VI SCIENCE AND CULTURE 137 



timidly whispered, until now, the advocates of 

 scientific education have met with opposition of 

 two kinds. On the one hand, they have heen 

 pooh-poohed by the men of business who pride 

 themselves on being the representatives of practi- 

 cality; while, on the other hand, they have been 

 excommunicated by the classical scholars, in their 

 capacity of Levites in charge of the ark of culture 

 and monopolists of liberal education. 



The practical men believed that the idol whom 

 they worship — rule of thumb — has been the source 

 of the past prosperity, and will suffice for the 

 future welfare of the arts and manufactures. 

 They were of opinion that science is speculative 

 rubbish; that theory and practice have nothing 

 to do with one another; and that the scientific 

 habit of mind is an impediment, rather than an 

 aid, in the conduct of ordinary affairs. 



I have used the past tense in speaking of the 

 practical men — for although they were very 

 formidable thirty years ago, I am not sure that 

 the pure species has not been extirpated. In fact, 

 so far as mere argument goes, they have been 

 subjected to such a feu d'etifer that it is a miracle 

 if any have escaped. But I have remarked that 

 your typical practical man has an unexpected 

 resemblance to one of Milton's angels. His 

 spiritual wounds, such as arc inflicted by logical 

 weapons, may be as deep as a well and as wide as 

 a church door, but lieyond shedding a few drops 



