34 KANSAS ACADEMY OF SCIENCE. 



change ? The answer is easily given. The laboratory method, sup- 

 plemented by scientific criticism. 



Eighteen centuries were devoted to the classics of Athens and Rome, 

 the philosophy of Aristotle, and the controversies of the schoolmen, 

 and yet how slow were the steps of progress, how comparatively fruit- 

 less the results ! To be sure, the world would be a loser if the master- 

 pieces of ancient literature and their benign influence upon the 

 thought and life of succeeding ages were blotted out of existence. 

 The great schools of this country are widening their curricula im- 

 mensely, especially in the direction of the sciences. The number of 

 students devoted to the pursuit of special and general scientific cul- 

 ture shows most conclusively that "the exalted character of a man's 

 work is to be measured by its usefulness to mankind."' Changing the 

 language somewhat, an eminent scientist and scholar has said that 

 '' the scientist is by nature an iconoclast. He has small respect for 

 the traditions. He bows not down to the 'tyranny of the ancients.' 

 His glories are in the future. He looks forward, not back. He does 

 not hesitate to smile at the puerile fancies of people who created gods 

 and demigods in order to account for phenomena which to-day submit 

 to mathematical analysis, and which bear no comparison with the ex- 

 ploits of modern science. The accomplished scientist generally re- 

 ciprocates such prejudice, for he cannot understand how the worship 

 of the ancients can be really serious; it seems to him three-fourths 

 affectation." Technical, scientific and liberal branches in the past 

 have been separated. Now they work side by side, each rendering 

 the other valuable assistance. Science has revolutionized the old and 

 effete systems, and opened wide the door of knowledge and of life. 



In the heavens, in the earth, air, and sea, above, below, around, 

 everywhere, science has cast her keen, observing eyes ; intelligence has 

 multiplied beyond all computation ; the comforts and conveniences of 

 life have increased a thousandfold ; nature has been compelled to 

 yield wealth, health, strength, and power, and a better and sweeter life 

 from thousands of fountains that had never before been opened and 

 whose existence had never been dreamed of. 



Science is the great truth-seeker, the great truth-finder. The rec- 

 ord of the nineteenth century is closed, but some of its problems are 

 still waiting for solution. Will the new century meet the problems 

 and answer them ? Will not chemistry, biology, evolution, physics 

 and astronomy bring to the light a marvelous array of new principles 

 and facts not yet dreamed of? Already the answers are coming — are 

 here. A Frenchman has built a machine by which he has shown be- 

 yond doubt that aerial navigation has at last been accomplished. Not 

 long will it be until the American will be able to enter his aerial ship 



