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250 HERBERT SPENCER

theorising was no less scrupulously careful than he
was in his monographing of barnacles, and, however
we may disagree with any of Spencer's sociological
generalisations, we must remember the carefulness
with which he prepared himself for his task. From
1867 to 1874, with the help of Mr David Duncan,
Mr James Collier, and Dr Scheppig, he worked at the
compilation of sociological data, showing " in fitly
classified groups and tables, facts of all kinds, pre-
sented by numerous races, which illustrate social
evolution under its various aspects." This detailed
work was begun solely to facilitate his own general-
isations ; it was published " apart from hypotheses,
so as to aid all students of Social Science in testing
such conclusions as they have drawn and in drawing
others."

Most admirable was the ideal which Spencer had
before him in collecting his data of Sociology.

" Indications of the climate, contour, soil, and minerals, of
the region inhabited by each society delineated, seemed to
me needful. Some accounts of the Flora and Fauna, in so
far as they affected human life, had to be given. And the
characters of the surrounding tribes or nations were factors
which could not be overlooked. The characters of the
people, individually considered, had also to be described—
their physical, moral, and intellectual traits. Then, besides
the political, ecclesiastical, industrial and other institutions of
the society—besides the knowledge, beliefs, and sentiments,
the language, habits, customs, and tastes of its members-—there
had to be noticed their clothing, food, and arts of life."

Central Ideas of Spencer s Sociology.—The central ideas
of Spencer's sociological work are thus summed up by
Pro£ F. H. Giddings:—•

"Spencer's propositions could be arranged in the



	250 HERBERT SPENCER theorising was no less scrupulously careful than he was in his monographing of barnacles, and, however we may disagree with any of Spencer's sociological generalisations, we must remember the carefulness with which he prepared himself for his task. From 1867 to 1874, with the help of Mr David Duncan, Mr James Collier, and Dr Scheppig, he worked at the compilation of sociological data, showing " in fitly classified groups and tables, facts of all kinds, pre- sented by numerous races, which illustrate social evolution under its various aspects." This detailed work was begun solely to facilitate his own general- isations ; it was published " apart from hypotheses, so as to aid all students of Social Science in testing such conclusions as they have drawn and in drawing others." Most admirable was the ideal which Spencer had before him in collecting his data of Sociology. " Indications of the climate, contour, soil, and minerals, of the region inhabited by each society delineated, seemed to me needful. Some accounts of the Flora and Fauna, in so far as they affected human life, had to be given. And the characters of the surrounding tribes or nations were factors which could not be overlooked. The characters of the people, individually considered, had also to be described— their physical, moral, and intellectual traits. Then, besides the political, ecclesiastical, industrial and other institutions of the society—besides the knowledge, beliefs, and sentiments, the language, habits, customs, and tastes of its members-—there had to be noticed their clothing, food, and arts of life." Central Ideas of Spencer s Sociology.—The central ideas of Spencer's sociological work are thus summed up by Pro£ F. H. Giddings:—• "Spencer's propositions could be arranged in the