New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1885-10-18
A TALK WITH HUXLEY.
HIS OPINIONS ON THEOLOGY AND THE
FUTURE LIFE.

the University of London. When he came 10 this
country in the sumner OF 1875 To deliver an
address at the Johns hopkins University in Balti-
more had a very pleasant meeting with him at the
summer homo of John Flsko, in Petersham.
Pctershan," Mr. Fiske used to say. 10 the home
of the human race"-a sort of central plateau he
meant, from winch the Mundane family had gone
forth. Nearly every one who came into tho cordial
little circle there traced some connection with
Petersham; and when il was found that grand
father of mine once owned farm in the township
was promptly recogn zed as true Caucasian
Peersham is picturesque long sottled village
among the high hills of Northwestern Issachu-
setts Deep valleys. superb woods, commanding
heights surround it, through which courses broad
old-time pike edged with magnificent olms
Near the old homestead, where q few friends were
allowed to quarter st rod a small one story edIhce'
formerly the law office of tho Esquire" Inc
interior had been transformed by great variety oil
rustic work aud carving. done by men Der OF the
family. and was filled with comfortable chairs ana
divaas There tho party gathered and held
informal sympo.a, Of evenings
Professor Huxley came guest OF Mr.. Fiske.
and was held in high holOr. When he arrived.
dressed in dark. work-a-day snt that seemed to
screen or obscure him from special observation. the
first aspect of his face suggested that of hard
with vigorous lines. 1t was a sort of face fro.
qnen,ly seen in English clergymen. dissenting
ministers or business men but an unusually power
fol typo Of il, capable of expressing much quiet
mrthfulne md Tenderness also. 1t WAS remark
able how often the keen. penetrating. earnest
character of it reverted 10 thoughtful gentencss.
Although he was positive even dogmatc in utter
ance at times Mr.. Huxley was also extremely
modest aud never heStat6d to admit the hmIta-
tlons of his own knowledge. even in scientific
matters. His consderateness toward every one in
the group even tho least learned members, was
American in It's simplicity aud goodwill, and made
conversation with him charming. Among the hrst
things which he SAID 10 arrest attention was
Jonathan Edwards was one of tn most scientihc
thinkers America has produced. The logic ct ms
book on the VIII could hardly be surpassed
Speaking Of the arduousness of all careers depend
ent upon professional thinking. lie said The time
never comes when YOU can rest 1t is like tie
Price in tie old story who entered palace and
found that tho first obstacle u ms progress was
thin curtain Of gauze. lie lifted that and then
found another gauzc curtain IN front Of him. And
10 il goe. m. nothing tut n thin veil between You
and the next step. lat after n whllo that littlo
effort of lifting It wears a man ont
Aud il In Just this sort OF effort. / suppose. which
has worn Professor Huxley out now: for time
only, let US hope.
He told ~ that. on previous occasion OF break
ing down he alfouuI 1t advisable To drop his
mOdlcuu OF wine at dinner Tobacco proved
better restorative. SO. Just then. he was in the
habit OF producing small pipe after luncheon aud
lnnsr. and filing 1t from pouch of Virginia
cros,-cut.' until the tobacco hung the top
of he bow and glowed under has inothodical, firm
putting. like the overlooking crater of 3 volcano
reduced 10 it, lowest terms.
IL was or one Of these occasions. IN tho converted
law office full OF uonghs and roots twisted into
shapes Of furniture. that tho conversation turned
upon religiOa aud the status OF human life give
SUBSTANTIALLY, not literally. svtre of the thugs that
wcro said:
Huxicy--rhe longer live. the more respect
huve Tor the doctrines Of CALVIN. There was man
who recognized tbs unmitigablo conditions Of
existence AMI did not hesitate 10 follow theb' out
b. their legitimate conclGson. Ho framed an iron
theory. aud Il Wi, hold at almost every point-at
least A. 20 IT. general putPort
Anothcr-Do you mean 10 say that yon subscribe
TO the iica tnnt certain bong, chosen for saliva
ton. and that others are sentenced 10 eternal
damnaton'
HuKIey-i mean that H. right in his ndhc-
renee n the idea OF an unchIugohbie law, with an
nnchangeabe result from certain causes. whether
lot good or OWL
Tho Philosopher-You remember what Holmes
says about tho Gy in amber representing tho
amount OF choice granted ~ mans free wall We
are ali fastened "a 10 yolIton. within certain
hxod Il miis.
Huxley Nothing this life. 10 me, IL saddcr than
the fact that nitn. wit .hIn< tae Development Of
his children IL doomei to son liis poculiadtics
Ia. own faults.-the things which ho condemns IN
him-clf.-ctopping out Ia them They may have
4 RAT MT Al np .4u lD
will prevent tho,e old faults from coiius out Ia
th.m That illustrates the immltabilIty Of law.
Children inherit certain traits and capabilities.
they must 20 on and develop them. There Is
nothing more. They are bounded by the elements
which are born IN them.
Inc Pnllo iopher 4 particular man receives
blow ON the head you 500 NOw perhaps hc thinks
he RECEIVERS from that blow: he is apparently
perfectly we'll but the effect IF the blow continues.
A y IN born To- the man. What hIs become OF the
energy eKp"nfed IN that blow upon the mdus
head IL Is bound u 60 Itinnc. You cannot 81 rid
of that The persistence OF force make, It newt
able Perhaps the mans son aots aloLg all rght aud
perhaps l,c doesn't. Bus suppose that the son. or
the sons son, turns ont To be forget or criminal
81 7D,ue sOrt-DOsslOiy Llurdcror. How 40 we
know That this npt the result 0i the original blow
on tac head prOdncln. slght accidental impress
sion on the br n the force of winch takes the form
of moral pcryrr,ion IN the offspring
Huxley That illustrate, what was referring to
the persistence Oi cause and aoct and the terrible
sadness of 1t.
Anothor-Well. all this seems 10 mako life n very
gloomy affair. But suppose there should be- com
pcnSltiOn somewhere Perhaps we do not 500 tue
whole scheme OF creation ut present.
Que OF the grOdp II forget wnol suggested that
there m gt bo Heaven. where all those dl ihenlties
would bo planned and settled.
uuXloy-Oh. this idea OF beng sent up to Heaven
to sit On "A damp cloud aud sing hymns-what sort
of COMPENSATION - thatf Does 10 MAKE ainends 10
mo for the suffering have endured here. and tho
suffering | have been obliged To entail my
children
Another-Possby this human 81 1orlng OF ours is
part OF tho process Of development toward a higher
state - $500
Huxlcy-Hut why should it be 80 nrrangedi Why
shpnld such com rIcatod suhorlng DO imposed upo
ia WHOM lAXe mnAns OF KNOWING Whct Nor ~