44 THE POPULAR SCIENCE MONTHLY. 



countries all lie within the region which has been marked as governed 

 by the most favorable conditions for science. 



Very distinguished or illustrious men compose in a manner the 

 framework of our history ; but by their side we may see a considerable 

 number who have perhaps contributed quite as much, by their collect- 

 ive efforts, to the continuous progress of science. There may be found 

 in this category some very ingenious men, very industrious, and worthy 

 to figure in the first ranks, but whom a premature death has removed 

 from activity, who have been prevented from publishing, or who have 

 been obliged to give most of their time to work which made no show- 

 ing. The celebrities who shine in the full light are, in reality, the 

 manifestation of the existence of a public well informed and friendly 

 to research. Scientific work is, in fact, much more than it appears to 

 be, collective. This is one of the reasons why particular countries and 

 groups of population obtain a superiority over others, and keep it for 

 centuries. One or two celebrated men may disappear, without the choice 

 and progressive population of which they were the highest expression 

 being annulled. A group which has once produced such illustrations 

 of its vigor may at any time furnish others. 



Under the present multiplication of scientific schools and societies, 

 laboratories, museums, and establishments in which science is applied, 

 thousands of persons are competing in scientific labors. The more 

 this array of workers grows, the more should it have within itself in- 

 ventive minds who will perfect processes and occasionally make dis- 

 coveries. The average class of scientific men is now of higher quality, 

 because it represents better teaching and more skill in practice ; but 

 there will always be above this medium rank better endowed and more 

 active sava?7ts, or those who are more masters of their time and their 

 persons. The popularization of science by means of books, periodi- 

 cals, lectures, and societies, and the interest taken by all intelligent 

 people in scientific matters, are of great advantage to the progress 

 of knowledge, fcr specialists make recruits and easily find assistance 

 in mediums thus disposed. The slow and costly movements of gov- 

 ernments are not equal in value to the zealous and disinterested impul- 

 sion of the public. M. de Candolle's opinions respecting the influence 

 of politics and government patronage on scientific pursuits are, in fact, 

 very decidedly expressed. After showing how religious preposses- 

 sions, which are usually more positive, more firmly held, and more ex- 

 clusive than any other kind of prejudices, may interfere with the free 

 exercise of scientific thought, he observes that the incompatibility of 

 political relations is still greater ; for politicians defend, not what they 

 believe to be true, but what appears practicable or possible to realize, 

 and are subservient to the authority of chiefs and majorities. Politics 

 agree well with the aims of those whose chief pursuit is that of mate- 

 rial gain, for such men frequently have to use the same methods as poli- 

 ticians to succeed ; but the person who is seeking for pure truth in his- 



