LETTERS TO GUYOT 



But he is only an astronomer no geologist, chemist, or 

 zoologist, and his views are therefore imperfect in detail 

 and wanting in philosophical spirit. There is something 

 exceedingly sublime in the command ' Sit lux,' when we 

 consider that light is the first index of chemical combina- 

 tion and molecular change and therefore the command 

 is equivalent to ' Let force act/ The vivifying impulse 

 thus given to the particles before inert would send a flash 

 of light throughout the universe. This point, which you 

 mention in your explanations, Professor Mitchell did not 

 seem to comprehend in its full signification. I hope the 

 time may come when you will speak for yourself here on 

 the subject." 



DANA TO GUYOT 



" NEW HAVEN, June 29, 1861. 



" In mailing for you a copy of my pamphlet on Cephali- 

 zation, I wish to send also one word more of prompting 

 with regard to your article on Classification. Our Septem- 

 ber number goes to press in a few days; will it not be 

 ready for its pages ? 



;< I have just been looking over Draper's new work on 

 the Intellectual Development of Europe. It is a work of 

 much thought, but a misshapen mass, with the spirit left 

 out. It makes me long, more than ever, for the publica- 

 tion of your views on the philosophy of history. 



The world is summoning you to action in the great 

 conflict with the materializing influences of the day. I 

 know you are in full action ; but there is need of that 

 wider sweep of your power which can be gained only 

 through your pen and the printer's press. 



I shall have something farther to say on cephaliza- 

 tion, in connection with embryonic development, in a 

 future number of the Journal of Science." 



DANA TO GUYOT 



"NEW HAVEN, April 18, 1863. 



" Am I right in saying that you first brought forward 

 the idea that the human race would necessarily have 

 sunk to a state of degradation as the first stage after cre- 

 ation, on account of man's primal ignorance, together 



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