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METHODS OF WORK 65

of each organism, first to one and then to another group of
phenomena, until all were taken in as parts of a whole,
exemplified the process of integration. With advancing
integration there went that advancing heterogeneity implied
hy inclusion of the several classes of inorganic phenomena
and the several classes of super-organic phenomena in the
same category with organic phenomena. And then the
indefinite idea of progress passed into the definite idea of
evolution, when there was recognised the essential nature of
the change, as a physically determined transformation con-
forming to ultimate laws of force/'

It is difficult to state with any certainty what led Spencer
in 1857 to a coherent body of beliefs—to the first sketch
of his system. In the main the unification was probably a
natural maturation and integration of his thoughts, but it was
perhaps helped by the immediate task of revising and publish-
ing a collection of essays, and also by the fact that " the time
was one at which certain all-embracing scientific truths of
a simple order were being revealed." Notably the doctrine
of the conservation and transfer nubility of energy was begin-
ning to possess scientific minds, and the doctrine of evolution
was beginning to make its grip felt.

Furthermore, in trying to understand Spencer, we must
recognise that he was the flower of a nonconformist dissent-
ing stock, that his mind matured in contact with engines and
other mechanisms, and that he was almost forced to exclude
new influences after he settled down with his system at the
age of forty.

Methods of Work.—While there was nothing re-
markable in Spencer's methods of work, it may be
of interest to indicate certain general features which
the Autobiography discloses.

In the first place, after a few disastrous experi-
ments, he abandoned any attempt at what is usually
called working hard. Like many an artist who will
only paint when he feels in the mood and in good
form, Spencer would never write or dictate under
pressure, or when he felt that his brain was not
E



	METHODS OF WORK 65 of each organism, first to one and then to another group of phenomena, until all were taken in as parts of a whole, exemplified the process of integration. With advancing integration there went that advancing heterogeneity implied hy inclusion of the several classes of inorganic phenomena and the several classes of super-organic phenomena in the same category with organic phenomena. And then the indefinite idea of progress passed into the definite idea of evolution, when there was recognised the essential nature of the change, as a physically determined transformation con- forming to ultimate laws of force/' It is difficult to state with any certainty what led Spencer in 1857 to a coherent body of beliefs—to the first sketch of his system. In the main the unification was probably a natural maturation and integration of his thoughts, but it was perhaps helped by the immediate task of revising and publish- ing a collection of essays, and also by the fact that " the time was one at which certain all-embracing scientific truths of a simple order were being revealed." Notably the doctrine of the conservation and transfer nubility of energy was begin- ning to possess scientific minds, and the doctrine of evolution was beginning to make its grip felt. Furthermore, in trying to understand Spencer, we must recognise that he was the flower of a nonconformist dissent- ing stock, that his mind matured in contact with engines and other mechanisms, and that he was almost forced to exclude new influences after he settled down with his system at the age of forty. Methods of Work.—While there was nothing re- markable in Spencer's methods of work, it may be of interest to indicate certain general features which the Autobiography discloses. In the first place, after a few disastrous experi- ments, he abandoned any attempt at what is usually called working hard. Like many an artist who will only paint when he feels in the mood and in good form, Spencer would never write or dictate under pressure, or when he felt that his brain was not E