The Sun.
London, England, 1864-04-07 00:00:00

t d

NE S E

ANTHROPOLOGIC QL 4C, E. ' T)Z%
-
There was an r
Tuesday evening—the president, ttr,...4.
the chair—at which two papers were re x' byitte
Rev. F. W. Farrar; the first one " Oa the asserted
Universality of Belief in God and a Future State,"
and the second "On Hybridity." In the first piper
Mr. Farrar endeavoured to show, by reference to the
statements of travellers among various savage people,
that there are not only isolated tribes, but whole
nations, who live with no knowledge of their Creator,
and he considered that the opposite o4nion had been
often needlessly paraded as an evidence of religion.
He adverted to the statements of different travellers
respecting the Australians, the Kaffirs, the Esqul-
maux, the Andamaners, and the Veddahs of Ceylon,
in confirmation of that opinion, for among those
savages there had not been observed any objects
of worship—no idols, nor temples, nor anything in
the shape of religion to distinguish them from the
beasts. The belief in the existence of some un-
known power was not sufficient, Mr. Farrar ob-
served, to prove belief in a Supreme Being, for even
animals have a consciousness of the existence of
some superior unseen power; and he mentioned the
case of a dog that refused to enter a wood that was
avoided by the inhabitants in the neighbourhoed,
because it was reputed to be haunted.
Dr. Hunt, Mr. Reddie, Mr. Fraser, Mr. Wale
lace, Mr. Bendysche, and the Rev. Mr. Kerr
entered into the discussion that succeeded, in
which doubt was thrown on the testimony of
travellers on such a matter, in consequence of
their imperfect acquaintance with the language
of the natives. Mr. D. Kerr mentioned that, in
the discharge of his clerical duties in Liverpool
and at the East-end of London, he had not un-
frsquently found persons who had litt:e idea of a
Supreme Being, and he thought it could scarcely
be expected that the belief in a Creator of the
Universe should be universally enter teintel amoug
savage nations, when it was found that meny even
in this Christian country had little idea of a Sod.

In the next paper on " Human Hybridity," he
contended that the assumptions that the fertility of
hybrids is proof of the unity of species, and that the
union of all varieties of the human race produce an
offspring continuously fertile, are both highly dis-
putable, if not erroneous. The assumption of fer-
tility as a criterion of species he considered to have
exercised an unfavourable influence on science, and
he adduced several instances to show that such a
definition of species could not be relied on. He
adopted the opinion of Professor Agassiz, that
the differences existing between races of
men are of the same kind as the differ*
ences observed *between the different families,
genera, and species of monkeys or other animals
With regard to the second proposition, he adopted
the opinions of M. Pouchet, that no mixed race can
exist of itself, and that, when two races come in con-
tact, either one absorbs the other, or they continue
unchanged side by side, el ith a third inferior and
less numerous set of half-castes. Several instances
were adduced in support of these opinions, among
which was the fact that the Mamelukes could never
propagate their race in Egypt, and the evidence of
practical physicians that mulattoes have a special
tendency to consumption and ether diseases which
causes them soon to die. From these considerations
Mr. Farrar arrived at the conclusion that the human
race sprang from a diversity of original pairs; and
he contended that all who refuse to accept the de-
velopment theory of Mr. Darwin must be driven to
the same conclusion.

An animated discussion took place, in which Pro-
fessor Vogt, Mr. Wallace, Mr. Bendysche, Mr.
Reddie, and the President took part.
Mr. FRASER then read a communication he had
received from Mr. Anthony, from the Bight of
Benin, on the mental capacity of the negro, in which
he gave a deplorable account of the degraded state
of the negroes in the interior. The writer expressed
very strong opinions respecting them. According
to him they are utterly incapable of being civilised,
they are cannibals of the worst kind, they possess
vices the lowest and most ferocious, they have none
of the virtues of humar.ity, and are scarcely supe-
ror to brutes.

In the discussion that followed, Mr. REDDIE and
Dr. TURLE objected to the spirit of the communica-
tion, many parts of which they thought should be
omitted if the letter were printed in the transactions
of the society.
The meeting then adjourned to the 19th inst.

GARIBALDI'S PAGE IN HISTORY—The
Corporal at the Christening—The Greek Chair at
Oxford, &c. &c., in FON this week. One Penny.

