Daily Yellowstone journal., 1888-11-28
REVERSING THE TELESCOPE.
Are the Inhabitants Of Other Worlds TAX
Ing a sly Peep at Is?

ing a sly Peep at Is?
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-
strucuon of a 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 a sixty inch lens, provided there are
no limitations of time or money, must
stimulate the imagination to IN excited
pitch over the dazzling prospects OF the
new fields Of science to be worked by
such powerful means. And if, with
achievement, prophecy should grow
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, il 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-
tia. The time may not be far distant
when We shall be able 10 confirm or re-
ject on the basis of ocular proof many of
the theories now wholly or in part ac-
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 vet
advanced 50 far as TO threaten the pri-
vacy Of the beings who are our planetary
neighbors.
But Can we feel sure that we are
equally securei In our Astounding HUI
man egot!sm we flatter ourselves that
we stand at the head of all physical and
moral life. We maintain, without apy
annoying contradiction, that we are su-
perior 10 all other material orders Of being
with which we have ever compared our
selves, The growth of the telescope NAV
yet bring a severe shock { our self com
placency and upset all ~preconceiyed ideas
that the universe was made exclusively
for the benefit of that inflated form Of
life called man. Judging Of the UNI
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 endUwments 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 a dia-
mond lens Of ~unequaled power, went on
an exploring expedition through a drop
OF water with marvellous results, There
were valleys and mountains and rich
fields, and resplendent perspective every.
where, Yet all this wa but the habitat.
He looked for forms Of life, and his
search was rewarded by the appearance
Of a sylph Of radiant beauty, In human
shape. "It's adorable beauty lifted it
illimitsble heights beyond the ~loyeliest
daughters Of Adam" He became fran
tically in love with the enchanting ami.
malcule. He wasted days and nights
studying her grace Of form and action
and drinking in her beauty, until tho
drop Of water e~vsporated, when she
shriveled and died, leaving him stricken
with grief and despair.
How do we know but many a Brob-
dignagian ~telescopist has his ~animalcule,
q piercing through the riffs Of the
dense cloud layers that enyelop his re-
mote sphere languishes over the exquisite,
but elusive, charmsof some fair daughter
OF Eve TO the neglect Of his own family,
The u OF his standing in society and
his reputation for sound senseY Or, per
haps, some entertaining specialist is re.
oording oar social and political habits for