The morning call., 1892-12-20
A GREAT MAN OF SCIENCE.

One of the most distinguished scientific
men Of our time has passed away. No man
of science in his own field Of natural history
and anatomy and especially in paleontology
vas quite the equal of Sir Richard Owen,
whether we consider the Old World or the
New. Certainly no Englishman holds equal
raBk. Only one name can be alluded TO in
comparison and that is the name of Huxley,
who still lives, and may yet do useful work
Darwin's name can scarcely be said to be
higher in the list Of bonors for life's work
than Owens. They were both naturalsts
If the most earnest caliber Of investigating
miD1-patient, labOTious and thorough in
their methods and inclined to keep con-
clusIons in allegiance until exhaustive
observations gave them guidance. But
Darwin and Owen differ In this. The
former bToadered into generalization and
launched theory out of his study of the
facts OF nature. The latter plodded on
ieboriously at details and described all he
could ascertain or trace with a fidelity akin
TO photography in depletion, but also with
an intellectual perception and luminosity
perfectly marvellous. But be went no
further. Darwin, in working out his
theory OF evolution, owes much to Owen.
WHO made the dry bones and the petrifac-
tons Of the geological strata live in
continuity Of undulatng life with the
present epoch of exstences. To Owen Is
credited the proof that the strange fossil
animals of South America and Australia are
Of the same type that now survives in these
regions.
Darwin had means enough to permit him
to pursue bis scientific studies Just as he
pleased. He had no cares beyond his
scientific studies, his books thereupon and
his ailments. a happier lot for naturalist
cannot be imagined. But Owen, like Hux-
ley, had to choose a profession to earn his
bread. They chose medicine The stndv
OF physiology and anatomy gave them both
the incentive and excitement of entering
into the larger and more interesting work of
natural science, pure and simple. By for
tunate train of circumstances Owen stepped
from position to position, always In the line
OF his bent. He had singnlarly rare gifts as
an investigator. and il was his good fate to
be connected with museums early In his
career.
Finally be became superintendent of the
Natural History Department of the British
Museum. In this position he continued
until, In recent years. the whole collection
was Installed in the new Natural History
museum on Cromwell road, near South
hensington Museum. Owen saw mis-
treasures placed on the shelves and in the
cases and then retired. Years ago the
queen gave him cottage and little gar
den In one OF the hooks of Kensinptou
Park. Sir Richard earned this bv his
lectures On science TO the royal family.
The boys and girls, accompanied bv their
father, formed a select circle of listeners in
one of the rooms of Buckingham Palace
and the Queen herself was an attentive
listener through an open doorway
The volume Of literary work involving
severe inyestigatory application performed
By Owen shows that he was animated by
Mlton's advice to 'scorn delights and live
laborious days." 1t is said of him that
IRON the sponge to man he has thrown
light over every subject he touched" Pa
pers, treatises, monographs and ponderous
books have appeared from his pen in q
stream from the time he began to write.
A collection Of Owens scientific writings.
many Of them exquisitely illustrated, forms
quite a library. There are three or four
hundred works. and the titles alone would
form columns of newspaper. Every scien-
tlfie or even general library must have some
volumes from the pen OF this distinguished
man, who has expanded i'll no small degree
onr knowledge of the life history of the
earth. All countries have done him honor.
and France. Prussia and Italy have con-
ferred decorations upon him. In the win
ming of fortune be has nc place, but in
the winning OF name by noble life OF
intellectual toll he has such Immortality as