New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-07-18
SCJENCE And CULTURE.

II is seldom that an argument limited to twelve
or fifteen minutes on any subject excltes the
attention of al entire community, and induces
men to come from distant cities and even dis
tant countries to observe and criticise 1t. In
days gone by such congregations were assem-
bled to hear the discussion of politics, but the
attractions of several bouts of argument and a
barbecue were requiHite to draw them together.
Religious discussions lasting through several
days, not to speak of others continuing for
weeks-sucn as the Evangelical Alliance
meetings and the Moody and Sankey revivals-
have been elective in their way. But last
evening was the first time within our memory
that a purely scientific argument limited to
fifteen minutes has ever filled so extensive an
amphitheatre as the Madison Square Garden.
The argument was with gloves. 1t was in
itself q noble exhibition. 1t is difficult to i'm
agine any system OF physical culture winch
could produce two specimens OF human beings
better prepared to illustrate the art which they
have so thoroughly studied and so completely
mastered. One was from the fine school OF
Boston the other from the more ancient and
classical |: college OF Old England. MIR.
Sullivan, of Boston, is master OF the quick,
energetic, impuisive and nervous style OF ar
gument his logic is forcible and massive; his
STYLE far-reachng; and in short, he has few
equals in a "knock- down" argument. Mr..
Wilson, his opponent in the scientific lists OF
last evening, is man of culture also but his
style is different his arguments are ponder
Gus. but he is slow as well as short, i'll delivery.
Both gentlemen, according to the reports, be-
haved with extraordinary calmness and courtesy
r1 fhnr
presence of the police in overpowering num-
bers.
But we have no words to condemn in proper
terms the character of the audience which as
sembled to do honor to these two cultured and
scientific gentlemen. 1t is incredible that New
Workers of culture and refinement should so
far forget themselves us to permit meeting OF
such able men TO pass wholly without recogni-
ton. 1t may be and will be argued with some
show of plausbihty that the absence of our
first citizens of education and decency was
due TO the fact that they were out of town. Is
that to be considered a good excuse in view of
the TACT that distant cities like Philadelphia,
Boston, and even Cincinnati and Chicago (of
course) sent full delegations of their thieves,
pickpockets, burglars and cut-throats that the
audience in honor of Messrs. Sullivan and
Wilson should be creditable to thcm7 Sara
toga, Newport and Long Branch are not far
away, and yet these fashionable resorts refused
to respond to the call, except by sending a few
New York pickpockeUs who have been doing
tt mporary duty at those places 1t IL true that
Coney Island was de, erted but it usually is at
high tide and when there is a land breeze blow
ing. SO far as it was possible to see the only
persons present at the discussion last night
capable of approaching the display of science
were the reporters who faithfully cnronicled
it, the Police Commissioners who permitted it,
and the police in attendance who envied the
prowess of the combatants.
We commiserate Messrs. Sullivan and Will
son. They did not have gathering cap
able of approaching them. When they come
again we shall urge the authorit es to give them
proper support by emptyng the Tombs, Black
wells Island and Sing Sing