Academy of Sciences] BIOGRAPHY 11 



Providence they encountered many serious setbacks, but in this case, as in his scientific work, 

 opposition and misfortune served simply to stimulate him to renewed effort. If one scheme 

 failed he devised another more complete, and usually, so it seemed to me, more difficult of 

 performance. Temporary failures seemed to act as challenges to his resourcefulness and deter- 

 mination, and I am confident that he experienced a real joy in those contests with nature. 



Science needs for its continued progress talents of many kinds, insight and inventiveness, 

 enthusiasm, wide knowledge, a high degree of experimental skill, and many other of the best 

 qualities, but perhaps no gifts are more essential than exactness and thoroughness. Through 

 them advancement is made certain; few backward steps must be taken. It was in these qual- 

 ities that Doctor Morse was preeminent. The work that he did was exceedingly well done, so 

 that other men might build upon it with confidence. By the exercise of these talents he was 

 able to contribute to the science of chemistry knowledge of lasting value, and it is pleasant to 

 remember that for this work he received the highest reward that a scientist can hope to obtain — 

 I mean the sincere gratitude and applause of his fellow specialists 



