38 brooks: applied geology 



William Smith used his knowledge of stratigraphy in the practice 

 of his engineering profession. Even in Europe the distinction 

 between the work of these two schools has now almost disappeared. 



The general interest and faith in science during the early his- 

 tory of our country is well exemplified in the attitude of public 

 men. Our first two presidents, in spite of the fact that they 

 differed greatly in temperament and experience, showed more 

 interest in scientific work than almost any of their successors. 

 Washington's training as an explorer, surveyor, and planter and 

 his close connection with the beginnings of the iron industry is 

 perhaps sufficient to account for his attitude toward science. 

 He is probably the only president who, by his own efforts, at- 

 tempted to advance applied science. While president he started 

 an investigation of the soils of the eastern states through personal 

 correspondence. More important, however, was the work of 

 Jefferson, in bringing about the establishment of the chair of 

 chemistry at the University of Virginia, thereby introducing 

 scientific teaching into this country. He also discussed the min- 

 eral resources of Virginia in his book on that commonwealth, 

 wrote, while vice-president, geologic paper, and above all inaug- 

 urated that system of exploration and investigation of the trans- 

 Mississippian region which was to yield such fruitful results in 

 the century to follow. John Adams, while he took no personal 

 part in promoting scientific research, manifested interest in it 

 by helping to establish the American Academy of Arts and Sci- 

 ences. 



A review of the conditions which brought about the rapid 

 growth of geologic work in this country during the first decades 

 of the nineteenth century cannot fail to consider the political and 

 industrial situation. The war of 1812 had united as one nation 

 the commonwealths which up to that time, in spite of the feder- 

 ation, had strong centrifugal tendencies. Duing the war with 

 Great Britain New England had been on the verge of rebellion, 

 while the Trans-Appalachian region was not held to the East by any 

 strong bonds. The country, rent by domestic quarrels and the 

 turmoil of opposing political factions, paid small heed to the prob- 

 lems of industry and commerce. 



