New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1876-08-26
SCIENCE AT BUFFALO.
u,rxr.Ey,s IMPRESSIONS OF AMERICA.

Az ENTHUSIASTIC WELCOME BY THE ASSOCIATION
AND PROF. HUxLEY's REPLY
BY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE,
BUFFAIo, Aug 25.-Prof. Huxley arrived mere
last night and attended the meeting OF the Ameri-
ean Association this morning. He was introduced
nv the president Prof Rogers, IN few lifting re-
marks of welcome. The audience was very large
and enthusiastic Prof. Huxley replied substan-
TALLY as follows:
Permit me in the first place to offer you my most
hearty thanks for thus, would not say unexpected
welcome because everywhere since lahaeo III
America it has been of this kind; but for ths very
cordial and hearty welcome, you Will forgive nio IL
my phraseology is inadequate for nave always
Thought il the highest cloQuence 10 cohdehsc "h"V
aver there il to be- said in the fewest
words. / have been told that 1t would DC
gratifying to you to have me say some
thing but emotion will make my speaking
n difficult task Also have no scientific matter 10
communicate and | am unprepared. Since my
arrival have discovered that the special instinct Oh
curiosity is altogether developed here experienced
n almost IMMEDIATELY on my arrival III being inter
viewed by two active and intelligent representatives
of your press who put to me series OF inquiries Oh
deepest and most profound interest, each oil whicn
would require treatise i'll reply; and am AFRAID L
had to dismiss them with scant courtesy. III may
satisfy their curiosity ii state briefly some OF NY
general impressions of this country.
Since my arrival / have learned great many
things more. | think than before III an equal
space of time in my life. In England we nave
ALWAYS taken a lively interest in America; Dut
think no Englishman who has not had the good for
time TO visit America has any real conception OF the
activity of the population, the enormous distances
which senarate the great ceners and least OF all DO
Enelshmen understand how identical 10 the great
basis of character on both sides of the Atlantic Al
Englishman with whom l have been talking since
nv arrival SAYS: 81 cannot find that am abroad
The great features of your country are all shch 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 ot your stock
from the English type i have not perceived it.
Some years ago of your most distinguished men
of letters, equally loved and admired ill England
and America, expressed an opinion which touched
English feeling somewhat keenly-that there was
difference between Your women aud ours after
reaching q certain age. He said our English women
were bccfy." That is his word, not minc Well,
have studied the aspect Of the people that have
met here III steamboats, and railway carriages, and
meet with Just tho 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 yet in respect to stature for fire pOrt!y women,
think the average here fully rs great as on the
other side Some people talk of the injurious intlu-
euce of climate have no trace of the 81 North
American type" You have among you the virtue
which is most notable among savages that OF hospl-
faty You take us to o bountifu dinner and are not
+,lo with Ms IA
plates and spoons. Another feature mas impressed
itself upon ire. / have visited some of your great
universities and meet men as well known in the old
world as in the new. find certain differences here
The English universities the product of Govern
ment, yours of private muntcence. That among MS
is almost unknown. The general notion OF an
Enashman when he gets rich is to found an estate
and benefit his family. The general notion of an
American when fortunate is to do something for the
good of tic people and from which benefits shall
continue to flow. The latter is the nobler ambition
It is popularity said abroad that you have no an
tiqrtics in America II you talk about the trumpery
of three four thousand years of history 1t Is true
But in the large as referring to times before
man made his momentary appearance, America 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
collection gathered by Prof. Marsh az New-iIayen.
There is none like it in Europe, not only
in extent of time covered but by reason of
its bearing on the problem of evolution; whereas,
before this collection was made evolution was
matter of speculative reasoning ii is now matter
of fact and history much as the monuments OF
Egypt In that collection the facts OF the sue
ccsson of forms and the history OF their evolution.
All that now remains TO be asked is how,
and that is subordinate question. With
such matters as this before my MIND,
You will excuse me ii cannot
fad thoughts appropriate to this occasion. would
that l might have offered something more worthy
but hope that your ASSOCIATION may do what the
British Association is dong-may SOW the seeds OF
scientific inquiry in your cities and villages. whence
shall arise 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 thank you for your excessive courtesy, and
may almost say afectonatc reception.