His theory of natural selection: that all animal and plant life has a common progenitor, difference in their forms arising primarily from beneficial variations. Enunciates in the "Descent of Man" the great principle of Evolution, and the common kinship of man and the lower animals. Biological evidence to sustain this view. Man's moral qualities, and the social instinct of animals. Religious beliefs not innate, nor instinctive. Bearing of this on belief in the immortality of the soul. As a scientist Darwin concerned only with truth; general acceptance of his theory of the origin of species. JOHN ERICSSON. NAVIES OF WAR AND COMMERCE. BY PROF. W. F. DUKAND. Ericsson's life-work little foreseen in his youth and early surroundings. His impress on the engineering practice of his time. Dependence, in our modern civilization, on the utilization of the great natural forces and energies of the world. Life-periods in Sweden, England, and the United States. Birth, parentage, and early engineering career. An officer in the Swedish army, and topographical surveyor for his native government. Astonishing insight into mechanical and scientific questions. His work, 1827 to 1839, when he came to the United States. "A spendthrift in invention;" versatility and daring. The screw-propeller _vs_. the paddle-wheel for marine propulsion. Designs and constructs the steam-frigate "Princeton" and the hot-air ship "Ericsson". The Civil War and his services in the art of naval construction. His new model of a floating battery and warship, "The Monitor". The battle between it and the "Merrimac" a turning-point in naval aspect of the war. "The Destroyer," built in connection with Mr. Delamater. Improves the character and reduces friction in the use of heavy ordnance. Work on the improvement of steam-engines for warships. Death, and international honors paid at his funeral. His work in improving the motive-power of ships. Special contributions to the art of naval war. Ships of low freeboard equipped with revolving turrets. Influence of his work lives in the modern battleship. Other features of work which he did for his age. Personality and professional traits. Essentially a designer rather than a constructing engineer. LI HUNG CHANG. THE FAR EAST. BY W.A.P. MARTIN, D.D., LL.D. Introductory; Earl Li's foreign fame; his rising star. Intercourse with China by land. The Great Wall; China first known to the western world through its conquest by the Mongols. The houses of Han, Tang, and Sang. The diplomat Su Wu on an embassy to Turkey. Intercourse by sea. Expulsion of the Mongols; the magnetic needle. Art of printing; birth of alchemy. Manchu conquest; Macao and Canton opened to foreign trade. The Opium War. Li Hung Chang appears on the scene. His contests for academical honors and preferment. The Taiping rebellion. Li a soldier; General Ward and "Chinese Gordon". The Arrow War; the treaties.