EDWARD LIVINGSTON YOUMANS. i 7 



and energy that is spent in classical education where it is merely 

 the following of an old tradition. 



As a crown to all this useful work Mr. Youmans established, in 

 1872, The Popular Science Monthly, which has unquestionably 

 been of high educational value to the general public. It was not 

 the aim of this magazine to give an account of every theory ex- 

 pounded, every fact observed, every discovery made from year to 

 year, whether significant or insignificant. The mind of the peo- 

 ple is not educated by dumping a great, unshapely mass of facts 

 into it. It needs to be stimulated rather than crammed. Educa- 

 tion in science should lead one to think for one's self. The scien- 

 tific magazine, therefore, should present articles from all quarters 

 that deal with the essential conceptions of science or discuss prob- 

 lems of real theoretical or practical interest, no matter whether 

 every particular asteroid or the last new species of barnacle re- 

 ceives full attention or not. The Popular Science Monthly has 

 now been with us eighteen years ; its character has always been of 

 the highest, and it must have exerted an excellent influence not 

 only as a diff user of valuable knowledge, but in training its readers 

 to scientific habits of thought in so far as mere reading can con- 

 tribute to such a result. 



In concluding our survey of this useful and noble life, what 

 impresses us most, I think, is the broad, democratic spirit and the 

 absolute unselfishness which it reveals at every moment and in 

 every act. To Edward Youmans the imperative need for edu- 

 cating the great mass of the people so as to use their mental 

 powers to the best advantage came home as a living, ever-present 

 fact. He saw all that it meant and means in the raising of man- 

 kind to a higher level of thought and action than that upon 

 which they now live. To this end he consecrated himself with 

 unalloyed devotion ; and we who mourn his loss look back upon 

 his noble career with a sense of victory, knowing how the good 

 that such a man does lives after him and can never die. 



[Mr. Fiske's address was followed by appreciative remarks from 

 several gentlemen who had known Mr. Youmans, and who gave 

 many interesting reminiscences of him. We append a letter from 

 Mr. Spencer, which arrived too late to be read at this meeting.] 



64 Avenue Road, Regent's Park, London, N. W., March 13, 1890. 



Dear Mr. Skilton : I received your telegram last night, and 

 from the wording conclude that you wish some letter from me 

 about Youmans which Fiske may read in his lecture on the 23d. I 

 am very glad to respond to the request, and I can not do this better 

 than by giving you the following copy of a passage in my Auto- 

 biography concerning him : 



"The relation thus initiated was extremely fortunate; for 



TOL. XXXTII. — 2 



