WHAT IS RESEARCH? 177 



order to help the right man in his work of research, too great care can 

 not be given to the importance of study and investigation as preliminary 

 steps in the preparation for research. A brilliant student, who lacks 

 power of investigation, may be unfit and inadequate to carry on re- 

 search; and the most capable man of research may still come short of 

 being a ready or able learner of words. Many a man by indomitable 

 energy may overcome great deficiencies, but this fact should not excuse 

 a university from the most rigid discrimination of the essential elements 

 of merit in a man seeking to undertake research work. 



As the highest aim of the literary scholar is the production of last- 

 ing literary creations, so the highest aim of the research scholar is the 

 advancement of the boundaries of actual scientific knowledge and the 

 discovery of new truths. In both cases the aim must be toward the 

 highest, or the attainment will be unworthy. It is given to but very 

 few to make marked success in either line. The man of research must 

 be willing to devote his life to his work, to sacrifice most of the enjoy- 

 able things otherwise within his reach. He must not be deceived as 

 to the measurement of success. Eesearch can not be weighed by its 

 practical value, to apply the term in its every-day sense, for practical 

 value depends upon the financial productiveness of the energy expended. 

 As with a newly discovered country, years of toil and great expenditure 

 of money, and it may be loss of life, may be demanded before any 

 profit results from the discovery. Even in fields in which rich results 

 have already been attained great expenditure of thought, energy and 

 expense may be required before practical results become evident from 

 new research. We can recall many such cases. Success in research 

 can not be measured by applause, or even by recognition from other 

 scientific investigators. For appreciation comes only from those who 

 appreciate; only those thoroughly conversant with a particular field of 

 knowledge can distinguish an advance or enlargement of the boundaries 

 of that field. The man of research must, therefore, be content to be 

 alone in most of his work; unappreciated and unapplauded, using 

 energy and money on tasks which may seem to all about him useless 

 and wasteful. For these reasons this field of activity should not be 

 entered upon lightly. 



We as teachers should ever be on the watch for men of the right 

 quality for such advanced work, but should never tempt mere enthu- 

 siasts to undertake a task which for success requires the toughness of 

 a soldier, the temper of a saint and the training of a scholar. 



VOL. LXVII.— 12. 



