals those penetrating beams shattered, what preconceived ideas and opinions had to be abandoned, or what elaborately worked out theories, discarded, ruthlessly and fearlessly these were all placed on one side, and boldly another step forward was made into the realms of the unknown. Darwin's love of truth was an all pervading passion, he had nothing of the "spirit of confident assertion," he was ever open to conviction and pursued his work in a spirit of broad-mindedness and with "that fanaticism of veracity which is a greater possession than much learning."

Such are some of the thoughts which pass through our mind to-day on the 113th anniversary of Darwin's birth. He gave of his best freely and generously. His love of truth, his noble generosity of mind, and his infatuation for his work, are three characteristics which we might do worse than ponder over, and especially at a time when all of these seem almost divorced from modern life and thought.

The influence of Charles Darwin is not dead. It has permeated every branch and side of human thought and endeavour, and like the ripple on the water it will continue ever widening its circles until it has become part and parcel of the philosophy of life, of your life and of mine, and of the nation's mind. It will continue to spread until truth becomes eternal, until the shadows and mists of ignorance, and prejudice disperse and the full refulgence of Truth makes all things clear.