BOINTiNEPS SILKS a LYON.--Every Article of
commerce takes its title either from the inventorthe
or
manufacturer, and the more perfect the production
greater is the credit which attaches to the originator.
BONNET'S SILKS are said to be incapable of identifica-
tion in England; but the fallacy of such an assertion is ex
posed by the very trade mark of the firm, as exhibited by
Messrs. JAY, of Regent-street.
The following interwoven mark may be seen at the end
ofeach piece :—" Manufacture de C. J. Bonnet et Cie., a Lyon
e a Injurieux." Wear guaranteed.

'IMPORTANT TO HORSE KEEPERS.—For
1 FIVE SHILLINGS you can get your horse into splen-
did working condition, and improve its value £5 and up-
wards—this fti 30 days, by mixing (night and morning) a
Penny Packet ot THORLEY'S Spicy Aromatic CONDI-
MENT with the usual corn and chaff, damped with water.
145 Flee Hstreet, City, has been ripened expressly for the
pubic to obtain this mighty compound genu.ne and fresh in
small quantities, thereby startling the world, in a nati,,nal
point ot vi,w, with the greatest discovery that ever was in-
vented, for converting the commonest hay and straw into a
superior provender, and enabling an ani i,al to dieest a given
amount ot food in less time than it otherwise could. A barrel
containing 413 feeds, carriage paid, for 30°.

TIOYAL ITALIAN OPERA, Covent-Garden.
Subseriptio Night-, This Evening (Thursday), in lieu
of the last Tuesday of the season.
Debut of Mdlle. Destine.
Debut of Signor Wachtel.
First Appearance of Aldlle. Fricci.
THIS EVENING (Thursday), April 7, will be performed,
for the first time this season, Verdi's opera, IL TROVA-
TOttE. Leonora, Mdlle. Fried, her first appearance thi
season ; Inez, Mdlle. Anese • Azucena, Mdlle. Des inn, her
first appearance in Eng and'; 11 Conte di Luna, Signor Gra-
ziani ; Fernandez, Signor Tagliafico ; Ruiz. Signor Lucchesi ;
Un Zingaro, Signor RosA ; and Manrico, signor Wacatel, his
first appearance. Conductor, Mr. st
Coa.
Commence at half past Eight.
Pit tickets, 7s. ; amphitheatre sta Is, 10s. 6d., 75., and ss.
amphitheatre. 2s. 6d. Boxes, stalls, and tickets may be had
1.,t the box-office under the portico of the theatre, and at the
principal musicsellers' and librarians'.

THEATRE ROYAL DRUR Y-L AN E.
Managers, Messrs. Edmoternd Falconer and
F. B. Chatton.

- • -- -
THIS EVENING, MAGIC TOYS. Miss Lydia Thomp-
son.
Atter which, will be produced the Grand Stage
Revival of Shakepere's Chronicle or Historical Play, entitled
the First Part of
HENRY THE FOURTH.
No pains or expense will be spared to render this presen-
tation of our National Author's most popular, and it may be
said, most representative English Drama, a becommg Cora
me noratfon, in example, at the National Theatre, of ti
grandeur and comprehensive character of his genius.
The cast will include impersonations by those emineit
trtists, Mr. PHELPS, Mr. Walter Montgomery, Mr. Walter
Lacy, Mr. Addison, Mr. Ryder, Mr. Robert Roxby, Mr.
Barrett, Mr. E Phelps, Mr. Rayner, Mr. H. Vandenhoff, Mr.
G. Belmore, Mr. }Merton, Mr. Fitzjames, Mr. Neville ; Miss
Edith Wynne, M ss Rose Leclercq, end Mrs. Edmund Fal-
coner, supported by all the Members of the Drury-lane Ccm-
pany.
Toe new and characteristic scenery will be entirely de •
signed and painted by Mr. William Beverley.
The costumes, armour, &c , will be fashioned from designs
by R. W. Keene, Esq , taken from illustrated MSS. of the
period, and other authorities.
Concluding with MY HEARTS IN THE HIGHLANDS.
Mr. G. Belmore.

THEATRE ROYAL HAYNIARKET.-
Sole Lessee and Manager, Mr, Buckstone.
THIS EVENING, April 7, OURrAMERICAN COUSIN:
Messrs. Sothern, Buckstone, Chippendale, Hozers, Clark,
Gordon, Braid, &c. ; Mesdames Angel, Lindley, hill, Harri 3,
Snowden, &c.
After which, the new Easter piece, entitled VENUS AND
ADONIS. Messrs. Compton, Wm. Farren, Coe. &c. ; Mes-
dames Louise Keeley, Snowden, Nelly rower, Hill, Wright,
Rozers, &c.
To conclude with MY HUSBAND'S GHOST.
Commence at 7.

