["Every organism must have sprung from a unicellular
ancestor."--_Dr. Burdon Sanderson's Presidential Address to
the British Association._
That life is a sell we most of us know,
But Doctor BURDON SANDERSON tells
It began in a cell oh! aeons ago!
And Progress is merely the growth of cells.
And is _that_ what you were fashioned for
Our "unicellular ancestor"?
"The specific energy of cells"
Is a taking phrase, but what does it mean?
Is it merely the Life that in most things dwells,
Or must we go reading the lines between,
To find what you really were fashioned for,
Our "unicellular ancestor"?
Words, words, words! What matter if
They're scientific and pseudo-oracular.
Or, scouting a terminology stiff,
Couched in sciolist's plain vernacular!
_Do_ they tell us what you were fashioned for,
Our "unicellular ancestor"?
BURDON'S burden, like VILLON'S of old
Leaves us a prey to doubt and fear.
Your meaning and purpose when _shall_ we be told
Oh cells--or snows--of yester-year?
Or what you truly were fashioned for
Our "unicellular ancestor"?
* * * * *
THE MODERN "TENDER" PASSION.--Bimetallism.
* * * * *