New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-02-12
LONDON NOTES
PROFESSOR HUXLEY AND BIBLE CRITICISM
MR. BEERBOHM TREES EXTRACT OF
PANEGYRIC-THE ANTI-JACOBlN-A
NEW PHILANTIIROPlST.

fcssor Huxley He has AZ last been drawn by Mr.
r. Anderson or nominally by Mr.. Anderson; really
by Mr.. Gladstone. The controversy between the
great politician and the great man OF science Is an
old one. and has taken more forms than one.
There WINS. at the time. but one opinion among
cOmpctcnt critics rs to the result Of this contro-
vcrsv Mr. Gladstone was routed. But Mr.. An
dersOn five years after this catastrophe, comes 10
his rescue and Professor Huxley thercupon once
more Stays the slain. suppose that in theological
or biblical disputes nobody is ever really SLAIN.
The overthrow of one champion or another NAV be
complete logically, but logic has, In the minds of
the general public less share than passion or preJu-
dice. or tradition in the conclusions formed and
maintained on such subjects if conclusions they
can be called. Mr.. Anderson is not exactly one
Of the general public. | take him to be a member
of the Civil Service of this country in Ligh posi-
tion n man OF much learning and acutcness OF
mind. if acutcness of mind may cocxist with mys-
ticism. lie attacks Professor Huxley in n rather
casual way, but says he msled the public. The
word is enough From the calm seclusion Of East
bourne up starts the stalwart Professor and in
very brief. very pithy and pointed letter restates
his case, as few disputants know how.
Mr. Huxley had it must he admitted, very
unusual advantage in his conflict with the Old
Parliamentary Hand The Old Parliamentary
Hand had committed himself TO a definite state
ment II is an ndiscretion Of which he is almost
never guilty. He concnded in general way
that the socaled Mosaic cosmogony had been
confirmed by science, and he made the specific
asscrtion-I am quoting from Mr.. IuXley's letter.
that the order Of the appearance OF animals laid
down in the first chapter Of Genesis had been
so affirmed in time by natural science that 1t
may be taken as demonstrated conclusion and
I'll.
marks are Mr.. Gladstone's The following is
Mr. IIuXey's present reply TO them
IT was agreed on both sides that according 10
Genesis al POPS. creeping things and beasts
of the EARTH, and everything that creepeth on the
ground appeared on the sixth day, while winged
fowl had come into existence on the fifth day:
and il was not disputed that winged fowl included
birds and creeping things reptiles. Conse-
qucnty, if my assertion that, according TO natural
science birds appeared the earth after reptiles
is correct land it has not been challenged, it
follows that the teachings Of natural science, 10
far from affirming the order given in Genesis,
Numerically contradict it,"
Mr.. Huxley would not be Mr. Huxley If he did
not wind mp with a challenge 10 Mr.. Anderson a
summons either to admit deny this proposition.
and, if he denies il, 10 say what ground he
denies it. But | apprehend the Professor has
secret hope that he may once more tempt his old
antagonist into tho field. and that the sound of his
lance against Mr.. Andersons shield may bring
Mr.. Gladstone out in armor 10 undergo rhe fate
reserved for him. The confidence of Mr. Gladstone
is splendid thing to see there is no subject on
which it is not complete; he encounters Mr. Hux-
ley in natural science with as much courage as
he meets Mr.. Bllfour in an Irish debate. II is
confidence superior 10 defeat; based in part on
fuI
two than at twenty-eight; and in part on the
existence Of that body of followers prepared
To affirm whatever he aflirms. 10 deny what he
denies, or, If need be, 10 affirm and deny tho
same proposition at the same time.
Mr. Anderson. | said, is a mystic. He is some
thing more, but may quote, a curiosity, his
theory of spiritual Interpretation:
There is deeper language in the book, which
phiology takes no account of, language 10 be
dcciphered only by tracing the unnumbered strands
in the twisted line of type and anti-type, and
promise and prophecy, which runs unbroken
through it,
This is rather different from Dr. Jowett's:
Interpret the Scripture like any other book:
different also from Mr. Gladstone's latest de.
lNcrance on the same subject, with
reference 10 this same newspaper debate on the
Bible and Modern Criticism. Mr. Gladstone
seems disposed TO accept DR.. Jowett's canon: or
did seem. Ii will be instructive to see whether
be applies IT, and how he applies il. should lie
SEE tit 10 renew his contention about Genesis
with Professor Huxley.
Tn, London papers Of this morning are en-.
richcd by an advertisement of Mr.. Bcerbohm
Trees Hamlet filling column in small type.
1t is curious example of that craving for notori-
cry which bcscts most even of the best actors.
u. -.
,ari3m, pap7Ts? Do the public? one ,ncyes
knows. The public read great many things
that might be left unread and unwrittcn
suppose Mr.. Tree reads them and believes that
others read them in this extracted and trun-
Gated form. The question might be asked. aso
who prepares them? | have looked at one: an
extract handsbreadth long from Mr. Clement
SCOTS criticism two columns long. | read the
criticism, being curious 10 see what really ac-
complishcd writer on the drama would say Of
such performance Mr.. Beerbohm Trees The
impression il left that Mr. Scott thought
this particular Hamlet inadequate and common
place. The impression left by the sentences now
chosen to be reprinted is not the same Mr. Scott
praised certain details of Mr. Trees rendering,
as everybody must. The praise Of these details
is reproduced the effect and meaning of the
whole criticism are not reproduced nor indicated.
In all, Mr. Tree gives summaries selected
sentences from thirteen different papers Out of
the trtccn three at most would De thought
important by students Of the contempo-
mry stage. The remainder are unimportant.
Some of them are comic. mean unin-
I ntiOnaly comic. one says His imper.
sonation is an active organism; il palpitates with
life" Another says: " He hates and detcSts Al
postutins and poses Well. il he does. he ovoss
ala
Judged merely from Outward signs would have
thought posturing and poses dear to him. The
play was fu of them. 1t would be interesting 10 COLI
cct from this column all the superlaives and fine
adicctvcs Of every degree which tho friendly en-
hns hnstnN..l Air