Page:Popular Science Monthly Volume 41.djvu/860

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THE POPULAR SCIENCE MONTHLY.

and that they wished him not to discontinue his pursuits in that line. He had, however, already found the presidency interfering with his scientific work, and the additional burden was too much. "For the duties of solicitor of money," says his biographer, "he had no qualification. Between paleontologist and financial agent was a gap so broad that he had never contemplated crossing it." He, however, in December, 1874, accepted the chair of Geology in the same university. For this department he prepared an extended syllabus of a proposed course of geological lectures, which should possess interest for the general public, but found it difficult in the financial condition of the institution to equip and maintain laboratories corresponding with his ideas of the professorship of Geology. While occupied with this problem, he was invited to become Professor of Geology, Zoölogy, and Botany, in Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tenn. He accepted an engagement for three months, without severing his connection with Syracuse University, for he opened there a School of Geology, in January, 1876, which he wished to make a permanent feature of the institution; but the enterprise was not fully successful till 1878. He divided his time between Syracuse and Vanderbilt Universities. He found the authorities of the latter institution attached to the old ideas, and in no way disposed to give ear to the new theories of evolution. He nevertheless began his course under what might be considered favorable auspices. In 1877 he published a theory of a relation of meteorites to the disturbances of the satellites of Mars, and several papers in strictly orthodox books and newspapers, unfolding his theory of Preadamites, or of the existence of races of men before Adam; which, he held, was not contrary to divine revelation, but was authorized by a proper construction of the Scriptures. His views were kindly received, even when they were not believed, in the North, but were very unwelcome to his Southern friends. At the commencement season of Vanderbilt University of 1878, Prof. Winchell was warned that his "heterodox" position in reference to Preadamites and evolution was having an influence adverse to the interests of the university, and was asked to decline a reappointment to his professorship. He refused to do this on such grounds as were alleged. On the same evening he delivered one of the addresses of the commencement occasion; and on the next morning the Board of Trust of the university abolished his chair. It had been intended to have the thing quietly done, but Prof. Winchell published all the facts, and was not the one who suffered in reputation from the transaction. Of this incident, Dr. Andrew D. White says, in his New Chapters in the Warfare of Science: "That his lectures at the Vanderbilt University were learned, attractive, and stimulating, even his enemies were forced to admit; but he