Загублений світ

           Theattitudeofthegreaterpartofthepublicmightbedescribedasoneofattentiveneutrality.

           "Dr.IllingworthbeganhisremarksbyexpressinghishighappreciationofthescientificworkbothofProfessorChallengerandofProfessorSummerlee.Hemuchregrettedthatanypersonalbiasshouldhavebeenreadintohisremarks,whichwereentirelydictatedbyhisdesireforscientifictruth.Hisposition,infact,wassubstantiallythesameasthattakenupbyProfessorSummerleeatthelastmeeting.AtthatlastmeetingProfessorChallengerhadmadecertainassertionswhichhadbeenqueriedbyhiscolleague.Nowthiscolleaguecameforwardhimselfwiththesameassertionsandexpectedthemtoremainunquestioned.Wasthisreasonable?(‘Yes,’‘No,’andprolongedinterruption,duringwhichProfessorChallengerwasheardfromthePressboxtoaskleavefromthechairmantoputDr.Illingworthintothestreet.)Ayearagoonemansaidcertainthings.Nowfourmensaidotherandmorestartlingones.Wasthistoconstituteafinalproofwherethemattersinquestionwereofthemostrevolutionaryandincrediblecharacter?Therehadbeenrecentexamplesoftravelersarrivingfromtheunknownwithcertaintaleswhichhadbeentooreadilyaccepted.WastheLondonZoologicalInstitutetoplaceitselfinthisposition?Headmittedthatthemembersofthecommitteeweremenofcharacter.Buthumannaturewasverycomplex.EvenProfessorsmightbemisledbythedesirefornotoriety.