New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-12-29
THE VTEWS or PROF. dGiSSTZ.


toward their close more definite exposition
of his belief as to the origin of life on the
earth than has hitherto appeared. Not that he
has not written and spoken frequently anu
clearly upon the subject, but that he has de-
voted himself rather to the attack than tho
defense. He was the uncOmprOmlsng, per-
sistent foe of Darwinism and tho Eyo-
luton Theory, attacking it IN sea
son and out of season, with all
the warmth and vchemence of his nature. VI
the power of the arguments he employed, we
do not purpose now to speak; Of the vigOr
with which he enforced them, and of the pro-
found convictions from which they originated,
there is no room for doubt. But what he
would substitute as a theory of creation was
not always explained i'm terms of such definite
application. A collateral result of this method
of dealing with tho problem is that he has
left behind him no school of followers in his
doctrine. Such school may hereafter arise !;
but for the present he may be regarded rather
| as a great icOnOclast than rs the founder of
new faith
| Bred as student of medicine, and finding
his way to the pursuits he ultimately adopted
| through his researches in physiology and
anatomy, there was still no period in the life
| Of Agassiz when he could not have subscribed
| to POpe's maxim that the proper study of
mankind. is man." His Investigations in
ethnOlogy take high rank. and brought him to
certain specific conclusions which attracted at
| the time great attention. Breadth Of view
was one of his characteristics and when he
undertook the consideration of the great prob
r.. Al. n 4. - Ia
only the fruits of his studies at Heidelberg
and Munich, his supreme knowledge of aquatic
animals, his profound researches in fossil
forms, but in addition TO ALL what he had
learned as a specialist in ethnology. To the
views Of such a mind, thus equipped with
knowledge, something more than bare respect
must be rendered. And tho value of those
views is largely enhanced by the fact that he
approached the subject with befitting rev.
erence which is rare among scientific men, and
that he himself believed that the welfare of
coming generations if not the religion of the
race was involved in the correct solution of
the problem.
II is, therefore, of more than mere passing
interest to know exactly what those views
were There was one occasion when he ex-
ever ibefOre or afterward. Subsequent to his
return from his expedition to Brazil, where he
explored the Valley of the Amazon, he delv
cred series1 Of fisk lectures in this city. In
the course of these lectures which are replete
with a vast variety of information, giving a
succnct history of the geological fOrma-
ton of the surface of the globe and the
development of continents, rivers, and
mountain chains; clear insight into the gla-
cal theory; comprehensive sketch of the
entire animal kingdom, with the relations in
comparative anatomy of past and present
forms of life, and a most interesting descrip
ton of the Valley of the AmazOn-he men
tiOns the circumstance that he had been, so to
speak, goaded by inaccurate representations
of his views as set forth in the contemporary
press. To put all doubts at rest, he delivered
final lecture on Monkeys and Men. And
therein he statesivery clearly his faith. He
believes, IA those who read his Cambridge
lectures last Spring,very well know, that the
difIerencesiof creatediform are the result of
the direct interference of the Supreme Mind.
But in pointing out the resemblances and diff
ferences of families of monkeys, and compar
ing them with similar variations between
races of men, he announces an alternative of
belief that will be rather startling to many
readers who were not familiar with this phase
of the argument respecting the origin of
mankind.
Realizing the Importance at this time of a
full exposition of the views of that great
thinker, We have decided to republish this
series of six lectures which were at the time
reported in the daily editions Of THE TRIBUNE.
To the opponents of the Development Theory
whose antagOnsm is based upon the belief that
the evolution Of man from the lower animals
is subversive of cherished religious faiths,
this publication will present a solid array
OF arguments to help their cause. For the be-
levers in Evolution, although for their pur-
poses it will seem that the wrong side of the
shield is shown, there may be found among
the abundant weapons upon the field some
which they can perhaps turn to their own pur-
poses As mere resume Of scientific knOwl-
edge, these lectures demand preservation.
They will be issued Tomorrow, and will
form part of the long promised Hayden Extra"
This will be full TRIBUNE sheet Of eight
pages, yand will contain all the letters of Prof
w. ID. Whitney of Yale College, written to
The TRBUNEiwhlelwit the Expedition; an
elabOnte review of the work OF the EXpedi-
ton, from the pen Of Prof. +. V. Hayden, U.
s. GeOlogist in charge; map and description
of new route discovered by the Expedition
of Capt. Jones to the Yellowstone Park, and
the invaluable series Of lectures on the ANA
ION by Prof Agassiz. 1t will be sold at the
usual price of our eight-page extras, ten cents
per copy.
There u.s. it il said decline in the prices Of church
lyings in England. Presentations and sdvowsons
have 80 deprecated that they can now be purchased