LINNEAN SOCIETY OF LONDON. 35 



have reacted on certain branches of observational science. In the 

 XVII. Century pliilosophical study had already commenced, in 

 observatories provided for the purpose, the systematization of 

 natural knowledge by the astronomer and the meteorologist for 

 the benefit of the navigator who brings to the arts and crafts 

 the exotic productions of nature and carries abroad the results 

 of industrial enterprise. This particular manifestation of com- 

 mercial activity is now dependent on experimental as well as 

 on observational technology. So far as the importation of exotic 

 productions of nature is concerned, commerce has reacted upon 

 the pursuits which engage the attention of our Society. At her 

 instigation gardens, originally established by the simpler and tlie 

 mediciner, have extended their functions so as to include the 

 acclimatization of the animals and plants which yield exotic 

 natural productions ; museums, originally devoted to curiosities, 

 have added to their duties those of determining the sources and 

 assessing the qualities of such productions. 



In the industrial field the intercourse is mainly confined to 

 those branches of science in which the experimental method can 

 be employed. The attitude towards philosophical study varies. 

 The practical man, whose fate is now a preoccupation both of 

 Science and the State, is guided in his action by routine and 

 authority. His case is the more difficult to deal with because his 

 methods are really scientific ; routine is crystallized experiment, 

 authority is consolidated observation. His instinctive attitude 

 towards both philosophical study and technological activity is 

 therefore intelligible. To him the philosophical student is a 

 purposeless dreamer ; the technological expert a pestilent theorist. 

 The captain of industrj-, unlike the practical man, takes every 

 opportunity to apply scientific knowledge. He does not alvi'ays 

 acknowledge his indebtedness. But this too is not unnatural ; 

 dislike of the source of an obligation is one of the traits which 

 distinguish reason from instinct. 



Tlie attitude of the State towards philosophical stud^yhas passed 

 through successive phases of suspicion, toleration, depreciation, 

 exploitation. The intellectual activities of the ingenious and the 

 curious, at one time a black art calling for penal restraint, came 

 to be regarded as a harmless amusement. The advent of experi- 

 mental technology once more called the attention of the State to 

 philosophical study. The new utilitarian activity was regarded 

 as science ; philosophical study, not being engaged on the problem 

 of making two blades of grass grow where one grew before, was 

 held to be the kind of blunder which is worse than crime. To her 

 alarm the State has now discovered that without the willing help 

 of philosophical study she cannot fulfil her primary duty of pre- 

 serving the civic liberties of the community. Eealising that philo- 

 sophical investigation, as contrasted with technological activity, 

 may be of use, the State has decided to put science into harness. 

 The portion of philosophical study has been persecution, neglect, 

 servitude. The intelligent appreciation of discovery is still far off ; 

 science waits for the dav when she "shall come into her own." 



2d 



