Preface ΤΟ REVISED AND ENLARGED EDITION. THE HE Author has not forgotten the story of the Old Spanish Priest, and his resentment of Gil Blas' too candid criticism of his later Homilies. Nor, on the other hand, is he unaware of the unprofitable nature of philosophical literature from pens really unaided and anonymous. Nevertheless, he has resolved to publish this, his last and revised edition of "The Two Spheres." His inducements to do so are that the Work has been frequently inquired for since it was out of print, and (especially) that he is more and more impressed with the great importance of its subject. He the more willingly undertakes the task because it gives him a last opportunity, not only of a Revisal of the subject matter of this work, but also of strengthening its arguments, and of adding many additional ones, more up to date. In a mere literary point of view, however, he claims no improvement, nor has he attempted to make his style more conventional. If he has unfortunately differed in some points from the views of one or two highly eminent Authorities whom he quotes, no apology need be offered, because he knows they will expect none. But his obligation and respect for them remain. For some readers it may be desirable to have a concise indication of a few of the main questions discussed, and some of the Fallacies which the Author has tried to expose. They may be thus stated: 1. Is there one Great First Cause, absolutely Supreme, who iii VODXID Created all things, and by whom all things exist: i.e., (1) Matter, or Dust, (2) Animal Life, and (3) Mind? 2. Was Man (made of Dust) originally a Savage-dumb and ignorant; or a perfect MAN, endowed with Knowledge, Language, 3. Has the original Race gradually risen in Intelligence and Civilization, or, otherwise, do the most Ancient Ruins and Writings show that it has degenerated in Art and Refinement? 4. Can Animal Instinct (a mere Natural Endowment) rise into, or Create, Mind (a Universal Entity), or are they absolutely 5. Was the Religion of primeval Man the worship of One God or Polytheistic, as that of all Tribes and insulated peoples dis- covered in modern times? Or does not Isolation necessarily beget degeneracy, and eventually lead to Cannibalism? 6. Are Miracles possible, or instead of being Supernatural are they all accounted for by the agency of Natural causes? 7. Is Man possessed of Free-Will (of which and of Conscience all Animals are devoid), and, if not, can he be a responsible being? 8. Is Evolution unlimited, or do Animals produce their own These suggest numerous other questions, as the reader may better observe by reference to the "Subject Index." The Author has endeavoured to discuss these and many other Free-Will in Man Only-Reason-Motives-Conscience-Reign of Body and Mind Communication-Gravitation-Inertia-Solar Rays |