Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1873-12-17

traction, and at his death, was sixty-sevcn
year. of age. His life has been laborious
beyond most, and has, in fact, been sacri.
feed to bis devotion to the interests Of sci.
onco. Several times he has been compelled
to takea short respite from his immense
tolls, by the command Of his physician, but
nov at o stcrner decree he yields himself
90 longer AVID unbrokcn rest.
10 the world Of science he was a star Of
the fret magnitude lie was eminent as a
naturalist before ever be came to this coun.
try in 1876 But his fame has been
steadily increasing ever since. He has
built for himscfa structure as grand aud
imposing as that Cosmos, which his friend
Humboldt constructed but wiser and no.
bier than Humboldt, be filled the edlico of
ih9t science which he reared and which
also is DTS monument, with the glory of
God he never divorced science and re-
ligion. Ills eminent genius has thus con.
sccu,od the highest achievements Of science.
Thelatc work in which he has been en-.
gagged, was arelntation Of Darwins theory Of
the origin Of man. Morcreyercntial than the
English and German theorists, he was their
equal and superior in all other respects
Huxley and Tyudnl and Darwin are sci.
ontdo spoculalists. They FIRST construct
their theories and then colate and describe
the facts of life aud matter to sustain the
theory ltisor small consequence to them
chat the doctrine Of protopIasm, or the de-
veopmcnl idea, Is uusustained by single
Tact In the universe that no apo has ever
been developed from protoplasm, and no
man has ever been developed from an ape
within Tie range Of human observation aud
history for to them the substance Of sci
once is theory, and the glory Of intellect is
10 marhal all the facts Of tlo universe to
sustain the dream Of their own brains For
such scientific funcies and idols. Aeassiz
had Tie most vehement aud honest indgna-
ton aud the most utter and hearty con.
tempt Tie was a true Baconian in his
ideas, and spent his life. not in the
specula'ions Of science, but in the search
forfets lin the collection, arrangement and
unfolding Of the solid and actual verities Of
natural philosophy lie dared not general
izo till he had made the widest and largest
observation Of the faotsof the natural world.
His iuductions always grew spontaneously
out Of his facts, nor, as in the case of much
that is called high science were his facts
the aftorbirlh of his intuitions. Once in a
while be would throw floods Of light upon
the character and attributes Of the Creator
by an eGectiyeaud brilliant classification /;
as When, for instance, he referred to the
Simian race from which Darwin traces
his attraction, as indicating the sense and
idea Of the lulicrous to be a quality in the
Divine Being Only the practical genius
Of Agassiz could have made so striking an
induction, profound as it was singular, and
true as it was witty or he only could have
refuted the idea of Tyndal as to the inefIi.
eacy Of prayer with such a suggestion as
fell from his lips to bis class soon after
Tyndals scientific sheer at the possibility of
an effective communion Of man with his
Maker,-whcn he proposed to them to APP
proach their studies with petition to the
Almighty for light and wisdom He, at
least, never could have constructed theory
Of the universe from which the Almighty
would have been left out, or which would not
have barmonzad with all the facts of re.
vealod religion.
The work Of Agassz was marked by an
intense enthusiasm. Whether trayersiug
sea aud land in search Of some new object
Of natural philosophy, some new fern, or
novel sea moss, or unknown she'll, or un.
heard Of fish, bird, or insect whether dis
eussing with a single companion the results
of his researches whether dcducing the
most magnificent theories of the power, the
wisdom and glory of the Creator from the
diversitios Of the algae, or from the minute
TetnacUla on the surface Of star fish, he
was always carried away with his enthusi-
asm. He accumulated the largest store of
natural curiosities that has ever been col.
lected arranged and classified them all
with the help Of able assistants, and at the
same time was the author of volumnous
books, the overlooking lecturer to bis classes
on all the subjects connected with his en-.
quiries, aud the constant contributor off
valuable articles to foreign and American
societies and periodicals Several times
his vast labors have nearly outworn him,
but he has sprung from a short rest to new
tolls, like a giant refreshed with wine; and
we have scarcely risen from the perusal off
his last writing when we hear of his death.
But such a man dies not His works
follow him.
The Impulse he has given to the noblest
type Of scientific investigation will not die
with him. The inspiration which he re.
ceiyed he has brcathed upon many Others,
aud their hands will carry on his work.
It was not needfu that be should live to
complete the relutation of Darwin, aud
prove to the world that he, at least, was
son Ct God and not the offspring Of beast.
The honor that will follow him into the
future will have permanence and
splendor all the greater because Of the old
Huguenot blood in his veins, which would
never permit him to dcspoil religion that
he might enrich science, but rather i'm.
PEELED him to lay at the feet of Christianity
all the trophies Of his vast learning.
Secretary Robson has teegraphed
final instructions to Admiral Scott, at Key
West, relative to receiving the surrender
Of the Virginius" The surrender may
possibly take place to-day, but in official
circles it is not expected to take place till
Thursday, the day agreed upon between
l. 4 A N