New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-12-28
PROFESSOR TYNDALL.
IN BELFAST-IN EARLY LIFE-IN THE
ALPS-AT HOME-HIS DEATH.
London, December Il,

London, December H.
went to Belfast in 1874 to hear Dr. Tyndaps
+ address as President Of the British Association
| for the Advancement of Science Those were
! the days when the British Association had an
Importance much greater than it has since been
able to maintain. It's position with reference
both to the world OF science and the world at
large. or the intellectual portion OF 1t. was such
that the most eminent men OF science were glad
to take part in it's proceedings. English savants
looked to the yearly Presidential address as a
kind OF authentic statement in behalf OF
science. Sometimes It was a summary Of the
years work. sometimes It dealt with the latest
or greatest Of the new doctrines or newly de-
vcloped principles. in Sir William Groves
celebrated address at Liverpool on the Conserva-
ton OF Energy. Sometimes the President for
the year choae to be individual. and to put forth
his own views on some hotly oonroverted
point. The sectional meetings Of the Associa-
ton were also, not nfrequently Of real scientific
interest. Professor Huxley himself read papers
to the sections. and many hardly less emf
nent than Professor Huxley. In short, the plat
form of the British Association was then a
pup: with sounding board. and nobody need
wish Il better spot from which to issue a lay
encyccal, urbi ct orbi.
perhaps the most--I don't say sensational, but
the most direct appeal ever made by President
of the Association to the lettered and thoughtful
public It was delivered in a Presbyterian
capital. to a crowded audience, gathered from
all parts Of the kingdom. 1t was reported in
full and instantly became a topic OF discussion
and Of course, OF controversy. ] remember
thinking as | listened that / was present
one OF those occasions which mark epochs. Next
morning went to Professor Tyndall. I
said to him:
Your address seems to me the announcement
Of a revolution"
What DO you mean by revOlutlon?'
Il mean a revolution in the relations between
the world OF science and the rest Of the world;
and in the attitude Of each 70 the other. and
in the influence of scientific thought upon the
general thought Of he best people"
We'll" he answered you have clearly per-
ceiyed the aim Of IT, What the effect will be
is another matter"
And he went Oh TO say that he expected to be
attacked. misrcprcsented. condemned and prob
ably told that he undermining the religious
basis Of sOccty. But to that we are all used
Much Of what he foTegaw did In fact happen.
He was denounced rs n Inaterialist and an ag-
nostlc-nether Of them at that time words OF
good import. nor is materiast now, though
agnostic has Ions been used otherwise than as a
ter Of rcproach. He thought it worth while,
50 unreenting the attack 10 set forth later
at Birmingham some Of the chief misconceptions
of his opponents and 10 vindicate his own po-
siton. and even his own good faith. Explana-
tions are commonly a mistake. and Tyndalrs
was hardly an exception 10 the rule But to
the Impotence Of the address and its revolution
airy character. there was no mistake. l have
Just turned 10 the chief lay authority in all such
matters 10 what was said Of it cfter twenty
years almost had passed. and find this:
1T may be taken the first clear and un-
mistakable public utterance as to the aims Of
modern science. and 10 the bearings OF the
doctrine Of evolution the beliefs that have in
iuenced humanity from the beginning"
Then. after a reference TO the controversy
that arose, t1Ie writer says. and says most
truly:
THE address might be delivered now without
creating any excitement at all. Tyndall hardly
went further than the present Bishop of London
does l.. his well-known work on Science and
Religion. published few years ago."
The comparison is an instructive one because
the present Bishop OF London. DR.. Temple. has
shown himself at critical portions OF his career
anxious TO conform to the general expectation Of
his Church, and even Of the public. with refer
ence to questions which touched points Of
He one Of the authors Of
Essays and Reviews" and he saw reason to
recant the very moderate expressions Of ecclesi-
astical liberalism into which he then fell He
has since been known, and Is known down to the
present day. az safe theOogian. The spirit
Of caution attends him. If there be no real
difference between the Bishop OF London's pres
ant views Science and Religion, and those
which DR.. Tynda proclaimed at Belfast the
period Of harmony is clearly approaching Dr.
Temples authority is not high; It is because he
Is the impersonation OF the spirit Of prudent
that his testimony is valuable.
But let any student in America who cares for
the intellectual history OF this generation read
over Tyndalls Belfast address. He will not
ind It hard reading. but easy. and not merely
Easy but fascinating. Tyndall had put forth
MS whole strength. His STYLE which was al.
ways copous and full Of color. Is here at it,
pest. He rises 10 his theme. The audience
which heard him was. at moments, electrified.
so Will the reader be. even now, and II he does
lot feet that. at this day, the doctrine Of the
address is novel. he has only to put himself In
he position OF those who heard and read It
n 1874 to appreciate the tremendous effect Of
his application Of the Natural Law to the
Spiritual World.
In this time OF the conoclast and the democrat
L may be worth remarking that Tyndall was
born in the masses. and that his place in the
classes was one which he made for himself
His father belonged TO the poorest class OF
radesmen" but was the less a man Of
energy and intellect. He gave his son an educa-
ion at school and at home; one perhaps az
iseful as the other Civil engineering was to
nave been young Tyndalls profession. and he
lid work at it for while. The influence of Ger
nan scientific teaching and the influence Of
Far day turned him to pure science, and kept
him there 1t is mentioned vaguely that hs
nee thought Of settling in America. For
america read Canada. II remember rightly
he story | have heard Tyndal tell, he was