The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1894-04-08
A Useful mad I.t.-s.t,.x Liz.

No citizen OF the United States has done so
much during the last forty years to make his
country hospitable to the discoveries and de-
ductions OF science as Edtcard Lipin9ston
l'oumans. a sketch Of whose life has been pub
lishsd by JOHN FIsKE tApplstonsI To enume-
rate Younnns's aohievem ents In the dissent.
nation and Interpretation Of scientific truth Il
to sum up the record OF an epoch from the
viewpoint Of the gradual enlightenment OF the
American people Only those who can recall
the reception given on this side OF the Atlantic
to the Origin OF Species can appreciate the
progress since made and rightly apportion the
share OF the credit for the advance which be-
longs to tho subject Of this biography. When
Mr.. Fisks reminds US that tho discovery
and propagation OF truth are functions
seldom united in one person. and that
science. like religion. must have its apos-
ties. he speaks as ono having sxpe-
risnee and authority. and no one will dis
pute his com petencs to define and applaud the
services which his friend rendered In the ca
paeity OF breaker Of the bread OF science to
the multitude. Aside however. from the ad-
measurement OF the solid and fruitful work
done by Youmans. II has long been known
that detailed account OF the grlevous dlsa-
bilities under which he labored during q large
and critical part OF his life would be touching
and inVigorative. and Mr. Fiske 10 especially
qualified TO pen such narrative BY long and
intimate acquaintance with the man whom he
portrays. and by an ardent sympathy with his
purposes and character. Here was man who.
ct the time when he was about to enter
q university. saw his hopes Of . liberal
education cut on by a loss OF syesight.
from which for many years he OBJ
tanned only transient and partial relief. and
from which he never entirely recovered. Blind.
poor. and ignorant-that was q mbinAtion OF
woes unknown TO Milton. whose mind was
richly stored when he comp plain ed that knoWl-
edge was at one portal quite shut out How
against odds which In the retrospect seem
overwhelming Youmans managed with the
ear ard memory alone TO give himself a scien-
tihe education which few university men have
gained. and how he used his hard-won aequi-
Sitions to awaken perception and reflection in
his countrymsn Is set forth In the book before
as with an admiration and 3 tenderness which
the reader cannot help but share
Edward Livingston YoumAnS was born In
the town OF CoeJmAns. Albany County New
York. on the Sd of June. 1921. We are told
that his father. Vincent YoumAns. was = man
Of Independent character. strong convictions
and perfect moral courage. with quick and
ready tongue; and that the mother. Catherine
seOfisld, was noted for balance Of Judgment
prudence and tact Both parents belonged to
the old Puritan stock Of New England. and
excepting an Irish Ersat-grandfathsE on the
mothers side and . Dutch great grandmother
on the fathers. the ancestry Of the subject Of
this biography was purely English. II Ap-
pears that one OF the ehild's grand
mothers wished 10 give him the name Of her
pastor Robert Livingston. but A. the father
objsetsd 10 double names It vas agreed 70
sall him simply LiYingston. In after Years be