New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-08-29
NAN AND THE UNIVERSE.

so much adverse comment was evoked by Al
fred Russell Wallace's utterances last winter in
regard to mans place in the universe that he has
felt himself called upon to reply to his critics,
and does so in the latest issue of THE indie
pendent" He quietly ignores the hint that he
has travelled outside his own domain Of sci
ence, biology. Still, he writes with intelligence
and candor, and takes note of what were real
" the most important objections to his belief
that on the earth alone have the conditions been
adequate to the development Of life.
The first point to which Mr. Wallace now
gives his attention is the extent Of the universe.
1t has been suggested that unless he could
prove that it was not infinite he was not lusti-
fed in any assumptions to it's position. Log
icaly, perhaps that may be true, but such talk
is clubbing. On this question the venerable
eTolutonist Is in practical agreement with those
who differ with him on others The general
tendency OF opinion among the leading OracIes
Of stellar science is TO the view that the universe
has its limits, and that the sun is near It's
centre. Mr.. Wallace thinks so, too. So long as
there is no serious disagreement between the
parties to the present discussion, therefore, It is
needless TO ask for a demonstration.
When 1t is asked whether the sun and its
satellites have always been situated relatively
TO the other celestial bodies as they are now,
solar system is moving with a velocity which
would carry it entirely across the universe if time
enough We're granted and it's course were in
straight .line Any demand on the former
score would be conceded by Mr. Wallace. no
DOUBT but he questions the directness of the
sun S progress through space He cites excel
lent authority for believing that q circular
movement is possible. In number of groups
OF stars there is some evidence that several of
the members are moving with special reference
to one another, and not independently. It is
conceivable, therefore, that the sun NAV he
only one of cluster Of stars, and that its mo-
ton is systematic" While it now seems to be
crossing the Milky Way, from one side 70 the
other, there is no certainty that it will continue
to pursue its present path for any long period
There, at least, Mi Wallace seems to have met
his critics effectively.
The latter are convinced. however. that ami
NAL and vegetable life on the earth are chiefly
if not exclusively, dependent on the sun and
that all Of the stars might be abolished without
any sensible effect. They suspect that anv
other position in the universe than central one
would be equally advantageous. Obviously. Mr.
Wallace must show that they are mistaken if he
wants any great number of thinking people to
agree with him. Ultimately, he may do so
Within the next few weeks. he says a new
book will make its appearance, in which he has
elaborated his reasons. For the present he is
content TO offer an inklinS of them. Il have
found" he says that such delicate adjust
''ments and such numerous combinations of
physical and chemical conditions are required
for the development and maintenance of life
'as to render it in the highest degree improba-
"ble that they should all be again found com
"hined in z single planet" Final Judgment upon
the soundness of his views. therefore is not yet
possible