The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1882-1884, 1883-02-22
OLD YEAR CELEBRITIES.-No. 5.
Darwin and His Work.
For The Commonwealth !

In this brief sketch OF the late
Charles Darwin l propose to treat
only of some personal traits, OF his
method of work, and the general
character Of his researches, without
any effort to set forth his doctrines
as Il scientist. Any account Of him
in the columns of newspaper, how
ever carefully prepared, could not be
otherwise than imperfect Could 1
,nly incite the readers of this shor.
aotice to seek the truth in the realm
of nature, the purpose of this sketch
would be amply served.
A scientist properly has to do with
facts he reasons from the known t.
the unk hown. From the half-era sed
track on the sand of the beach he
lnfers the presence of the animal
that placed it there. From the broken
fragment exhumed, it may be, from
its covering Of eartn, he constructs
The perfect form that he speaks its
original anatomy. Facts first; then
principles. When the young Darwin
at the age OF twenty-five was ap
pointed naturalist to the Beagle anu
started on his five years voyage
around the world, he then began thai
long series of observations which
gave him the facts and furnished the
data from which resulted conclusions
that have revolutionized all modern
scientific thinking. This voyage
was his scientific schooling prepara.
tory to the great work Of original in
vestigation. He here had favorable
opportunity for studyi lg nature in "a
new and strange land. New forms
of life were seen ON every hand. New
creations everywhere appeared. His
observations we're both minute and
extensive. and these we're the germs
ont of which grew the products OF
mis- long and laborious life. Aside
from things of more permanent value
to science. as a result of this journey
Mr.. Darwin wrote one of the most
instructive All Entertaining books OF
modern travel.
1t is with the "Origin of Species
that Mr.. Darwin's name is most gen.
orally associated, a book abou,
which, perhaps, more has been sai,,
ard less really known than any
other product of the century. Hardly
newspaper is to be found that has
not in some way commented on the
Darwinian theory. Many with crit,
lcal examination, or even withou,
capaoility for such examination
nave discussed the theory and dis
missed it with sneering ridicule
Presented thus in its most grotesque
phase, popular opinion has beer
largely shaped and led to erroneou:
conclusions. AS l restricted mysel
in the outset, l am excused from
telling here what tue true theory is
But l may say that however origina
the hypothesis of evolutions may be
certainly prejudice is not a nev
agency at work. When Copernicu
made his revelation, he was pu
down as hereto and magician
When Newton made his great dis
covery under the apple tree. he wa
denounced as an atheist and wOrke
of evil. And when Darwin tells II
that man is evOlved,-well the age i
better civivized and toleration fol
bids the pillar or guillotine.
Whatever be his concluson, it l
not to be doubted by any candle
mlrd that Darwin was lover o
truth aud he sought to present trut
as nature seemed to reveal it to him
tHe studied with reverence as we'll a
/ with diligence, and was never dog