Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1878-05-17

water, and modified by low temperature,
are the immediate cause of Calvinism. Mean
while. another boF had BEEN fed upon oatr
meal and whisky, made to live in a da-nf
room, and frequently sprinkled with hne
spray of water closely resembling Scotch
mist. This boy s1on acquired peculiar
broad accent; and showed a disposition to
preach sermons several hours in length. he
displayed violent aversion to pictures OF all
sorts, to scarlet, and TO the sound OF an Or
gan. A very short time was all that was
needed to develop him into an untnlstakabe
Scotch Presbyterian. The experiment was
satisfactory in demonstrating the truth OF
the materialIstic theory of the origin ut re-
ligions, but the unsatisfactory feature was
the uncomfortable tendency of the boy to
throw things at the professor whenever the
latter incidentally mentioned that there was
no God. The third boy was kept in hot
room, fed upon macaronl and light wines,
and compelled to constantly grind small
hand-organ. This experiment was also
complete success. The boy became an
unmistakable Roman Catholic, and
displayed a degree of devotedness,
Joined to a fondness for sticking his pen
knife into the professors legs, which filled
the latter with scientific delight. There were
FIVE children In all, but the experiments made
upon the younger two were not altogether
satisfactory. One of them was fed upon pork
and hominy, varied with occasional chickens,
and allowed to drink nothing but water. 1t
was supposed that under this course of treat
ment strong Baptist symptoms would have
been developed; but, on the contrary, the boy
became a sort of cross between Methodist
and a Presbyterian. 1t is Prof. Huxley's
opinion that an error was made IN his diet,
although he claims to have fed him in accord
ance with the custom prevailing in the south
ern part of the United States. AT all events,
the experiment was little better than fail
YsntIsHa the mfg f2rmH h for the production of
treated with special care, with the view of
making him an earnest and able scientific
person. His diet consisted of roast beef and
ale, and his playthings were states and pen
ellis, mathematical instruments, specimens
of minerals and fossils, and anatomical
drawings. Three times every day he was
taken to the open window, and held
with his mouth oper, exposed to the
east wind. Every afternoon two we'll behaved
little scientific boys were brought to play with
him, and the three were accustomed to play
pitch and toss with pocket bible for several
hours. 1t was confidently believed that
under this treatment he would become an
eminent scientific person, but Prof. Huxley
was bitterly disappointed. The boy became
most impertinent and malicious little
wretch His self-control grew intolerable. 1t
was his delight to pick in pieces and to spoil
every beautiful object that came within his
reach, and to throw stones and to boot at
every respectable person who passed near his
window. 1t is true that he did not believe
in the existence of God, but this was very
slight consolation to Prof Huxley when the
latter was called bigoted idiot by this
wretched boy, or told by him that he was a
stupid automaton, and he would like to dis
arrange his internal mechanism with knife.
The boy did not, as need hardly be remarked,
resemble modern scientific person in the re-
hottest degree, and Prof. Huxley confesses
himself unable to account for the failure of
this experiment. Nevertheless, in his con-
templated volume the learned professor has
been able to give the several formulas for the
production of Swiss Calvinists, Scotch Pres
byterians and Italian Roman Catholics, and
by these established beyond controversy his
assertion that religion is the result of diet.
At the same time it should be remarked that
the nurse has confessed that she secretly sup
piled the boys with religious books, and that
from the latter they derived their religious
views. AS between the assertions of woman
with quickened conscience and the grave
statements of scientific person, there can be
but little room for choice, and we must accept
Prof. Huxley's account of his experiments
with the same faith with which we accept all
his other scientific assertions.