"So much the worse, it may be, for a particular meeting: but the meeting is the individual, which on evolution principles, must be sacrificed for the development of the race"

This quote by Arthur Cayley, a popular 19th-century mathematician, is a reflective commentary on the balance between private interests and the broader progress of society or a specific cumulative undertaking, such as scientific advancement or development itself. Cayley suggests that while specific scenarios (or "conferences") might deal with adverse results ("so much the even worse"), these are often necessary sacrifices for the higher great or development of the cumulative ("the advancement of the race").

By invoking "evolution concepts", Cayley suggests that the natural world runs through a process where some components are inevitably given up or transformed to facilitate greater evolutionary progress. This concept can be associated with the Darwinian concept of natural selection, where private organisms might die or fail, however these results contribute to the overall adjustment and advancement of a species.

In the context of scientific or mathematical conferences, Cayley might be highlighting the concept that not every gathering will yield instant success or fruitfulness. However, even unproductive or tough conferences can contribute to long-lasting advancements in knowledge and understanding, just like how specific evolutionary problems are important for ultimate adaptation and enhancement.

The use of the term "private" in this context highlights the tension between individual loss and collective gain. Here, Cayley appears to stress the importance of prioritizing the more comprehensive trajectory of human progress over individual problems, suggesting that these momentary drawbacks are a natural part of the larger scheme of improvement.

Eventually, Cayley's declaration functions as a philosophical reminder of the expenses fundamental in growth and progress. While individuals may experience troubles or failures, these are important to the cumulative victories and accomplishments that specify human evolution and intellectual development.