The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1876-08-29
I SCIENCE ATsBUFFALO.
Huxley's impressions Of America.

AN ENTHUSIASTIC WELCOME BY THE ASSC-
CIATIoN,. AND ,PROFEssoR HUXLEY's
REPLY-A WORD ABOUT THE ANTIQUE
TIES OF AMERICA. i: i 81. e.s7G.9
[Br telegraph to the New York TribuneI
BUFFALO, August 25.-Proiessor Huxley
arrived, here last night, and attended the
meeting OF the American Association this
morning. He was introduced by the Presi-
dent professor Rogers) in few fitting re-
| marks OF welcome. The audience was very
large and enthusiastic. Professor Huxley
replied substantially as follows 5.-,-y:,,
! Permit me in, the first place to offer you
my most hearty thanks for this, Iwould not
say unexpected welcome, because every
where since landed In America it has been
OF this kind; but for, this very cordial and
hearty welcome, yon will forgive me if my
phraSeology is inadequate, for have always
thought 1t the highest eloquence to con-
dense whatever there is to be said in the
fewest words. i have becn told that it
would be gratifying to you to have
me say something, but emotion will
make my speaking a difficult task.
Also, I have no scientific matter to
communicate, and am unprepared. Since
cial instinct Of curiosity is altogether deye-
oped here. I experienced it almost immc-
diately on my arrival in being interviewed
| by two active and intelligent representatives
of your press, who put to me 4 series OF in
quiries Of deepest and most profound inte-
rest, each OF which would require treatise
in reply, and am afraid had to dismiss
them with scant courtesy. 1t may satisfy
their curiosity il l state briefly some Of my
general impressions OF this country. i.
Since my arrival I have learned great
many things, more, think, than ever be-
fore in an equal space OF time in my life.
| In England we have always taken q lively
interest in America, but think no English
man who has not had the good fortune to
visit America has any real conception OF the
activity OF the population, the enormous
distances which separate the great centres
and least Of all do Englishmen understand
how identical is the great basis of character
on both sides Of the Atlantic. An English
man with whom have been talking since
my arrival says: II cannot lind that am
abroad" The great features of your coun-
try are all such as am familiar with In parts
of England and Scotland. Your beautiful
Hudson reminds me Of Scotch lake. The
marks OF glaciation in your hills remind me
of those in Scottish highlands. ~
[ had heard OF the degeneration OF your
stock from the English type. / have not
perceived it. Some years ago one OF your
most distinguished men OF letters, equally
loved and admired in England and Ameri-
ca, expressed an opinion which touched
English feeling somewhat keenly-that
there was difference between your women
and ours after reaching q certain age. He
said our English women were "beefy."
That is his word, not mine. Well, have
stuteed the aspect OF the people that have
met here in steamboats, and railway car
riages, and meet with just the same faces,
the main difference as to the men being IN
the way Of shaving. Though should be
sorry to use the word which Hawthorne
did, vet in respect to stature for fine portly
women, / think the average here fully as
great as on the other side. Some people
talk OF the injurious influence OF eli
mate. I have seen no trace Of the "North
American type" You have among you the
virtue which is most notable among saw,
ages, that of hospitality. You take us to
bountiiul dinner and are not quite satisfied
unless we take away with us the plates and
spoons. Another feature has impressed it.
self upon me. I have visited some OF your
great universities, and met men as We'll
known in the old world as in the new. l
find certain differences here. The English
universities are the product OF Government,
yours of private muniiicence. That among
us is almost unknown. The general notion
OF an Englishman when he gets rich is to
found an estate and benefit his family. Ihe
general notion of an American when for
tunate is to do something for the good OF the
people and from which benefits shall con-
tinue to flow. The latter is the nobler am
bition.
1t is popularly said abroad that you have
no antiquities in America. Ii you talk
about the trumpery Of three or four thou
sand years Of history, it is true. But IN
the large sense as referring to times before
man made his momentary appearance, Ame-
rica is the place to study the antiquities OF
the globe. The reality of the enormous
amount of material here has far surpassed
my anticipation. have studied the collcc-
ton gathered by Professor Marsh at New
Haven. There is none like it III Europe,
not only in extent OF time covered, but by
reason OF its bearing on the problem OF evo-
luton; whereas before this collection was
made evolution was matter OF speculative
reasouinT It is now matter OF TACT, ana
history as much as the monuments OF
Egypt. In that collection are the facts OF
the succession Of forms and the history OF
their evolution. All that now remains to be
asked is how, and that is subordinate ques-
ton. With such matters rs this before my
mind, you will excuse me If I cannot find
thoughts appropriate to this occasion. /
would that I might have offered something
more worthy, but hope that your Associa-
ton may do what the British Association is
doing-may sow the seeds OF scientific in
quiry in your cities and villages, whence
shall arise a process Of natural selection by
which those minds best fitted for the task
may be led to help on the work in which we
are all interested. Again I thank you for
your excessive courtesy, and, I may almost
say, affectionate reception.
A letter from Mr.. Manton Marble, retired
editor Of the New York World, addressed to
a Liberal Republican, published in the New
York Sun of Saturday, gives very tersely the
reasons why the independent vote should
be cast for Mr.. Tilden. The letter is able,
and though concise and full OF matter, occu-
MED two columns and half.
An enthusiastic correspondent OF the Chi
caco Tribs.ne says Mr.. Joaquin Mlller's con-
yersation is 'sfull Of fiery grace" and re.
peats choice morsel OF 1T. Conway"
IL 4~