NOTES 113 



physical laboratories in the kingdom were those at the Royal Institution, at 

 the Scottish Universities, at University College, London, and at Oxford. The 

 Cavendish laboratory had been planned and cost about ;^8,5oo, exclusive of 

 fittings. The number of physicists in the country was extremely small, and 

 limited to those in whom enthusiasm for research overcame the disadvant- 

 ages attendant on the smallness of its pecuniary rewards. It was, in fact, the 

 period when physics was just commencing to form a definite and separate 

 profession in this country. 



Those who worked in the first half of the century and whose names remain 

 well known to-day were, with but few exceptions, men who gained their 

 livelihood in another field or from private means. Their physical work was 

 their hobby and its own reward ; it might enhance their reputation, bring 

 them pleasant companionship, but was not expected to line their pockets. 

 It was a period in which there were but few workers, but those men of out- 

 standing merit. There was, indeed, no scope and no incentive for men of 

 smaller talent. Gradually, in the course of years the field of research has 

 widened, it requires its labourers as well as its pioneers, its benefits to 

 mankind have become apparent to all but those who will not see, and 

 there is work both for genius and those of lesser gift. Modern educational 

 methods have provided workers, but the old tradition dies hard, and too often 

 the work has still to be its own reward. We are quite sure that many of the 

 older and more distinguished physicists take a pride in supplying information 

 and giving the benefit of their wisdom, knowledge, and experience, without 

 material recompense ; would, indeed, be offended at the offer of a monetary 

 reward, and certainly far too proud to ask for it. The result of this attitude in 

 the past is to be seen in the general contempt for science in bureaucratic and 

 political circles. A lawyer is worthy of his hire, a commission agent must be 

 paid a great price ; but a scientist is too worthless even to be given control 

 of the Department of Scientific Research ! It is to endeavour to correct these 

 notions that the Institute of Physics exists, to try to secure a more widespread 

 recognition of Physics as a profession, and, we fear in the far distant future, 

 to serve as an organisation for securing and controlling a building wherein the 

 activities of all the physical societies may be concentrated — a club, a meeting- 

 place, and a library for the physicists throughout the country. 



Mr. Balfour emphasised the fundamental character and importance of 

 physical work, and expressed surprise that the formation of the Institute had 

 been so long delayed. He confessed that when he saw great industrial 

 disputes going on about the distribution of the results of industry he could not 

 help thinking, " Why do not you devote half the energy and half of the amount 

 of money involved to increasing the power of man over nature, which would 

 increase the share and increase the total result to be divided among members 

 of the community, instead of devoting your energies to saying how the rela- 

 tively insignificant amount we now produce is to be divided among the 

 producers ? " We cannot help feeling how unfortunate it is that Mr. Balfour 

 has been converted to this view so late. Now " the work that the Advisory 

 Council has done in providing opportunities for research deserved all the 

 praise which Sir J. J. Thomson had given to it. Unfortunately, the present 

 impoverished state of the country has compelled a reluctant Treasury to cut down 

 the sum at their disposal^ It can only afford ;^io, 000,000 for the miners, 

 huge bonuses to civil servants, free first-class fares for M.P.s, their relief 

 from income tax — alas ! alas ! ! alas ! ! ! 



8 



