The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-03-03
ANTI-DARWINISM.

Lecture by Professor Waterhause Havv.
kins mt the Union League Theatre-The
Harmony OF Species-The Doctrine OF
Evolution acknowledgment Illus
trattOns.
MIR. Waterhouse Hawkins, the naturalist, lee
tured last evening at the Union League Theatre, 1t
being the first OF o series showing the "unity OF
plan and evidence Of design in the animal frame,
with contrast and comparison of monkeys and
men,
In introducing the lecturer Mr.. William Cullen
Bryant made a few happy remarks quoting both
Shakespeare and Mrs. Harriet h Stowe, taking
Hamlet and Topsy to Illustrate his meaning.
Mr.. Waterhouse Hawkins came forward and
said Il do not propose TO put before you the eyO
luton theory. l only propose to put before you
the animal frame as it is to-day, and has been
since the earliest day. Upon the researches of
animals which existed ages ago 1t is extraordin.
airy, upon the discoveries which have been made,
that any one can bring up the evolution theory,
instead Of believing that it has been the same Tor
all time as 1t has been found below the geological
strata. How can it be supposed that at one time
these animals were imperfect Yet this is the
theory Of evolution, or natural selection. The
generality OF the philosophers disbelleve Mr.. OAR
WINS theory OF tIis selection, as he 1t in the
descent OF man, then 1t verged into the absurd. l
do not attempt to disprove tEis because 1t appears
SO exaggerated. ana yet It is extraordinary that
lecturer then went on briefly to show what OAR
wins theory was and where IL proceeded lrom
coming as 1t originally did from Wolfe. The theory,
OF course dismissed the creative power as evi,
dences Of design. How this can be associated with
any religion he did not propose to discuss, and he
hoped the audience would sympathIze with him
when he did not enter into any discussion. He
proposed simply to show that the progressive de-
velOpment theory was not consistent with the
facts OF the case leaving out alone the fact that the
theorists bold the possibility OF creation without
IN ghD that thnr
gresslve development, but that there was one
general system
differences between the vegetable and the animal
ktngdOm-the egg and seed and rock and flowers
drawing terrestrial plant and water plant on one
hand, the animal on the other; giving one Of the
tnfusoria attached IN the water TO some small
nament, composed OF a series Of little gobules
working above each other, barring little arms,
which it thrusts out grasping its prey by growth.
Tue next low form OF animal lie, giving the shape
creature which has every function Of stomach
the "Leba." This animal also has the power Of
the lecturer had constantly to make
one eat when it would not, while
1t may be said that locomotive has the, same
power OF perception and distribution. but the will
and understanding are lacking, though they exist
lacking In the mans machine, and here Is the
point Of difference between the work OF man and
proof of tho existence OF God. 1t is certainly q
power much greater than ANYTHING man is pos
sessed oil. Man cannot make the hundredth part
Of an inch Of . living body. The next form illus.
trated was that OF the vertebr9, first, shown IN
the shape OF fish. most beautifully draw
ing all the component parts of the FISH.
All this, said the, lecturer, was In the
egg and vas so In all time, not being evolved In
any manner from any. other kind OF animal. From
the FISH Mr. Hawkins passed to the alligator, sim
ply changing some OF the forms OF the fish, but
none Of the principles; thence passing to the hog
stu tue same principles being observed, showing
the similarity Of nsh, reptiles and mammals Mr.
Hawkins said the transition could be readily
made 10 the order OF birds, which yet appeared 80
dlfYerent. lie. however, first took the order
deer. showing the elk and palmed deer. Than no
took the bird and gave ready illustration II
how the same principles existed in this,
with slight notifications. The marvel OF all this
SAID the lecturer is that while one. these are all
various IN farm. while one design pervades the
whole. The lecturer closed by saying that every
portion OF this evolution theory was unsupported
by one fact there being NO indication OF any pre-
vious modification. All this appears to have been
at all times as 1T Is now. Even the most enthusi-
astic naturalist must own that the same principles
relgned AZ all times and I can see no reason Tor be-
lievlng that there has been any change in all this.
Naturalists have been few at all times few and FAR
between, and the subject has not been before given
the attention It receives now. can only say
that ia creation she grand plan Of unity Is and
always haa been the same.