New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1871-02-10


,Ins oloo removed the soft rind of fruit that
nod q disagreeable flavor Another monkey was
I'll, 90 onop tbe lid Of a large box with stick,
ond afferword il used the stick az lever TO move
beo,. bodies In these cases, stones ana SUCKS were
o,lored rs ilnpements but they are likewise used
os weanons. In Abyssinia, when the balloons OF one
encdcs descend in troops from the mountains to
nIpudor the fields they sometimes encounter troops
of another species and then fight ensues. The
FIRST partv rolls down great stones, which the others
trv 70 avoid and then both species rush fur1ously
against each other with terrible uproar. monkey
in the Geological Gardens which had weak teeth
used TO break open nuts with a stone The same ami
NAL after using the stone would hide 1t in the straw,
and would not let any other monkey touch it. Here
we have the idea of property, but this idea is COM
mon TO every dog with bone and to most or all
birds with their nests.
We have selected few Of the popular illustra-
tons which are brought by Mr.. Darwin TO explain
the afinities between man and the inferior animals,
which in his view compel 10 refer the origin of
both to common, but long since extinct, pro
genitOr. They afford an example of the scope and
method Of his reasOnngs but present only an I'M
perfect idea of the variety and richness of his sug
gestions Many Of the topics of primary import
ance in the discussion, and which he uniolds at
length, cannot even be alluded to in our limited
space and we must refer our readers for their eX-
planation 70 the volume itself word OF two as to
the development of the rude forclathers' OF our
race must close this imperfect notice. In the
primeval state OF society, The individuals who were
the most SPACIOUS who invented ana used the best
weapons or traps and who were best able to defend
themselves, would rear the greatest number OF OIL
spring. The tribes with the largest number OF men
thus endowed would increase i'll number and sup
plant other tribes. As soon as the progenitots
Of man became social (which probably occurred
at very early PERIOD the mental faculties
would receive an important aid in the
principle Of imitation, together with reason
and expcrience. The habtual practice Of each new
art must in some slight degree strengthen the intel
lect I'm order that primeval men, or the ape-like
progenitors of man. should have become social,
they must have acquired the same instructive feel
inrs which impel other animals to live in a body.
They would have felt some degree OF love for Their
comrades: they would have warned each other OF
their danger; and have given mutual aid in attack
or defense. This implies certain amount OF SYM
pathv fidelity, and courage. a tribe possessing such
qualities in high degree would be victorious over
other tribes but in the OF time would IN ITS
turn he overcome by some other and stll more
highly endowed tribe. Thus the social and moral
qualities which now form the chief distinction OF
the race would tend slowly to advance aud be diff
fused throughout The world.
With regard to the bearing Of his theory on the
dignity of the human race, M Darwin offers few
pregnant suggestions which illustrate the spirit IN
which he has prosecuted his labors. THUS We have
given TO man a pedigree of prod lions length but
not il NAV be said Of noble quality. The world, IT
has often been remarked, appears if it had long
been preparing for the advent of man; and this in
one sense is strictly true for he owes his birth TO
long line of progenitoIs If any single link III tins
chain had never existed, man would not have been
exactly what he now is. Unless we willfully close
our eyes we may, with our present knowledge, APP
proximately recognize our parentage; nor need we
feel ashamed OF il. The most humble organism Il
something much higher than the inorganic dust un-
der our feet; and no one with an unbiased NINA
can study any living creature, however humble,
without being struck with enthusiasm at It's marvel
Gus structure and properties
Whatever Judgment may be pronounced as to the
tendency of Mr. Darwins views of the origin of man
TO humble the natural pride Of ancestry, We ought
not TO lose sight of the fact that no philosophical
writer of the present day sets forth more exalted
conception Of the actual faculties and cndowmcnts
Of the race rs developed under the highest forms IL
moral and religions culture in the progress OF civil
ization. He almost goes out of his way TO do JUS
tee 10 the ideas and beliefs which have been Ie-
| corded by the wisest thinkers in every age as the
! crowning glory of humanity In this respect.
| his system presents favorable contrast to
the shallow, scnsuaiisc, French philosophy OF the
eighteenth century which resolves the most refined
sentiments Of CURVATURE into fc>hly Illusions THE
question: says Mr. Darwin, whether there exists a
| Creator and Ruler Of the Universe has been an
swered in the Affirmative by the highest inteiiects
| that have ever lived" 81 fully subscribe to the
Judgment of those writer's who maintain that of all
the differences between man and the lower animals,
the moral sense conscience by flr tie most inn
portant This sense, as Macintosh remarks, has a
riqhtful supremacy over every other principle Of
human action' it is summed mp in that short but
mperious word OUGHT 80 FIJI Of high significance.
II is the most noble Of all the 0tributes Of man,
leading him without moments hesitation to risk
his life for that of fellow creature; or after due de-
liberation, impclled simply 10y the deep feeling Of
right duty, to sacrifice II IN some great cause
| -~---sz