The sun. [volume] (Morris, Stevens County, Minn.) 1882-1895, 1888-12-06
REvsRs,Mo THE reLEscopa
Are Ito tnhabitants u Othcr Worlds Taxi
ing Ely rsep 1t Uss

Axo tine InhAbSt0nto Ut Other Worlds TAX
ing = shy rsep 1t u?
Scientific people and those attracted BY
the results Of their labors and discoveries,
have doubtless been deeply interested in
the discussion Of the proposition that has
come from California looking to the con.
struction Of forty inch telescope for the
deeper and clearer study Of the wonders
Of the heavens above US. Tho announce
ment, on the highest authority in this
country, that there are no insurmount-
able obstacles in the way Of producing
even o sixty inch lens, provided there are
no limitations of time or money, must
stimulate the imagination to an excited
pitch over the dazzling prospects Of the
new fields OF science to be worked by
such powerful means. And II. with
achievement prophecy should grow
holder and ambition prepare the way for
larger things, why would it bc necessary
to stop at the largest limitations yet
dreamed of?
Much rs the telescope has already
shown us Of the worlds beyond. it has
only intensified the eagerEess OF enthu-
siasts to extend its wonderful power and
lead them still further into the fascina-
hons Of those undiscovered countries. In
spite of all the study Of centuries, our
knowledge Of the heavenly bodies Is ~
yet only elementary and largely inferen-
tial. The time may not be far distant
when we shall be able to confirm or re-
ject on the basis of ocular proof many Of
the theories now wholly or in part &C.
cepted. Supposlng, as many have dared
to suppose, that some Of the other planets
are capable Of supporting intelligent
forms OF life. we have certainly not yet
advanced SO far as to threaten the pri-
vacy Of the beings who are our planetary
neighbors.
But can we feel sure that we are
equally secure? In our Astounding HUI
man egotism we fatter ourselves that
we stand at the head of all physical and
moral life. We maintain, without any
annoying contradiction, that we are su-
perior to all other material orders Of being
with which we have ever compared our
selves The growth Of the telescope may
yet bring a severe shock to our self COM
placency and upset all preconceived ideas
that the universe was made exclusively
for the benefit of that inflated form of
life called man. Judging of the I'M
known simply by the limitations of the
known, it is not for us to say that one of
our ends is not to furnish objects of spec
ulative wonder and scientific research to
beings Of richer endowments and more
wonderful development than ourselves.
Probably many of our readers are IA
miliar with Fitz James O Brien's story of
the mad microscopic, who, with dia-
mond lens of unequaled power, went on
an exploring expedition through drop
OF water with marvellous results. There
were valleys and mountains and rich
fields, and respondent perspective every
where. Yet all this was but the habitat.
He looked for forms of life, and his
search was rewarded by tho appearance
Of sylph Of radiant beauty, In human
shape. ''1t's adorable beauty lifted it
il1initable heights beyond the loveliest
daughters of Adam" He became fran
tically in love with tho enchanting ami
malcule. He wasted days and nights
studying her grace Of form and action
and drinking in her beauty, until the
drop of water evaporated, when she
shriveled and died, leaving him stricken
with grief and despair.
How do we know but many Brob-
dignagian telescopist has his aninalcule,
and piercing through the riffs Of the
dense cloud layers that envelop his re-
mote sphere languishes over the exquisite,
but elusive, charms Of some fair daughter
Of Eve to the neglect OF his own family,
the hurt of his standing in society and
his reputation for sound sense? Or, per-
haps, some entertaining specialist is re-
cording our social and political habits for
the benefit of his fellows, IS Sir John
Lubbock describes those Of the ants.
With tho little peep that we have into
the infiuity Of power that knowledge
brings, it is not safe to adopt the ostrich
we can be seen no further
than we can see.-Robert G. Fitch in
Boston Globe.