If theories of derivation could only stop here, content with explaining the diversification and succession of species between the tertiary period and the present time, through natural agencies or secondary causes still in operation, we fancy they would not be generally or violently objected to by the savans of the present day. But it is hard, if not impossible, to find a stopping-place. Some of the facts or accepted conclusions already referred to, and several others, of a more general character, which must be taken into the account, impel the theory onward with accumulated force. Vires (not to say virus) acquirit eundo. The theory hitches on wonderfully well to Lyell's uniformitarian theory in geology,--that the thing that has been is the thing that is and shall be,--that the natural operations now going on will account for all geological changes in a quiet and easy way, only give them time enough, so connecting the present and the proximate with the farthest past by almost imperceptible gradations,--a view which finds large and increasing, if not general, acceptance in physical geology, and of which Darwin's theory is the natural complement.

So the Darwinian theory, once getting a foothold, marches boldly on, follows the supposed near ancestors of our present species farther and yet farther back into the dim past, and ends with an analogical inference which "makes the whole world kin." As we said at the beginning, this upshot discomposes us. Several features of the theory have an uncanny look. They may prove to be innocent: but their first aspect is suspicious, and high authorities pronounce the whole thing to be positively mischievous.

In this dilemma we are going to take advice. Following the bent of our prejudices, and hoping to fortify these by new and strong arguments, we are going now to read the principal reviews which undertake to demolish the theory; --with what result our readers shall be duly informed.

Meanwhile, we call attention to the fact, that the Appletons have just brought out a second and revised edition of Mr. Darwin's book, with numerous corrections, important additions, and a preface, all prepared by the author for this edition, in advance of a new English edition.

[VANITY]

VANITY (1).

(ON A PICTURE OF HERODIAS'S DAUGHTER BY LUINI.)

Alas, Salome! Could'st thou know
How great man is,--how greatthou art,--
What destined worlds of weal or woe
Lurk in theshallowest human heart,--
From thee thy vanities woulddrop,
Like lusts in noble anger spurned
By one who finds,beyond all hope,
The passion of his youth returned.
Ah,sun-bright face, whose brittle smile
Is cold as sunbeams flashedon ice!
Ah, lips how sweet, yet hard the while!
Ah, soul toobarren even for vice!
Mirror of Vanity! Those eyes
No beamthe less around them shed,
Albeit in that red scarf therelies
The Dancer's meed,--the Prophet's head.

VANITY (2.)

I.

False and Fair! Beware, beware!
There is a Talethat stabs at thee!
The Arab Seer! he stripped thee bare
Longsince! He knew thee, Vanity!
By day a mincing foot is thine:
Thou runnestalong the spider's line:--
Ay, but heavy sounds thy tread
By night, amongthe uncoffined dead!

II.

Fair and Foul! Thy mate, theGhoul,
Beats, bat-like, at thy golden gate!
Around the gravesthe night-winds howl:
"Arise!" they cry, "thy feast dothwait!"
Dainty fingers thine, and nice,
With thy bodkin picking rice!--
Ay, but when the night's o'erhead,
Limb from limb they rend thedead!

[REVIEW AND LITERARY NOTICES]

Popular Astronomy. A Concise Elementary Treatise on the Sun, Planets, Satellites, and Comets. By O.M. MITCHELL, Director of the Cincinnati and Dudley Observatories. New York. 1860.