104 THE POPULAR SCIENCE MONTHLY. 



supposed that the peculiarities which it presents are absolutely unique. 

 It seems more likely that there may be many other stars which are at 

 present passing through our system. In fact, considering that most or 

 all of the stars are actually in motion, it can be shown that, in the course 

 of ages, the whole face of the heavens is gradually changing. We are 

 thus led to the conclusion that our system is not an absolutely isolated 

 group of bodies in the abyss of space, but that we are visited by other 

 bodies coming from the remotest regions of space. Contemporary 

 Review. 



-+*+- 



ON BRAIN-WORK AND HAND-WORK. 



Br E. M. N. 



DR. BEARD'S treatise on the " Longevity of Brain-Workers " 

 was ably reviewed some years ago in the " Journal of Science." 

 Still it appears to me that the last woi*d on this topic has not yet 

 been said. Certain points, both of distinction and of resemblance, 

 seem to have been overlooked as well by reviewer as by author, and 

 certain of the conclusions drawn are at least open to question. 



I may perhaps be allowed to put the opening question, What is 

 work ? The common reply is, " Any pursuit by which a man earns or 

 attempts to earn a livelihood and to accumulate wealth." This defi- 

 nition is the more to be regretted because it cherishes, or rather begets, 

 the vulgar error that all persons who do not aim at the accumulation 

 of wealth are "idlers." In point of fact such men may be doing far 

 greater services to the world than the most diligent and successful 

 votary of a trade or a profession. Darwin, having a competency, was 

 therewith content. To him, and to others of kindred minds, the oppor- 

 tunity of devoting his whole life to the search after scientific truth was 

 a boon immeasurably higher than any conceivable amount of wealth. 

 Shall we call him an idler? Nor is science the only field which opens 

 splendid prospects to men of independent means. Art, literature, phi- 

 lanthropy, have all their departments, unrcmunerative in a commercial 

 point of view, or at least not directly remunerative, and for all these 

 cultivators are wanted. Therefore, reversing the advice given by rou- 

 tine moralists, I would say to wealthy young men of ability : " Do not 

 take up any trade, business, or profession, but do some of the world's 

 unpaid work. Leave money-making to those who have no other option, 

 and be searchers for fcruth and beauty." Every one who follows this 

 advice will contribute something to show the world that the race for 

 wealth is not the only pursuit worthy of a rational being. I should 

 define work as the conscious systematic application of mind or body to 

 any definite purpose. 



I said " of mind or body." Perhaps the expression may sound old- 



