A PLEA FOR PURE SCIENCE. i8r 



where truth is inculcated, and where men are taught to take a low seat 

 at the table in order that they may be honored by being called up 

 higher, and not dishonored by being thrust down lower, yet these insti- 

 tutions have thrust themselves into the highest seats, and cannot prob- 

 ably be dislodged. 



But would it not be possible to so change public opinion that no 

 college could be founded with a less endowment than say $1,000,000, 

 or no university with less than three or four times that amount? From 

 the report of the Commissioner of Education I learn that such a change 

 is taking place; that the tendency towards large institutions is increas- 

 ing, and that it is principally in the West and Southwest that the 

 multiplication of small institutions with big names is to be feared 

 most, and that the East is almost ready for the great coming university. 



The total wealth of the four hundred colleges and universities in 

 1880 was about $40,000,000 in buildings and $43,000,000 in produc- 

 tive funds. This would be sufficient for one great university of $10,- 

 000,000, four of $5,000,000, and twenty-six colleges of $2,000,000 each. 

 But such an idea can of course never be carried out. Government 

 appropriations are out of the question, because no political trickery 

 must be allowed around the ideal institution. 



In the year 1880 the private bequests to all schools and colleges 

 amounted to about $5,500,000; and, although there was one bequest 

 of $1,250,000, yet the amount does not appear to be phenomenal. It 

 would thus seem that the total amount was about five million dollars 

 in one year, of which more than half is given to so-called colleges and 

 universities. It would be very difficult to regulate these bequests so 

 that they might be concentrated sufficiently to produce an immediate 

 result. But the figures show that generosity is a prominent feature of 

 the American people, and that the needs of the country only have to 

 be appreciated to have the funds forthcoming. We must make the 

 need of research and of pure science felt in the country. We must live 

 such lives of pure devotion to our science, that all shall see that we 

 ask for money, not that we may live in indolent ease at the expense 

 of charity, but that we may work for that which has advanced and 

 will advance the world more than any other subject, both intellectually 

 and physically. We must live such lives as to neutralize the influence 

 of those who in high places have degraded their profession, or have 

 given themselves over to ease, and do nothing for the science which 

 they represent. Let us do what we can with the present means at 

 our disposal. There is not one of us who is situated in the position 

 best adapted to bring out all his powers, and to allow him to do most 

 for his science. All have their difficulties, and I do not think that 

 circumstances will ever radically change a man. If a man has the 

 instinct of research in him, it will always show itself in some form. 



