The Elbert County tribune., 1909-02-11

IN INC iot VI STtdt HleH
MLvAA whose one-hundredth an
MMINU niversary of birth occurs
WSEA this year, the pane of Oar
w win stands out with full
prominence. An English bi-
ographer closes his record of
the famous scientists life with these
words: "a marvellously patient and
successful revolutionizer of thought;
a noble and beloved man"
Simplicity. kindliness, geniality,
modesty, courage, were distinguishing
traits of Darwin. Arrogance and pre-
tense had no place in his makeup.
! He loved truth for truths sake. and
was willing to search for it tirelessly.
Although he held at the time high
rank as geologist and biologist, it was
not until the publication of "On the
Origin of Species by Means of Natural
Selection. or the Preservation of Fa-
vored Races in the Struggle for Life" /"
his theories began to make great stir
In the world. In the retirement and
quiet of his country home in the vii
lage of Down, Kent, he had for years
been making patient, laborious study
of the mystery of species, and in the
work put forth at the age of SO he
propounded theory of biological evo-
luton, what is known as the Darwin
ian theory" In evidence of his gem
erosity and modesty, attention should
be called to the attitude taken by him
regarding an essay written by the nat
uralist, Mr.. Alfred Russell Wallace. in
February, 1858, in which Mr.. Wallace
put forth the same theory as that he
himself had arrived at; "the two men
having, independently and unknown to
each other. conceived the same very
ingenious theory" Darwin was strong
ly inclined to withhold from publication
the memoir he had ready on the sub
ject. yield priority and all honors to
Wallace; but the matter was settled
tiy laying before the Linnean society
selections from the papers of both
men. Darwin's paper was read in July
1858. his great work appeared in the
fall of the following year.
As is well known. Darwin's evolu-
tionary theories were regarded as
very revolutionary, and violent attacks
were made on views and author, espe-
cially by the orthodox and religious
journals. Denunciation, satire and
ridicule were employed to express the
Judgment of reviewers, but the one
who had caused all the agitation Sc
renely kept to his way. not answering
attacks. but making corrections and
additions to his work. second edi-
ton OF the Origin OF Species" ap-
peared six weeks after the first,
third came out little more than q
year after the second. BY the time
of the sixth edition, 1872. Darwin was
able to declare that almost every
naturalist of the day admitted the
great principle of evolution.
In THE Descent of Man" he came
out openly with what had been i'm
piled In the "Origin of Species" be.
lief in the evolution of man from ami
NAL ancestors; "after discussing the
steps in the genealogy of man, he
comes to the conclusion that from the
old-world monkeys. at remote period,
proceeded man, the wonder and glory
Of the universe" M S
His first botanical book. "On the
Various Contrivances by Which Or
chids Are. Fertilized by Insects" was
brought out in 1862, and pronounced
the most mastery treatise on any
branch of vegetable physiology that
had ever appeared" This was followed
by THE Movement and Habits Of
Climbing Plants" later by work ON
The Variation of Animals and Plants
Under Domestication." "The Express
sion OF the Emotions in Man and Ami
mails" appeared in 1872. The work on
lnsectivorous Plants" was published
In 1875. this followed by THE Effects