William Barton Rogers to Henry Darwin Rogers, October 30, 1860

Boston, October 30, 1860.

I have already seen your article in “Blackwood.”  . . . It strikes me, however, as an entirely fair and rational view of the question, as presented by you. The fact of the present association of human relics with the fossils in a bed of gravel is no proof of synchronous deposit. Nor have we a right, even granting the synchronism, to exclude positively the very great geological antiquity of man, since we have no certain knowledge of the time of extinction of these accompanying fossil forms.

It will be important to weigh the evidence, such as this is, gathered from neighbouring and remote regions, on the question of the degree of antiquity to be assigned to these extinct fossils, wholly independent of any association with traces of man. Next, it will be necessary to accumulate all the facts bearing on the question of the physical relations and those under which the two have been brought together, whether by a tranquil process or by turbulent intermingling of different sediments. This, it seems to me, would demand an examination of the whole region, topographically, connected with the Somme valley. As our knowledge in all these particulars now stands, I think a suspension of judgment is the truly philosophical course. You have shown this, I think, most clearly and impressively, and I am sure that all the readers of the article will be struck with its cogency and ability.

I send you in a box some copies of my Report on an Institute of Technology, which you may distribute as you think best. I am, however, mailing a copy to you by to-morrow's steamer. The pamphlet will not be distributed for some time. After the elections are over, and the public ready for other thoughts, we shall try to interest parties here and in the other larger towns, so as to effect a preliminary organization. Then this Institute will join the Natural History Society, Horticultural Society, etc., in a renewed application to the Legislature for a grant of land on the Back Bay. I think you will find the plan of the Institute to include all the features which we used to talk of, and to be at least broad enough for any practical result.

. . . We have no doubt of the election of Lincoln and Hamlin. But there will, of course, be a Democratic Senate, and a very large opposition in the House. The threats of disunion are already less loud. Robert is well, and about to make an analysis of the water-gas, as it is called, which is now used in lighting the new hotel at the corner of Ninth and Chestnut streets. He likes Dr. Pepper, the successor of Wood, very much, and writes in good spirits.

SOURCE: Emma Savage Rogers & William T. Sedgwick, Life and Letters of William Barton Rogers, Volume 2, p. 43-5

William Barton Rogers to Henry Darwin Rogers, September 25, 1860

25th.

I have just returned from seeing Mrs. Chambers at the Tremont House, having learned from Hillard, this morning, that they were in the city. . . . It did my heart good to hear of you both, and the children, from one who had so lately seen you. The Daguerreotypes sent by Eliza brought tears to my eyes. Dear little Edith, so like her thoughtful face, and the sweet, plump little baby in the arms of her pleasant-faced Scotch nurse. . . . Yours is beautiful and expressive, and shows you in portly health, but so marked by the expression of our dear father as I never saw you before. Oh, how these little things make me long to be with you, and that we might have years to spend together! . . .

In the last number of the “Edinburgh Journal” see an article on Ozone Observations by a Dr. Mitchell. What he says about the effect of wind, etc., I called especial attention to in the paper I contributed a year ago. I shall make out a summary of my observations at Sunny Hill for the past four or five summers and send you.

SOURCE: Emma Savage Rogers & William T. Sedgwick, Life and Letters of William Barton Rogers, Volume 2, p. 42

William Barton Rogers to Henry Darwin Rogers, September 24, 1860

Boston, September 24, 1860.

. . . We expect to remove to Boston for the winter in about three weeks. . . . My last visit to Boston was for the purpose of reading to a committee a pretty full outline of an Institute of Technology, to comprise a Society of Arts, an Industrial Museum, and a School of Industrial Science. My plan is very large, but is much liked, and I shall probably submit it, by request, to a meeting of leading persons in the course of a week or two, after which it will be printed in pamphlet form. The educational feature of the plan is what ought most to recommend it, and will, I think, be well appreciated. It provides for regular systematic teaching in Drawing and Design, Mathematics, general and applied Physics, Practical Chemistry, Geology and Mining, and would require at least five fully equipped professorships, besides laboratories, even at the beginning. It contemplates two classes of pupils, — those who go through a regular and continuous course of practical studies, and those who attend the lectures on Practical Science and Art. But I will not dilate on the plan now.

I wish, some day that you are enough at leisure, you would write Mr. Savage a few lines about your own doings, or any matter of local antiquarian interest that may turn up. I know he would be greatly pleased to hear from you. I have never known him more cheerful and happy, or more gentle and benevolent, than now. He seems to rejoice as much as we when a letter comes by steamer from you and Eliza.

