Space permitting, we could willingly have pursued the argument in relation to all the subtler results of civilisation.  As before, we showed that the law of Progress to which the organic and inorganic worlds conform, is also conformed to by Language, Sculpture, Music, etc.; so might we here show that the cause which we have hitherto found to determine Progress holds in these cases also.  We might demonstrate in detail how, in Science, an advance of one division presently advances other divisions—­how Astronomy has been immensely forwarded by discoveries in Optics, while other optical discoveries have initiated Microscopic Anatomy, and greatly aided the growth of Physiology—­how Chemistry has indirectly increased our knowledge of Electricity, Magnetism, Biology, Geology—­how Electricity has reacted on Chemistry and Magnetism, developed our views of Light and Heat, and disclosed sundry laws of nervous action.

In Literature the same truth might be exhibited in the manifold effects of the primitive mystery-play, not only as originating the modern drama, but as affecting through it other kinds of poetry and fiction; or in the still multiplying forms of periodical literature that have descended from the first newspaper, and which have severally acted and reacted on other forms of literature and on each other.  The influence which a new school of Painting—­as that of the pre-Raffaelites—­exercises upon other schools; the hints which all kinds of pictorial art are deriving from Photography; the complex results of new critical doctrines, as those of Mr. Ruskin, might severally be dwelt upon as displaying the like multiplication of effects.  But it would needlessly tax the reader’s patience to pursue, in their many ramifications, these various changes:  here become so involved and subtle as to be followed with some difficulty.

Without further evidence, we venture to think our case is made out.  The imperfections of statement which brevity has necessitated, do not, we believe, militate against the propositions laid down.  The qualifications here and there demanded would not, if made, affect the inferences.  Though in one instance, where sufficient evidence is not attainable, we have been unable to show that the law of Progress applies; yet there is high probability that the same generalisation holds which holds throughout the rest of creation.  Though, in tracing the genesis of Progress, we have frequently spoken of complex causes as if they were simple ones; it still remains true that such causes are far less complex than their results.  Detailed criticisms cannot affect our main position.  Endless facts go to show that every kind of progress is from the homogeneous to the heterogeneous; and that it is so because each change is followed by many changes.  And it is significant that where the facts are most accessible and abundant, there are these truths most manifest.