328 HENRY AND THE TELEGRAPH. 



this encouragement to come ? Certainly not from the public ; for what the multitude 

 cannot appreciate they cannot be expected to i-eward. If indeed the speculations of 

 the philosopher can be turned into immediate advantage by the manufacturer or the 

 merchant, the inventor is in a fair way of dividing profits with the applier ; but we 

 are not at lu'escnt considering such cases. . . . That discoveries which event- 

 ually have proved extensively applicable to commerce were never so suspected when 

 their first rudiments were developed, is too notorious to be disputed ; for the discovery 

 and the «2);>/(Crtf JOH of a new iirinciple require very different powers of mind. . . . 

 It is a maxim of the vulgar to esteem every requirement of this sort in proportion 

 to the direct benefit it confers on their own interests."* 



It is indeed too true that the proseciition of scientific truth for truth's sake only, 

 is popularly held in little favor, and instead of receiving assistance, is even unblush- 

 ingly decried by the would-be leaders of industrial opinion. Taking no lessons from 

 the splendid triumphs of the past, which constantly assure us that the discovery of 

 one age — naked and unprized, is the necessary foundation for the invention of the 

 next, intelligent editors still repeat the annual cry in superior judgment on the pro- 

 ceedings of leai^ned associations, " Disv)ense, gentlemen, with these barren and unin- 

 teresting papers, and give us something 'practical.'" 



The average citizen, professing a patronizing admiration of "science," is able per- 

 haps to appreciate the physics of machinery, and the chemistry of manufactures. 

 Eager for the rewards which may be won from nature by her students, he would gladly 

 be taught some new magneto-electric process for converting cellulose into bread, or 

 "oleomargarine" into butter; and yet in ignorant ingratitude, would as gladly mo- 

 nopolize the very thunderbolt, when Science once has forged it for the use of Art.t 



But let those incapable of conceiving a higher utility than the material, at least ex- 

 ercise that prudent reason they so much vaunt, and at least endeavor to secure for 

 that self-interest they so diligently pursue, the character of an enlighiened T[}o\icj. The 

 unpromising preparation for a possible magnetic telegraph was quietly advanced by a 

 fine succession of earnest students (little known or respected by the multitude), who 

 never paused to query " the use of it," and Avho (it is safe to say) would never have 

 accomplished their beneficent mission had their investigations been directly prompted 

 by the inspirations of a mercenary interest. t It may be confidently proclaimed as a firm 

 induction from all our past knowledge, that so intimately bound together is the entire 

 framework and system of the world, that no extension of our observation of the phe- 

 nomena of nature and of our insight into the laws of nature (which are the laws of 

 God), is not either a direct advancement in physical power and well-being, or a neces- 

 sary stepping-stone to other truths which sliall prove such. 



" Scientific researches are often supposed by the uninformed to be of little or no real 

 importance, and indeed are frequently ridiculed as barren of all practical utility. But 

 nothing ismore mistaken than this. The most valuable and productive of the arts of life, 

 the most important and wonder-working inventions of modern times, owe their being 

 and value to scientific investigations. By these have been discovered physical truths 

 and laws, the intelligent ai^plication of which to practical inventions has given im- 

 mense benefi ts to the world. The germs of these valuable improvements and inventions 

 have been found and developed by scientific research, — the original forms of which have 

 often seemed to the many to l)e as idle and useless as they were curious." $ 



*Swaiuson, On the Studi/ of Xatural History (Cabinet Cyclopaedia), part iv, chap, ii,' 

 Beets. 244, *24.'>, itp. 354-357. 



t " Science has scattered her material benefits so lavishly whenever she has been in 

 presence, that no small number of her followers and all the multitude liave left off 

 gazing on the resplendency other countenance, in their eager scramble for her gifts." 

 {Quarterly Beview, June, 1841, vol. lixviii, p. 185.) 



t Of those attempting the interrogation of nature "on account of the advantage and 

 benefit to be derived from it," it may be said in Bacon's hap])y simile: " Like Atalanta, 

 they leave the course to pick up the golden apple, interrupting their speed and giving 

 up the victory." {Novum Organum, book i, aphorism 70, Bohu's edition, 1858, p. 407.) 



$ Report of special committee of the Board of Regents, on the distribution of the 

 income of the Smithsonian fund. Smilhsonian Report for 1853, p. 86. 