You may tell friends in Scotland that the slavery extension doctrine will be effectually wiped out by this election. Mr. Andrew, whom you know, will be the next Governor, — an honest, fearless, clearheaded and humane man. Lincoln, by all reliable accounts, is a like character, with probably more decided intellectual power.

Some people are just now greatly exercised, as the Methodists say, with the expected visit of the Prince. Of course the long ears will show themselves on such occasions. But I trust the reception in Boston will be marked by self-respect, as well as courtesy to the symbolic guest. There has been much folly committed in Canada, and I fear there will be vastly more in New York.

Ticknor and Fields have just reprinted Tyndall's volume on the Glaciers. I shall take it to the country, and may be tempted to write a critique.

Ferguson, of the National Observatory, has lately discovered another asteroid.

SOURCE: Emma Savage Rogers & William T. Sedgwick, Life and Letters of William Barton Rogers, Volume 2, p. 41-2

Samuel Kneeland Jr. to William Barton Rogers, January 30, 1861

Boston, September 24, 1860.

. . . We expect to remove to Boston for the winter in about three weeks. . . . My last visit to Boston was for the purpose of reading to a committee a pretty full outline of an Institute of Technology, to comprise a Society of Arts, an Industrial Museum, and a School of Industrial Science. My plan is very large, but is much liked, and I shall probably submit it, by request, to a meeting of leading persons in the course of a week or two, after which it will be printed in pamphlet form. The educational feature of the plan is what ought most to recommend it, and will, I think, be well appreciated. It provides for regular systematic teaching in Drawing and Design, Mathematics, general and applied Physics, Practical Chemistry, Geology and Mining, and would require at least five fully equipped professorships, besides laboratories, even at the beginning. It contemplates two classes of pupils, — those who go through a regular and continuous course of practical studies, and those who attend the lectures on Practical Science and Art. But I will not dilate on the plan now.

I wish, some day that you are enough at leisure, you would write Mr. Savage a few lines about your own doings, or any matter of local antiquarian interest that may turn up. I know he would be greatly pleased to hear from you. I have never known him more cheerful and happy, or more gentle and benevolent, than now. He seems to rejoice as much as we when a letter comes by steamer from you and Eliza.

You may tell friends in Scotland that the slavery extension doctrine will be effectually wiped out by this election. Mr. Andrew, whom you know, will be the next Governor, — an honest, fearless, clearheaded and humane man. Lincoln, by all reliable accounts, is a like character, with probably more decided intellectual power.

Some people are just now greatly exercised, as the Methodists say, with the expected visit of the Prince. Of course the long ears will show themselves on such occasions. But I trust the reception in Boston will be marked by self-respect, as well as courtesy to the symbolic guest. There has been much folly committed in Canada, and I fear there will be vastly more in New York.

Ticknor and Fields have just reprinted Tyndall's volume on the Glaciers. I shall take it to the country, and may be tempted to write a critique.

Ferguson, of the National Observatory, has lately discovered another asteroid.

SOURCE: Emma Savage Rogers & William T. Sedgwick, Life and Letters of William Barton Rogers, Volume 2, p. 41-2

William Barton Rogers to Henry Darwin Rogers, May 29, 1860

Boston, May 29, 1860.

. . . We go to Lunenburg on Friday. As soon as there I shall write out my observations on binocular vision, etc., in a form suited for presentation.

Our “Reservation Committees” are to continue their action until the next meeting of the Legislature, feeling strong hopes of obtaining the grant of land on the Back Bay through further efforts. They have urged me to accept the chairmanship, and I have conditionally agreed. Among our present purposes is that of framing a plan for a Technological department, with which some of our leading men, as Erastus Bigelow, Ignatius Sargent, etc., think they can secure a subscription of $100,000 from the manufacturers and merchants, and that being assured, we can come before the Legislature with an irresistible claim.

Now can you not, while in London, gather up all documents relating to the Kensington Museum, that in Jermyn Street, etc., which might be of assistance in digesting such a plan? You will do us a great service by sending me such as you collect....

The anti-Darwin review in the last “Edinburgh” is, I suppose, by Owen. It does not seem to me to be altogether fair or philosophic. I see a notice of his “Palaeontology “ in the small type of the "Westminster," which I ascribe to Huxley, and which certainly shows up the deficiencies and errors of that treatise very positively.

