Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1888-11-16
REVERSING THE TELESCOPE.
Are the Inhabitants of Other Worlds TAX
ing a Sly Peep at Us?


ing Sly Peep at Us?
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. The announce
ment, on the highest authority in this
country. that there are no insurmount-
able obstacles in the way of producing
even 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 if, with
holder and ambition prepare the way for
larger things, why would it be necessary
to stop at the largest limitations yet
dreamed of?
Much as the telescope has already
shown us of the worlds beyond, it has
only intensified the eagerness Of enthu-
siasts to extend its wonderful power and
lead them still further into the fascina-
tons of those undiscovered countries. In
spite of all the study of centuries, our
knowledge of the heavenly bodies is as
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 flatter ourselves that
we stand at the head of all physical and
moral life. We maintain, without any
annoying contradiction, that we are SUI
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 un,
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 tc
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 or
an exploring expedition through droI
of water with marvellous results. There
were valleys and mountains and ricl
fields and Respondent perspective every
where. Yet all this was but the habitat
He looked for forms of life, and hi!
search was rewarded by the appearance
Of sylph of radiant beauty, in human
shape. Its adorable beauty lifted il
illimitable heights beyond the lovelies
daughters of ADAM He became fran
tically in love with the enchanting ami
malcule. He wasted days and night
studying her grace of form and actor
and drinking in her beauty, until thu
drop of water evaporated when sh'
shriveled and died, leaving him stricken
with grief and despair.
How do we know but many Brob
dignagian telescopist has his animalcule
and piercing through the riffs of tn,
dense cloud layers that envelop his re
mote sphere languishes over the exquisite
but elusive, charms Of some fair daughte
of Eve to the neglect of his own family
the hurt of his standing in society anC
his reputation for sound sense? Or, per
haps, some entertaining specialist is re
cording our social and political habits 70
the benefit of his fellows, as Sir JOIN
Lubbock describes those of the ants
With the little peep that we have int
the infinity of power that knowledg
brings, it is not safe to adopt the ostricl
theory-that we can be seen no furthe
than we can see.-Robert G. Fitch il
Boston Globe.