REVEALING A TRUTH

BY STEPHEN HAINES

MR DARWIN'S SHOOTER

By Roger McDonald

Alfred A. Knopf

"

 would rather be the offspring of two apes than be a man and afraid to face the truth"?

Thomas Henry Huxley's barb to "Soapy Sam" Wilberforce was the first challenge to England's established religion by Darwin's theory of evolution by natural selection. As Bishop of Oxford, Wilberforce was ideally placed to deal with this contentious new idea. The exchange took place at the university, located in Wilberforce's own diocese. Darwin shunned public debate himself. It was left to Huxley to launch the debate that remains unfinished today.

The idea of evolution was not new in 1860. Darwin's own grandfather Erasmus had toyed with the concept and it was a frequent discussion topic among educated laity and churchmen alike. The most commonly accepted mechanism had been proposed by the French scientist Lamarck, making the idea doubly suspect to patriotic Englishmen still smarting from Napoleon's victories in Europe.

However, many observers, usually termed 'Naturalists' in Victorian England, were accumulating evidence of geologic change exposed in the rocks. Noteworthy among these was Charles Lyell who published a geology study extending the age of the Earth far beyond the six thousand years many church leaders accepted.

Charles Darwin was a young protégé of Lyell's when he strode up the gangplank of the Royal Navy research vessel Beagle in 1831. After a five year voyage and twenty years in fearful contemplation of the likely reaction, he produced his opus attesting his theory of species change over time.

Although sold out on the first day of publication, it's safe to say that few readers, even highly educated ones, comprehended On the Origin of Species. What of those lacking liberal education or who were at least well imbued with a tradition of faith?

Huxley's barb brought about instant clarity. Science was uncovering secrets hitherto trapped in the earth. One could either accept the information revealed by diligent labour in field and laboratory or withdraw into the comfortable mythology of faith.

Put so simply the options seem an easy choice, but in that era [indeed, in this one as well!] abandoning faith had no match in bringing about an emotional wrench.

One man, vitally involved in the work leading to the clash at Oxford, was not at the debate. He was far away in Pambula, New South Wales, Australia, running cattle. Roger McDonald has chosen this most central of all possible people as a focal point in the debate between science and Christianity.

Syms Covington, the Beagle's sailor chosen to become Mr Darwin's Shooter, collected many of the specimens of birds and animals Darwin examined in developing his theory. McDonald depicts him as a Congregationalist Christian, a sect viewed suspiciously in pre-Victorian England, but one which encouraged education and learning. This dichotomy allows McDonald to show Covington growing increasingly mindful of the importance of what he and Darwin are revealing.

Covington knows The Book Darwin is writing will bring it all together, yet even in Australia he continues to gather specimens for his 'gentleman' in England. He's not fearful of learning, but his growing knowledge brings intensified fear and resentment. His fright sometimes results in violence born of frustration.

Covington is a figure hidden in obscurity. Not enough information on his life exists to warrant a true biography. Not even his birth date is certain. He clearly had some education, since one reason for Darwin's employing him was his 'clear, copperplate [handwriting]' for recording notes. Although employed by Darwin as a 'servant', Covington is portrayed by McDonald as having higher ambitions. Darwin once wrote his sister that 'I don't very much like him'. McDonald uses this to picture Covington as a commoner not entirely comfortable at being directed by 'the young Gent'.

Nothing is known of what, if anything, Darwin confided in Covington as they collected specimens in South America and the Pacific Islands. McDonald postulates many questions plaguing Covington as he sorted and catalogued the specimens.

'What is life?', 'How does Creation work?' and, finally, the most daunting query of all, 'Do species change?' dropped idly by Darwin knowing it challenged Biblical ordinance. Yet, after Covington had relocated to Australia, he sought out Pacific barnacle samples at Darwin's request, bringing warm praise after their transmission to England. McDonald describes him at the task, clearly understanding that he was furthering an idea that might destroy his personal values.

McDonald is a writer who should have greater exposure to Canadian readers. As the son of a minister, he's especially placed to present Covington's dilemma to today's readers. He has an exceptional, if subtle, talent for depicting a man's values. His Covington is a vivid example of a man's emotional and intellectual clashes of hopes, ambitions, fears, judgements revealed in a clear, unexaggerated manner.

McDonald doesn't pander to today's 'political correctness', but places his character in valid historical context. Nor is Covington presented as a "hero". He knows how few heroes there are and these rarely valid under close scrutiny. McDonald's revelation of male feelings may be unpalatable to some. Still, every bit as much as Darwin did, McDonald unveils a truth and presents it in an easily flowing prose style. Mr Darwin's Shooter, should be read by anyone wishing to understand that truth. This book is highly recommended for a variety of reasons, not least being the ingenious idea of writing it at all.

As a side note, anyone interested can read Covington's journal as an electronic book in the Mitchell Library in New South Wales at www.asap.unimelb.edu.au/bsparcs/covingto/contents.htm.