This morning's paper brought the sad announcement of the death of Theodore Parker. The news lately received from Florence led us to look for such a result. But now that it is certain, how deep will be the grief of the large circle of friends upon whom it will fall as one of the heaviest of bereavements. No one will be more sincerely mourned, or leave a more lasting memory in the affections and gratitude of liberal hearts everywhere, than our noble, self-sacrificing, gently loving and heroic friend. I feel that his name will be a power, and that the free and wise words that he has written, and the disciples he has reared, will continue the labours of humanity and freedom which he showed such unfaltering boldness in carrying on. You and I have lost a good friend, who knew how, better than almost any other, to appreciate the free thought that was in us. I shall never forget his kind words of you and to me, as with a tearful eye I last parted from him.

You have no doubt seen the action of the Chicago Convention. How decorous and manly and consistent their course, compared with the Democratic and the old-fogy conventions that preceded! There is good reason to expect the success of the Republican ticket; Lincoln and Hamlin are both men of superior endowments, are honest and patriotic, and sufficiently versed in affairs.

The Union-saving party is looked upon as a “dead thing” Some one lately said to one of these gentlemen, who had just been telling him that they had nominated “Bell and Everett,” “Why did you not choose?” “Why, he has been dead this twelvemonth!” was the reply. “Not so dead as either of your nominees,” was the rejoinder.

SOURCE: Emma Savage Rogers & William T. Sedgwick, Life and Letters of William Barton Rogers, Volume 2, p. 34

William Barton Rogers to Henry Darwin Rogers, May 17, 1860

Boston, May 17,1860.

My Dear Henry,  . . . On Friday I made my address to the Natural History Society on their thirtieth anniversary, and according to all accounts was more than usually successful. As I did not prepare in writing, I have, of course, nothing permanent to show for it. But I suppose the chief object was attained, and I am content.

I have been making some further experiments on photographing the electrical light, and on binocular vision, the details of which I will send you in my next, with the request, perhaps, that you would present them at the Oxford meeting. I have obtained a very beautiful photographic impression of the stratified discharge, thus showing the absence of actinic as well as luminous rays in the dark interspaces. . . .

Mr. Alger has lately shown me a letter of yours to Herbert Spencer in regard to the publication of the latter's works in this country. He and Mr. Silsbee, of Salem, are interesting themselves in getting subscribers, as I most certainly shall do. Some of Spencer's reviews, which I have read, struck me as very remarkable productions. After a time I am sure that his writings will be in great request with the more liberal thinkers here.

The Constitutional-Union party, at their late convention in Baltimore, nominated Bell, of Tennessee, for President, and Everett for Vice-President. Hillard was one of the chief speakers, and won a shower of bouquets from the ladies. As no opinions were expressed, or principles announced, in regard to any of the stirring questions of the day, of course all went smoothly and pleasantly.

I was saddened to hear yesterday that Theodore Parker has been rapidly going down, and that he is not expected to be able to leave Florence. Desor has been with him, and perhaps is still his companion. But probably you know more of his condition and purposes than we do. . . .

Your affectionate brother,

William.

SOURCE: Emma Savage Rogers & William T. Sedgwick, Life and Letters of William Barton Rogers, Volume 2, p. 33-4

William Barton Rogers to Henry Darwin Rogers, January 2, 1860

Boston, January 2, 1860.

My Dear Henry,  . . . Robert has had some trouble of late in arresting the foolish attempt of the Southern students to withdraw from Philadelphia. Through his exertions the University class lost only some fifteen, and those of the most worthless sort, but one hundred and fifty of the class at the Jefferson school went off in a body to Richmond. It seems that the movement was in part instigated by some of the professors in Richmond and other Southern cities, and, worse still, the foolish young men were received with rejoicings and a speech of congratulation from Governor Wise!!

No Speaker has yet been elected in Congress, but there is little doubt that the Republican candidate will be chosen. Nor do I think the Southern members, with all their threats of secession and resistance, will attempt anything of the kind. After blowing off their superfluous steam, they will subside into more rational speech and action. It is, however, clear that the conflict between pro-slavery and anti-slavery is henceforth to be perpetual until freedom has triumphed throughout all the States. Little as I can sympathize in John Brown's insurrectionary projects, I believe that the panic will bear good fruit by and by in hastening the legislation which was once in Virginia so near arranging a plan of prospective emancipation. . . .

I have been reading the early chapters of Darwin's book with great interest. . . .

I send you the proceedings of the Natural History Society, containing some little matters of mine which may be interesting. What I say in regard to the Vespertine and Umbral rocks of the Provinces, etc., is intended to show that we long ago recognized these two divisions as important in North American geology, although they are only now becoming recognized by Logan and Dawson. You will see also a short notice of my discovery of a Lingula in the slates of St. John, where no fossils had previously been found.

