i897. THE GENEALOGY OF THE SCIENCES. 405 



the publications of the " Polish Society of Science of Paris," ought 

 to be considered by the French savants as belonging to French 

 literature ? These questions appear ridiculous. Yes they are foolish, 

 and yet they were not raised, so far as I remember, at the London 

 Congress. 



The fact is that the representatives of the governments have 

 nothing to say and nothing to do at a congress on the bibliography 

 of science. Science is for men of science, not for governments. It 

 is to the interest of philosophers and of the learned societies to have 

 this bibliography. But those who have no understanding of the matter 

 take no interest in it : and governments are in this position. 

 Governments are only migratory institutions, which science may 

 exploit, but on which she must never depend, because science, which 

 marches in great strides, must be free. The example of Poland will 

 suffice. To-day still the Russian Government, far from aiding, does 

 its best to choke intellectual development and culture in Poland ; 

 and though, in spite of all, science progresses on the banks of the 

 Vistula as elsewhere in the civilised world, it is because science 

 belongs to the world and not to the governments. 



To conclude. If we must combine, it is for men of science to do 

 it ; for they alone can understand the principle of international 

 solidarity, they, who, with sure and continuous step, march in the 

 front of progress. 



HeNRYK AR9TOWSKI. 



London, February 15, 1897. 



