In the order of nature, and in its primitive state, strength is the lord, and weakness is the victim. All matter that is yet under the dominion of mere physical forces goes by the way of weakness, followed by compelling strength; nor is there in mere inorganic nature a glimpse of any other thing. It is compulsion. The weak go under. When the lowest, the foundation forms of existence begin to spring up—both plants and animals in their lower conditions—the struggle for existence begins, and still the weak go under, the strong prevailing. It has been said that this is an evidence of benevolence, so that in the end they who remain will all be strong; but this is a poor consolation to any man asking, “Why were there any weak?