Delaware inquirer. (Wilmington, Del.) 1859-18??, 1859-09-17

sition in the scientific world and place him
first among his countrymen in an interesting
department of Natural Science to which there
is no aristocratic or royal road. Ii, however,
he should have overlooked Its value and left
it to bleach the plains of Africa our govern
ment aid should be Immediately invoked to
secure its possession. II is ours by, the right
of discovery, and the President should dispatch
instantly lettrc de cachet to the present Consul
to Tunis to seize and take possession of this
ancient osseous relic and to convey it to the
United States in a government vessel, where
the Stars and Stripes will protect it against
al9attcmpts at re-capture.
Dry as this subject may appear to the gems
de,s,eu, it is not so with the explorers of the
wdaders of Nature and History. They can
eiinore real glory in this enterprise than
James Buchanan ever did or ever will gain
from his Kansas policy. Our representatives
in Congress we hope will duly appreciate it
apd give to it their earliest and best atten-
ton, especially those of them through whose
fundamentally the last two astute Consuls to
Africa obtained the position. In order that
Delaware may receive her share of credit
those Honorable gentlemen should urge ac-
ton in the matter at once and thus place Della
ware where she ought to be, on an equalfoot-
ing with the other States, in a scientific point
of view.
When John NJ. Clayton died, it was said that
Delaware had lost her last great man. His
mantle must BIO buried with hin, for the APP
pearance of him who attempts to wear it
would be more grotesque than that of the
ASS in the Lions skin. Although the Repre-
sentatives alluded to have not the mental
calibre and broad statesmanlike views that the
lalnented Clayton had, they certainly can man
age, admirably, the affair under considera-
tions and avail themselves of this opportuni-
ty OF exhibiting State pride which will gain
them popularity among a very respectable
class of their constituents and fellow-citizens.
Thisis the suspicious time for the Admins
tratfon to add fadeless lustre to its charac-
ter and our Senator and Representative to
strike for a Clayton-fame. They could not
have found in all America petit ntaitre
better qualified ormore willing to treat with
tie Bey, on any subject, whether liquid or solid,
than the successor to the late nostalgia Consul
to Tunis, who, you remember, after having
obtained leave of absence from the country,
was permitted, as dOuceT for a good word, to SIT
on the throne at the right hand of the cum
ming hirsute Turk in all the pomp and page
antry of Oriental State grandeur. Mr.. Sam
uel Townsend, of Townsend, never saw the
like. Some persons may think we are dis
posed to attach too much Importance to the
mere jawbone of very stupid animal and
are ready to laugh at the idea of a Ruler of a
mighty nation condescending to notice such
trifing matters. We dissent from all such
opinions, because we know that science often
requires a greater support than individuals
are able to afford, and that frequently upon
its culture depend a nations prosperity and
the permanently Of its institutions.
II wss-But few months ago that Napoleon
III, oibrcd Professor Agassiz the strongest
kind Of inducements to leave free America
and to dccept the most honorable and lucra-
tive position in the Scientific Department of
the Frefkh Empire. Shall this nation Of free
men bt5ess liberal in educational enterprises
than despotic Francef Well, then, let our
government display its liberality on this occa
sion and procure that bone for Agassiz, as he
would regard it as the most valuable speci-
men in his cabinet. Let him call consulta-
ton of learned naturalists and philosophers
like Professor Owen, DR.. Wyman of Boston,
Professor Du vernoy, NJ. Lartet and Sir C.
Lyell and ascertain beyond doubt whether
that Is the identical jaw-bone used by Samp-
son in his conflict with the Philistines. If it
prove to be the one used by Judge Sampson
then its value can be determined beyond a
question. California, Potosi and FL Dorado
will not compare with it 4; for wherever that
bone was discovered you may be sure there
are ''giant skeletons" not far off, and to
satisfy the minds of the incredulous | will
prove the fact by history.
"a short time previous to the lsraelites 60
ing up to possess the Holy Land Moses sent
forth spies to search the country and when
thew had arrived in the territory between He
bron and Jerusalem, they discovered race Of
men remarkable fortheir stature and fierceness.
At the sight of these formidable looking
men, fear fell upon the eowardly messengers,
and they took to their heels and run like
frightened rabbits back to the Israelites camp,
and reported themselves to be as grasshop-
pers in comparison with the Anakims. Joshua
aud Caleb however cut them nearly all off,