Wilmington daily commercial., 1873-04-17
Amuseusents.

THE BERaKR swIBs BELL RINGERS, THIS EvRNINd.
The concert OF the Berger Family takes place
At the Opera House, this evening. We quote
from the Wilmington, IN. o. Star, of March
18th, it's notice of the performance of this Troupe
in that city:
"A large audience greeted the, appearance of
the celebrated Berger Family at che Opera House
last evening. The entertainments of the troupe
are q novelty in the musical line, as well as re-
fined aud classical, and the audience manifested
their appreciation by frequent enCores. The
principal feature of the evenings entertain
ment were the performances Of the Berger Fam
lily, which received their full share OF well-mer-
tied applause. The performances OF Mr. Ernest
Thiele proves that gentleman vtolnst OF mark
ed ability, His piocolo duet with Mr.. Henry
Berger was also heartily elloored. Tho young
lady performers on brass instruments deserve
much praise. Miss Anna Berger deserves es-
pecial mention ~ the cornet soloist, her perIor,
difficult execution. We consider, indeed, MIR.
Sidney Franks an drtiste. AS a comtque he ap-
pears to have his own and an original style. This
gentleman was undoubtedly favorite with the
audience last evening, and q comic singer of his
ability does not often favor our city with visit.
Miss Nellie Knapp has soprano voice, and her
solos were heartily applauded. The entertain
ment tonight will close the season OF the Ber-
gers in Wilmington.
NIB. BURR's SCIENTIFIC LECTURE.
The second lecture Oh Mr. ourrb scientinc
course, delivered in the dining hall OF the Clay
ton House, was attended by larger number than
the first, delivered in the Institute. The subject
OF the lecture, last evening, was THE Fossil
remains OF Men and Animals." The lecturer
showed that the fossil remains OF human skele-
tons, imbedded in the earths crust, in company
with those Of animals, proves that species are
immutable, and that, therefore, the Darwinian
theory of the transmutation of species is as
thoroughly disproved by prehistoric eviden-
ces as by the proofs of our present period. The
bones of men and animals foundin the qudterndiy
period, that is in the last period before our own,
land which the lecturer declared is the first stra-
tum Of the earth's crust in which fossil human
remains are found,) prove that the organisms
OF that period OF man extinct species was as per
feet for their species, as those OF the present
time We find no instance anywhere OF q type
midway between two higher species This fact,
said the lecturer, ought to be accepted as final
blow to the Darwinian doctrine OF transmutation
of species.
skulls found in the earths crust are apparently
higher development" than the more recently
discovered human remans.a fact which, the Ice
turer contends would prove retrogression rather
than development, as the law of species, so
that Darwns doctrine Of the deyelopement oil
men from animals or apes weuld rather go to
show that species were going backwards, rather
than forward, from beasts to human beings.
The lecturer also oontended that the tinal re-
Charles Lyell's idea that man has been an in
habltant OF this earth for millions of years.
While the earlier state OF the earths crust give
abundant proof of the existance of fishes and
animals Of every description, there is no evi-
dence OF mans existanoe before the geological
period just previous to our own, and their fossil
remains show that when man first came upon
the earth he appeared with an organism AZ per-
feet as that which he now Possesses
The lecture was listened to with profound at
tention by an audience composed Of some OF the
most intelligent ladies' and gentlemen OF Will
mington. The next lecture will be given to-mor-
row night-subject: The method of Gods Ma
ture.n The grand hall of the Clayton House is
an admirable place for scientific lectures.
The performance by the Lingards, last eve
ming, was attended by q fair-sized audience
considering the unfavorable weather. The pro-
gTamme included little Society drama, Ling
ards own sketches" and burlesque Opera,
l. Lddroni, which was very funny, and quite
well done throughout