The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1876-02-21


feet and capable eyes. With large
globe preserved in its form bya dense,
thick resistant coat or tunic, to which
suitable muscles are attached for the most
delicate and extensive movements-with
an optical apparatus for collecting the
rays of light and forming sharp, distinct
images of surrounding objects, and last
and most important, nerve membrane
of a cup shape safely lodged within, en-
dowed with the marvellous and exclusive
power of perceiving light and sending to
the brain report from the vast universe
around us-why is not this the most
Godlike gift confided to living creatures?
In this great perfection the eye only ex-
lists in the higher animals. AS we de-
scend IN the scale it becomes more simple
and less complete till we come to the
mere eye dots in the lowest creatures,
composed of speck of pigment and
nerve fiber, and capable only Of distin-
gushing light from darkness. Leaving
these rudimentary eyes out of view, we
come to the eyes that see images. VI
these there are three distinct forms OF ar
rangement. The simplest and most I'M
perfect are the so-called compound eyes
of insects, crabs, &c; next comes a pecu-
liar kind possessed only by the nautilus,
and last the complest, possessed by the
mammalia, and of which the eye OF man
is the most perfect.
The theory of vision of Bishop Berke-
ley is generally accepted under various
notifications. The study of this subject
enters into mental philosophy, for we see
with the mind. From little picture on
the retlna of different forms, shades and
colors, we learn to judge with wonderful
quickness and accuracy of the form, size,
color different position and relative dis
tances of objects. So accurately do we
interpret these primary retinal sensa-
tions, and such confidence do we have in
our eyes and what we see, that the ex-
preston l see it" has come TO mean, Il
understand it," and to be used even for
the other senses when we wish to state
that which is certain and clear, both to
the senses and to the mind. The eye,
with its wonderful natural endownments,
relies for aid on the touch and other SEN
ses, till its capacities are brought out in
their highest perfection. But this per
lection is not natural or instructive, but
the result of education and experience.
The senses are pupils, du enough in the
beginning, but capable of great improve
ment by practice. OF these the eye is
certainly the most subtle, and outstrips
them all in very short time.
The other or nativistc theory division
attributes to the eye the power Of judg-
ing with reasonable correctness of exter-
nality distance, from, size and color OF
objects Immediately, the first time the eye
is opened, without the aid of touch rany
other sense to bring it out. If the natur-
al endownments of the eyes are so very
limited as the common theory seems to
suppose, it is marvellous how soon and
how vastly it outstrips all the other senses
in that which is its special province. A
recent writer in opposition to the Berke-
levan theory, SUNS up the Iesult in very
emphatic way He says: "At the pres
ent moment every one who has tasted
philosophy, even S,onmis labs, is firmly
convinced that he sees, not persons and
things of various bulk, and at divers dis
tances, but merely variety Of color, or,
at the best, fiat picture OF no perceptible
magnitude, and ut no perceptibIe dis
lance. Yet the profoundest meta physi-
clan, when he opens his bodily eyes, is
mastered by the same belief as the I'M
learned; he can not see what be knows
he does see, and he can not help seeing
what be knows it is impossible TO see.
Seeing is Tor the time believing; but
deliberate, refectiveSense is fairly over
powered by reason"
The lecturer added: A word more on
theology, on the adaptation of means to
ends, as evidences of design, and, of
course, of an infinite design. Heines
illustrations of fitness and design will en-.
able one to understand it better, Cat
tie were made because beef tea strength
ems man. Jack asses were created to
serve rs companions and examples OF
firrnneSs of character, and man exists
that he may eat beet soup and realize that
he Is no iaCkasS." In a trucr and high
er sense of telcolgy we may ask. in view
of the marvellous wisdom displayed IN
every part of creation, ale that forms
the eve. should he not see?' | believe
most humbly that 1--WE live under the
steady gaze OF IN eye, Of which the sun is
I,. , ,L.Jou, for he antprs not the sOul -