EDWARD BURGESS. 359 



sion, and all of them were executed with such skill in every respect 

 as to command the attention of entomologists in every part of the 

 world. 



He was considered an authority upon the Diptera, and his collection 

 of these animals contained fourteen thousand specimens. He however 

 published but little, although he had really done a large amount of sys- 

 tematic work upon this order. 



His favorite recreation in the summer time was yachting ; and while 

 engaged in this apparently aimless occupation, he was really studying 

 the construction and handling of vessels, and following out a natural 

 bent leading to the development of the best and highest qualities of 

 his mind. 



The services he rendered to natural history, although of high ex- 

 cellence, were not unique, whereas it may be said with confidence that 

 his work in naval architecture was a reform of the first magnitude. 

 Constructors worked empirically and were not able to produce im- 

 provements in any two consecutive boats which would show the 

 certain working out of results by means of a scientific method. Bur- 

 gess applied the discipline his mind had gained from the study of sci- 

 ence to the problem of boat building, and demonstrated the fact that a 

 system could be invented and used which would give certain results. 



Knowing Mr. Burgess personally, and occupying for many years the 

 same office with him, also having some acquaintance with the subject 

 and its difficulties, it amazed me to see the modest confidence he pos- 

 sessed in his own application of scientific methods to this problem. 

 His replies to my questions, on two successive occasions following the 

 first victory in the international races, invariably disclaimed any great 

 merit on his own part, or any certainty that he could construct a better 

 model than his rivals, and he was fond of ending the argument by a 

 highly characteristic remark, — "A scientific method and experience 

 ought to enable me to beat myself." 



The spirit of the scientist was dominant in him, and even during 

 times of the highest excitement I never knew him to admit that he 

 desired his boat would win in the international races. He always 

 insisted that he hoped the best model would win, declaring that the 

 object to be attained was the highest excellence in naval construction, 

 and this was to him more important than any other. It is a matter of 

 serious regret to his friends, and perhaps a great loss to the world, that 

 he never reached the goal of his desires, — an opportunity to apply his 

 methods and test their value on a large scale in the construction of first- 

 class steamers. 



