Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1872-01-04
Prof. Agas>iz aS a Prophet.
T7rupj flo N v Mail

"A AAooo AS'i0A Nt"DAC ACVOCl ID GIlut Nu-
dressed by Prof. Agassis, on the eve of
of his departure on the Coast Survey
Expedition to Southern waters, to his
friend and old co-workcr, Prof. Pierce,
now head of the Coast Survey. It is
a very notable example of "the scien-
titic use of the Imagination in proph-
esying, from recorded data, the proba-
ble discoveries which the expedition
will make, if circumstances favor.
Agassiz is a firm opponent of Darwin
and as firm supporter of
the teicogical" argument, IS theolo-
gians call it, the argument from de-
sign, usually the first proof of the ex-
istcnce Of God. His view of creation.
as expressed in this letter, is Of an
original plan, in which the whole ami
NAL kingdom, with it's internal regions,
was provided for from the beginning
and he believes that the execution OF
this plan of life has been the motive OF
the vast physical changes which the
globe has undergone. This view leads
him to think that from the
deepest abysses of the sea
representatives of these fossils
found in the oldest formations
may be secured, and he mentions in
detail just what these arc. The latter
part of his relates to his glacial theory.
and states that he expects to find in
Southern parts of the carth.iike evi-
dences of the cosmic glacial movement
Of which so many dotu have been ac-
cumulating at the north, though the
motions will DC also from tho pole and
thence in an opposite direction in the
Southern hemisphere. The returns
from the expedition will be awaited
with the more interest because of this
letter.
Gossip about Secretary Robson.
Society has recently been busy with
the story that Secretary Robeson is to
marry the widow of Commodore Au.
lick, of the navy. Robson is large,
thick. .bloodcd: heavy walking, red.
faced, gray-haircd village lawyer, who
originated in upper New Jersey Robe.
son has sumptnous apartments near the
Arlington Hotel, ami is very particula,
to have his own cooking done for him.
He buys at the Cottage Market the
most Pondcrous capons, and it is 9
superstition among the butchers that il
nobody comes to dine with him he car
eat Il whole capon alone. A Cheste,
county capon is as big as a turkey
and requires at least two bottles oj
claret and a pint of champagne to assis,
1t to dielutition. Mrs Aulicl
dresses IN black, and she
is a tidy and rather dash
ing widow, stout. red faced, with iron
gray hair, and with young boy who
can always be seen with his mother,
whether Robson he alongor not. Many
allege that jovial good humor, and a de-
sire to befricnd spirited widow and
her son, are all that animate the Secre.
tary of the Navy. Nobody ever says
anything ill about him, for he is frank,
cordial and boisterous with everybody.
When Robson got to Washington he
started in all simplicity to decorate his
table with the contents of large side.
board, and showcred general hospital
ity; but the prudcry of Washington
society was at once manifested, and the
aniiable Secretary had to put his bot
ties back into the cupboard, and con
tent himself with giving IL drink only tc
such persons rs he knew might be ben
| nfitto.1