354 SCIENCE PROGRESS 



do well to join the Guild. The Office is at 199, Piccadilly, 

 London, W. 



Undergraduates and the Betterment of Science 



There is at present evidence of much intellectual stagnation 

 in this country, probably induced by old mental adhesions and 

 ossifications. Some might ascribe this to mental paralysis, even 

 to senile paralysis ; because it is probable that countries like 

 individuals tend to become older. Fortunately countries possess 

 a constant growth of new cells, which, according to some physi- 

 ologists, is not found in the brain of individuals. The new cells 

 of the community are the young people, and with them the 

 future lies. It is therefore with peculiar gratification that we 

 note the following plain speaking in the columns of our con- 

 temporary The Undergraduate, and we are glad to see the 

 support it gives to the campaign in which we are engaged : — 



"What is the complaint? It is this, that society will not 

 remunerate the thinking, that seeks to observe and establish 

 principles. Effective work in other directions obtains lavish 

 recognition. An organiser who provides good and reliable 

 meals for the people, near their work, is hailed a captain of 

 industry, and achieves an enormous fortune. The maker of a 

 slightly superior soap, the distributor of tea, sugar, and butter, 

 on a system which permits their cost to the poor consumer to be 

 ever so slightly reduced, secures a like reward. The provider 

 of luxuries, the manipulator of shares on the Stock Exchange, 

 the bookmaker, the brewer, in return for their small contribu- 

 tions to the common weal, are enabled to retire in affluence. 



The scientific worker and thinker is outside the network of 

 channels in which the streams of money flow. If he attempts 

 to tap the channels, as Kelvin did, and as Ehrlich does, there 

 is a murmur. Why should there be ? Why should he be 

 debarred access to the means by which he, too, can marry, can 

 educate his children, and secure his own old age ? If his work 

 is to be at the disposal of all, as in many cases it must be . . . 

 then it is the duty of the State to recognise the work, not by 

 empty honours, not by posthumous favours through the Civil 

 List, but by definite, clear, and appropriate payment. 



If society will not do this voluntarily, if it is so far apathetic 

 to its own material interests, the time cannot be far distant, 