A Memorial prepared by me in behalf of the Natural History, Horticultural and other societies will be presented to the Legislature erelong, and it is thought the grant of land on the Back Bay will be made for their benefit. My Memorial has been highly approved.

. . . The more I look into Darwin's argument the more I like it, save in the one particular of ignoring entirely violent and sudden physical changes. The calmness and truth-loving spirit of the book are truly admirable. Much of it I know you will approve.

SOURCE: Emma Savage Rogers & William T. Sedgwick, Life and Letters of William Barton Rogers, Volume 2, p. 18-9

William Barton Rogers to Henry Darwin Rogers, November 29, 1859

Boston, November 29, 1859.

. . . The doings at Harper's Ferry have made an impression which will long be felt. The execution of Brown, to take place on Friday, will sadden and embitter the hearts of the great majority north of the Potomac. The conduct of Wise has been, I think, weak and absurd; the course of the Court of Appeals, harsh if not iniquitous. I know well the horrors of an apprehended insurrection,¹ and I can make large allowance for those who are affected by them, for I remember the morbid fears which prevailed after the Southampton tragedy. But it amazes me to find Governor Wise surrounding the helpless prisoner by a cordon of more than one thousand soldiers, and forbidding, as he has done, all approach to the place of execution.

I shall write you, dear Henry, by the steamer of Saturday. We are all well. Mr. Savage, who has been slightly lamed, now walks out. Hillard, since his return, has been suffering the effects of his very boisterous passage. Charles Sumner looks well, but I think his disease is rather healed over than eradicated. . . .

Congress is about to organize, and I fear with the prospect of a session of extraordinary turbulence. Already Mason and other extreme men of the South are applying the match to the magazine of combustibles gathered in Washington, by calling for an investigation by Congress of the Harper's Ferry invasion, as they call it. Throughout the Northern States, especially New England and the Northwest, the effect of Brown's mistaken enterprise, with the revelation of heroic self-renunciation which has accompanied it, has been to deepen and extend the hostility to the slave power. The contrast between the trembling fears of a whole State and the resolute bravery, for principle's sake, of one man is most impressive. The purpose of Brown seems to have been to liberate a large number of the slaves and assist them in escaping from the State. But he forgot the horrors and crimes of a servile revolt, to which his effort, if successful, would surely have led, and he must have been strangely ignorant, or deceived, to believe that he could aid the general emancipation of the slaves by such an attempt. He might have given occasion to an appalling loss of life, perhaps almost to the extermination of the blacks in Virginia. Perhaps the impression he has made in the South may hasten in Virginia, at least, the adoption of some prospective cure for this most perilous evil. The whole matter is full of sad suggestions to me. . . .

_______________

¹ Of the slaves.

SOURCE: Emma Savage Rogers & William T. Sedgwick, Life and Letters of William Barton Rogers, Volume 2, p. 16-7

William Barton Rogers to Henry Darwin Rogers, November 1, 1859

Boston, November 1,1859.

. . . The Natural History, Horticultural, and other societies are making great efforts to secure a long parallelogram of the new-made land west of the Public Garden and parallel with the lower part of the Milldam, about the Toll-gate, and they have good hopes of succeeding. They have already prepared plans for large and elegant structures for their accommodation severally. You would be surprised to see the extent of solid ground 'that has already been formed in this quarter, and the style of the sandstone buildings that have been commenced just below the Public Garden. That part of the city bids fair to be a place of palaces, in comparison with which Beacon Street and Mount Vernon Street will be but second-rate or less.

The papers will give you accounts of the late occurrences at Harper's Ferry. Brown, the leader in this almost crazy attempt, had already earned great honour with the friends of freedom by his bravery in Kansas. He had suffered cruelly at the hands of the Missouri propagandists of slavery, having seen two of his sons killed by them while helping to defend him, and having suffered wounds and indignities on his own person. He has shown in his late attempt great heroism and even humanity, with a most extraordinary want of knowledge and judgment. His fate excites great sympathy, and I believe that should the sentence of the law be carried out to his execution, new strength will be given to the anti-slavery movement in the Northern States. I think the Executive of Virginia will endeavour to commute the sentence. There has been something very impressive and almost sublime in the manliness and spirit he has shown during the trial. . . .

SOURCE: Emma Savage Rogers & William T. Sedgwick, Life and Letters of William Barton Rogers, Volume 2, p. 15-6