Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1882-04-28
Charles Darwin.

Charles Robert Darwin, the noted English
scientist, died at his home in Kent, April 20,
at the age of 73. The death of Mr.. Darwin
has removed from the world a man who will,
in all probability, be looked upon in after ages
as one of the most prominent characters of
the nineteenth century. Few men have ever
earned the title that can honestly be given to
him of having created an epoch in the history
of human thought. From the publication Of
his book, "Origin of Species, the current of
human investigation into and speculation con-
corning physical phenomena took fresh
start 1t opened out new road for thought
to travel in. In his own researches Mr.. Oar
win limited the application of his hypothesis
to the facts which came under his immediate
observation; but other scientists, in other de-
partments of investigation, found that the
rules he had formulated were serviceable in
solving problems which had hitherto perplex-
ed them. 1t may not be true that the theory
of evolution was thought out and first enun-
clated by him, for there are hints and sugges-
tions of such general law in the writings of
men who lived long before his day but to
him far more than to any one else must be
given the credit of having first placed this
theory before the world in a practical and
well-detned manner. From the fire which he
kindled, later scientists have lighted the torch
es which have enabled them to explore the
mysteries of nature in all directions The
theory of the "Origin of Species" was, in
brief, that organisms multiply at greater rate
than their means of subsistence that Off
spring resemble their parents in general
points, but vary in minor particulars that
these variations are of different value as re-
CARDS the welfare of the being; that under
the conditions the premature death of some is
inevitable; that those die which are least
adapted TO the conditions which surround
them that in this way those characters or
variations are selected which are most for the
benefit of the species and that these varia-
tions are increased in proportion as the me-
dial conditions vary. Through this Survival
of the tittest" or natural selection" the ten
dency is constantly towards higher develop
ment, and in the course of countless ages the
animated atom, having life only, without spe-
cialized organs, becomes the ancestor in turn
of every form of animal life up TO man, the
apex and crown of the whole series. The
book in which this theory was elaborated has
gone through many editions in England and
in other countries, attracting general attention
everywhere and giving rise TO much contro-
versy. The opposition it aroused has gradu-
ally disappeared, and from the date of its pub
lication steadily increasing proportion of the
scientific world has assented to the doctrines
contained in it.
Mr.. Darwin was a man of thorough candor
OF deep conviction, and unyielding purpose
Whatever he may have written or left unwrit-
ten, his pure earnestness shines through all
his work. Lovable as a man, and commend
able as teacher and writer, the world owes
him tribute of honor and respect which can
not DO too faithfully or too gratefully paid