The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-04-23
The Descendant Again.

Editor Of The Times: ., .o.ro-
Sir-I notice that some sehl"i ~,
spondent has rushed into print Oh 1 e,,e
siibfect Of "a clever recent anonymous
novel and taken issue with your Jouiiai
in its review OF the books. me So ,
seems rather general than particular tds
was the case with the late laihcH.oN -
FelD. but it is Joined on two points, nc,
.John Oliver Hobbies should pc beh,io IL,
in tho same breath with lota, ana 'ilNl
any Ordinary mind shoulu "'"
Haeckel motto misleading. ....,.,
In regard 10 the first. 10 Is unlol tuil1tt
~ too true that minds or very uii'i '"'
calibre do consider the same suDJsc1 50
far as even 10 write upon IL, ~ ~
caught in the same drit does ~ 81 =
equal capacity. II Is rather mat tne
school-room Is largely attended uiVH
some atmospheric cause ana an ln9
windows through which the outer worm
can be seen have green glasses. INV
ever the eyes behind are OF most N'ty
ing strength. Tho school though, Is both
weil-denned and we'll known. No one p,
an acquainted with modern nctlon Nll
fail TO recognize the standpoint, however
much the presentation may vary IN toIce
or artistic merit.
The next noint IS treated with bound
less libcraiitv that alone can justify a
conious quoting. "Tho reviewer in these
columns also states that the motto or
"The Descendant" MAN rs not above ma
ture. but I'm nature" IS III chosen, az il
rs social law and not nature. that warnS
Akcrshcm. To the mind that contound9
nature ms Haeckel rscs II. with n rev
shrubs I'm n grass plot. only the years
as they roll can bring enlightenment.
The c0nceiving and theorizing de-
nartment NJ the mind IS denendent large
~ upon the environment that furnishes
tho first years Of perception
So here it seems. Haeckel not only
evaded tho grass plot. but used nature 10
indicate ;, environment. which to-day Is too
heavily -aighted with social law for the
two 10 llo separated. If so. tho reviewers
agree. although the first did not know
what he was talking about. One social
law. IN this instance bearing with such
peculiar bitterness that we arc led 10 con-
clude that IL moulded the whole mani
But farther on we find a concise sum-
ming up which does not accord with this
theory. "The end comes from the Vio-
lence Of Akershem's own temperament.
Here is the core OF what Haeckel touched
in his aphorism-man's oneness with ma
ture through that part OF him which
remains unnnuenced by environment
what modern thought has been pleased
10 currently call individuality. Had Aker-
shom. IN spite of adverse fate. used his
natural strength TO conquer peacefully
place in the world. his individuality would
have risen superior 10 circumstance But
seeing social law against him on all sides
he raised his hand against all law. and
so became Indirectly a product OF the
very laws ne dehed. From this standpoint
was he presented. and not from that Of
am Inherited mr. sporadic Individuality
Thus II would seem that the fruits OF
the spirit Of modern fiction resolve them
selves into questions which II Is imposs-
bic 10 discuss in narrow limits. and not
trench ON PHILOSOPHERS even wider and
deeper than FaookcL
ONE WHO ENDORSES
TUE TIMES CpTTfOTFE