ROYAL PRINCESS'S THEATRE.-
Sole Lesee and Manager, Mr. Geo. Tinin:.
THIS EVENING, PAUL'S RETURN.
After which, THE COMEDY OF ERRORS.
Dromios, by the Brothers Webb.
To conclude with, 10th time, a new Farce, by,J. M. Morton,
Esq., entitled DRAWING-ROOM, SECOND FLOOR, AND

The Two

ROYAL LYCEUM THEATRE.
Under the Sole Management of Mr. Fechter.
THIS EVENING, the performances will commence
with THE DAY AFTER THE FAIR: Messrs. Widdi-
combe, Garden, Moreland, and Miss E. Lavenu.
Atter which, at Eight o'clock, the 125th Night of BEL
DEMONIO, a Love Story, in Twelve Tableaux, taken from
Stendhal's "Italian Chronicle." Principal character by Mr.
Fechter. Messrs. Jordan, Charles, J. Brougham, Emery,
Raymond, Moreland, Smith, Clifford, Collett, Sims •, Miss
Kate Terry, Miss E. Lavenu, Mrs. Lee, tries Elsworthy.
The Public are entreated to take notice that No Charge is
made to the occupants of Boxes, Box-places, or Stalls, either
for play bills or for the safe keepin,, of hats and cloaks, and
teat the attendants in all parts of the house are forbidden to
receive any gratuities whatever.
Box-office open daily from 11 to 5. Commence at 7.

EW THEATRE-ROYAL, ADELPHI.-
Sole Proprietor and Manazer. 317. B. Webster.
THIS EVENING, THE PitETTY HORSE BREAKER:
Mr. J. L. Toole and Miss Woolgar.
At S. LEAH : Miss Bateman, supported by Messrs. A.
Stirling, IL Phillips, Billington, Stuart, Eburne, Stephenson ;
Miss IL Simms and Mrs. Billington.
To opnelude with THE AREA BELLE : Messrs. J. L. Toole,
P. Bedford, tt. Romer, Miss Woolgar, and Mrs. H. Lewis.

Commence at 7.

igl S S BATEMAN.—L E A 11.—TH.lb
EVENING and EVERY EVENING.—Miss Bateman
will re-appear in her great impersonation of the Jewish
maiden until further notice. In order :o give due effect to
t:ds most remarkable suczess of the seison, eolire:y new
scenery by the celebrat.d artists Messrs. Dans= and Sons,
and Thompson. New dr:ssA and appo.ntments have been
prepared for its production.—N. B. In consequence of the
pressing and numerous applications at the Box-off .e, ar-
rangements have now been made by which Seats m,y b ob-
taine I a Fortnight in Advance.

ROYAL ST. JAMES'S THEATRE. under the
Management of Mr. B. WEBSTER.
Crowded with Rank and Fashion.—The greatly successful
new Comedy every Evening,.—Re-engagement of those cele-
brated artistes, Mr. and Mrs. C. Mathews. —Amongst the
artists engaged are Mr. Ben, Webster, Mr. Charles Mathews,
Mr. J. L. Tvole, Mr. J. Clarke, Mr. Paul Bedford. Mr. Frank
Matthews, Mr. F. Robinson ; Miss Herbert, Mrs. Charles
Mathews, Mrs. Frank Matthews, Miss A. Cottrell, Miss
Fanny Josephs, Miss Patti Josephs, Miss Wentworth, and
Mrs. Stirling.
Every Evening, at 7, the favourite Far3e of FORTY AND
FIFTY : Mr. and Mrs. Frank Matthews.
At a quarter before 8, the successful new Comedy, by
L. Buckingham, Esq., entitled THE SILVER LINISG
Mr. Charles Mathews, Mr. F. Robinson, Mr. Ashley, Mr.
Montague ; Mrs. Charles Mathews, Mrs. Frank Matthews,
Miss A. Cottrell, Miss Wentworth, and Mrs. Stirling.
After which, COOL AS A CUCUMBER. Mr. Charles
• Mathews.
To conclude with UNDER THE ROSE : Mr. Ashley and
gist; A. CottrelL